The Florida Horse March 2012

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Gold Sponsors Awesome of Course, Hear No Evil & Brooks 'n Down Community Bank & Trust of Florida Duggan, Joiner & Company, PA Equine Medical Center of Ocala Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds Jerry Parks Insurance Group Journeyman Bloodstock Services Inc. Kinsman Farm Live Oak Stud Mass Media at Journeyman Stud NTRA Advantage Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Ocala Stud Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital LLC Rustlewood Farm Smith, Bryan and Myers Stonehedge Farm South Wildcat Heir - Florida's Leading Sire

Silver Sponsors Calder Casino & Race Course Summerfield Sales Agency, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors Metz, Husband & Daughton, PA The Fontaine Financial Group, LLC

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March 2012 VOL 55/ISSUE 3

CONTENTS FEATURES 22 2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS The 2011 season for Florida’s Thoroughbred industry read like a romantic novel.

By Jo Ann Guidry

36 FTBOA AWARD PICTORIAL Photos of the 2011 Awards banquet

38 ‘GREEK’ ROLLS BIG Florida-bred Ron the Greek becomes the first since Southern Image to win the Santa Anita Handicap.

By Michael Compton

46 SUNSHINE STATE OF SUCCESS Kathleen O’Connell continues to win with Florida-breds. By Mike Henry

78 EQUINE CARE: UNDERSTANDING EQUINE STRANGLES Understanding and recognizing the signs of disease, Management and prevention.

By Amanda M. House, DVM, DACVIM

DEPARTMENTS/COLUMNS 6 THE BROCK TALK 8 FLORIDA FOCUS 16 OBS CHAMPIONSHIP DAY

By Michael Compton

18 OBS MARCH SALE RECAP

By Brock Sheridan

57 FARM MANAGEMENT: LIMING YOUR PASTURES

By Jamie Cohen

58 CELEBRATING SECRETARIAT Connection of Secretariat gather at GoldMark Farm in Ocala for a fundraiser for the Florida Horse Park.

60 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: HORSESHOES RECYCLED By Mark Shuffitt 62 PLAYER’S PAGE: RESTORING THE PAST?

By Paul Moran

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

COVER PHOTO: BREEDERS’ CUP LIMITED CONTENTS PHOTO OF BRILLIANT SPEED: COGLIANESE

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

Brock Sheridan BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant ART DIRECTOR

John Filer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp CORRESPONDENTS

Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt, Michael Compton

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 Phil Matthews, President/Board Chairman Brent Fernung, 1st Vice President Francis Vanlangendonck, 2nd Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Lonny T. Powell CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Caroline T. Davis

© 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 Phil Matthews, President Brent Fernung, First Vice President Francis Vanlangendonck, SecondVice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

DIRECTORS Joe Barbazon Craig Bernick Dean DeRenzo Roy Lerman Diane Parks

Linda Appleton Potter George Russell Jessica Steinbrenner Charlotte C. Weber Eddie Woods

CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Lonny T. Powell THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 5

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the Brock talk

Brock Sheridan

Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Publications

Amazed And Honored Writing my first column for The Florida Horse is much more of an honor than I ever expected. have been a part of the horse industry my entire life as my father Phil Sheridan was an accomplished rodeo cowboy and later a successful trainer of racing Quarter Horses in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. I put myself through a private high school and the University of Arizona working on the starting gate crews at tiny Rillito Race Track and other tracks and fairs in Arizona, Idaho and California. When I was a youngster, the big time was the now defunct Centennial Race Track outside of Denver, Turf

I

Even as a self-defined enthusiast and historian of thoroughbred racing and breeding, I was amazed at what I have come to be a part of and experience as I have settled into Ocala. I am very much looking forward to publishing and promoting the so many different aspects of this wonderful community and the Florida-bred industry.

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona and Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. But as a professional in this business, I have been a part of management teams at tracks as small as Manor Downs near Austin, Texas, to facilities as large as Hollywood Park in Southern California.

In moving to Ocala, Florida and accepting the position as editor-in-chief of Florida Equine Publications, I was not expecting to be over whelmed. Yes, I was aware of the small staff at the Florida Equine Publications and how they had maintained the high quality of performance under adverse conditions during the recent months. And I am aware of the expectations of maintaining that level of excellence. But I was

naïve as to the high level and standards of thoroughbred breeding, training, racing and sales of thoroughbreds in Marion County.

I thought of Florida-breds as good, solid and competitive. Florida-bred and Ocala Breeders Sales Company was a leader in the industry and that was obvious to even the casual observer. No question that I was keenly aware of the significance of central Florida in the thoroughbred industry.

But I was less informed as to the greatness of this thoroughbred community. I’m not ashamed of that previous perception, but rather astonished at what I had not previously known. Even as a self-defined enthusiast and historian of thoroughbred racing and breeding, I was amazed at what I have come to be a part of and experience as I have settled into Ocala.

I am very much looking forward to publishing and promoting the so many different aspects of this wonderful community and the Floridabred industry.

There is no doubt that I am a “rookie” in what is Ocala. I’m the new guy in town and just now starting to meet many of you, the members.

I will be visiting more members soon at your farms, at sales and at the track to introduce myself personally. The door to my office is also always open, so also consider this a standing invitation to stop by the FTBOA and FEP offices here in Ocala and say hello.

Which brings me back to my first proclamation-I am honored to be here. Not only am I honored, but excited to be a part of the Florida breeding, racing and sales. I am excited and privileged to be entrusted by the board of directors, staff and members of the FTBOA and FEP to communicate that greatness. ■

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Thunder Moccasin (above), a son of Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion A.P. Warrior, storms to victory in the Hutcheson Stakes (G2)

By MICHAEL COMPTON The four-race stakes program at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 11 offered a little something for everyone.

Trainer Todd Pletcher saddled his 3,000th career winner; Thunder Moccasin, a promising 3-year-old colt by Florida sire A.P. Warrior, stormed onto the scene with a rousing victory in the Hutcheson Stakes (G2); Snow Top Mountain proved best in the Suwannee River Stakes (G3); Hymn Book stole the spotlight in the Donn Handicap (G1); and millionaire veteran Get Stormy made his first start of the year a winning one in closing out the stakes action in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1).

One of the more impressive performances of the day was turned in by Thunder Moccasin in the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes. A son of Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion A.P. Warrior, Thunder Moccasin stormed down the stretch under John Velazquez to pull away to a 6¾-length score in the 7-furlong Hutcheson over a good track, scoring his first graded stakes victory in his second start and remaining undefeated.

8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

“He broke half a step slow but it worked out perfectly because I was able to get great position outside of the other speed. I wanted to make a quick move on the turn to try to surprise the other horse and it worked,” Velazquez said. “He runs so hard every step of the way.”

Fractional times for the race were :23.34, :46.89, and 1:11.17, with a final time of 1:24.16.

Bred by Stonewall Farm and owned by Starlight Racing, Thunder Moccasin won his

career debut at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 24, earning a whopping Beyer Speed Figure of 97. He covered 6½ furlongs that day in a sprightly 1:154⁄5. The maiden-breaking effort has proved to be a key race. The second-place finisher Ender Knievel, third-place finisher Panthro, and fourth-place finisher Stealcase all won their next races.

“He’s a very talented colt,” Pletcher said.

“His first race was so impressive with the move he made we thought we’d take a shot and go right into the Hutcheson. The race came up just the way we talked about where we sat just off the five (Il Villano), a horse with more seasoning, and he handled it beautifully.”

The win with Thunder Moccasin in the Hutcheson marks the seventh time Pletcher has won the Hutcheson, with previous victories coming in a dead-heat in 2000, and five straight from 2003-2007. In 2011, Pletcher finished second in the Hutcheson with Travelin Man, who returned to win the Swale Stakes.

The victory became career win no. 3,002 for Pletcher, who earlier in the card earned his 3,000th career victory when Triple Crown nominee Spring Hill Farm dominated the third race going wire-to-wire to remain undefeated and sent Majestic Number to victory in the race right after.

Northwest Stud Stallion Pleasant Strike Sires First Foal Northwest Stud stallion Pleasant Strike sired his first foal recently when a filly was born at Alfredo Ronso’s Mighty White Stallion Farm. The filly was produced from the Storm Boot mare Love Boot, dam of stakes winner Made to Love Her. Pleasant Strike is a graded stakes winning son of Smart Strike. He won the Arlington Classic (G3) and amassed career earnings in excess of $450,000. He is from the family of 2005 Older Male Eclipse Champion and

Pleasant Strike

SERITA HULT PHOTO

Florida-bred Thunder Moccasin

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Thunder Moccasin Dominates Hutcheson

Horse of the Year Saint Liam.

Pleasant Strike will stand his second season in 2012 for a fee of $2,500.

For more information on Pleasant Strike contact Northwest Stud at (352) 512-1134.

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Kiss the Kid Sires First Foals

Sabrina’s Dance Back On Top In Madcap Escapade the lead after a while and she relaxed really nicely. When I asked her she kicked away.”

Sabrina’s Dance ran five furlongs in 58.19 seconds while posting her third victory in five career starts. Alydarla, who closed from far back to catch Sabrina’s Dance in their previous meeting, had to settle for second, a half-length ahead of thirdplace finisher My Due Process.

Bred by Joanne Crowe and Kristina Stein, the Florida-bred filly defeated maiden claimers by more than five lengths in her debut last May over Calder’s main track.

Calabrese purchased her shortly after the impressive debut and sent her to trainer Nick Canani. She returned to action at Calder in November with a two-length victory in a turf allowance. After a seventh-place finish in the Old Hat (G3) on Gulfstream’s main track on Jan. 1, Sabrina’s Dance was put back on turf on Jan. 19, when Alydarla caught her late.

“She obviously likes turf, but we tried her in the Old Hat just to see what our options are with her,” Canani said. “I think we’ll stick to turf with her from now on.”

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Frank Calabrese’s Florida-bred Sabrina’s Dance avenged a recent allowance loss to Alydarla and became a stakes winner in the process Feb. 12 at Gulfstream Park, capturing the $60,000 Madcap Escapade under jockey Jose Lezcano.

The 3-year-old daughter of former Hartley/DeRenzo stallion Werblin, Sabrina’s Dance lost to Alydarla by a neck in January, held off that rival by 1¼ lengths after again setting the pace in the five-furlong turf stakes.

Sabrina’s Dance broke well from her inside post position to contest the pace with Red Hot Doll along the backstretch and into the far turn. After shaking free of Red Hot Doll, she quickly opened a clear lead that she would not relinquish through the stretch run.

Alydarla, who raced off the pace under Kent Desormeaux, saved ground on the turn into the homestretch to enter contention but the 2-1 favorite proved no match for the winner.

“The plan was go to the front and we were able to go a little slower than last time when the other horse [Alydarla] beat us,” Lezcano said. “We were able to get clear on

Florida-bred Sabrinaʼs Dance

Multiple graded stakes winner and record setter Kiss the Kid sired his first reported foals recently in Florida when a filly and colt were both born within a few days of one another at Hardacre Farm.

A bay filly was the first to be born on Jan. 26 out of the Came Home mare Came Through, a half-sister to Grade 1placed Noble Causeway. On Jan. 29, a bay colt was born out of the Hennessy Kiss The Kid

BILL DENVER PHOTO

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mare Firefly Fancy, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Fire Slam.

Both were bred by Hardacre Farm.

Kiss the Kid was a multiple graded stakes winner on turf and Grade 1-placed on dirt. He won the Appleton Stakes (G3) and Cliff Hanger Stakes (G3) on grass, a surface he also set a new course record on at Monmouth Park. Kiss the Kid placed in the Donn Handicap (G1), Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2), Meadowlands Cup Stakes (G2) and Iselin Stakes (G3) and dirt, and also placed in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Polytrack.

By Lemon Drop Kid, Kiss the Kid retired to Brent & Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud in Ocala in 2011 after amassing career earnings of $820,873 on the racetrack. He is out of a full sister to Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair.

