April/May 2012 Florida Horse

Cover_April_May.qxd:Layout 1 5/7/12 1:27 PM Page 1

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONLonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474

352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

Experience the thrilling sport of Florida's Thoroughbred industry.To learn more about breeding and owning racehorses in the Sunshine State,

call us today or visit us on the web at www.ftboa.com

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

WeGotGameJustFootball_NEW.qxd:Layout 1 4/12/12 3:45 PM Page 1

AD bleed check.qx:Layout 1 5/2/12 10:59 AM Page 1

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2012 COVER PHOTO OF LITTLE MIKE: REED PALMERCONTENTS (NORTHWEST STUD): SERITA HULT

April/May • 2012/VOL 55/ ISSUE 4

DEPARTMENTS/COLUMNS6 THE BROCKTALK8 FLORIDA FOCUS18 FLORIDA-NEWS:DERBYWINNER

HAS FLORIDA CONNECTIONS

28 CHASETOTHE CHAMPIONSHIP48 FLORIDA-NEWS:

FASIG-TIPTON FLORIDA SALE RECAPBy Michael Compton

49 LEADING FLORIDA SIRES54 OBSMARCH 2-YEAR-OLD INTRAINING

SALE RECAP58 FARMMANAGEMENT

By Jamie Cohen

59 YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARKBy Connie Duff Wise

60 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:GOPHERMOUNDSBy Mark Shuffitt

62 PLAYER’S PAGE:DANGEROUS REACTION?By Paul Moran

16 LITTLEMIKEWINS FIRST GRADE 120 FLORIDA CUP

Florida-bred It’s Me Mom sets trackrecord at six furlongsBy Doug McCoy

30 JACKSON“DOESN’T”BEND32 NORTHWEST STUD

Quality over quantityBy Michael Compton

38 LYNNE BOUTTELynne Martin Boutte sells her firstmillion-dollar horse.By Jo Ann Guidry

44 SARATOGA RUSSELLFlorida-bred Saratoga Russellbecame much more than athoroughbred racehorseBy

50 EQUINE CARE:DIAGNOSTIC IMAGINGBy Heather Thomas

53 SMOOTHTRANSITIONTod Wojciechowski, Director of Salesat OBS, has a long history with thesales company and the OcalacommunityBy Michael Compton

FEATURES

Contents_April_May.qxd:Layout 1 5/7/12 2:26 PM Page 1

FTBOA OFFICERS ANDBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phil Matthews, PresidentBrent Fernung, First Vice President FrancisVanlangendonck, SecondVice President

Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

DIRECTORS

CEO & EXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENTLonny T. Powell

801 SW 60thAvenue • Ocala, Florida 34474(352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com

American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is publishedmonthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Sta-tistical Review in February.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors anddo not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publicationsor the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Associa-tion. Publication of any material originating herein is expresslyforbidden without first obtaining written permission from THEFLORIDA HORSE©.

Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing inNorth America are compiled from data generated by Daily Rac-ing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Serv-ices, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., thecopyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.

AAddvveerrttiissiinngg ccooppyy ddeeaaddlliinnee 55tthh ooff mmoonntthh pprreecceeddiinnggppuubblliiccaattiioonn.. SSuubbssccrriippttiioonnss aanndd cchhaannggee ooff aaddddrreessss:: PPlleeaasseemmaaiill ttoo –– CCiirrccuullaattiioonnss DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt.. TTHHEE FFLLOORRIIDDAA HHOORRSSEE,,880011 SSWW 6600tthh AAvvee..,, OOccaallaa,, FFlloorriiddaa 3344447744..

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc. BOYD

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2012 5

Joe Barbazon Linda Appleton PotterCraig Bernick George RussellDean DeRenzo Jessica SteinbrennerRoy Lerman Charlotte C. WeberDiane Parks Eddie Woods

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brock Sheridan

BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant

ART DIRECTOR

John Filer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp

CORRESPONDENTS

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

PUBLISHERFlorida Equine Publications, Inc.

(A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPhil Matthews, President/Board Chairman

Brent Fernung, 1st Vice PresidentFrancis Vanlangendonck, 2nd Vice President

Sheila DiMare, SecretaryBonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Lonny T. Powell

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Caroline T. Davis

Masthead_April/May_2012.qxd:Layout 1 5/8/12 11:01 AM Page 5

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2012

Brock Sheridan • Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Publications

By BROCK SHERIDAN

Although there were no Florida-breds in the Kentucky Derby

presented byYum!Brands this year, therewere plenty ofMar-

ion County finger prints all around Churchill Downs on the

first Saturday inMay.Asmany as 11 of the Derby starters had connec-

tions to the Ocala area, including the top three finishers.

Winner I’ll HaveAnotherwas purchased out of the 2010

Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Victor Avilia of

Ocala, who works as an exercise rider at Dr. Barry

Eisaman’s Eisaman Equine in Williston, Fla. Avilia pur-

chased the son of FlowerAlley for $11,000 before return-

ing toOcala to train the coltwith the assistance of Eisaman.

Derby runner-up Bodemeister received his early training from J.B.

and Kevin McKathan at their training Center in Citra and third-place

finisher Dullahan spent time at Gold Mark Training Center in Ocala.

After six months of training I’ll Have Another, Avilia sold the colt

under Eisaman’s consignment at the 2011 Ocala Breeders’Sales Com-

pany SpringApril Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training for $35,000. (See

story on page 54). If you’re keeping score, that is $24,000 in profit that

hit theMarion County and Florida economies.Add to that the feed, em-

ployees, veterinary care and supplies, land, barns, race trackmaintenance,

transportation and tack spent on I’llHaveAnother during his stay here in

Marion County, and one can begin to calculate the impact

one young thoroughbred has on the area and Florida econ-

omy. According to one Ocala-area farm manager, the cost

to train a yearling into his 2-year-old year and up to the date

of his sale, hovers around $90per day. So for a horse like I’ll

HaveAnother who was brought to Marion County in Sep-

tember of 2010 and sold in April of 2011, that roughly

equates to nearly $19,000. With several thousand yearlings coming to

Marion County, Florida each year, their total impact on the economy is

hundreds of millions. If one uses the horses that pass through just the

four two-year-old in training sales conducted in Florida this year, they

alone generate some $40,000,000 in economic impact before there is

ever a hand raised to bid on them.A conservative estimate is that these

two-year-olds will generate some additional $85,000,000 in gross re-

ceipts at these four auctions.

It wasn’t just Derby horses at Churchill Downs that day that received

their early training inOcala. LittleMike,winner of the $500,000Wood-

ford ReserveTurf Classic received his early training from James Crupi

and his team at New Castle Farm in Ocala. Bred in Florida by Carlo

Vaccarezza of Parkland and owned by his wife Priscilla, Little Mike is

trained byDaleRomans. ButVaccarezza is quick to point out that Crupi

deserves much of the credit for the success of the 5-year-old gelding.

“I want to give a lot of credit to Jimmy Crupi,” Vaccarezza said

after the Turf Classic. “He’s had the horse since he was a baby. He

took his time, never rushed it with the horse and broke him the right

way. And like he tells me, a strong foundation goes a long way.”

TheTwin SpiresTurf Sprint (G3) run at Churchill onDerby day,was

also won by a Florida-bred in GreatAttack. Bred by Edward Seltzer of

Williston and Murray Durst of Hollywood, Great Attack is also by the

Stonewall FarmOcala stallionGreatness. Inwinning the $125,000Turf

Sprint, GreatAttackwas just ahead ofBridgetown in second,who is yet

another local product. Bridgetown is owned byMelnyk Racing Stables

and bred by EugeneMelnyck, owner ofWinding Oaks Farm in Ocala.

So don‘t bemisledwhen theKentuckyDerby does not feature a regis-

tered Florida-bred.At one time or another, most of them have considered

MarionCountyhome.Acloser lookat theother stakesatChurchillDowns

that day, and there is little doubt the major impact Florida breeding and

training continues to have on thoroughbred racing on a national scale.�

Florida Finger PrintsCover KentuckyDerby

the Brock talk

As many as 11 ofthe Derby startershad connections

to the Ocala area,including the topthree finishers.

4625 N.W. 110th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34482-1833 • Contact J. J. Crupi1-866-313-5400 • 352-427-1600 (cell) • www.newcastlefarm.com

CRUPI’SNew Castle FarmThere’s no hastle at the Castle

Congratulationsto all the connections of

Woodford ReserveTurf Classic Winner

Little MikeOwner

Priscilla Vaccarezza

BreederCarlo Vaccarezza

TrainerDale Romans

BrockTalk.qxd:EditorWelcome 5/11/12 8:29 AM Page 6


The results of the $100,000NorthernSpur

StakesApril 14 atOaklawnPark answer the age

old question as to why they run horse races.

Before the race, it was difficult to see how

Drill could be beat. He was a Southern Cali-

fornia-based multiple stakes winner of the

Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and the Grade 2

SanVincente. He came from the barn of Hall

of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who hadwon his

fifth and sixth consecutive stakes at the

Arkansas track later in the day whenAlterna-

tion won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and

Bodemeister took the Arkansas Derby (G1).

Drill was by far the richest competitor in the

Northern Spur with $339,710 and the only

one with even a six figures bankroll. His pilot

was Rafael Bejarano, the second leading rider

at the current SantaAnita meeting. Obviously

the wagering public thought the same as they

made Drill the odds-on favorite at 3-5.

But none of that mattered to Florida-bred

Master Rick.

During the early stages of the race, jockey

Corey Nakatani had Master Rick placed be-

hind themoderate pace of leader Double Rah

Rah, who ran the first quarter of a mile in :24

seconds and the half in an even slower :48.40.

Around the far turn, Master Rick came from

between horses to get to the front while Drill

raced four-wide to get to even terms with the

leader and the two began their battle. They

bobbed heads until just inside the eighth pole

when Master Rick pulled away, winning by

1¼ legnths. Master Rick completed the one

mile Northern Spur in 1:36.73.

Master Rick gave his supporters $12.60

for their $2 win tickets and gave trainer Steve

Asmussen and Nakatani their fifth win to-

gether on the day.

Asmussen began the final two days of

the Oaklawn meeting one race behindAllen

Milligan, who had led the standings for

most of the meeting. But Asmussen won

three races on April 13 to Milligan’s one,

then pulled ahead for the title with the big

final day concluding the “Fifth Season”

with 36 wins to Milligan’s 31.

“It’s a great day for Steve [Asmussen] and


FloridaFOCUS

Master Rick Takes Northern Spur Stakes

With an aggressive move at the five-six-

teenths pole off the rail and to the outside,

jockey Corey Nakatani positioned Florida-

bred Jackson Bend for an epic confrontation

with front-running Shackleford in the Grade

1, $400,000 Carter Handicap. After match-

ing strides to the top of the stretch, Jackson

Bend finally willed his way to the lead only

to have 2011 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1)

winner Caleb’s Posse close in on him with

every stride.

At the wire, Jackson Bend remained in

front, by a nose, to win an electrifying 112th

edition of the Carter on April 7 at Aqueduct

Racetrack.

The five-horse field assembled the cream

of the middle-distance runners in the coun-

try, and the matchup more than lived up to

its billing. The 5-year-old Jackson Bend,

owned by Robert LaPenta and Fred Brei and

trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, won the

Carter, one of the prized sprints in racing, in

1:22.32 for seven furlongs.

Shackleford, the 2011 Preakness (G1)

winner, finished 1½ lengths

behind Caleb’s Posse in

third, followed by Emcee

and Tahitian Warrior.

Calibrachoawas scratched.

While theCarter didn’t de-

finitively settle who the best

middle-distance runner in the

country is, it showed Jackson

Bend is an ace at seven fur-

longs, running his record to a

perfect 4-for-4 at the distance.

“The way he was moving, I felt I’d get

next to Shackleford, let Shackleford do a lit-

tle of the dirty work and go …,” said

Nakatani, who won four races on the Resorts

World Casino NewYork City Wood Memo-

rial card. “…once I got around the turn, I

was going to see where I was at. When

Caleb’s Posse started coming at me … this

horse has so much heart. It brings a tear to

my eye. He’s Mighty Mouse. He’s so little,

15 hands, but he’s got so much heart.”

Zito said he, too, teared up watching the

race.

“That was some thrill, I’ll tell you,” he

said. “It’s amazing, this business. You know,

as a groom, I grew up around here, and I

watched [the race] from right over there,

where I used to watch it when I rubbed horses.

I put my foot under a lucky spot from when I

used to rub horses. It’s just a great feeling.”

The Carter presented a fascinating hand-

icapping puzzle, and the lightly campaigned

but torridly fast Emcee figured to make the

pace.

Jackson Bend Takes Grade 1 Carter in New York

Florida-bredJackson Bend

DAVI

DAL

COSS

ERPH

OTO

Focus.qxd:Layout 1 5/2/12 10:26 AM Page 8


Musical Romance Gets UpTo win Inside Information

Eclipse Award winner and Florida-bred

Horse of theYear Musical Romance rebounded

from her disappointing 2012 debut in the Sun-

shineMillions Filly andMare Sprint to register a

three-quarter-length victory over the 45-1 Hot

Summer in the Mar. 17 $150,000 Inside Infor-

mation at Gulfstream Park.

