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FLORIDA FOCUS
Florida Focus Compiled by Brock Sheridan
Determined Feast Wins Rumson in Stakes Debut
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Florida-bred Feast jumped from the optional claiming ranks into stakes company Sept. 4 at Monmouth Park and used his exceptional speed and determination to win the $100,000 Rumson in a mild upset of 3-5 favorite Hollis.
The five furlong Rumson featured a field of six 3-year-olds and older after the scratch of Florida-bred Yes I’m a Beast.
Feast was making his stakes debut in his first start for trainer Gerald Bennett and owner Winning Stable Inc., who had claimed him for $25,000 out of a victorious effort against second level, optional claimers at Monmouth on July 31.
“The reason we claimed him was because of his form and the fact that he’s a Florida-bred,” Bennett said. “There are a lot of spots for him [at Tampa Bay Downs]. He’s eligible for starters, the claiming crown, so we have options with him.
“There were a lot of claims in for him that day. We were lucky to get him.
“I saw he runs good fresh so I freshened him up and he’s a horse that always tries. That’s all you need with horses if they’re triers. You just have to keep them right and they give you a good effort.”
Under jockey Jose Ferrer, Feast was bumped at the start by Trophy Chaser but emerged from an even start to take the early lead from the outside post six. Fellow Florida-bred Hollywood Jet also showed speed from the post three and was up to challenge Feast from the inside as those two finished the first quarter-mile in :22.27.
Feast separated from Hollywood Jet going into the turn where Baytown Bear ranged up to his outside to pressure him until the top of the stretch. Feast fought him off and maintained a halflength advantage turning for home where Hollis began his assault from the three path. Hollis took a short lead inside the final furlong after a half-mile in :45.35, but one tap on the hip from Ferrer seemed to cue Feast again as he battled back on the rail to eventually win by a half-length in :57.47 on the fast track. Hollis was two-and-threequarters lengths ahead of Baytown Bear in third with Hollywood Jet, Trophy Chaser and Spun and Won completing the order of finish. Feast paid $11.60 to win. “I had no doubt I would make the lead, especially when he broke so sharply out of the gate,” Ferrer said. “[Hollis] is a fast horse but my horse is pretty fast, too. The last eighth of a mile [Hollis] went by me, then all of a sudden it seemed like he put the brakes on and started looking around. I just kept riding because you never know what is going to happen. I think when [Feast] saw [Hollis] outside of him he dug in again.” “He’s a nice horse. And we know he likes Monmouth Park. So this was a good set-up for him, especially being able to break from the outside.”
Feast has now won four of his last five going back to a nose victory against first level, $16,000 optional claimers on May 15 at Monmouth. He was then third in a second conditioned $30,000 optional claiming won by Spun and Won on June 18 but came back to win a second level $25,000 optional claiming on June 10 before he was claimed by Bennett.
The 5-year-old ridgling has now won six of 16 career starts with one second and two thirds. The $60,000 first-place check increased his career bankroll to $234,259.
Feast is by Twirling Candy out of Corinthian Luck, by Corinthian and was bred by Farm III Enterprises. Corinthian Luck now has two winners from four starters and five foals including an unnamed yearling colt by Mitole.
Feast is a two-time OBS graduate having last sold during their October Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale last year to Meah/ Lloyd Bloodstock as agent for $82,000 out of the Paramount Sales consignment. He also sold during the 2019 OBS Spring Sale for $22,000 to Pee Wee Stable, who selected him out of the Off the Hook consignment. n
Florida-bred Feast n Isaiah Gomes EquiPhoto
Sophomore Maryquitecontrary Defeats Older Rivals in Sheer Drama
Although Rodney G. Lundrock’s homebred Maryquitecontrary was the only 3-year-old among the eight fillies and mares in the $65,000 Sheer Drama, the lightly raced daughter of Double Diamond Farm stallion First Dude lived up to her 9-5 favoritism with a neck victory in the seven furlong contest for Florida- breds at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 10. The Sheer Drama offered a $35,000 supplement for a Florida Sire Stakes-eligible winner presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, however, Maryquitecontrary did not qualify.
The lightly-raced Maryquitecontrary has now won three of her four career races with her only defeat coming in the $75,000 Azalea over seven furlongs at Gulfstream in July when second to Last Leaf.
The Joseph Catanese III trainee started well from the outside post eight in the Sheer Drama as Starship Nala jumped out on top from post seven. But Frankly My Dear and 3-1 choice Restofthestory sprinted to the front on the inside as they passed the six furlong pole with 5-2 second choice Corey just behind them in the three path. Meanwhile jockey Luca Panici patiently allowed Maryquitecontrary to settle into seventh for the run down the backstretch.
Frankly My Dear and Restofthestory were heads apart as they finished the first quarter-mile in :23.04 while Maryquitecontrary began to make up ground on the outside and was fifth and just a length-and-a-half off of the front-runners heading into the turn.
Passing the three-eighths marker, Corey, Restofthestory, Starship Nala and Frankly My Dear were four-across the track as Maryquitecontrary gave chase while five-wide. Corey took a brief lead midway on the turn before Starship Nala put a neck in front past the quarter-pole as Maryquitecontrary continued to threaten while widest of all.
