The Florida Horse November 2010

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NOVEMBER 2010 •VOL 53/ISSUE 10

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FLORIDA FOCUS

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FRED BREI NAMED FTBOA PRESIDENT

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AWESOME SWEEP

Florida-bred Awesome Feather’s Florida Stallion Stakes Series sweep highlights Calder’s Festival of the Sun.

By Nick Fortuna

28

A PLACE IN HISTORY Jacks or Better Farm earns a unique entry in Florida Stallion Stakes history. By Jo Ann Guidry

CONGRATS ALL AROUND

32

Vinery stallion Congrats tops national freshman sire list to continue tradition of precocious Sunshine State sires. By Jo Ann Guidry

STORM CAT MARE TOPS OBS FALL MIXED SALE

34

Consignor-preferred session sees huge gains. By Nick Fortuna

PERFECT FOUNDATION

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Zenyatta’s Florida roots By Michael Compton

FLORIDA-BRED BREEDERS’ CUP PRE-ENTRIES EDITOR’S NOTE

39 43

By Summer Best

EQUINE CARE

44

YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK

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Harvesting success By Connie Duff Wise

HORSE COUNCIL NEWS NEWS BITS TAKIN’ ON WASHINGTON

48 50 52

Florida’s Hasbrouck Donovan heads to the Washington International with a trio of top horses. By Diana Derosa

WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES COVERAGE

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FARM MANAGEMENT

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Best management practices By Jamie Cohen

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

COVER PHOTO: LIZ LAMONT CONTENTS: JIM LISA

FTBOA CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

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FLORIDA’S LEADING SIRES

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PLAYER’S PAGE

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Opportunity knocks By Paul Moran

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801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 (352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Compton BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant MANAGING EDITOR/ADVERTISING MANAGER

Summer Best ART DIRECTOR

John Filer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry WRITER

Nick Fortuna ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp CORRESPONDENTS

Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt PUBLISHER Florida Equine Publications, Inc. (A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Brei, President/Board Chairman Brent Fernung, 1st Vice President Phil Matthews, 2nd Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Richard E. Hancock CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Michael Gilliam

© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is published monthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Statistical Review in February.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publications or the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from THE FLORIDA HORSE©.

Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing in North America are compiled from data generated by Daily Racing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Services, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., the copyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.

A dvertisin g co py d ead lin e 5th o f mo n th p recedin g p ub licatio n. Su bscrip tio ns and ch ang e of add ress: Please m ail to – Circulation s D ep artment. T HE FL ORIDA H ORS E, 801 SW 60th Ave., O cala, Florida 34474.

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc.

BOYD

American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

FTBOA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Brei, President Brent Fernung, First Vice President Phil Matthews, Second Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

DIRECTORS Linda Appleton Potter Joe Barbazon Dean DeRenzo Donald Dizney Barry W. Eisaman

Roy Lerman J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr. Jessica Steinbrenner Francis Vanlangendonck Charlotte C. Weber

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Richard E. Hancock THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 5

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Sunshine State

Spotlight lorida’s success at the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships dates back to 1984 when Eillo captured the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Hollywood Park. In the colors of Ollie Cohen’s Crown Stable, Eillo led the Sprint field that year from start to finish under Craig Perret. The son of Mr. Prospector was named for his breeder and owner as Eillo is “Ollie” spelled backwards.

Since that inaugural running in 1984, Florida-breds have notched 20 victories on racing’s biggest day. A total of 243 Florida-breds have started in Breeders’ Cup races for total earnings of more than $27 million.

As this issue went to press, 24 Florida-bred runners were preparing to compete in this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs. One of them, Florida-bred Awesome Feather, fresh off a sweep of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series at Calder, will put her unbeaten streak on the line in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Owned and bred by Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm,Awesome Feather has started five times at distances ranging from 4½ furlongs to 11⁄16 miles.

Five times she has crossed the wire first. When combined, her winning margins total more than 20 lengths. Her most recent start proved to be her most impressive yet, as she hit the wire 8¼ lengths ahead of her nearest rival in the My Dear Girl division of the FSS under regular rider Jeffrey Sanchez.

Awesome Feather is just one of many Sunshine State products carrying Florida’s banner at this year’s event. Harold Queen’s popular homebred Big Drama should have a big say in the outcome of the Sprint.

Trained by David Fawkes at his Calder base, Big Drama finished first or second in all four of his races this season. The

F

For all of the Florida-bred runners pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup, please see page 39 of this issue.

SABRINA ABAHAZY PHOTO

Florida-bred Eillo

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

son of Ocala Stud’s Montbrook is out of the Notebook mare Riveting Drama.

Big Drama will have company in the starting gate from fellow Florida-bred Pashito the Che. The OBS graduate has not finished off the board in five starts this year and is coming off a stakes win at Delaware Park. Earlier this year, the son of Flatter finished second in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park.

Crown of Thorns was pre-entered in both the Mile and the Classic. The son of former Florida sire Repent has made only two starts this year for Spendthrift Farm, but the 5-year-old horse always has been highly regarded. Bred by CloverLeaf Farms II, Crown of Thorns nearly won last year’s Sprint, beaten just a nose at the wire. He should prove a formidable opponent in either contest for trainer Richard Mandella.

Donald Dizney’s homebred First Dude has bankrolled $844,640 leading up to this year’s Classic despite winning only one race in nine tries.The son of Stephen Got Even has competed against the best 3year-olds all season long and most recently finished a game second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2).Trained

by Dale Romans, First Dude will be racing over his home track as he takes on the best runners in the world.

For all of the Florida-bred runners pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup, please see page 39 of this issue.

•Later this month, Florida-breds will be in the spotlight once again during Florida Million day at Calder, Nov. 13. The Florida Million honors the Florida Thoroughbred breeding industry with eight stakes races, totaling $1 million for registered Florida-breds. Held in conjunction with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association, the Florida Million’s stakes races are named for some of Florida’s most influential breeders. Carl Rose, Elmer Heubeck, Bonnie Heath, Jack Dudley, Jack Price, Joe O’Farrell, Arthur I. Appleton and John Franks all have races named in their honor. ■ Enjoy the November issue.

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Written by Nick Fortuna

Wickedly

KEENELAND PHOTO BY COADY

Florida-bred Wickedly Perfect winning the Alcibiades by at Keeneland.

Daughter of Congrats scores second graded win of her career A trainer never knows whether a horse will handle two turns until the horse actually does it, but when it came to Wickedly Perfect, Doug O’Neill was all but certain that the Florida-bred filly would pass the test.

On Oct. 8 at Keeneland, Wickedly Perfect proved him right, leading almost every step of the way en route to a two-length victory in the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1). It was the second graded win for the daughter of Vinery stallion Congrats, following her one-length score in the Sorrento Stakes (G3) at Del Mar in August.

Wickedly Perfect, bred by Y-Lo Racing Stables LLC, has won three of her four starts and earned $404,600 for owners STD Racing Stable, Peter Moehrke and Rafter JR Ranch. She’s run on or near the lead in all of her starts. Her lone defeat came in the Darley Debutante (G1) at Del Mar on Sept. 4, 8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

when she led most of the way before watching Florida-bred Tell a Kelly rally resolutely for a 4 ½-length victory, with Wickedly Perfect checking in second.

O’Neill said prior to the Alcibiades that

his filly would be able to handle stretching out from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, and after the race, all doubt had been removed.

With usual rider Rafael Bejarano aboard, Wickedly Perfect led through pedestrian fractions of 24.48 seconds for a quarter-mile and 50.19 seconds for a half-mile while building a one-length lead.

Turning for home, she was challenged by Wonderlandbynight and Florida-bred Jordy Y, the top two finishers from the ArlingtonWashington Lassie (G3) at Arlington Park last month. Wickedly Perfect had saved enough fuel to repel their bids, however, getting to the top of the lane with a 1 ½-length lead before stopping the clock in 1:46.26.

“She always trained like a filly that wanted to run long,” O’Neill said. “That’s why we put blinkers on her in her very first start. She’s shown amazing speed in all her

Rigoletta Lights Up Tote Board Florida-breds sweep top three placings Four of the seven juvenile fillies entered in the Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) at Hollywood Park Oct. 2 were born in the Sunshine State, so it certainly wasn’t a surprise that a Florida-bred won the Grade 1 test. But the racing fans who made Rigoletta a 33-1 long shot certainly weren’t expecting her to be the one in the winner’s circle.

Rigoletta, a daughter of Ocala Stud Farm stallion Concerto who was bred at that farm, beat the favored Tell a Kelly by half a length, with Indian Gracey a length farther back in third place to complete a Florida-bred tri-

fecta. Rigoletta turned the tables on Tell a Kelly, who had defeated her in the Darley Debutante (G1) at Del Mar on Sept. 4.

Indian Gracey, a daughter of Bridlewood Farm stallion Indian Ocean bred by Ocala’s Donarra Thoroughbreds, led for most of the 1 1/16-mile Oak Leaf, building a two-length advantage early. Rigoletta stalked her in second place most of the way, with Tell a Kelly toward the back of the pack.

Tell a Kelly advanced along the rail while going around the second turn to move

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Perfect Best in Alcibiades by 1 ¼ lengths Aug. 1. She’s out of the Fly So Free mare Debt Free.

In two of the biggest races of Pleasant Prince’s career, the difference between the winner and the runner-up was just a nose.

But on Sunday at Remington Park, the Florida-bred colt left no doubt who had earned a trip to the winner’s circle, romping to a four-length score in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.

Florida-bred Rigoletta wins the Oak Leaf Stakes at Oak Tree.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

races, but she’s always acted like a filly that would want to go a distance of ground.”

The victory gave Wickedly Perfect an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5, but O’Neill announced the following day that a bone chip in a knee will keep her out of the Breeders’ Cup. The filly, out of the Tactical Cat mare Wickedly Wise, was a $70,000 purchase at OBS in April.

Aside from Wickedly Perfect, the star of the race was Congrats, who also sired third-place finisher JordyY. That filly, bred by Ocala’s Bridle Oaks Farm Inc., has won two of her four starts and earned $93,500 for owners Evelyn and DarrellYates and trainer Wayne Catalano.

She was a $52,000 purchase as a yearling.

Wickedly Perfect and Jordy Y have raced exclusively on synthetic surfaces. Jordy Y won a $28,000 maiden special weight race by 2 ¾ lengths at Arlington Park in July to start her career, then captured a $50,000 optional claimer at the suburban Chicago oval

In Oak Leaf up to second place at the top of the stretch, a length behind Indian Gracey, with Rigoletta close behind in third place. The three fillies battled for the length of the stretch, with Rigoletta gradually taking command under urging from jockey David Flores.

Rigoletta finished in 1:44.03.

“I just tried to put her in a good position,” Flores said. “She was in the bridle the whole way. She’s got one of those long strides, so I was surprised she was so aggressive early. Boy, is she game. Dan just told me to ride with confidence, and I think I had in her in the perfect spot. I’m very proud of her.”

Rigoletta, a $35,000 purchase at OBS in April, has won two of her four starts for $180,820.

Tell a Kelly, a daughter of Tapit out of the Tabasco Cat mare Evrobi bred by Karen C. West, has won two of her four starts and earned $221,000. Ridden by Alonso Quinonez, she’s trained by John Sadler for

Ike and Dawn Trash.

“She ran well,” said trainer John Sadler.

“She kind of had to come on the rail all the way and come between horses. Maybe she was a little compromised by the trip, but we thought she ran a good race. We’re disappointed not to win, but we’ll probably go on to the Breeders’ Cup.” THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 9

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Dubai Majesty Gets First Grade 2 Victory

KEENELAND PHOTO BY COADY

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

With the way Dubai Majesty has been this time around, earning the third graded running lately, it was only a matter of time be- stakes win of her career. The mare, owned by fore the Florida-bred mare broke through for Martin Racing Stable and Dan Morgan, has won the last two editions of the Winning Colher first win on a synthetic surface.

The 5-year-old daughter of Essence of ors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. For her Dubai entered the Oct. 9, $200,000 Thor- career, Dubai Majesty, out of the Great Above oughbred Club of America Stakes with an 0- mare Great Majesty, has won 11 of 33 starts for-5 record on artificial surfaces, but with a for $969,243.

Dubai Majesty ran in third place early in determined run through the Keeneland the Thoroughbred Club of stretch, she claimed her first Florida-bred Dubai America Stakes as Old Grade 2 victory, prevailing over Old Time Religion by Majesty (below) earns Time Religion led the field of nine fillies and mares three-quarters of a length. her first win over a through a quarter-mile in “She’s run some very 22.47 seconds and a halfgood races on synthetics, synthetic surface mile in 45.65 seconds. With (but) this is her first win on a synthetic and is her first Grade 2 (win),” Jamie Theriot aboard, she moved up to sectrainer Bret Calhoun said. “She’s been great to ond place while going around the turn and us over the years. We’ve been unlucky prob- gradually wore down the pacesetter, finishing ably over the last couple of years to not win a the six-furlong test in 1:09.81.

“She broke well and put me in a comfortGrade 1 or Grade 2 with her. We got it done.”

Dubai Majesty, bred by Ocala’s Harold J. able stalking position,” Theriot said. “When I Plumley, had finished in the money in four of asked her to run at the quarter pole, she was her five starts on synthetic surfaces heading full of run for us. Turning for home, I wasn’t into the Thoroughbred Club of America worried at all.”

The win gave Dubai Majesty an automatic Stakes. She was second in the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G3), Keeneland’s berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Vinery Madison Stakes (G1) and Santa Mare Sprint (G1), which covers seven furAnita’s $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & longs at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.

Dubai Majesty has run well on all surMare Sprint this year.

She didn’t have to settle for a minor award faces. Prior to her second-place effort in the Presque Isle Downs Masters, she won the $93,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park on Aug. 15 to improve to 3-for-5 on turf.

“She’s been really better the last couple of months than she’s been in the last two years,” Calhoun said. “She’s blossomed here lately, and we had a lot of confidence coming in.”

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Pleasant Prince Wins Oklahoma Derby

PALMER PHOTO

After Pleasant Prince’s second career and proved impossible to deny.

“I had an outside post position, and I just stakes victory, trainer Wesley Ward said the horse likely is headed for the $5 million Breed- stayed there the whole way,” Rosario said.

“I wanted to make ers’ Cup Classic sure he was clear (G1) at Churchill and wasn’t bothDowns on Nov. 6. ered. I decided to Pleasant Prince make my move in had been involved the turn. It seemed in two photo finlike the speed horse ishes in big races was continuing to this year, losing the run in the stretch. I Florida Derby (G1) made my move a by a nose to Ice Florida-bred Pleasant Prince little early to get his Box at Gulfstream Park in March and beating Worldly by the momentum moving into the stretch.”

Pleasant Prince, a son of Indy King bred same margin in the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thisat Adena Springs South in Williston, is tledown in July.

On Oct. 10, Pleasant Prince used his owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. He usual late-running style to storm past his ri- was a $30,000 purchase as a yearling at vals, coming into the stretch five-wide and OBS in August. The colt has won three of drawing off easily with Joel Rosario aboard his 13 starts for $557,398.

He entered the Oklahoma Derby off a for the first time. His final time for the 1 1/8 third-place finish behind Thiskyhasnolimit miles was 1:48.81.