Musical Romance grabbed a quarter and tore

her shoe half off leaving the starting gate in the

SunshineMillions, doingwell to finish fourth in

her first appearance since sewing up an Eclipse

Award with a 11⁄4-length victory over Switch in

theBreeders’CupFilly andMare Sprint. But she

had no such issues at the start of the Grade 2 In-

side Information, breaking alertly and racingwell

placed a couple of lengths behind the pacesetters.

Musical Romance appeared to be in some

troublewhen she lacked racing roomnear the in-

side through early stretch. But Leyva remained

patient and found a seam near midstretch, at

which pointMusical Romance burst through the

opening to run down leader Hot Summer.

Musical Romance, who had not hit the board

in five previous starts at Gulfstream, completed

seven furlongs in 1:21.88 and returned a gener-

ous $11.20 considering she is the reigning Filly

andMare Sprint champ.

“I’m so proud of this filly, she’s really re-

markable,” said trainer Bill Kaplan, who also

ownsMusical Romance in partnershipwith Pin-

nacle Racing Stable. “She got hurt pretty bad in

her last start - she had an infection in that heal

andmissed threeweeks of training. But she told

me she was ready the way she’d been training,

and Juan is the IceMan.He stayed in that pocket,

waited and waited, and then got through. I was

afraid it wasn’t going to open up, and then she

came through there.”

and I’m really happy to be part of his

team,” Nakatani said after winning on

Master Rick. “And I’m very [happy] for

owner [Richard L. Davis.]” Despite all the

success the jockey andAsmussen had ear-

lier, like those who bet Drill and 9-5 sec-

ond choice Explain, even Nakatani was

taken aback by Master Rick’s perform-

ance in the Northern Spur. “It shaped up a

little better than I thought it would,” he

continued. “I was biding my time and

about the half-mile pole, I let him out a

little bit and when Drill came to me, I

opened up a little bit on him. Hoping it

would work and it did.”

It was only the second win for Master

Rick who had just broke his maiden at Oak-

lawn Mar. 17 after four tries in previous

races. Bred by English Ranch Farms, Mas-

ter Rick earned $60,000 for the win and in-

creased his earnings to $94,930.

Master Rick is a graduate of last year’s

Ocala Breeders’Sales Company Spring Sale

ofTwo-Year-Olds inTraining where he sold

for $47,000.

“It was a good opportunity for [Master

Rick] today,” Asmussen said. “But we’re

going to find more big races for him.”

Drill, who was bred in Kentucky by

Stonewall Farm which is now located in

Ocala, hung on for second and finished

eight lengths ahead of third-place finisher

Explain. Drill, a son of the late stallion

Lawyer Ron, only returned $2.20 for a $2

place ticket but the $2 exacta with Master

Rick on top paid a nice $26.00.

Florida-bredMaster Rick #5

Florida-bredMusical Romance

COAD

YPH

OTO

COGL

IANE

SEPH

OTO

CorrectionIn an article entitled Elite Eleven published in the February issue of The Florida Horse, we inadvertently

omitted Toby’s Corner as a Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes race winner in 2011.Owned and bred in Florida by Dianne D. Cotter,Toby’s Corner won the Grade 1 ResortsWorld CasinoWood

Memorial at Aquduct Racetrack on April 9, 2011.A son of Bellamy Road,who was also aWood Memorial win-ner bred by Cotter, Toby’s Corner was trained by Graham Motion and ridden in the Wood by Eddie Castro.

Prior to winning the $1,020,000 Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles, Toby’s Corner had won the $100,000Whirlaway Stakes and was third in the $250,000 Gotham Stakes (G3), both at Aqueduct in 2011.

After winning theWoodMemorial, de-feating 1-10 favorite and champion UncleMo, Toby’s Corner was being trained tostart in the Kentucky Derby presented byYum! Brands (G1) when he suffered an in-jury to his left hind leg and was forced tomiss the Triple Crown races.

Toby’s Corner has resumed his racingcareer in 2012, finishing third in both theGeneral George Handicap Feb. 20 at Lu-arel Race Course in Maryland and againthird in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handi-cap at Fair Grounds April 1.CO

GLIA

NESE

PHOT

OPH

OTO

Florida-bred Toby’s Corner



FloridaFOCUS

South Florida racing fans don’t get to

see jockey Calvin Borel much. During the

Spring and Summer Borel rides primarily at

Churchill Downs and the three-time Ken-

tucky Derby presented byYum! Brands (G1)

winner spends the winter months riding at

Oaklawn Park inArkansas and Fair Grounds

in New Orleans.

Just in case anybody watching the Florida

Derby (G1) at Gulfstream didn’t know what

makes the cajun rider so special, Borel

showed them how he likes to ride (and win)

a race. Aboard Take Charge Indy, Borel

broke the 7-1 choice from the three post just

slower than Reveron, Union Rags and Neck

‘n Neck, all of which started to his outside.

But Borel used his inside post to get the lead

and he wasn’t about to give up the rail.

Breaking from the eight hole on Reveron,

jockey Elvis Trujillo tried the hardest, but

Borel quickly had Take Charge Indy on the

lead and on the rail-just where he feels most

comfortable. And from where Borel is also

most dangerous.

As those whowatch Borel regularly know,

when he begins his relaxing rocking chair

motion while racing in front, he can be down

right deadly.

Although Reveron took the lead from the

Take Charge Indy momentarily around the

far turn, Borel bounded along on Take

Charge Indy on the rail

as cool as an Atlantic

breeze, unfazed by the

move by Trujillo and

Reveron. Then just be-

fore they turned for

home, Borel said “go”

and Take Charge Indy

went-sprinting away

from their Florida

Derby rivals with ap-

parent ease on their

way to a length victory

over Reveron in second and the heavily fa-

vored Union Rags in third.

While Reveron stalked Take Charge Indy

throughout the entire race, he could not main-

tain his brief lead in the far turn and was just

second best in the Florida Derby.

Union Rags, on the other hand, had more

to deal with during the race.

Around the clubhouse turn, it appeared

jockey Julien Leparoux had Union Rags in

good position on the inside in fifth, some three

and-a-half lengths off ofTakeCharge Indy and

just behindNeck ‘nNeck,

who also running on the

rail in third. But down the

backstretch, jockey Javier

Castellano on El Padrino

rushed up just to the out-

side of Union Rags, and

suddenly Leparoux found

himself in a box with no

way to move closer to the leader.

That box stayed closed on Union Rags

down the backstretch and all the way around

the far turn and into the stretch, when by that

time, Take Charge Indy was long gone.

Reveronwas still lengths ahead also, butUnion

Rags put in a valiant effort to fall just a neck

short of catchingReveron andwound up third.

Michael Matz, the trainer of Union Rags,

admitted that he didn’t expect the result even

after UnionRags lost his right hind shoe in the

paddock and had to have it tacked back on.

“Julien said Javier was on him the whole

time down the backside, but that’s just race-

riding. He said he should have been closer the

way the track has been right now.”Matz said.

“Horses aren’t coming back. Pat’s [Byrne

trainer ofTake Charge Indy] horse got an easy

lead and he got a head start on me, and we

just couldn’t get him.”

Byrne had a slightly different perspective

on the race. “I didn’t feel there was any pres-

sure on me going in. I was

seven, 8-1. Mike [Matz] was

[2-5]. It’s nice to be [2-5] be-

cause it usually means you

have the best horse on that

day. But I wouldn’t trade

places with him. This was a

solid race today,” Byrne said.

“I appreciate owners like

Chuck and Maribeth Sandford for giving me

an opportunity. I’m blessed to have a horse

like Take Charge Indy.”

Take Charge Indy covered the 11⁄8 miles of

the Florida Derby in 1:48.79 and returned

$17.40 for a $2 win ticket. Reveron paid

$18.40 to place while Union Rags returned

$2.10 to show. The Take Charge Indy-

Reveron $2 exacta paid $252.40.

The $600,000 first place check is more

than enough to qualify Take Charge Indy for

theKentuckyDerby to be runMay 5. Reveron

added $200,000 to his graded earnings

bankroll and may have enough for a ticket to

Kentucky, now having $220,000 in graded

earnings. Union Rags had enough graded

earnings to qualify for the Run for the Roses

before the Florida Derby and his $100,000

third-place check took his graded earnings

total to $1,170,000. Fourth-place finisher El

Padrino should also have enough to get to

Kentucky, earning $50,000 for $250,000 in

total graded earnings.Take Charge Indy winning the Florida Derby

‘TAKE CHARGE’

“I appreciate ownerslike Chuck and MaribethSandford for giving me anopportunity. I’m blessedto have a horse like TakeCharge Indy.”—Pat Byrne

Take Charge Indyputs Borel in his comfort

zone for Florida Derby win

COGL

IANE

SEPH

OTO



International bloodstock agentRenato

Gameiro (Albatroz Bloodstock) and owner

Greg James reached an agreement to shuttle

2008 Eclipse Champion Sprinter Florida-

bred Benny the Bull to Brazil for the 2012

and 2013 Southern Hemisphere breeding

seasons . Winner of the Frank J. De Francis

Memorial Dash Stakes (G1) and the Dubai

Golden Shaheen (G1), Benny the Bull will

stand at Haras Santa Tereza do Bom Retiro

(Jose Adriano Quadros), located at Julio de

Castilhos, Rio Grande de Sul. Benny the

Bull will return to Vinery at Ocala for

Northern Hemisphere duties.

“From my point of view, if you lose an

Eclipse Award winner, you need to replace

him with another Eclipse Award winner,”

said Renato Gameiro. “Benny the Bull is

going to replace Artax. Traditionally Brazil

has been looking for stamina, but we are

looking to infuse the breed with speed, and

I believe Benny the Bull’s brilliance and ac-

celeration can translate to our market.”

“It is very exciting and rewarding to see

Benny the Bull going to Brazil for Southern

Hemisphere duties. I had received several

offers last year, but none that I felt as confi-

dent and comfortable in as Haras Santa

Tereza. It is a great opportunity, with great

tradition and high quality mares. With the

quality of his foals, the future of Benny the

Bull is very exciting,” said Greg James.

Benny the Bull, an 8-year-old horse by

Lucky Lionel – Comet Cat, by Birdon-

thewire, retired with a record of 9-3-2 from

20 starts and earnings of $2,353,430. He

was bred in Florida by Tomoka Farms, Inc.


FloridaFOCUS Benny the Bull toShuttle to Brazil

Florida-bred Beat the Blues took the

33rd running of the $75,000 Carousel Stakes

at Oaklawn ParkApril 12 giving the baymare

her third win in her last four starts and her

first stakes win since taking the Saylorville

Stakes at Prairie Meadows last June.

The 5-year-old daughter of Great Pyramid

(IRE), rated comfortably on the inside off a

pace set by Mysterious Chimes, who led the

field through an opening quarter in 21.88.

Jockey Miguel Mena kept the Bret Calhoun

trainee just off a tier that included Omi’sVin-

dication and stablemateGleaming as the front-

runner went the half in :45.42, then advanced

to second when the rail opened up off the

turn.Theywent five-eighths in :57.57 as Beat

the Blues surged to a 13⁄4-length advantage.

Final time for six furlongs was 1:09.67.

Beat theBlueswas bredbyEdwardPendray,

B.K. Pendray andWilliamF. andAnnabelMur-

phy giving Murphy his second Carousel as a

breeder. In 2006 Murphy along with his wife

Annabel bred Carousel winner Graeme Six.

After the race Calhoun commented that he

has been patient in returning Beat the Blues to

the track since coming to Oaklawn Park from

Florida, where she finished sixth, beaten 13

lengths at Gulfstream Park in her last race.

“The first thing we wanted to do was get

someweight back on her” Calhoun said. “She

had really gotten excited [in Florida] and we

wanted to get her back and let her regroup.

We got her here pretty early and just let her

take herself along [and] get her confidence

back and it worked out nicely for her.”

“Everythingwent the rightway forus today,”

Mena remarked. “We had a good break and a

good run, secondposition in the turn and the rail

opened up perfect for us. I asked her to run and

shedid.Shewas thebest horse in the race today.”

Sent off at odds of 4-1, Beat the Blues re-

turned $10.60, $6.20, and $4. Mysterious

Chimes paid $10.20 and $4.60, and Gleam-

ing brought $2.40.

Beat the Blues Returns toWinning Ways in Carousel Stakes

Honor Glide Dead at 18Turf Triple Crown winner of $1.4 million, Florida-bred Honor Glide, died April 4, of a heart attack.

Winner of both the Secretariat (G1) at Arlington, and the Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga, Honor Glidewon or placed in 12 graded stakes, including a track record at Belmont, stakes records at Arlington andWoodbine, spanning a 6 year racing career. He is theonly horse since Buckpasser in 1966 to win the TurfTriple Crown.

Honor Glide was bred in Florida by Bonnie HeathFarm and raced by Rob Schaedle and Bonnie HeathFarm. He was trained by Jim Day and ChristopheClement. He began his stud career in Florida beforemoving to Fanlew Farms,where he now has his firstcrop of Louisiana two-year-olds. He has progenyearnings in excess of $3.5 million.