Starship Nala extended her lead to three-quarters of a length ahead of Corey and Restofthestory turning for home after a
half-mile in :45.89. She widened her advantage to a length-anda-quarter into the stretch as Maryquitecontrary moved into second. Starship Nala was still in front with a sixteenth of a mile to the wire when Maryquitecontrary surged to the front in the final strides to win in 1:23.42 on the fast track. Starship Nala held second and was three-and-a-half lengths ahead of the late-running Don’t Get Khozy in third. Restofthestory, Corey, Race Day Speed, Bion Magic and Frankly My Dear completed the order of finish. “I wanted to stay clear, because every time I’ve ridden her, she was clear,” Panici said. “She needed time to get herself together on the turn because she has such a long stride. She has a good brain because at the end when she has a target she goes after it.” Maryquitecontrary paid $5.60. It was the second consecutive victory for Maryquitecontrary after winning a first-level, $75,000 Florida-bred Maryquitecontrary (left) n Ryan Thompson Photo optional claiming by a length over seven furlongs at Gulfstream on Aug. 19. Before her runner-up performance in the Azalea, she had won her career debut by three-quarters of a length against $40,000 optional claiming maidens in June. Out of Mary Kate ‘n Kelly, by Mecke, Maryquitecontrary earned $37,830 for the win and increased her career earnings to $111,130 in her four career starts. Mary Kate ‘n Kelly has four winners from four starters and five foals including J B Quick, a gelding by J Be K who set the Gulfstream Park West track record for six furlongs in 2016. She was bred to Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie in 2022. n
Jaime Torres Rides First Winner at Gulfstream
Apprentice jockey Jaime Torres broke through with his first career victory on Sept. 17 at Gulfstream Park, guiding Florida-bred Takestwotowiggle to a front-running victory in the second race at odds of 13-1. Takestwotowiggle led at every pole in the $6,250 claiming race at seven furlongs and paid $28.20 to win. The 5-year-old mare by Two Step Salsa out of Wigglin N Gigglin, by War Front was bred Continued on next page
by Get Away Farm. “I’m feeling blessed. Thanks to God and my family for their support,” Torres said. “I’m ready to do my job, work every day, working hard.” The 23-year-old started exercising horses in his native Puerto Rico before moving to the U.S., where he galloped horses for leading trainer Saf-
Jaime Torrees n Lauren King Photo fie Joseph Jr. at Palm Meadows. “I started in school to learn to be an exercise rider. I was there like six months and then I came here to work for Saffie as an exercise rider,” Torres said. “The team for Saffie Joseph has taught me a lot, everything I know.”
Agent Kevin Meyocks has Torres’ book.
Takestwotowiggle was Torres’ ninth mount since riding in his first race Aug. 12. n
Lightnin Runner Gives Battalion Runner First Stakes Winner
George Nyren’s Lightnin Runner remained undefeated in her second career start and gave Ocala Stud stallion Battalion Runner his first stakes-winner Sept. 17 while winning the $75,000 Rachel’s Turn at Charles Town. The Rachel’s Turn featured a field of five West Virginia-bred 2-year-old fillies who went four-and-a-half furlongs.
Trained by Angel Rodriguez and ridden by Antonio Lopez, Lightnin Runner was last out of the gate as the other four fillies sprinted for the lead for the run down the backstretch.
Sale On Breeze, the 1-5 favorite, established a half-length lead heading into the turn with 4-1 second choice Strong Willed to her outside as Lightnin Runner began to edge close on the outside after they clicked off the first quarter-mile in :22.26 on the fast track.
Sale on Breeze and Strong Willed went around the turn noses apart while two lengths clear of Lightnin Runner, who was beginning to make up ground while three-wide.
Strong Willed took a short lead on the outside of Sale on Breeze as they hit the top of the stretch but Lightnin Runner had them in her sights while she continued her momentum in the three-path.
Sail on Breeze could not keep up as Strong Willed and Lightnin Runner raced past the sixteenth pole in tandem and took their battle to the finish with Lightnin Runner hitting the wire a neck in front in :52.93. Strong Willed was three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Sail On Breeze in third followed by Cat With A Notion in fourth and Pure Nonsense finishing fifth.
Lightnin Runner paid $27.40 to win at odds of 12-1.
Lightnin Runner was making her first start since July 2 when she defeated West Virginia-bred maidens by a length at Charles Town going four-and-a-half furlongs.
Lightnin Runner was bred in West Virginia by Ronney Brown and Nicole Brown and is the first foal out of the Mineshaft mare My Lightnin Strike, who also has an unraced yearling filly by Bullsbay and a weanling filly by Ocala Stud’s Adios Charlie. n
Santa Anita Derby Winner Roadster to Stand at Ocala Stud
Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1)-winner and near-millionaire Roadster, a son of perennial leading sire Quality Road, will stand the 2023 breeding season at Ocala Stud, the farm announced in October.
“Roadster is all class, and he was an exciting colt on the racetrack,” Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell said. “He was an extremely precocious juvenile, breaking his maiden in his debut and then placing in a Grade 1 to eventual champion Game Winner in just his second start. The following year, Roadster proved he was a serious racehorse with a tremendous win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, turning the tables on Game Winner. He competed against the best of his generation throughout his career, and we are excited to offer breeders the opportunity to breed to a top-class son of Quality Road who has the looks, pedigree, and performance to be a leading stallion.”
Touted as a special colt early in his career for owner Speedway Stables and trainer Bob Baffert, Roadster delivered on the
Roadster n Benoit Photo
hype. In just his second start as a 3-year-old, Roadster proved an impressive winner of the $1 million Santa Anita Derby in 2019, defeating stablemate Game Winner—the previous year’s Eclipse Award-winning 2-Year-Old Male Champion—with a sustained stretch rally after circling rivals three-wide on the far turn.
Picking up 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with his Santa Anita Derby score, Roadster entered the 2019 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) as a serious candidate for the roses and one of the top point earners. An eventful and extremely wide trip on the First Saturday in May, however, prevented him from contending throughout.
In his first appearance under silks as a 2-year-old, the flashy gray colt announced his arrival on the scene with an emphatic four-and-a-half-length score in a Del Mar maiden special weight event, earning TDN Rising Star status in the process. He followed up that sensational debut with a third-place finish behind Game Winner in the 2018 Del Mar Futurity (G1) in just his second lifetime start.