Kiss the Kid will stand his second season in 2012 for a fee of $3,500 stands and nurses.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 9

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Florida-breds Sweep Tampa’s Turf Dash

By MICHAEL COMPTON With all the success Florida-bred Great Attack enjoyed sprinting on the turf last year, it’s hard to believe he headed into action Feb. 18 winless in black-type races. That was quickly remedied, though, as Great Attack finally notched the first stakes win of his career in winning the $75,000 Turf Dash at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 5-year-old son of Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion Greatness rallied from midpack to hit the wire just ahead of fellow Sunshine State product Western Prospector in the five-furlong turf fixture, stopping the clock in :55.93 over a course labeled good.

Argentine-bred Private Jet, the 2-1 favorite based on the strength of his victory over Great Attack last time out at Gulfstream Park, finished a fast-closing third. Florida-bred Little Nick, after menacing around the turn, wound up fourth. Jeffrey Sanchez piloted the winner.

“We were farther back than I hoped to be early, and he seemed to be uncomfortable with the ground – maybe it was too soft for him,” Sanchez said. “But he seemed to get more confident as we got into the turn, and by the time we got to the stretch he was really firing.”

The winner was sent out by trainer Dennis Ward, deputizing for his son, Wesley. Bred by 10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

Edward Seltzer and Murray Durst, Great Attack races in the colors of Houyhnhnm Stable.

Great Attack is now a winner in five of 15 career starts. Although he is graded-stakes placed and finished fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs, the Turf Dash score was his initial victory.

Based at Wesley’s Gulfstream Park barn, Great Attack arrived in Oldsmar at the elder Ward’s barn at 9 a.m. the morning of the race, and the trainer said he looked to be in superb shape. He was confident Great Attack was primed to improve on his narrow defeat by fellow Sunshine State product Bridgetown in last year’s Turf Dash.

“I think (Great Attack) is better than last year. He is a little more seasoned,” Dennis Ward said. “He hasn’t run that many times.

Wesley picks his spots with his good ones.

And this was no easy spot, believe me. This is as tough as any place in the country.”

Wesley Ward also entered Madman Diaries, a 4-year-old gelding he owns in partnership with Robert Teel, but scratched him the morning of the race. “(Madman Diaries) has a little more speed than Great Attack, and we thought there was enough speed in this race,” Dennis said. “I don’t like running first and second in any

race; what good does that do you? Just win, and save the other horse for another race.”

Runner-up Western Prospector suffered his second tough beat in a row. He also finished second last time out over the Tampa turf in an allowance dash. Jockey Leandro Goncalves thought he might be the winner in deep stretch until Great Attack roared past.

“When I asked him to run, he came away really nicely. I thought we had won it,” Goncalves said.

Western Prospector is a 6-year-old son of Stonehedge Farm South stallion West Acre out of the Premiership mare Pleasant Dilemma. He was bred by Gilbert Campbell and is owned by Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc.

First Mare Reported In Foal to Big Drama Stonewall Farm Ocala announced Feb. 16 that Eclipse Champion Big Drama had impregnated his first mare. The Silver Buck mare Be Silver owned by Pete Gonzalez was confirmed in foal to Big Drama.

The son of Montbrook amassed more than $2.7 million on the race track including the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs. Big Drama won 10 stakes during his four year racing career.

For more information on Big Drama contact Stonewall Farm Ocala at (352) 620-0907.

Florida-bred Big Drama

PALMER PHOTO

Florida-bred Great Attack

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Great Attack, a son of Stonewall Farm Ocala sire Greatness, earns initial stakes victory

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R Holiday Mood Holds on in Hurricane Bertie

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BY PATRICK VINZANT The 4-year-old filly covered Trainer Todd Pletcher conthe 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.85 over tinued his hot streak at Gulfstream a track labeled fast. Funny Sunny finished 2 ½ lengths clear Park with E. Paul Robsham’s Florida-bred R Holiday Mood of race favorite Her Smile. capturing the $150,000 Hurricane Florida-bred Belle of the Hall Bertie Stakes Feb. 19 at the Halfinished fourth followed by landale oval. Her victory marked Florida-bred Pica Slew, Strike the 11th win from 18 starters for the Moon and Ms. Vanenzza. the owner/trainer combo at the “I really didn’t expect her to current meet. be on the lead today. I thought The daughter of former Ocala the one (Pica Slew) would go to Florida-bred R Holiday Mood the front and we’d follow her. I Stud stallion Trippi entered the Hurricane Bertie off a dead heat performance in the Ocala Stakes felt reasonably confident that she would run well today coming off on Jan. 8. Ridden by John Velazquez, R Holiday Mood set a con- the mile race,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “That was a demanding tested pace from the start. She was hounded by Funny Sunny from race and the mile is about her limit, but she’s a big strong filly and the onset and the duo battled head and head until deep stretch when came out of it well.

“I’d say if she comes out of this okay we’ll look at the next one, R Holiday Mood prevailed by a neck. the Inside Information,” Pletcher said. “The seven-eighths is just right for her.” The Inside Information (G2) is scheduled for March 17.

The Hurricane Bertie score was her fifth win in eight starts and brought her career earnings to $217,800.

Mach Ride Sires First Foal Our legal services to the equine industry include: •Sale and purchase of equestrian businesses, farms and horses •Litigation involving equine related matters •Tax and business structuring advice •Preparation of partnership and syndication agreements •Preparation of training and boarding agreements •Banking and finance specific to farm and equine assets •Estate planning and probate •Bankruptcy and related issues

Please contact:

David A. McKibbin, Esq. Ocala office

118 S.W. Fort King Street • Ocala, FL 34478 Boca Raton Office

2600 No. Military Trail • Boca Raton, FL 33431-6348 Phone: 561-241-1600•Cell: 561-818-0050•Fax: 561-241-3815 dmckibbin@rmlawyer.com • www.rmlawyer.com 12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

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Rutherford Mulhall, P.A.

Bridlewood Farm stallion Mach Ride sired his first reported foal Feb. 12 when a filly was born at Mitchell Broussard’s Broussard Farm. The nearly black filly was produced from the Milwaukee Brew mare Lil Brewski. She is the second foal out of the mare which had a Roar of the Tiger colt in 2011.

Mach Ride was a three-time stakes winner during his five year racing career. The son of Pentelicus won the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2), Champali Stakes and Valid Video Stakes at Calder Race Course. He was also graded stakes placed in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) twice and the Carry Back Stakes (G2). Campaigned by George and Karen Russell’s Rustlewood Farm, Mach Ride amassed career earnings of $640,050. He is out of the Formal Dinner mare April Invitation and is a half-brother to stakes winFlorida-bred Mach Ride ner Blue Pepsi Lodge.

Mach Ride will stand his second season in 2012 for a fee of $2,000.

For more information on Mach Ride contact Bridlewood Farm at (352) 622-5319.

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Yara Upsets Davona Dale Field

Florida-bred Yara

Florida-bred daughter of Bridlewood Farm stallion Put It Back springs surprise in Davona Dale

By MICHAEL COMPTON Florida-bred Yara pushed by a stubborn Grace Hall late to emerge victorious in the $350,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 25. The 3-year-old daughter of Bridlewood Farm stallion Put It Back lit up the tote board, scoring by a neck at odds of 60-1 under Jesus Castanon. She paid $131 for $2 to win after being timed for the 11⁄16 miles in 1:43:41 over the fast track.

“My instructions were to put her right up there and she broke good,” said Castanon. “I saw the two [Grace Hall] right next to me and when she went ahead and took the lead, my horse settled really nicely. My filly was just waiting for me to push the button and when I did, she ran on really well. I was actually very confident coming into the race. I saw her race last time going a mile and I knew she had run some good races before that.”

Trainer Jose Garoffalo saddled the winner for Peras International. The winner was bred

by Brambly Lane Farm and Steve Dwoskin.

“This is the biggest win of my career,” said Garoffalo. “I knew it was a tough field, but I was always confident that she would handle a distance. She broke well and that was a key 14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

to the race. The owner (Anderson Castro) is from Venezuela and is investing in several horses over here, including some I have coming up. I picked this one out ($24,000 OBS April 2-year-old sales). The goal is the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with maybe a race before then. I usually wait to see how they come out of a race to make more immediate plans.”

Yara broke her maiden at Calder last September. She finished fourth in the Cassidy Stakes in October and returned the following month to win the Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies in wire to wire fashion. In her start prior to the Davona Dale, Yara finished fourth, beaten 22½ lengths by Broadway’s Alibi in the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) over a sloppy Gulfstream surface.

Grace Hall was game in defeat for trainer Anthony Dutrow and owners Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables and The Elkstone Group.

Grace Hall finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) behind eventual Eclipse champion My Miss Aurelia.

Winner of the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga last September, Grace Hall was making her first start of the year in the Davona Dale.

“She’s a very forward filly and today off the short layoff she was a little sharp,” said jockey Ramon Dominguez. “She broke forward and when I saw the six horse [Yara] break sharp too, I had all intentions of sitting right off her.

When that horse slowed it down even more, I decided to go to the front and I don’t regret it.

My filly is a great filly and I think she’ll just get better coming out of this race.”

Darley Stable’s Captivating Lass finished third, 3 ½ lengths behind Grace Hall.

In an unprecedented move designed to reward owners of Florida-bred horses and increase the value of Sunshine State products, the FTBOA, FHBPA and Gulfstream Park have designed “Win It to Get It.” The Davona Dale is one of six stakes races at the current Gulfstream Park meet with a supplement of $100,000 to the winning owner of a Floridabred registered with the FTBOA.

Factum to Stand at Stonehedge Farm South Gilbert and Marilyn Campbell, owners of Stonehedge Farm South in Williston, have announced that Factum will enter stud at the farm in 2012. The 4-year-old son of Storm Cat is a half brother to leading sire War Front.

As a 2-year-old in Ireland, Factum was a winner and a group 2 performer finishing fourth in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (G2). Out of the stakes-winning Rubiano mare Starry Dreamer, Factum is also a half brother to stakes winners Ecclesiatic, Riviera Cocktail and Teammate.

Factum will join fellow sires West Acre and Untuttable at Stonehedge Farm South.

A fee will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Factum contact Larry King at (352)528-4951.

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FLORIDA NEWS

Florida-bred Crafty Unicorn breaks his maiden in Championship Stakes; Local operations Double Diamond Farm and Stonewall Farm also represented with stakes winners

Picture Perfect

By MICHAEL COMPTON Lawyer Ron—Pondering, by Storm Cat, Devotedness, byAnet.The winner’s halfbrother cala is justly celebrated as “The broke her maiden at first asking on Feb. 18, is selling this week at OBS as hip No. 292.

“This is special,” said Roger Brand of Horse Capital of the World. ” On a winning a one-mile maiden special weight sun-splashed, Chamber of Com- race on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs. She Double Diamond Farm. “We drove down to merce Monday afternoon, Ocala proved a rac- closed from last to first that day. Her strong Gulfstream Park for Apriority’s race yestering center as well with the annual OBS closing kick carried her to victory once day. We didn’t win that race (finished second) more on Monday as she circled the field in and had a long drive home last night. We have Champions Day of racing Mar. 12.

Florida-bred Crafty Unicorn won the the stretch under Leandro Goncalves to a short trip today and win a stakes race. You can’t beat that. $100,000 Championship Stakes to close out beat Oaks Lily by 1½ “This horse has the festive day of racing. The son of Friends lengths. She ran the 1 3 done really well since Lake—Unicorn Kid, by Lemon Drop Kid, 1 ⁄16 miles in 1:47 ⁄5. he’s been with Hess,” bred by Sabrina and Harold Plumley, broke The filly was conBrand added. “He rehis maiden in style for owner-trainer Dennis signed to the 2011 ally seems to be comManning.

OBS March sale by ing into himself now.

Crafty Unicorn raced in close attendance Eddie Woods, agent.

His future looks of the early pace in the 23rd running of the “It’s amazing to bright.” Devoted Wildrace, surged to the lead along the inside in the come home here to Andrewʼs Girl won the $100,000 OBS cat was consigned to stretch and edged away from Ken and Sarah Ocala and win a stakes Champion Filly Division the 2010 OBS August Ramsey’s Burn the Mortgage late to win the race in your backyard,” 11⁄16-mile event by 1¾ lengths. John Oxley’s said Haisfield. “What a great day of racing sale by Summerfield, agent.