LOUI

SERE

INAG

ELPH

OTO

Florida-bredBenny The Bull

COAD

YPH

OTO

LOUI

SERE

INAG

ELPH

OTO

Florida-bredBeat The Blues

Florida-bredHonor Glide

Focus.qxd:Layout 1 5/10/12 2:41 PM Page 12



FloridaFOCUS

Rain storms covered southern FloridaApril 21 forcing the Grade 3

Miami Mile to come off the turf course and onto a sealed and sloppy

main track, allowing for six scratches from the $125,000 race.That was

all fine with trainer SaulMatos as his Imperial Czar drew into the body

of the one mile race from the also eligible list, then promptly won

against the abbreviated field of eight.

Ridden by jockey Jesus Rios, Imperial Czar broke from post seven

then settled nicely mid-pack in fourth around the first turn, five lengths

behind pacesetter Ducduc. But down the backstretch and three wide

around the far turn, Rios allowed Imperial Czar to creep ever closer to the

front then took the lead at the top of the stretch. Ducducwas not finished

and fought Imperial Czar from the rail and from further back,NumbLips

was rolling too. It was still anybody’s race with a furlong to run but Im-

perial Czar would not give up the lead and went on to a three-quarter

length victory overNumbLipswho had just passed the stubbornDucduc

for second. The speedy Ducduc was still safe in third place.

“The race went just like I anticipated it would,” Rios said after dis-

mounting in the winners’circle. “There was a lot of speed and I wanted

to sit off it; not too far back, but far enough that when I asked him, he

would just go on. And he did. He loved the track, and he just went on

when I asked.”

That strategy also met the approval ofMatos, who saddled Imperial

Czar for owner Jessica Colon. “It’s the jockey,” Matos said. “In Puerto

Rico, I won over 125 races with [Rios].And all of my stakes races that

I won in Puerto Rico were with this jockey. I have very good luck with

him. I just put him on the horse and tell him to do whatever he wants. I

have nothing but confidence in him.”

It was just the second time Rios had ridden Imperial Czar after tak-

ing over for jockey Orlando Bocachica during the winter. Jockey Rios

and the Florida-bred hit it off right away though, winning a $25,000

starter allowance over Gulfstream Park’s main trackApr. 5, the first win

for Imperial Czar in seven starts since taking the American Dreamer

Stakes at Calder last summer. The Miami Mile was the seventh career

win in 28 races for the 4-year-old Imperial Czar, who was bred by R.C.

Voorhees and ElizabethA. Steinbach. Imperial Czar is by Imperialism,

who stands in Florida at Get Away Farm in Lowell. Imperial Czar is

also a graduate of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company 2008 October

Sale where he sold for the bargain price of $2,000.

Imperial Czar covered the mile in 1:39.86 and earned $75,000 for

the win bringing his career bankroll to $269,786. The victory was a bit

of a surprise to Calder punters who let Imperial Czar break from the

post as the sixth choice at nearly 9-1 odds. But those who supported

him were rewarded with $19.80 for a $2 win ticket with the Imperial

Czar-Numb Lips exacta returning a healthy $124.40.With favorite De-

cisive Moment finishing fifth, the trifecta paid $738.60 and the super-

fecta price flashed $2,719.20 on the Calder tote board.

Completing the order of finishwasYummywith Butter in fourth then

Decisive Moment, Tannersville, It’s Never to Late and Sette E Mezzo.

COAD

YPH

OTO

Florida-bredImperial Czar

RutherfordMulhall, P.A.Our legal services to the equine industry include:•Sale and purchase of equestrian businesses, farms and horses

•Litigation involving equine related matters•Tax and business structuring advice

•Preparation of partnership and syndication agreements•Preparation of training and boarding agreements

•Banking and finance specific to farm and equine assets•Estate planning and probate•Bankruptcy and related issues

Please contact:

DavidA.McKibbin, Esq.Ocala office

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

2600 No.MilitaryTrail • Boca Raton, FL 33431-6348

Phone: 1-800-741-1600•Cell: 561-818-0050•Fax: [email protected] • www.rmlawyer.com

Florida-bred Imperial Czar Capitalizes onMiami Mile Opportunity

Focus.qxd:Layout 1 5/10/12 2:41 PM Page 14


RE

ED

PAL

ME

RP

HO

TO


In winning his first Grade 1victory, Little Mike outlasts

a quality field going wire to wire in winning theWoodford Reserve Turf Classic by 21⁄2 lengths at

Churchill Downs.

The victory was extra special for trainer Dale Romans,whonoted that Little Mike was sidelined for much of last year

due to a condylar fracture.“A pretty sweet victory for Mike,” hesaid. “He’s a super horse.”

Bred in Florida by Carlo E.Vaccarezza,ownedbyPriscillaVaccarezza,Little Mike increased his career earnings to $830,412.

LittleMike_ReedPalmer_PhotoSpr.qxd:Layout 1 5/11/12 6:28 AM Page 16


LittleMike_ReedPalmer_PhotoSpr.qxd:Layout 1 5/7/12 1:19 PM Page 17


FLORIDANEWS from the Derby

By BROCK SHERIDAN

Afterwatching I’ll HaveAnotherwin the Ken-tuckyDerby presented byYum! Brands (G1),one would expect Dr. Barry Eisaman to be

enjoying the victory with notable celebration. Afterall, the winner of 138th running of the Americansports classic was a graduate of Eisaman’s earlytraining program and consignment at EisamanEquine inWilliston,Fla.But it was quite the contraryfor the Marion County horseman.

“I didn’t get to see the much of the [KentuckyDerby] program,” Eisaman said from his consign-ment barn at the Fasig-Tipton Sale in Timonium,Maryland. “I was at the Atlanta airport watchingthe race on a television monitor about ten peopledeep. I had loaded [horse transportation] vans allafternoon on Saturday then I flew out that eveningto meet the vans in Maryland Sunday morning.”

And although Eisaman had achieved a mile-stone in the thoroughbred racing world, he was farfrom instant celebritystatus. “Nobody [at theairport] knew anythingabout me or my affilia-tion with the KentuckyDerbywinner,”Eisamansaid with humility. “Imean I was jumpingaround a little, buteverybody is jumpingup and down watchingan event like that. Iwasn’t any differentthan any other racing fan at the airport.”

Not even in the enclosure of the commercialflight did Eisaman achieve recognition. “Therewas nobody in the seat next to me so I just triedto relax and get some rest. When I got to Mary-land, I had a late dinner and went to bed.”

Even when asked, Eisaman was quick to passaround credit for his affiliation with the Derby win-ner. “Actually it was an exercise rider at our farmthat bought the colt [Kentucky Derby winner I’llHave Another]. Victor Davila bought the colt as ayearling [at the Keeneland September Sale] for

$11,000. He’s done that for a few years now, sowe’ve always helped him.”

Eisaman also consigned the chestnut colt tothe 2011 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company SpringSale of Two-Year-Olds In Training last April wherehe was purchased by Dennis O’Neill for $35,000.O’Neill frequents OBS to buy prospective runnersfor his brother, trainer Doug O’Neill and theirclients.When Dennis signed the ticket to purchaseI’ll Have Another last year, he was acting as anagent for J. Paul Reddam and his Reddam RacingLLC. And it was Reddam in the Churchill Downswinner’s circle Saturday hoisting the golden Ken-tucky Derby trophy.

“I’m very happy for Dennis and Doug [O’Neill]andMr.Reddam,”Eisaman said.“Mr.Reddam hasbeen such an immense supporter of this sport. Hedidn’t have to go to a yearling sale and give a mil-lion dollars for this horse. They got themselves tothe big dance for a very inexpensive investment.

Now they’ve won $2mil-lion and I imagine thehorse is now worth con-siderably more than that.It couldn’t happen to abetter guy. It’s nice to seehim standing with all ofthat celebration aroundhim.

It is also a tribute toDennis [O’Neill]. I thinkmany buying systems getencumbered with team

buying and force a horse to pass the criteria of three,four ormorepeople.Dennis just kindof easesaroundthe [OBSSale] barnsbyhimself.Heusesavet,but it’sgoodold fashionedhorsemanship thatheused tobuythis horse and that Doug uses to train.”

After leaving the OcalaApril OBS sale, I’ll HaveAnother was shipped to Doug O’Neill’s barn atSanta Anita in Arcadia, Ca.The colt quickly beganreturning on Reddam’s investment,winning a Hol-lywood Park maiden special weight race in July,earning $33,000 in his first race. In his next startI’ll Have Another finished second in the Grade 2

Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack near SanDiego, beaten 1¾ lengths by Creative Cause,whowas fifth in the Kentucky Derby Saturday. O’Neillthen shipped I’ll Have Another, named for whenReddam often asks his wife for another cookie, toNew York where he finished sixth, beaten 19lengths by Florida-bred Currency Swap in theGrade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga.

O’Neill then gave the Flower Alley colt fivemonths of vacation before returning him in theRobert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) in February at SantaAnita,where he won at odds of 43-1.Twomonthslater he won the Santa Anita Derby (G1), this timedefeating Creative Cause by a nose.

Saturday, the wagering public let I’ll Have An-other go off at 15-1 odds but the colt and youngjockey Mario Gutierrez responded with a troublefree race and a late rally to catch front runnerBodemeister and win the Derby by 1½ lengths.Bodemeister, another product of Marion Countytraining having graduated from the training cen-ter of J.B. and Kevin McKathan in Cirtra, Fla., hungon for second with Dullahan rallying to get up forthird. Final time for the 1¼ miles was 2:01.83.

Reddam’s winner’s check was $1,459,600and pushed the career earnings of I’ll Have An-other to $2,093,600. Bred in Kentucky by NewJersey real estate businessman Harvey Clarke, I’llHave Another is by Flower Alley and out ofClarke’s broodmare Arch’s Gal Edith, by Arch.

Doug O’Neill said shortly after the race on theNBC telecast of theDerby that theyexpect to take theDerby winner to Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes(G1) May 19. I’ll Have Another now tries to becomethe first horse since the Florida-bred Affirmed in1978 towin theTripleCrownconsisting of theDerby,Preakness and Belmont Stakes (G1) June 9.

While it is the first Derbywinner to graduate fromEisaman Equine, Dr. Eisaman has been on a year-long run of producing notable winners. 2011 Ken-tucky Oaks (G1) winner Plum Pretty and 2011Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice are allproducts of the center’s training.AfleetAgain,winnerof the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (G2) was alsotrained by Eisaman and his training center team.�

Derby Celebration Quiet for Eisaman

Graduate of Barry Eisaman’s earlytraining program takes the 138th Run for the Roses

REED

PALM

ERPH

OTO

Iʼll Have Another takes charge in the stretch ofthe 138th Kentucky Derby.

NEWS_Derby.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/11/12 8:42 AM Page 1



By DOUG MCCOY

For the most part runners from South Florida have usually been thehorses to beat on most previous Florida Cup days. But on April 7when Tampa Bay Downs and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’

and Owner’s Associaton teamed up to honor runners bred in the SunshineState, it was a locally based runner who attracted the bulk of the attention.

It’s Me MomFlorida-bred It’s Me Mom

sets track record at six furlongs

Florida-bred It’s Me Mom answers by holding offMy Charming Clyde while setting a track recordfor six furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs.

FL_Cup.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/2/12 11:24 AM Page 20

CO

OLE

YP

HO

TOS


It’s Me Mom, bred by 87-year-old Thomas Bosch and wifeJean, was the morning line favorite for the $75,000 Hilton Gar-den Inn Sprint on Cup day and was the horse many local fanshad come out to see.

But while she was the early favorite, there were still ques-tions looming as they went to the post in the Sprint. Forstarters this was to be It’s Me Mom’s first test against male ri-vals. And she came into the Sprint off a stunning loss to White

Merlot when tried at six and a half furlongs, a race thatsnapped a four race win streak.

Then there was the presence of Tommy’s Memory in thefield. If It’s Me Mom was the fastest sprinter on the grounds,Tommy’s Memory had to be in the top three along with ActionAndy. In previous races, Tommy’s Memory had been shootingto the front at the start and cutting out some blistering frac-tions. Even though he hadn’t been able to handle Action Andy

Highlights Florida Cup


in three starts locally this meeting, Tommy’s Memory

had, nevertheless, been in front into the stretch of those

races and in the six and a half furlong overnight handi-

cap the race previous, had flirtedwith the track record of

1:08.69while heading into the final sixteenth on the lead.

So the big questionwas:WouldTommy’sMemory and

It’sMeMom hook up in a suicidal speed duel that would

severely compromise the chances for both runners?

It didn’t take long for that question to be answered.

When the field broke from the chute, It’s Me Mom shot

to the front, as usual, but Tommy’s Memory was not, as

many expected, right at her flank from his outside post as

jockey David Amiss was content to allow his mount to

lay off the pace along the outside andwatch It’sMeMom.

So with no pressure early, It’s Me Mom, with Jorge

Vargas substituting for regular riderWillieMartinezwho

was in New York to pilot Trinniberg to victory in the

Grade 3 Bay Shore, was able to cut out a relatively soft

opening quarter of :22.49 and half of :44.24 while rac-

ing off the inner rail.

Out of the turn Vargas asked It’s Me Mom a bit and

the filly kicked in, opening up a bit past the furlong

marker then havingmore than enough left to hold a safe

margin overMyCharming Clyde. It’sMeMom covered

the six furlongs in 1:08.67 which set a new six furlong

track record.

“I thought there might be an early challenge but we

outbroke the field and were out on our own going eas-

ily,” Vargas said after, “I let her know it was time out of

the turn and she came away nicely.”