In addition to his Santa Anita Derby victory, Roadster finished second in the Malibu Stakes (G1) to Omaha Beach, second in the San Carlos Stakes (G2), and was runner-up to Grade 1-winner Mucho Gusto in the Affirmed Stakes (G3). All told, Roadster won or placed in nine of 16 starts and amassed career earnings of $901,500.
By 2009 Florida Derby (G1) hero Quality Road, Roadster is produced from the stakes-winning and stakes-producing Silver Ghost mare Ghost Dancing. He is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and Keeneland track-record setter Ascend and graded stakes-placed Moro Tap. Roadster was sold by his breeder—Arthur Hancock III’s Stone Farm—at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $525,000. n
Magic On Tap Arrives at Pleasant Acres Stallions
MORRISTON, FL — Pleasant Acres Stallions announced the arrival of graded stakes-winner Magic on Tap, a son of Tapit, for the 2023 breeding season with a $5,000 fee. There are a limited number of lifetime breeding rights available.
“Helen and I, and the entire team at Pleasant Acres Stallions, are thrilled to have Magic on Tap begin his stallion career at our farm,” said Pleasant Acres Stallion owner Joe Barbazon. “This is an absolute win for Florida breeders. Magic on Tap is of the same Magic on Tap cross as Consti QualPhoto courtesy of Pleasant Acres Stallions ity—who stand for $85,000 and $75,000 in Kentucky.” After breaking his maiden in his first race going six-and-ahalf furlongs, Magic on Tap went on to capture the Grade 2 Triple Bend at Santa Anita Park last year where he beat Grade 1-winner Eight Rings by two lengths. While racing, Magic on Tap’s tactical speed excelled with four triple-digit E Speed Figures.
The arrival of Magic on Tap to Pleasant Acres Stallions was brokered by Stallion Company of Lexington and the limited lifetime breeding rights arrangements will be handled by Christine Jones, Pleasant Acres Stallions director of stallion services at 352804-6618.
Magic on Tap hails from an impressive generational female line of accomplished racehorses. His first dam, Aubby K, by Street Sense had nine starts with four wins and two thirds. She won the $300,000 Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs and the $150,000 Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream Park. She was purchased in 2015 by Summer Wind Equine for $2.5 million while in foal to Tapit, carrying Magic on Tap. As a broodmare, she has produced four foals including three starters and two winners—a graded-stakes winner and a graded stakes-place runner.
Magic on Tap joins stallions Amira’s Prince, Bellavia, Bucchero, Curlin’s Honor, Gone Astray, Gunnevera, Leinster, Long On Value, Neolithic, No Never No More, Rushie, and Sweetontheladies, at the 220-acre farm located just northwest of Ocala. n
Cuban Cobra Strikes Again in Winnipeg Futurity
Cuban Cobra and Readytotapnsing renewed their rivalry for the third time Sept. 19 as the two juveniles faced each other again in the 97th running of the $50,000 Winnipeg Futurity at Assiniboia Downs.
The Florida-bred Cuban Cobra was able to take the rubber match between the two juveniles in the six furlong Winnipeg Futurity as he won by nearly three lengths ahead of Readytotapnsing in second.
A field of six went to the gate for the Winnipeg Futurity with Cuban Cobra sent to the post as the 3-5 favorite. Breaking from the outside post six with regular rider Enrique Gonzalez aboard, Cuban Cobra bounced out on top and was first into stride. Readytotapnsing and jockey Sheldon Chickeness quickened from post five to take the lead as they made their way out of the chute and onto the main track. Lady Cop, the only filly in the race, took over the second spot from post four as Cuban Cobra settled just off of those two on the outside.
Readytotapnsing finished the first quarter-mile in :23 flat before Cuban Cobra passed him with a quick move on the outside approaching the turn. Cuban Cobra stretched his lead to a lengthand-a-half around the bend but Readytotapnsing fought back on the rail and those turned for home heads apart with Lady Cop trying to muster a challenge on the outside. Cuban Cobra and Readytotapnsing battled down the stretch before Cuban Cobra surged to the front passing the sixteenth-pole and drew off to win in 1:12.80 on the fast track.
Readytotapnsing held on for second while finishing a lengthand-three-quarters faster than Lady Cop in third as Brandyn, Adjourment and Florida-bred Arrogance completed the order of finish.
Cuban Cobra paid $3.30 to win.
Readytopapnsing won the first match between the two in the $50,000 Martin Deerline Juvenile at Century Mile on July 29 before Cuban Cobra bounced back to win the $50,000 Canadian Juvenile at the same Edmonton, Alberta oval on Aug. 19 in their last match.
Cuban Cobra has now won three of four career starts with one second. The son of Florida-bred sire Flat Out out of A E Phi Sensation, by Johannesburg has now earned $61,876. He is trained by Tim Rycroft for owner by Gonzalo Anderson and was bred in Florida by Moonshine Meadow Ranch. n
Florida-bred Cuban Cobra n Jason Halstead Photo
Loyalty Wins Second Straight Stakes in Duchess at Woodbine
Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwood’s Loyalty improved her record to four wins in five career starts while also winning her second consecutive stakes with a victory in the US$90,380 Duchess at Woodbine on Oct. 1. The Florida-bred filly won as the oddson favorite against four other rivals in the seven furlong test for 3-year-old fillies on the Tapeta main track.
Trained by Josie Carroll and ridden by Luis Contreras, Loyalty broke well from post one and raced out of the chute in third as Join the Dance took them onto the main track from post eight with Hollywood Walk between horses in second. Those three finished the first quarter-mile in :23.11 and continued to race together around the far turn where Loyalty took advantage of her inside path and broke free to a one-length advantage past the quarter-pole after a half-mile in :45.63.