Pleasant Prince had stalked the pace in in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at fifth place early as eventual runner-up Philadelphia Park on Sept. 6. He also was Timely Pursuit led the field through a quar- third in the Derby Trial Stakes (G3) at ter-mile in 23.01 seconds and a half-mile Churchill Downs in April behind Floridain 46.91. He advanced around the far turn bred Hurricane Ike.

Horsewoman Gee Dies at Age 45

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

The local horseracing and breeding community was stunned Oct. 26 by the sudden death of Gail Gee, who owned Derby Daze Farm in Ocala and bred Grade 1-winning Floridabred Hooh Why. She was 45.

Gee was found dead in her car at the farm, and an autopsy was to be performed to determine a cause of death, according to her father, E.B. Gee. Memorial contributions in her memory can be made to Florida Thoroughbred Charities, 801 SW 60th Ave. in Ocala.

“She was the most wonderful person in the world,” E.B. Gee said. “She loved horses, and she loved all of her friends. We really don’t know what

12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

happened. We found her parked at the barn. Obviously, she had stopped at the barn to check stalls.

The car was running, and the radio was playing.”

Gee was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and grew up in Blytheville, Ark. She came to Ocala in 1998 and established Derby Daze Farm. Her best horse, Hooh Why, won the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in 2009 and the Seaway Stakes (G3) at Woodbine last month. The 4-year-old Cloud Hopping filly has won six of her 24 starts and earned $745,210 for owners Gee, Mark Hoffman and Earl Trostrud.

Survivors include daughters, Rebecca Morales and Rosemary Pease; parents, E.B. and Rosemary Gee; brother, E.B. Gee III; sister, Ginger Gee; aunt, Barbara Sherman; and several nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Greg Gee.

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Trainer Ritvo Joins MI Developments

JIM LISA PHOTO

Tim Ritvo, a veteran trainer in Florida and New York, has given up his training duties for the newly created position of vice president of racing for the East Coast with MI Developments, which owns Gulfstream Park.

In his new role, which he began in late September, Ritvo will oversee racing at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. Tim Ritvo Ritvo, 45, also will be in charge of the Palm Meadows training facility in Boynton Beach.

Ritvo was appointed to the position with Aurora, Ontario-based MI Developments by the company’s chairman, Frank Stronach.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with Mr. Stronach and try to make his vision of thoroughbred racing come true—to prosper, get a better market share and show racing fans that we have a great racing product in Florida and throughout the country,” Ritvo said.

Ritvo said his main office will be at Gulfstream, where he’s help-

ing the track prepare for its meet, which begins Jan. 5. He said he’s looking fot make Gulfstream feel more like Saratoga, so the track is considering adding picnic groves and rearranging box seating to make the track more fan friendly. The track also is considering adding new wagers that will be unveiled at a later date.

“

We look forward to working with Tim Ritvo in his new position at Gulfstream Park, and we’re excited about it for him and the industry. We’ve had many meetings over the past several years, and we know that Tim is familiar with the issues affecting our industry.

”

—Richard Hancock

After joining MI Developments, Ritvo resigned from his post as a vice president and director with the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. In that role, Ritvo helped negotiate contracts with Gulfstream and Magna Entertainment for race purses and slot-machine revenue at the track. Magna Entertainment, a now-defunct company run by Stronach, had owned Gulfstream Park until this year.

“We look forward to working with Tim Ritvo in his new position at Gulfstream Park, and we’re excited about it for him and the industry,” said Richard E. Hancock, the executive vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. “We’ve had many meetings over the past several years, and we know that Tim is familiar with the issues affecting our industry.”

Ritvo said the hardest part of taking the new job is giving up his training duties. He had 25 horses in New York and 30 in Florida.

Most of the horses in New York will be dispersed to other trainers, and his wife, Kathy, will train about 15 in Florida.

At Gulfstream, Ritvo will work with Steve Calabro, who succeeded Ken Dunn as the track’s vice president an general manager last year after three years as vice president of gaming operations. Ritvo and Calabro will oversee a Gulfstream property that includes restaurants and slot machines.

Ritvo was Calder’s top trainer in 2005 with 45 wins. Previously, the native of Revere, Mass., had been a jockey at tracks such as Suffolk Downs.

Ocala Horseman Clouston Passes Away Longtime Ocala horseman Burley Clouston died last month at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa at the age of 74. Originally from Pennsylvania, Clouston owned and operated Clouston Training Center in Williston for 27 years. He had been active at the training center up until five months ago, when he became ill.

Clouston is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernadette; sons Burley Clouston III and Eddie Clouston; daughters Kathy Wright and Mary Van Hemel; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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Live

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Saturday, December 11, 2010— Saturday, April 19, 2011 Closing Saturday, December 4, 2010

Closing Saturday, January 29, 2011

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The Hillsborough Stakes - Grade III

Saturday, February 5, 2011 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward About One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)

The Super Stakes For Four Year Olds and Upward Seven Furlongs

Race Track Road, Oldsmar 813-855-4401

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Sweep

unshine State

Florida-breds

Rigoletta (outside), Tell a Kelly and Indian Gracey charged to

the wire together in last month’s Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) during the Oak Tree meeting at Hollywood Park.

Rigoletta, a daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Concerto, defeated favored Tell a Kelly by half a length at the finish with Indian Gracey finishing third.

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Bred by Ocala Stud, Rigoletta is owned by Thor-Bred Stable and is conditioned by Dan Hendricks.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Brei Named FTBOA President red Brei of Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick was voted president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association following the organization’s annual membership meeting Oct. 21. He succeeds Gilbert Campbell of Stonehedge Farm South in Williston.

At the annual meeting at Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club in Ocala, members elected five people to the FTBOA’s board of directors: Linda Appleton Potter, the

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daughter of Arthur and Martha Appleton, who established Bridlewood Farm in Ocala in 1976; Bonnie M. Heath III of Bonnie Heath Farm in Reddick; Roy S. Lerman of Lambholm South in Reddick; Charlotte C. Weber of Live Oak Stud in Ocala; and Francis Vanlangendonck of Summerfield Sales Agency in Morriston.

During the annual meeting, members in attendance were updated on legislative activities by lobbyist Matt Bryan and attorney Warren Husband. Brei provided an overview of the stakes program and there was a discussion with members on the breeders’ flexibility bill, which allows more freedom in how the awards program is structured.

At a board meeting following the annual membership meeting, Brei was elected president, Brent Fernung of Journeyman Stud in Ocala was named first vice president, Dr. Phil Matthews of Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala was named second vice president, Heath was named treasurer and Sheila DiMare of Rising Hill Farm in Ocala was named secretary.

New FTBOA President Fred Brei (inset) and new FTBOA board members (left to right) Roy S. Lerman, Bonnie M. Heath III and Francis Vanlangendonck

Red Jazz Wins Challenge Stakes

18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

Florida-bred dam, who is in foal to Journeyman Stud stallion Wildcat Heir and produced a filly by Bridlewood Farm stallion Act of Duty this year. —Nick Fortuna

First Winner for Leading the Parade Parade of Colors became the first winner for Lambholm South stallion Leading the Parade when she won a maiden special weight race at Laurel Park last month. Nearly last early in the 5½-furlong dash, Parade of Colors simply inhaled her rivals around the far turn and drew off in the stretch to win impressively by 3¼ lengths over a sloppy track.

Out of the Unbridled mareArcanum, Parade of Colors was bred

by Roy Lerman and races in the colors of Clover Hill Racing. Timothy Keefe saddled the winner.

LeadingtheParadeisbyA.P. Indy out of the multiple Grade winner My Flag, by Easy Goer.

—Michael Compton

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COURTESY BILL MURPHY

Florida-bred Red Jazz earned a career-defining victory on Champions Day at Newmarket in Great Britain on Saturday, Oct. 16, taking the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes (G2) by 2½ lengths over Cat Junior.

Red Jazz, bred by Bill and Annabel Murphy at Elangeni Farm in Ocala, entered the race off a third-place showing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. He finished just a half-length behind Poet’s Voice in that prestigious, one-mile turf race.

Red Jazz, out of the Sword Dance mare Now That’s Jazz, has won four of his 13 starts for trainer Barry Hills and owner R.J. Arculli. Murphy sold Red Jazz as a weanling to friends in Ireland who later resold him. He still owns the horse’s

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Pedigree, Performance, Conformation

REY DE CAFÉ K i n g m a m b o — C o m m o d i t i e s , b y Pr i v a t e A c c o u n t

Impeccably bred, Rey de Café is by sire of champions Kingmambo, out of a stellar female family that includes perennial leading sire Seeking the Gold.

Rey de Café won sprinting and routing on both dirt and turf, suggesting his offspring will relish today’s synthetic surfaces.

First foals are 2 this year! Watch for them at the races. ♦ 899 S.W. 85th Ave., Ocala, FL 34481 ♦ (352) 237-3834 ♦ Fax: (352)237-6069 ♦ www.doublediamondfarm.com Also standing:

A M E R I C A N

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W E K I VA

S P R I N G S

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‘Awesome’

EFFORT

BY NICK FORTUNA irds of a feather may flock together, but at Calder Casino & Race Course this year, Awesome Feather has been peerless.

The juvenile by Awesome of Course romped to an 8 ¼-length score in the $350,000 My Dear Girl Stakes on Oct. 16 to become the first horse to sweep the fillies’ division of the three-race Florida Stallion Stakes series since Florida-bred Aclassysassylassy in 2004. In winning for the fifth time in as many career starts, Awesome Feather helped Florida-breds steal the show at Calder’s Festival of the Sun, where products of the Sunshine State won seven of the eight stakes races.

Awesome Feather gave owner/breeder Fred Brei of Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick a second consecutive sweep of the FSS. Last year, Brei’s Florida-bred Jackson Bend swept the three-race open division. Jackson Ben sported all the same connections, including trainer Stanley Gold and jockey Jeffrey Sanchez.

Awesome Feather stalked pacesetting Florida-bred My Precious Baby in second place through fractions of 24.04 seconds and 48.76 in the My Dear Girl. She went two-wide into the final turn to seize command and drew off easily under Sanchez, getting to the top of the lane with a seven-length advantage.

Awesome Feather stopped the clock for the 1 1/16mile test in 1:48.05. Awesome Feather now will target the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.

“Breeders’Cup!That’s what we discussed going into the race,” trainer Stanley Gold said. “If she won and did it right, we’d go to the Breeders’ Cup. I knew she was good, but I don’t think I was prepared for the performance she gave.

You always wonder if they are as good as you hope they are.

B

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Florida-bred Awesome Feather became the first horse to sweep the filliesʼ division of the three-race Florida Stallion Stakes Series since 2004.

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Florida-breds win seven of eight stakes at Festival of the Sun

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In her case, I think I underestimated her. She’ll tell us between now and then if she’s good to go, but that’s the plan.”

Awesome Feather, out of the Gone West mare Precious Feather, has earned $406,725 from five starts, including four stakes wins. She won the three legs of the FSS by a combined 17 lengths, including a four-length score in the $100,000 Susan’s Girl Stakes Aug. 28.

“After her last win going seven furlongs in the Susan’s Girl, I was confident that the longer distance was going to be her best race,” Sanchez said. “She got a little rank in the first turn, but that’s not uncommon for 2-year-olds running route races for the first time. She settled down when we hit the backstretch and just blew them away when I asked her to run.”

Florida-bred Lily’s Hope, a daughter of the late Bridlewood Farm stallion Proud Accolade bred by Marion G. Montanari, finished second in the My Dear Girl, her stakes debut, after winning a $50,000 maiden claimer at Calder in her second start Oct. 2. Florida-bred Beso Grande, a daughter of Journeyman Stud stallion Mass Media bred by Bruce Tallisman was third and has been a part of the trifecta in all five of her starts.

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Florida-bred Reprized Halo rallies from last to take the In Reality Stakes.

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22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

In the open division of the FSS, Florida-bred Gourmet Dinner came up short in his bid to sweep the series, as Florida-bred Reprized Halo lit up the tote board with a $94.60 win mutuel.

Reprized Halo, a son of the late Bridlewood Farm stallion Halo’s Image bred by Debra and Bill Backlinie, rallied from last place in the field of six juveniles to win the $350,000 In Reality Stakes by 1 ½ lengths, with Gourmet Dinner finishing second. Reprized Halo ran at the back of the pack while Florida-bred Little Drama led the field through fractions of 23.90 seconds and 48.13.

Reprized Halo went two-wide into the final turn and surged to the front down the stretch, finishing the 1 1/16mile race in 1:50.50. The colt gave apprentice rider Jose Alvarez his first stakes win.

“The race didn’t go according to plans because we intended to be closer to the pace, but he didn’t want to go through inside,” Alvarez said. “After the field spread out a bit, he got more confident and started to run. In the stretch, everybody drifted wide, and it was easy for him to close on the rail.”

Reprized Halo entered the In Reality off a 12¼length win in a $36,000 maiden special weight race at

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Calder on Sept. 24, his seventh career start. Prior to that race, the son of the Reprized mare Reprized Angel had finished in the money just once. A $23,000 purchase at OBS in April, he’s earned $244,809 for trainer Manuel Azpurua and owner Roger Urbina.

“I always thought he was better than he was running in the afternoon by the way he trained in the morning, but he wasn’t living up to my expectations,” Azpurua said.

Gourmet Dinner, a son of former Ocala Stud Farm stallion Trippi, entered the In Reality with a perfect record from three starts. Bred by Ocala Stud Farm and owner William J. Terrill, he’s earned $206,690. He finished a length clear of third-place runner Decisive Moment, a homebred for Just For Fun Stables and a Florida-bred son of Hartley/De Renzo stallion With Distinction.

“I was where I wanted to be (early) and was in front at the sixteenth pole,” said Sebastian Madrid, who rode 35 favorite Gourmet Dinner. “He just got beat.”

Mad Flatter, a 5-year-old son of Flatter bred and coowned by Bonnie Heath Farm, earned his first stakes victory in the Spend a Buck, leading most of the way and stopping the clock for the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.37. Mad Flatter ran in second place behind Florida-bred Riversrunrylee through a quarter-mile in 23.85 seconds before sticking his head in front through a half-mile in 47.53.

From there, Mad Flatter drew off easily, getting to the top of the lane with a four-length lead under jockey Jon Court.

Mad Flatter, out of the Honor Grades mare Miss

Pangea, entered the Spend a Buck off a pair of strong efforts at Arlington Park. He wired a $40,000 optional claimer by 4½ lengths Aug. 6, then finished a close-up third to Gran Estreno in the Washington Park Handicap (G3) on Sept. 4 after leading almost every step of the way.

“He ran so well in his last race at Arlington,” trainer Jeffrey Thornbury said. “He only got beat three-quarters of a length going a mile and three-sixteenths. We came here because this was a last chance at a ‘Win and You’re In’ race. His mother won a race over this track by 13 lengths. The race developed exactly the way I thought, with (Riversrunrylee) setting the pace. It set up perfect for our horse. We’ll get him back home to Keeneland before we decide on running (in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile), but now we have the option.”

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Florida-bred Mad Flatter earned a berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6 by cruising to a 6 ¼-length victory in the $100,000 Spend a Buck Handicap (G3), part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” series.

Florida-bred Mad Flatterʼs easy victory in the Spend a Buck earned him a berth in the $1 million Breedersʼ Cup Mile.

Florida-bred Tannersvile edges out fellow Floridabred Bim Bam to capture his first stakes win in the Calder Derby.

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Florida-bred Trip for A. J. has won 6 of her 10 starts.

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Mad Flatter has won six of his 17 starts and earned $231,488.

