FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

Game of

Multiple Grade 1 millionaire World of Trouble heads 2019 class of Florida-bred champions

By JOANN GUIDRY T he 2019 Florida-bred champions are a small, but elite group. Only six in number, three horses took home multiple championship titles. Collectively, the group won 19 stakes, including eight graded with three Grade 1s in that latter number. The undisputed leader of the group was undefeated World of Trouble, who scored a pair of Grade 1 wins, one on the dirt and one on the turf.

The 2019 Florida-bred champions were determined by points accumulated in blacktype stakes competition during the year-long FTBOA Chase To The Championship. The FTBOA-registered Florida-bred with the most points in each division on Dec. 31 is deemed the champion of that division. Any Eclipse Award and/or Breeders' Cup winner is recognized as division champion regardless of point standings. Horses must win at least one race during the year to be eligible for championship honors. Year-end ties are broken by graded-stakes earnings.

The Florida-bred Horse of the Year and Broodmare of the Year, as well as other year-end awards, are voted on by the FTBOA board of directors and/or based on season-ending statistics. All year-end awards are presented at the annual FTBOA Gala.

Florida-bred Chance It From his origin story to his racing precociousness, everything about Chance It reads like a Hollywood feelgood movie script. The Currency Swap colt, out of a mare adopted for $250 then given away twice, stormed his way through his juvenile season, winning two stakes in dominating fashion. The story then got a happy ending with a Florida-bred championship title.

Chance It broke his maiden in his second career start, winning by an eyebrow-raising nine-and-aquarter lengths on June 29 at Gulfstream Park. The Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee then took center stage in the FTBOA FSS Dr. Fager on Aug. 3 at Gulfstream Park. Raced by Shooting Star Thoroughbreds LLC, Chance It bested Liam's Lucky Charm by three-and-a-quarter lengths. Winning time for the six furlongs was 1:11.22.

In the FTBOA FSS Affirmed on Aug. 31 at Gulfstream Park, Chance It finished second to Liam's Lucky Charm as those two struck up a rivalry. And Chance It then regained an advantage in the FTBOA FSS In Reality on Sept. 28 at Gulfstream Park. The bay colt was much the best, winning by seven-and-a-quarter lengths over Smash Factor. Liam's Lucky Charm finished third. Winning time for the eight-and-one-half furlongs was 1:44.26.

Chance It wrapped up his juvenile season with three wins and two seconds in five starts. He banked $384,150. The fairy tale story of Chance It began with a winning dart throw for a free stallion season to Jersey Town. Fred Pace, a longtime owner and breeder, had already committed his two mares to other stallions. He decided to search thoroughbred adoption operations

LAUREN KING PHOTO

for another mare, finding what he was looking for with Second Stride. He paid a $250 adoption fee for Vagabon Diva, by Pleasantly Perfect out of Clear Distinction, by Storm Cat. When Pace lost his other two mares, he sent Vagabon Diva, who was in foal to Jersey Town, to longtime friend Mike Lightner in Ocala. Once Trenton Traveler, the resultant foal was born, Pace gave Vagabond Diva to Lightner.

Lightner's daughter Mary had a chance encounter with Bett Usher in an Ocala restaurant when the latter was coming off foal watch shift at Kinsman Farm. The two chatted and Mary told Usher about wanting to find a home for Vagabon Diva. Once Trenton Traveler was weaned, Usher picked up Vagabon Diva and bred her to Currency Swap the following season. Mike Lightner and his son Raymie came out to see the Currency Swap colt and bought him privately as a weanling.

The Lightners formed Shooting Star Thoroughbreds LLC; Mary acts as managing partner while Mike and Raymie help select horses. Of course, the aptly-named Chance It is their biggest shooting star.

CHANCE IT 2017 bay colt by Currency Swap – Vagabon Diva, by Pleasantly Perfect Breeder: Bett Usher Owner: Shooting Star Thoroughbreds LLC Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

2019 Race Record/Earnings: 5-3-2-0/$384,150

2019 Blacktype Stakes Record 1st – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – In Reality 1st – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – Dr. Fager 2nd – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – Affirmed

K P DREAMIN 2019 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY

K P Dreamin no doubt gave her connections sweet dreams with her juvenile season. The precocious Union Rags filly jumped right into the deep water of Grade 1 competition and displayed her promising career.

Raced by Karl Pergola, K P Dreamin broke her maiden in her second career start. In a maiden special weight on Aug. 29 at Del Mar, she won by a length-anda-quarter. Her winning time for the mile was 1:40.36. The Jeff Mullins trainee went immediately into a Grade 1 race in her next start. K P Dreamin would finish third to Bast in the Chandelier Stakes (G1) on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. She added another Grade 1 show finish to wrap up her juvenile season. In the Starlet Stakes (G1), K P Dreamin once again posted a third to Bast. She banked $132,000 on one win and two thirds in five starts on the season.

Bred by Vegso Racing Stable, K P Dreamin was

consigned to the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale by Eaton Sales. There she was purchased for $100,000 by X-60 Ranch. She was then consigned by Paul Sharp to the 2019 OBS April juvenile sale. Bobfeld Bloodstock signed the ticket for $170,000.