From there it was all Loyalty, who pulled away to a threelength lead as she raced down the stretch with Join the Dance giving chase in second and Souper Hoity Toity moving from last into third.
Loyalty finished up a length-and-a-half winner in 1:22.90 with Souper Hoity Toity in second, two lengths ahead of Join the Dance in third. Pharoah’s Song was fourth with Hollywood Walk fifth. Curlin Candy, Empress Tiger, Pioneer’s Edge and Tasweya were scratched.
“There is some speed in the race, so breaking from the onehole, it was [important to] get a nice, clean break, and see how the speed goes,” Contreras said. “From the beginning, she was running so nice and comfortable, so I just let her be and had a beautiful trip. She was pretty relaxed. The fractions were a little bit fast, but she was so nice and relaxed, and enjoying the trip around.”
Carroll was also quick to praise Loyalty, “She’s just incredibly honest. You just lead her over and she just seems to show up. I don’t think you ever like to draw the one-hole. I particularly didn’t like it when I saw that the two horse [Empress Tigress] was going to be the speed horse, but when she scratched, I felt a lot better about it.”
Carroll also commented on her only loss, which came in the US$79,458 Alywow when sixth behind winner Majestic d’Oro going six-and-a-half furlongs in her only start on the grass.
“I think you draw a line through it,” Carroll said of the Alywow. “Her pedigree said she should love the grass. We put her on the grass, she ran a bad race that day and it wasn’t the grass. I don’t know whether at some date we might try her again or keep her on this surface. I guess time will tell.”
Loyalty paid $3.80 to win at odds of 4-5. The first place check of US$54,228 improved her career earnings to $179,848 from her five races, which included a two-and-a-half-length victory in the $100,000 Lady Erie at Presque Isle going six furlongs on Tapeta on Aug. 8.
All of her four wins have come on Tapeta beginning with a three-and-three-quarters-length score against fillies in a six furlong maiden special weight and a length-and-three-quarters victory against older allowance fillies and mares on May 28, both at Woodbine.
Loyalty is by Hard Spun out of Slew’s Quality, by Elusive Quality and was bred in Florida by Thomas and Lori Fackler’s Best A Luck Farm in Reddick. The unraced Slew’s Quality has produced seven winners from nine starters including Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint-winner and champion female sprinter Shamrock Rose; and stakes-placed runners Bet On Mike and My Friends Beer. Loyalty also has a 2-year-old half-brother in Milieu, by Empire Maker and weanling half-brother by Authentic. Slew’s Quality was bred to Nyquist in 2022.
Loyalty was purchased by bloodstock agents Alex Solis II and Jason Litt for $270,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale where she was consigned by Gainesway. n
Speed Boat Beach Qualifies for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with Speakeasy Victory
Florida-bred Speed Boat Beach ran to his odds-on favoritism Oct. 2 at Santa Anita to win the $102,000 Speakeasy for 2-yearolds going five furlongs on the turf and earn a fees paid berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 1) at Keeneland on Nov. 4.
An impressive length-and-a-quarter winner first time out against a group of 10 special weight maidens going five-and-ahalf furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 10, the Bob Baffert-trained Speed Boat Beach remained undefeated for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.
Continued on next page
Florida-breds Make Florida Racing
Florida-bred Speed Boat Beach n Benoit Photo
Breaking from the outside post nine in the Speakeasy with jockey Juan Hernandez, Speed Boat Beach hopped at the start but recovered quickly to race just off of the speedy Helladic, who sprinted to the front immediately with jockey Tyler Baze from post five.
Helladic had a length-and-a-half on Speed Boat Beach in second down the backstretch while rocketing through a quarter-mile in :21.06 and continued to lead by a length-and-a-quarter into the turn. Speed Boat Beach began to wear down Helladic and was even terms passing the quarter-mile marker as those two pulled away from Straighten Up in third.
Speed Boat Beach and Helladic turned for home together and continued on even terms until the final eighth of a mile when Speed Boat Beach drew clear on the outside.
Speed Boat Beach finished up a length-and-a-quarter in front of a determined Helladic in second as Ah Jeez finished third, another half-length farther back. Mas Rapido was fourth followed by Wound Up, Straighten Up, Arman, Flame Rider and Taltariate.
“He’s really fast and he’s a really good horse,” Hernandez said of Speed Boat Beach. “[Helladic] kind of broke better than me but I had the best position outside. I saw the inside horse trying to go, so I just let him go and I let my horse get comfortable because it was his first time on the turf and he was kind of looking around, wanting to see what was going on. Around the three-eighths he switched to the left [lead] and he started to focus and started running to win the race.
“[Speed Boat Beach] enjoyed it. He was just watching the horse in front of me and just wanted to see everything around him. But he focused, and he started to run by himself, I just let him roll.”
Baffert said he was happy to see Speed Boat Beach take to the turf and confirmed his plans to send the Florida-bred to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup.
“We filled one of the spots on the plane to Keeneland,” Baffert said. “I wasn’t sure if he would like the turf or not. I told Juan (Hernandez) that if he doesn’t like the turf, raise your right hand. He hopped at the start of the race. He was a little green and he kept switching leads. At the three-eighths pole, he became serious and took off. This horse has pretty serious speed.”
Sent to the post with 2-5 odds, Speed Boat Beach paid $2.80 to win.
“You never know if they’re going to like the turf or not and [Speed Boat Beach] seemed to handle it alright,” Pegram said. “Juan [Herandez is] a pro and I think we’ve got a fast horse. I’m very happy to have gone back-to-back in these last races, and we look forward to seeing him race in the Breeders’ Cup [Juvenile Turf Sprint].”
Speed Boat will try to become the second Florida-bred in three years to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint following Golden Pal’s victory in 2020.
