Southern Racehorse - January/February 2014

w w w . s o uthernracehorse.co m JANUARY/february february 2014

COVERING THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY IN Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana

In This Issue: • The Legend of Silver Goblin • A Pony Horse Named Fish • The Highs and Lows of Race Calling

A Division of Center Hills Farm

Kipling (Gulch-Weekend Storm, by Storm Bird) Sire of Breeders’ Cup winner and all-time leading Oklahoma-bred KIP DEVILLE ($3.3 million in earnings) 2014 Fee: $2,500

Air Commander (Point Given-Santaria,

by Star de Naskra)

A Grade 2-winning son of Horse of the Year POINT GIVEN Oklahoma’s leading second-crop sire 2014 Fee: $2,000

Toccet (Awesome Again-Cozzene’s Angel, by Cozzene) Multiple G1 winner with progeny earnings of more than $10 million 2014 Fee: $2,500

Save Big Money (Storm Cat-Tomisue’s Delight,

by A.P. Indy)

Versatile, record-setting multiple stakesplaced runner out of G1 millionaire Sire of SW MAMA’S MAD MONEY in first crop 2014 Fee: $2,000

The Visualiser (Giant’s Causeway-Smokey Mirage, by Holy Bull)

$1 million yearling and graded stakesplaced son of GIANT’S CAUSEWAY First foals to race are 3yos of 2014 2014 Fee: $1,500

All fees are stands and nurses All stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Bred Program, Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup

Mighty Acres

675 W. 470 Rd. • Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 Phone: 918-825-4256 • Cell: 918-271-2266 • Fax: 918-825-4255 www.mightyacres.com

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INDYGO MOUNTAIN A.P. Indy – Mountain Girl, by Mountain Cat A winning son of the great A.P. INDY, INDYGO MOUNTAIN brings an impeccable pedigree to the Lone Star State.

His female family includes Grade 1 winners SIPHONIC and LARAGH and millionaire DIXIE DOT COM. 2014 Fee: $1,250

SILVER CITY

Unbridled’s Song – Proposal, by Mt. Livermore From a family loaded with speed and soundness, SILVER CITY was a brilliant sprinter who had the stamina to go around two turns (second in the G3 Southwest Stakes at a mile). His dam’s full brother, G3 winner and G1-placed MULTIPLE CHOICE, raced until age 8! His first foals hit the track in 2014!

2014 Fee: $2,000

JET PHONE Phone Trick – Jet Route, by Alydar

JE PH T col ONE for t so 2013 $29,00 ld 0 F Yea -T Texaat rlin s Sale g !

JET PHONE’S first runner, 2010 Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding ACES N KINGS, won four stakes and earned more than $245,000. His newest stakes winner is ACES N JACKS, a 4 1/2-length winner of the Groovy Stakes at Sam Houston. Two of JET PHONE’S four lifetime starters are stakes winners!

2014 Fee: $1,250

CROSSBOW CROSSBOW PHOTO: William Miller; BERNARDINI: COURTESY DARLEY; WILDCAT HEIR: LOUISE REINAGEL

BERNARDINI – FOREST HEIRESS,

BY FOREST WILDCAT

bernardini

6 Grade 1 stakes winners and 12 graded stakes winners in 4 crops with total earnings of over $16 million.

Out of multiple graded SW FOREST HEIRESS (earner of $419,201 w/ a 105 Beyer), who is a full sister to WILDCAT HEIR from the family of LOUIS QUATORZE and AWESOME GEM. 2014 Fee: $1,500

wildcat heir

Leading sire in Florida the past three years and sire of earners of almost $18 million.

Valor Farm stallions sired four of the six 2013 Texas-Bred Champions!

MY GOLDEN SONG’S Reed Palmer Photography

FIFTYSHADESOFGOLD Grade 2-placed and eight-length winner of Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs TEXAS CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY 2014 Fee: $4,000

EARLY FLYER’S TIME IZ FLYIN

TEXAS CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING 2014 Fee: $3,500

Coady Photography

Winner of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Retama and second in TTA Sales Futurity at Lone Star

EARLY FLYER’S Reed Palmer Photography

tastefullyxcessive Winner of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star and second at Retama TEXAS CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY 2014 Fee: $3,500

wimbledon’s worldventurer Texas Horse of the Year and Texas Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding 2014 Fee: $2,000

Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com

Reed Palmer Photography

Two-time Texas Champion with four stakes wins and earnings of $263,000

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InDu strY In teXa s anD oKLa hom a

Oklahoma-bred million aire Clever Trevor is still enjoyi retirement 20 years ng after his last race

Texas’ Gillespie County Fairgrounds is thriving well into its second century of operation

also In This Issue: Watch Out for West Nile Virus Trainer Karl Brobe Rise to Stardom rg’s Tips to Prevent Stable Vices

Southern Racehorse covers the racing and breeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana and provides you with the news and information you need to know!

Each issue features articles on horse health, second-career racehorses, horsemen and horses in the region and more, plus breeding, racing and sales news.

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

Record-breaking SUPER DERBY (G2) winner

MY PAL CHARLIE Louisiana s Champion Freshman Sire of 2013 by nearly $200,000

4 two-year-old Stakes Horses incl. SAY CHARLIE,

winner of the $100,000 La. Stallion Stakes in his first career start MY PAL CHARLIE Indian Charlie - Shahalo, by Halo • $2,000 S&N

Inquiries to: Michele Rodriguez (985) 796-9955 • Mark Toothaker (859) 421-0151 Standing at: Elite Thoroughbreds • Folsom, LA • www.EliteThoroughbreds.com Lou Hodges Jr. photo

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 5 *BloodHorse.com2014 12/31/13

Southern Racehorse Advertisers Index 5B Farm.............................................16 7S Racing Stables............................50 Asmussen Horse Center....................8 Biomedical Research Laboratories....9 Channon Farm LLC.........................51 Equine Sales Company..................43 Eureka Thoroughbred Farm...........24 Euroears.................................... 52, IBC Fasig-Tipton Texas............................13 Flashpoint.........................................15 Florida Real Estate...........................14 Harmony Training Center...............44 Humming..........................................17 Inside Move.....................................51 John Deere/NTRA............................49 Lane’s End Texas...............................1 Louisiana Stallion Station................37 Mallory Farm....................................51 Matthewsburg Seasons..................14 Mighty Acres.................................. IFC Mr. Nightlinger.................................BC My Pal Charlie...................................5 Notional.......................................28-29 Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission/TRAO..........................23 palaMOUNTAINS..............................19 Pelican State Thoroughbreds........51 Prime Ltd. Horse Transport..............51 River Oaks Farms.............................25 Rockin’ Z Ranch..............................48 Signal Health....................................11 Stars of Tomorrow Sale....................18 State City/Affirmatif........................42 Stephenson Thoroughbred Farms....51 Valor Farm.......................................2-3 Don Waits Bloodstock.....................50 Winners Circle..................................50

ADVERTISE IN SOUTHERN RACEHORSE! Southern Racehorse magazine is the most effective and affordable way to reach owners, breeders, trainers and others involved in the horse racing industry in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and the surrounding region. Southern Racehorse goes to more than 5,000 horsemen, including all members of the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO), plus more than 1,200 Louisiana horsemen, making it the region’s largest racing and breeding magazine by far.

For more information about advertising in Southern Racehorse, including ad rates, deadlines and specifications, go to www.southernracehorse.com/advertising or contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or info@southernracehorse.com.

Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a Southern Racehorse Southern Racehorse P.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683 (512) 695-4541 www.southernracehorse.com Physical Address Southern Racehorse 1341 Meadowild Drive Round Rock, TX 78664 Editor/Publisher Denis Blake info@southernracehorse.com Art Director Amie Rittler arittler3@gmail.com

Contributing Writers Mary Cage Martha Claussen Michael Cusortelli Photographers Benoit Photo Denis Blake Terri Cage Coady Photography Joy B. Gilbert Lou Hodges Photography Pat Lang Dustin Orona Photography Steve Queen Copyeditor Judy Marchman Cover Photo Denis Blake

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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WHAT’S INSIDE

Southern

Racehorse January/ February 2014

32

Close but no Cigar for Silver Goblin

Departments Fast Furlongs TTA News TRAO News The Marketplace Classifieds

10 20 22 50

Features

38 A horse named Goldfish stands out at the track

45 Calling a race is

harder than you think

Remington Recap

26

A look back at the stakes that concluded the meet in Oklahoma City

Retama Rewind

30

The Galloping Gray Goblin

32

A review of the six stakes contested at the San Antonio-area track

Recalling the life of an Oklahoma-bred legend

Fish: The Little Horse That Could

38

Pony horses are unsung heroes of the racetrack

A View from Above

45

Race callers from around the region share their highs and lows

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 7

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H FOR SALE H THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BUY A WORLD-RENOWNED FACILITY THAT HAS BEEN THE STARTING PLACE FOR COUNTLESS WINNERS OVER THE DECADES, INCLUDING:

5 ECLIPSE CHAMPIONS • 11 MILLIONAIRES 2 BREEDERS’ CUP WINNERS • 190 STAKES WINNERS 70 GRADED STAKES WINNERS LOCATED IN LAREDO, TEXAS

Located on 83 Acres off 4-Lane Highway #1472 • 5 Miles from Colombia International Bridge, 9 Miles from Interstate 35, 10 Miles from World Trade Bridge

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City Water • Water Well • Water Drainage System and Pond • Chain Link Fence 7 Cement Barns with 60 Stalls Each • 6 Cement Wash Racks per Barn 12 Tack Rooms per Barn • 9 Eight-Horse Walkers 5 /8th-Mile Track with 440-Yard Straightaway (Constructed by Bob Moore) 3 Covered Round Corrals • Laundry and Restrooms • Hay Barn and Feed Storage – 60’x180’ Machine Shop and Shed • 3 Tractors • Rototiller and Drags • Water Truck • Front End Loader Compost Screener • Country Store Trailer Park (3 Trailer Houses Included) • 10-Horse Starting Gate Office • Apartment Storage • Efficiency Apartment

For more information, contact Keith Asmussen: P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 Phone: 956-723-5436 • Cell: 956-763-8907 • Fax: 956-723-5845 Email: kaasmussen@aol.com • Website: www.asmussens.com

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EL PRIMERO TRAINING CENTER

ADVERTISEMENT

ILLEGAL DOPING MEETS ITS MATCH Trainers Praise Natural Alternative By: Mark Hansen

The pressure to win is so enormous that many horsemen resort to whatever it takes to get a piece of the purse or a decent sale…even if it means putting their horses’ lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance.

Veterinarian Gary Smith said, “It’s a problem all over the industry. There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.” So how do racers win? How do you gain a competitive edge without harming your horses or risking your livelihood? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function.

Why is EPO boosting so critical? Just like in people, a horse’s muscles require oxygen for fuel.

Red blood cells are the body’s oxygen-carrying cells. A higher red blood cell count = more oxygen = more muscle energy. Elevated muscle energy helps the horse perform harder, faster and longer during endurance events. All horses naturally produce EPO in their kidneys to stimulate production of new red blood cells from bone marrow. In short, EPO is a natural “blood builder.”

With EPO doping, trainers try to boost the EPO effect to get a winning performance every time. They use a synthetic EPO (recombinant human EPO), even though the side effects can harm the horse. That’s one reason why it’s illegal.

Fortunately there’s another option. EPOEquine® is a safe, highly effective natural dietary supplement scientifically engineered for performance horses.

A Kentucky trainer who refused to give out his name, said, “I don’t want my competition to know about this.” He found EPO-Equine® to be

so effective that he’s dead set against disclosing who he is, who his horses are, or even where he trains and races. He first started ordering a single jar of EPO-Equine® once a month. Now he’s ordering several CASES each month. And he won’t tell BRL exactly why. He said respectfully, “Sorry – no way.”

Bioengineers at U.S. based Biomedical Research Laboratories (BRL), first discovered a completely natural EPO-booster for human athletes (and it’s working miracles for top athletes and amateurs around the world). Seeing these results, horse trainers contacted BRL and asked about using this natural formula for their animals.

That’s when the BRL team dug deeper and discovered a proprietary, horse-friendly strain of a common herb that promotes optimal bloodbuilding results. EPO-Equine® is based on the blood-boosting abilities of a certain strain of Echinacea that’s astounding researchers and trainers alike. (It’s not a strain you can find at the local health store.)

Veterinarians at the Equine Research Centre in Ontario, Canada ran a double-blind trial investigating the blood building properties of the active ingredient in EPO-Equine® in healthy horses. For 42 days, one group of horses was supplemented with the active ingredient in EPOEquine® and another group of horses was given a placebo.