The afternoon’s first race went to Ron Moon Traveler checked in third. Crafty Uni- and I’m proud that we were able to win one corn covered the distance in 1:454⁄5. here today. This victory is a credit to the en- Hendrickson’s Who Is Camille. The 3-yearold daughter of Dixie Union drew clear in Crafty Unicorn went through the ring at tire Stonewall team.”

OBS three different times. He was sold as a Haisfield related that a full sister to An- the final strides to win the $50,000 OBS yearling by Richard Kent’s Kaizen Sales, drew’s Girl will go through the ring at the Sprint for 3-year-old fillies. Raroma Stables Runfor Ro closed late to secure the agent. He failed to meet his reserve at the OBS April sale.

2011 April sale and then sold for $20,000 by Donald Dizney’s Devoted Wildcat grabbed runner-up spot. Pacesetter Quality Lass, a Nickajack/Rey de Oros, agent at the 2011 the lead around the far turn of the $50,000 West Point Thoroughbreds colorbearer, had June Sale.

OBS Sprint Stakes and to settle for third. The winner ran six furnever relinquished com- longs in 1:11.

“He was a really Hendrickson and trainer Marcial Navarro mand. Ridden by Kent nice-looking yearling when I had him,” Kent Desormeaux, Devoted supplemented Who Is Camille to the race. said. “He had good size Wildcat crossed the Jockey John Velazquez piloted the winner.

“She beat some pretty nice horses when to him, but offspring of wire one length clear of Friends Lake weren’t a fast closing MakingA- she broke her maiden,” said Hendrickson, too popular at the time. mends, running six fur- who owns Dairy Queen franchises and has eight horses in training with Navarro at I’m glad he broke hislongs in 1:104⁄5.

Crafty Unicorn won the OBS Champions Colt/Gelding Division maiden in a stakes race.

It was the third con- Calder. “That is what encouraged us to try this What a pleasant surprise.” secutive win for the gelding. He broke his spot.

“What a wonderful day of racing here in Marc Haisfield’s Andrew’s Girl remained maiden at Gulfstream Park in December and undefeated after two career starts, rolling to returned to annex an allowance race on Jan. 29 Ocala,” he added. “It’s a nice event to be a part of. I’m thrilled with the victory.” an impressive score in the $100,000 filly di- in Hallandale Beach.

Kings Equine sold Who Is Camille for vision of the OBS Championship Stakes.

Trained by Bob Hess Jr., Devoted Wildcat Bred by Stonewall Farm, the daughter of is a Kentucky-bred son of Forest Wildcat— $15,000 at the 2011 OBS April sale. ■ LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTOS

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16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

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OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale

Harris Tops Both Days of OBS March Sale

By BROCK SHERIDAN gross sales. For the entire sale, the buyback percentage was onsignors Mary and Robert Harris had a banner Ocala 25.4% compared to 26.2% last year.

Florida-breds were not kept out of the spotlight as the second Breeders’ Sales Company March Sale of Selected 2-YearOlds as they consigned the top seller on both days of the two-day highest seller was a product of breeding program in the Sunauction Mar. 13-14. Through their Harris Training Center LLC, shine State. Hip No. 323 was a Florida-bred colt by Tiz WonAgent II they consigned Hip No. 342, a colt by War Front and derful out of the Kissin Kris mare Foolish Kiss and left the sale out of the Horse Chestnut mare Henna that sold for $800,000 to ring after running up the lights to $525,000. Consigned by Paul Frank Fletcher Racing Operations. Timed in :10.0 over an eighth Sharp, Agent IV, the colt was purchased by Stonestreet Stables, of a mile during the under tack program, the top selling colt is best known as the owners of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, both winners of the golden Eclipse Award as out of an unraced dam who is a half-sisHorse of the Year. ter to multiple grade 1 stakes winner Hip No. 350 is a chestnut colt by the Pomeroy.

Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion LeroidesanOn the first day of the sale, they sold imaux, sire of 2011 Kentucky Derby preHip No. 180, Ado, a filly by Empire sented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Maker, who went to Frank Fletcher RacAnimal Kingdom. Out of the Sefapiano ing Operations for $485,000. The bay mare Humoristic, the Eddie Woods, Agent filly, a half sister to stakes winner PassIX consignee was purchased by Deuce port out of graded stakes winner Trip, by 1 Greathouse, Agent for $490,000.

Lord at War, worked an eighth in :10 ⁄5 at Another top selling filly was conThursday’s Under Tack session. signed by Ocala Stud and dropped the For the first day, 91 horses sold for a gavel at $475,000 as Hip No. 188. The total of $11,877,000, compared with Florida-bred daughter of Street Sense out 119 horses bringing $10,333,000 at last of the Valid Appeal mare Unlimited year’s opening session. The average Pleasure was purchased by Todd price was $130,516, up 50.3% comPletcher, Agent for Repole Stables. pared to $86,832 last year, while the meA colt also sold for $475,000 later in the dian price soared to $100,000 from Mary and Robert Harris consigned the top seller sale as Hip No. 298 went to Toyomitsu $57,000 in 2011. The buyback percenton both days of the OBS March sale.

Hirai. By Read the Footnotes and out of the age was 26.6%, it was 30% a year ago.

Forty six horses sold for $100,000 or more compared with thirty Dixie Union mare Dixie Talent, the chestnut colt was consigned by Southern Chase Farm, Inc. (Greg and Karen Dodd), Agent. a year ago on the first day alone.

The top selling colt on the first day was Hip No. 58, a The success of the sale was again widely felt on day two as both the average price and median price saw significant gains Florida-bred by Montbrook consigned by Ocala Stud, Agent, over the second day of this sale a year ago. The average price of and was sold to Toyomitsu Hirai for $470,000. The dark bay or the 84 two-year-olds sold was $149,762 this year, nearly 23% brown colt, whose quarter in :20 4/5 was co-fastest at the prehigher than the average price on the same day last year. The vious Thursday’s session of the Under Tack Show, is out of $110,000 median price was nearly 28% higher than the median stakes placed My Golden Quest, by Coronado’s Quest, a half price of the second day of the sale last year. The buyback per- sister to graded stakes placed My Golden Song.

Hip No. 126, an A.P. Indy colt consigned by Hartley/De centage was 27.6%; it was 21.9% last year.

For the two days, the average price was $138,656, nearly 33% Renzo Thoroughbreds LLC, Agent, was sold to Mark Casse, higher than last year while the $105,000 median was a full 50% Agent, for $425,000. The dark bay or brown colt, who worked higher than the 2011 sale. Gross receipts for the 179 horses sold an eighth in :10 flat at the Under Tack show, is out of graded this week was $24,819,500 compared to the 237 horses that stakes winner Sharp Susan, by Touch Gold, and is a half brother went through the sale ring last year that generated $24,711,00 in to grade one winner Spring at Last. ■ LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

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18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

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State-of-the-art training facility in sunny Marion County This 413.55 acre turn-key Thoroughbred training center is being offered for sale for $5,900,000.

The property is bank owned and the seller is highly motivated. Will divide.

This immaculate property offers a 7/8 mile dirt training track with enclosed viewing stand, 6 barns with a total of 144 stalls, a 2,088 square foot office building, 2 maintenance buildings, 2 covered European walkers, a spring fed swimming pond, great soil, scattered oaks, and a 4,599 square foot residence with swimming pool and detached garage.

Graduates of this track include: My Miss Aurelia Lookin At Lucky Henny Hughes & The Factor 15 minutes from the Ocala International Airport and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company 45 minutes from Gainesville 1.5 hours from Orlando

See our video online at www.cbtfl.com To schedule your visit today, call Yvonne Whitler, VP at 352-369-1000 or Dwayne Carlton, CPM at 352-351-0055

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Farm Service Directory Free Listing Please check the category/categories (maximum of 2 please) you would like listed for your farm/business in

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RETURN TO: THE FLORIDA HORSE • 801 SW 60TH AVE., • OCALA, FL 34474 Attention: Beverly Kalberkamp

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ATale of Romance

By JOANN GUIDRY or the Florida Thoroughbred industry, the 2011 racing season read like a romantic novel. With a record-setting 11 Grade 1 Florida-bred stakes winners, there were plenty of intriguing characters and excitement in every chapter. And at the heart of the story was the aptly-named Musical Romance, but she was no damsel in distress. In fact, when all was said and done, Musical Romance emerged as the heroine. She garnered the Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter and was named the 2011 Florida-Bred Horse of the Year.

Musical Romance, who races for the partnership of Pinnacle Racing Stable and Bill Kaplan, began the season by winning a trio of stakes at her Calder Race Course homebase. Also trained by Kaplan, the 4-year-old filly scored victories in the Ema Bovary Stakes, U Can Do It Stakes and Barb’s Dancer Stakes. She then gave a hint of something special to come, finishing second by a neck to Sassy Image in the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1).

Shipped to Presque Isle Downs in northern Pennsylvania, Musical Romance showed off her flirtatious side

BREEDERSʼ CUP LIMITED PHOTO

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22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

again in graded-stakes company. This time around, she scored a neck win over favored Ariana D in the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) for her initial career graded stakes victory. Next stop was Keeneland, where Musical Romance was second by a head to Holiday for Kitten in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2).

The next big dance was the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.

Musical Romance’s connections came up with the $130,000 supplement fee to put her on the dance card.

She turned it into her own personal waltz, winning the

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BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) by a length and a quarter.

On the season, Musical Romance banked $1,040,734.

Bred by Ocala Stud, Musical Romance is by deceased Concorde’s Tune out of multiple stakes-producer Candlelightdinner, by Slew Gin Fizz. Ocala Stud consigned and sold Musical Romance for $22,000 at the 2009 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s April juvenile sale to Bill Kaplan, agent, for Pinnacle Racing Stable.

South Florida businessman Adam Lazarus is the founding and managing partner of Pinnacle Racing Stable.

At the 52nd Annual FTBOA Awards Dinner on Sun-

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day, March 11, at the Ocala Hilton, Musical Romance was honored as the 2011 Florida-Bred Horse of theYear. Also in the spotlight for the night were all the 2011 FloridaBred champions and their breeders, owners and trainers.

The 2011 Florida-bred champions article was published in the 2012 January issue of The Florida Horse.

Ocala Stud, J. Michael O’Farrell Jr., president, was recognized as 2011 Florida Breeder of the Year and collected numerous other awards. Ocala Stud was also honored as the breeder of Musical Romance, the Florida-Bred Horse of the Year, champion older female

Florida-bred Musical Romance winning the Breedersʼ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

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and champion female sprinter; Candrea, the FloridaBred champion 2-year-old filly; and Turbulent Descent, the Florida-bred champion 3-year-old filly. Ocala Stud owns Candlelightdinner, the 2011 Florida Broodmare of the Year, and stands High Cotton, who was the 2011 Leading Florida Freshman Sire. Ocala Stud also garnered the Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award.

Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation was honored as the 2011 Leading Owner by Florida-bred earnings.

Wildcat Heir captured the 2011 Florida Stallion of the Year Award and Awesome of Course claimed the 2011 Leading Florida Juvenile Sire title. Both Wildcat Heir and Awesome of Course stand at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud.

2011 FLORIDA BREEDER OF THE YEAR OCALA STUD (J. Michael O’Farrell Jr., President)

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

There are good years and then there are very good years. Such was the case with Ocala Stud. In 2010, Ocala Stud posted an outstanding season and was named the Florida Breeder of the Year. For an encore, J. Michael OʼFarrell (center) with sons Ocala Stud followed with another stellar season and Joe (left) and David. claimed the title of 2011 Florida Breeder of the Year.

24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

In 2011, Ocala Stud, the historic Thoroughbred operation that was established in 1956, posted record earnings as a breeder of $4,135,381. And it was truly Ocala Stud’s year as the operation collected a slew of other year-end awards. Ocala Stud was the breeder of three Florida-bred champions in Musical Romance (Florida-bred Horse of the Year, champion older female, champion female sprinter); Candrea (champion 2-year-old filly); and Turbulent Descent (champion 3year-old filly). Musical Romance also garnered the Eclipse Award as North American champion female sprinter. She joined My Dear Girl (1956 North American champion 2-year-old filly), Roman Brother (1965 North American Horse of the Year and champion handicap horse) and Office Queen (1970 North American champion 3-year-old filly) as national champions bred by Ocala Stud.