Mambo Meister, bred and co-owned by Ocala’s J.R. Cavanaugh, finished second in the Spend a Buck after winning this race last year. El Kingdom, the winner of the $56,000 Needles Stakes last month, finished third.

starts and earned $379,635, with his biggest win coming in the $125,000 Hallandale Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park in February.

Florida-bred Saint Dynaformer, a homebred for Live Oak Plantation, finished third in the Calder Derby, three lengths behind Bim Bam.

Tannersville got his first stakes win in the $75,000 Calder Derby, rallying to beat fellow Florida-bred Bim Bam by a nose. Tannersville, a son of Stonehedge Farm South stallion West Acre bred by that farm’s owner, Gilbert Campbell, improved to 4-for-5 on turf.

In the $75,000 Calder Oaks, Florida-bred Trip for A. J. got her fourth stakes win, leading every step of the way for a 5¾-length victory.

Out of the Roy mare Marilyn’s Moment,Tannersville has won five of his nine starts and earned $126,015 for owner Henco Inc. and Four Horsemen Racing Stable. He was a $10,500 purchase as a 2-year-old at OBS in April 2009.

Bim Bam rallied from midpack to gain a one-length lead at the top of the stretch but couldn’t hold of the laterunning Tannersville, who went three-wide into the final turn and gradually made up ground through the stretch, stopping the clock for the 1 1/8 miles on a turf course rated “good” in 1:49.32.

“That was breathtaking,” said Henry Collazo, who trains Tannersville. “They fought to the wire. I knew he was good horse from the first time I worked him, but I still have to keep pinching myself to make sure it’s real. He’s a push-button horse and laidback, but still goes out and puts on a performance like that. Bim Bam is so tough.”

Bim Bam, a son of Deputy Wild Cat and a homebred for Jim and Sheila DiMare of Rising Hill Farm, was seeking his fifth stakes win. He’s won five of his 16

The daughter of Trippi bred and owned by Peter Fuller also won the $55,000 Noble Robyn Stakes, the $65,000 Nancy’s Glitter Handicap and the $55,000 Miss Brookski Stakes at Calder this year, but she had disappointed as the 1-5 favorite in her most recent start, finishing fourth behind Florida-bred Successful Song in the $65,000 Judy’s Red Shoes Stakes.

Trip for A. J., out of the Explodent mare A. J.’s Hot Shot, has won six of her 10 starts and earned $210,045 for trainer Milton Wolfson. She set pedestrian fractions of 25.09 and 51.60 seconds while building a half-length lead early in the Calder Oaks. She then pulled away from the field, reaching the top of the stretch with a 2½-length advantage and finishing the nine-furlong test in 1:51.12.

“I knew that I had the best filly in the race, so when they let me put her on the lead going so slowly, I was sure she would win,” jockey Eibar Coa said. “She was very relaxed that way, and when I asked her to run in the stretch, she just exploded. I wanted to find out exactly what she could do, and she let me know. I was impressed.”

Florida-breds Gator Brew and Musical Romance finished second and third.

24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

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In the $65,000 Cassidy Stakes, Florida-bred Flying Trip remained perfect in four career starts, rallying to win by three-quarters of a length over favored Florida-bred Ayoumilove. Flying Trip, a daughter of Trippi bred by Harold J. Plumley, overtook the pacesetting Ayoumilove in the stretch and finished the six-furlong test in 1:13.72.

Flying Trip, out of the Nureyev mareDame Sylvieguilhem, has earned $72,370 for trainer Zerpa Gilberto and owner Doble Jak Investment LLC. She was a $12,000 purchase as a yearling at OBS inAugust 2009. FlyingTrip entered her stakes debut off a neck victory in a $25,000 starter allowance at Calder on Oct. 2.

“She hasn’t done anything wrong yet – that’s the way I looked at it coming into the race,” said winning rider Coa. “She did everything right, broke good and put herself into a good position. She was slowed up for a step or two (when Ayoumilove came out in front of her) in the stretch, but it was easy for her to overcome.”

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Wind has won two of his four starts and earned $64,392 for owner/breeder Maurice Miller.

“He cut out fast fractions and was asked for his best all the way to the wire, with that other horse (Determinato) still coming,” trainer Bill White said. “He set fast fractions in his last start, but that was seven-eighths, and the speed was not doing very well that day. I think he’s really best the first five-eighths, and I’m looking to try him that distance on turf at some point.”

In the $64,550 Birdonthewire Stakes, Florida-bred Uno Caliente got his first stakes win, leading the whole way for a one-length victory over Florida-bred Determinato, with Florida-bred Brock N Rock finishing 1½ lengths farther back in third.

Uno Caliente built a one-length lead after covering a half-mile in 45.25 seconds and jockey Manoel Cruz and finished the six-furlong test in 1:13.20.The 2-year-old son of Macho Uno out of the End Sweep mare Wild Warm

In the $50,000 Cinnamon Girl Stakes, Toocleverforwords got her second straight win, rallying for a 2¾-length victory over Florida-bred Amazing, with Dynamic Barbie 6¾ lengths farther back in third place.

Toocleverforwords entered the race off a 6½length victory in a $25,000 optional claimer at Calder on Oct. 1. The 4-year-old daughter of Arch has won four of her 14 starts and earned $143,028 for trainer Marty Wolfson and owner Farnsworth Stables.

Toocleverforwords and jockey Luis Saez stopped the clock for one mile and 70 yards in 1:44.59. ■

Florida-bred Uno Caliente (left) earned his first stakes win in the Birdonthewire Stakes. Florida-bred Flying Trip (below) is now undefeated in four career starts.

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Florida... the Best State for Business

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From coast to coast, Florida’s tax-friendly, pro-business environment is poised and ready to attract new companies and create new employment opportunities.

“Florida Once Again Named a Top State for Business…”

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council ranks Florida’s state tax system among the nation’s Top 10 on its “Business Tax Index 2010: Best to Worst State Tax Systems for Entrepreneurship and Small Business.” The index ranks the 50 states and District of Columbia according to the costs of their tax systems for entrepreneurship and small business. Florida ranks sixth for the best business tax system, when compared to all 50 states.

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Florida’s recent legislative changes now allow for improved racing structures, higher breeders’ awards, more lucrative purses at racetracks, and the excitement of live racing in Ocala/Marion County – Horse Capital of the World ®.

• No personal state income tax.

• No individual capital gains tax.

• Ranked third in the U.S. for number of horses and size of horse industry.

• National leader in veterinary and equine research.

• Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder.

• Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt.

• Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms.

• No tax on stallion seasons.

• Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities.

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Florida-bred Awesome Feather’s Florida Stallion Stakes sweep gives Jacks Or Better Farm a unique entry in FSS history.

By JO ANN GUIDRY et’s make one thing clear right from the start: Jacks Or Better Farm homebredAwesome Feather didn’t just sweep the fillies division of the Florida Stallion Stakes. Oh, no, she swept it in stupendous fashion, winning the three races by a combined margin of 17 lengths! Now that’s how to put an exclamation mark on a sweep.

“We’ve known all along that Awesome Feather was good,” said Fred Brei, who along with wife Jane, own and operate Jacks Or Better Farm. “But even we didn’t realize just how good she really was. I think a horse that sweeps the Florida Stallion Stakes should be a special horse and she’s definitely special.”

Special indeed. By winning the Desert Vixen Stakes, Susan’s Girl Stakes and My Dear Girl Stakes, Awesome Feather became only the third filly to complete the fillies division sweep. She joined Nancy’s Glitter (1997) and Aclasssassylassy (2004) in that exclusive club.

And not only did Awesome Feather secure her place in the FSS record books, she also made Jacks Or Better Farm the first breeder/owner to ever notch consecutive sweeps in the 29-history of the series. In 2009, Jacks Or Better Farm homebred Jackson Bend swept the open division of the FSS. Trainer Stanley Gold and jockey Jeffrey Sanchez also became the first to train and ride, respec-

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length and a half in 1:06.50 for the five and half furlongs.

Next up was the FSS and an impressive march to the record books. On Aug. 7, Awesome Feather captured the Desert Vixen Stakes by four and three-quarter lengths in 1:14.06 for the six furlongs. She encored that on August 28 with a four-length tally in the Susan’s Girl Stakes, covering the seven furlongs in 1:24.57.

As good as she had been in those two victories, Awesome Feather got even better in the My Dear Girl Stakes on October 16. She wrapped up the FSS fillies division sweep with a jaw-dropping eight and a quarter length win in 1:48.05 for the mile and one-sixteenths. Tally it up: One sweep by a combined winning margin of 17 lengths.

Undefeated in five starts, Awesome Feather has earnings to date of $406,725. Next up is a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 6 at Churchill Downs.

“It’s been a delightful ride up to this point,” said Brei.

“And we’re hoping it’s not over yet.”

HISTORY-MAKING SWEEPS

Awesome Feather’s FSS had multiple significance for Jacks Or Better Farm. When Jackson Bend notched his 2009 FSS sweep, Jacks Or Better Farm became only the second operation to have bred and owned the winner, his sire (Hear No Evil) and his dam (Sexy Stockings).

A Place in History tively, juveniles who scored FSS consecutive sweeps.

“We’ve definitely been having a lot of fun with the Florida Stallion Stakes these last two years,” said Brei.

“There’s nothing better than winning with your homebreds.”

Undefeated Awesome Feather has been doing nothing but winning. After breaking her maiden, the 2-year-old bay filly by Awesome of Course out of the Gone West mare Precious Feather, moved right up into stakes company. On July 7, she won the J J’sdream Stakes by a

The only other time that occurred was in 1984 with Frances A. Genter’s Smile, whose sire In Reality and dam Sunny Smile were also bred and owned by Genter.

This time around with Awesome Feather, Jacks Or Better Farm bred, raced and owns her sire, stakes winner Awesome of Course. By Awesome Again out of the Lyphard mare Mais Oui, Awesome of Course was a multiple stakes winner of $152,440. He entered stud in 2004, previously standing for Brei at Rising Hill Farm in Ocala.

“We’ve definitely been having a lot of fun with the Florida Stallion

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In 2010, Awesome of Course stood at Legend Farm in Coleman, Oklahoma. In addition to Awesome Feather, he is also the sire of stakes winner Honey Honey Honey.

“We’re still considering the option of bringing Awesome of Course back to Ocala,” said Brei. “How Awesome Feather runs in the Breeders’ Cup will likely help us make that decision.”

Precious Feather, the dam of Awesome Feather, was bought privately as a yearling in 1998 and raced by Jacks

Or Better Farm. By Gone West out of Last Feather, by *Vaguely Noble, Precious Feather was a multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed earner of $257,441.

Now a member of the Jacks Or Better Farm broodmare band, Precious Feather is also the dam of stakes-placed Brooks ‘ Down, by Montbrook and an earner of $87,097. She produced a 2010 colt by Awesome of Course and is in foal to Consolidator.

Shortly after his 2009 FSS sweep, Brei sold 75 percent

Jane and Fred Brei are enjoying their success in the Florida Stallion Stakes.

”

Stakes these last two years. There’s nothing better than winning with your homebreds.

—Fred Brei THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 29

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A Place in History

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of Jackson Bend to Robert LaPenta. Retaining 25 percent, Brei has enjoyed watching Jackson Bend compete in graded stakes this season. Now trained by Nick Zito, Jackson Bend finished second in a trio of key graded events: Wood Memorial (G1) to Eskendereya; Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) to Eskendereya; Holy Bull Stakes (G3) to Winslow Homer. He was also third to Lookin at Lucky in the Preakness Stakes (G1). To date in 2010, Jackson Bend has earned $345,000 and has career earnings of $823,520.

Lottsa Talc, by Talc, Sexy Stockings had a full sister to Jackson Bend, a Hear No Evil filly in 2010. She is currently not in foal.

Hear No Evil, the sire of Jackson Bend, won four stakes, was graded stakes-placed and earned $599,415 for Jacks Or Better Farm. By Carson City out of the Cox’s Ridge mare Nizy, Hear No Evil entered stud in 2006 at Rising Hill Farm. From his small first crop, Hear No Evil sired stakes winners Jackson Bend and HearYe HearYe. Hear No Evil currently stands at Journeyman Stud in Ocala.

BREED TO RACE

Awesome Feather became only the third filly to complete the Florida Stallion Stakes fillies division sweep.

“I felt like it was a good deal to sell Jackson Bend and give him the opportunity to go on in his career,” said Brei, who named the colt after property he and Jane own near Knoxville, Tennessee. “We can’t keep them all and we still have his sire and dam.”

Sexy Stockings, the dam of Jackson Bend, has also produced Florida-bred stakes winner Garter Belt and stakes-placed Grande Shores. By Black Mambo, Grande Shores finished second to Gourmet Dinner in this year’s Dr. Fager Stakes.

“We were hoping to go on with Grande Shores in the Florida Stallion Stakes,” said Brei. “But he came up a little sore, nothing major, after the Dr. Fager and we decided to give him some time off.”

By Tabasco Cat out of multiple graded stakes winner

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With career earnings of $823,520, Jackson Bend finished second to Eskendereya in the Wood Memorial and Fountain of Youth Stakes. He was also third to Lookin at Lucky in the Preakness Stakes.

“We obviously breed to race,” said Brei, who previously was a builder/developer in the Chicago, Illinois area.

“We like racing and just don’t sell that many at public auctions. But we will sell some to reduce our broodmare band or sell a special colt.”

Such was the case with a 2007 colt by Medaglia d’Oro out of multiple stakes-producer Bayou Plans, by Bayou Hebert. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, agent for the Breis, the colt named Cup o’ Joe at the time sold for $1.6 million at the 2009 FasigTipton Calder selected juvenile sale. Bought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the colt was renamed Al Zir. In 2009, he finished third in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1).

Another colt sold by Jacks Or Better Farm is 2010 graded stakes winner Krypton, who was sold privately after he was an RNA at the 2009 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s March juvenile sale. By Rock Hard Ten out of the deceased Unbridled’s Song mare Freedom Reign, Krypton won the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. This season, he has also finished third in the Virginia Derby (G2) and National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2). Raced by Harvey Clark and Ron Winchell, Krypton has to date earned $204,930.

The Jacks Or Better Farm broodmare band currently numbers 26 and resides at the original 88-acre farm. After leasing stalls at various training facilities, the Breis bought 13 acres at Nelson Jones Farms and Training Center. The training operation includes a 24-stall training barn, sixstall isolation barn, turn-out paddocks and use of the center’s one-mile track. At the racetrack, Jacks Or Better has 20 homebreds with trainer Stanley Gold at Calder.

“We enjoy breeding and racing our horses,” said Brei.

“And there’s always next year’s Florida Stallion Stakes to look forward to.” ■

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(ex•cel•lence) noun the fact or state of excelling; superiority; distinction; possessing good qualities in high degree.

For the fourth consecutive year, The Florida Horse magazine was honored as the top equine regional publication in the industry by American Horse Publications.

Judges’ comments included: “The Florida Horse meets its mission

with style and class. The publication offers

gorgeous photography and excellent writing.

Profiles of industry leaders invite the reader into the Florida horse world.”

Get noticed!

Advertise in The Florida Horse Call to reserve your space today

352.732.8858 The Florida Horse is the official publication of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

Publisher: Richard Hancock Editor in chief: Michael Compton Business manager: Patrick Vinzant Managing editor/Advertising manager: Summer Best Art director: John Filer Administrative assistant: Beverly Kalberkamp

www.ftboa.com

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Congrats

All Around Florida-based stallion Congrats tops national Freshman sire list to continue tradition of precocious Sunshine State sires.