The supplement delivered significant blood building results, increasing red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Researchers also observed improved blood quality and increased oxygen transport in the supplemented horses. Improved blood levels leads to elevated exercise physiology and performance.

The patent-pending formula in EPO-Equine® contains a dozen different herbs, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components combined to promote natural red blood cell production…for remarkable speed, strength and stamina right out of the gate.

Trainers find it easy to add just 1 scoop (3.2 grams) of EPO-Equine® to the horse’s daily feeding routine in the barn or on the road.

Within a few weeks of daily use, you can expect to see increased red blood cell levels with no undesirable side effects. An increase in red blood cell levels can improve muscle performance, supercharge endurance, and enhance recovery after hard exercise. Nothing else is scientifically proven to deliver these benefits in a completely safe and natural formula.

Compared to the cost of veterinarians, drugs, icing, tapping the knees, and putting the horse on Bute; or even the consequences of being banned for synthetic doping, EPOEquine® is very affordable at the low price of just $59.95 per jar. Or save $180 if you are ready to commit to a larger trial of 12-jar case for just $539.55 with FREE shipping. EPOEquine® can be ordered at www.EPOEquine.com or 1-800-557-9055, and comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

fastfurlongs Oklahoma Horse Industry Impact Study Released The Oklahoma Equine Alliance in November released a comprehensive study showing that the economic impact generated by the Oklahoma equine industry, including the Thoroughbred racing and breeding segments, reached $3.7 billion in 2012, yielding roughly 35,070 full-time equivalent jobs. The study was completed in 2013 and commissioned by members of the Oklahoma Equine Alliance.

Members of the Oklahoma Equine Alliance include the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs, Fair Meadows, Oklahoma Horse Council, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The study provides thorough economic data and highlights the cooperative efforts of private and public partnerships that have driven the growth of Oklahoma’s equine business.

Oklahoma is known worldwide for its top caliber horses as well as its top tier facilities. Oklahoma is recognized as the “horse show capital of the world,” is home to more than 1,000 rodeo events and

hosts the top race meet for American Quarter Horses in the United States as well as top tier Thoroughbred racing. The Oklahoma State Fair Park and Tulsa Expo Square have completed improvements to their facilities totaling more than $250 million since 2005.

The facilities are a significant component in the ability to host national and international equine events year-round.

“There is no doubt that the equine industry is a significant economic driver within our Oklahoma economy,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. “With a total impact of $3.7 billion and generation of over $100 million in state and local taxes, it is evident that the equine industry is important to all areas of our state. We want to continue to support our equine events and participants as they create opportunity here in Oklahoma.”

For additional information and copies of the study, contact Blayne Arthur at (405) 522-6105 or blayne.arthur@ag.ok.gov.

Three Juvenile Sales Set for March and April Buyers looking for race-ready juveniles will have ample options this breeze over the track on March 30. Fasig-Tipton Texas sold 74 horses spring as a trio of 2-year-olds in training sales have been scheduled. at last year’s sale for a total of $1,743,750 and an average of The first sale of the season will be the Stars of Tomorrow 2-Year- $23,564.

Olds in Training Sale on March For more information, call Tim 9 at Evangeline Downs RaceBoyce at (972) 262-0000 or go to track Casino & Hotel, hosted in www.fasigtipton.com. conjunction with the Breeders Equine Sales Company will Sales Company of Louisiana. The hold its first-ever juvenile aucgallop preview show is scheduled tion on April 28 at its new for March 8. The sale will again facility in Opelousas, Louisiana, with a breeze show scheduled for be administered by Stemmans April 26. Horses of racing age will Inc. For more information, contact also be offered. Equine Sales held Charlotte Clavier at (337) 316-2696. its first yearling sale in 2012 and folFasig-Tipton Texas will hold lowed that up with two auctions last its annual 2-Year-Olds in Trainyear, an open yearling/mixed sale ing Sale, perennially the leading Denis Blake and a consignor select yearling sale. juvenile sale in the region, on Lone Star Park near Dallas will be the site of the Fasig-Tipton For more information, contact Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, and two other juvenile April 1 on the grounds of Lone auctions will be held in Opelousas, Louisiana, at Evangeline Foster Bridewell at (337) 678-3024 Star Park near Dallas. Horses will Downs and Equine Sales Company. or go to www.equinesalesofla.com.

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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Vicar’s in Trouble Becomes First Graded Stakes-Winning Grad from Equine Sales Company

Steve Queen

Equine Sales Company graduate Vicar’s in Trouble makes some early noise on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Louisiana-bred Vicar’s in Trouble not only put himself on the trail to the Kentucky Derby with a dominant 6 ¾-length victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes on January 18 at Fair Grounds Race Course, but the 3-year-old also became the first graduate of an Equine Sales Company auction to win a graded race.

The Into Mischief colt, who was bred by Spendthrift Farm LLC and runs for Eclipse Award-winning owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, sold for $8,000 at Equine Sales’ 2012 Inaugural Yearling Sale in Opelousas, Louisiana. The colt was purchased by Clyde Taylor from the consignment of Mark Toothaker, agent, and later sold for $80,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

“We had our first stakes-winning graduate this past summer at Evangeline Downs with Solid Sender, and now we have a major stakes winner coming out of that same sale,” said Sales Director Foster Bridewell. “I think that proves Louisiana-breds and graduates of our sale can run and win against any level of competition.”

Mike Maker trains Vicar’s in Trouble, and his assistant Joe Sharp indicated the new graded stakes winner would be pointed to the February 22 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.

Vicar’s in Trouble began his career with a third-place finish in a maiden race at Keeneland Race Course before scoring by 13 lengths against maidens at Fair Grounds. The Lecomte was just his third career start, and the 97 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is the highest of any 3-year-old in the young season. Vicar’s in Trouble picked up 10 points for the win to move into the top 10 of Churchill Downs’ Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 11

ff Vazquez, Asmussen and Caldwell Top Remington Standings

Donnie Von Hemel and Chris Hartman ended the season in Remington Park closed its 25th anniversary Thoroughbred a second-place tie with 30 wins each. season on December 17 after two programs were added Von Hemel was the only trainer to amass more than a to make up for lost racing dates earlier in the month due to million dollars in earnings as his athletes racked up $1,015,325 sub-freezing temperatures.

Remington honored its leading horsemen on the final in 136 starts.

The Chuck Taliaferro Award honors one of the track’s afternoon with the only suspense taking place in the jockeys’ race. Ramon Vazquez and Luis Quinonez came early training stars who had a long and successful career into the final day just two wins apart at the top of the stand- nationally before returning to his home state when Remington opened. Taliaferro sat ings, and although Vazquez atop the local trainer standwon only one race from his Horse of the Meeting, ings twice before his death 10 mounts, it was enough to Champion Older Male, in 1994. earn him the Pat Steinberg Champion Turf Performer: Danny Caldwell, a resiMemorial Award in his first full Daddy Nose Best dent of Poteau, Oklahoma, season at the Oklahoma City won his fourth consecutive track. title as leading owner at Champion 2-Year-Old: Vazquez, 28, was the main Remington and his fifth overrider used by leading trainer Louies Flower all Ran Ricks Jr. Memorial Steve Asmussen throughout Award. the season. He ended up Champion 2-Year-Old Female: Caldwell’s runners were with 64 victories, three betHeykittykittykitty trained at Remington by ter than the 61 racked up by Federico Villafranco, and Quinonez. Remington’s allChampion 3-Year-Old: together they posted 29 wins time leading rider Cliff Berry Broadway Empire to take the owner title by a finished in a tie for third with 15-victory margin. Caldwell Alex Birzer as each tallied 58 Champion 3-Year-Old Female: is one of the most active wins.

More Than Even owners at the claiming By winning the jockey box, bringing horses into his title at Remington, Vazquez Champion Older Female: operation with a constant claimed the award named She’s All In stream of claims. He had after the late rider who 133 starters this season dominated the early years of Champion Sprinter: with 29 wins, 21 seconds Remington racing before his Okie Ride and 20 thirds. The process death in 1993. also made Caldwell the While Quinonez was secChampion Oklahoma-bred: top owner in earnings at ond in the standings by wins, $576,146.

Imahit he was the top jockey in earnings with $1,744,912.

Poindexter Thoroughbreds Berry won two races on the of Springfield, Missouri, and Champion Claimer: final day, giving him a career Black Hawk Stable of Elk Wildcat Angie total of 1,999 Thoroughbred City, Oklahoma, finished in a wins at Remington. He will tie for second among ownstart the 2014 season just one victory away from becoming ers with 14 wins each. the first jockey to reach 2,000 wins at the track.

The Ran Ricks Jr. Memorial Award is named for the Steve Asmussen won his seventh consecutive Chuck first owner with a horse on the grounds at Remington Taliaferro Memorial Award for leading trainer and his 10th when it opened in 1988. Ricks was an influential breeder overall title in Oklahoma City. Asmussen, North America’s and owner in Oklahoma and was instrumental in bringing 2013 leading trainer by wins, picked up 38 victories. pari-mutuel racing to the state in the early 1980s.

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Texas 2YOs In Training Lone Star Park Grand Prairie, TX April 1, 2014

Texas 2YO Grad SILVER VALLEY-SW

972-262-0000 fasigtipton.com Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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FOR SALE

Big Train a’ Comin to Stand at Bradach Farm in Texas

SOUTH FLORIDA TRAINING FARM 40 ACRES

• 7/8ths Mile Turf Track

The Giant’s Causeway stallion Big Train a’ Comin will stand the 2014 breeding season at Bradach Farm in Bryan, Texas. The 7-year-old will stand for a $1,000 fee as property of Brady and Erin May. Big Train a’ Comin Unraced due to an injury as a foal, Big Train a’ Comin is out of the stakes-placed Machiavellian mare Snowfire (GB) and is a full brother to stakes winner and three-time Grade 1-placed Model, a mare who compiled a record of 16-4-7-4 with earnings of $497,536. Big Train a’ Comin is also a full brother to stakes winner Red Eye Express and a three-quarters brother to European champion, multiple Group 1 winner and successful stallion Shamardal.

Big Train a’ Comin has a limited first crop of 3-year-olds this year.

For more information, call (979) 571-4722 or email bradachfarm@outlook.com.

Two stand and nurse seasons for $1,500 Payable December 1, 2014 G3 winner MATTHEWSBURG (Ghostzapper – Romantic Comedy, by A.P. Indy) is bred the same way as MORENO (G2 winner and runner-up in G1 Travers).

Dam’s full brother INDY WIND stands in Florida and has produced 13 winners from 19 starters and one stakes winner to date.

MATTHEWSBURG was portrayed as the best stud horse trainer Dickie Hummer had ever worked around. He was eager to please and gave everything he had every time he raced. He will work well with mares from the Mr. Prospector, Roberto and Holy Bull lines. Also may work well with granddaughters of the Seattle Slew line, especially Capote. Granddaughters of the Caro line look to work, as well as Indian Charlie mares.

Former Owner: Todd Fortune (740) 627-6313 BlockM_fan.twf@bluetie.com Former Trainer: Richard “Dickie” Hummer (304) 261-4569 salafred@comcast.net

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

• 4 Horse Eurociser • 12 Stall Barn

• 90 miles to Gulfstream • 90 miles to Calder

• 5 miles to Payson Park • 2 miles to I-95

• 10 miles to Atlantic Ocean Donald Brown (LRB) For more information and pictures go to: www.Trailside27.com 772-546-3636

Ghostzapper Son Matthewsburg to Stand in Texas Matthewsburg, a Grade 3-winning son of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, will stand his first season at stud at Swiftrun Thoroughbreds in Bulverde, Texas, for a $2,500 fee as property of Dale Swift.

Bred by Adena Springs Matthewsburg out of the stakes-placed A.P. Indy mare Romantic Comedy, Matthewsburg compiled a career record of 23-4-4-3 with earnings of $171,985. He placed in three stakes and recorded a victory in the Kentucky Cup Sprint Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park.

Matthewsburg now resides in the same state where his sire, Ghostzapper, unleashed perhaps the most impressive performance of his career with a threelength victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Lone Star Park en route to an Eclipse Award. Ghostzapper, who commands a $50,000 stud fee, has sired the earners of nearly $25 million from five crops to race.

For more information, contact Dale Swift at (901) 487-1086 or swiftrun_ thoroughbreds@yahoo.com.

Pat Lang

FOR SALE – MATTHEWSBURG SEASONS

• 3 Horse Starting Gate

New for 2014

POMEROY / TWO PUNCH LIL, BY TWO PUNCH | Fee: $2,500 S&N

HOW TO EARN YOUR BREEDING RIGHT To participate in the Spendthrift Share the Upside program the breeder will:

SECURE your spot ! pay a $100 one-time deposit

SIGN your contracts ! stands and nurses contracts (2014 & 2015)

BREED your mare(s) in 2014 & 2015 ! Have live foal each year and pay stud fee of $2,500 each

It’s that simple!