As the consignor of Musical Romance, who sold for $22,000 at the OBS April juvenile sale, Ocala Stud picked up the Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award. In addition, Ocala Stud owns Candlelightdinner, named the 2011 Florida Broodmare of the Year, and stands High Cotton, the 2011 leading Florida freshman sire.

Ocala Stud was represented by six Florida-bred stakes winners, including the aforementioned Grade 1 stakes winner and Eclipse champion Musical Romance. Also in that latter number was previously noted Grade 1 stakes winner and Florida-bred champion Turbulent Descent and Grade 2 stakes winner Tackleberry. Rounding out the group of Ocala Studbred stakes winners were Candrea, Shadowdancing and Vuelve Ruben M. Turbulent Descent, a 3-year-old filly Congrats filly, won the Santa Anita Oaks (G1), Test Stakes (G1) and Beaumont Stakes (G2). She was also second in the Acorn Stakes (G1) and Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) to earn $530,000 on the year. Ocala Stud sold Turbulent Descent for $160,000 to current owner Blinkers On Racing Stable at the 2010 OBS April juvenile sale.

Tackleberry won the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2), Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) and Sunshine Millions on his way to banking $599,667. Owner/trainer Luis Olivares purchased Tackleberry privately as a two year old from Ocala Stud.

Candrea won the Phil D. Shepherd Stakes and was second in the Oak Leaf Stakes (G1). Vuelve Ruben M, a half-brother to Musical Romance, won a trio of stakes in Puerto Rico while Shadowdancing won the Mountaineer Mile Stakes.

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LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

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Wildcat Heir (above) has won two consecutive Stallion of the Year awards.

2011 FLORIDA STALLION OF THE YEAR

morial Stakes, Bienville Stakes & Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes); Black Diamond Cat (Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint & Major Moran Stakes); Wild Mia (Redondo Beach Stakes); Breathoffresheir (Ruthless Stakes) and Karmageddon (Jersey Girl Handicap). Wildcat Heir was also represented by nine stakes-placed runners in 2011.

Wildcat Heir, a Florida-bred Grade I stakes winner of $424,460, was bred by New Farm. He won the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1), Icecapade Stakes and Drone Stakes. Wildcat Heir, who was also second in the Sanford Stakes (G2), is a full brother to graded stakes winner Forest Heiress and stakes winner Forest Heir.

Wildcat Heir entered stud in 2006 at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Farm. In 2009, he was the 2009 leading Florida freshman and juvenile sire. In 2010, he was the Florida leading general sire and juvenile sire. Wildcat Heir stands as property of Taylor Made/WinStar Venture and New Farm.

WILDCAT HEIR

2011 FLORIDA BROODMARE OF THE YEAR

2000 bay horse by Forest Wildcat – Penniless Heiress,

by Pentelicus

CANDLELIGHTDINNER

Wildcat Heir garnered the Florida Stallion of theYear title for the second consecutive year. In 2011, Wildcat Heir led all Florida-based stallions by progeny earnings with $5,066,293. He was also the leading Florida sire by number of stakes winners (8) and stakes wins (13).

The leading 2011 North American earner for Wildcat Heir was Florida-bred stakes winner John Johny Jak, a 4year-old colt out of the Saint Ballado mare Pure Adrenalin. John Johny Jak won a trio of stakes races at three different tracks to earn $215,061 on the season. Bred by Murray Smith, John Johny Jak won the Carterista Starter Stakes at Gulfstream Park, the Harry F. Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar and the Lure Stakes at Santa Anita Park. In addition, he was also third in the Oak Tree Mile (G3) while posting seconds in the Wicker Stakes and Mecke Stakes.

Wildcat Heir was also represented by a pair of Floridabred graded stakes winners in Vexor and Wildcat Marie.

Vexor, a 2-year-old colt out of theYes It’s True mare Real Clever Trick, captured the Nashua Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. Bred by Carlos Rafael and Briggs & Cromartie Bloodstock, Vexor earned $135,000 on the year. Wildcat Marie, a 4-year-old filly out of the Wild Rush mare Miss Rachel Marie, won the Whimsical Stakes (G3-Can) at Woodbine. Bred by Clover Leaf Farms and Brent Fernung, Wildcat Marie was also third in the Hendrie Stakes (G3-Can) and banked $129,182 on the season.

Rounding out the group of Wildcat Heir stakes winner in 2011 were: Wild About Marie (Dr. A.B. Leggio Me-

by Who’s for Dinner

26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

2002 bay mare by Slew Gin Fizz – Romantic Dinner,

Candlelightdinner, the dam of Florida-bred Eclipse champion Musical Romance and Florida-bred stakes winner Vuelve Ruben M., was named the 2011 Florida Broodmare of the Year.

Musical Romance,a 4-year-old filly by deceased Ocala Stud stallion Concorde’sTune, sang a winning song all season long. Campaigning for owners Pinnacle Racing Stable and Bill Kaplan, Musical Romance quickly reeled off a trio of stakes wins and posted a second in the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at her homebase of Calder Race Course.Also trained by Kaplan, Musical Romance won her first graded stakes when she captured the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2). After a second in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, Musical Romance was then supplemented for $130,000 to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs. It proved to be money well spent as Musical Romance captured the BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) by a length and a quarter to boost her seasonal bankroll to $1,040,734.At year’s end, Musical Romance garnered the 2011 EclipseAward as NorthAmerican champion female sprinter. She was also named the 2011 Florida-Bred Horse of the Year, as well as Florida-Bred champion older female and champion female sprinter.

Candlelightdinner was also represented in 2011 by Florida-bred stakes winner Vuelve Ruben M. The 3year-old Concerto gelding won a trio of stakes races in Puerto Rico: Clasico Washington, Clasico Angel T. and

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Copa 4 De Julio. In 2010, Vuelve Ruben M. had been named the imported champion 2-year-old colt in Puerto Rico.

Candlelightdinner was bred and is owned by Ocala Stud. Out of Romantic Dinner, who was bred by Ocala Stud Farms, J. Michael O’Farrell & Ed Wiest, Candlelightdinner is a half-sister to stakes winners Lady Gin and Sea of Green, as well as stakesplaced Decennial. Candlelightdinner had a 2010 Montbrook colt, a 2011 Montbrook filly and was due a 2012 Circular Quay foal.

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2011 LEADING FLORIDA JUVENILE SIRE AWESOME OF COURSE 2000 ch. horse by Awesome Again – Mais Oui, by Lyphard

(above) Awesome Of Course and High Cotton (below)

Awesome of Course was the 2011 leading Florida juvenile sire by progeny earnings with $781,579. He was represented by three Florida-bred juvenile stakes winners in Fort Loudon, Awesome Belle and Redbud Road. The trio were all homebred runners for Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks Or Better Farm and all were trained

by Stanley Gold.

Fort Loudon, a bay colt out of Lottsa Talc, by Talc, became the third Jacks Or Better homebred in a row to sweep a division of the Florida Stallion Stakes. In 2009, Jackson Bend swept the FSS open division and was then followed by Awesome Feather who swept the FSS fillies division. Fort Loudon’s FSS sweep in-

cluded impressive wins in the Dr. Fager Stakes, Affirmed Stakes and In Reality Stakes. He earned $333,485 on the season. Fort Loudon was named the 2011 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old colt.

Awesome Belle, a chestnut filly out of the Bayou Hebert mare Bayou Plans, won the My Dear Girl Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes. She was also second in the J J’s Dream Stakes on her way to banking $244,497.

Redbud Road, a chestnut filly out of Ladyinareddress, by Tactical Advantage, captured the Desert Vixen Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes and the J J’s Dream Stakes. She was third in the My Dear Girl Stakes and earned $191,755.

Awesome of Course, bred and raced by Jacks Or Better Farm, was a stakes winner of $152,440. He is the sire of Florida-bred millionaire and Eclipse champion Awesome Feather, who won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and the 2011 Gazelle Stakes.

Awesome of Course is also the sire of Florida-bred stakes winner Honey Honey Honey, as well as stakesplaced Heaven’s Awesome and Sacred Psalm. Awesome of Course, stands as property of Jacks Or Better Farm at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud.

2011 LEADING FLORIDA FRESHMAN SIRE LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

HIGH COTTON

28 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

2003 bay horse by Dixie Union – Happy Tune, by A.P. Indy

High Cotton was the 2011 leading Florida freshman sire by progeny earnings with $644,743. He was represented by 15 winners from 30 starters to race in his initial crop. Included in that group were Florida-bred

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Grade I stakes winner Currency Swap, graded stakesplaced Tarpy’s Goal and stakes-placed Happy High.

Graded stakes winner Currency Swap was High Cotton’s leading earner with a bankroll of $180,000.

Currency Swap, a bay colt out of the Pine Bluff mare Echo Bluff, won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

Bred by Bill and Cindy Nassal’s Stonecliff Farm, Currency Swap raced for Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence.

Tarpy’s Goal was third in the Futurity Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park while Happy High was third in the Southhampton Stakes.

High Cotton, a graded stakes winner and earner of $462,574, won the Northern David Fawkes (above), Stanley Gold (center) and Dancer Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3) at Kathleen OʼConnell Churchill Downs. He was also second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2), Ohio Derby (G2) and Iroquois Stakes (G3). Purchased privately from owner John Fort (Peachtree Stable), High Cotton entered stud in 2008 at Ocala Stud. He stands as property of the partnership of Ocala Stud, Mrs. E. Paul Robsham and Vernon Heath.

2011 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINERS OF FLORIDA-BREDS

BY EARNINGS & STAKES WINS (Tied with Stanley Gold By Stakes Wins)

DAVID FAWKES David Fawkes trained Florida-breds to earnings of $1,538,557 and seven stakes wins at Florida racetracks in 2011. Fawkes trained six Florida-bred stakes 30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

winners, which won four stakes at Calder Race Course and three at Gulfstream Park.

In an odd twist, Fawkes trained two different Florida-bred stakes winners to victory in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Big Drama won the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) on January 15, 2011 and Apriority captured the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) on December 31, 2011. Although in the same year, the Mr. Prospector Stakes wins came in two different Gulfstream Park meets. Big Drama also won the Whippleton Stakes at Calder Race Course.

Rounding out Fawkes’ 2011 Florida-bred stakes winner were: Conway Two Step (Brave Raj Stakes at Calder); Burning Time (Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Calder); Queen Drama (Susan’s Girl Stakes at Calder) and Master Dunker (Hallandale Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park).

BY STAKES WINS (Tied With David Fawkes)

STANLEY GOLD Stanley Gold trained four Florida-bred stakes winners to seven stakes wins, all coming at Calder Race Course. Leading the way for Gold was Fort Loudon, who won the Dr. Fager Stakes, Affirmed Stakes and In Reality Stakes on his way to sweeping the Florida Stallion Stakes. Fort Loudon was named the 2011 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old colt.

Redbud Road captured the Desert Vixen Stakes and the J J’sdream Stakes.

Awesome Belle won the My Dear Girl Stakes and Hear Ye Hear Ye scored a victory in the Sumter Stakes.

BY RACES WON

KATHLEEN O’CONNELL Kathleen O’Connell trained Florida-breds to 60 wins at Florida racetracks in 2011. Among O’Connell’s winners was Florida-bred graded stakes winner Watch Me Go. Bred and raced by Gilbert G. Campbell, Watch Me Go won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). By West Acre out of the Deputy Minister mare Sabbath Song, Watch Me Go was also third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).

Watch Me Go earned $258,070 on the season.

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2011 NEEDLES AWARD JOHN & CAROLE RIO The Needles Award was established by the FTBOA to honor Florida breeders who own small Thoroughbred operations and have made outstanding contributions to the Florida Thoroughbred industry.

The 2011 Needles Award recipients were John and Carole Rio, who were represented as a breeder by Florida-bred graded stakes winner Mucho Macho Man and Florida-bred stakes-placed Special Kid. Mucho Macho Man and Special Kid were the only two foals bred by the Rios’ in 2008.