K P DREAMIN 2017 bay filly by Union Rags – Litigating, by Point Given Breeder: Vegso Racing Stable Owner: Karl Pergola Trainer: Jeff Mullins

2019 Race Record/Earnings: 5-1-0-2/$132,260

2019 Blacktype Stakes Record 3rd – Chandelier Stakes (G1) 3rd – Starlet Stakes (G1) GLOBAL ACCESS 2019 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING Possessed of all-world talent, Global Access won four stakes on the season, three of them graded with one garnering a new track record. Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Stud homebred displayed his versatility, running on dirt and grass, in the U.S. and in Canada.

Kicking off his sophomore season, Global Access notched a third in the Columbia Stakes on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on March 9. Three weeks later, he posted his initial stakes win of his young career. Trained by Michael J. Trombetta, Global Access bested Swamp Rat by a head to win the DRF Bets Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on March 31. Winning time for the eight-and-one-half furlongs was 1:41.35.

Shipped to Woodbine, Global Access posted a second to Skywire in the Wando Stakes on April 28 but would exact revenge a month later. In the Marine Stakes (G3) on May 25, Global Access won by a length over Skywire for his first graded stakes win. He stopped the clock in 1:42.83 for the eight-and-one-half furlongs.

After a third in the Charlie Barley Stakes on the turf at Woodbine, Global Access was shipped to Saratoga. There he first posted a third in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes on the turf, but would soon visit the Saratoga winner's circle. On Aug. 31, Global Access prevailed by a neck over Good Governance (GB) in the Saranac Stakes (G3). He stopped the clock in 1:41.08 for the eight-and-one-half furlongs.

A month later, Global Access was back in the Woodbine winner's circle with a new track record to his credit. The flashy chestnut captured the Ontario Derby (G3) by a length and a quarter over Armistice Day. He set a new track record for nine furlongs, posting a time of 1:48.24. On the season, Global Access banked $337,733 on four wins, one second and three thirds in nine starts. BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Florida-bred K P Dreamin

MICHAEL BURNS PHOTO Florida-bred Global Access

GLOBAL ACCESS 2016 chestnut colt by Giant's Causeway – Daveron (Ger), by Black Sam Bellamy (Ire) Breeder: Live Oak Stud Owners: Live Oak Plantation Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta

2019 Race Record/Earnings: 9-4-1-3/$337,733

2019 Blacktype Stakes Record 1st – Marine Stakes (G3) 1st – Ontario Derby (G3) 1st – Saranac Stakes (G3) 1st – DRF Bets Sophomore Turf Stakes 2nd – Wando Stakes 3rd – Charlie Barley Stakes 3rd – National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) 3rd – Columbia Stakes

WILDWOOD'S BEAUTY 2019 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY/FEMALE SPRINTER

After her maiden-breaking start as a two year old, Wildwood's Beauty rebounded nicely as a sophomore runner. She roared to four stakes wins and five seconds in 10 starts, collecting a Florida-bred championship title for owner William Stiritz.

In her fourth start of the season, Wildwood's Beauty picked up her first black-type stakes win. On March 31 in the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, she romped to a three-and-a-halflength tally over Eyeinthesky. Her winning time for the seven furlongs was 1:24.

The Scott Becker trainee made it back-to-back stakes wins with another facile victory in the FTBOA FSS Ivanavinalot on May 4 at Tampa Bay Downs. Wildwood's Beauty won by three and three-quarter lengths over Jolie Bay. She stopped the clock in 1:39.70 for the mile-and-40-yards.

After being freshened for five months, Wildwood's Beauty shifted her show to Gulfstream Park. Losing nothing in being away from the races, she made quick work of the Sheer Drama Stakes on Sept. 7. It was another galloping win by three and three-quarters lengths in 1:23.15 for the seven furlongs.

Following a second in the FTBOA FSS Wildcat Heir, Wildwood's Beauty returned to her winning ways in the Millions Distaff Stakes on Nov. 9 at Gulfstream Park West. She scored a win over Heiresall by a length and three-quarters in 1:22.33 for the seven furlongs.

Wildwood's Beauty closed out her season with a second in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes City of Ocala on Dec. 14 at Tampa Bay Downs. She earned Florida-bred Wildwood’s Beauty FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

RYAN THOMPSON PHOTO

$327,895 on the season.

Bred by Philip and Karen Matthews, Wildwood's Beauty was consigned by Summerfield, agent, to the 2015 OBS October yearling sale. There she was purchased by current owner William Stiritz for $47,000.

WILDWOOD'S BEAUTY 2016 bay filly by Kantharos – Miss Propitious, by J P's Gusto Breeder: Philip & Karen Matthews Owner: William Stiritz Trainer: Scott Becker

2019 Race Record/Earnings: 10-4-5-0-/$327,895

2019 Blacktype Stakes Record 1st – Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes 1st – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – Ivanavinalot 1st – Sheer Drama Stakes 1st – Millions Distaff Stakes 2nd – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – Wildcat Heir 2nd – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – City of Ocala

WORLD OF TROUBLE 2019 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER MALE/MALE SPRINTER/MALE TURF

World of Trouble encored a 2018 dual Florida-bred championship season with a 2019 undefeated triple Florida-bred championship season. The multi-talented 4- year-old colt sped to Grade 1 victories on both the turf and dirt. He won four stakes, including three graded, at four different tracks on his way to a sensational season.