Your free breeding right begins in 2016 and continues throughout the breeding life of the stallion. Once you have earned your Lifetime Breeding Right, there are no expenses to you at all.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 15

“Where the Race to Win Begins” From Foaling to Trainer Ready

Breaking Boarding Lay Ups Sale Prep Mare Care Foaling

fivebfarm@hughes.net

337-255-6008

52’x52’ Barn 16’x16’ Foaling Stalls 60’ Round Pen 2 Horse Starting Gates 6 Horse Walking Wheel 5/8 Mile Track

24 Hour Surveillance • Deluxe Accommodating • All Horses Insured At Arrival

curt & rachael bourque | 1588 Prayer House Road | Opelousas, LA | www.5bfarm.com

Texas Stallion Angliana Sires First Winner

Angliana

Angliana, a 2013 freshman sire who stands at Mike Grossman’s Eureka Thoroughbred Farm in Fredericksburg, Texas, was represented by his first winner on November 7 when his daughter They Call Me Pat won a maiden claiming event at Remington Park in her career debut. Running for breeder and owner Pamela Wright, the Texas-bred 2-year-old closed from midpack with a three-wide move under Fabio Arguello Jr. to win the one-mile race. Francisco Bravo was the winning trainer.

Angliana, a son of champion and leading sire Giant’s Causeway out of the Grade 3-winning Jade Hunter mare Pratella, earned $391,132 on the track, including a victory in the Aqueduct Handicap in New York over millionaires Evening Attire and Judiths Wild Rush. Angliana also hit the board in nine stakes, four of which were graded.

For more information, go to www.eurekathoroughbreds.com or call (830) 688-1709.

Danny Pish Captures 14th Leading Trainer Title at Retama Park Danny Pish cemented his name into the Retama Park record book for the 14th time in 19 years of racing at the San Antonio-area oval when the Thoroughbred meet concluded December 28. Pish easily topped the standings with 27 wins from 106 starters with earnings of $310,525. Gerardo Mora defended his leading jockey title as he rode 34 winners and the earners of $399,445.

16

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

Terry Eoff and Johnny Evans teamed up to win leading owner honors with six winners from 26 starters with earnings of $119,823.

Eoff, a veteran conditioner, had a career year highlighted by a victory with his own Sky’s Goldmaker in the $75,000 M2 Technology La Senorita Stakes. Eoff also finished second in the trainer standings with 10 wins.

Graded Stakes Winner Notional Relocates to Rockin’ Z Ranch in Oklahoma

Notional

Joy B. Gilbert

Notional, a three-time graded stakes winner and runner-up in the 2007 Florida Derby (G1), has been relocated to stand the 2014 breeding season at Dr. Robert Zoellner’s Rockin’ Z Ranch in Beggs, Oklahoma. The son of In Excess (Ire) will stand for a $2,000 fee and joins a roster at Rockin’ Z that also includes

Omega Code and Kennedy. The stallion will stand as the property of Zoellner and Clark O. Brewster.

As a 2-year-old, Notional broke his maiden at first asking at Oak Tree at Santa Anita and then finished third in the Hollywood Preview Stakes (G3). He kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with consecutive victories in the San Rafael Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita and Risen Star Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course before finishing a game second in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. He ran through his 4-yearold season and added a victory in the Salvator Mile Handicap (G3) at Monmouth Park before retiring with a record of 12-4-1-2 and earnings of $733,240.

From two crops to race, Notional has sired 33 winners, six stakes horses, including three stakes winners, and the earners of $1.1 million. Among his stakes performers are Risky Call, winner of the Canadian Juvenile Stakes; Wargamer, winner of the Razorback Futurity at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs; Awesome Gem, a stakes winner in Venezuela; and Hopeful Notion and Lady Notional, both stakes-placed in Louisiana. He is also the sire of Malachite, an earner of $109,610 in five starts on the New York circuit.

For more information, visit www.rockinzranchok.com or call (918) 267-2275.

A.P. Indy Son Class Warfare to Stand at Key Ranch in Texas Class Warfare, a son of A.P. Indy out of the millionaire mare Take D’ Tour, will stand his first breeding season at Joe Kerby’s Key Ranch near Salado, Texas. His fee has been set at $1,500. The Texas farm also stands Eaton’s Gift and Uncle Abbie.

Although unplaced in three Class Warfare starts on the track, Class Warfare brings a strong pedigree as a son of two-time leading sire A.P. Indy, whose sons at stud include Bernardini, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft and Congrats.

Class Warfare’s dam, Take D’ Tour, by Tour d’Or, ran first or second in 18 of 25 starts with earnings of $1,047,740. She won four graded stakes during her career, including two renewals of the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park.

For more information, go to www.keyranch.com or call (254) 527-3679.

Get more racing and breeding news on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SouthernRacehorse www.facebook.com/TexasThoroughbredAssociation www.facebook.com/TRAORacing

HUMMING

Summer Squall – Hum Along,

by Fappiano A classic pedigree and a proven sire record!

• HUMMING is a full brother to millionaire, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner and champion 2-year-old filly STORM SONG! • HUMMING is the sire of the earners of more than $2 million, including QUEANSCO, a stakes winner at 2 and 3 with earnings of $214,124, and YOU FUNNY MAN, winner of the $77,150 Iowa Classic Sprint Stakes in 2013 with lifetime earnings of $172,094.

HUMMING is also the sire of stakes-placed West Albany ($180,567), Diginandrun ($168,639) and Hum Along Mara ($90,763).

You will not find a better pedigree in Texas!

Inquiries to Millard Lain Prairie Hill Farm • 3431 FM 73 Coolidge, TX 76635 (281) 793-6500 Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 17

ff

More Changes to Black-Type Standards in 2014

The North American International Catalogue Standards Committee (NAICSC) in November issued a reminder that effective January 1, 2014, additional quality control requirements will be implemented for races in North America eligible for non-listed black-type in catalogues compliant with guidelines required by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers.

Races eligible for non-listed black-type status include stakes races with a purse of $50,000 or more that are open or have restrictions allowed by NAICSC (e.g., state bred, stallions’ progeny, sales graduates or non-winners of a sweepstakes).

The new requirements, which were first announced in November 2012, include the addition of a minimum Race Quality Score (RQS)

for individual age/sex divisions. Statistics used in the evaluation of graded and listed races, including ratings provided by the North American Rating Committee, are not available for non-listed blacktype races. The RQS provides an alternative quality control measurement for these races.

The RQS is a composite number compiled from speed figures for the first four finishers in each race over three years. The four speed figures being used are provided by Bloodstock Research Information Systems, Daily Racing Form (Beyer), Equibase and Thoro-Graph.

A complete listing of non-listed black-type races with their 2014 blacktype status, their current RQS and the minimum RQS requirements for each age/sex division is available at www.northamericanicsc.com.

Presented by Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel In conjunction with The Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana, Inc. TWO-YEAR-OLD IN TRAINING SALE Saturday, March 9, 2014 | 10:00am Evangeline Downs Event Center Preview Gallop Show Saturday, March 8, 2014 | Noon Evangeline Downs Paddock/Apron

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texas Thoroughbred Association News for more, visit www.texasthoroughbred.com

TTA Board Election Results On January 1, the TTA Board of Directors welcomed three incumbents and four new directors to serve three-year terms expiring December 2016.

With five at-large board positions available, incumbents Keith Asmussen, Ken Carson and Henry Witt Jr. were re-elected. Stan Huntsinger of Waco and Bill Tracy of Fredericksburg were elected to fill the remaining two positions. Phil L. Adams of Gainesville was elected to represent the North Central Region, and Alfred Vardeman, DVM, of Colorado City will be representing the West Region.

A total of 66 ballots were tabulated for the North Central Region, 19 for the West Region and 272 ballots for the at-large election.

We would like to thank all the candidates for their interest in serving on the board and look forward to their continued participation in association activities.

Congratulations to the 2013 Texas Champions The Texas Thoroughbred Association congratulates the 2013 Texas Champions as determined by the points system that assigns a numeric value to performances in stakes company. The champions will be honored at the TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 14, at Lone Star Park. Look for more details about the event in the future.

Here are the 2013 champions: Texas Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Worldventurer, Breeder: Clarence Scharbauer Jr., Owners: Wesley Melcher and Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd., Sired

by Wimbledon (Valor Farm) 2-Year-Old Filly: Fiftyshadesofgold, Breeder/Owner: Clarence Scharbauer Jr., Sired

by My Golden Song (Valor Farm) 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Time Iz Flyin, Breeder: Clarence Scharbauer Jr., Owner: Danny Keene; Sired by Early Flyer (Valor Farm) 3-Year-Old Filly: Tastefullyxcessive, Breeder/Owner: Clarence Scharbauer Jr., Sired

by Early Flyer (Valor Farm) Older Filly/Mare: Lasting Bubbles, Breeder/Owner: Judy Peek, Sired by Pulling Punches Older Horse: Ol Winedrinker Who, Breeders/Owners: Sam E. and Sammy L. Stevens, Sired by Sligo Bay (Ire) Broodmare of the Year: Better Than Most (Dam of Worldventurer), Owned by Clarence Scharbauer Jr. The Texas Champion Claimer Award will be determined by an online vote among the winningest Accredited Texas-bred claiming horses that raced at Texas tracks. Details will be posted to www.texasthoroughbred.com in February.

Don’t Forget to Use the New TTA Address

h

20

TTEF Scholarship Deadline Reminder TTA members are reminded that the deadline to apply for a Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund scholarship is February 15, 2014.

The TTEF helps place young Texans on the road to success by providing grants and awards to benefit TTA members and their children and further their educational opportunities. The TTEF has already awarded more than $222,000.

Applications must be requested in writing from the TTA office at the following address: Texas Thoroughbred Association, 4009 Banister Lane, Suite 230, Austin, TX 78704. Call the TTA office at (512) 458-6133 for more information.

Special Houston Hotel Rates for TTA Members The Hampton Inn Houston Brookhollow located at 12909 Northwest Freeway is now offering TTA members special rates of $69 per night on king rooms and $79 per night for queen double rooms with Hampton’s free hot breakfast included.

The hotel is just a few furlongs from Sam Houston Race Park.

For individual reservations, please call the hotel directly at (713) 939-7100 and request the Sports Rate, or when making reservations online at houstonbrookhollow.

The TTA has moved office locations, so please send all paperwork and correspondence to: TTA, 4009 Banister Lane, Suite 230, Austin, TX 78704.

hamptoninn.com, just click on “special

The former address on La Posada Drive and the P.O. Box address are no longer valid.

under company name.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

rate code” and enter 0560012594, then input Texas Thoroughbred Association

texas Thoroughbred Association News for more, visit www.texasthoroughbred.com

Stallion Seasons Still Available on TTA Website Online bidding for the TTA Stallion Season Auction is now closed and all remaining seasons are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. The list of available seasons can be viewed at www.texasthoroughbred.com. Proceeds benefit the TTA’s Political Action Committee, General Fund, Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund or Paddock Foundation. If you are interested in purchasing a season, please contact Mary Ruyle in the TTA office at (512) 458-6133.

TTA Night at the Races a Success In spite of the cold weather, more than 80 TTA members and guests attended “TTA Night at the Races” at Retama Park on Saturday, December 7, enjoying a wonderful buffet, door prizes and exciting racing, including divisions of the Texas Stallion Stakes for 2-year-olds. Tom Durant’s homebred Forever Since was the winner of the Darby’s Daughter division for fillies while Time Iz Flyin, bred by Clarence Scharbauer Jr. and owned by Danny Keene, took the My Dandy division for colts and geldings.

Courtesy of door prize sponsor M2 Technology, Pam Wright of Fredericksburg was the winner of a Lenovo ThinkPad, while Wayne Matthews took home a package of Spurs tickets.

Many thanks to Retama Park and M2 Technology, as well as to all who attended.

The next TTA Night at the Races will be Saturday, February 15, at Sam Houston Race Park. Look for more details on the TTA website.

TRC Maintains Status Quo for Breed Splits

The Texas Racing Commission in December voted to accept the Class 1 racetracks’ recommendations for allocation of purses as provided under Commission Rule 321.505(2) and distributions of funds in the Escrowed Purse Account among the various breeds of horses under Commission Rule 321.509.

These splits maintain the status quo for another year.