Jackfrost Ofcourse was three lengths back in third

with Quiz Whiz fourth. The win was the 10th from 16

lifetime starts and the $45,000winner’s share ran her ca-

reer earnings to $475,600.

Lynn Scace trains It’s Me Mom, who will now be

pointed for the Grade 2 $400,000 Presque Isle Downs

Masters this summer.

It’s Me Mom was bred in Florida by Thomas and

Jean M. Bosch and is by the Bridlewood Farm stallion

Put It Back.

TURF CLASSIC

The nine furlong Turf Classic produced the closest

finish of the afternoon as Roman Tiger swept by a host

of runners in the final 40 yards to post a three quarter

length victory, his second straight win over the Tampa

Bay Downs course.

Bred in Florida by Bowling and Dodd, Roman

Tiger, who had stunned the players in the Grade 3

Tampa Bay Stakes in his last race by slipping through


FloridaCup

“I just let him settle, and he began to pick up the fieldgetting to the far turn and I hadn’t even asked him.”—jockeyAngel Serpa

Florida-bredRoman Tiger won

the Turf Classic




along the rail to capture that race at 28-to-1, showed

that win was no fluke as he took the overland route in

the Classic. Roman Tiger swung to the far outside for

racing room a furlong out then roared pastVanquisher,

who had stuck a nose in front from between rivals, fa-

vored Slews Answer and Bwana Brave, to be up in

time. The winning jockey on Roman Tiger wasAngel

Serpa.

“This guy (Roman Tiger) is all race horse,” Serpa

said.” The last time, we stayed inside every step and he

ran them all down late. Today he broke wide and I had

to straighten him out and we were well back. But I have

so much confidence in him. I just let him settle, and he

began to pick up the field getting to the far turn and I

hadn’t even asked him.

“I asked him about the 3⁄8-mile pole and he really re-

sponded.At that point, I knew I had a ton of horse and all

I had to do was keep him out of traffic to win.We hit the

lead inmidstretch and he still had run and I just gave him

his head and that was that.”

Owner/trainer Dennis J.

Manning purchased Roman

Tiger for $20,000 from blood-

stock agent Glenn Brok after

the horse was a buyback at a 2-year-old sale at Timo-

nium inMaryland. He bought him for a client, but when

the client declined, Manning decided to keep Roman

Tiger for himself.

Although he has won only four of 25 starts, the vet-

eran stakes campaigner’s earnings are now $456,470.

He covered the nine furlongs in 1:48.10.

FIRST DUDE TURF DISTAFF STAKE

HoohWhy is a horse who’s story is bittersweet to say

the least. And the 6-year-old mare added another chap-

ter to that tale in the Turf Distaff when she came away

with a head decision over favored Unbridled Humor in

that 11⁄16-mile test on turf. The final time was 1:41.46.

Gail Gee, owned Derby Daze Farm but she passed

away suddenly a year and a half ago. Her boyfriend

Mark Hoffman owns HoohWhy with E.B. Gee Jr. and

his wife Rosemary and Earl Trostrud Jr.

“It’s very emotional every time this mare runs” Hoff-

FloridaCup

“I didn’t ask her until entering the stretch. She wasgetting a little tired at the end and we were in tight, butshe had just enough.”—jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr.

Florida-bred Hooh Whytook the Turf Distaff



man admitted, “Shewas on her game today. Our strategy

was to sit third but she just dragged [jockey] Rosemary

[Homeister Jr] up there, she couldn’t take her back.”

Homeister referred to the ride as a “dream trip” and

said she didn’t ask Hooh Why for much until entering

the stretch.

“I figured we’d sit third and follow the speed, but the

pace was so slow and she wanted to get up there,”

Homeister said. “She relaxed well just off the leader

(Speak Easy Gal) and I didn’t ask her until entering the

stretch. She was getting a little tired at the end and we

were in tight, but she had just enough.”

The win and $45,000 winner’s share of the Distaff

raisedHoohWhy’s career earnings to $988,172.Another

Smokey turned in another good effort for trainer Joyce

Kielty to be third.

OCALA BREEDERS SALES SOPHOMORE STAKES

Mike Tarp is one of those “snowbirds” as the Cal-

gary, Alberta car dealer spends his winters in Spring

Hill. But he has investments in the Sunshine State of a

four-legged variety. Tarp bought the 2-year-old High

Cotton colt out of the Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old in training

sale for $70,000 and got a good bit of that investment

back when the late running Dale Romans trainee passed

the leaders of the seven furlong Sophomore Stakes.

Tarpy’s Goal then turned back a late rally fromMidnight

Serenade for a length victory that was worth $45,000.

IndirectlyA.P. finished third.

Tarp, who owns a Chrysler dealership in Calgary, has

several horses with Romans, all with the prefix

“Tarpy’s” in their name.

Bred by Chad R. Schumer and Nancy Sexton,

Tarpy’s Goal won for the third time in nine lifetime

starts. Last July, he finished third in the Grade 2 Futurity

at Belmont. By Ocala Stud stallion High Cotton out of

Terre des Hommes, he was his sire’s first winner last

May at Churchill Downs.

Tarpy’s Goal paid $8.60 as the third betting choice in

the field of eight.

Tampa Bay leading rider Leandro Goncalves rode

“I’m just looking forward to the rest of the year withhim. I think we will be pointing at stakes races, most

likely at Churchill Downs.”—Mike Tarp

Florida-bred TarpyʼsGold won theSophomore Stakes



Tarpy’s Goal and said he rode him per instructions.

“They told me he would put in a late run and he sure

did,”Goncalves said. “Therewere a bunch of themgoing

quick up front so I was glad to be behind the lead group.

I asked for run going into the turn, but a horse came up

outside and I had to wait and then we got pushed wide

entering the stretch. But as soon aswe had a clear run, he

just fired up and was really moving at the end.

“He had to be dead fit to run that kind of race.”

“He has done very well for us,” Tarp said. “He had

plenty of run, and it is doubly exciting when you are the

owner. He had a couple of bum races as a 2-year-old,

but he is a pretty fine colt.

“He has some big races ahead of him. I’m just look-

ing forward to the rest of the year with him; it will be

Dale’s decision where he goes next, but he is looking re-

ally good right now. I think wewill be pointing at stakes

races, most likely at Churchill Downs.”

STONEHEDGE SOPHOMORE FILLY SPRINT

Trainer Dale Romans made it 2-for-2 on the Florida

Cup Day card when 3-year-old filly Xunlei wore down

favored pace-setter Citizen Advocate and rolled to a

four-length victory under Tampa Bay Downs leading

jockey Leandro Goncalves, who had ridden the Ro-

mans-trainedTarpy’s Goal to victory in the Ocala Breed-

ers’ Sales Sophomore.

Xunlei, a daughter ofVinery Florida stallion D’wild-

cat, was bred by Rustlewood Farm, Inc. and is owned by

Paul Bulmahn’s Gold Mark Farm LLC. Romans’ assis-

tant, Terry Oliver, saddled both horses with his boss in

NewYork to attend to Shackleford in the Grade 1 Carter.

Xunlei sped the seven furlongs in 1:23.17 – .35 sec-

onds faster thanTarpy’s Goal’s winning time. It was her

third lifetime victory in seven starts.

Xunlei had also been entered at Gulfstream, but

Oliver said the connections were looking for a stakes

score and felt she was ready to handle the assignment.

“Any time we ship them out of town, we think

they’re doing good,” Oliver said. “She didn’t really get

along with the polytrack (surface) at Ocala (a fourth-

place finish in the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sprint on

March 12), but we thought she was doing well enough

to bring her here.”

Oliver left Gulfstream at 4:30 a.m. Saturday with

both horses, arrived at Tampa Bay Downs at 9 a.m. and

six-and-a-half hours later had two Florida CupDaywin-

ners and a combined $90,000 in earnings.

Goncalves kept her in fifth place early before asking

Xunlei for her best at the ¼-mile pole, and she re-

sponded quickly and professionally, leaving the others to

vie for second.

“Any time we ship them out of town, we think they’redoing good.”—Terry Oliver

Florida-bred Xunleiprevaled in the Ocala

Breedersʼ SalesSophomore

FloridaCup



“They toldme she could come from off the pace and

we actually out-broke the field,” Goncalves said. “I let

her settle off the lead group, but when I asked for run

we got up in behind four horses and I decided to wait

again rather than go too wide.

“When one of the leaders tired, we got the lane I

wanted entering the stretch and she put in a big run

getting to the lead,” he added.

Like her stablemate Tarpy’s Goal, Xunlei had been

working at Gulfstream in preparation for the Florida

Cup.

DAYTON DODGE SOPHOMORE TURF

After finishing 11th in his career debut last fall at

Belmont Park, blinkers were added to Star Channel’s

equipment line-up and in the Daytona Dodge Sopho-

more Turf, the Todd Pletcher trainee proved the change

made aworld of difference. Star Channel overcame hav-

ing his jockey, Pedro Cotto Jr., lose his irons at the break

to sweep past pacesetter Didn’t Take It in mid-stretch

and go on for a popular two and three-quarter length

win, his third in a row.

“It wasn’t the plan to be that far back early,” Cotto

admitted when asked about his horse being next to last

in the early going. “But I lost my irons momentarily at

the break and by the time I got them back, we were well

back. When I asked him for run he picked it up inside

the lead group. Then I swung outside and got clear. He

drifted out a bit so I stayed after him but after a night-

mare start, it was a dream trip.

Star Channel covered the mile and a sixteenth in

1:41.20. Didn’t Take It was easily second, more than

three lengths clear of Crafty Unicorn in third.

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rogers Jr. bred the English

Channel colt who is owned by GDS Racing Stable.

The partners in GDS Racing Stable, who own the 3-

year-old colt, turned down $220,000 for the son of Eng-

lish Channel-Reach the Top at last year’s Fasig-Tipton

Two-Year-Olds inTraining Sale at PalmMeadows.After

his victory in the Sophomore Turf, it was looking like a

wise decision.

“We didn’t get as much as we thought we could, so

we decided to keep him and run him,” said 23-year-old

co-owner Gustavo Delgado Jr., the son of Venezuelan

champion trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. “So far, we are

very proud of our decision.” Delgado also said he and

co-owners Antoine Douaihy and Alejandro Cervallos

were nervous early after Star Channel dropped far back.

It was the third victory in four lifetime starts for Star

Channel, who won two earlier turf races at Gulfstream

Park earlier in the year. Star Channel was bred in Florida

by Mr. &Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr.�

“When I asked him for run he picked it up inside thelead group. Then I swung outside and got clear.”

—jockey Pedro Cotto Jr.

Florida-bred StarChannel winning theDaytona DodgeSophomore Turf



Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” Point Standings through April 25, 2012.

Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOAChase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards points forsuccess in stakes races.

The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakes wins ingraded races,open-company stakes and Florida’s signature racing days,with thenumber of points awarded based upon the classification of the race. Internationalstakes race status is governed by the International Cataloguing Standards Com-mittee. The first three finishers in all Group/Graded and listed races appearing inPart I of the International Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Bookprinted by The Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation.Ten point bonus tobe awarded to any 2-year-old colt or filly sweeping all three legs of the Florida Stal-lion Stakes in determining the Champion 2-year-old Florida-bred.The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December 31

is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmare of theYear and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Board of Di-rectors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner.In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will be

used to decide the tiebreaker. — Points are assigned as follows:

� World Thoroughbred ChampionshipBreeders’ Cup Race:Win: 20 pointsPlace: 15 pointsShow: 10 points

� Grade 1 Stakes Race:Win: 15 pointsPlace: 10 pointsShow: 5 points

� Grade 2 Stakes Race:Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points

� Grade 3 Stakes Race:Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point

� Sunshine Millions(equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race):Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points

� Other Florida-bredSignature Race Days(equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):(The Florida Million, Florida Cup,Florida Stallion Stakes Series):Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point

� Open-Company Stakes($50,000+Purse) Points for WIN ONLY:Win: 2 points

� Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Breeder Owner TrainerCrafty Unicorn (Friends Lake) - 3 Sabrina Plumley & Harold J. Plumley Dennis Manning Dennis ManningStar Channel (English Channel) - 3 Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr. GDS Racing Stable Todd PletcherTarpy's Goal (High Cotton) - 3 Chad R. Schumer & Nancy Sexton Mike Tarp Dale Romans

Three-Year-Old FillyEden's Moon (Malibu Moon) - 15 Bridlewood Farm Kaleem Shah Inc. Bob BaffertYara (Put It Back) - 5 Brambly Lane Farm & Steve Dwoskin Peras International Jose GaroffaloMade to Love Her (Stevie Wonderboy) - 3 Sienna Farms LLC Copper Penny Stables James KasparoffRegalo Mia (Sligo Bay) - 3 Juvenile Diaz Steven Ciccarone Michelle NiheiXunlei (D'Wildcat) - 3 Rustlewood Farm, Inc. Gold Mark Farm LLC Dale Romans

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding)Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 20 Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Robert V. LaPenta & Fred J. Brei Nicholas ZitoRon the Greek (Full Mandate) - 20 Jack T. Hammer Brous Stable,Wachtel Stable & Jack T. Hammer William MottDoubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten) - 8 Arthur I. Appleton WinStar Farm LLC Todd PletcherMucho Macho Man (Mucho Uno) - 8 John D Rio & Carole A Rio Reeves Thoroughbred Racing & Dream Team One Racing Stable Katherine Ritvo