By JO ANN GUIDRY here have been plenty of congratulations to go around this season as Florida-based freshman sire Congrats’ progeny have hit the ground running. Through Oct. 19, Congrats topped the North American Freshman sire list with progeny earnings of $1,106,659. Right up until that date, Congrats had also been the leading Juvenile sire in North America before being surpassed by Tapit. Ironically, Tapit’s lead-

T

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Florida-bred Wickedly Perfect and Congrats (opposite page)

ing earner is Florida-bred Grade I stakes winner Tell a Kelly. Congrats is currently the leading Florida juvenile and freshman sire.

To date, Congrats is represented by 18 winners and which most notably includes Florida-bred Grade I stakes winner Wickedly Perfect and Florida-bred Grade III stakes winner Check My Cheeks.

Congrats is also represented by six stakes-placed winners, including Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

placed Jordy Y and I’m Steppin’ It Up. Congrats’ leading earner is Wickedly Perfect, who to date has earned $404,600 on three wins and one second in four starts. Bred by Y-Lo Racing Stable and out of the Tactical Cat mare Wickedly Wise, Wickedly Perfect was consigned by her breeder through Niall Brennan Stables, agent, to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s April juvenile sale. There she was purchased for $70,000 by Dennis O’Neill, whose brother Doug O’Neill currently trains the Congrats filly.

Wickedly Perfect races for the partnership of Peter Moehrke, Rafter JR Ranch and STD Racing Stable.

After breaking her maiden, Wickedly Perfect quickly earned blacktype in but her second lifetime start. On Aug. 6 at Del Mar, she captured the Sorrento Stakes (G3) by one length over A Z Warrior. Next up was the Darley Debutante Stakes (G1) on Sept. 4 at Del Mar, where she finished second to Florida-bred Tell a Kelly with Florida-bred Rigoletta coming in third.

Shipped to Keeneland, Wickedly Perfect captured the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) on Oct. 8 by two lengths over Harlan’s Ruby. Finishing third was Florida-bred Jordy Y, who is also by Congrats. Unfortunately, it was announced the next day that Wickedly Perfect had suffered a chip in her left stifle and would be sidelined following surgery.

Check My Cheeks, a gray/roan filly out of the Notebook mare White Notebook, was bred by Rick Sutherland. Consigned by Sue Vacek, agent, to the 2009 OBS August yearling sale, Check My Cheeks sold for $4,000. Signing the ticket was Greg Jackson, agent, for Rolando Cabral.

Racing in Puerto Rico for Establo Caridad, Check My Cheeks won the Clasico Eduardo Cautino Insua (G3-PR) by eight and a half lengths on August 1. She also posted a second in the Clasico Jose Coll Vidal and a third in the Clasico Dia De La Raza (G2-PR). Check My Cheeks has to date earned $76,585 on five wins, two second and one third in seven starts.

The aforementioned Grade 1 stakes-placed winner

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LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

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Jordy Y is out of the Fly So Free mare Debt Free and was bred by Bridle Oaks Farm. In addition to finishing third in the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1), Jordy Y was also second in the ArlingtonWashington Lassie Stakes (G3). Racing for Darrell and Evelyn Yates, Jordy Y has to date earned $93,500 on two wins, one second and one third in four starts.

I’m Steppin’ It Up, a chestnut colt out of the Thunder Gulch mare Cindy Woo Who, was third to Uncle Mo in the Champagne Stakes (G1). Bred by Thomas L. Croley and racing for Roman Hill Farm, the colt has to date earned $72,850 on one win, one second and two thirds in five starts.

Congrats is also represented by stakes-placed winners Motin, Days Like This, Congrats and Roses and Silverest.

By A.P. Indy out of the Mr. Prospector mare Praise, Congrats was a Grade 2 stakes winner of $998,960. Bred and raced by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, Congrats won the 2005 San Pasqual Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita and 2004 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs. He was also graded stakes-placed six times, including a second in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and a third in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (G1) in 2005.

Congrats was purchased privately by John Sykes’ CloverLeaf Farms II in April, 2006. He entered stud in 2007 at Sykes’ CloverLeaf Farms II in Ocala. When Sykes closed CloverLeaf Farms in the summer of 2007, Congrats was relocated to Ocala-based Vinery.

The 10-year-old stallion stood the 2010 season there for $4,500 as property of CloverLeaf Farms II and Vinery. ■

CONGRATS’ LEADING 2010 RUNNERS GR. 1 SW Wickedly Perfect GR. 3 SW Check My Cheeks GR. 1 SP Jordy Y GR. 1 SP I’m Steppin’ It Up

SP Congrats and Roses SP Days Like This SP SP Motin SP Silverest THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 33

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Storm Cat Mare Tops Consignor-preferred session sees huge gains

By NICK FORTUNA Storm Cat mare in foal to two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow brought a final bid of $250,000 to lead the consignor-preferred session of the OBS fall mixed sale, a session that saw huge gains from last year’s corresponding auction.

All 10 horses that sold for $50,000 or more were consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Morriston-based Summerfield Sales Agency.

For the session, 163 horses brought a total of $2.57 million, a 75 percent increase over the corresponding session in 2009, when 132 horses sold for $1.47 million. The session average of $15,783 was a 42 percent increase over last year’s opening-session average of $11,120.

That put the fall mixed sale on track to be the fourth consecutive OBS sale to see gains in gross sales and average prices, following the April sale of 2-year-olds in training, the June sale of 2year-olds and horses of racing age and the August sale of yearlings.

“These are quality horses, and we figured that they’d bring that much money,” Francis Vanlangendonck said of his consignment. “They’re mostly stakes producers or young mares in foals to good stallions, so we anticipated that. Overall, we did well. The only thing we’ve had a hard time moving are the less expensive horses.”

The sale-topping broodmare, named Zehoorr, was unraced and was consigned as part of the complete dispersal of Westbury Stables. Listed as hip No. 147, the 5-year-old mare was purchased by Rustlewood Farm Inc. Zehoorr is out of the Florida-bred End Sweep mare Nany’s Sweep, who won the Santa Monica Handicap (G1) in 2001 and finished her career with $499,213 in earnings.

Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck

34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

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“She’s by Storm Cat, in foal to Tiznow, and he’s one of the hottest horses in the country, so we figured she’d bring that much,” Vanlangendonck said. “She’s really athletic and looks like she’s supposed to look with that pedigree, and being bred to Tiznow, the whole combination was perfect.”

Baccari Bloodstock paid the day’s second-highest price, going to $100,000 to get the 9-year-old mare Chasenthebluesaway. The Real Quiet mare, hip No. 137, earned $62,340 at the racetrack and is in foal to Indian Charlie. Chasenthebluesaway is out of the Winrightt mare Miss Gibson County, who won the 1995 Princess Rooney Handicap.

“She was a big, pretty mare with a lot of pedigree and in foal to a hot horse, Indian Charlie,” Vanlangendonck said. “I actually thought she’d bring a lot more money than that.”

Also on the first day, Rustlewood Farm Inc. paid $90,000 for hip No. 230, the 5-year-old mare New York City Girl, who is in foal to More Than Ready. The Forest Camp broodmare is out of the Ocean Crest mare Silk Sails, a stakes-winning earner of $133,509. New York City Girl won the 2007 Colleen Stakes en route to $124,960 in earnings.

Windridge Farm went to $70,000 to get hip No. 223, a Florida-bred weanling colt by Journeyman Stud stallion Cowtown Cat. The colt is out of the West by West mare She Did Tell, who also produced stakes-winning Florida-bred Thank U Philippe.

David Ingordo paid $85,000 for hip No. 114, Sailor Pluto, a 12-year-old mare in foal to Zensational. Sailor Pluto is by You and I and out of the Dreadnought mare Madam Bear, a stakes-winning earner of $263,631.

Sailor Pluto is the dam of Florida-bred stakes winner Go Go Shoot.

Hip No. 613, Sweet Baby Jane, a mare by Kingmambo consigned by Ramsey Farm, Agent, went to Off The Hook, Agent for Farm III, for $35,000 to top the final session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2010 Fall Mixed Sale. The 11-year-old bay mare, sold not pregnant, is the dam of graded stakes winner Reb. Ramsey Farm then sold Sweet Baby Jane’s weanling colt

by Kitten’s Joy, Hip No. 614, to Kingsbury Stables for $22,000.

Gilbert G. Campbell went to $24,000 for Hip No.

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OBS Fall Mixed Sale 492, Poise, a mare by Sword Dance (IRE) consigned by Glen Hill Farm. The 11-year-old mare, a half sister to stakes placed Grafton, is out of My Fling, by Danzig, and is in foal to Point Given.

For the final session, 180 horses sold for a total of $863,700, compared with 168 horses bringing $877,800 last year. The average was $4,798 compared to $5,225 in 2009, while the median price was $2,700 compared with $3,000 a year ago. The buyback rate was 35%; it was 41.4% last year.

Sales results for the Fall Mixed Sale are available via the Internet at the company’s website at obssales.com. In addition to sales results, the site contains the latest news regarding OBS graduates, sales schedules, nominations, credit requests, travel information and other news relevant to OBS consignors and customers.

Next on the OBS agenda is the Winter Mixed Sale, scheduled for January 18-19, 2011, the OBS Championship Stakes on March 14 and the Selected Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, set for March 15-16. For more information regarding OBS Sales or the OBS website, please call (352) 237-2154. ■

George & Karen Russell bought the saleʼs top seller, Hip No. 147 (below) for $250,000.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 35

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Perfect

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Foundation Zenyatta’s

Florida Roots

By MICHAEL COMPTON

ong before Zenyatta became a household name, before numerous YouTube highlight reels showing her prancing to the post and running down rivals were ever created and shared with the world, the superstar mare began her assault on racing’s record books in Ocala.

Jeanne Mayberry has spent her lifetime in thoroughbred racing. That goes for her family as well. At Mayberry Farms in Ocala, Jeanne and daughters Summer and April and their cousin Jacki Garcia break 10 to 12 young horses a year for Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta’s owners, and 60 to 70 head a year all told.

The Mayberrys’ long relationship with the Mosses traces back to the early 1990s when Jeanne’s late husband and Summer and April’s father, Brian, trained for the couple in Southern California. Brian passed away in 1996 and Jeanne established the Ocala farm in 2000.

Jeanne helped the Mosses select Zenyatta out of the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale for $60,000. It was Just to be a part of her career is amazing for our under the Mayberry family’s care in Ocala that Zenyatta received her early tutelage family. To know that we had our hands on her is under tack. She took her first spins around very special. We may never see a horse like her a racetrack at Plumley Farms, near the again in our lifetime. —April Mayberry Mayberrys’ 14-acre farm.

According to April, her mother best summed up Zenyatta’s early training after two weeks in a conversation with David Ingordo, who also played a role in Zenyatta’s purchase. “We have a real good one here or we have a lot of bad ones,” Jeanne told Ingordo.

Prophetic words from an astute horsewoman.

“Just to be a part of her career is amazing for our family,” said April. “To know that we had our hands on her is very special. We may never see a horse like her again in our lifetime.”

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 37

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Zenyatta:

A Perfect Foundation

38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

From left, April and Summer Mayberry and Jacki Garcia of Mayberry Farm in Ocala.

CARLOS MEDINA PHOTO

For the Mosses, trainer John Shirreffs and all connected with her, Zenyatta has been a dream horse. Her well-chronicled accomplishments are a testament to her solid Florida foundation, competitive fire and heart. The Eclipse Award-winning champion older mare of 2008 and 2009 is the richest North American female racehorse in history with earnings of $6.4 million.

“So much credit should go to John,” April said. “Since our father was a trainer, we certainly know how important that role is in the success of any racehorse. John is a major part of her success.”

Last year, Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in the 26-year history of the race as she dramatically weaved her way through some of the top horses from around the world in the Santa Anita stretch to score the biggest win of her career.

She also owns a win in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) and is seeking to close out her career undefeated when she defends her Classic crown on racing’s biggest stage Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs in pursuit of an unprecedented third Breeders’ Cup victory.

Zenyatta’s exploits have even captured the attention of mainstream media.

“She’s absolutely perfect at her profession, and that is very rare— not just in sports but in all things. It’s difficult to win even one race, let alone 18,” wrote author Laura Hillenbrand in O, the Oprah Magazine’s October issue. “She always makes me think of those great war beasts of Greek sculpture, or the beautiful horses carved on the Parthenon. She is absolutely enormous—not only very tall [more than six feet from the top of her head] but also very broad, very muscular. She is simply drawn on a different scale from other racehorses.”

April said that the family plans to be in attendance at the Breeders’Cup as the curtain closes, win or lose, on Zenyatta’s truly remarkable career.

“I don’t know how much more stress we can take,” April said. “The dramatic fashion in which she wins her races is nervewracking. She continues to raise the bar on us in the stress department. But when she hits the wire, she flips those ears up like she is playing with them all.”

Zenyatta may be a once in a lifetime horse, but soon after the Breeders’ Cup the Mayberry family will get to work on breaking and training another generation of runners. Whether or not an individual catches Jeanne’s eye like Zenyatta did only two weeks into her initial paces, remains to be seen. It’s a safe bet, however, that there will be some slow horses and some fast horses, but not another Zenyatta. ■

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BC Pre-entries Boast 24 Florida-breds

By NICK FORTUNA total of 24 Florida-breds were pre-entered in Breeders’ Cup races, including three for the two-day event’s biggest race, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Florida-breds First Dude, Pleasant Prince and Crown of Thorns were entered for the Classic and would face a deep field including the undefeated Zenyatta, who became the first female horse to win the race last year, and Quality Road, who has won three Grade 1 event this year.

The Breeders’ Cup, scheduled for Nov. 5-6, will be hosted by Churchill Downs for a record seventh time and features 14 races worth a total of $26 million. A record 184 horses were pre-entered this year, including 26 runners from overseas.

A maximum of 14 horses will be allowed to run in each race, with up to two additional runners placed on the also-eligible list. Entries for the Breeders’Cup will be taken Tuesday, and if more than 14 runners enter any one race, the field will be determined by a ranking system established by the Breeders’Cup at the time of pre-entry.

First Dude, a homebred for Donald Dizney of Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, will be making his

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eighth consecutive start in a graded event in the Classic.

The 3-year-old son of Stephen Got Even has won just one of his 11 starts but has finished in the money in all but one of those starts and has earned $860,160.

Trained by Dale Romans, First Dude was the only horse to hit the board in two of the this year’s Triple Crown races, finishing second in the Preakness Stakes and third in the Belmont. Most recently, he was second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), which snapped a streak of six consecutive appearances in Grade 1 events.

Pleasant Prince, bred by Adena Springs South in Williston, enters the Classic off a win in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby. The 3-year-old son of Indy King also won the Ohio Derby (G3) in July and finished second in the Florida Derby (G1) in March. Trained by Wesley Ward for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Pleasant Prince has won three of his 13 starts for $557,398.

Crown of Thorns, bred by CloverLeaf Farms II in Reddick, likely will skip the Classic to run in the $1 million BC Dirt Mile (G1). The 5-year-old son of Repent has been the runner-up in four consecutive Grade 1 events, including a half-length loss to Richard’s Kid in the Goodwood Stakes last out. He lost the Breeders’Cup

Florida-bred First Dude

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Sprint (G1) last year by a nose to Dancing in Silks.