By Macho Uno out of Ponche de Leona, by Ponche, Mucho Macho Man garnered national attention by winning the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds. Going into the Louisiana Derby (G2) as the favorite, the 17-hand bay colt finished a game third to Pants On Fire after losing a shoe coming out of the gates.

Next stop was the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Churchill Downs, where Mucho Macho Man and his trainer Kathy Ritvo became the focus of national media attention. Three years earlier, Ritvo had had a heart transplant at age 38 and now here she was saddling a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

In the Run for the Roses, Mucho Macho Man rallied in deep stretch to finish third to Animal Kingdom. On seven starts, Mucho Macho Man posted two wins and two thirds to bank $533,000 for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable. The Rios, who sold Mucho Macho Man privately as a two year old, retain a small ownership share in the colt.

BREEDERSʼ CUP LIMITED PHOTO

John, Isabella and Carol Rio (center) and Florida-bred Musical Romance (below)

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Special Kid, a bay gelding by Lemon Drop Kid out of Little Tom Cat, by Tomorrows Cat, was third in the Borderland Derby on his way to earning $65,480 on the season. Special Kid races for B G Stable and Hector Palma. Through Castle Park Farm, agent, the Rios sold Special Kid for $25,000 to Affirmed Investment Corporation at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale. At the 2010 OBS June juvenile and horses of racing age sale, Wavertree Stables, agent, sold the colt for $80,000 to Dennis O’Neill.

The Rios lease 40-acre RoseGrove Farm for their breeding operation, lease stalls at the Ocala Horse Farm Complex for their training division and sell under the consignor name of Caballo Grande.

2011 JOE O’FARRELL MEMORIAL AWARD CONSIGNOR: OCALA STUD HORSE: MUSICAL ROMANCE

COURTESY THE RIOʼS

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The 2011 Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award was presented to Ocala Stud, agent, as the original consignor of Florida-bred Grade I stakes winner and Eclipse champion Musical Romance. Ocala Stud bred and then sold Musical Romance for $22,000 at the 2009 OBS April juvenile sale. The 2007 bay filly by Concorde’s Tune out of Candlelightdinner, by Slew Gin Fizz, was purchased by Bill Kaplan, agent for Pinnacle Racing Stable.

Racing for Pinnacle Racing Stable and trainer Bill Kaplan, Musical Romance won five stakes in 2011, including the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2). On five wins, three thirds and one second in 14 starts, Musical Romance banked $1,040,734 on the season. At year’s end, she was named the 2011 Florida-bred champion older female and female sprinter. Musical Romance also garnered the Eclipse Award as North American champion female sprinter.

The Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award is presented an-

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Romantic

Live Oak Plantation’s Florida-bred Brilliant Speed

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nually by the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company to the original consignor of the year’s best Florida-bred racehorse offered at public auction in Florida. The award is named after Joe O’Farrell, who was part of a syndicate that founded Ocala Stud in 1956 and who was a pioneer in establishing public Thoroughbred auctions in Florida.

2011 LEADING OWNER BY FLORIDA-BRED EARNINGS LIVE OAK PLANTATION Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation led all owners

by Florida-bred earnings with $1,944,329. Live Oak Plantation raced four Florida-bred stakes winners, including Grade 1 stakes winner Brilliant Speed and Grade 3 stakes winner Unbridled Humor. The quartet was also bred by Weber’s Live Oak Stud.

Brilliant Speed, a 3-year-old colt by Dynaformer out of the Gone West mare Speed Succeeds, won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Saranac Stakes (G3). He was also stakes-placed five times, including finishing second in the Jamaica Handicap (G1) and third in both the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1). He banked $1,022,000 on the season and was named the 2011 Florida-bred champion 3-year-old colt.

Unbridled Humor, a 4-year-old filly by Distorted Humor out of the Unbridled mare Devotion Unbridled, captured the Noble Damsel Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park.

She was also second in the Athenia Stakes (G3) and earned $120,900 on the year.

Slews Answer won the Vinery Turf Classic Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs while Successful Song scored a victory in the Bea Oxenberg Memorial Stakes at Calder. ■ 34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

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FTBOA Awards

It was a celebratory night

ELEANOR HANCOCK PHOTOS

for all as The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association held it’s 2011 Awards banquet March 11 at the Ocala Hilton.

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 37

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By MICHAEL COMPTON

F

Son of Hartley/De Renzo stallion Full Mandate becomes first Florida-bred since Southern Image in 2004 to win the prestigious Santa Anita Handicap.

38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

lorida-bred Ron the Greek

had always flashed plenty of promise. It wasn’t until he joined trainer Bill Mott’s barn last year that the 5-year-old son of Hartley/De Renzo stallion Full Mandate began to truly blossom.

Ron the Greek delivered in dramatic fashion on March 3, closing from the clouds to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) for owners Nils Brous of New York City, Jack Hammer (who also bred the horse) of Miami Beach, and Adam Wachtel of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Ron the Greek weaved his way through the traffic down the backstretch behind a torrid early pace in the 1 ¼-mile marathon. Approaching the far turn, Lezcano had Ron the Greek poised to pounce as he followed Setsuko who also began a strong charge after race favorite Ultimate Eagle.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTOS

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Florida-bred Ron the Greek THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 39

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Ron the Greek ROLLS IN BIG ‘CAP

Jockey Jose Lezcano enjoys the win.

Florida-bred Edenʼs Moon (below) winning the Las Virgenes

When the real running began at the quarter pole, it was evident that this year’s Big ‘Cap was boiling down to Setsuko and Ron the Greek. In a matter of strides, however, Ron the Greek quickly put to rest any notions that Victor Espinoza aboard Setsuko might have entertained about winning the race (after finishing second to Game on Dude in last year’s renewal). Ron the Greek rolled by Setsuko in the stretch and rambled to the wire to win by 3 ½ lengths, stopping the clock in 2:00.41.

“I didn’t want to be on the inside so I had to use him the whole way to make him keep going,” said Lezcano. “At the half-mile pole I had a lot of horse, but I had to keep asking my horse. My horse is like a bicycle, you keep asking and he will keep running.

The last three races he has been improving. His last race in Florida he was racing a shorter distance and the other horse opened up early and I couldn’t catch him. He was really coming the last three-sixteenths, but the other horse opened up too early.”

Lezcano referred to Ron the Greek’s second-place finish behind Florida-bred Mucho Macho Man in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park in his last start. It appears that race proved a perfect prep for the Big ‘Cap. The winner was saddled by Mott assistant Rodolphe Brisset.

40 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

“There was a lot of speed in the race,” said Brisset.

“We just wanted to stalk the pace and see what happens. We were not expecting :44 on the lead. That’s sprinting. He (Lezcano) did very good to make a move on the backside and give him a little break on the turn and he just came running again, so it was a very good race.”

Co-Owner Adam Wachtel said he knew he needed to fly to California for the race following a text from Mott earlier in the week.

“Bill said the horse had been doing great leading up to the race,” Wachtel explained at the post-race press conference. “He sent me a text during the week and said that I might want to be here for the race.

That’s all I needed to hear from him. Bill did a wonderful job with this horse.”

For breeder and co-owner Jack Hammer, the Big ‘Cap victory was extra special. Ron the Greek is named for a late friend, Ron Skrumbellos.

“Ron, I know you’re watching,” Hammer said.

“The greatest thing for me is that I always thought this horse was special, even when he was a baby,” Hammer said. “I’m glad he got in the right hands. Mott and his team have done a fabulous job with him.”

Ron the Greek, now a winner in 6 of 17 starts, was expected to ship back to his base at Payson Park in Indiantown. The $450,000 winner’s share of the purse boosted his career bankroll to $769,665.

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Runner-up Setsuko remains winless in 18 starts in stakes races. Trainer Richard Mandella decided to geld the 5-year-old after Setsuko finished ninth in the Pacific Classic last August.

“He ran a good race,” Mandella said. “There wasn’t much question. The winner was just too good.”

As for Ultimate Eagle, he was a part of the sizzling early pace, along with Florida-bred Gladding. The pair blazed through an opening quarter in :22.26, hit the half-mile in :44.55 and ran six furlongs in a sprightly 1:09.08. Ultimate Eagle finished 10th and Gladding wound up 11th.

“When you go :44 (seconds) and change going a mile and a quarter, like we said, anybody who tries to chase us is going to pay the price,” Mike Pender, Ultimate Eagle’s trainer said, “and Gladding was hitting the reverse button at the three-eighths pole. We kept

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Ron The Greek winning the Grade I $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap.

on going, credit to our horse. You can’t go a mile and a quarter in :44 and change. It’s literally impossible unless you’re Secretariat.” ■

Eden’s Moon Powers Home in Las Virgenes Bridlewood Farm-bred 3-year-old filly notches Grade 1 win; connections eyeing Kentucky Oaks.

Florida-bred Eden’s Moon made the transition from the maiden ranks to Grade 1 winner look easy on March 3 as she powered to a 3¼-length victory in the Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita.

Under Martin Garcia, Edenʼs Moon broke sharply and assumed command heading into the first turn. Reneesgotzip gave chase but went wide around the clubhouse turn in her first attempt around two turns. Without any significant early pressure, Garcia was able to get Edenʼs Moon to relax

By MICHAEL COMPTON

on the lead through solid fractions of :23.16 and :46.47.

At the top of the stretch, Edenʼs Moon received a stern challenge from Reneesgotzip. There was a slight bump between the two runners as Garcia aggressively asked his mount for run. Edenʼs Moon responded gamely and powered away from Reneesgotzip in the late stages. Edenʼs Moon hit the wire clear of the runner-up and stopped the clock in 1:35.27.

“Sheʼs a really good filly,” said Garcia. “Even though they put pressure on her right out of the gate, she relaxed for me. The seven (Reneesgotzip) pressed me real hard going to the far turn and she bumped my fillyʼs hind end which turned her a little sideways and she switched leads.”

Trainer Bob Baffert was pleased with his chargeʼs performance.

“I was hoping weʼd be on the lead, get her out there and get her into a groove,” said Baffert. “I felt we could handle the distance. When Reneesgotzip went wide on the (first) turn, she eased off of us, so that was good.

“Sheʼs getting better and better at a distance,” he added.” Distance is not a problem for her. I donʼt know if it (Grade 1, $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on March 31) will be next. Weʼll see how she comes out of this and keep her happy. We want to take her to the Kentucky Oaks (May 4), so thatʼs what weʼre pointing for.”

The win provided owner Kaleem Shah with his first Grade 1. Edenʼs Moon is a daughter of Malibu Moon out of the Giantʼs Causeway mare Edenʼs Causeway. She was bred by Bridlewood Farm.

The race wasnʼt without controversy. Trainer Peter Miller, who saddled runner-up and race favorite Reneesgotzip, lodged an objection against the winner after the race for interference in the stretch. Following a stewardsʼ review, the objection was not allowed.

“She got hit with the whip in the face,” said Miller. “Weʼll point her toward the Santa Anita Oaks. I donʼt see any reason why not. She got hit. It was obvious she got hit over the nose with the whip.”

Jockey Corey Nakatani saw the bumping incident in the stretch a little differently than Garcia.

“You can see where she shifts out and Martin hits my horse across the face with the whip twice,” he added. “My filly just popped her head up. When a horse gets hit in the face, the tape shows that, and you can see it. As far as I know, the rules state that youʼre supposed to take the horse down when that happens. I was going two to his one at that point, and Martin shifted out, and we bushed a little bit, and when he hit his filly, he hit my horse twice in the face with the whip.”

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By MICHAEL COMPTON hen it comes to deciding where to base your Thoroughbred operation and campaign your racehorses, taking a closer look at the unprecedented opportunities awaiting Florida-bred runners in the Sunshine State will go a long way in helping you design a road map to success.

W

The Florida-bred Stakes and FOA Program stands out in a competitive landscape. Working closely with Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association has put together an innovative program that is certain to accelerate the earning power of Florida-bred runners this season.