Speed Boat Beach is by Bayern and is the first foal for Sophia Mia, the unraced daughter of Pioneerof the Nile. Sophia Mia has a yearling filly by Distorted Humor and a weanling filly by Volatile. She was bred to Army Mule in 2022.
Bred by Richard Heysek in the name of Caperlane Farm, Speed Boat Beach is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales having first sold during the 2021 October Yearling Sale for $12,000 to Rubin M. Sanchez out of the Stuart Morris consignment. Speed Boat Beach was then consigned by Really and Truly Thoroughbreds at the OBS March Sale where Three Amigos purchased him for $200,000. n
Another Florida-bred Heads to the Breeders’ Cup as Delight Wins Jessamine
Augustin Stable’s Delight raced under the wire for the first time in second behind Ellis Park maiden-winner Bling, but jockey Luis Saez and Delight used a ground-saving trip around the clubhouse turn to get a lead they never relinquished. The Florida-bred filly drew off to win the $320,463 JP Morgan Chase Jessamine (Grade 2) by an impressive five lengths in 1:44.14 on the firm turf at Keeneland on Oct. 7.
With the victory in the Jessamine, Delight earned a fees-paid berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Keeneland on Nov. 4.
Delight set comfortable fractions of :24.32, :49.61 and 1:14.73 while leading by a length-and-a-half for much of the way before Bling and Grade 2 Aristocrat Juvenile Fillies runner-up Towhead came to her at the top of the stretch. But Delight sprinted away from her rivals in the run for home and was three-and-a-half lenghths in front with an eighth` of a mile to run before winning under a hand ride from Saez.
“It was pretty easy [to get her to relax on the front end],” Saez said. “The plan was to follow somebody and have a target for the lead, but she broke so well and did it on her own. She controlled the pace and relaxed beautiful. When she came to the top of the stretch, it was all about her. She [accelerated] pretty fast. She had a big turn of foot and I didn’t really have to do anything—just keep going on with her and she did it.”
Knockyoursocksoff was second, a neck faster than Bling in third. Sabalenka, C C Cruise Control, Dulcia, Happy Gal, Towhead, Blind Spot, Stephanie’s Charm, Recognize and Promise of Hope completed the order of finish.
Trained by Jonathan Thomas, Delight was the 7-2 favorite and paid $9.68 to win.
“Her ability to relax [impressed me most today]. We were hoping to get her covered up, but she really relaxed. I love seeing her ears twitching back and forth. You’re always hoping you have horse, and she kicked away. That’s when you see [that jockey] Luis [Saez] is really, really good, when he’s on the lead like that. He’s so well rounded, but that’s when he’s absolutely brilliant.
“I’m most thrilled for Mr. [George] Strawbride [Jr]. He’s been such a huge supporter of our stable and we were able to buy this filly for him in March and to have her become a graded stakes-winner at Keeneland is pretty special.”
Thomas purchased Delight for $400,000 out of the Paul Sharp consignment at Ocala Breeders’ Sales in March.
The daughter of Mendelssohn out of Honey Trap, by Medaglia d’Oro broke her maiden at Delaware Park in her third career start going about seven-and-a-half furlongs on the turf on Aug. 27 after finishing third in her first two efforts on grass against special weight maiden fillies. She debuted at Keeneland at five-and-ahalf furlongs and finished behind winner Love Reigns on April 29. Thomas then took her to Saratoga and sent her a mile-and-asixteenth where she finished behind winner Pink Hue on Aug. 7.
Delight is the first foal out of the unraced Florida-bred mare Honey Trap, by Medaglia d’Oro. Bred in Florida by Melodee Hicks in the name of Hickstead Farm located in Ocala, Delight has now earned $211,905 from her four races. Honey Trap was also bred by Hickstead Farm.
Honey Trap has an unnamed yearling filly by The Factor who co-topped the OBS Yearling Sale at $210,000. (see story on page 34) and a weanling filly by Vekoma, both bred in Florida. Honey Trap was bred to Lexitonian in 2022. n
Florida-bred Delight n Coady Photo
Florida-breds Make Florida Racing
Golden Pal Remains Undefeated on Stateside Turf with Second Woodford Score
Florida-bred juggernaut Golden Pal remains unbeaten on turf courses in the United States as the Wesley Ward trainee defended his title in the Grade 2 Woodford presented by FanDuel at Keeneland on Oct. 8. The $315,175 Woodford featured a field of nine 3-year-olds and older going five-and-a-half furlongs on the Keeneland turf and offered a feespaid berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), to be run over the same distance and course at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Golden Pal launched out of post four with regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard in the Woodford and was quickly a length in front of Gear Jockey in second, who was third to Golden Pal earlier this year at Keeneland in the Shakertown. Golden Pal appeared effortless while cruising through the first quarter-mile in an electrifying :21.25 as Gear Jockey continued to give chase under a strong urging from jockey Luis Saez.
Golden Pal extended his lead to three lengths in mid-stretch after rocketing through the half-mile in :43.24 before finishing up in a stakes-record time of 1:01.39 on the firm turf while a lengthand-a-half in front of Oceanic in second. Artemus Citylimits was third followed by Bad Beat Brian, Gear Jockey, Charcoal, All in Sync, Country Final and Cadmosto (Ire).
“Every time he runs, I get kind of nervous because he’s so exceptional,” Ward said. “We’re real excited now to get on to the Breeders’ Cup. We got our prep into him here on his home track at Keeneland and 28 days from now, we’ll be ready to roll.
“It’s just like any other great athlete in any sport. Of all the horses I’ve ever trained, and fast ones, he’s just unbelievable. [He is] just an extreme talent. The athleticism he has; he’s just like a cat when he moves for such a big colt. He’s got a brilliant mind to him as well. I really look forward to what he’s going to be as a stallion. He’s so smart in the barn, so quick and agile. I really look forward to his babies here.”