Trained by Richard Mandella for Spendthrift Farm LLC, Crown of Thorns has won two of his eight starts for $687,080.

■ In addition to Crown ofThorns,pre-entries for the Dirt Mile included Florida-breds Aikenite, Hurricane Ike, Mad Flatter,Tropic Storm andVineyard Haven.

Aikenite, bred by Brylynn Farm Inc. in Reddick, enters the race off a 5 ½-length win in an allowance at Keeneland and will be looking for his first stakes win. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Dogwood Stable, the 3-year-old son of Yes It’s True has won three of his 14 starts for $365,670.

Hurricane Ike, bred by Summerfield’s Stanley Boileau, returns to the scene of his biggest win, having captured the DerbyTrial Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs inApril.

The 3-year-old son of Winding Oaks Farm stallion Graeme Hall is trained by John Sadler for Ike and DawnThrash. Hurricane Ike has won two of his 10 starts and earned $317,232.

Mad Flatter, a homebred for Bonnie Heath Farm LLC in Reddick, earned an automatic berth in the race by winning the Spend a Buck Handicap (G3) at Calder on Oct. 16, cruising to a front-running, 6 ¼-length victory.

The 5-year-old son of Flatter has six wins and $231,488 in earnings from 17 starts for trainer Jeffrey Thornbury.

Vineyard Haven, a son of Lido Palace bred by Lynne Scace at Double S Farm in Ocala, is a three-time Grade 1 winner, including the 2009 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash. The 4-year-old colt is trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin Racing and has earned $771,500, with five wins from 10 career starts.

Tropic Storm, bred by the late Arthur I. Appleton at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, also was pre-entered for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2). The 6-year Stormy Atlantic gelding won the $83,000 Windy Sands Handicap at Del Mar in September for trainer Craig Dollase and owner West Point Thoroughbreds. For his career, he has six wins and $397,805 in earnings from 16 starts.

the Jaipur Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park on July. The 7year-old Stravinsky gelding is trained by Rick Dutrow Jr. for Michael Dubb, Jack Mandato and Bethlehem Stables. He’s won 13 of his 33 starts for $536,337.

■ In addition to Tropic Storm, pre-entries for the

■ Florida-breds Big Drama and Pashito the Che

Turf Sprint included Florida-breds Bridgetown, Central City and Stradivinsky.

Bridgetown, a homebred for Eugene Melnyk ofWinding Oaks Farm in Ocala, won the Summer Stakes (G3) last year before finishing second in the BC Juvenile Turf (G2).

Trained by Kenneth McPeek, the 3-year-old son of Speightstown has won four of his eight starts for $504,021.

Central City, bred by Charlie Dobbs and Frank Berris, most recently was second in the Woodford Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Oct. 9. The 4-year-old son of Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds stallion City Place is trained by Ronny Werner for Preston Stables. He’s won six of his 11 starts for $158,217.

were pre-entered for the $2 million BC Sprint (G1).

Big Drama, a son of Ocala Stud Farm stallion Montbrook and a homebred for Ocala’s Harold Queen, is trained by David Fawkes. The 4-year-old colt won the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) at Calder in July and most recently was second in the Forego (G1) at Saratoga last month. He has eight wins in 15 starts and $1.56 million in earnings.

Pashito the Che, bred by Mr. and Mrs. Leverett S. Miller, won the $50,000 Hard Spun Stakes at Delaware Park on Oct. 13 for trainer Scott Lake and owners Tuna Stable and Off the Hook. The 4-year-old Flatter colt has eight wins from 17 starts and $522,670 in earnings.

40 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

Stradivinsky, bred by Ocala’s Live Oak Stud, won

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JIM LISA PHOTO

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■ Florida-bred Madman Diaries was pre-en-

Delightful Mary, bred by Ocala’s Hobeau Farm,

tered for the $1 million BC JuvenileTurf (G2) and the $2 million BC Juvenile (G1).The gelding is bred, trained and co-owned by Wesley Ward, who stands the horse’s sire, Bring the Heat, at his Ward Ranch in Ocala. Madman Diaries won the $150,000Victoria Stakes atWoodbine in June and the Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park last month.

He’s been a part of the exacta in all five of his starts, with three wins and $247,822 in earnings.

won her first two starts before finishing second in the Mazarine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine on Oct. 9. She’s earned $112,377 through three starts for trainer Mark Casse and owner John C. Oxley.

Tell a Kelly and Indian Gracey most recently finished second and third behind Florida-bred Rigoletta in the Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) at Hollywood Park on Oct. 3.

Tell a Kelly, a daughter of Tapit bred by Karen C. West, won the Darley Debutante at Del Mar in September. She has two wins and $221,000 in earnings from four starts for trainer John Sadler and owner Ike Thrash.

Indian Gracey, by Bridlewood Farm stallion Indian Ocean, has won one of her four starts and earned $79,400 for trainer and owner Jerry Hollendorfer. She was bred by Ocala’s Donarra Thoroughbreds.

R Heat Lightning, a daughter of Trippi and a homebred for E. Paul Robsham Stables, won the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga before finishing second in the Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont on Oct. 9. Trained

■ Florida’s best hope for a win might be the $2 million BC Juvenile Fillies (G1), for which Sunshine State productsAwesome Feather, Delightful Mary, Indian Gracey, Jordy Y, R Heat Lightning and Tell a Kelly were pre-entered.

Awesome Feather, a homebred for Fred Brei of Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick, is undefeated in five starts, including a sweep of the three-race fillies’ division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder.The daughter ofAwesome of Course has earned $415,746 for trainer Stanley Gold.

Florida-bred Big Drama

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by Todd Pletcher, she has two wins from four starts and $252,800 in earnings.

Jordy Y, a daughter of Vinery stallion Congrats, also was pre-entered in the $1 million BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2). Bred by Ocala’s Bridle Oaks Farm Inc., the filly won her first two starts before finishing second in the Arlington-Washington Lassie (G3) and third in the Darley Alcibiades (G1). She’s earned $93,500 through four starts for trainer Wayne Catalano and owners Darrell and Evelyn Yates.

■ Pre-entries for the $1 million BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) included Florida-breds Dubai Majesty, Derwin’s Star and Jessica Is Back.

Dubai Majesty, bred by Ocala’s Harold J. Plumley, is 3-for-6 at Churchill Downs, including wins in the last two editions of the Winning Colors Stakes (G3). She won the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 9. A 5-year-old mare by Essence of Dubai, Dubai Majesty has won 11 of 33 starts and earned $969,243 for trainer Bret Calhoun and owners Dan Mor-

gan and Martin Racing Stable.

Derwin’s Star, bred by Citra’s Woodsfield Farm, won the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks last month. The 3-year-old daughter of Journeyman Stud stallion Wildcat Heir has five wins and $372,570 in earnings from 11 starts. She’s trained by Steve Klesaris, who owns her along with Puglisi Racing.

Jessica Is Back, a 6-year-old mare by Bridlewood Farm stallion Put It Back, won the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder in July and most recently was third in the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga in August. She’s trained by Marty Wolfson for Farnsworth Stables and was bred by Tamarac’s Larry Perkins. Jessica Is Back has won 12 of her 45 starts for $796,765.

■ Florida-bred Atoned, a 5-year-old Repent ridgeling, was pre-entered for the $500,000 BC Marathon (G3). Bred by Anthony and Mitzi Robinson, the horse has won four of his 27 starts and earned $534,084. He’s trained by Neil Howard for Dogwood Stable.Atoned earned his biggest victory in the Pegasus Stakes (G3) in 2008. ■

Florida-breds Pre-entered

In Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Horse

Race

Owner

Breeder

Trainer

Atoned Jordy Y

Marathon Juvenile Fillies Turf Juvenile Fillies Filly & Mare Sprint Filly & Mare Sprint Filly & Mare Sprint Juvenile Fillies Juvenile Fillies Juvenile Fillies Juvenile Fillies Juvenile Fillies Juvenile Turf Juvenile Sprint Sprint Turf Sprint Turf Sprint Turf Sprint Turf Sprint Dirt Mile Dirt Mile Dirt Mile Classic Dirt Mile Dirt Mile Dirt Mile Classic Classic

Dogwood Stable Inc. Darrell & Evelyn Yates

Anthony & Mitzi Robinson Bridle Oaks Farm Inc.

Neil Howard Wayne Catalano

Martin Racing Stables & Daniel Morgan Harold J. Plumley Farnsworth Stable LLC Puglisi Racing LLC & Steve Klesaris Woodsfield Farm Jacks or Better Farm Inc. John Oxley Jerry Hollendorfer E. Paul Robsham Stable LLC Ike Thrash Robert Teel & Wesley Ward

William Calhoun Larry Perkins Steve Klesaris Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Hobeau Farm LTD Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC E. Paul Robsham Stable LLC Karen West Wesley Ward

Stanley Gold Mark Casse Jerry Hollendorfer Todd Pletcher John Sadler Wesley Ward

Harold Queen Tuna Stables LLC & Off the Hook LLC Melnyk Racing Stables Inc. Preston Stable LLC Dubb, Mandato & Bethlehem Stable West Point Thoroughbreds Inc.

Harold Queen Leverett Miller Eugene Melnyk Charlie Dobbs & Frank Berris Live Oak Stud Arthur I. Appleton

David Fawkes Scott Lake Ken McPeek Ronny Werner Richard Dutrow Craig Dollase

Bonnie Heath Farm LLC Spendthrift Farm LLC

Bonnie Heath Farm LLC CloverLeaf Farms II

Jeff Thornbury Richard Mandella

Ike & Dawn Thrash Godolphin Racing LLC Dogwood Stable Inc. Donald Dizney Ken & Sarah Ramsey

Stanley Boileau Lynn Scace Brylynn Farm Donald Dizney Adena Springs

John Sadler Saeed bin Suroor Todd Pletcher Dale Romans Wesley Ward

Dubai Majesty Jessica Is Back Derwin’s Star Awesome Feather Delightful Mary Indian Gracey R Heat Lightning Tell a Kelly Madman Diaries Big Drama Pashito the Che Bridgetown Central City Stradivinsky Tropic Storm Mad Flatter Crown of Thorns Hurricane Ike Vineyard Haven Aikenite First Dude Pleasant Prince

42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

Martin Wolfson

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Thank

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Two Big Little Words ome things are technically difficult. Like body-clipping a wiggly horse, or trying to locate a lost bell boot in a pasture of knee-high grass. Another difficulty: to this day, I can’t seem to remove a horseshoe, even when I’m holding the right tools. Finally, for the record, I have only once been successful in the difficulty of squeezing a big-barreled 16.3-hand horse into a 48” girth that had elastic on both sides.

But I’ve learned most things in our world aren’t difficult — they’re just plain hard. It’s hard for me to drive by beggars and not give money.

It’s hard to study a great horse at work and not be emotionally moved by the talent and effort of that animal and its people. And if you’ve ever met me, you know it’s really, really hard for me to stop laughing when something strikes me as hilarious.

It’s hard to keep my truck clean, hard to understand why politics become negative, hard to maintain shiny brass nameplates on leather halters, hard to be funny, hard to balance. It’s hard to change a trailer tire while on the side of the Interstate, hard to trudge through a dire recession. It can be hard to ask for help.

Everything else is easy! I grinned when I stumbled over this quote from American novelist Ellen Glasgow: “Nothing is so hard in life that you can’t make it easier by the way you take it.”

I take it in stride, as do you.

Which, thanks to Thanksgiving this month, had me thinking. Two timeless words I try to keep at the top of my vocabulary are thank you.

The opportunities to share these special eight letters with others are endless. When visiting with friends and family, when fueling a vehicle, when checking out at the feed store or when working alongside your farrier or veterinarian. Or at the grocery store, bank, post office or a restaurant. It’s not hard, and it’s not difficult.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for supporting The Florida Horse magazine and Florida Equine Publications. I’m thankful for our history and country; I’m thankful for our industry. I’m thankful for my family, friends and faith, and I’m thankful for you.

It’s a privilege to journey with you.

S

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Preventive Cost vs.

The economics of preventive health in your horses.

Editor’s Note You know the feeling. You’re standing in line at the feed store, mentally calculating your bill and wondering if it’s worth those few extra dollars to keep buying and providing your horses with the best nutrition available. At the veterinary clinic, it’s the same thing. Did that horse really need another vaccine this season? When the farrier comes, and you reach for a pen to write a check and to make your next appointment, you pause and consider if those broodmares or retired geldings can go a few extra weeks before their next trims. Can you stretch time? Can you save a little?

Budgets are tight, and we’re all wondering if an ounce of maintenance and prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.

A University of Florida researcher recently put that old adage through a battery of tests, particularly focusing in the areas of Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus – two potentially deadly arboviruses commonly vaccinated against with proven results. Vaccines, on average, cost between $60-$200 per year, per horse, Long estimates. According to studies she and her team have completed throughout the past several years, when you punch the numbers, prevention via vaccines is still the best medicine.

By MAUREEN LONG, D.V.M., Ph.D, DACVIM University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine lorida and the rest of the United States have had exceptional mosquito-borne virus activity this year, affecting both animals and humans. West Nile virus activity has been reported in all 48 continental states, and 748 people and 123 horses have contracted this disease. Outbreaks of Eastern equine encephalitis have

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occurred in Florida and as far north as Michigan with 227 horses contracting EEE with 92 of these occurring in Florida. Both WNV and EEE cause serious neurological disease in horses, resulting in either death or long-term loss of athletic function. Recent data shows that WNV kills around 50 percent of horses and EEE kills more than 90 percent of horses in the early phase of the illness. Although California currently is reporting the highest numbers of WNV cases, when all mosquito-borne diseases are combined, Florida has had the most arbovirus activity of all states on the continent so far this year.

West Nile virus first appeared in Florida in 2001 and has been reported in mosquitoes ever since. EEE has been reported to cause death in horses in Florida since the 1930s and every year a minimum of 20 to a maximum of several hundred horses die from this disease, depending on the variations in weather and mosquito activity. Although vaccination can completely prevent disease, especially in the adult horse, a fair percentage of horses in Florida are not vaccinated and thus are susceptible to these devastating illnesses. Owners indicate that they do not vaccinate consistently for a variety of reasons, the No. 1 being financial constraints limiting access to veterinary care.

THE BACKGROUND

Since 2001, work at the University of Florida and in collaboration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been performed to determine the overall economic loss to the individual horse owner and to the horse industry when a horse contracts either WNV or EEE. This work was supported by a competitively awarded grant funded by the former PariMutuel Wagering Trust Fund and the United States Department of Agriculture. This study is an analysis of data from a larger published investigation of farm environment and management factors. This article presents the economic effects of these devastating diseases in Florida. Florida law specifies that occurrence of WNV and EEE in the state in an animal or human must be reported to state health officials. Thus, all veterinarians, if

Florida has the third largest equine population in the country, with 500,124 horses residing in the state.

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Risk properly involved in the case, provide highly detailed information on these animals. This allows an unprecedented opportunity to perform follow-up surveys targeting the owners of affected horses. Information was collected at the time of illness from veterinarians and also subsequently obtained directly from owners of horses that were tested for virus infections at either the University of Florida EDART Laboratory or the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Florida between 2001-2003.