Commissioners Ederer, Martin and Steen were appointed by Chairman Schmidt to an Advisory Committee on Pari-Mutuel Wagering to undertake an extensive review of Texas wagering laws and rules as compared with other states and to leave no stone unturned to ensure that everything possible is being done to help Texas racing be competitive with other states.

We have your money…

You have our information!

Is your name on this list of breeders and owners who have earned money through the Accredited Texas-Bred (ATB) Program?

For various reasons, the TTA has been unable to pay the individuals listed below.

Usually the problem is very simple to correct. Perhaps a transfer form was never completed when you purchased your money-earning Texas Thoroughbred, or we might need a copy of a Jockey Club certificate. Perhaps you have moved and forgotten to tell us.

Please call the TTA’s Accreditation Department at 512.458.6133 so we can complete your paperwork…and so you can collect your ATB earnings!

ALFONSO BALDERAS

$824.41

BASILIO LOZANO

$356.70

LUCIO ESPIRITU

$305.03

MAGNOLIA RACING STABLE & JIM WARD

$344.99

RENE FARAGOZA FLETCHER PROPERTIES INC. CHARLES HUKILL

$32.33

JAMES PALMER

$162.77

JIM E. PALMER

$64.25

CHRISTOS SACARELLOS

$98.44 $1,133.77 $174.94

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 21

Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma News

Study Shows Big Impact of Horses in Oklahoma The Oklahoma Equine Alliance in November released a comprehensive study showing that the economic impact generated by the Oklahoma equine industry, including the Thoroughbred racing and breeding segments, reached $3.7 billion in 2012, yielding roughly 35,070 full-time equivalent jobs. The study was completed in 2013 and commissioned by members of the Oklahoma Equine Alliance, including TRAO. Turn to page 10 of this issue more information about the study.

TRAO Board Member of the Month: Wilson Brown

Wilson Brown was born in Cement, Oklahoma, and went to 13 different schools because he followed and worked the crops, chopping and pulling cotton and hauling hay. He has loved horses his whole life.

When he was 13, he moved to a farm in Verden that had about 40 horses—big horses, Welshes and Shetlands. He thought, “I’d died and gone to heaven.” He leaned on the fence and smelled the sweat and manure. What else could a boy wish for!

Wilson and his brother Jesse broke all of the farm owner’s horses without the benefit of saddles, whether he wanted them broken or not.

A licensed trainer for about 40 years, Wilson recently turned 71 and decided to retire at the end of the Remington Park meet. After getting his license in Holly, Colorado, he won his first start and thought it was easy. Little did he know!

Wilson started running Quarter Horses at Apache Downs but wanted to run them all at 660 or 870 yards, so he moved to Thoroughbreds early on. A few trainers he started with include Dale Sneed, Evans Komardly, Lynn Farrell, Curtis Alpers and Mike Teel. Wilson sold Mike his first racehorse, although he’s not sure if Mike likes or dislikes him for that today!

Wilson has met a lot of wonderful people racing across America. He has two children, Todd and Terri, and his wife, Brenda, has two children, Brandon and Bridget. Together they have eight grandchildren. They have missed a lot of their grandchildren’s events, sports and dancing, so he hopes not to miss any more after retirement. Wilson and Brenda bought a farm north of Stillwater and have their home and training facility west of Jones for sale.

Wilson has had some great clients over the years and some not so great—those he didn’t have very long. He was blessed having a colt, It’sallinthechase, for Darwin Olson that he started in the Breeders’ Cup in 2001. In 2002, he enjoyed the experience of a lifetime as he ran the colt in the Kentucky Derby. Wilson wishes every owner and trainer who has fought this racing game could have the same experience. He always said, “If I couldn’t run 2-year-olds, I’d find another profession. They were my passion!”

It’s been a long race from Apache Downs to so many racetracks he can’t remember.

He has raced horses at Remington Park since its opening day, been in the same barn since day one and considers it to be one of the best racetracks he has raced on.

Wilson said that during his time on the hard-working TRAO board he hopes that some beneficial things for the horsemen and Oklahoma racetracks have been accomplished.

TRAO wishes him a happy retirement!

Will Rogers Downs 2014 Race Dates March: 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 29, 31 (10 days) April: 1, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29 (13 days) May: 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17 (7 days) Total Race Days: 30 at 10 races per day = 300 races

Tulsa County Fair Board Votes for 2014 Live Race Meet The Tulsa County fair board on December 3 gave the go-ahead for another year of live horse racing at Fair Meadows.

The board, formally known as the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, voted 4-0 to hold the races for the 26th consecutive year. The 400-race meet will be held June 5 to July 26.

The future of live horse racing at Fair Meadows has been up in the air since 2012, when the fair board agreed to end live racing at the track as part of a $1.44 million-a-year naming rights agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Ron Shotts Retires from Fair Meadows Ron Shotts, the longtime director of racing at Fair Meadows who had worked at the track since it opened in 1989, retired on December 31.

“Ron Shotts has been an outstanding director of horse racing for Fair Meadows,” said Expo Square President and CEO Mark Andrus in an article in the Tulsa World. “I appreciate his work and wish him the best in his retirement.”

Shotts, 67, was a tailback at the University of Oklahoma and became interested in horse racing through his father and horse owner, Art. Shotts recalled the early days of Fair Meadows, when crowds of 6,000 or more were not uncommon.

“It was just new and exciting,” he told the newspaper. “And, of course, if you wanted to make a legal bet in Oklahoma back then, you had to go to a racetrack.

“I was just really fortunate to have a good staff that did all the work,” he added.

A replacement for Shotts has not yet been named.

More Changes to Black-Type Standards in 2014 The North American International Catalogue Standards Committee in November issued a reminder that effective January 1, 2014, additional quality control requirements will be implemented for non-listed black-type races.

The new requirements, first announced in November 2012, include the addition of a minimum Race Quality Score for individual age/sex divisions.

Please see page 18 of this issue for more information.

for more, visit www.traoracing.com 22

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm Proudly standing:

ORATORY

Pulpit • Arrested Dreams, by Dehere

Average earnings per starter of more than $53,000 with only four crops to race!

ORATORY, a son of PULPIT, won the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park in stakes-record time.

As a stallion, ORATORY has already sired 14 stakes horses with progeny earnings of $5.6 million!

2014 Fee: $3,500/LFG ANGLIANA

Giant’s Causeway • Pratella, by Jade Hunter A durable and sound son of GIANT’S CAUSEWAY! ANGLIANA, a listed stakes winner and four-time

G2 and G3-placed runner, faced the starter 31 times and hit the board in 18 of those starts while racing until age 8 and earning nearly $400,000.

His first crop of foals are now on the track!

2014 Fee: $1,500/LFG Eureka Thoroughbred Farm

Inquiries to Bill Tracy 6476 U.S. Highway 290 E. • Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Phone: (830) 688-1709 Email: info@eurekathoroughbreds.com Website www.eurekathoroughbreds.com

River Oaks Farms

STANDING FOUR OF THE TOP STALLIONS IN OKLAHOMA!

LATENT HEAT

Maria’s Mon • True Flare, by Capote

Already the sire of eight stakes horses and the earners of $4.3 million in three crops to race!

LATENT HEAT won the prestigious Malibu Stakes (G1) and San Carlos Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita, both at seven furlongs, and also placed in two other graded races going two turns. He will have a crop of 81 2-year-olds ready for the track in 2014!

2014 Fee: $3,500/LFG

READ THE FOOTNOTES Smoke Glacken • Baydon Belle, by Al Nasr (Fr) Easily the leading sire in Oklahoma in 2013 with progeny earnings of $2.6 million!

READ THE FOOTNOTES, who captured the Remsen Stakes (G2), Nashua Stakes (G3) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) during his brilliant career, has sired 21 stakes horses, including G1 winner RIGHTLY SO, with average earnings per starter of $53,000!

2014 Fee: $3,500/LFG

TIZ WEST

Gone West • Tizso, by Cee’s Tizzy

A Grade 3 winner from one of the best female families of all-time!

TIZ WEST proved himself as a racehorse with a Grade 3 win at Hollywood Park, and his pedigree is second-to-none. He is a half brother to Haskell Invitational (G1) winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up PAYNTER, and his dam is a full sister to Horse of the Year and two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner TIZNOW and $2.8-million earner BUDROYALE! His first foals arrived in 2013 and look great!

2014 Fee: $2,000/LFG

CHITOZ Forest Wildcat • Wichitoz, by Affirmed A lightning-fast son of FOREST WILDCAT! CHITOZ was fast enough to set a 5 ½-furlong turf course record at Monmouth Park in a stakes and had the stamina to finish second by a neck in the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. His first foals are 3-year-olds of 2014 and they are already finding their way to the winner’s circle!

2014 Fee: $2,000/LFG

River Oaks Farms Inc.

3216 U.S. Hwy. 177 North • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo Phone: (940) 367-4380 or (940) 367-4457 • Fax: (580) 622-4411 Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com • Website: www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com

Remington Recap A look back at the stakes that concluded the Remington Park meet, including the $250,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes won by the locally based Louies Flower for Texas owner Wesley Melcher and trainer Bret Calhoun at odds of 23-1 All photos by Dustin Orona Photography

SMACK SMACK

$100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes Remington Park 7 Furlongs • 1:23.31 • November 8 2-year-old gelding by Closing Argument out of Smack Madam, by Victory Gallop Breeder/Owner: Dream Walkin’ Farms Inc. (Kentucky) Trainer: Don Von Hemel • Jockey: Jake Barton Sire Closing Argument stands in Louisiana at Louisiana Stallion Station North

ALPHA AND OMEGA

OKIE RIDE – Z ROCKSTAR (Dead Heat) $50,000 Silver Goblin Stakes Remington Park 6 ½ Furlongs • 1:17.20 • November 22 Okie Ride: 6-year-old gelding by Candy Ride (Arg) out of Tic Tic, by Geiger Counter Breeder/Owner: Richter Family Trust (Oklahoma) Trainer: Kenneth Nolen • Jockey: Luis Quinonez Z Rockstar: 4-year-old gelding by Rockport Harbor out of Nasty Little Star, by Nasty and Bold Breeder/Owner: Robert H. Zoellner (Oklahoma) Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel • Jockey: Cliff Berry

$55,000 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes (Colts and Geldings) Remington Park 6 Furlongs • 1:12.49 • November 29 2-year-old gelding by Omega Code out of Holy Belle,

by Holy Bull Breeder/Owner: Robert H. Zoellner (Oklahoma) Trainer: Kari Craddock • Jockey: Luis Quinonez Sire Omega Code stands in Oklahoma at Rockin’ Z Ranch 26

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

HEYKITTYKITTYKITTY

$55,000 Oklahoma Stallion Stakes (Fillies) Remington Park 6 Furlongs • 1:11.98 • November 29 2-year-old filly by Tactical Cat out of Eternal Joy,

by New Way Breeder: Diamond G Ranch Inc. (Oklahoma) Owner: Danny R. Caldwell Trainer: Federico Villafranco • Jockey: Jose Medina Sire Tactical Cat stands in Oklahoma at Raywood Farm

MORE THAN EVEN

$50,000 Useeit Stakes Remington Park 1 Mile • 1:39.28 • December 15 3-year-old filly by Stephen Got Even out of Sallybrooke,

by Dehere Breeder/Owner: Doyle Williams (Oklahoma) Trainer: Mike Teel • Jockey: Alex Birzer

BIG SUGARUSH

LA MEJOR FIESTA

$50,000 Trapeze Stakes Remington Park 1 Mile • 1:40.16 • December 15 2-year-old filly by Harlan’s Holiday out of Better Now, by Thunder Gulch Breeder: Forging Oaks LLC (Kentucky) Owner: Ice Wine Stable Trainer: Wesley Ward • Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

$50,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes Remington Park 1 Mile • 1:40.36 • December 15 3-year-old gelding by Kipling out of Royal and Ancient,

by Royal Academy Breeder: Harmony Stables LLC & Center Hills Farm (Oklahoma) Owner: Danny R. Caldwell Trainer: Federico Villafranco • Jockey: Ramon Vazquez Sire Kipling stands in Oklahoma at Mighty Acres

LOUIES FLOWER

$250,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Remington Park 1 Mile • 1:38.83 • December 15 2-year-old colt by Flower Alley out of Tembisa,

by Johannesburg Breeder: Shadybrook Farm Inc. & Castletop Stable (Florida) Owner: Wesley Melcher Trainer: Bret Calhoun • Jockey: Luis Quinonez

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 27

NOTIONAL NOTIONAL

2004 Bay - Dosage Profile: 2-2-6-0-0; DI: 2.33; CD: +0.60

RACE AND (STAKES) RECORD Age

2 3 4

Starts

3 3 6 12

(in N.A., U.A.E.) 1st 2nd 3rd

1 2(2) 1(1) 4(3)

0 1(1) 0 1(1)

1(1) 0 1(1) 2(2)

Earnings

$43,200 460,000 230,040 $733,240

At 2, WON a maiden special weight race at Oak Tree at Santa Anita (6 fur., defeating Exhale, Mystic Wood, Colonel Chick, etc.), 3rd Hollywood Prevue S.-G3 at Hollywood Park (7 fur., to Belgravia, Dilemma, defeating Hurry Up Austin, etc.).