Ortiz also said he continues to be impressed with Golden Pal’s talent.
“He’s a fast horse. He’s an amazing horse. He’s something else. I’m just happy to be on him. Thanks, Wesley and the owners and everybody involved for letting me ride this horse. He loves this
track. It’s home for him.” Golden Pal is the first horse to win consecutive Woodfords since Bucherro, who stands in Florida at Pleasant Acres Stallions, in 2017-18 and is the only horse to win the Woodford and the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in the same year. Last year Golden Pal used the Woodford as a springboard to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Sent to the post at 1-4, Golden Pal paid $2.74. Golden Pal is now four-for-four on the Keeneland turf having won the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf there in 2020 and the Grade 2 Shakertown, both at a five-and-a-half furlongs, on April 9 in addition to last year’s Woodford. He is three-for-three at Saratoga including a head victory in the Grade 3 Troy there Florida-bred Golden Pal n Keeneland Photo in his last start going five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf on Aug. 5. He also won the 2020 Skidmore and the 2021 Quick Call (G3) on the Saratoga grass. His only defeats came in his first career start when second to Florida-bred Gatsby in a four-and-a-half furlong maiden special weight on the main track and in two starts at Royal Ascot. He was second to The Lir Jet in the Group 2 Norfolk at five furlongs in his second lifetime race and was away slow when last of 16 in the Group 1 Kings Stand won by Nature Strip on June 14. Bred in Florida by Randall E. Lowe, Golden Pal races for Westerberg Limited, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith and now has eight wins from 12 career starts with two seconds. He earned $176,700 for winning the Woodford and increased his career earnings to $1,815,131. Golden Pal is by Uncle Mo and is the first foal out of the graded stakes-winning Midshipman mare Lady Shipman. She has a yearling colt in Lieutenant General, by Omaha Beach and a weanling full-sister to Golden Pal, Luvwhatyoudo. She was bred to Essential Quality in 2022. n
My Billeeboy First Winner for Long On Value
Long On Value, who stands in Florida at Pleasant Acres Stallions, was represented by his first winner Oct. 8 when Florida-bred My Billeeboy won a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park for owner Joan Egan. Trained by Teresa Pompay and ridden to victory by Miguel
Florida-bred My Billeeboy n Ryan Thompson Photo
Vasquez, My Billeeboy defeated a field of nine 2-year-old rivals over five-and-a-half furlongs on the Tapeta course, winning by a length-and-three-quarters.
My Billeeboy raced in third during the early going as Marley Luck and Christensen raced head-and-head through quarter-mile splits of :22.70 and :46.06. My Billeeboy made his move while passing the eighth-mile marker, and continued his momentum under the wire to finish in 1:04.24 on the always fast all-weather surface.
My Billeeboy is out of Cane Cat (Ire), by One Cool Cat and has earnings of $51,800 from four starts with the win and a second and two thirds. My Billeeboy was bred by Lavender Hill Stud LLC and paid $10.80 to win at odds of 4-1.
Long On Value is a millionaire son of Value Plus out of Long Message, by Orientate. He won nine of 32 career starts with five seconds and five thirds while racing for Madaket Stables LLC, Ten Strike Racing and Steve Laymon. His wins include the Grade 1 Highlander at Woodbine and the $69,700 Mighty Beau overnight stakes at Churchill Downs.
He stood for a fee of $2,500 during the 2022 breeding season. n
No Name Dude Upset Winner of Hollywood Beach, Topping Florida-bred Trifecta
Julio Manuel Garriga’s homebred No Name Dude took the $65,000 Hollywood Beach over the Gulfstream Park Tapeta on Oct. 8 at Gulfstream to top a Florida-bred trifecta at odds of 11-1. The Hollywood Beach featured a field of seven 2-year-olds going five furlongs.
Trained by Jose D’Angelo and ridden by Sonny Leon, No Name Dude sat behind a quick :21.48 pace set by Face Abarrio and Wide West (Ire) in the five-furlong Hollywood Beach before swinging out three-wide coming out of the turn to take a clear lead ahead of his rivals down the stretch. No Name Dude then held off a late run by Florida-breds Takecareofbusiness and Cheerful Charlie to win by a half-length in :56.57 on the fast course.
Wide West, Florida-bred Boris, Face Abarrio and Swan Lake completed the order of finish.
No Name Dude paid $24.60 to win.
No Name Dude won the Hollywood Beach in his third career start after taking a six furlong maiden special weight on dirt by half-length in his previous race on Sept. 17 at Gulfstream. He was third behind winner Gran Slash in a $50,000 maiden claiming in his first start on Aug. 12, also at six furlongs at Gulfstream.
“We checked his [dam] and he had one sister who won on the grass, so I said to the owner, ‘Why don’t we run in the stakes,” D’Angelo said. “He ran very good on it.”
No Name Dude is a 2-year-old son of Ocala Stud stallion The Big Beast out of Wild Country Song, by Songandaprayer. He has earnings of $67,394 from his three races. Wild Country Song has two winners from two starters from three foals. Her turf winner is the 6-year-old mare, Get Back Home, by City Wolf.
“[No Name Dude] is very fast but is still very immature mentally,” D’Angelo said. “I think this race was good for him because he didn’t get a great start and he made a nice move around the horses. I think he has a good future, especially running five furlongs, five-and-a-half-furlongs. He wants to sprint.” TFH
From coast to coast, Florida’s tax-friendly, pro-business environment is poised and ready to attract new companies and create new employment opportunities.
n No tax on stallion seasons n No personal state income tax n No individual capital gains tax n Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms n Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities n Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt n Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder n National leader in veterinary and equine research n Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner
Emily Hetherington • (850) 617-7291 (Office) Emily.Hetherington@FDACS.gov www.FDACS.gov
FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Lonny T. Powell, CEO
Tammy A. Gantt, Associate Vice President / Membership Services & Events 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 • 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Awesome Strong became the first horse since Three Rules in 2016 to sweep the colts and geldings division of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes with an emphatic victory in the $400,000 In Reality at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 1.