STATE COLLABORATION

This study was highly successful because Florida horse owners were very generous with their time and information providing completed surveys from 94 percent (63/67) of Florida counties. Marion County had the highest number of reported cases in each of the three categories we examined: WNV confirmed cases, EEEconfirmed cases and arboviral suspect but unconfirmed cases. WNV and EEE shared similar distributions within the state with both diseases most prevalent in North Central Florida and extending into the “Big Bend” area of the Florida panhandle. The majority of horses had lived at their address for less than three years at the time of illness. The most common use of horses, regardless of arboviral disease status, was for pleasure, ranch/farm use, and breeding stock. Thus show horses, activelytrained racehorses, competition horses were less likely to contract disease (which is likely reflected in their management status). Sixty-two percent of WNV horses survived, and only 16.9 percent of horses survived EEE. In the arboviral unconfirmed category, 51.9 percent of horses survived.

The costs of arboviral diseases in surviving horses were evaluated by estimating loss in value at the time of sale and increase in investment due to the illness. Owners of horses reported that confirmed WNV or EEE horses, for those that survived, only 5-7 percent were sold for their intended value. The average loss due in value was greatest for EEE confirmed cases at $10,500 and the lowest value loss was $1,880 for WNV horses. WNV was confirmed in 26 investment horses. EEE was confirmed in one investment horse, and in unconfirmed arboviral status 10 investment horses were lost.

REPLACEMENT VALUE

If a horse reportedly died, then we counted the loss in replacement value. This was difficult to estimate, because horses vary in value.

We found that owners likely undervalue replacement, especially if they do not consider breeding and foaling costs for farm-raised horses. Based on the data provided by the owners, we calculated an average replacement value which was $4,789 for WNV confirmed horses and $2,788 in EEE horses. The difference likely reflected the lower age of the EEE-confirmed horses – most of these horses were less than 3 years old, while the average age of WNV horses was around 7. However, many valuable horses were lost, the highest being estimated at $85,000.

Other economic factors were included in our study, including the cost of veterinary care for sick horses and loss of owner’s income due to work absenteeism. In all the neurologic cases that required interventions by veterinarians, 740 instances commanded an average bill of $732, which is 2.9 times greater than the equine industry’s average annual veterinary services expense per horse (according to the American Horse Council, 2005). There were 163 reports of lost The equine industry in the state of owner income associated with arbovirus cases averFlorida has a $5,156,000,000 total aging $477 per instance, effect on the gross domestic prodect. thus acute encephalitis in horses generally costs and owner $1,209, in addition to the replacement and loss value of the horse.

FLORIDA’S OVERALL IMPACT

Florida has the third largest equine population in the country, with 500,124 horses residing in the state as reported in 2005 by the American Horse Council. The equine industry in the state of Florida has a $5,156,000,000 total effect on gross domestic prodect (GDP). This suggests that each horse in the state contributes an annual average of $10,310/horse to the overall economy. Thus, the true value of a horse would include both the replacement cost (our underestimated $4,313) and the loss in revenue that would have been generated by that horse, which for our study was $14,623. Based only on mortality, between 2001 and 2003, financial losses averaged $1,311,195 per year.

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According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, more than 15,000 equines were diagnosed with WNV in 2002. Of those, it is estimated that approximately 33 percent died or were euthanized. This suggests that the national economic impact of WNV is around $72,400,000 for that one year. With respect to EEE, there were One can either lose a horse 97 diagnosed equine cases in 2001. Of those, to mosquito-borne illness for it is estimated that approxia loss of about $5,000 (at the mately 90 percent died or were euthaminimum) to yourself, nized, this suggests that the national $14,000 to the industry or economic impact of EEE is around $1,277,000. owners can vaccinate for Additionally, there are 105,061 jobs around $60-200 each year. created by the Florida equine industry on a full-time equivalent employment basis, thus approximately every five horses in the state contribute one full-time equivalent employment opportunity to Florida’s work force. Thus, Number of EEE Confirmed Cases: Distri- the total work force loss during the three-year study period bution by County was estimated to be an average of 19 full-time equivalent employees per year.

Study participants were also surveyed on several aspects of preventative practices, including cost of vaccination and identity of the vaccine administrator. The WNV vaccine was most commonly administered by a veterinarian as indicated by 497 (53 percent) of the owners surveyed. However, 196 (20.9 percent) responses specified that the owner personally administered the vaccine and 187 (19.9 percent) of the individuals surveyed choice to leave this Number of Arboviral item blank. The EEE vaccine was most commonly adminUnconfirmed Cases: Distribution by istered by the horses’ owner, as indicated by 358 (38.2 perCounty cent) of the responses recorded, 340 (36.2 percent) owners specified that their veterinarian administered the vaccine and 178 (19 percent) of the individuals surveyed chose to leave this item blank. An analysis of cost distribution showed the most commonly indicated yearly vaccination cost range to be $21-$50 for each of the three years investigated. Mean estimated yearly cost of vaccination was determined depending on the vaccine

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46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

administrator and arboviral status of the horse.

The overall average yearly cost of vaccination per horse for all animals evaluated by the study was $60.45.

CONCLUSIONS

We think our finding indicate some pretty obvious conclusions. One can either lose a horse to mosquito borne illness for a loss of about $5,000 (at the minimum) to yourself, $14,000 to the industry or owners can vaccinate for around $60-200 (if a full vaccine series is needed, as it is in a foal). The combination of direct and indirect effects of illness outweigh the simple replacement value of a sick horse and illuminate the overall investment you make as an owner. Conscientious adherence to appropriate arbovirus vaccination protocols is of critical importance in the practice of equine preventative medicine and is a cost-effective method for the industry to avoid horse deaths and economic losses associated with disease encroachment. Quite simply, no horse in the state of Florida should die due to either EEE or WNV, no owner should have to bear the expense of the loss of the horse, and the death of any horse hurts the overall Florida economy.

THE BOTTOM LINE

It is important to remember that this study is simply a snapshot the impact of two diseases on the horse industry and the state of Florida. However, it does suggest that there may be value in creating more precise analyses of the economics of preventative veterinary medicine as it relates to loss to the industry, worker employment, and owner productivity. Although the economic impact of WNV disease on human health has been examined, little analysis has been performed regarding the effects of this devastating disease on the horse industry. These sorts of studies are performed for many diseases commonly in meat production industries, fish industries and plant industries. Incorporating these studies in owner education is also essential to protect our valuable and vibrant industry, and horse ownership is generally considered a hobby.

However, support is provided to understand the economic consequences of many of our leisure time activities here in the state of Florida. ■

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FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Harvesting Success lorida’s fall is well on its way. Though summer is gone, the heat lingers on just a little longer, quietly reminding us just how lucky we are to be able to enjoy our horses outside, year round. Autumn is the time of year, before the chaos of the holiday season is unleashed and the coldest of Florida’s cold creeps in. It is the time of year when we reflect on all that has gone well during the year. We have seen many successes this year at the Florida Horse Park, and we couldn’t be more grateful for each of them.

Our “Discover Florida’s Horses” license plate finally became a certainty this year! The road to reality has been a long one on this project, but we finally have it ready for production and sale to the public at the end of this year. The license plate, designed by Marion County resident Mary Verrandeaux, will provide the horse park with a much-needed continual operational fund in the coming years. Tuesday, Nov. 16, between 7 and 9 p.m., we will be auctioning off the first five of these plates live at Gateway Bank. Plan to attend this wonderful event and join in this evening of celebration. Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, bid in live and silent auctions and take pleasure in featured artwork of Mary Verrandeaux.

The Office of Tourism Trade and Economic Development Grant has afforded us the ability to take the first step in our proposed build-out plan.

Our Welcome Center, which houses restrooms and a concession facility, will be complete by the time you read this. As a leadership team, this is the first permanent structure we have had the pleasure of making a reality.

The Florida Horse Park Foundation was approved early this year as a non profit. Since its formalization, the Foundation has brought new funding, resulting in new events and employees to the Park. The Foundation is in its infancy, but

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it is already showing it will be a strong supportive force in coming years.

The first of the Foundation-offered events is our Fall Farm Tour, graciously sponsored by Great American Insurance. The tour will take guests around a diverse selection of area farms, giving guests a hands-on look at behind the scenes and activities at some of southwest Ocala’s private farms. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased over the phone by calling (352) 307-6699 Ext. 6.

Partners of the Park truly found their stride this year as a regular fixture on Florida’s schooling show calendar. Their efforts helped us continue our momentum through the traditionally slow summer months. Countless volunteer hours from Partners of the Park also provided us with a re-vamped cross country course moving into the new year. On Nov. 27, they will host the final leg of the Southern Gold Cup Series II. The series is designed to develop the grassroots levels of eventing, offering prizes to competitors who complete three designated shows at the Florida Horse Park and other area venues.

Our successes this year have been tremendous. The road ahead will still offer challenges, but overcoming the challenges makes the successes even more worthwhile. We are forever thankful for the support we have received to make those successes possible. Our team is strong on its own, but to be truly great, it takes the dedication of those around us. Thank you to those who have and those who will. ■ Happy trails!

Connie Duff Wise Chairman Florida Horse Park THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 47

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HORSE COUNCIL NEWS AHC Comments on America’s Great Outdoors Initiative On April 16, 2010, President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO). A central part of the initiative was an effort to collect the view points of Americans. Recently, the American Horse Council submitted comments to the Administration concerning the equestrian community’s connection to America’s private and public land.

AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE

The goals of the initiative are: (1) Reconnect Americans with the outdoors by promoting community-based recreation and conservation, advance job and volunteer opportunities related to conservation and recreation, as well as educate individuals in American’s history, culture, and natural beauty; (2) Build upon state, local, private and tribal priorities for the conservation of land, water, wildlife, historic and cultural resources; (3) Use science-based management practices to restore and protect America’s lands and waters. The American Horse Council participated in the initial event on America’s Great Outdoors held at the US Department of the Interior on April 16.

Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality were directed to lead the initiative.

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As part of the initiative, the administration and federal agencies involved held listening sessions around the county and solicited comments from tribal leaders, farmers, and ranchers, sportsmen, community park groups, foresters, youth groups, businesspeople, educators State and local governments and recreational and conservation groups. The information collected at these sessions and submitted comments are to be used to complete a report due in November that will be used to craft future policy.

AHC COMMENTS

In September, the AHC submitted comments concerning the AGO initiative. The complete comments can be found online at horsecouncil.org. In its comments, the AHC pointed out that the conservation, management, and use of America’s public and private lands are critical to the equestrian community.

The AHC noted that the equestrian community and horse industry is extremely diverse. It is comprised of many different pursuits, segments, and participants, exists in every region of the country and involves individuals with many different backgrounds and incomes.

The AHC reminded the Administration of the equestrian communities’ dependence on America’s farmland to feed, raise, breed, and board its horses and the need to protect such land. The AHC specifically requested that the administration recognize the contribution horse farms and facilities make to preserving open green space, stream buffers, wild life habitat, forests, and pasture. It was also asked that horse farms be considered working lands that need to be protected from urban development.

The AHC also commented on the importance of America’s public lands to hundreds of thousands of Americans of all ages who use horses and pack stock to enjoy America’s great outdoors each year.

The AHC made clear that the equestrian community believes that recreation is a fundamental and legitimate use of our country’s public lands and that it is committed to preserving those lands.

In its comments, the AHC pointed out that recreational riders need well maintained trails, trail heads for horses, access routes, picnic, and camping facilities, restrooms, and stables to make use of our nation’s public lands. It also noted that access has become an increasingly serious issue for equestrians and also must be addressed. The AHC requested that the administration explore policies that will ensure land managers accommodate all recreational users where appropriate and educate federal land mangers on equestrian issues and encourage state and local governments to do so as well.

The AHC also stated its belief that equestrian activities can play an important role in reconnecting our young people with the outdoors. It asked the administration to make equestrian activities, an integral part of any effort to reconnect our nation’s youth with the outdoors.

Lastly, AHC asked the administration to consider the role horses,

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mules, and burros can play in allowing access to the outdoors for physically-challenged Americas in any discussion of America’s outdoors.

Contact the AHC at (202) 296-4031 for any additional information on this topic BENEFITS FOR HORSE INDUSTRY IN SMALL BUSINESS STIMULUS BILL

On Sept. 27, 2010, President Obama signed the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 into law. The bill is intended to help small businesses and create new jobs. The bill continues the bigger write-off for horses and other property purchased and placed in service by a horse business that were originally included in earlier stimulus bills.

The first incentive allows an owner who purchases a horse or other business property used in a horse business and places it in service in 2010 or 2011 to expense up to $500,000 of the cost. This so-called “Section 179” expensing allowance applies to horses, farm equipment and most other depreciable property. Once total purchases of horses and other eligible property reach $2 million, the expense allowance goes down one dollar for each dollar spent over $2 million. Without the bill the expensing allowance would have been $250,000 in 2010 and gone down to $25,000 for later years.

“Let’s assume a horse business purchases $750,000 of depreciable property in 2010, including $650,000 for horses, and places it all in service. That business can write off $500,000 on its 2010 tax re-

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turn and depreciate the balance,” said American Horse Council President Jay Hickey.

This provision will benefit any business involved in the horse industry that purchases and places depreciable property in service in 2010 or 2011.

The second incentive reinstitutes the 50 percent first-year bonus depreciation for horses and most other depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2010. Bonus depreciation had expired at the end of 2009. This benefit applies to any property that has a depreciable life of 20 years or less. Also, the property must be new, meaning that the original use of the horse or other property must commence with the taxpayer. For a horse to be eligible, it cannot have been used for any purpose before it is purchased.

“The tax benefits in this bill are great for any horse business that has or is planning on making major purchases,” Hickey said. “The expensing and bonus depreciation provisions can be used together in 2010. For example, let’s assume an owner pays $1,000,000 for a colt to be used for racing and $100,000 for other depreciable property, bringing total purchases to $1,100,000 in 2010. If the colt had never been raced or used for any other purpose before the purchase and is placed into service, the owner would be able to expense $500,000, deduct another $300,000 of bonus depreciation (50 percent of the $600,000 remaining balance), and take regular depreciation on the $300,000 balance.”

“We hope the horse industry will take full advantage of these two tax benefits while they last,” Hickey said. ■

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NEWS BITS

House Takes up New Roles FAEP president, House’s goal is to drive the group’s ambitious agenda, which includes offering continuing education opportunities and professional development to a group of approximately 200 members.

So drive she does — literally, across the state, meeting, greeting and multitasking as she goes.

“I have fortunately been able to combine my roles at times, and can occasionally meet with practitioners about the clerkship at FAEP events,” said House. “I have also offered to make myself available to county extension offices to coordinate special meetings when I’m in their area. It can be a scheduling challenge, but I am traveling almost every week.”

House joined FAEP shortly after accepting a faculty position with the CVM in 2007. She soon was named to the group’s board of directors and served as its vice president in 2009. Unexpected changes in the officer slate meant she ascended to the president’s role this year rather than in 2011, but House hasn’t missed a beat.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Amanda House, D.V.M., is on the road again. Put another way, if she’s not, she will be soon.

Such is life these days for House, an assistant professor of equine extension and an internist in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine’s department of large animal clinical sciences. In addition to directing the department’s equine research program, House was recently appointed course director for the college’s new practicedbased equine clerkship. She also is serving out her yearlong term as president of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners.

In her new role as clerkship course director, House is in the process of meeting with more than 60 equine veterinarians from across the state. The goal of the clerkship is to provide veterinary students with on-farm primary care experience with horses in physical exams, diagnosis, treatment, herd health, routine medicine, surgery and practice management. Veterinary students would be assigned to enrolled practitioners for two-week rotations. As

It’s been a busy fall of activity for the Florida Horse Park, and the schedule looks to continue full steam ahead in coming months.