At 3, WON San Rafael S.-G2 at Santa Anita Park (1 mi., by 4 lengths, defeating Tenfold, Grapelli, Silent Soul, etc.), Risen Star S.-G3 at Fair Grounds (1 1/16 mi., equal top weight of 122 lbs., defeating Imawildandcrazyguy, Zanjero, Izzie's Halo, etc.), 2nd Florida DerbyG1 at Gulfstream Park (1 1/8 mi., to Scat Daddy, defeating Chelokee, Stormello, etc.).

At 4, WON Salvator Mile H.-G3 at Monmouth Park (1 mi., defeating Gottcha Gold, Honest Man, Indy Wind, etc.), 3rd Daytona H.-L at Santa Anita Park (about 6 1/2 fur., turf, to Cheroot, Moth Ball (GB), by a neck, defeating Tenga Cat, etc.).

Foals of racing age Starters (/Fls) Winners (/Str) Total Starts Total Wins (/Starts) Total Earnings Avg. Earnings (/Str) Avg. Earnings (/Start) Stakes Wnrs (/Str) Stakes Horses (/Str) Avg. Earnings Index Comparable Index

Lifetime

La Morlaye

In Excess (IRE) (1987)

Sing Sing

Saulingo

Saulisa

Kantado

Vilmorin

Vi

Dotterel

Notional

Vice Regent

Deputy Minister

Mint Copy

French Deputy

Hold Your Peace

Mitterand

Laredo Lass

Truly Blessed (1997)

Raise a Native

Exclusive Native

Exclusive

Love Bunny

*Sensitivo

Lady Tramp

Lifetime 2yo

189 189 62(33%) 42(22%) 32(52%) 17(40%) 324 120 46(14%) 21(18%) $1,121,792 $480,287 $18,093 $11,435 $3,462 $4,002 2(3%) 2(5%) 5(8%) 3(7%) 0.80 0.81 1.19

NOTIONAL HAS SIRED

Warfare

Indian Call

NOTIONAL entered stud in 2009.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY

Chambord

Siberian Express

IN THE STUD

2 crops

Fortino II

Caro (IRE)

RISKY CALL (2010 c., dam by Prospectors Gamble). 3 wins at 2, placed at 3, 2013, $66,448, Canadian Juvenile S. WARGAMER (2011 c., Quiet American). Winner at 2, 2013, $32,377, Razorback Futurity-R. AWESOME GEM (2011 f., Gone West). Winner at 2, 2013 in Venezuela, Copa Iniciacion Julian Abdala.

Hopeful Notion (2010 c., Rahy). 2 wins at 3, 2013, $70,450, 2nd Gentilly S.-R. Lady Notional (2011 f., Excavate). Winner at 2, 2013, $40,486, 3rd D. S. “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity-R. Troubles a Brew'n (2010 c., River Flyer). 2 wins at 3, 2013, $16,798, 3rd Triple K Oilfield Services S. Malachite (2010 c., Seeking the Gold). 2 wins at 3, 2013, $109,610.

Jennie Says So (2010 f., Touch Gold). 3 wins at 3, 2013, $86,100.

Exit Interview (2011 f., Allen's Prospect). 2 wins in 2 starts at 2, 2013, $78,120.

Southern Nights (2010 c., Afternoon Deelites). 2 wins at 3, 2013, $48,714.

Happy Patsy (2010 f., Real Quiet). 3 wins to 3, 2013, $35,960.

Tenkiller Kid (2010 c., Afternoon Deelites). Winner at 3, 2013, placed at 4, 2014, $35,660.

Party Bus (2010 f., Cape Town). Winner at 3, 2013, $32,837.

Beautiful Dancer (2011 f., Private School). Winner in 2 starts at 2, 2013, $31,586.

Hey Honey (2011 f., Toolighttoquit). Winner at 2, 2013, $23,700.

Turncoat (2010 c., More Than Ready). 2 wins at 3, 2013, $23,668.

Divine Notion (2010 c., Halo). 2 wins at 3, 2013, $23,300.

G's Calling (2010 c., Silver Deputy). Winner at 3, 2013, $23,264.

Notionofmine (2011 c., Mr. Redoy). Winner at 2, 2013, $21,513.

Thaaats Right (2010 c., Belong to Me). Winner at 3, 2013, $21,341.

Dee Notional (2010 c., More Than Ready). Winner, $19,700.

Sneezy Beezy (2010 f., Lucayan Prince). Winner at 3, 2013, $18,505.

Munhall Miss (2010 f., Majestic Light). Winner at 3, 2013, $18,015.

Lil Mo Money (2010 c., Pine Bluff). Winner at 2, $17,294.

Twilightinpriddis (2011 f., Twilight Agenda). Winner at 2, 2013, $13,756.

Aunt Anna (2010 f., Repriced). Winner at 2, $12,195.

One Thousand Watts (2010 f., Silver Deputy). Winner at 4, 2014, $11,069.

Igetsoenotional (2010 c., Testa Rossa). Winner at 3, 2013, $8,905.

Socratical (2010 c., Toolighttoquit). Winner at 2, $7,392.

Get a Notion (2011 c., Awesome Again). Winner in 2 starts at 2, 2013, $7,000.

MALE LINE

NOTIONAL is by IN EXCESS (IRE), stakes winner in England; stakes winner of $1,693,200, in N.A., Suburban H.-G1-ntr, etc. Sire of 63 stakes winners, incl.-TEXCESS. 4 wins to 4, $1,235,335, Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot S.-L, California Cup Classic H.-LR, etc.

VALENTINE DANCER. 8 wins to 5, $1,144,126, Harold C. Ramser, Sr. H.-L, John Deere Filly & Mare Turf S.-LR, etc.

EXCESSIVEPLEASURE. 5 wins, $981,615, in N.A., Indiana Derby-G3, WinStar Derby-L, etc.; placed in U.A.E., 3rd Jebel Ali International Hotels Godolphin Mile-G2.

La Morlaye

MUSICAL CHIMES. 2 wins at 3 in France, Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-French One Thousand Guineas-G1, etc.; 2 wins at 4, $649,300, in N.A., John C. Mabee H.-G1, Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile S.-G2, etc.

NOTIONAL. Subject stallion.

EXCESS SUMMER. 15 wins, 3 to 8, $722,056, Pomona Derby-L, Real Good Deal S.-LR, El Cajon S.-LR, etc.

ROMANCE IS DIANE. 5 wins at 2 and 3, $712,718, Hollywood Starlet S.-G1, Bayakoa H.-G2-ntr, etc.

INDIAN CHARLIE. 4 wins in 5 starts at 2 and 3, $616,120, Santa Anita Derby-G1, 3rd Kentucky Derby-G1. Sire.

ROYALLY CHOSEN. 6 wins, 3 to 6, $594,175, B. Thoughtful S.-LR, California Cup Matron H.-LR, etc.

EXCEEDING. 14 wins to 9, $550,701, California Turf Sprint Championship H.-LR, 2nd Real Good Deal S.-LR, etc.

FEMALE LINE

1st dam TRULY BLESSED, by French Deputy. Winner at 2, $13,360.

Dam of 6 foals, 4 to race, 3 winners, including-NOTIONAL. Subject stallion.

Broodmare Sire FRENCH DEPUTY, 1992. Sire of 305 dams of 1004 foals, 752 rnrs (75%), 530 wnrs (53%), 206 2yo wnrs (21%), 1.63 AEI, 1.34 CI, 52 stakes winners.

2nd dam LOVE BUNNY, by Exclusive Native. Winner in 1 start at 2, $7,150. Dam of 13 foals, 11 winners, including-LE FANTOME (c. by Fairway Phantom). 2 wins at 4 in France, Prix Joseph de Gontaut-Biron Stp., etc.

Latin Reign (c. by El Gran Senor). Winner at 2 in England; placed at 2 in Italy, 2nd Premio Guido Berardelli-G2; 5 wins, 3 to 7, $94,603, in N.A. Sire.

Arcadius (c. by Sham). Placed at 2 in France; 4 wins at 3 and 4, $77,855, in N.A., 2nd San Mateo County Sophomore H., Carrillo S.-R. Helen D. 6 wins, $86,375. Dam of LOVELLON (ARG) (f. by Potrillon (ARG), champion 3-year-old filly in Argentina; $136,445, in N.A.), POTRIQUILLO (c.

by Potrillazo, 4 wins in Argentina, Carlos Gardel).

2014 FEE: $2,000 – LIVE FOAL Property of Robert H. Zoellner and Clark O. Brewster

ROCKIN’ Z RANCH

Grey Sovereign Ranavalo III Chamossaire Life Hill Determine War Whisk *Hafiz Manzana *Tudor Minstrel Agin the Law Hard Sauce L-S-D Gold Bridge Queen of the Meadows Turkhan Lapwing Northern Dancer Victoria Regina Bunty's Flight Shakney Speak John Blue Moon Bold Ruler Fortunate Isle Native Dancer Raise You Shut Out Good Example Sideral Ternura *Hafiz Manzana

2275 S. Hwy. 75 • Beggs, Oklahoma 74421 Inquiries to Joe Flemings • Phone: (918) 267-2275 • Fax: (918) 267-2276 Email: rockinzranch@gmail.com • Website: www.rockinzranchok.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallion • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup

NOTIONAL

In Excess (Ire) – Truly Blessed,

by

French Deputy

A world-class runner and established stallion comes to Oklahoma for 2014!

NOTIONAL earned black-type as a 2-year-old in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) and then developed into one of the year’s top 3-year-olds with consecutive daylight victories in the San Rafael Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita and Risen Star Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds. He then ran a game second in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park to establish himself as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby before being injured. He returned to the races at age 4 and posted an easy win in the Salvator Mile Handicap (G3) at Monmouth before retiring with a bankroll of $733,240.

From just two crops to race, NOTIONAL has sired three stakes winners and six stakes performers with winners all over the United States and Canada, plus a stakes winner in Venezuela. His foals have already earned more than $1.1 million, and he has proven to be an exceptional 2-year-old sire with 17 juvenile winners and earnings of nearly $500,000.

Breed to NOTIONAL in his first year in Oklahoma!

ROCKIN’ Z RANCH

2275 S. Hwy. 75 • Beggs, Oklahoma 74421 Inquiries to Joe Flemings • Phone: (918) 267-2275 • Fax: (918) 267-2276 Email: rockinzranch@gmail.com • Website: www.rockinzranchok.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallion • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup

Retama Rewind A review of the six stakes contested during the Retama Park meet with the track’s two signature turf events for 2-year-olds and Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Night, plus a Texas-bred winning a six-figure open stakes in New Mexico All photos by Coady Photography

SKY’S GOLDMAKER

$75,000 M2 Technology La Senorita Stakes Retama Park 1 Mile, Turf • 1:36.47 • November 9 2-year-old filly by Sky Mesa out of Espial,

by Banker’s Gold Breeder: Monticule (Kentucky) Owner: Terry Eoff and Johnny B. Evans Trainer: Terry Eoff • Jockey: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez

BROADWAY MISSILE

$75,000 El Joven Stakes Retama Park 1 Mile, Turf • 1:36.12 • November 9 2-year-old gelding by Heatseeker (Ire) out of Theatre Fan, by Theatrical (Ire) Breeder: Patinack Farm (Kentucky) Owner: Agave Racing Stable Trainer: Michelle Lovell • Jockey: Luis Quinonez

SPECIAL U F O

$50,000 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes Retama Park 1 1/16 Miles, Turf • 1:40.95 • November 16 3-year-old gelding by Special Rate out of Mysterious Light, by Mystery Storm Breeder/Owner: Southwestern Racing LLC (Texas) Trainer: Danny Pish • Jockey: Junior Chacaltana Sire Special Rate stands in Texas at Stoneview Farm

30

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

SMILES GOLDEN SONG

$50,000 Fiesta Mile Stakes Retama Park 1 Mile, Turf • 1:34.62 • November 16 4-year-old filly by My Golden Song out of Texas Smile, by Smile Breeder/Owner: Sylvia Baird (Texas) Trainer: Larry Stroope • Jockey: David Cabrera Sire My Golden Song stands in Texas at Valor Farm

FOREVER SINCE OL WINEDRINKER WHO

$167,250 Zia Park Distance Championship Zia Park 1 1/8 Miles • 1:50.09 • November 27 4-year-old gelding by Sligo Bay (Ire) out of Silverup, by Prenup Breeders/Owners: Sam E. and Sammy L. Stevens (Texas) Trainer: Joel Marr • Jockey: Carlos Madeira

$75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Darby’s Daughter Division) Retama Park 6 Furlongs • 1:13.02 • December 7 2-year-old filly by Supreme Cat out of Glorify,

by Honour and Glory Breeder/Owner: Tom R. Durant (Texas) Trainer: Jack Bruner • Jockey: Gerardo Mora

TIME IZ FLYIN

$75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (My Dandy Division) Retama Park 6 Furlongs • 1:12.27 • December 7 2-year-old colt by Early Flyer out of First Final, by Hadif Breeder: Clarence Scharbauer Jr. (Texas) Owner: Danny Keene Trainer: Allen Milligan • Jockey: Bryan McNeil Sire Early Flyer stands in Texas at Valor Farm

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 31

The Galloping Gray Goblin Recalling the life of an Oklahoma-bred legend •

By Michael Cusortelli

Remington Park

Whether in black and white or color, the gray Silver Goblin became a popular figure at Remington Park and around the country in the mid-1990s.