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare)Bay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13 Adena Springs Robert Smithen Brian LynchC C's Pal (Alex's Pal) - 7 Beth Bayer Eric Fein Richard Dutrow, JrWild Mia (Wildcat Heir) - 7 Montgomery Farm Rosemont Stud Syndicate Jerry FanningHoohWhy (Cloud Hopping) - 6 Gail Gee Estate of Gail Gee, Mark Hoffman & Earl Trostrud, Jr. Shirley K. Girten-DrakeIt's Me Mom (Put It Back) - 6 Thomas Bosch & Jean M. Bosch Thomas Bosch & Jean M. Bosch Lynne Scace

Male Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, Colt/Gelding race distances one mile and less)Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 20 Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Robert V. LaPenta & Fred J. Brei Nicholas ZitoDoubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten) - 8 Arthur I. Appleton WinStar Farm LLC Todd PletcherMucho Macho Man (Mucho Uno) - 5 John D Rio & Carole A Rio Reeves Thoroughbred Racing & Dream Team One Racing Stable Katherine Ritvo

Female Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, Filly/Mare, race distances one mile and less)Eden's Moon (Malibu Moon) - 15 Bridlewood Farm Kaleem Shah Inc. Bob BaffertIt's Me Mom (Put It Back) - 6 Thomas Bosch & Jean M. Bosch Thomas Bosch & Jean M. Bosch Lynne Scace

Male Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, Colt/Gelding, races run on the turf) BreederDoubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten) - 8 Arthur I. Appleton WinStar Farm LLC Todd PletcherRoman Tiger (Tiger Ridge) - 6 Bowling & Dodd Dennis Manning Dennis Manning

Female Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, Filly/Mare, races run on the turf) BreederBay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13 Adena Springs Robert Smithen Brian LynchWild Mia (Wildcat Heir) - 7 Montgomery Farm Rosemont Stud Syndicate Jerry FanningHoohWhy (Cloud Hopping) - 6 Gail Gee Estate of Gail Gee, Mark Hoffman & Earl Trostrud, Jr. Shirley K. Girten-Drake

ChaseToChampionship.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/11/12 8:59 AM Page 52

Call: 352.732.8858


HitYourMark.qxd:Layout 1 6/13/11 2:54 PM Page 1

DA

VID

AL

CO

SS

ER

PH

OTO


JacksonBend_CartH_PhotoSpr.qxd:Layout 1 5/2/12 11:48 AM Page 30


JacksonBend_CartH_PhotoSpr.qxd:Layout 1 5/11/12 8:45 AM Page 31


SE

RIT

AH

ULT

PH

OTO

S

By MICHAEL COMPTON

elson Jones Training Center, once part of the leg-endary Fred Hooper’s Hooper Farm, has long beena prominent training facility in Ocala, Fl. Alfredo

Lichoa and his team at Northwest Stud are aspiring to enhanceNelson Jones Training Center’s already lofty reputation as apreeminent complex known for producing some of the indus-try’s leading racehorses by building Northwest Stud into a dis-tinguishable, full-service stallion farm that does the same.

Among the Grade 1-winning graduates developed at Nel-

N

Alfredo Lichoa and his team are aspiring to enhance Northwest Stud

NorthwestStud2.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/2/12 11:53 AM Page 32


son Jones in recent years include the likes of Florida-bredsJackson Bend and Awesome Feather, Hard Spun, and Mid-night Lute, just to name a few. Back in Hooper’s day, theground that houses the training center and next door neigh-bor Amy Tarrant’s Hardacre Farm, produced celebratedhomebred champions Susan’s Girl and Precisionist, as well ascountless others who carried Hooper’s famed red, white andblue silks to glory on the racetrack.Lichoa, stallion director at Northwest Stud, has respect for

the history and the land. He has defined a direction forNorthwest Stud and shared the farm’s philosophy on a recentspring morning.“Our goal is to establish the best breeding operation we

can for Florida’s breeders,” Lichoa said. “Breeders are rely-ing on the stud farms to offer quality stallions. We want tofind the best horses and stallions for Florida. We’re commit-ted to the Florida program and we want to be here for Floridabreeders and help improve the industry.”

by building it into a distinguishable, full-service stallion farm.


Originally fromVenezuela, Lichoa is no stranger to

Ocala. Hewent to work for John Franks at Franks Farms

as resident veterinarian in 2001. Franks, a multiple

EclipseAward-winning owner, passed away in 2003, and

Lichoa thenmoved to Hartley/De RenzoThoroughbreds

in the role of stallion manager.

“I learned a lot fromworking at both of those farms,”

Lichoa said. “At Franks Farms, I learned how to handle

andmanage a large number of horses.You can’t do any-

thing by yourself, especially in the horse business. It

takes a team to get things done right, and I worked with

a lot of talented people there.You must have a responsi-

ble team around you that you can trust and bank on to

work together to achieve success.

“A good team is a necessity,” he added, “and we had

a great team at Hartley/De Renzo. I spent five breeding

seasons there and Dean (DeRenzo) and Randy (Hart-

ley) were great to work for. Working for them also al-

lowed me to forge strong relationships with a lot of

Florida breeders.”

It is the trust Lichoa has earned with the Ocala com-

munity that he hopes to parlay into success with North-

west Stud.

“This is such a competitive business that youhave to do

things right,” Lichoa said. “You have to be knowledgeable

about what you do, but you also have to care about the

breeders. “I’ve been fortunate to have established trust in

working with many breeders in Ocala for years.”


NorthwestStud


Lichoa broke ground on Northwest’s stallion barn

andmain office in December of last year.Arthur Ruten-

berg Homes designed and built the structure in 65 days.

“We had a Feb. 15 deadline to coincide with the start

of breeding season,” Lichoa said. “The builders and their

crew didn’t stop until it was ready for us. I can’t say

enough about them.”

Among the amenities in the

stallion barn is cushioned Polylast

flooring in the stalls.Madewith re-

cycled rubber with a combination

of binders, the Polylast flooring in-

creases comfort and safety and re-

duces odor.

“It’s great flooring,” Lichoa said. “It’s safe and is

more comfortable to stand on.”

Nestled on 120 acres, Northwest Stud is home to stal-

lions GoneAstray, Flashstorm, United States and Pleas-

ant Strike. Northwest Stud owns all but Pleasant Strike,

who stands as the property of Mighty White Stallions.

The farm held its first ever stallion

show in January, and Lichoa was

encouraged by the turnout and re-

sponse he received from breeders

who attended the show.

“You have to have the horse,” Li-

choa said. “That’s No. 1. Our stal-

lions have been very well received

this year. I’m happy and pleased

with our first breeding season. The

support we received for our stallions

shows me that Florida is the best

place to base a breeding operation.”

GoneAstray is a millionaire son

of Dixie Union—Illicit, by Mr.

Prospector. His dam is a half-sister

to champion Smuggler and his sec-

ond dam, Inside Information, also

was a champion and a winner of six

Grade 1 races. GoneAstray captured

the 2009 Pennsylvania Derby (G2)

and Ohio Derby (G2), as well as the

Salvator Mile (G3) the following

season at age four. An earner of

more than $1.1 million in his career,

GoneAstray stood his first season at

stud this year for a $4,500 fee.

“We closed his book at 120

mares,” Lichoa said. “I believe that’s

the best number to work with. We

want to focus on quality not quantity

here.Wewant people to fight over his babies at the sales.

“Gone Astray has fantastic conformation, a strong

body and he is an excellent breeder,” he added. “He’s

a very laid back horse, unbelievably quiet, actually.

He’s very smart. He learned his new role as a stallion

very quickly, and I’m glad breeders have been recep-

tive to him.”

Flashstorm is a 2004 son of Storm Cat—Kristi, by

St. Jovite. He placed in the Iowa Derby and the Indiana

Derby (G2) en route to career earnings of $261,819. His

dam is a half-sister to millionaires Geri andA.P. Arrow

and his third dam, Far Flying, is a half-sister to champion

Sacahuista.

“He is one of the best looking Storm Cat’s around,”

Lichoa said of Flashstorm. “WhenOverbrook dispersed


“This is such a competi-tive business that you have

to do things right.Youhave to be knowledgeableabout what you do, but youalso have to care about thebreeders. I’ve been fortu-nate to have established

trust in working with manybreeders in Ocala for

years.”—Alfredo Lichoa

Alfred Lichoa (inset)let Gone Astray frolicduring the earlymorning hours.


their stock, they kept this one. That says a lot about the

promise he had as a racehorse.

“Flashstorm has good conformation,” he added. “His

babies are well behaved, which is really good for Storm

Cat blood.We’re excited about him.”

United States is a 2006 son ofA.P. Indy—Blithe, by

Unbridled. The stallion’s second dam is Angel Fever, a

sister to Pine Bluff and dam of Kentucky Derby (G1)

winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

“United States is themost enthusiastic breeder of the

bunch, but not in an aggressive way,” Lichoa related,

“more like showing off. We bought him privately from

Coolmore.”

Pleasant Strike rounds out the stallion battery.A son

of Smart Strike—Colonella, by Pleasant Colony, Pleas-

ant Strike won theArlington Classic Stakes (G3) as a 3-

year-old in 2007 andwasmultiple graded stakes-placed

throughout his career to age six. All told, he won six of

36 and earned $455,203.

“He is a nice horse and we’re proud to stand him

here,” Lichoa said.

Some keymembers of Lichoa’s team are consultants

David Seguias, Alex Rendon and NerioVargas.

“We go to sales, divide horses up by groups and at

the end of the day we compile our short lists and dis-

cuss,” said Lichoa. “When we put everything together,

we check the individuals again together and then decide

what to buy. It’s always a team effort.


“We are looking forward to breeding quality Florida-breds here and supportingFlorida’s breeders. We are continuously on the lookout for stallions and mares that fit

our program and will improve the industry.”—Alfredo Lichoa

NorthwestStud


“In fact, it was David who turned us on to Gone

Astray as a stallion prospect,” Lichoa added.

Northwest’s broodmare population currently stands

at 40. Lichoa says he wants to have 50mares in the pro-

gram and ideally, six stallions.

“When we look for broodmare prospects we pay at-

tention to produce records and then look at families that

will fit our breeding program,” Lichoa said.

With paddocks still being put together andwork con-

tinuing on a driveway to themain office, Lichoa is look-

ing forward to building on the history of winners the

property is known for and establishing Northwest Stud’s

own, unique legacy of producing Florida-bred winners

at the highest levels of the industry.

“We are looking forward to breeding quality Florida-

breds here and supportingFlorida’s breeders,”Lichoa said.

“We are continuously on the lookout for stallions and

mares that fit our program andwill improve the industry.”

Northwest Stud may be the new kid on a well-estab-

lished block, but led by Lichoa’s commitment and a

focus on quality not quantity, the farm is certain to drive

home its branding message in the coming years.

“We want to offer Florida’s breeders the best breed-

ing operation we can,” Lichoa said. “We will always

focus on quality not quantity. Believe me, we are going

to be around for awhile.” �


Foals and maresenjoy their surroundingsat Northwest Stud


By JOANN GUIDRY

Out-of-body experience.

That’s how Lynne Martin Boutte described what

she felt as she watched the Distorted Humor colt

from her consignment sell for $1.2 million.

“I’ve been in theThoroughbred business a long time.

I’ve bred, broken, trained and sold a lot of nice horses,”

said Boutte. “But that colt selling for what he did was an

incredible experience. It was like being up in the clouds

and having an out-of-body experience. It was surreal.”

But the reality was that the

chestnut colt by Distorted

Humor out of the unraced

Storm Cat mare Secret Thyme

sold for $1.2 million to Sheikh

MohammedbinRashid alMak-

toum. Aptly named Price Is

Truth, the colt was the second-

highest priced horse at the

Fasig-Tipton Florida selected

two-year-olds in training sale on

March 26 at Palm Meadows

Training Center.

For Boutte, who hadn’t

been to the Fasig-Tipton sale in

10 years, the colt was the high-

est-priced horse that she had

ever sold. Boutte sold the Dis-

torted Humor colt as agent for

BarryK. Schwartz, co-founder

of Calvin Klein and former

chairman of theNewYorkRac-

ing Association. Schwartz

bought the colt for $180,000 at

the 2011Keeneland September

yearling sale and he was then

shipped, alongwith several other Schwartz yearling pur-

chases, to Boutte’s Ocala-based Eagle View Farm for

breaking and training.

“John DeStefano, who manages Black Swan Stable

and who is a client of mine, connected me with Mr.

Schwartz,” said Boutte, who runs the operation with

husband Chris. “He bought seven or eight yearlings at

Keeneland. The Distorted Humor colt was one picked

to pinhook in an early sale.”

The choice proved to be a prescient one. Boutte de-

scribed theDistortedHumor colt as “a stunning colt with

a great mind that did everything right from the begin-

ning.” Given his forward progression through the train-

ing process and his good looks, Boutte noted that “we

expected him to sell well, very well.” Expectations were

not only met, but exceeded.

“Of course now it’ll be fun

to watch him and hope he goes

on to be a good racehorse,” said

Boutte. “For me, that’s the best

part of being in this business.”