In early October, the park began construction on its latest project: a 3,000square foot permanent Welcome Center, including concession area, showers and restrooms, which was scheduled to be complete by the beginning of November.

This month, two major fundraisers will be held. On Nov. 16, a Florida Horse Park license plate unveiling will be held Construction on at Gateway Bank in Ocala, and on the Florida Horse Park Nov. 18, the park will host an inauWelcome Center gural Fall Farm Tour, with stops at four farms, ranging from Thoroughbred training facilities to polo and dressage. For more information, visit www.flhorsepark.com or call (352) 307-6699.

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PHOTO COURTESY THE FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Florida Horse Park Construction

As a member of the association’s educational program committee, House has helped organize both of those events along with additional wet labs or short courses.

“This year, we had a breeding soundness exam short course in February, a wound management short course in July, and in addition, we are planning an imaging wet lab in November,” House said, adding that some of these events are free to members and to UF veterinary students.

“We consider it critical to mentor and give back to young members of our profession,” House said. “The FAEP Student Appreciation Day Wet Labs has been a tremendously popular event among our students and the practitioners.”

In addition to promoting high-quality continuing education, the association has worked closely with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s legislative committee on issues affecting equine veterinarians and welfare for horses in the state. The group publishes a bimonthly magazine, sends members a biweekly e-newsletter with upcoming event or important industry-related news, and maintains a Web site as well as a Facebook page.

Jackie Shellow, D.V.M., a UF CVM alumna and FAEP president-elect, called House “great to work with” and said she had no idea how she juggled everything on her plate.

“She is well-spoken, organized, extremely diplomatic and very good at presenting issues and getting the important across,” Shellow said, adding that it was important to the veterinary profession that the professional organizations in Florida represent the practitioners and work closely with the UF CVM. “The FAEP is a perfect example of this happening,” Shellow said. “Working together, we can be a stronger voice for veterinary medicine and for horses in the state of Florida.”

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NEWS BITS

AQHA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force Earlier this year, the American Quarter Horse Association’s Executive Committee appointed a task force to review and address AQHA’s show initiatives, with an eye toward increasing participation in AQHA-approved events.

“Based on anticipated recommendations and subsequent approvals, most especially from the AQHA Show Council, we expect to begin managing more closely the number and types of approved shows in 2011, with an approved leveling program tested and retested throughout 2011, with implementation in 2012,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity.

“In 2007, several demographic research projects identified three types of show participants: entry-level, midlevel and top-level,” Persechino said. “The research proved that the midlevel show participant is the most vulnerable, as these show enthusiasts seldom win classes, earn points or receive other forms of recognition. These midlevel show participants often leave us after sampling our approved shows, and we want to change that.”

With that information in mind, the Blue-Ribbon Task Force, which met in early September, evaluated: Numbers and types of shows Opportunities and fairness of competition to include levels classes based on abilities of the horse and/or rider Quality and integrity of AQHA points The members of the task force represent the show industry and are stakeholders who understand the current situation and see the need to increase participation.

Based on the 2007 research, a fivepoint plan was implemented to address the decline in participation:

• • •

1. Solidify the top-end (known as Blue Exhibitors) 2. Enhance the long-term value for midlevel exhibitors (known as Yellow Exhibitors) 3. Provide an entry-level AQHA show venue

4. Reinvigorate the youth division 5. Understand/support the growth and vitality of the horse training profession Visit www.aqha.org for more information.

Equine Land Conservation Robert N. Clay Named as the Recipient of Equine Land Conservation Resource’s 2010 Anson W. Taylor, Jr. Award for Leadership in Equine Land Conservation Robert N. Clay, owner of Three Chimneys Farm in the heart of Kentucky’s thoroughbred industry, takes land conservation seriously. Not only is Clay a founder of Bluegrass Tomorrow and the Bluegrass Conservancy, two groups dedicated to conserving land in central Kentucky, but he is also personally involved.

Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm began in the early 1970’s with 100 acres of land and a dream. Today, it is home to Kentucky Derby winners Smarty Jones and Big Brown, and leading sires Dynaformer, Sky Mesa, and Exchange Rate.

The farm is spread across 2,300 acres and operates as a full service thoroughbred farm, with several broodmare divisions, a yearling and sales prep division, a fully functioning vet lab, and more. The farm also has a bloodstock and sales office that handles both private sales transactions on behalf of clients and consigns at the major thoroughbred auctions around the U.S. and Europe.

Three Chimneys also stands as an example of sustainability and best management practices for the equine industry by creatively dealing with muck management, recycling projects, stream restoration and the establishment of a tree nursery. With his commitment to ensuring the future of horse industry by conserving the land on which it thrives, Clay was an obvious choice for this year’s award.

The goal of the Anson W. Taylor, Jr. Award for Leadership in Equine Land Conservation is to recognize leaders who actively engage in land preservation and access for horses and/or set an inspirational example for others to do the same. Rather than present the Anson W. Taylor Jr. Award for Leadership in Equine Land Conservation annually, ELCR has chosen only present the award when a truly inspirational example, like Robert Clay, arises.

Former award recipients include New Englander Denny Emerson (1999) an eventer and columnist for Chronicle of the Horse who advocated for equine land conservation; Ann Lang of California (2002), a trail rider and tireless proponent of equine trail access; Kentucky-based U.S. Pony Clubs (2007), the youth organization responsible for the founding of ELCR; and Eve Prime Fout (2008), a Virginia foxhunter and strident land conservation advocate, awarded posthumously.

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Takin’ on Washington Florida’s Hasbrouck Donovan heads to the Washington International with a trio of top horses.

By DIANA DEROSA he 52nd edition of the Washington International Horse Show takes place at the Verizon Center Oct. 26-31, 2010, in the heart of Washington, D.C., and Floridian Hasbrouck Donovan, coached by Ocala’s Don Stewart, is on target to defend her array of titles.

T

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DIANA DE ROSA PHOTOS

Hasbrouck Donovan looks forward to competing on Confidential, Quality Time, Falco, and possibly Delilah, at the 2010 Washington International Horse Show.

In 2009, Hasbrouck, 16 (show age 15), was grand champion on Confidential and reserve champion on Quality Time in the junior hunters. Confidential was also champion and grand champion in amateur-owner hunters with Erin Stewart, 26, in the irons.

Confidential, a 9-year-old Dutchbred chestnut gelding, whose registered name is U.S. Hero, “is a very flashy, handsome horse,” Don Stewart said.

“He’s correct in his conformation and a good jumper.”

While Confidential is pretty straightforward to ride, “he is a quirky horse,” Stewart said. “He is quiet but can act rambunctious on occasion, but he’ll always jump the fences.”

While Confidential likes a more passive ride, Quality Time requires a bit more aggressive rider. Quality Time also is a horse that Don had always liked but it wasn’t until January of 2009 that he purchased the 11year-old, brown gelding.

“He wouldn’t jump two feet when we got him. He didn’t have any confidence,” Stewart said. “It took a while but he’s now part of the family. He has a home forever with us. We love that horse,” he said.

“Quality time is also very sweet but maybe acts a bit more spoiled than Confidential,” Erin Stewart, daughter of Don Stewart, said. “He is by far the laziest horse I have ever had. If he could stand and eat grass all day, he would! He’s such an outstanding jumper and that’s what’s really fun about him. You never have to worry about how the jump looks as long as you get there correctly.”

In 2010, Hasbrouck will be back on both Confidential and Quality Time as well as on Falco in the

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junior hunters. In the equitation division she plans to pilot Wagner, and she’s hoping to also show in the junior jumpers on Delilah. While Hasbrouck’s father, Billy Donovan, who coached the University of Florida men’s basketball team to back-to-back NCAA Division I championships at the University of Florida, won’t likely be able to attend, her mom, Christine, will be cheering from the sidelines.

When asked about the various horses she rides,

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Hasbrouck says she loves them all. “Each horse has unique personalities, so it’s special for me to spend time with each of them,” she said. “Washington has always been my favorite show. The stalls are in the city streets and it’s an exciting atmosphere. My brother goes to college in Washington, so it’s a fun place for me to compete.”

Hasbrouck currently attends Saint Francis Catholic High School in Gainesville, Fla. ■

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 53

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2010 Alltech FEI World Eqestrian Games

R

1

USA Medals Won

PHOTOS BY DIRK CAREMANS

iders and drivers competing for the United States secured eight medals at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this fall, with Florida athletes standing out in multiple disciplines. Four-inhand-drivers Chester Weber, Tucker Johnson, James Fairclough and David Saunders, eventer Karen O’Connor, jumping competitors Lauren Hough, Candice King, Cara Raether, and dressage rider Katherine Bateson-Chandler all contributed to the success of the unprecedented event, held Sept. 23-Oct. 10 in Lexington, Ky. – the first time WEG has ever been produced in the U.S. More than 500,000 people attended the event, including spectators, competitors, staff and volunteers. ■

2

3

at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Team GOLD Vaulting Team GOLD Reining Team SILVER Driving Individual DRIVING Bronze —Tucker Johnson, Individual REINING Gold – Tom McCutcheon Silver – Craig Schmersal Individual DRESSAGE Bronze - Steffen Peters Individual DRESSAGE FREESTYLE Bronze – Steffen Peters 54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

4

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5

1) Steffen Peters (USA) and Ravel took the 6 bronze medal in the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle. 2) Team USA brought home the gold in vaulting. 3) Tucker Johnson of Hobe Sound, Fla., brought home an individual bronze in driving. 4) Oscar the Grouch entertains children in the Alltech pavilion. 5) The U.S. captured both gold and silver individual medals in the Reining World Championships, presented by John Deere in the Alltech Arena. 6) Lyle Lovett performed for the closing ceremonies. 7) William Shatner takes a spin around the ring during opening ceremonies. 8) Muhammed Ali and Dr. Pearse Lyons cruise by a crowd of enthusiastic spectators.

8

7

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 55

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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

Marion County livestock agent Mark Shuffitt

Gettin’ Outta Town ou finally made it. You’ve worked hard, made tough decisions and sacrifices and have been fortunate enough to realize your dream of one day owning a Florida horse farm. Five acres or 500, it doesn’t matter the size or number of horses, all farms require routine attention.Animal care, stall cleaning, pasture management, fencing, water and security are all daily concerns.

So, now that you have a horse farm, what do you do when you have to be out of town? Unlike a home with no animals, you can’t just set the security code, lock the door and leave.

Y

Establish a practical “checklist, and ask the right people for help, before you leave town.

STEP-BY-STEP

Put together an out-of-town plan before it becomes urgent, when you have time to think things through.

Even though most extended stays are planned, you could get called away or something might happen that would prevent you from performing your daily chores.

Each farm has its own routine. Most training barns wake up with the sun. Other farms get going later and may not shut down until sundown or later. Regardless, horses are creatures of habit. They know when it’s feeding time, who goes in which feed pen and what order they come in.

It’s a good idea to have someone – a family member, friend, neighbor or employee – who can learn your farm’s routine in case you have to leave unexpectedly.

Make a list of daily activities. Begin with feeding instructions: what time (morning and afternoon), how much and what each horse eats, any individual top dressings, supplements and/or medications. Note any special instructions (example: the grey mare takes longer to eat, don’t turn the black horse out before the bay). Describe when and how to feed hay. Water should be checked and filled. Even automatic waterers should be checked at least once a day to make sure they are functioning properly and don’t have any dead animals or other debris that would keep horses from drinking.

”

56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

When a problem arises, you know what and where the tools and materials needed are located. Additionally, if you need help or professional services such as a farrier or veterinarian, you know who to call. Write down important names and phone numbers and post them in an easily accessible place like by the barn phone or by the feed. The pressure tank is a great place to post well service contact information.

Even though you may have had several friends volunteer to look after your farm because they think it will be fun, make sure to get someone with horse experience. There are a lot of people who can feed horses and make sure the gates are locked and the fences aren’t falling down.

GO WITH EXPERIENCE

I’ve used several different horse sitters. I’ll call and have them meet me at our place during a “normal” feeding time and walk them through the process so they can see how we do things. We’ll discuss hay and water. I’ll give them written feeding instructions and a list of important phone numbers. I’ll also show them where we keep basic tools and equipment: fuse box, first-aid items, hammers, nails, fence boards, etc. The best horse sitters by far have been those with horses of their own.

They don’t just feed and go, they take the time to look at the animals and observe the horses’ behavior.

Parents with small children would never think about hiring an inexperienced baby sitter. Matter of fact, they usually have a network of family and friends with comparable needs that can recommend qualified, responsible, experienced baby sitters. If you haven’t done so already, check with neighbors and friends that have horse needs similar to yours and ask them who they use when they have to be gone for a few days. A little bit of thought and planning, along with confidence in a dependable experienced horse sitter can make your time away from your farm more enjoyable and less stressful. ■

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Chester Weber’s combined driving and rescue horse, Jamaica, is immortalized as a Breyer Model Horse.

Florida’s Newest Breyer Horse

PHOTO COURTESY OF JRPR

F

Throughout his long and award-winning career, including being part of seven National Championship teams, the Silver Medal win inAachen and competing in two World Equestrian Games, Jamaica’s personality and tremendous amount of spirit managed to keep Team Weber on their toes. “I always described Jamaica as having a strong personality,” Weber said. “You couldn’t force him to do anything, you had to ask and then see if he was willing to participate.”

Jamaica’s stunning career almost never happened. He was rescued from a meat slaughter dealer in Belgium and trained as a tourist carriage horse. Despite his humble beginning, Jamaica was finally sold because he wouldn’t stand still. Weber found Jamaica’s endless energy intriguing, purchased him and the rest, as they say, is history.

While fans can now have a Jamaica Breyer of their own to love and cherish, the real Jamaica, who will soon turn 20, is enjoying spending his days eating grass in the rolling fields of Weber’s Live Oak Stud in Ocala, Fla. While fans of the great horse were probably disappointed that he was not part of Weber’s 2010 winning Silver Medal Team at the World Equestrian Games, Jamaica is adjusting well to the life of a retired champion.

“I always said that Jamaica would live out his days with me because no one else would put up with him,” Weber said.

“In actuality, it is my honor to care for him for the rest of his life. As horsemen, we are lucky if in our lifetime we have the opportunity to partner with one horse with the greatness, stamina and tenacity of a true champion. Jamaica embodies all of these characteristics and I will always feel fortunate to have been along for the ride.” ■ PHOTO COURTESY FEI

ans of Jamaica, Chester Weber’s combined driving partner that went from being a slaughterhouse rescue horse to an FEI World Championship Silver Medal winner, will now go down in history as a Breyer Model Horse. The Breyer statue of Jamaica was released during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games when Breyer created a number of Traditional® Series portrait models of key competitors from various disciplines.

Jamaica, who earned the most prestigious horse title in the country when he was named the 2008 USEF Farnam Platform Horse of the Year, captivated the nation with his rags-to-riches story. As part of Weber’s USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Championship team, Jamaica developed quite a fan following.

“Jamaica’s story really meant a lot to a large number of people, and whether we were at shows or at home, fans would bring him presents and carrots and place them in front of his stall and ask to pose for photos with him,” Weber said.

Weber is thrilled that fans will now get to enjoy Jamaica’s beauty without having to deal with his quirky personality. “Jamaica is without a doubt a one of a kind horse,” Weber said.

“From what I have seen they broke the mold after making him.”

