PRESIDENT’S FAREWELL

Ground-Breaking Tapeta Era Dawns at Gulfstream Park

The ground-breaking Tapeta era dawned Sept. 30 at Gulfstream Park, where four races were contested over the newly installed allweather surface on opening day of the Fall Meet.

Kathleen O’Connell, the second winningest female trainer in history, notched win number 2,279 after saddling Florida-bred Emoji Guy for a victory in Race One in the first Tapeta race run at Gulfstream, the very first racetrack with dirt, turf and all-weather surfaces.

“It means a lot,” O’Connell said. “I’m happy for the owners. They’ve waited for a long time. I just texted them, ‘It’s a new track record. Of course, it was the first race run on it.”

J S Stables LLC’s Emoji Guy, the 9-5 favorite for the $12,500 claiming race for 3-yearolds and up at a mile-and-a-sixteenth, was timed in 1:48.08 in his all-weather debut under Edwin Gonzalez. “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 and I was pretty happy where he was.” Gonzalez has ridden on all-weather tracks at Golden Gate, Presque Isle and Arlington. Gonzalez, who made a three-wide sweep to the lead on the far turn aboard Emoji Guy, expressed his satisfaction with the going on the Tapeta track and his belief that the surface will become tighter as time goes by. “It’s good. I have to tell you, they did a really good job. Right now, it’s good, and when the tractors start working it more, it’s going to be better.” Emoji Guy won for the first time in eight starts, seven on turf, since breaking his maiden on turf. He is by Journeyman Stud’s Khozan out of Street Show, by Street Boss and has $44,180 in earnings from two wins in 13 starts with a second and a third. Emoji Guy was bred Tapeta first gallop ■ Ryan Thompson Photo in the Sunshine State by Ruben Stables. ■

PRESIDENT’S FAREWELL Continued from page 13

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 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. ■