32

Al Horton has fond memories of a young colt by Silver Ghost who commandeered a pasture at his McAlester, Oklahoma, farm during the spring of 1992.

“He was a very aggressive young colt,” Horton recalled. “We had about 10 other babies foaled the same year he was [1991], and they all grew up together in a 20-acre pasture. But I could always tell he was the leader of the pack. It was very obvious to me that he was the toughest one out there.

“Of course, at that time nobody could predict the success he’d have,” he added.

That strapping and precocious yearling, Silver Goblin, was eventually gelded, and what success he had indeed. Following his final race on February 9, 1999, at Oaklawn Park, the flash of gray retired with a record of 16 wins from 26 starts and brought a lifetime bankroll of $1,083,895 back to that very same pasture in eastern Oklahoma, where he lived until his death 12 years later in 2011.

To come up with Silver Goblin, Horton bred one of his homebred broodmares, the winning Zonic mare Molly O’Horton, to the winning Mr. Prospector stallion Silver Ghost.

A Korean War veteran, Horton and his wife of 62 years, Lona, saw Silver Ghost win a couple of races during one of their regular visits to Oaklawn Park.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

“Lona and I started going to Oaklawn in the early ’50s, right after we were married and I was discharged from the Marine Corps,” Horton said. “It’s become an annual trip for us. I liked the way Silver Ghost ran and the way he looked on the track, and I made the decision that when Molly’s racing days were over, I’d breed her to Silver Ghost.”

The rest, as they say, was history.

the 1 1/16-mile, $300,000 Remington Park Derby (now Oklahoma Derby) on April 9.

His streak came to an end in the marquee event, however. After stalking a quick pace set by Smilin Singin Sam, Silver Goblin lacked his usual stretch response and finished third as the 2-5 favorite, five lengths behind that rival.

“It turned out that he bled in that race,” said Smith, a third-generation horseman whose father, Paul Smith, still trains Thoroughbreds The Beginning of a Legend on the New Mexico circuit. “I never ran him on Lasix before that race With all of his success, Silver Goblin began his career less than because I’d never needed to. At that time in my career, I thought like auspiciously—he ran second to a longshot named Frosted Mug in a a lot of trainers did and still do, that you shouldn’t race a 2-year-old 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Remington Park on Septem- on Lasix. ber 18, 1993. The gelding’s “We scoped him after legend actually began in all of his previous races, his next out, a mere eight and he never bled in any days later, when he was of them,” he added. “But stretched out to six furthat day he bled.” longs and jumped in class In the eyes of Oklahoby his trainer and Horton’s ma’s racing fans, despite nephew, Kenny Smith. Silthat defeat, Silver Goblin ver Goblin defeated a nonhad already joined the winners-of-two allowance ranks of a pair of other field by nearly nine lengths state-breds who made in 1:10.80, a quick clocking headlines around that Remington Park for a 2-year-old making just time, Brother Brown and Silver Goblin’s first major stakes victory was his second start.

Clever Trevor, as Sooner a 7 ½-length score in the $271,600 Mathis Brothers Futurity at Remington Park.

That second race was State racetrack legends. what made believers out of Silver Goblin’s owner and trainer. The As such, the mood of the crowd was subdued after the race. runner-up, Get Up and Shout, was a highly regarded Horton-bred Dale Day, the current director of publicity and track announcer son of the What a Pleasure stallion First Baptist. Get Up and Shout at Remington, had just begun his career at the track a few months had broken his maiden earlier that summer at Ruidoso Downs. earlier. He recalled the moment vividly.

“When Silver Goblin first burst on the scene he didn’t just win, he “A lot of people around me thought Get Up and Shout was the better of the two, but it didn’t take Goblin long to prove that he was won impressively,” Day said. “He wasn’t just eking out wins by a half better,” Horton recalled. “He got in some traffic problems in his first of a length or so, he was dominant, and he did most of his running on race, like a lot of young horses do, but he closed really fast at the end the front end or close to it. He showed energy from the time the gate opened, and he still had plenty left almost every time down the stretch. of it to run second.”

“He’d built up a big following in the six months before the Rem“Silver Goblin was in the one hole in that first race, and he broke slow and they came up on top of him,” Smith remembered. “He was ington Park Derby, and after that race I remember seeing people a 2-year-old, and I think he just got intimidated on the inside part of standing on the apron of the grandstand who were visibly shaken,” he added. “He was a fan favorite, and when he didn’t win—let alone win the track and couldn’t get through.

“He’d never experienced anything like that before,” added the by five or 10 lengths—people were in shock.”

“That was one of the most disappointing days of my life,” Horton trainer. “Looking back now, it might have been the best thing that admitted. “But I think he did well by running third after he’d bled. could’ve happened to him. It was a good learning experience.”

After his first victory at Remington, Silver Goblin put together Most horses would’ve just dropped back and quit.” a spectacular five-race win streak at the Oklahoma City track that included a pair of 2-year-old stakes in October, the Prevue and the Facing the Best in the Nation Horses don’t have vocabularies like people do, but if Silver Gob$271,600 Mathis Brothers Futurity, and a pair of 3-year-old stakes early in 1994 with the Budweiser and Great West as local preps for lin did, the word “quit” wasn’t part of it. After the Remington Park Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 33

Derby, Smith took the gelding to Oaklawn, where Smith has been Goblin in the Oaklawn Handicap, while he was giving the Oklahothe meet’s leading trainer three times, to race on Lasix in the Grade ma-bred just one pound on the weight scale, was victory number six 2, $500,000 Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles. Silver Goblin had a three- in what eventually became a 16-race run. length lead at the head of the stretch, but he was run down late by “There’s a porch-like area at Oaklawn from where the owners and both the winner, Concern, and runner-up, Blumin Affair, who also trainers can watch their horses race,” Horton said. “I went out before happened to run second in the Remington Park Derby. the post parade of that race, and Mr. Paulson was standing next to 1 Silver Goblin’s connections decided to skip the 1 /4-mile Kentucky me. I introduced myself to him, and we visited for a while.

Derby at Churchill Downs, which in those days was run just two “He asked me which horse I had in the race, and I told him,” weeks after the Arkansas Derby.

Horton added. “He then showed me a straight $200 exacta ticket in “Running third in a race like the Arkansas Derby to horses which he had his horse on top and Silver Goblin second. He told me, like those was nothing to be ashamed of, but we felt we didn’t ‘This is how highly I think of your horse. This is the only bet I made have any business running him in the Kentucky Derby at a mile- on this race.’ and-a-quarter,” Horton said. “The Preakness is a little bit shorter, and “I was tickled to death about that and that Silver Goblin ran secwe’d have five weeks to prepare for that, so that’s the race we pointed ond, because he ran a heck of a race,” continued Horton. “He outran him to.”

Concern and Best Pal, and there was another horse in there, Urgent Silver Goblin ran eighth, about 12 lengths behind winner Tabasco Request (Ire), who’d earned a lot of money. There were five millionCat, in the 1 3/16-mile Preakaires in that race, and ness Stakes. And that was Goblin’s money that day the last time he tasted de($150,000) put him over feat during his sophomore a million. It was just a season, as he assembled strong field.” another win streak that inComing Back cluded a 17 1/2-length score for More in the $100,000 Colorado Silver Goblin’s success Derby at Arapahoe Park at Oaklawn—two graded near Denver and Grade 3 stakes wins and a second wins at Fairmount Park in in a Grade 1—gave HorIllinois and Ak-Sar-Ben in ton and Smith the enNebraska. couragement they need“I stayed up in Coloraed to send the gelding do with him,” Smith said.

Oaklawn Park to Belmont Park in New “We stayed up there in that Silver Goblin won two graded stakes at Oaklawn York for another promihigh altitude for almost two Park and ran a game second to Horse of the nent race, the Grade 1, months, and when we came Year Cigar in the Grade 1 Oaklawn Handicap. $500,000 Metropolitan down off that mountain, he’d grown up and become a racehorse. When he won at Fairmount, Handicap, better known as the Met Mile.

Silver Goblin sustained a fractured cannon bone in that race and he had dapples on him as big as my hat. He was really doing good finished last as the 7-5 favorite and 120-pound highweight. At the then.”

Silver Goblin continued his streak through the first three outings time, his owner and trainer thought that was it, that the gelding’s sucof his 4-year-old campaign. He won Oaklawn’s Essex (G3) and cessful career was over. They turned him out, thinking Silver Goblin Razorback (G2) handicaps, both preps for the Grade 1, $750,000 would live out his remaining years at Horton’s farm.

But Silver Goblin had other ideas.

Oaklawn Handicap, the track’s signature race for older horses.

“We put him in a five-acre paddock out by a highway that goes past It was the Oaklawn Handicap where Silver Goblin’s win streak, which had reached eight races, ended. But it took a Hall of Famer our farm, and he’d chase after the cars,” Horton recalled. “Goblin was named Cigar, owned by the late aviation magnate Allen Paulson, to exercising himself. He’d get to one end of the pasture and run down to the other end, as if he was running down by the rail at a racetrack.” stop it.

“After about six months, they called me and told me he was going In the mid-1990s, Cigar made headlines by putting together a 1 memorable streak of his own. Cigar’s 2 /2-length win over Silver crazy,” Smith said. “There were other horses in that paddock with 34

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

him, and they told me they had to move those horses out because he was chasing them all over. It was clear to everybody that he wanted to race again.

“I took him back and he got to doing pretty good, but he wasn’t anywhere near the horse he’d once been,” added the trainer.

To be sure, Silver Goblin’s graded stakes-winning days were behind him. But during his 7-year-old season in 1998, the gelding won a couple of allowance routes at Lone Star Park and finished second in a $50,000 stakes. Handicappers still respected him, as he was sent to post as the heavy favorite in both of those wins.

Remington Park

The Legend Retires

SILVER GOBLIN’S LEGACY • Owner and Breeder - Al J. Horton • Trainer - Kenny Smith • Jockeys - Dale Cordova (25 races) and Tim Doocy (one race) • Starts - 26 • Wins - 16 • Seconds - 4 • Thirds - 3 • Stakes Wins - 11 • Graded Stakes Wins - 4 (Razorback Handicap [G2] and Essex Handicap [G3], Oaklawn Park; Omaha Gold Cup [G3], Ak-Sar-Ben; Fairmount Derby [G3], Fairmount Park)

Silver Goblin eventually returned to Horton’s farm, this time for keeps. He ended his career with a record of 26 starts, 16 wins, four seconds and three thirds. Dale Cordova was aboard the millionaire for all but one of those starts.

“After we turned him out the second time, I told Al that if he does the same thing he did the first time, I’d pick him back up and we’d put him back in training,” Smith said. “But the second time we sent him back, he was fine. He was relaxed and happy. He just wasn’t ready to retire that first time.”

“I had a shelter built for him so he could be protected from bad weather,” Horton said. “I knew I couldn’t have put him in a stall; he would’ve torn the thing down. I had to leave him outside, where he could take care of himself.”

Silver Goblin took care of himself until he died of a heart attack in March 2011 at the age of 20.

One of only six Oklahoma-bred millionaires, Silver Goblin is buried on Horton’s farm, about 120 miles southeast of the racetrack where he became a legend—so much of a legend that Remington has named a $50,000 Oklahoma-bred stakes race after him. But before he died, the gelding received a lot of love and attention from admirers and well-wishers.