Jamaica, owned by Chester Weber (pictured above) was recently immortalized as a Breyer Model Horse.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 57

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Management and responsibility

FARM MANAGEMENT

Best Management Practices n Thursday, Oct. 7, I attended a meeting held in Ocala by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services/Office of Agricultural Water policy (FDACS/OAWP) concerning upcoming pubby Jamie Cohen, lication of Florida’s equine Best Management Practices Farm Outreach (BMPs) manual. Bill Bartnick, an environmental adminCoordinator istrator with FDACS/OAWP, gave an informative presentation explaining what will be covered in the manual and the goals of using the manual. Here’s a summary of the meeting and some explanation of how the manual will affect Florida’s horse farm owners in the near future.

O

EXPLAINING MANAGEMENT-BASED BMPS

Nine BMPs will be covered in the manual, ranging from important issues like nutrient and manure management to animal mortality management. Examples of nutrient management include soil testing prior to fertilization (recommended to be done every two to three years), proper timing of fertilization, appropriate land application (spreading) of manure and nutrient testing of the compost and/or manure prior to it being land-applied.

Bartnick stressed that these BMPs are practical and based on available science. The state mandates that BMPs must be both economically and technologically feasible.

The equine BMP manual has been developed using BMPs that are generally management-based, requiring little to no construction costs.

Bill Bartnick and Clegg Hooks, who is also with FDACS/OAWP, led a discussion as to who would be eligible to use the FDACS/OAWP Equine BMP manual. Currently the manual is designed for operations that have either an agricultural assessment (greenbelt) and/or claim the farm as a business through filing Form 1040, Schedule F, with the IRS. A few farms may be required to obtain a permit (those having 500 or more horses) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) once the proposed Animal Feeding Operation/Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (AFO/CAFO) rule is finalized. Another FDEP program, not yet developed, will

58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

be coming for small equine operations not meeting the above criteria. All currently eligible farms will be encouraged to sign on to the manual, as it demonstrates good environmental stewardship and entitles farms to benefits like right to farm protection and the presumption of compliance with water quality standards.

Proper environmental stewardship is the theme of BMPs and adhering to those proposed methods help protect our entire watershed. Others industries, such as the cow/calf and plant/nursery industries, already have similar BMP guidelines and these industries have all largely adopted their BMP principles.

The expected roll-out date for Florida’s equine BMP manual is still targeted for early 2011, and all horse farms will be encouraged to enlist.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

A question was raised in the meeting about responsibility on the part of farm owner versus someone just leasing the farm. Bartnick stated that this BMP manual applies to the landowner, but that the individual leasing the farm can also join this program. Regardless of who signs up, however, it will be the farm owner’s responsibility to ensure that proper environmental stewardship of the land is taking place on his or her farm.

The point of the evening’s meeting was clear. This program is coming to the equine industry. It has been in the works for several years, but it will be here in the very near future. Florida is taking steps to protect our waters, and all users are expected to do their part. It is in everyone’s best interest to stay informed and updated with issues impacting the equine industry in our state.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Keep up the good management practices!

Jamie A. Cohen Farm Outreach Coordinator UF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service 352-671-8792 • jamiecohen@ufl.edu

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Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through October 28, 2010.

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Gourmet Dinner (Trippi) - 8 I’m Steppin’ It Up (Congrats) - 5 Madman Diaries (Bring the Heat) - 5 Western Mood (West Acre) - 4

Ocala Stud & William J Terrill Thomas L Croley Wesley A Ward Gilbert G. Campbell

Our Sugar Bear Stable Roman Hill Farm Wesley A Ward Jerry, George & Todaro Hollendorfer

Peter Gulyas Anthony Pecoraro Wesley A Ward Jerry Hollendorfer

Y-Lo Racing Stables LLC E Paul Robsham Stable LLC Karen C West Jacks or Better Farm Inc

STD Racing Stable, Peter Moehrke & JR Rafter Ranch E Paul Robsham Stable LLC Ike & Dawn Thrash Jacks or Better Farm Inc

Doug F O’Neill Todd A Pletcher John W Sadler Stanley I Gold

Donald R Dizney Jacks or Better Farm Inc Harold J Plumley

Donald R Dizney Jacks or Better Farm Inc & Robert LaPenta Paul P Pompa Jr

Dale L Romans Nicholas P Zito Richard E Dutrow

Thorobeam Farm Lau-Mor Farms Kristine L Mitchell

IEAH Stables & Whizway Farms Al & Saundra S Kirkwood Robert D Hutton

Richard E Dutrow Kathy Walsh Dan L Hendricks

Harold L Queen Spendthrift Farm LLC Alex & Joann Lieblong, M McMaster & David Fawkes

David Fawkes Richard E Mandella David Fawkes

Martin Racing Stable LLC & Dan Morgan Farnsworth Stables LLC Live Oak Plantation

W Bret Calhoun Martin D Wolfson Seth Benzel

Two-Year-Old Filly Wickedly Perfect (Congrats) - 28 R Heat Lightning (Trippi) - 25 Tell A Kelly (Tapit) - 25 Awesome Feather (Awesome of Course) - 21

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding First Dude (Stephen Got Even) - 33 Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 20 D’Funnybone (D’Wildcat) - 18

Three-Year-Old Filly Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 23 All Due Respect (Value Plus) - 14 Tanda (Sweetsouthernsaint) - 11

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding) Big Drama (Montbrook) - 27 Crown of Thorns (Repent) - 20 Duke of Mischief (Graeme Hall) - 12

Harold L Queen Clover Leaf Farms II Inc Marilyn McMaster

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare) Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) - 30 Jessica Is Back (Put It Back) - 29 Dynaslew (Dynaformer) - 10

Harold J Plumley Larry Perkins Live Oak Stud

Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, race distances one mile and less) Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) - 30 Big Drama (Montbrook) - 27 Jessica Is Back (Put It Back) - 22

Harold J Plumley Harold L Queen Larry Perkins

Martin Racing Stable LLC & Dan Morgan Harold L Queen Farnsworth Stables LLC

W Bret Calhoun David Fawkes Martin D Wolfson

Ronald Arculli Live Oak Plantation Bear Stables Ltd Harvey A Clarke & Ron Winchell Kinsman Stable

Barry Hills Seth Benzel Reade Baker Kiaran P McLaughlin Gregory A Griffith

Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, races run on the turf) Red Jazz (Johannesburg) - 16 Dynaslew (Dynaformer) - 10 Fatal Bullet (Red Bullet) - 7 Krypton (Rock Hard Ten) - 7 Vanquisher (Gulch) - 7

William F & Annabel Murphy Live Oak Stud Adena Springs Jacks or Better Farm Kinsman Farm

■ Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards points for success in stakes races.

The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakes wins in graded races, open-company stakes and Florida’s signature racing days, with the number of points awarded based upon the classification of the race. International stakes race status is governed by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee. The first three finishers in all Group/Graded and listed races appearing in Part I of the International Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Book printed by The Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation. Ten point bonus to be awarded to any 2-year-old colt or filly sweeping all three legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes in determining the Champion 2-year-old Florida-bred.

The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December 31 is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmare of the Year and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Board of Directors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner.

In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will be used to decide the tiebreaker. — Points are assigned as follows:

■ World Thoroughbred Championship ■ Sunshine Millions (equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race): Breeders’ Cup Race: Win: 20 points Place: 15 points Show: 10 points

■ Grade 1 Stakes Race: Win: 15 points Place: 10 points Show: 5 points

■ Grade 2 Stakes Race: Win: 5 points Place: 3 points Show: 2 points

■ Grade 3 Stakes Race: Win: 3 points Place: 2 points Show: 1 point

Win: 5 points Place: 3 points Show: 2 points

■ Other Florida-bred Signature Race Days (equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):

(The Florida Million, Florida Cup, Florida Stallion Stakes Series): Win: 3 points Place: 2 points Show: 1 point

■ Open-Company Stakes ($50,000 + Purse) Points for WIN ONLY: Win: 2 points THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010 59

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Leading Florida Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through October 27, 2010. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

WILDCAT HEIR Sire Name

Farm Name

Wildcat Heir

Forest Wildcat

Journeyman Stud

$3,656,881

122

79

6

7

Graeme Hall

Dehere

Winding Oaks

$3,362,825

137

79

5

7

Put It Back

Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm

$2,556,422

146

71

6

9

Name

PUT IT BACK

GRAEME HALL NA Earnings

Stk Gr Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's

Earnings

Leading Earner

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold 19

Yrlg 2yo Avg Sold

1

$3,658,507

Derwin's Star

$357,840

2

$3,366,295

Duke of Mischief

$611,717

1

$2,716,895

Jessica Is Back

$395,380

29

$11,483

$28,200

2yo Avg

26

$67,642

8

$27,625

11

$23,818

D'wildcat

Forest Wildcat

Vinery

$2,448,585

99

57

3

6

1

$2,631,481

D' Funnybone

$380,000

28

$18,954

11

$68,045

Chapel Royal

Montbrook

Signature Stallions $2,248,335

170

84

2

2

0

$2,517,097

Gold Dust Lady

$72,305

35

$6,051

14

$22,500

Montbrook

Buckaroo

Ocala Stud

$2,408,163

108

47

4

10

3

$2,408,752

Shadowbdancing

$360,750

5

$13,500

13

$50,462

Full Mandate

A.P. Indy

Hartley/De Renzo

$2,108,411

144

73

2

2

1

$2,110,795

Amazon Holly

$97,390

6

$8,550

7

$6,957

Concerto

Chief's Crown

Ocala Stud

$1,946,639

98

58

5

6

1

$1,946,639

Rigoletta

$180,820

2

$6,000

9

$20,889

Consolidator

Storm Cat

Journeyman Stud

$1,744,080

114

50

4

5

0

$1,828,272

Bank Merger

$231,200

37

$6,005

18

$33,661

Concorde's Tune

Concorde Bound Ocala Stud

$1,663,688

90

52

2

2

0

$1,678,486

Musical Romance

$116,431

3

$9,267

5

$22,600

Leading Florida Juvenile Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through October 27, 2010. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

CONGRATS Name FRESHMAN

Congrats

Wildcat Heir

WILDCAT HEIR NA Stk Gr Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings

Sire Name

Farm Name

A.P. Indy

Vinery

$1,129,409

46

19

Forest Wildcat

2

3

1

$1,129,409

WITH DISTINCTION Leading Earner Wickedly Perfect

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg 2yo Avg Sold

2yo Avg

$404,600

29

$37,248

33

$49,636 $67,642

Journeyman Stud

$640,777

39

15

2

2

0

$642,403

She'll Heir

$77,580

19

$28,200

26

FRESHMAN

With Distinction Storm Cat

Hartley/De Renzo

$463,166

40

15

0

0

0

$471,862

Decisive Moment

$76,330

45

$18,071

38

$47,874

FRESHMAN

Pomeroy

Vinery

$470,873

37

17

0

0

0

$470,873

Winking Star

$56,626

20

$19,148

36

$24,881

$438,414

25

13

1

1

0

$438,414

Ayoumilove

$125,367

1

$1,500

17

$12,676

$156,753

1

$1,200

4

$24,750

$43,938

35

$6,051

14

$22,500

2

$6,000

9

$20,889

Gibson County

Boundary

In Excess (IRE) deceased

West Acre

Forty Niner

Stonehedge

$412,555

10

6

1

2

0

$412,555

Blue Eyed Sweetie

Chapel Royal

Montbrook

Singature Stallions

$403,129

39

14

1

1

0

$406,626

Mr. Instigator

Concerto

Chief's Crown

Ocala Stud

$390,735

15

9

2

2

1

$390,735

Rigoletta

$180,820

Halo's Image FRESHMAN

Mass Media

Halo

Bridlewood Farm

$355,655

16

6

1

1

0

$355,655

Reprized Halo

$254,016

7

$10,900

12

$20,750

Touch Gold

Journeyman Stud

$313,930

18

9

1

1

0

$313,930

Beso Grande

$84,492

6

$16,417

9

$11,644

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2010

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Opportunity Knocks he newly released, star-studded film based loosely on the career of Secretariat was fourth in box-office receipts on a mid-October weekend, about $41 million behind a film titled “Jackass 3D.” This troubling information was gleaned from a website called “Box Office Mojo.” Clearly, this indicates

by Paul Moran strongly that racing’s mojo had been lost.

Preaching to the choir never results in a louder chorus.Yet, this is exactly where the sport’s promotional efforts are directed.

The concept of outreach is foreign to racing’s leaders, who lament a contracting audience while failing to define and target a new generation of fans, who may evolve into bettors, owners and breeders.

The sport’s efforts at promotion are for the most part aimed at the initiated and there So, it falls to racing’s leaders to is no organization charged expose the next generation to the specifically with raising racing’s profile in the mainsport’s allure, find new fans and stream. For a time, this fell to beget new horseplayers and this the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which will not be accomplished by a produced a series of generally blog, twitter, a page on Facebook forgettable commercials that were, in the main, aired on racor a racino. The things viewed now ing broadcasts and on in-track as promise may ultimately be the closed circuit systems.

Only the skeletal structure very things that limit growth. of the NTRA remains and its promotional function has long been muted for lack of funding while the advertising, promotional and public relations landscape has undergone dizzying alteration in the last 20 years.

The adaptations of racing’s promotional efforts during a time of tumultuous change have been turned inward. Social networking tends to best service those already interested and has served its purpose for racing organizations. There is currently more racing information available on-line that was imaginable only a decade or so ago along with an array of handicapping websites and blogs of varied merit, but such material is sought out only by those who are already interested.

Nevertheless, racing is, according to a recent survey conducted by ESPN, the nation’s most popular non-team sport and seventh overall, ahead of even NASCAR,

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which is often cited as the gold standard of sports marketing and enjoys far more mainstream visibility.

The difficulty is finding more filling for this stunted pie and the task is more difficult than ever. The graying of the core audience has long been a concern but somehow the geezers replaced themselves. They did so by introducing the next generation to the track experience, drawing their own children and grandchildren to the sensory experience of a day at the races, translating pastperformances and explaining the nuance of an admittedly difficult language.

My own late father warned me during an afternoon at Fort Erie in the ‘60s against becoming too enamored by a game destined to disappear soon. Now, my own generation is cast in that role but most have abandoned the racetracks in favor of simulcasting and account wagering.

Mine was the generation on the technological cusp. The next must be drawn into the game by other means.

So, it falls to racing’s leaders to expose the next generation to the sport’s allure, find new fans and beget new horseplayers and this will not be accomplished by a blog, twitter, a page on Facebook or a racino. The things viewed now as promise may ultimately be the very things that limit growth.

Zenyatta, who had the potential to do for racing what Tiger Woods did for golf, and the 27th Breeders’ Cup provide a very current illustration of the disconnect between racing and the world at large. She is a true star, yet her entire season was all but ignored by the mainstream sports media while no racing-supported organization was in place to undertake effective promotion.

Cigar, when his mid-‘90s winning streak advanced toward a record 16 that belonged to Citation, was a celebrity, met at airports by TV camera crews, his travels followed by news helicopters, the vans on which he was transported escorted by police, his every race a happening met by capacity crowds and chronicled by the nation’s now all but extinct racing press.

Zenyatta was a media secret widely celebrated only by established fans. The Breeders’ Cup undertook no large-scale national advertising campaign in advance of the final race of her career. It will be a very long time before the Breeders’ Cup is handed another undefeated 19for-19 mare going into the Classic in position to repeat.

Opportunity knocked. No one was home. ■

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