With a robust Stakes and FOA Program

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earning power FTBOA Stakes Funds for distribution for the 2011/2012 Gulfstream Park meet are estimated to be $416,000, based upon 2010/2011 figures, which the FTBOA will use for the Florida Sunshine Millions ($350,000) and “Win It to Get It.” FTBOA Stakes Funds available for distribution at Tampa Bay Downs are estimated to be $350,000

in place at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, starting 2012 on the right track is as easy as owning a Florida-bred

The event is funded in the following amounts: Gulfstream Park, $600,000; FHBPA, $350,000; FTBOA, $350,000.

“WIN IT TO GET IT”

In an unprecedented move designed to reward owners of Florida-bred horses and increase the value of Sunshine State products, the FTBOA, FHBPA and Gulfstream Park have designed “Win It to Get It.” FTBOA Stakes Funds will supplement purses (for eligible winner only) for six stakes races for 3-year-olds during the 2012 Gulfstream Park meet with a supplement of $100,000 to the winning owner (s) of Floridabreds registered with the FTBOA. The $100,000 supplement will go to the owner of a Florida-bred who wins any of the following races:

based upon 2010/2011 figures and include the Florida Cup Day ($150,000) and the Florida-bred Stakes Fund ($200,000).

SUNSHINE MILLIONS

The annual Sunshine Millions, a collaborative effort between FTBOA, FHBPA and Gulfstream Park, is set this year for Jan. 28. While the previous editions of the popular day of racing featured Florida-breds vs. California-breds in races split between Gulfstream Park in Florida and Santa Anita Park in California, this year’s renewal features only Floridabreds in races at Gulfstream Park. Only Florida-bred horses registered with the FTBOA will be eligible for entry.

$500,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) to be run on Jan. 29 (including FTBOA fund supplement of $100,000) $300,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G2) to be run Jan. 29 (including FTBOA fund supplement of $100,000)

$400,000 Classic for 4-year-olds and up and set at 1 1/8 miles. $300,000 Distaff for fillies and mares, 4-years-old and up at 1 1/8 miles. $150,000 Turf for 4-year-olds and up on the turf at 1 1/8 miles. $150,000 Filly and Mare Turf on the turf at 1 1/8 miles. $150,000 Sprint for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs. $150,000 Filly and Mare Sprint at six furlongs

BILL DENVER PHOTO

THE SUNSHINE MILLIONS RACES, CARRYING TOTAL BPURSES OF $1.3 MILLION, ARE:

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 43

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Accelerated

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160 Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374 e-mail: michael.ryshouwer@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

FTBOA: THE VOICE OF FLORIDA’S THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY

Since its inception, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association has been responsible for Florida-bred registration and administration and distribution of the industry’s incentive awards program, which encourages individuals to breed, train and race Thoroughbreds in Florida.

The FTBOA is dedicated to ensuring a prosperous business climate for the industry. With Florida’s low taxes and smart growth policies, basing a Thoroughbred operation in the Sunshine State makes perfect business sense. For more information, contact the FTBOA at (352) 629-2160.

44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

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earning power $300,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) to be run Feb. 25 (including FTBOA fund supplement of $100,000) $500,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) to be run Feb. 26 (Including FTBOA fund supplement of $100,000) $1.1 million Florida Derby (G1) to be run March 31 (Including FTBOA fund supplement of $100,000) $400,000 Gulfstream Oaks (G2) to be run March 31 (Including FTBOA fund supplement of $100,000)

FLORIDA-BRED PREFERRED RACES AT GULFSTREAM PARK AND TAMPA BAY DOWNS

The requirement of one Florida-bred preferred or restricted race daily shall be changed to three Florida-bred Preferred races offered daily. The three Florida-bred preferred races required daily shall be included within the first 10 races offered daily. The designated races shall be a mix of all conditions and types of races.

FLORIDA CUP DAY

Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs has proved to be one of the more popular signature racing days on the calendar. The event is set this year for Saturday, April 7, and will feature six guaranteed restricted Florida-bred stakes races for $75,000 each. Only Florida-breds reg-

To earn the FTBOA supplement the winner must be a Florida-bred registered with the FTBOA prior to becoming a 2-year-old. It must also be by a sire registered with the FTBOA and standing in Florida when the foal was conceived in 2008.

FOAS

COOLEY PHOTO

It is estimated that the 2012 Gulfstream Park meet will generate approximately $1.4 million for FOAs (estimated from 1 percent of on-track exotic wagers and 8.5 percent of the purse account generated through intertrack wagering and interstate simulcasting).

FOAS MAY BE PAID AS FOLLOWS:

70 percent of the FOA to the Florida-bred finishing in the first position.

20 percent of the FOA to the Florida-bred finishing in the second position.

10 percent of the FOA to the Florida-bred finishing in the third position.

istered with the FTBOA will be accepted.

Tampa Bay Downs, Tampa Bay Downs HBPA and FTBOA each will contribute $150,000 to fund Florida Cup Day. All fees will be added to the respective purses.

FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

$50 nomination fee $350 entry fee $350 starting fee Nominations will close on March 24.

Entries will close on April 5.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 45

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The Sunshine

Trainer Kathleen OʼConnell has enjoyed success with Florida-bred such as Ivanavinalot (pictured) who won the Florida Stallion Stakes My Dear Girl division by almost 14 lengths.

46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

PHOTO OF KATHLEEN OʼCONNELL: JIM LISA / RACE SHOT: BILL DENVER

State

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of Success Kathleen O’Connell continues

to win with Florida-breds

By MIKE HENRY s someone who stresses the importance of realistic expectations, trainer Kathleen O’Connell looks back with amusement on how she planned to spend a portion of Kentucky Derby week 2011.

“It sounds ridiculous now, but I thought I was going to have all this free time because I was dealing with one horse,” O’Connell said recently from Barn 25 at Tampa Bay Downs, where she oversees about 40 Thoroughbreds in training.

A

Her one horse was Gilbert Campbell’s homebred Watch Me Go, a son of West Acre, who finished 18th in Louisville after scoring a major upset in the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.

More on him later.

“I brought a book to read, but I never opened it because there was so much going on,” O’Connell recalled.

“It’s non-stop action all week, with the media and events and dinners and people coming by your barn. I saw a couple who galloped for me 20 years ago – they have a

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State of Success

ter situation for her horse,” Larry Stumpf said.

“Horses need you to be there to take care of them and know if they’re sick, because they can’t tell you,” said jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr., who rides many of O’Connell’s horses, “and ‘Kit-Kat’ cares about all her horses’ well-being.

“As a rider, she’ll tell you every detail about a horse, and even if you’ve never sat on it, it will break and run almost exactly like she says. She is really in tune with them.”

kid in college now, and she wasn’t even pregnant then.

“My normal training pattern didn’t really change, though. I was honored and happy to be there and I was consumed with Watch Me Go. But I still did the charts for our horses at Tampa and Calder and did the entering and scratching, so that part of my world didn’t change.”

That consistancy is a trait valued by her owners, even She may have 40 or 50 horses under her care at any if they wonder how she finds one time, and if you ask her what is going on with A, B or the time and energy to keep C, she’ll tell you every detail. The horses come first with abreast of 50 or more horses in training. O’Connell – who her, completely. I bought a horse in Ocala recently, and started her own stable in when I mentioned it would eventually end up in Kath1981 and has trained more than 1,400 winners, many leen’s barn, the seller was thrilled and said she couldn’t for Campbell and the late ask for a better situation for her horse. —Larry Stumpf John Franks – flies back and forth constantly between Tampa and south Florida, ensuring both stables are running smoothly.

“I’ve asked her to take a little time off, but those horses are her kids. That’s her life,” said Larry King, the farm manager of Campbell’s 500-acre Stonehedge Farm South in Williston. “The dedication she shows to her horses is pretty special.

“She is not a person who goes to the movies or takes trips. Anyone who followed her for a week would be amazed,” King said. “She is a little like me – a control freak – but I think she figures if she is there, she doesn’t have to worry about the horses not being checked on.”

Larry and Vicki Stumpf, who own and operate Blackacre Farms in Davie, have kept horses with O’Connell for six years, including stakes winner Flatter This. “We’ve gotten very close to her. She is a friend as well as our trainer,” Vicki said.

The Stumpfs say O’Connell is an intuitive trainer, quick to pick up how a horse is feeling and wise and precise in her placement of their runners. “We’ve been in this business more than 25 years,” said Larry, an attorney, “and she is absolutely the best horse person I’ve ever come close to.

“She may have 40 or 50 horses under her care at any one time, and if you ask her what is going on with A, B or C, she’ll tell you every detail. The horses come first with her, completely. I bought a horse in Ocala recently, and when I mentioned it would eventually end up in Kathleen’s barn, the seller was thrilled and said she couldn’t ask for a bet-

“

48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

”

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Watch Me Go lost his footing at the start of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, but OʼConnellʼs patience paid off with his second place finish to sprinter Action Andy in the Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February.

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O’Connell has been forced to sacrifice much in the way of personal relationships for her career. For the past 10 years, she has been seeing a south Florida triathlete, but their time together is limited. She regrets not seeing more of her parents, who live in Michigan and drove to Tampa recently to visit.

“They’re in pretty good shape for their age – Dad is 87 and my mom is 84 – but I wish I lived closer to spend more time with them,” she said.

That caring spirit shines through to friends at the racetrack.

“If someone has a problem, they come to ‘K.O.,’ ” said long-time assistant trainer, Brian Smeak. “Employees and even people who don’t work for her have had medical problems or gotten hurt, and she has

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taken them to the hospital and made sure things are taken care of.”

O’Connell values all of her clients, but has a deep regard for Gilbert and Marilyn Campbell, clients for more than 20 years.

Their list of homebred success stories includes Watch Me Go; Blazing Sword (Sword Dance– Demetroula), a gelding who won three graded stakes and almost $1.2 million; Ivanavinalot (West Acre– Beaty Sark), who won the Florida Stallion Stakes My Dear Girl division by almost 14 lengths and the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss as a 3-year-old; her half-sister Shananie’s Beat, a multiple stakes winner by Shananie; Grade 3 Tropical Park Derby winner Fly by Phil (Act of Duty–True Mood); and stakes winner

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horse was stricken with an intestinal blockage – the origin of which O’Connell was never able to pinpoint – that derailed his Triple Crown hopes.

Upon his return to health, O’Connell made up for lost time. She trained him to finish second in the Remington Park Derby, fourth in the Travers and third in the Super Derby, Hawthorne Derby and Hollywood Derby. Blazing Sword also won the Grade 3 Calder Derby, and as a 6-year-old in 2000 achieved greater heights by winning the Grade 3 Widener and the Grade 2 Washington Park Handicap.

Shananie’s Finale (Shananie–Femme Fatale), a gelding who raced 94 times, earning $316,693.

Lesser known are those who didn’t reach expectations, or were sidelined by illness or injury, or never made the track. O’Connell says her relationship with the Campbells has endured because they are realistic about the pitfalls endemic to racing.

“Mr. Campbell knows horses are going to get We try to communicate and have a game plan for sick or hurt and things are every horse. They are breeders, and they want good going to happen,” O’Connell said. “Some people, I horses, big horses. But just because you breed them and think, get in this business they are by something, out of something, doesn’t always and don’t understand you are dealing with flesh and make them a top-notch horse. —Kathleen O’Connell bone and blood. You might be the best caretaker, the best feeder, have the best blacksmith and everything else, and something unforeseen happens.

“We try to communicate and have a game plan for every horse. They are breeders, and they want good horses, big horses. But just because you breed them and they are by something, out of something, doesn’t always make them a top-notch horse,” she said.

“We all work together as a team. If a horse isn’t going to fit in their program here in Florida, they can send it to Ned Allard up north, if that is what is needed for the horse to be productive. You’ve got to have some kind of plan in this business,” O’Connell added.

“That’s all there is to it.”

O’Connell’s ability to place horses in the right spots borders on legendary. Smeak jokes that she has a future as a racing secretary, once she gets this training thing out of her system.

“She knows where horses belong. If more owners would listen to her, they’d make more money,” Smeak said.

Her consistency has been astounding. Her runners have earned more then $1 million for 13 consecutive years, and last year she sent out 60 Florida-bred winners with state-bred earnings of $1,269,238.

Although O’Connell wouldn’t view it as such, her presence on the Churchill Downs backside with Watch Me Go last May was a validation of her career.