Boutte, a nativeNewYorker,

had an unlikely introduction at

a very early age to Thoroughbred racing.

“My elementary school was right behind Belmont

Park,” said Boutte. “Some of us kids were always get-

ting in trouble because we’d crawl under the fence to

get closer to the horses.”

Lynne BoutteʼsDistorted HumorColt that sold for

$1.2 millionat theFasig-Tipton Florida

Two-Year-OId inTraining Sale.

At the Fasig-Tipton Florida juvenile sale, Ocala-based horsewoman

Lynne Martin Boutte sells her first million-dollar horse.

“That colt selling forwhat he did was an incredible

experience. It was like being upin the clouds and having an

out-of-body experience.It was surreal.”—Lynne Boutte


JOE

DIOR

IOPH

OTO

Million-DollarLynneBoutte_USE.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/2/12 11:50 AM Page 38

he Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and OwnersʼAssociation announced this month an agree-ment with Calder/Churchill Downs Inc. and the

Florida Horsemenʼs Benevolent and Protective Associa-tion for this yearʼs Florida Stallion Stakes Series at Calder.

The lucrative series for two-year-olds was created in1982 to benefit the Florida Thoroughbred Breeding in-dustry. The popular series features three legs—an opendivision and a fillies division—run in July, August andconcluding in October for juveniles by Florida stallionsregistered with the FTBOA.

The initial legs carry purses of $75,000 each for a totalof $150,000. Purses are increased to $125,000 for thesecond legs, totaling $250,000. Purses for the series fi-

nale swell to $300,000 each for a $600,000 total. Includ-ing Nominator Awards and $5,000 FSS Supplements forfillies (15) and colts (15) totaling an estimated $85,000,the estimated purse payments total $1,160,000.The FTBOA, FHBPA and Caldereach contributed to the program.

“I believe all parties involved recognize the impor-tance of the Florida Stallion Stakes to Floridaʼs ownersand breeders,” said Lonny Powell, FTBOA CEO and ex-ecutive vice president. “The juvenile program at Calder isone of the strongest in the country year in and year out,and weʼre looking forward with great anticipation to thissummerʼs renewal of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series.Iʼd like to thank the FHBPA, Calder and the members ofmy Racing Advisory Committee for assisting us in bring-ing some continuity and stability to the program.”“The Florida Stallion Stakes have long been a tradi-tion here at Calder that showcases our two-year-olds forthe whole country,” FHBPA president Phil Combest said.“Many champions have come out of the series and we atthe FHBPA are pleased that the track, breeders andhorsemen came together to support an important cor-nerstone of South Florida racing.”

The first legs of the series are slated for July 28. The two$75,000 races are the Desert Vixen Division for fillies andthe Dr. Fager Division for colts. Both races will be run at sixfurlongs. The second legs—the $125,000 Susanʼs Girl Di-

vision and the Affirmed Divisions will be run Aug. 25 duringCalderʼs Juvenile Showcase program. The races will becontested at seven furlongs. The FSS finales are set for theFestival of the Sun card on Oct. 13. The series concludeswith the $300,000 My Dear Girl Division and the $300,000In Reality Division. Both races are at 1 1/16 miles.2012 FLORIDA STALLIONSTAKES SERIES SCHEDULEJULY 28

Florida Stallion Stakes-$75,000estimated Desert Vixen DivisionFlorida Stallion Stakes-$75,000estimated Dr. Fager Division

AUG. 25Florida Stallion Stakes $125,000estimated Susanʼs Girl DivisionFlorida Stallion Stakes $125,000estimated Affirmed Division

OCT. 13Florida Stallion Stakes $300,000estimated My Dear Girl DivisionFlorida Stallion Stakes $300,000estimated In Reality Division

In recent years, Fred and Jane Breiʼs Jacks or BetterFarm has dominated FSS proceedings. Fort Loudoncapped off a three-race win streak last year when he wonthe In Reality Division while stablemate Awesome Bellewon the My Dear Girl Division the same day. Both ofthose runners are sired by Journeyman Stud stallionAwesome of Course, as is Redbud Road, who annexedthe Desert Vixen Division last year.

The 2011 Florida Stallion Series also marked the thirdconsecutive year that Jacks or Better Farm and trainerStanley Gold swept either the open or fillies division ofthe series. They combined to win the fillies series in 2010with Awesome Feather, also by Awesome of Course, andswept the open division in 2009 with Jackson Bend.

Another recent notable sweep was Harold QueenʼsBig Drama, who swept the 2008 Florida Stallion StakesSeries. Big Drama was conditioned by David Fawkes.

In addition to the FSS and the lucrative purses forFlorida-bred juveniles, there are plenty of other substan-tial earning opportunities for Florida-breds during theCalder meet which runs through Aug. 31. The Tropical


Rewarding ExcellenceThe Florida Stallion Stakes at

Calder Keeps on Rolling

continued on page 43

GulfstreamTampaBay2ndlook_USE2.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/10/12 2:49 PM Page 40


Advert isement

JIM LISA PHOTO



FTBOA:THE VOICEOF FLORIDA’STHOROUGHBREDINDUSTRY

Since its inception, the Florida ThoroughbredBreedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association has been re-sponsible for Florida-bred registration and adminis-tration and distribution of the industryʼs incentiveawards program, which encourages individuals tobreed, train and race Thoroughbreds in Florida.

The FTBOA is dedicated to ensuring a pros-perous business climate for the industry. WithFloridaʼs low taxes and smart growth policies,basing a Thoroughbred operation in the SunshineState makes perfect business sense. For more in-formation, contact the FTBOA at (352) 629-2160.

2012 FLORIDA-BRED STAKES PROGRAM AT CALDERDate SEX AGE DISTANCE SURFACE PURSE RACE Definition FTBOA Supplement5/12 Fillies 3 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 French Village FSS 20,000 FTBOA5/12 Open 3 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 In Summation FSS 20,000 FTBOA

Preview Summit of Speed6/9 Open 3 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 Unbridled 10,000 FTBOA6/9 Open 3 & Up 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 Ponche Hdcp. 10,000 FTBOA6/9 F & M 3 & Up 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 U Can Do It H. 10,000 FTBOA6/9 Fillies 3 yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 Leave Me Alone 10,000 FTBOA6/30 Fillies 2 Yo’s 5 1/2 fur. Dirt 100,000 J J’s Dream FS Pref 45,000 FTBOA6/30 Open 2 Yo’s 5 1/2 fur. Dirt 100,000 Frank Gomez Mem. FS Pref 45,000 FTBOA7/7 Open 3 & Up 5 fur. Turf 75,000 Bob Umphrey (T) Sprint7/21 Fillies 3 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 75,000 Three Ring FSS 20,000 FTBOA7/21 Open 3 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 75,000 El Kaiser FSS 20,000 FTBOA7/28 Fillies 2 Yo’s 6Fur Dirt E. 75,000 Desert Vixen FSS7/28 Open 2Yo’s 6Fur Dirt E. 75,000 Dr. Fager FSS8/18 Fillies 3 Yo’s 7 1/2 fur. Turf 75,000 Crystal Rail FSS 20,000 FTBOA8/18 Open 3 Yo’s 7 1/2 fur. Turf 75,000 Naked Greed FSS 20,000 FTBOA

Juvenile Showcase8/25 Fillies 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt E.125,000 Susan’s Girl FSS8/25 Open 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt E.125,000 Affirmed FSS8/25 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1 mile Dirt 75,000 Lindsay Frolic FS Pref 20,000 FTBOA8/25 Open 2 Yo’s 1 mile Dirt 75,000 Seacliff FS Pref 20,000 FTBOA8/25 Fillies 2 Yo’s 5 fur. Turf 75,000 Catcharisingstar 20,000 FTBOA8/25 Open 2 Yo’s 5 fur. Turf 75,000 Fasig Tipton (T) Dash 20,000 FTBOA


meet begins Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30 this year.New at Calder this year is a Starter Series, which offers a

combined $200,000 in purse money along with a $5,000bonus to the trainer of the points-leader at the completion ofthe series. The four-race series began in April and runsthrough May 26. It attracted a total of 74 nominations.

“The Starter Series has generated a great deal of interestfrom our horsemen and weʼre thrilled with the positive responsewe have received,” Racing Secretary Mike Anifantis said. “Weexpect large and competitive fields for each of the four races.”

The four-race series is restricted to 4-year-olds and up thathave started for $20,000 or less in 2011 or 2012 and will berun at progressively longer distances while alternating be-tween the main track and the turf course.

Bisnath Parbhoo, the top trainer at the 2010-2011 TropicalMeet, leads the way with seven horses nominated to theStarter Series, six of which run in the silks of the 2011 CalderMeet leading owner Sherry Parbhoo. Two-time leading ownerFrank C. Calabrese, winner of the 2011 and the 2010-11 Trop-ical titles, has five horses nominated to the Starter Series,three for trainer Kirk Ziadie and two for Nick Canani.

Other trainers of note that have horses nominated to the

Calder Starter Series include the northern-based outfits ofVickie Foley, Jamie Ness, Jason Servis, and Peter Walder,along with longtime Calder stalwarts Dave Fawkes, Bill Ka-plan, and Stanley Gold.

A $5,000 bonus will be awarded to the trainer of the horsethat accumulates the most points throughout the series, withpoints allocated to the first six finishers in each race.

THE CALDER STARTERSERIES SCHEDULE:

APRIL 14Seven Furlongs—Dirt

APRIL 28One Mile—Turf

MAY 12One Mile and Seventy Yards—Dirt

MAY 26One and One-Sixteenth Miles—Turf


Advert isement

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorseFLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

AND CONSUMER SERVICESAdam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374

e-mail: [email protected] S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Date SEX AGE DISTANCE SURFACEPURSE RACE Definition FTBOA SupplementPreview Festival of the Sun9/15 Fillies 3 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 75,000 Judy’s Red Shoes S. FSS 20,000 FTBOA9/15 Open 3 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 75,000 Needles Stakes FSS 20,000 FTBOA9/15 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 100,000 Brave Raj Stakes FSS Pref 35,000 FTBOA9/15 Open 2 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 100,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes FSS Pref 35,000 FTBOA9/29 Fillies 2 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 100,000 Cassidy S. FS Pref 35,000 FTBOA9/29 Open 2 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 100,000 Birdonthewire S. FS Pref 35,000 FTBOA

Festival of the Sun10/13 Open 3 Yo’s 1 1/8 m. Turf 75,000 Tropical Derby 10,000 FTBOA10/13 Fillies 3 Yo’s 1 m. Turf 75,000 Francis A. Genter 10,000 FTBOA10/13 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Dirt E.350,000 My Dear Girl FSS10/13 Open 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Dirt E.350,000 In Reality FSS

Florida Million11/10 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 100,000 John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 100,000 Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Fillies 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt 125,000 Joe O Farrell Juvenile Fillies State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt 125,000 Jack Price Juvenile State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 3 & Up 6 fur. Dirt 125,000 Jack Dudley Sprint H. State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 3 & Up 1 1/8 m. Turf 125,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 F & M 3 & Up 1 1/16 m. Dirt 150,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff H. State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 3 & Up 1 1/8 m. Dirt 150,000 Carl G. Rose Classic State 50,000 FTBOA

FTBOA Racing/Stakes Committee: Brent Fernung, Chair,Phil Matthews, George Russell, Fred Brei, Lonny Powell


To one family,Saratoga Russell,a Florida-bredson of Trippi,became muchmore than athoroughbredracehorse.

SaratogaRussell.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/2/12 11:56 AM Page 45

The donkey became a joke between them, but she didn’t

give up. “I told him, ‘Someday, you’re going to get me my

horse.’”

Rodriguez’s grandfather passed away 10 years ago, at age

94. By that time, she was living in Florida, married with three

children; owning a horsewasn’t a priority.But a couple of years

ago, her son Justin nudged her to fulfill her old dream.

“Oneday he said that hewanted riding lessons for his birth-

day. My husband and I said OK, and we leased a horse for

him,” she said.

Through that experience,RodriguezmetCarolinaCollado,

whobegan ridingwhen shewas 12. “Caro started teachingmy

kids to ride, and I told her, ‘I’m going to get a horse eventu-

ally.’”

Rodriguez and her husband have recently separated, and

she suffers fromCrohn’s disease, a debilitating, often acute, ill-

ness exacerbated by stress. She said that being around the horse

had reduced the intensity of her bouts with it.

“Once I started interacting with the horse,” she said, “I got

better. It was really helping me, so I said, ‘I need to do this.’”

Rodriguez graduated from college in 2010; she had gone

back to school when her youngest child started kindergarten.

Studying interior design, she completed her degree in seven

years, the delay due in big part to her illness.

“Once I startedworking, I started looking for a horse every

weekend. We spent most of the spring and summer of 2011

looking, but I just couldn’t find that bond with any horse that

we looked at,” she said.

Then someone told her about Pure Thoughts Horse Res-

cue, in Loxahatchee, Florida, not far fromWellington. “I went

to their website,” said Ro-

driguez, “and there was his

picture. My heart popped out

of my chest.”

The horse was Saratoga

Russell, a Florida-bred son of

Trippi, bred byBriggs andCromartie and John Lankshear. He

had been purchased byWest PointThoroughbreds at theOcala

Breeders’SalesMarch 2007SelectedTwo-Year-Olds inTrain-

ingSale for $170,000 andgiven toKiaranMcLaughlin to train.

