“He was good and comfortable. The horse really liked it,” Gonzalez said. “You have to ride it like the turf. I wanted to make one move The ground-breaking Tapeta era dawned Sept. 30 at Gulfstream and I was pretty happy where he was.” Park, where four races were contested over the newly installed allGonzalez has ridden on all-weather tracks at Golden Gate, Presque weather surface on opening day of the Fall Isle and Arlington. Meet. Gonzalez, who made a three-wide sweep to Kathleen O’Connell, the second winningest the lead on the far turn aboard Emoji Guy, exfemale trainer in history, notched win number pressed his satisfaction with the going on the 2,279 after saddling Florida-bred Emoji Guy Tapeta track and his belief that the surface will for a victory in Race One in the first Tapeta become tighter as time goes by. race run at Gulfstream, the very first racetrack “It’s good. I have to tell you, they did a rewith dirt, turf and all-weather surfaces. ally good job. Right now, it’s good, and when “It means a lot,” O’Connell said. “I’m the tractors start working it more, it’s going to happy for the owners. They’ve waited for a long be better.” time. I just texted them, ‘It’s a new track record. Emoji Guy won for the first time in eight Of course, it was the first race run on it.” starts, seven on turf, since breaking his maiden J S Stables LLC’s Emoji Guy, the 9-5 faon turf. He is by Journeyman Stud’s Khozan vorite for the $12,500 claiming race for 3-yearout of Street Show, by Street Boss and has olds and up at a mile-and-a-sixteenth, was $44,180 in earnings from two wins in 13 starts timed in 1:48.08 in his all-weather debut under with a second and a third. Emoji Guy was bred Tapeta first gallop Ryan Thompson Photo Edwin Gonzalez. in the Sunshine State by Ruben Stables. ■
Ground-Breaking Tapeta Era Dawns at Gulfstream Park
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PRESIDENT’S FAREWELL the Association has continued to expand and elevate our membership services. I also would like to highlight some efforts of our board members. George Russell serves as the chair for the FTBOA farmland preservation task force that monitors and offers feedback to association management and stakeholders regarding land re-zoning and transportation developments that may impact Marion County and surrounding thoroughbred farm operations, particularly as it may pertain to the farmland preservation area. I should also point out that for a second year in a row, Florida’s preservation efforts have earned a national honor. The Robert N. Clay Award issued by the Equine Land Conservation Resource Group for outstanding efforts in the preservation of farmland has been given to John and Leslie Malone, owners of the iconic Bridlewood Farm, among other equine properties of distinction nationally. First-vice president Valerie Dailey has served as the chair of the charity committee for several years and has had a tough task to raise funds during the challenging last year and a half. Last year, the committee launched its first ever online silent auction with great success. This year, the committee launched its second online auction and moved it to in-person at the Florida Thoroughbred Charities charity day and golf tournament held in October. Under Valerie’s leadership, the committee added events with the Florida Thoroughbred Farm Managers and the Florida
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Thoro-bred Fillies to create a full day for industry participants. The tournament was well attended and generous farms and businesses as well as the community supported the charity event, raising more than previous auctions. George Isaacs is the chair of the Marion County Thoroughbred Walk of Fame committee designated to select famed Florida-breds for the downtown sidewalks. His knowledge of the history of the region and the industry is valuable to this task. I would also like to highlight board member Laurine Fuller-Vargas who founded Run for the Ribbons in 2014 with the goal of showcasing the versatility of the thoroughbred after racing. Her efforts have led to the Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo now in its fifth year, being held at the Florida Horse Park. Her commitment to thoroughbred aftercare is one we all share and we congratulate and support her in her efforts. I would also like to congratulate all the advertisers who saw our vision to move Wire to Wire Racing Digest to a digital product. We have more eyes than ever seeing our Florida-bred successes in the publication as we’ve taken Florida Equine Communications into the 21st century. It has been the industry’s leading vehicle to showcase the Florida thoroughbred on an almost daily basis and now gives our advertisers more exposure than ever before. In closing, I thank you again for the honor of serving as your president and best of luck. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2021
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