The chestnut son of freshman sire Awesome Slew, who stands at Ocala Stud, won the mile-anda-sixteenth In Reality by a length-and-a-half to become the tenth male to take all three legs of the lucrative series by winning the $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs on Aug. 6, the $200,000 Affirmed at seven furlongs on Sept. 3 before he won the In Reality.
Others who have swept the male divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes include Smile (1984), Naked Greed (1991), Seacliff (1995), Express Tour (2000), Sir Oscar (2003), Big Drama (2008), Jackson Bend (2009), Fort Loudon (2011) and Three Rules.
“It’s been Awesome. We’ve been blow away the whole time to be able to run in the Florida Sire Stakes and to win is next level,” Alex Childs said. Childs and his father Bill Childs, both of Ft. Worth, Tex., own Awesome Strong with four others in the name of their CSLR Racing Partners. “To go win three races straight—I don’t care if you’re here [at Gulfstream], Churchill or Saratoga or wherever you might be—it’s a challenge. It’s been surreal.” Continued on next page
Although Awesome Strong was never threatened in the run for home, his trip early in the race was more eventful.
He and jockey Miguel Vasquez broke well from post eight in the 12-horse field but were forced six-wide on the clubhouse turn where they were jostled around while racing between Turbo to his inside and Cajun Hope on his right. Meanwhile 9-2 choice Apocalypso and 25-1 longshot Diamond Cool raced together on the lead a length-and-a-half ahead of Commandant, Turbo, Awesome Strong and Cajun Hope, who were four across the track in a joint third.
Apocalypso clicked off a quick quarter-mile in :22.56 as Awesome Strong settled into fifth, still six-wide, as they headed down the backstretch where they maintained that running order through a half-mile in :46.29. Apocalypso took them into the far turn with Diamond Cool to his outside with Turbo and Awesome Strong looming just behind.
With three-eighths of a mile to the finish, Awesome Strong began to make up ground on the outside as Vasquez pushed him along and they took over with authority while passing the quarter-mile marker after six furlongs in 1:11.50.
Awesome Strong pulled away from his rivals turning for home and was never challenged in the stretch as he finished in 1:46.58 on the fast track. Tigre made a late run on the rail to finish second at 71-1 as Knox finished third, a nose faster than Apocalypso in fourth. Commandant, Fifty One Fifty, Diamond Cool, Turbo, Hard to Handle, Rockin Roller, Belts ‘n Brooks and Cajun Hope completed the order of finish.
“He proved he can rate,” Vasquez said. “I wanted to get him closer to the back and let him make his run.”
Awesome Strong paid $3.60 to win.
“We have a horse here with an extreme amount of talent. We didn’t know if he could run the distance but he’s doing that now and looks great,” Alex Childs said. “So Hopefully he comes back well from this race. Each race has been a slow progression to the next.” Awesome Strong is trained by Jorge Delgado, who has conditioned him in all four of his races and has high praise for the chestnut colt “He does everything right. He’s such a nice horse,” Delgado said on Fanduel TV. “He’s nice to be around and he does everything you want. The perfect horse and he’s my favorite horse so far.” Awesome Strong is out of Pleasant Ring, by Pleasant Tap and was bred in Florida by John B. Penn. Pleasant Ring has produced six winners from 10 starters including Bad Debt, a multiple stakes-winner around two turns on turf. Awesome Strong has now earned $458,000 from his four wins in as many starts. He was Awesome Strong Jockey Miguel Vasquez and Alex Childs n Lauren King Photo a $30,000 yearling at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale where Elena Racing selected him from the Sue Vacek consignment. Elena Racing Inc., owned him when he broke his maiden at Gulfstream by six lengths going four-and-a-half furlongs on May 6. That race caught the attention of Bill Childs, who purchased him privately with his CSLR Racing Partners for $500,000.
FSS Card Handle Hits Three-Year High
Gulfstream Park handled $8,567,525 on the Oct. 1 card, prompted by the full fields in the three stakes and a $1.4 million pool in the track’s Rainbow 6 wager. That handle compared to $7,132,327 on the corresponding 2021 date and was the most bet on the same day since $9,140,183 was bet on the day of the In Reality, My Dear Girl and Wildcat Heir in 2019. TFH Lauren King Photo
BY JOANN GUIDRY
At the Ocala Breeders’ Sales October yearling sale, Hip 474 was not the overall sales topper. But for North Marion Equine, the 2021 bay colt by Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister out of Charmed Gift, by A.P. Indy, was another good sale for the program. Consigned by Bobby Jones Equine LLC, agent, the colt sold for $14,000 to Adam Parker, agent for Joker Racing LLC. The sale proceeds will benefit the North Marion Equine and Agriculture programs at North Marion High School.
“We actually didn’t have anything to sell for the OBS October sale this year until Valerie Dailey so graciously donated the colt in late June,” said Lori Jones, who has been an Animal Science teacher at North Marion High School since 2015 and who oversees the NM Equine program. “We began sales prepping the colt in July, primarily with swimming at Bobby Jones Equine. While we have 22 students, grades 10th-12th, in the program, 11 students were selected to participate in the sales prepping and then the OBS October sale. We were all very happy with the price we received for the yearling.”
Dailey, who is the immediate past FTBOA board president and broker/owner of Showcase Properties of Central Florida, said, “I always try to support youth programs. I thought donating a yearling to the NM Equine program was a worthwhile thing to do. It’s a great program that teaches students equine and life skills.”
In 2016, Jones and Animal Science Level four students wrote a grant to establish the NM Equine program. The $5,000 grant was awarded in the spring of 2017 and was used for paddocks and facilities at North Marion High School.