Trained by Jason Servis, World of Trouble began his tour de force season in the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes on Jan. 26. He left little doubt of his blistering superior speed, besting Recruiting Ready by two-andthree-quarter lengths. Winning time for the five furlongs was :56.44.

Given some time off, World of Trouble next resurfaced in the Carter Handicap (G1) on April 6 at Aqueduct. When the dust cleared, he had scored his first career graded stakes victory, a Grade 1 at that, with a half-length win over Skyler's Scramjet. World of Trouble stopped the clock in 1:23.28 for the seven furlongs.

Next stop was Churchill Downs for the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) on May 3. Different track, yet another visit to the winner's circle. It was a dominating tally by three and three-quarter lengths for World of Trouble over Smart Remark. He cruised to the victory in 1:03.97 for the five-anda-half furlongs.

World of Trouble then put the cherry on top of his season with another Grade 1 win, this time on the turf. The accomplishment came in the Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G1) on June 8 at Belmont Park. He posted another impressive win, this time by a length and threequarters over Om. His winning time for the six furlongs

on the turf was 1:06.37. On four wins in four starts, World of Trouble banked $684,900 on the season.

Bred by Daryl and Sandy Clark's Darsan Inc., World of Trouble was a RNA for $10,000 at the 2016 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's August yearling sale. On Aug. 16, 2017, World of Trouble was purchased privately by Michael Dubb after winning a $25,000 maiden claiming race at Gulfstream Park.

Raced by Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC and Bethlehem Stables LLC, World of Trouble was retired in October 2019 with career earnings of $1,263,300. He will stand the 2020 season at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Kentucky.

WORLD OF TROUBLE 2015 bay colt by Kantharos – Meets Expectations, by Valid Expectations Breeder: Darsan Inc. Owner: Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC & Bethlehem Stables LLC Trainer: Jason Servis

2019 Race Record/Earnings: 4-4-0-0/$684,900

2019 Blacktype Stakes Record 1st – Carter Handicap (G1) 1st – Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G1) 1st – Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) 1st – Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes

STARSHIP JUBILEE 2019 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE/FEMALE TURF

A two-time Sovereign Award winner (2017 & 2018) as Canada’s champion turf female, Starship Jubilee scored another stellar season to add to her sterling resume. In 2019, The 6-year-old Indy Wind mare recaptured the two Floridabred championship titles she had also earned in 2017.

Trained by Kevin Attard, Starship Jubilee kicked off her season in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes on Jan. 19 at Gulfstream Park. She romped to a four-and-a-half length victory over Bitacora, and posted a winning time of 1:43.33 for the eight-and-a-half furlongs. That victory would be followed by a second in the Nassau Stakes (G2) and Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. The Blue Heaven Farm colorbearer would then add a third in the Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) at Saratoga before returning to Woodbine for the fall races.

Starship Jubilee was back in winning form for the Canadian Stakes (G2) on Sept. 14 at Woodbine. She rolled to a dominating victory, besting Magnetic Charm (GB) by four-and-a-quarter lengths. Winning time for the nine furlongs was 1:45.84.

A month later, Starship Jubilee found the winner's circle again in the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1), recording her first Grade 1 career victory. She won by a length over Durance (Ger) in 2:03.29 for the 10 furlongs on the turf. Starship Jubilee closed out her season with a second to Kallio in the Cardinal Stakes (G3) on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs. On the season, she posted three wins, three seconds and one third in seven starts to earn $604,929.

Bred by William P. Sorren, she sold for $6,500 at the 2014 OBS August yearling sale. She was a $34,000 RNA at the 2015 OBS April juvenile sale before beginning her racing career. On Jan. 4, 2017, at Gulfstream Park, Starship Jubilee was claimed for $16,000 by Jorge Navarro for JN Racing Stables Inc. Then on Feb. 12 at Gulfstream Park, she was claimed again for $16,000 by Tino Attard and raced for Kevin Attard and Soli Mehta. In the late fall of 2018, Starship Jubilee was bought privately by current owner Blue Heaven Farm. Grade 1 stakes winner Starship Jubilee has career earnings to date of $1,171,387. ■ RYAN THOMPSON PHOTO

Florida-bred Starship Jubilee

STARSHIP JUBILEE 2013 bay mare by Indy Wind – Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat Breeder: William P. Sorren Owner: Blue Heaven Farm Trainer: Kevin Attard

2019 Race Record/Earings: 7-3-3-1/$604,929 2019 Blacktype Stakes Record 1st – E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) 1st – Canadian Stakes (G2) 1st – Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes 2nd – Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) 2nd – Nassau Stakes (G2) 2nd – Cardinal Stakes (G3) 3rd – Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes (G2)