Hemade his first start inNovember 2007 atAqueduct, siz-

zling through early fractions before yielding in deep stretch to

finish second. He won his next two starts, including one at

Gulfstream Park, by a combined margin of more than 18

lengths, before heading back north for the Gotham.

Displacing a palate in that race, hewas away from the track

formore than a year, returning in June of 2008 to finish second

at Monmouth before heading to the town for which he was

named.

The “Russell” in the horse’s name comes fromRussellHor-

vat, a formerWest Point owner whowas a partner in Saratoga

View, a colt who won his first start at Saratoga. Terry Finley,


“Before Toga, I had never worked with a Thoroughbred. Now, I wouldn’twant to work with any other breed. They’re so willing to work with you.

He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever worked with.” —Kristen Dyrdal

Johanna withSaratoga Russell

Sara“toga”

Russell


president ofWest Point, likedSaratogaViewand his dam, Pro-

logue, somuch that he purchased SaratogaView’s half-brother

byTrippi, who became Saratoga Russell.

Horvat was diagnosed with cancer and died in April of

2007, shortly afterWest Point purchased the secondTrippi-Pro-

logue colt; to honor his memory, friends and members of his

family became part owners of SaratogaRussell and named the

colt in his honor.

SaratogaRussellmade his first Spa start when hewas four.

On a wet opening day in 2009, he led every step of the way,

winning decisively in front of dozens of emotionalWest Point

partners and friends.

He would go on to race four more times,

winning once, before being retired in January

of 2010 after cracking a sesamoidwhile at the

Palm Meadows training facility in Boynton

Beach.

As he rehabbed at a farm in Ocala, West

PointThoroughbreds contactedPureThoughts.

West Point’s director of communications, Erin

Finley, recalled telling the farm, “’We’ve got

this big, beautiful horse with a serious injury;

he’ll need time fromwhoever adopts him,’and

PureThoughts agreed to take him.”

PureThoughts began as an equine therapy

and education center; now, it functions prima-

rily as a horse rescue and re-training facility. Saratoga Russell

was there for nearly a year before Rodriguez saw him.

“Hewas kindof phenomenal looking,” recalledBradGaver,

who alongwith Jennifer Swanson foundedPureThoughts. “He

was not an average horse.”

Saratoga Russell needed about sixmonths of rehabilitation

before retraining could begin. “His rehabupuntil then hadbeen

perfect,” said Swanson. “If West Point hadn’t handled things

as well as they had, he wouldn’t be the horse he is today.They

genuinely cared about him.”

As did theWest Point partners who had owned him, several

ofwhomcame to visit him at PureThoughts.Onewoman, said

Swanson, stayed andwatched a lesson as hewas retrained. Sev-

eral of his former owners donated toPureThoughts for his care.

Characterizing him as a “strong but polite horse,” Gaver

said that the big horse learned quickly. “He picked up being an

English pleasure/hunter type horse really well.”

Still, he cautioned, “He wasn’t a kid’s horse. He needed an

experienced rider.”

So when Rodriguez and Collado drove up from Miami to

see him,Gaver and Swanson at first rebuffed her interest, con-

cerned about her lackof experience.But shewouldn’t take “no”

for an answer.

“Therewas something about his eyes andhis face,” she said,

“and even though Brad told me that he wasn’t the right horse

for us, I asked if I could comeup and see him, and he said yes.”

When they arrived, Gaver showed them

several horses, none of themSaratogaRussell.

“We just kept saying no,” said Rodriguez.

“They weren’t right.”

Finally, Gaver relented, letting Collado get

on Saratoga Russell. “Johanna really wanted

him and she loved him; she came here several

times,” he said. “That makes a big difference,

and I knew that shewas going to have trainers

around her.”

“She was very responsible,” added Swanson. “She had a

trainer, the kids were taking lessons, and she didn’t let the kids

on him until he was ready, and they were ready; she was very

respectful of his needs.

“The more we got to know her, the more we knew it was a

very goodmatch.”

Now, Saratoga Russell lives at a stable in West Kendall,

Florida, just six minutes from Rodriguez’s home. He’s ridden

and trained by Kristen Dyrdal, who says that he’s come a long

way in a short amount of time. She expects that he’ll be ready

to show in about a year. Rodriguez’s twoyounger child,Kyara,

16, and Justin, 13, both ride him regularly.

“Before Toga,” said Dyrdal, referring to him by his nick-

name, “I had never worked with a Thoroughbred. Now, I

wouldn’t want to work with any other breed. They’re so will-

ing to work with you. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever

worked with.”

Since adopting Saratoga Russell, Rodriguez has gained

about 25 pounds, weight she had lost battling Crohn’s disease.

She adores him, lavishing himwith attention and communicat-

ing regularly with Gaver and Swanson at Pure Thoughts. She

knows that waiting for the right horse was the right thing to do.

“When I got his Coggins,” she remembered, “I noticed his

birthday:March 23, the same as my grandfather.

“And that’swhen I knew it.This iswhat hewantedme to do.

He got memy horse.”�


“When I got hisCoggins I noticed

his birthday:March 23, thesame as my

grandfather.Andthat’s when Iknew it. This iswhat he wantedme to do. He gotme my horse.”—Johanna Rodriguez

Kristen DyrdalaboardSaratoga Russell



FLORIDANEWS

By MICHAEL COMPTON

The momentum in the juvenile sale

ranks continued at Fasig-Tipton’s

Florida sale at Palm Meadows.

Three juveniles brought $1 million or

more, and all told, 60 head sold for

$19,215,000, down slightly from last year’s

gross of $20,685,000 on 87 head.The aver-

age price Monday was $320,250, an in-

crease of more than 34 percent over last

year’s average of $237,759.A total of 24 did

not sell this year compared to 56 last year,

and this year’s median was $227,500, up

from $200,000 at last year’s sale.

Topping the session offering at $1.3

million was hip No. 149. Demi O’Byrne

signed the ticket on the strapping son of

Big Brown, and reported that the sale top-

per will be raced by JohnMagnier, Derrick

Smith and Michael Tabor.

Consigned byWavertree Stables (Cia-

ran Dunne), agent, the colt worked an

eighth at the under tack preview in :101⁄5.

He is produced from the Silver Ghost

mare Cool Ghoul, and is a half-brother to

multiple stakes winner Dagnabit and

stakes-placed Bad Boy Rising. He is from

the family of Florida-bred graded stakes

winner Comeonmom, a winner of the

Remsen Stakes (G2).

“He’s always been a special

horse,” said Dunne of the sale

topper outside barn 20 follow-

ing the sale. “He did everything

right every step of the way.With

a horse like him, we’re just for-

tunate he ended up in our barn.

The ones like him don’t come

around very often. He’s special.”

The colt is from Big Brown’s first

crop. Big Brown won the Kentucky

Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) in

2008, as well as that year’s Florida Derby

(G1), Haskell Invitational (G1) and Mon-

mouth Stakes. He earned more than $3.6

million in a stellar career.

Hip No. 96 brought the second-highest

price of the day when

the hammer fell at $1.2

million. David Loder

signed the ticket on be-

half of Sheikh Mo-

hammed’s bloodstock

manager, John Fergu-

son, for the son of Dis-

torted Humor—Secret

Thyme, by Storm Cat.

Consigned by Lynne

Boutte, agent, the chest-

nut colt worked an

eighth in :101⁄5 at the

preview. He is from the

family of Grade 1 winner Forest Secrets

and champion Silverbulletday.The latter an

earner of more than $3 million.

“We’re very happy,” said Boutte. “It

was fun. The whole experience with this

horse has been great. We haven’t been

down to this sale in 10 years.

Mr. (Barry) Schwartz said ‘let’s

go to the yearling sales and pick

out a couple of pinhooks’He is

a serious horseman. And this is

a serious horse. It’s worked out

great for all of us.”

Hip No. 51 sold for $1 mil-

lion to Nick Sallusto, Hanzly Albina for

Steven Marshall’s Black RockThorough-

breds. The son of Tapit worked an eighth

in :103⁄5 at the preview.

Consigned by StephensThoroughbreds,

agent, the colt is out of the Kingmambo

mare Liberty Flag and he is from the fam-

ily of champion Sacahuista.

Three Florida-breds changed hands at

the sale. The Sunshine State products

were led by hip No. 40 at $875,000. Con-

signed by Hartley/De Renzo Thorough-

breds, agent, the son of Bernardini—Jolie

Boutique, by Northern Jove, went to Fer-

guson, who was the sale’s leading buyer.

The colt is a half-brother to stakes winner

Millennium Storm and stakes-placed

Merrill Gold.

Hip No. 67 was the second-highest

priced Florida-bred, bringing $625,000

from Mark Casse, agent. Consigned by

Eddie Woods, agent, the colt is by Lion

Heart out of theValley Crossing mare Ob-

ligation North. The colt is from the family

of Florida-bred millionaire Wegelia and

champion Davona Dale.

Additional prominent buyers at the

sale included D. Wayne Lukas, Ston-

estreet Stables, Fox Hill Farm, Lane’s

End, John Kimmel and Todd Pletcher. �

Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale at Palm Meadows

LOUI

SERE

INAG

ELPH

OTO

Hip No. 149, a son of Big Brown, topped Mondays sessionat $1.3 million

Son of Big Brown Tops at $1.3 Million

“He’s always been a special horse. He did everything right

every step of the way.With a horse like him, we’re just fortu-

nate he ended up in our barn. The ones like him don’t come

around very often. He’s special.”—Ciaran Dunne

Fasig_TiptonSale.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/11/12 10:23 AM Page 1


The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through April 29, 2012. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

Florida Sires

PUT IT BACKWILDCAT HEIR FULL MANDATE

NA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yoName Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg

Wildcat Heir Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud $1,165,685 114 42 0 0 0 $1,251,559 WildMia $74,710 24 $26,458 12 $55,250

Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $1,156,564 100 29 3 4 1 $1,192,892 Yara $269,000 32 $17,556 22 $46,636

Full Mandate A.P. Indy Hartley/De Renzo $1,020,032 65 21 1 1 1 $1,049,889 Ron the Greek $610,000 2 $1,600

Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $887,758 133 37 2 2 0 $887,758 Dolly Peach $72,875 17 $14,629 5 $15,200

With Distinction Storm Cat Hartley/De Renzo $848,463 97 33 0 0 0 $852,139 Too Clever by Half $46,300 21 $26,200 17 $26,735

Repent Louis Quatorze CloverLeaf Farms II $793,983 109 30 1 2 0 $789,714 Lotta Lovin $64,830 9 $16,078 6 $20,450

D’wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery Florida $723,443 73 28 1 1 0 $712,900 Xunlei $79,775 19 $18,142 10 $23,700

Graeme Hall Dehere Winding Oaks $673,688 65 20 0 0 0 $673,820 Duke of Mischief $212,000 12 $19,342 9 $37,778

Value Plus Unbridled’s Song Stonewall Farm Ocala $584,010 70 29 0 0 0 $667,946 Sweet Jody $36,468 22 $10,582 3 $49,000

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)Candy Stripes Stonewall Farm Ocala $563,134 58 17 1 1 0 $658,877 Aquitania $74,500 21 $37,293 2 $266,000

A. P. Warrior A.P. Indy Stonewall Farm Ocala $449,874 48 17 1 1 1 $450,965 Thunder Moccasin $90,000 6 $13,083 1 $15,000

Halo’s Image Halo Deceased $436,782 44 15 0 0 0 $436,782 Turbo Compressor $86,565 4 $5,675 2 $13,500

City Place Storm Cat Hartley/De Renzo $421,730 52 20 2 2 0 $430,997 City Sage $70,200 6 $9,583 3 $32,333

Pomeroy Boundary Vinery Florida $415,794 51 13 0 0 0 $415,917 LoveMyWay $53,600 13 $28,423 8 $41,500

Greatness Mr. Prospector Stonewall Farm Ocala $397,669 45 14 2 2 0 $397,669 Lady of Greatness $63,592 1 $1,000 1 $15,500

West Acre Forty Niner Stonehedge Farm South $385,783 29 12 0 0 0 $385,783 Western Prospector $76,223 1 $2,500 1 $12,000

Teuflesberg Johannesburg Journeyman Stud $382,470 16 5 1 2 1 $384,572 Trinniberg $240,000 5 $22,000 2 $10,600

Saint Anddan A.P. Indy Journeyman Stud $377,803 39 11 1 1 0 $377,803 Bleu Darling $82,850 3 $12,667 2 $19,250

Concorde’s Tune Concorde Bound Deceased $366,161 47 10 1 1 1 $370,555 Musical Romance $112,500 3 $47,000

Hear No Evil Carson City Journeyman Stud $352,184 8 2 1 2 1 $352,184 Jackson Bend $330,000

ThreeWonders Storm Cat Deceased $344,772 58 16 0 0 0 $347,245 Threetimesawonder $41,430

Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $347,452 36 8 0 0 0 $345,652 Tackleberry $108,000 4 $16,500 9 $102,111

Exclusive Quality Elusive Quality Journeyman Stud $341,087 41 13 0 0 0 $341,087 Christopher’s Joy $31,200 14 $8,307 10 $27,870

Imperialism Langfuhr Get Away Farm $333,253 41 9 1 1 0 $334,308 Imperial Czar $115,160 7 $9,929 5 $21,100

It’s No Joke Distorted Humor Stonewall Farm Ocala $330,370 21 10 1 2 0 $330,370 Victory for V L Ts $72,300

Sirelist.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/2/12 11:59 AM Page 1


Many new diagnostic techniques and imaging

modalities have come into use and it can

often be challenging to understand which

ones might be best suited for a given lameness problem.