“I lost count of how many apples and peppermints he ate, but when he saw me drive to the end of the pasture, he’d come running because he knew he was going to get some kind of a treat,” Horton said. “I’ve bred and raced a lot of horses since I started in the business in the 1970s. I don’t know how many winners we’ve had, but we’ve had a lot of them, and Goblin was far and away the best.

“I enjoy reminiscing about Goblin because he meant a lot to our family and our friends,” he added. “He had an incredible following. We had people who followed him from race to race. We shared him with everybody.” H Michael Cusortelli currently works as racing correspondent for the New Mexico Horse Breeder magazine, and he has contributed to several industry publications, including The HorsePlayer Magazine, Daily Racing Form, HoofBeats and The Texas Thoroughbred.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 35

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Outriders and their pony horses are often overlooked, but it’s hard not to notice Christy Hamilton and Fish (short for Goldfish), thanks to his flashy coat and personality.

Terri Cage 38

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

The Little Horse : Fish That Could

Pony horses are unsung heroes of the racetrack • By Mary Cage

C

a friend—someone who would actually care about him,” she said.

Hamilton knew she had to help the young horse, so she stepped in and became the friend that he needed.

“My grandpa made me a promise that, within a year, if I didn’t like the horse, he would purchase him back from me,” she said. “He had paid $700 for him, and by the time the vet, farrier and dentist were done, I wrote my grandpa a check for $1,000.

Six months later, there was no way on Earth I would have considered getting rid of my man! The transformation that took place over that year was unbelievable, going from neardeath to fat, sassy, dappled out and extremely handsome, if I do say so myself.”

Lehi Fast Cat was given the nickname “Fish” shortly after he entered Hamilton’s care, a name that Christy Hamilton and Fish have stemmed from ponied numerous stakes winners, the palomino’s including 2009 Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Friesan Fire. love for water.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 39

Terri Cage

hristy Hamilton grew up in the sport of horse racing, as her family has always been in the business. Racing, for Hamilton, is a way of life.

And for as long as she can remember, she has had a place aboard the back of a pony horse.

“I can remember being six years old and riding a Paint pony horse my grandpa had,” Hamilton said.

“I would accompany my dad as he galloped the babies they had out at a training center.”

But it wasn’t until early 2005 that a special pony horse entered her life: an American Quarter Horse registered under the name Lehi Fast Cat. However, at the time, the horse did not seem like anything special. In fact, he did not even look like he would survive.

“My grandpa called me one evening and told me he had bought me a 2-year-old palomino gelding,” Hamilton said. “[He told me] that he got him cheap [and] to come over to the house the next day to see what I thought.”

Hamilton was in for a shock. Before her eyes was a young, skinny Quarter Horse in extremely poor condition.

“The first time I ever saw Lehi Fast Cat, I asked my grandpa, ‘Why? Why did you buy something we are going to have to put down?’ Every bone of this poor baby was showing; he was covered from ears to hooves in ticks the size of quarters and he had never had any dental, farrier or vet care.”

She knew the gelding would need someone to dedicate the time to caring for him in order for him to recover.

“I had never seen an animal in more need of serious groceries, TLC, and, more than anything,

Fish at the Track

A Tough Little Horse

When Fish was of good enough health, he began ponying young horses with Hamilton at a farm. At five, he graduated to ponying horses at the racetrack during the races. Now 11, Fish accompanies Hamilton in escorting Thoroughbreds— primarily those trained by Steve Asmussen—at various tracks, including Lone Star Park, Oaklawn Park, Remington Park, Sam Houston Race Park and Will Rogers Downs. But his ponying career did not come easily.

“Fish actually was somewhat of a handful,” Hamilton said.

“He was never unruly, ill-tempered or ill-mannered; he just wanted to go. It took him several years, different bits, tricks, medication, all kinds of things to get to where he wouldn’t try to run off with me. Now that he’s grown up a little (in terms of age), he doesn’t give me grief anymore. Just tack up and go, which is a good thing for me, since I’m generally running a little late.”

As Fish has matured, he has proven to be a trusty partner for Hamilton. Although ponying may seem like an easy job, it is far from it. Fish always puts every ounce of effort into his

Hamilton remembers an incident that occurred at Remington in 2012 that put Fish’s qualities on display.

“We were taking a double for a friend of mine, and the little filly became very unruly and nervous during [the post parade], so to keep from having further issues, we broke past and went on to warm up,” Hamilton recalled. “We couldn’t have been but a sixteenth of a mile in front of the rest of the field when she decided she was going to buck. In the process, she stumbled, sending her jockey over her ears. The jockey ended up pushing the headstall and blinkers over her head as well. Fish was the greatest; he stayed right with her, side by side, step for step, as I literally bear-hugged this little filly’s neck, pushing her to the outside to re-bridle and fix the equipment, not to mention to get the rider back on. It was definitely a sight to see.

“Between the outriders and other pony riders, it was said to be the save of the meet,” she added. “Everyone kept telling me what an awesome job I did, but like I told them, it wasn’t just me; if I didn’t have Fish, there’s no telling what would

Terri Cage

“Myself and several friends would load up and haul the horses to the lake to ride and swim,” Hamilton said. “When we went to swim the first time, he walked right in and was playing in the water. The farther out everyone got, Fish— being the shortest—had to start swimming, and he loved it. Since he was a palomino, I started calling him Goldfish, which was later shortened to Fish, [which] has stuck with him ever since. With the looks I get when people ask his name, they think I’ve lost my mind calling a horse Fish.

Some of the expressions are priceless!”

job to make it less problematic for not only himself, but for Hamilton as well.

“If I thought it was possible, I would say it’s like he can read the racehorses’ thoughts, because his reaction times when they do something is insanely quick, scary actually, but in a good way,” Hamilton said. “There have been several occasions where we’ve had horses try to suck back away from us and wheel, but Fish is on it so fast, staying right with them [so well] that he’s about left me sitting in the dirt.

Thankfully, I’ve remained in my saddle.”

Fish has become a familiar sight for visitors at the tracks at which he ponies, as he stands out. But it is not only his golden color that catches the eye; it is his small size and how he perseveres despite being smaller than the energetic Thoroughbreds he escorts.

“He’s one of the smaller ponies as far as size; he only stands 15.1 hands,” Hamilton said. “We’ve heard our share of short jokes, only to have them silenced when others see how he works. A racehorse can be lying on him and he has his own way of getting them off of him. If they become tough, he will angle his shoulder to where it’s in front of theirs and start to slow them down. What Fish lacks in height, he makes up for in heart, ability and determination.”

Four-time graded stakes winner and millionaire Prayer for Relief parades at Lone Star Park with Fish.

40

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

Giving Pony Horses Their Due

Denis Blake

have happened. He deserved just as much, if not more, credit than I did.”

This incident is just one example of Fish’s outstanding skill and determination. Due to these characteristics, Hamilton can trust the gelding in any situation.

“I’m very fortunate,” she said. “Fish is able to handle whatever comes his way. If I’m aware that we’ve got a nasty, bad, unruly one, I don’t fret because I know he’s going to do his job, work his butt off and not only help me, but make it easier on me and our jockey.

“If I had to pick, I would say his favorite is when a jockey wants to let their horse step out a little without being turned loose; Fish loves getting to stretch and stride out,” she added.

With Hamilton aboard, Fish has ponied many notable horses, including 2011 Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro and the graded stakes winners Brethren, Daddy Nose Best, Friesan Fire, It Happened Again, Prayer for Relief, Sabercat and Thiskyhasnolimit. Although the pressure is heightened when ponying horses of high caliber, Hamilton is confident when she is aboard Fish.

“It’s always comforting for me to be on him, because I know he’s going to handle his job, the crowd and whatever I ask of him,” Hamilton said. “I think it’s probably more exciting for me.”

Fish’s personality is another one of his outstanding features. Not only does he have a big heart, but he apparently has a big stomach as well.

“Fish has this baby face, even as he is getting older,” Hamilton said. “When he really wants something, he’ll turn his head around to look at me, cock his head to the side and give the sad puppy dog eyes. So, of course, he wins and I share whatever it is I have with him.”

In their years together, Hamilton and Fish have developed a special bond—a bond that extends beyond the track. From the time Hamilton nursed Fish back to health when he was a young, starving 2-year-old to their current career together on the track, the two have grown inseparable.

“Fish isn’t just a horse or a pony to me; he’s family—my third child if you will,” she said. “He has been one of the most dependable, reliable, hard-working ‘men’ in my life for the past nine years. Not only has he saved my behind many times on the track, he’s always there for me when I need someone to listen.” H

There are many unsung heroes of the human variety at the racetrack: the gate crew, grooms, hotwalkers, EMTs, veterinarians and jockey valets among them. But there are also equine heroes outside of the obvious racehorses: the outrider horses and lead ponies. They are kicked, they are bit, they are slammed into and they are pushed around. They tolerate the immature 2-year-old, the testy mare, the rambunctious colt and the lazy gelding. Their riders often endure the same difficulties. But these horses also provide guidance and comfort for many racehorses, as well as a best friend for many young children and loyal racetrackers who visit the track.

For racing enthusiasts who frequently watch racing on television or visit the track regularly, a pony horse may become familiar in appearance, but it is rather unusual for a pony horse’s name to be known. The name of the racehorse being ponied is in the program, on the television monitors and in pedigree databases, but the pony is largely anonymous. But for hours upon hours— whether in the morning, afternoon or night—the pony works tirelessly, often encountering unruly racehorses and unpredictable weather. It is time these hard workers receive the recognition they deserve.

To read more about these special horses, look for Mary Cage’s series “Ponies of the Track” on Horse Racing Nation at www.horseracingnation.com or on her blog, Past the Grandstand, at pastthegrandstand. blogspot.com.

Cage, 18, has been involved with show horses almost her entire life, and she has aspirations to work in the Thoroughbred racing industry as a writer or bloodstock agent.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 41

Where Real Consignors and Real Buyers Come Together!

NEWS FLASH

Steve Queen

After a hugely successful Consignor Select Yearling Sale, featuring a $140,000 sale-topper, Equine Sales Company is proud to announce our inaugural 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at our state-of-the-art sales facility in Opelousas, Louisiana!

LA-bred Vicar’s in Trouble, an $8,000 graduate of our Inaugural Yearling Sale, wins the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes by daylight and is now on the trail to the Kentucky Derby!

Auction: Monday, April 28, 2014 at 10 a.m.

Breeze Show: Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10 a.m.

Also accepting and selling horses of racing age For Further Information: Foster Bridewell, Sales Director Tel: 214-718-7618 Web: www.equinesalesofla.com

Equine Sales Co.

372 Harry Guilbeau Road Opelousas, LA 70570 Tel: 337-678-3024 • Fax: 337-678-3028 Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 43

HARMONY TRAINING CENTER Where winners train!

HTC, centrally located in Inola, Oklahoma, is the premier location for your Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse training needs.

In 2012, HTC-trained horses earned over $1-million.

In 2013, HTC-trained horses earned over $3-million!

Congratulations to all our clients on their success in 2013, and we wish you continued success in 2014!

Congratulations to these 2013 stakes performers who trained at Harmony Training Center: • ITS ALL ABOUT CHEW – AQHA Maiden Challenge, trainer Dee Keener • MORE THAN EVEN – Te Ata Stakes, trainer Mike Teel • Fast Flyin Flash – Second, Pot O’ Gold Futurity, trainer Dee Keener • BIG SUGARUSH – Iowa Stallion Stakes, trainer Timothy Martin • PURE D SPIT – Fair Meadows Futurity, trainer Jose Aguilera • Hes Relentless – Second, Heritage Place Futurity (G1), trainer Amber Blair • HOT SOUTHERN MESS – Oklahoma Paint Horse Futurity, trainer Dee Keener • JJ HITMAN – Second, Oklahoma Futurity (G2), trainer Stacey Capps • JUDYS MISS BANKS – Talamina Handicap, trainer Diane Fulton • Tuscon Sam – Second, Minnesota Stallion Breeders’ Futurity, trainer Amber Blair

• Why choose HTC? • • HTC is located near Tulsa and an easy haul of

less than 12 hours to 12 tracks, including

Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs,

Fair Meadows, Lone Star, Sam Houston, Retama and Oaklawn

• Approved for official timed workouts • Completely railed, professionally-maintained training track is 40’ wide and 6 furlongs with a 350-yard chute • 152 stalls, each 11’ by 12’ • Round pens, sand pen, walkers and starting gate usage included with stall rental

HARMONY TRAINING CENTER 34396 S. 4220 Road • Inola, OK 74036 • 918-843-2301 (cell) • 918-543-6940 (office) info@HarmonyTrainingCenterOK.com • www.HarmonyTrainingCenterOK.com

A View from above

©iStock.com/stocknshares

By Martha Claussen

Listening to a race call is something most horse racing fans and horsemen take for granted. In a span of less than two minutes, the track announcer gives an account of every aspect of the race, from the winner to the horse that trails the field to everything in between. Think it’s easy? Try turning off the volume next time you watch a race on television and attempting your own call. It’s hard enough in your living room, even harder with your voice booming through the grandstand and to simulcast locations around the country. You will have a newfound respect for the professionals who deliver an informative, accurate and entertaining account of all that transpires in the rarely predictable Sport of Kings.