In 1997, she almost made it to the Kentucky Derby with Blazing Sword, who finished second to Pulpit in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream. But the

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EQUI-PHOTO

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A similar scenario played out with Ivanavinalot, who developed a slight infection on the eve of the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). O’Connell was forced to make the call to her boss that Ivanavinalot was less than 100 percent, resulting in her being withdrawn.

As a 3-year-old, the filly rewarded O’Connell’s cautious handling by running second in the Davona Dale Stakes and winning the Bonnie Miss (G2) at Gulfstream.

In the 2011 Kentucky Derby, Watch Me Go was saddled with the outside No. 19 post, lost his footing at the start and never entered contention. His two subsequent starts, in the Grade 2 Virginia Derby on the turf and the Select Stakes at Monmouth, were subpar,

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and he exited the latter race with sore feet. So the Stonehedge team decided time was the best option.

Watch Me Go made his next start as a 4-year-old Feb. 10 in the $75,000, seven-furlong Super Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, finishing second to the red-hot Maryland-bred sprinter Action Andy. Once again, it appears O’Connell’s attention to detail and TLC is paying off.

“There is nothing like getting a race under their belt, and he was real game for second,” O’Connell said, smiling. “He’ll be better going a flat mile. He’s a fighter.

“As long as we’re healthy, we can make another battle. We didn’t lose the war today, we only lost the battle.” ■

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 51

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Equine Care

Signs of Disease, Management and Prevention AMANDA M. HOUSE, DVM, DACVIM trangles is caused by bacterial infection with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (referred to as S. equi). The bacteria typically infect the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck. The disease has been in the equine population for centuries, and was first reported in 1251. The infection is highly contagious in horse populations and can recur on farms with previous outbreaks of the disease. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed contagious diseases of the horse worldwide. The persistence of this infection on farms is multi-factorial. The bacteria can survive on water sources (buckets and troughs) for over a month, but the primary source of recurrent infections is most likely asymptomatic carrier horses, that can shed the bacteria to other horses for months to years.

S

Guttural pouch CLINICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE endoscopy Historically, strangles got its name bewith strangles

cause affected horses were sometimes suffocated from large, infected lymph nodes that obstructed their upper airway or trachea. The hallmark clinical signs of infection are fever (temperature >101.5ยบF), nasal discharge, and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes (in the space between the lower jaw bones) which ultimately abscess. Purulent nasal discharge is typically present, although it may initially be clear. The retropharyngeal lymph nodes, which are behind the throatlatch, may also become enlarged and abscess. These will sometimes drain into the guttural pouches, which are air-filled spaces within the head that are an expansion of the Eustachian tubes. Guttural pouch infection and pus accumulation (empyema) are often the result of retrophayngeal lymph nodes that abscess and rupture into the guttural pouches. Guttural pouch infection may also occur from bacterial entrance through the pharynx (throat). Anorexia, depression, and difficulty swallowing may also accompany signs of infection.

54 THE FLORIDA HORSE โ ข MARCH 2012

COMPLICATIONS OF DISEASE

Fortunately, although strangles is highly contagious and can affect many horses on a farm, most horses with infection recover without complication. The occurrence of complications will increase the likelihood of death from the infection (from 8% to 40% of cases). Complications from infection with S. equi include spread of the infection to lymph nodes other than the head and neck (also known as metastatic infection or bastard strangles), immune mediated disease (such as purpura hemorrhagica), muscle disease and pain, and lack of milk production. Studies report complications to occur in approximately 20% of strangles cases. Horses that develop complicated infection typically require antibiotic and additional therapies based on veterinary examination.

DIAGNOSIS

Clinical signs of strangles strongly suggest the diagnosis. However, definitive diagnosis is made by culture of the bacteria from a sample of purulent discharge (from the nose or guttural pouch), a lymph node abscess, or a nasalpharyngeal wash.Another available test, polymerase chair reaction (PCR), is very sensitive test and detects bacterial DNA. PCR cannot tell the difference between live and dead bacteria, so is typically used in conjunction with culture. However, if consecutive PCRs are negative, the horse is unlikely to have strangles. The real challenge is diagnosing horses that are asymptomatic carriers. Anywhere from 4-50% of the horses on farms with recurring strangles are carriers of the infection. Most horses will begin shedding (bacteria can be transmitted from nasal secretions to other horses) the bacteria from their nasal passages a couple of days after the onset of fever.

Bacterial shedding occurs intermittently for several weeks.

Some horses may continue to shed the bacteria for months to even years, functioning as a continual source of new infections on the farm. All diagnostic tests and treatment of affected cases should be done under veterinary supervision.

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TREATMENT

Antibiotic therapy for the treatment of strangles remains controversial. Uncomplicated cases of submandibular lymph node abscessation do not require antibiotic therapy in this author’s opinion. Complicated cases and those requiring tracheostomy for management of respiratory distress generally do require antibiotic and other supportive therapies. There is some evidence that treatment with antibiotics (such as penicillin) at the first sign of fever and in horses with no lymph node enlargement may prevent infection. However, early antibiotic treatment will also prevent these cases from developing immunity to the infection, and subsequently makes them susceptible to reinfection earlier.

MANAGEMENT OF AN OUTBREAK

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UF/KATHY GATIEN CARTER

The first and most important thing to remember in a suspected outbreak of strangles is to contact your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. Strangles is a reportable disease in some states, and the state veterinarian may need to be notified as well. Movement of any horses on or off the farm should be stopped, and new horses should not be introduced. Take the temperature of all horses on the farm twice daily. Normal rectal temperature is 99-101.5°F. Monitoring the rectal temperature and isolating horses at the first sign of fever is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Infected horses can transmit the bacteria to healthy horses 1-2 days after they develop a fever.

An isolated area should be set up for horses with fever and any other signs of illness (nasal discharge, etc).

Extreme care should be taken not to mix horses with infection, horses exposed to horses with strangles, and unexposed horses. Ideally, three groups of horses should be created: 1) infected horses 2) horses that have been exposed to or contacted infected horses and 3) clean horses with no exposure. No nose to nose contact or

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shared water buckets should occur among the groups!

Unexposed horses should be kept in a “clean” area, and should ideally have separate caretakers, cleaning equipment, grooming equipment, water troughs and pasture.

People and equipment can transfer the infection from horse to horse. Extreme care, handwashing, and disinfection of supplies must be observed by everyone involved. If different individuals cannot care for infected and healthy horses, then healthy horses should always be dealt with first. Dedicated protective clothing such as boots, gowns or coveralls, and gloves should be utilized when dealing with infected horses.

Thorough cleaning and disinfection is critical when dealing with any infectious disease. All water troughs should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily during an outbreak. Read the label instructions on disinfectants to be sure they are used at the correct dilution and are active against S. equi. All surfaces and stalls should be disinfected following removal of manure and

The first and most important thing to remember in a suspected outbreak of strangles is to contact your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. organic material. Manure will inactivate bleach and iodine type solutions. Manure and waste feed from infected horses should be composted in an isolated location, not spread on the pastures. Pastures that were utilized for sick horses should be rested for a minimum of 4 weeks. Fortunately, S. equi does not live for a prolonged time in the soil (about 3 days).

A serious challenge when dealing with an outbreak of strangles is identifying the horses that are carriers of the bacteria but are not showing any signs of illness.

These horses can shed the bacteria for weeks, months, or even years, and serve as a continual source of reinfection for your farm. Ideally, all horses on the farm should be tested for strangles. The bacterial culture combined with PCR identifies carriers with a 90% success rate. Nasal pharyngeal swabs or washes can be done to sample the horses for infection. The washes improve the chance of identifying carrier horses. Additionally, all sick horses should test negative 3 consecutive times before being put back with healthy horses. Previously infected horses can shed the bacteria for weeks to months, or even years in rare cases. That is the reason 3 negative test samples are recommended prior to reintroduction to the healthy herd. For the most accurate diagnosis of carriers and horses without obvious clinical signs, upper airway and guttural pouch endoscopy can be performed. This pro-

Enlarged lymph nodes

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Equine Care cedure allows for identification and culture of infections that can develop in the guttural pouch. Although disinfection, isolation procedures, and diagnosis can be costly; they are certainly cheaper than additional outbreaks on your farm.

VACCINATION

Vaccination is one method for prevention and control of infection with S. equi. However, vaccination cannot guarantee disease prevention. With strangles, vaccination will most likely reduce the severity of disease in the majority of horses infected after they are vaccinated.

Available vaccines can be administered by intramuscular and intranasal routes. Improper administration of the vaccination can result in poor protection against infection and/or complications at the site of injection; therefore, administration by your veterinarian is recommended. The intranasal vaccination results in the best local immunity.

Vaccination is generally not recommended during an outbreak of strangles. If there are horses on the farm with no clinical signs of infection (fever, nasal discharge) and no known contact with sick horses, vaccination may be considered. Horses that have had the disease within the previous year also do not need to be vaccinated. Once recovered from an active infection, 75% of horses have immunity for 12 years. Vaccination of horses recently exposed to strangles (that have high antibody levels) may result in purpura hemorrhagica. Purpura

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hemorrhagica is caused by an over-active immune response within the horse, which can result in limb swelling, swelling of the head, and small hemorrhages on the gums. Vaccination is only recommended in healthy horses with no fever or nasal discharge.

So should you vaccinate your horse? The answer to that question depends on your horse’s chance of exposure to infection, and your personal comfort with the level of risk. The decision should be made in conjunction with your veterinarian. Generally, if your horse travels routinely and is exposed to varied or new populations of horses regularly, vaccination should be considered. Broodmares on farms with a history of strangles should also be vaccinated prior to foaling. Remember that the initial vaccination requires a booster dose before being effective against infection. It takes about one month from vaccination for immunity to develop. Therefore, be certain to vaccinate your horse in advance of transport or potential exposure to new horses.

Additional Preventative Measures If you have never had strangles on your farm or in your horse, you probably don’t want it either. Here are some additional suggestions for reducing your horse and your farm’s risk for infection: ■ Require a current health certificate for new horse arrivals on the farm.

■ Ask owners of new horses about a history of strangles and consider testing new horses to see if they are shedding the bacteria.

■ If feasible, quarantine new arrivals for 2-3 weeks and monitor their temperature.

■ All horses should have individual water buckets that are routinely disinfected.

■ If shared water troughs are utilized, they should be routinely disinfected.When traveling to shows, minimize your horse’s exposure by bringing your own feed, buckets, and equipment. Minimize use of shared stalls or pastures at show grounds.

■ If horses are pastured together, group them according to their age and risk level (for example, all weanlings together, all broodmares together).

In summary, reducing your horse’s exposure to unknown horses and utilizing routine disinfection measures will decrease the chance of infection with strangles. If your farm does have an outbreak, isolation and containment of sick horses will help reduce the spread of infection. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has developed strangles control guidelines which were the basis for the recommendations here. That document can be downloaded at http://www.acvim.org/websites/acvim/index.php?p=22 to assist owners and veterinarians with detailed recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and control of infection.

Further Reading:

56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

Sweeney CR, Timoney JF, Newton JR, and Hines MT. Streptococcus equi Infections in Horses: Guidelines for Treatment, Control, and Prevention of Strangles. J Vet Intern Med 2005; 19: 123-134.

Loving, NS. Strangles. The Horse; Nov 1 2007, Article #10688.

Link to AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines for S. equi http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Streptococcus%20equi%20var.pdf

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FARM MANAGEMENT

LimimgYour Pastures What’s it All About? ello to all! I know that we have been having a warm winter for the most part, so it’s hard to believe that spring is “just around the corner”, but now is the perfect time to start helping the pastures reach their highest potential. Although the grass has tried to start growing already from some (but definitely not enough) rains and warm weather, the growing season has not truly started, since frost still hits now and again. Regardless, fertilization and liming may be something that a farm should be considering during this time of the year. People often say, “You need to add lime to your pastures”, but what does that really mean and what is the benefit of its addition to the soils?

