BrockTalk_March.qxp_EditorWelcome 2/26/20 9:24 AM Page 6
the Brock talk
Star Power
Brock Sheridan
Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Communications
JOHN D. FILER PHOTO
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here is an old adage that states that exceptional wood’s Beauty also had to hold off a defending champion competition forges superior champions and that in 2018 honoree in Stormy Embrace. Wildwood’s Beauty took advantage of her Florida Sire definitely appeared to be the case in the race for Stakes credentials to win the FTBOA FSS Ivanavinalot and the 2019 Florida-bred champions. First, a big congratulations to all the Florida-bred Cham- finish second in both the FTBOA FSS City of Ocala and pions of 2019, most of which are recognized starting on FTBOA FSS Wildcat Heir. She also maximized her Floridapage 18 of this issue. In addition to the Chase to the Cham- bred license to win the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore pionship honorees noted here, several other champions in- Fillies, the Sheer Drama and Sunshine Millions Distaff. In 2019, Stormy Embrace repeated her wins in the cluding the champion Florida breeder, champion Florida owner, several categories of champion trainers, Florida Grade 2 Princess Rooney and in the Musical Romance broodmare of the year, Florida Stallion of the Year, Lead- but finished behind Wildwood’s Beauty in both the Sheer ing Florida Juvenile Stallion, Leading Florida Freshman Drama and the Sunshine Millions Distaff. In the 2-year-old male category, 2019 Champion Sire, the Needles Award-winner, O’Farrell Award-winner and of course, the Florida-bred Horse of the Year will also Chance It and Liam’s Lucky Charm racked up two stakes be recognized at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and each during the year with Chance It winning the FTBOA Owners’ Association Gala to be held Mar. 16 at the Circle FSS Dr. Fager and FTBOA FSS In Reality while Liam’s Lucky Charm won the FTBOA FSS Affirmed and the Square Cultural Center Ballroom in Ocala. To gauge the quality and close competition of this year’s Pasco Stakes. The separation in points resulted because awards, one only has to look at some of the Florida-breds the Florida Sire Stakes wins carried more points than the Pasco. Not much separated them on the track either as who were runners-up this year in various categories. World of Trouble has earned the trophies for being the Liam’s Lucky Charm was second in the Dr. Fager and champion older male, chamthat the Florida-bred champions of 2019 pion sprinter and champion turf horse but he had to deare a resilient group. It is even more evident that they conceived feat Imperial Hint to do so in their adulations only after fighting off tenacious challengers. the older male and sprinter third in the In Reality divisions while Chance It was seccategories. To give you an idea of how competitive those races were, ond to his rival in the Affirmed division. The closest race in the Chase to the Championship consider that Imperial Hint was the 2018 Florida-bred Horse of the Year and champion older male and it can be argued came in the 2-year-old filly division where K P Dreamin that he had a better year in 2019. The Luis Carvajal Jr. trainee won a tie-breaker over Ceci Valentina. Both had six repeated his wins in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes and in the points, but K P Dreamin had a larger bankroll in graded Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt while also finishing third in the earnings to get the title in accordance with the published Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News at rules. K P Dreamin picked up her points with two thirds in the Grade 1 Chandelier and in the Grade 1 Starlet while Meydan Race Course in Dubai, U.A.E. In the Vanderbilt, he not only defeated 2019 Eclipse Ceci Valentina won the FTBOA FSS Desert Vixen and JuAward-wining champion sprinter Mitole, but also broke venile Fillies Sprint. It is without debate that the Florida-bred champions of the track record, going six furlongs in 1:07.92 while eras2019 are a resilient group. It is even more evident that they ing Spanish Riddle’s 1:08 set in 1972. Also in the Florida-bred sprint category were multiple conceived their adulations only after fighting off tenacious graded-stakes-winner Firenze Fire and multiple stakes- challengers. And it is another testament to the Florida thorwinner Extravagant Kid, making that a quality race from oughbred breeders who produce a diverse group of world class competitors in several categories. top to bottom. And thank you for all of the fun and excitement. ■ In the female sprint category, 2019 champion Wild-
“It is without debate
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6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2020