“I approached Bobby Jones to enlist his help in getting the program going,” Valerie said. “He was very much interested and has been invaluable.”
Bobby Jones, a longtime yearling consignor and an FTBOA board member, enthusiastically offered his expertise and support.
“I thought it was a great idea and was more than willing to help in any way that I could,” Bobby Jones said. “We got to work with designing and building the paddocks. Seven months later, I donated a mare named Clueless Brook in foal to Chitu.”
A 2004 bay mare by Montbrook out of Rainbow Strike, by Smart Strike, Clueless Brook’s Chitu colt was born on April 19, 2017. After being sales prepped by the NM Equine students, the colt was sold by Bobby Jones Equine for $10,000 at the 2018 OBS January Mixed Sale.
Bobby Jones then donated Perfect Biscuit, a 2011 gray/roan mare by Political Farce out of Moments Past, by Came Home, to the NM Equine program. Her 2019 Jess’s Dream colt sold for $15,000 at the 2020 OBS January Mixed Sale. Perfect Biscuit is currently in foal to Leinstar.
Now retired as a broodmare, Clueless Brook’s 2019 Valiant Minister filly sold for $5,000 at the 2020 OBS October yearling sale. The NM Equine program purchased Country Song, a 2015 bay mare by Brooks ‘N Downs out of I Am Nifty, by Unbridled’s Song, for $5,000 at the 2022 OBS January Mixed Sale. Country Song had a 2022 colt by Awesome Of Course and is in foal to Awesome Slew.
“Each year, select students do extracurricular farm work and OBS sales with Bobby Jones Equine as they continue to go through high school until they graduate. They volunteer with grooming, sales prepping and get all-around great farm experience,” said Jones, who now also teaches an Equine Science curriculum. “When the mares are close to foaling, we move them from our school farm to Bobby Jones Equine and some of our students have been present for foaling. They are getting many hands-on experiences that can’t be taught in the classroom and applying them to real-life opportunities every chance they get.” TFH
Judit Seipert Photo
Denies Lynx Florida Sire Stakes Sweep
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Trainer Jose Pinchin picked up his tenth victory in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes on Oct. 1 when Atomically defeated odds-on favorite Lynx to win the $400,000 My Dear Girl by nearly seven lengths at Gulfstream Park. Pinchin, who also owns Atomically with Michael Bernard, knows what it takes to win a race in the lucrative series, having swept the male division with Three Rules in 2016, and felt confident his bay daughter of Girvin could pull the minor upset.
Atomically had come into the My Dear Girl off of a seven-length victory against state-bred fillies in a seven furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream on Sept. 2, earning a 73 Beyer Speed Figure. It was only her second career start having finished third to fellow My Dear Girl entrant Time Passage under the same conditions but at five-and-a-half furlongs on Aug. 19 to post a 62 Beyer number.
With jockey Edgar Perez aboard, Atomically broke from post nine in the 10-horse My Dear Girl and was caught six-wide in the clubhouse turn as 19-1 longshot Dreaming in Style and jockey Kevin Krigger were able to get to the front after breaking quickly from post four. Continued on next page
Time Passage took second while three-wide with Dorth Vader third on the rail and Cajun Tease fourth on the outside. Lynx was away clean but unable to get a clear path around the turn and was shuffled back to fifth on the rail after a quarter-mile split in :23.53.
Cajun Tease took a short lead ahead of Dreaming in Style as they raced down the backstretch with Time Passage behind them in third and Atomically fourth on the outside another half-length back.
After a half-mile in :47.90, Edgard Zayas aboard Cajun Tease took over heading into the far turn as Atomically began to make a three-wide run on the outside with Dreaming in Style between them in third and Time Passage a length behind in fourth. Lynx was running four-wide behind those four to the outside of Dorth Vader and began to make up ground with five-sixteenths of a mile to the finish.
Atomically drew clear approaching the quarter-pole as Lynx also separated from the pack and began to give chase as they turned for home after six furlongs in 1:12.98.
But Atomically was too far in front and Lynx could not make up any ground in the run to the finish as Atomically completed the distance in 1:45.35 with Lynx second and Dorth Vader another four-and-a-quarter lengths farther back in third.
Time Passage, Sherilyn Go Go, Dreaming in Style, Marvelous Lady, High Fashion Lady, Cajun Tease and Guardian Angel completed the order of finish.
“I thought I was in a perfect position and at the half-mile pole I had a lot of horse. I asked her to run and she went,” Perez said after the race.
Atomically is by Girvin and is the first foal out of the unraced Florida-bred mare Shesunbelievable, by Uncaptured. She earned $240,000 for Pinchin and Bernard to increase her bankroll to $268,000. She was bred in Florida by Tracy Pinchin and Bernard and now sports two wins in three starts with one third.
Shesunbelievable also has a yearling filly by Khozan and was bred to Uncle Chuck in 2022.
Atomically paid $7.60 to win.
Atomically was the second winner of the My Dear Girl trained by Jose Pinchin and bred by Tracy Pinchin, who teamed up to win with Holywell in 2014. Holywell also won the Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl that year.
In addition to Atomically, Holywell and Three Rules, Jose Pinchin’s other Florida Sire Stakes wins came with Big City Man in the 2006 Dr. Fager, It’s High Time in the 2015 Desert Vixen and with Jackson in the 2019 Silver Charm and Marion County.
He is now tied with Ralph Nicks at seventh on the all-time list of winning trainers in the Florida Sire Stakes series that dates back to 1982. Stanley Gold tops the list with 22 wins among trainers followed by Frank Gomez (16), Kathleen O’Connell (13), Edward Plesa Jr. (12), and David Fawkes and Emanuel Tortora, both with 11.
Lauren King Photo