Some of the most talented track announcers in the region were kind enough to share with Southern Racehorse their most memorable race calls, as well as those that did not live up to their lofty standards and they would perhaps like to forget.

Perched high in the grandstand, with requisite binoculars, headphones and markers to color the silks and saddlecloths in their programs, announcers prepare for the predictable but have to be ready for the unexpected every time the horses leave the starting gate.

The Voice of Remington Park Dustin Orona Photography

Race callers from around the region share their highs and lows •

Dale Day

Dale Day called his first race for a radio remote standing on a folding chair at Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He has honed his craft for 20 years as the voice of Remington Park in Oklahoma City, and he acknowledges that his sports background prepared him well.

“Calling races is another form of play-by-play,” Day said. “The difference is that in our sport, the players change every 20 minutes.”

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 45

Lone Star Lies

Benoit Photo

John Lies (pronounced Lees), who is approaching his 10th anniversary at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, had a similar ill-fated mishap with a coupled entry.

“It was my first season at Lone Star Park, and I made a rookie mistake,” Lies admitted. “Front Nine and Gold Crew Man were running as a coupled entry. Front Nine won the race, but I John Lies had the wrong horse at the wire. It’s the biggest blunder you can make, but fortunately, I only made that mistake once.”

But, Lies had a recent career highlight at Kentucky Downs, the all-turf track near the Kentucky-Tennessee border at which he also calls, that far outweighs his rookie season gaff. Last September, a stellar field assembled for the $400,000 Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) going 1 ½ miles, and the resurgent Gary Stevens flew in to pilot Temeraine, a 5-year-old son of Arch for trainer Tom Proctor.

46

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

“Growing up in Southern California, I was a huge fan of Gary Stevens,” Lies said. “I was so excited to see him return to riding at this high level and was thrilled to call a race in which he had a mount. Even though Temeraine was the favorite, he had never raced beyond 1 1/16 miles and was a patented closer. Once the race was underway, there was no pace, but Gary intentionally kept his horse close to the leaders.

He was so cool and patient, choosing just the right second to make his move, bravely squeezing through a very tight spot to win by a neck. I wrapped the call by commending him for his ‘Hall of Fame’ ride.”

That afternoon was rewarding enough for Lies, but the next day, Stevens’ agent, Craig O’Brien, called trainer Kathy Ritvo and asked her to watch the replay and consider Stevens for the riding assignment on Mucho Macho Man. “According to Craig, my race call was instrumental in Gary picking up the mount in the Awesome Again Stakes and then the Breeders’ Cup Classic [he won both],” Lies said. “As an announcer, you can’t ask for a greater compliment.”

Delta Downs’ One-Man Show

Coady Photography

Day recalled the victory by multiple graded stakes winner Going Ballistic in the 2007 Oklahoma Derby as one of his top career race calls.

“He had won the Grade 2 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, so he was expected to do well,” Day said. “Cliff Berry was named as his rider but had been unseated the night before and told [trainer] Donnie Von Hemel that his hand was still sore. Tim Doocy, who had won over 5,000 races, picked up the mount. As the favorite, Going Ballistic was 20 lengths behind but began passing horses and took the lead mid-stretch. I remember that I had a cold and my voice was starting to give out, but I will never forget the way he came from the clouds and drew off to take the Derby.”

Day, as with many of his colleagues, also clearly remembers one of his worst calls, which unfortunately, came on a big day at the Oklahoma City racetrack.

“In the 2011 Oklahoma Classics Distaff, Robert Zoellner’s She’s All In was defending her title and was running as an entry with Gold Chadra.

Both were up front in the early going; I can’t remember who had the lead as they were both the same color and silks. Okie Blond was making a move at the eighth pole, and I briefly took my eye off the leader. As they neared the wire, I had inverted the entry and called the wrong winner.”

Day immediately realized what he had done and made a prompt apology.

“I think I said, ‘The announcer is a moron; here’s who really won the race!’” he recalled.

Day sought out Zoellner to tell him how sorry he was, but there were no hard feelings on the owner’s part. Truth be told, most owners are surrounded by family and friends who are very vocal during the stretch run and may not even hear the race call.

Don Stevens is the popular announcer at Delta Downs, and like many others in the booth, he does much more than just call the races. In addition to handling the challenging task of being sharp for the night racing cards at Delta, he also performs the track’s media relations work and is active on social media.

Don Stevens An award-winning art student who transferred his creativity to race calling, Stevens began his career at Remington Park before moving to Louisiana. His early training took place on the roof of the Oklahoma City racetrack, where he taped his calls and asked his mentor Jim Byers to listen and critique.

In November 2003, Stevens became the full-time announcer at Delta Downs. Even with nearly 20 years of experience under his belt, he remains his harshest critic.

“The worst name I ever had was Sassy Sues Slew,” he said. “She led wire-to-wire, but for me, it was like I was reciting ‘she sells seashells by the seashore.’ I never said her name right in the entire race. All I could think was, ‘God, I’m an idiot.’ I screwed that one up royally.”

The highlight of the track’s Thoroughbred season is the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes for 2-year-olds in November. The 2013 running of the Grade 3 race featured a competitive 10-horse field, including shippers from renowned trainers Mark Casse, Ken McPeek and Doug O’Neill, as well as a memorable call for Stevens.

“On paper, I was envisioning a speed duel between Coastline and Rise Up,” he recalled. “However, Coastline stumbled out of the gate, which changed things completely. You never know how things will

go once the gates open; you just have to react and go on. Rise Up had won our Jean Lafitte Stakes, so I knew he was capable. Gerard [Melancon] took the lead and drew off to a six-length score. I feel that I nailed the race call and got a lot of praise from race fans.”

Stevens acknowledged that sustaining the interest from horseplayers is a high priority and interaction with fans is something he truly enjoys.

“I have fans from all over the country,” he said. “One of my nicest compliments came from a horseplayer who emailed me that I mix racing with entertainment and put on a one-man show.”

Fortunately for Dooley, his memorable Fair Grounds race calls far outweigh the Fais Do Do debacle. He called many of the victorious stakes efforts by Star Guitar, the all-time money earning Louisianabred and now Louisiana stallion.

“He had some heart-stopping finishes, but always knew where the wire was,” said Dooley of the “King of the Cajuns.”

Double Duty in Texas

Lou Hodges Photography

John G. Dooley

John G. Dooley rotates between Arlington Park near Chicago and Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, and he has been entertaining racing fans since making his professional debut in 1989 at Philadelphia Park.

The 2008 Risen Star Stakes (G3) was one of those unforgettable race calls for Dooley, who has loved the sport since watching races with his dad at an OTB in

Staten Island, New York.

Pyro was a rising star in Steve Asmussen’s 2008 arsenal and entered the Kentucky Derby prep at odds of 4-5. However, he trailed the field for the first two turns. Finally, Pyro, under Shaun Bridgmohan, found another gear and took control. Dooley has a framed copy of Andrew Beyer’s article in Daily Racing Form in which he was mentioned.

Beyer wrote, “So it was no surprise when Pyro was racing at the rear of the 11-horse field in New Orleans. The early pace was slow, the field was a tight pack and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan never had an opening to advance into a better striking position. When the field swung around the turn and straightened into the stretch, he still had 10 horses in front of him, and he was eight lengths behind the leader.

Track announcer John Dooley called, ‘Pyro’s last! Pyro’s last as they swing into the stretch!’”

Dooley has vivid recollections of Pyro’s riveting stretch run, including yelling “Pyro’s coming like a rocket!”

“I will always remember that race,” he said.

One interesting regional complexity Dooley faced when taking over the Fair Grounds job was nailing the correct pronunciation of Cajun names, both human and equine.

“There was a horse called Fais Do Do,” Dooley said. “I had no idea if the intended pronunciation was ‘do’ or ‘doe,’ so I asked the racing office entry clerks if they knew. No one remembered, so I just had to go with my interpretation. She didn’t hit the board in the maiden special weight, so I thought I had dodged a bullet. However, that night at a local watering hole, I ran into several Cajun racing fans who had a good laugh at my botched pronunciation.”

Coady Photography

Dooley Noted at Fair Grounds

Tom Harris is the voice of Sam Houston Race Park as well as Retama Park near San Antonio. He began his race-calling career in 1981 as a greyhound announcer and called his first horse race in 1987 at La Mesa Park in Raton, New Mexico.

Harris couldn’t come up with a major blunder but did share one of Tom Harris the pitfalls of the profession, which is traveling between meets. Very few announcers have full-time positions at one racetrack; the majority have to relocate to a different city two to three times a year. In Harris’ case, that was a rigorous weekly commute for two months between Retama Park and Playfair Race Course in Spokane, Washington, in the 1990s.

“I called the races at Playfair early in the week and flew to Texas for the weekend duties at Retama,” recalled Harris of the approximately 2,000-mile journey. “You have to love what you do an awful lot to juggle the traveling and time away from your family.”

Harris did have one major consolation for that stint. Tim Price, who was covering horse racing for the San Antonio Express-News, penned a front-page sports section story titled “Tom’s Excellent Adventure.”

Harris cites his best race call as the 2013 Texas Heritage Stakes when Departing shipped in to Sam Houston. The Al Stall-trainee was undefeated in his first two efforts and made his stakes debut in the one-mile contest.

“It was a standout effort,” he said. “I knew it probably was a stopover for bigger things but nonetheless a memorable occasion to be on the ground floor and to see the horse he became. The race call itself wasn’t very difficult. I remember the yellow and gold Claiborne Farm silks turning for home; it is always exciting to be part of that.”

After Departing left Sam Houston with the Heritage Stakes trophy, he racked up graded stakes wins in the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course, the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park and the Super Derby at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. Harris was spot on in his assessment that Departing had just scratched the surface.

Thanks to each of these accomplished announcers for sharing their “best” and “worst.” May 2014 be filled with many memorable race calls and nary a flub! H Martha Claussen served 10 years as the publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park. She is currently a freelance racing writer and coordinator of the Racing Aces for the American Quarter Horse Association.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 47

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• Boarding • Stallion Seasons • Sales - public and private Contact for list of horses for sale.

Phone - 859-983-6829 Email - donaldwaits@yahoo.com 50

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014

the marketpl ace Cl assifieds Prime Ltd. Horse Transport • I.C.C. 166573 Member National Horse Carrier Association • See me at the van counter at the Keeneland sales Regular trips to Lexington, KY with 15-horse van • Larry J. Prime, D.V.M. (405) 527-5440 (Office) • (405) 833-7802 (Cell) P.O. Box 1534 • Purcell, OK 73080

Stephenson Thoroughbred Farms Quality Care for Thoroughbreds • Professional Hands-On Mare Care Provided Year Round • Excellent Prospects For Sale at All Times • Horse Transportation

Attention Horsemen:

• Limited RV/Camper Hookups now available!

• Conveniently located less than one mile from Evangeline Downs Racetrack in a private, quiet setting • Washer/Dryer-Bath available at facility Pam Stephenson Office: (337) 826-0628 • Cell: (337) 515-5555 P.O. Box 1133, Washington, LA 70589

Mallory Farm

CHANNON FARM LLC

• Quality Care for Thoroughbreds

• Breeding • Boarding • Sales

Boarding • Broodmare Care • Foaling Layups • Equiciser • Sales Prep

•

Scott Mallory

2672 Newtown Pike • Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 707-6469 malloryfarm@yahoo.com

Gillian (Jill) Taylor (318) 745-9974 • Fax: (318) 745-9976 1914 Highway 163 • Doyline, LA 71023

Moving Like a Winner

P ELICAN STAT E T H OROUGHBR E D S

Don’t miss our hot prospects from Inside Move at Yearling and Two-Year-Old sales in California, Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas!

Terry Gabriel 12002 Quagliano Road • Folsom, LA 70437 Cell: (504) 957-8026

Bethe Deal • Sabinal, TX Cell: (830) 426-1646 • Email: Bethedeal@sbcglobal.net

Want to reach more than 5,000 horsemen in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana?

H

Advertise in the Southern Racehorse classifieds for as little as $50 per issue!

Contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or info@southernracehorse.com Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/february 2014 51