Fertilizer contains nitrogen, potassium (potash) and phosphorus (phosphoric acid); nitrogen is a main in-

H

It is important to note that the benefits of liming will not be seen immediately. It generally takes about three to six months for the soil’s pH to become less acidic. That means that if lime or dolomite is applied now, it can be some time until the benefits of liming become effective. gredient needed by grass to help it achieve the desired nutrient value and health, but repeated applications of nitrogen fertilizer tend to cause soils to become more acidic. When soil becomes too acidic, nutrient uptake is severely limited, causing a reduction in the production of the forage (meaning less grass in the pasture).

Raising the pH to a more desirable level will also help enhance fertilizer efficiency, always ideal in these tough financial times. Often, parts of Florida also tend to naturally have a more acidic soil, even when nothing has been done. And due to the fact that Florida’s soils tend to also have low organic matter because of the naturally sandy base, proper buffering is not possible by just the soils alone. Although adding composted manure to your pastures is an excellent way to increase the amount of organic matter in the soils, liming is still often neces-

sary when the pH of a soil falls below 5.5 (the ideal pH to get the best from Bahia grass).

Soil testing is an important first step used to determine a soil’s pH and whether or not any nutrients need to be added. A test kit can be obtained at your county’s University of Florida/IFAS Extension office. Soil testing is recommended every two to three years, unless you have not already established a baseline of the soil’s general data (obtained from previous year’s test results). If not, then an annual soil test should be done until a soil’s normal or average nutrient range and pH has been determined.

Once test results have been obtained, then fertilization and liming needs can be determined. If the soil tests show that the soil is too acidic (a pH BELOW the 5.5) for Bahia to grow at its best, then the pastures should be limed. Calcitic lime or dolomite can be added to soils to raise pH. Dolomite may be preferred, because it has good magnesium (Mg) content, so it can raise low magnesium content when needed, but both contain calcium (calcium carbonate) and will increase the soil’s pH. It is important to note that the benefits of liming will not be seen immediately. It generally takes about three to six months for the soil’s pH to become less acidic.

That means that if lime or dolomite is applied now, it can be some time until the benefits of liming become effective. The good side is that it’s seldom necessary to lime more often than every three years when growing pasture grass. Be sure not to over-lime the pastures, as excessive liming can lead to a reduction of manganese (Mn) and many Florida soils already start a bit low in that nutrient.

Finally, remember not to cut the pastures lower than five inches, allowing the roots to stay strong. With all this knowledge and a little rain, this may be the best year ever for the pastures! As always, keep up the good management practices!

Schedule a Farm Call: Jamie A. Cohen Farm Outreach Coordinator UF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service 352-671-8792 • jamiecohen@ufl.edu THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012 57

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Celebrating Secretariat Author Kate Chenery Tweedy and artist Robert Clark, Seattle Slew jockey Jean Crugeut and Secretariat exercise rider Charlie Davis visited Ocala for a spectacular evening of history, entertainment, friends and fun at the exquisite GoldMark Farm during a Feb. 25 fundraiser for the Foundation for the Florida Horse Park.

PHOTOS BY DANETTE PHILPOT

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58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

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1) Kate Chenery Tweedy visits with E. Kelly Moore, who purchased a beautiful framed portrait of Secretariat – one of the evening’s silent auction items donated by the Secretariat Foundation. 2) A string quartet organized by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra provides a background of beautiful Baroque music at the entrance to the GoldMark training facility as guests arrive. 3) Jeanne Hays and Senator Alan Hays, longtime supporters of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, were among the many distinguished guests enjoying Celebrating Secretariat at GoldMark Farm. 4) Volunteers greet guests at the host table, where each attendee received a personally autographed copy of Kate Chenery Tweedy’s book, “Secretariat’s Meadow.” 5) Kate Chenery Tweedy gave two personally engaging, high-energy talks in the GoldMark downstairs theatre, where more than 150 guests were captivated with her account of the history and magic of growing up with Secretariat. 6) During the tour of the training facility, some horses enjoyed a friendly rub on the nose. 7) Upstairs, renowned equine artist Robert Clark hands the brushes over to guest Pam Astrom, who makes a few strokes on the canvas of Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby. 8) Silent auction items – as well as limited numbers of special label GoldMark/Secretariat Maker’s Mark Bourbon – sold out during the evening.

9) Jean Crugeut, triple crown jockey of Seattle Slew, visits and shares stories with guests Rebecca TenBroeck and Dr. Saundra TenBroeck. 10) GoldMark Farm Manager Todd Quast (far left), gives indepth tours of the exquisite GoldMark Farm to guests in the early hours of the evening.

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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

Horseshoes Recycled H

orseshoes have been associated with good luck for a long time. One popular explanation of horseshoe “luck” is the story of the Archbishop of Canterbury (959AD) Saint Dunstan and the Devil.The story goes that Dunstan once nailed a horseshoe to the Devil’s hoof, which caused the Devil a lot of pain. Dunby UF/IFAS Marion stan agreed to remove the horseshoe and stop the Devil’s CountyLivestock Agent Mark Shuffitt pain only after the Devil promised to never enter into a place where a horseshoe is hanging outside the door.

Horseshoes are still considered “lucky” and are hung in many homes and barns to protect and attract good fortune for the people and horses living and working inside.

Many believe that to hang it with the ends pointing up is “lucky” because the horseshoe will hold all sorts of good luck. To hang a horseshoe with the ends pointing down is bad luck because all the good luck will fall out. Some believe that no matter which way you hang a horseshoe, good luck will come.Yet, others believe if the horseshoe is hung ends up it will catch good luck and ends down will let the good luck spill over the door and stop evil from entering.

From the first simple simple horseshoes, made of woven horseshoes, made of woven grass and reeds and tied grass and reeds and tied horses’ horses’ feet, to the latest feet to the latest composite composite shoes, acrylics shoes, acrylics and epoxies, and epoxies, horsemen horsemen have been improvhave been improving ing methods of hoof promethods of hoof protectection for more than tion for more than 3,000 3,000 years. years. Egyptians fashioned something similar to moccasins out of animal skins to protect their horses’ feet. The Romans and Greeks made horse sandals, boots and socks of leather, woven fiber and coarse cloth. The Romans are also credited with inventing the “hipposandal” a leather horse sandal with an iron sole. Additionally, archeologically evidence suggests horseshoes with nails have been used in China for more than 2,000 years.

Prior to 1000 A.D., horseshoes were used primarily for decoration and war horses. The Roman ruler Nero (37 – 68 A.D.) had his horses shod with silver and his wife’s horses with gold. During 500 and 600 A.D., Eu-

From the first

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

ropean riders began using nailed-on metal shoes and by 1000 A.D. bronze horseshoes were used across Europe.

During 1200 A.D. and 1300 A.D., numerous iron horseshoes were widely manufactured and made available to more and more horse owners. The first United States horseshoe patent was given to Henry Burden of New York in 1835. Burden’s machine could make 60 horseshoes an hour.

Blacksmiths were both workers of iron and also the horseshoer, particularly in rural communities. The word farrier is taken from Wakelin von Ferrariis commissioned “Master of the Horse” by William the Conqueror. Ferrariis was promoted to Count of Ferrers and was entrusted with the inspection and regulation of the Kingdom’s farriers.

Living in “Horse Capital of The World TM” we in Ocala have access to some of the best farriers and hoof care specialists in the world. The art and science of horse shoeing has come a long way since those first shoes made of woven reeds and grass. From glue-on and corrective shoes, to therapeutic pads and pours, to shoeing methods and foot care treatments, improved hoof care products and technologies are being introduced annually.

With Marion County being home to more horses than any other county in the United Sates, it would seem logical we would also have more used horse shoes than anyone else. With that thought in mind, the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Service along with Ocala Recreation and Parks Discovery Center will provide horse farmers with an opportunity to recycle their used horse shoes. Help set the record for most horse shoes recycled. Bring your used shoes to EarthFest/Arbor Day Saturday, April 28 and enjoy all the activities and live entertainment. If you can’t make it to EarthFest, call the Extension Service at 352-671-8400 and we’ll make arrangements to pick up your used shoes. Used horseshoes (aluminum or steel) can be dropped off at any of our “Lucky U’ collection sites around Marion County: Marion County Extension Office, T.T. Distributors, HITS @ Farrier’s Station, Starting Gate Training Center and Farrier’s Depot. Proceeds will benefit the Ocala Farm Ministry. Since Ocala is “Horse Capital of The World”, we might as well be horse shoe recycle capital too. ■

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PLAYER’S PAGE

Restoring the Past? he face and flavor of racing in South Florida is radically different than it was during the days when each year brought a renewal of the acrimony that was part and parcel of the battle over prime winter dates that pitted Gulfstream Park against Hialeah Park. In each camp, lawyers and public relation staffs, expert witnesses and various others bearing charts, graphs and at times videotape. Date hearings in those days were bare-knuckle media events.

Hialeah Park was still all the things that those of sufby Paul Moran ficient age remember; simply put, among the most beautiful racing venues in the world, a place with rich history written by great horses and prominent humans, scoundrels, scalawags and gentlepeople, all contributors to the American drama on and off the turf. Walking into Hialeah was like entering a shrine, a cathedral, an immersion special every time no matter the occasion.

Those bitter verbal firefights in the days of regulated distribution of dates, now part of lore, predated the stewardship of John Brunetti at Hialeah. The Donn family owned Gulfstream. Calder, considered the “summer track,” was content with its eight-month-long racing mo-

T

At the moment the current non-regulation of dates by state authorities casts a shadow over the effort to return Thoroughbred racing to what is not only the jewel of the racing industry in Florida but a national treasure. nopoly in what was a burgeoning market where the only legal gambling was of the pari-mutuel variety and people complained that there was too much of that.

Horseplayers still spoke nostalgically about Tropical Park, which was closed in 1972 after which the dates were moved to Calder. The track on the Gulf Coast, at Oldsmar, was still known as Florida Downs. The Miami Dolphins were the state’s only major professional sports franchise and the nearest casino was in New Jersey. The first of the “middle dates” was an ad hoc holiday.

For a time, when subterfuge failed, the combatants hosted the winter meeting on an alternating rotation, which seemed fair to most but was never embraced by the principals. None of this exacted a toll on the racing. The Florida Derby and Flamingo Stakes were both important to the unfolding Kentucky Derby drama. Major races lost no prestige to the incessant bickering. Brunetti regarded

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2012

this competition as a battle for survival; the Donn family saw itself embroiled a crusade for dominance in a market that was growing by the minute, a place of boundless possibility. Reason found no purchase. At last, the abandonment of regulation was the end of Hialeah.

After a long stretch of dormancy and three years as host of a Quarter-Horse meeting, Hialeah has requested permission to hold a Thoroughbred meeting next year. Having been granted the right to conduct alternative gaming enterprises, all in various stages of development, the bid was inevitable and should be given careful consideration by regulators and, for the greater good, merits cooperation from Churchill Down, Inc., the corporate parent of Calder Race Course.

The 22 dates requested by Hialeah are in April and May of 2013, not exactly prime time back in the day but prime enough at the moment. The return of Thoroughbred racing to Hialeah would be essentially symbolic and surely festive, a homage to its past rather than a feasible business venture, a celebration of the sport and the horse that finds few comfortable places during a season that spans the calendar seamlessly.

At the moment the current non-regulation of dates by state authorities casts a shadow over the effort to return Thoroughbred racing to what is not only the jewel of the racing industry in Florida but a national treasure.

With the exception of Brunetti, the players have changed. The casino, shopping mall and racetrack at Gulfstream bears no resemblance in 2012 to the traditional racecourse once operated by the Donn family.

Calder is a cog in a much larger, multifaceted public corporation without great regard for history, tradition or much else that exists north of the bottom line.

Still, Calder, which would otherwise occupy this period, would not suffer in a meaningful sense were Hialeah ceded a short, boutique meeting that if properly staged could, with the return of something very old and hauntingly familiar, bring an entirely new wrinkle to the Florida season, providing a stage for the return of dormant races – the Widener Handicap, Hialeah Turf Cup and other once-prominent fixtures – and incentive to owners to race in Florida after they would have otherwise returned to New York and Kentucky.

Hialeah, the only remaining link between the past and present in Florida racing, is historically priceless. And 22 days of racing is, in the grand scheme, perfect. ■

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