It is also important to know when to use these tools.

Often the farrier and veterinarian should work to-

gether to determine which structures of the foot are in-

volved. As a team, they can pinpoint the problem and

then devise a treatment plan for how to shoe the horse

for best results. On occasion the best way to locate and

The horse mustbe completely

still to get a goodimage in the

standing MRI(right)

Diagnostic Imaging can produce importantinformation that the veterinarian and farrier can

use to work together for the benefit of the horse

Pinpointing FootEquineCare By HEATHER THOMAS

EquineCare_DiagnosticImaging_USE.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/11/12 8:32 AM Page 50

define the problem is to use diagnostic imaging, and

usually the first choice is radiographs.

Dr. David McCarroll, Interstate Equine Services in

Goldsby, Oklahoma, says that more than 90 percent

of foot problems can be diagnosed with radiographs.

“X-rays are usually the best tool. They are simple to

obtain and can be very valuable. It’s always a good

idea to have cooperation between the farrier and the

veterinarian,” he says. Farriers can benefit greatly by

having this information available to them before try-

ing to shoe the horse therapeutically to address the

lameness. Then the farrier and veterinarian can work

together for the benefit of the horse.

“There are some techniques or guidelines, to en-

sure that you get a useful set of images. I’ve found

that there are two views that are most important for

determining hoof balance. These are a lateral (side)

view of the foot, and a front to back view—with the

entire foot being viewed. It is important that the im-

ages are not over or under exposed. This is less of an

issue now that digital radiographs are commonly used,

but a good view can still be accomplished with film

radiography, providing the proper techniques are

used,” says McCarroll.

“One other crucial detail is to make sure that the

radiograph is taken parallel to the foot, on the weight

bearing surface,” he says. You don’t want a distorted

perception of foot balance by having the radiograph

slightly angled. You want an accurate view of the cof-

fin bone angle and coffin joint.

“Radiographs are the most important imaging tech-

nique that the veterinarian can routinely provide.

Other types of imaging include ultrasound, but this

modality is generally not as helpful in dealing with

foot problems because the solid hoof wall and sole

don’t allow the sound waves to penetrate to the inter-

nal structures. You can use ultrasound, however,

through the frog—if the frog is properly prepared. It

has to be trimmed flat and must be moistened by let-

ting it sit in a water-tight bandage for awhile,” explains

McCarroll. If the frog has absorbed water and become

soft, the ultrasound can penetrate through it.


Prob

VENOGRAM

If anesthesia is usedto immobilize thehorse then an MRIshould be used.

The venogram is a radiographic procedure that allows us to see theveins in the hoof capsule, which canʼt be seen on a normal radiograph. Itshows venous blood supply to the foot, which can be helpful in evaluating alaminitis case, for instance. If there is any swelling within the hoof capsuleor the coffin bone is displaced (rotated or sinking) the blood vessels (arter-ies and veins), can become occluded or damaged—leaking serum or blood.

Dr. Bryan Fraley (veterinarian and podiatrist in Paris, Kentucky) saysthat where there is blood there is life, and a venogram can show this. “Ifthere is an area with no blood, or diminished blood flow, then we need tofind a way to improve the blood flow with shoeing mechanics and/or possi-bly even surgery—such as a deep digital flexor tenotomy,” he says.

“A venogram is accomplished with these steps: 1. blocking the leg fromthe fetlock down with a temporary numbing agent so the horse will toleratea tourniquet. 2. A good tight tourniquet is applied at the level of the fetlock.3. A small catheter is introduced into one of the palmer veins at the pasternlevel. 4. An appropriate amount of contrast material (the amount depend-ing on the horseʼs size) is injected into the catheter. This material is radio-opaque, meaning that it shows up white on an x-ray. 5. A series of x-rays isquickly taken, ideally within about 45 seconds,” says Fraley. These x-raysgive a good picture of the blood vessels that are functional within the foot.


From this view, ultrasound allows you to visualize the deep

flexor tendon, the ligaments of the bottom of the foot and the dig-

ital cushion, aiming the ultrasound through the bottom of the frog—

if it is properly prepared. If it is hard and dry and irregular (rather

than pared flat) it won’t

work very well. This is one

reason ultrasound is not

used very often for viewing

internal structures of the

foot.

Other imaging modali-

ties include the use of CT

scan (computerized tonog-

raphy) and MRI (magnetic

resonance imaging). “The

CT scan will give views of

the foot, primarily the bony

structure, in different layers.

It can be done on several different planes. This is not commonly

done, however, because if a person is going to go to that much trou-

ble (using anesthesia to make sure the horse is immobilized), you

might as well do an MRI which can also give you views of the soft

tissue structures and not just the bones,” says McCarroll.

MRI’s are not commonly done on the foot unless there is an ob-

scure lameness problem that cannot be diagnosed by other methods.

“If everything has been done to balance the foot and the lameness

still persists, that’s when MRI might be an option. This method has

become very popular in the last 5 years,” he says.

There are two different ways to obtain an MRI, depending on

the type of equipment available. The horse’s feet can be viewed in

a standing MRI or in a circular

magnet where the horse is lying

down, anesthetized, with his feet

in the machine. “Each method

has its advantages. The advan-

tage of the standing MRI is that

it is less expensive and can pro-

vide a pretty good image, most

of the time. But it can be diffi-

cult to get a good image because

you must have the horse com-

pletely motionless during this

procedure. You don’t have as

good a control over this when the

horse is standing, as compared to having the horse anesthetized,” he

says.

The size of the magnet also influences the quality of the image.

“Magnets are measured in tesla units. Most of the standing mag-

nets are 1/4 to 1/2 tesla. Most of the larger MRI units that require

anesthesia are 1 to 1.5 tesla. They are stronger magnets and the

quality of the imaging is significantly different. Image quality is

still very much determined by skill of the operator, and the inter-

preter of the image. This is something that requires a considerable

amount of experience to obtain the image. You also need a lead-

lined room, and no metal at all in the room. Special air condition-

ing is required, to control the temperature and the heat the magnet

produces. Certain environmental criteria are crucial, such as hu-

midity and temperature, so the room to house the magnet can be

very expensive,” says McCarroll. This is why there are still just a

few facilities around the country that offer this imaging.

Nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) can also be helpful in some in-

stances, when trying to diagnose a foot problem. “The bone scan

uses the horse as the x-ray generator, by injecting a special dye—a

radioactive isotope. Then the horse emits the radiation. If there are

areas of inflammation in bone or the structures around the bone,

this causes the dye to concentrate in those areas. Then a gamma-

counter camera outside the horse will show that this is where the

strongest source of radiation is, and is a good indication of where

the lameness is. It gives very poor detail, but it does tell you where

the inflammation is located.”

If the veterinarian has not been able to figure it out with x-rays

or ultrasound, a bone scan might be helpful. “Probably the best

thing to do is to combine the use of scintigraphy and MRI. The

bone scan can localize it and the MRI can tell you which structure

is involved,” he says. �


EquineCare

Foot axial proton density showing DDF lesion (left) Foot sagittal proton den-sity showing DDF lesion (right)



By MICHAEL COMPTON

Tod Wojciechowski assumed his new position

as director of sales at OBS earlier this year, but

the Florida horseman has had a long history

with the sales company and the Ocala community.

“I’m really excited about the position,” Woj-

ciechowski said. “I’ve worked part time with OBS for

about 10 years. “This is a wonderful opportunity.”

When it was announced late last year that Wo-

jiechowski was named director of sales, OBS Chair-

man J. Michael O’Farrell Jr. said: “We are pleased to

add Tod to our management team on a permanent

basis. His previous experience at OBS assures a

smooth transition when Tom Ventura takes over for

Tom Chiota. Tod is a good horseman with a unique

combination of an Ivy League education and practi-

cal experience as both a buyer and consignor. He

brings a valuable perspective to OBS.”

Wojciechowski has extensive experience in many

facets of the industry and has worked with OBS in

various capacities for the last 10 years.

“I was asked years ago to help look at horses for

the yearling selection process,” he added. “That kind

of morphed into the 2-year-old sales as well. I also

spearheaded some efforts to promote the yearling

sales and did some horsemen’s relations at the race-

tracks to help stimulate interest in the OBS sales.”

A Cornell University graduate,Wojciechowski was

born in Okeechobee, Fl. and moved to Ocala with his

family in the early 1980s.

“My parents had a farm in Ocala, so I would al-

ways come home on breaks and work on the farm,” he

said.

After college, he worked at a few different race-

tracks, serving as claims clerk at Oaklawn Park in Hot

Springs, Ark., and as publicity director at Tampa Bay

Downs for the 1990-1991 meet.

“I enjoyed working on the front side,” Woj-

ciechowski said. “But when my folks sent some horses

to Trinity Meadows in Texas I went along with the

string and it proved to be a fortuitous trip for me be-

cause I met my wife, Cindy, there.”

Tod and Cindy have five children—Ashlee, Clay,

Tyler, and twins Austin and Katie Jo—ranging in age

from 28 to 18.

“They all know the horse business because they all

had to do it,” Wojciechowski said. “They’ve all been

‘help’ in this family. Tyler is involved in rodeo, so he

is really the only one working with horses.”

As someone who closely monitors the auction mar-

ket,Wojciechowski is encouraged by the results of this

year’s select sales.

Well-known in the Ocala area, Wojciechowski has

bought and sold horses in the past, and brings a wealth

of industry experience to his post.

“I think it’s definitely a benefit to have been in-

volved in pinhooking in the past,” he said. “I also be-

lieve the relationships I have made are important. I’m

excited to have been given this opportunity.” �

SmoothTransition

LOUI

SERE

INAG

ELPH

OTO

“All of the major players will be here or will be repre-sented at the sale,” he added. “And the Korean buyers are here. In recentyears, they have played an important role in the April sale. They have hada lot of success out of the sale, and we are glad they are back.”—TodWojciechowski, Director of Sales at OBS

Wojciechowski_SmoothTransition.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/9/12 2:51 PM Page 2


SPRINGTWO-YEAR-OLD IN TRAINING SALE

By MICHAEL COMPTON

The OBS April Spring Sale has a well-

deserved reputation for producing top-

class racehorses. The April offering is

deserving of its acclaim.Two weeks follow-

ing this year’s record-breaking sale, I’ll Have

Another promptly joined Lil E. Tee and

Florida-bred Silver Charm as Kentucky

Derby (G1)-winning OBSApril graduates.

“TheApril sale has been a very good sale

through the years,” said TomVentura, OBS

general manager. “Whether buyers are look-

ing based on price, pedigree or workouts,

they have plenty of choices at theApril sale.

The bottom line is that the horses have to

produce on the racetrack.”

Some of the industry’s most prominent

buyers and agents showed their collective

approval of this year’s quality offering by

driving sale receipts to new highs across the

board. The April Spring Sale, which was

held April 23-26, established new records

for gross, average andmedian price.All told,

760 juveniles brought a gross of

$33,706,400, compared to last year’s previ-

ous record gross of $25,980,200 on 830

head sold. The average price for the entire

sale was $44,351, up 41.7 percent from last

year’s average of $31,301 and surpassing the

previous record of $32,494 set in 2006. The

median price was $27,000, breaking the

$20,000 previous high from both the 2010

and 2011 April Sales. The buy-back per-

centage was 17.6 percent; it was 24.3 per-

cent last year. A total of 73 horses for

$100,000 or more, compared to 52 last year.

“The sale finished as strong as it started,”

said Tom Ventura, OBS general manager.

“We couldn’t be more pleased.The sale was

strong at all levels. I also liked the activity

for the moderately-priced horses. The par-

ticipation from all segments was proof that

there was a horse for everyone at this sale.”

Topping this year’s sale was hip No. 929,

a First Samurai filly consigned by Eddie

Woods, agent and purchased by The Three

Amigos on the sale’s last day. Produced from

the stakes-placed Unaccounted For mare

Refugee, the filly worked a quarter in :21 at

the under tack preview. The filly, a $23,000

pinhook, is from the family of champion

Davona Dale and is a half-sister to stakes-

placed Profit.

“She’s a beautiful filly,” said Eddie

Woods. “She’s elegant. She’s made well and

is easy on the eye.

“The sale just got better and better as the

week went on,” Woods added. “The select

market can be a little tricky, but things were

very good all week. “

Hip No. 967, a son of Broken Vow,

brought the second-highest price of the sale

at $475,000. Mark Casse, agent, signed the

ticket. Consigned by Halcyon Hammock

Farm, agent, the colt worked a co-bullet

eighth in :9 4/5 at the under track preview.

The colt was a $32,000 pinhook.

Hernan Parra, an exercise rider at Live

Oak Plantation, brought one horse to OBS

April, a Florida-bred Keyed Entry filly he

OBS April Spring Sale enjoys record run

LOUISE

REINAG

ELPH

OTOS

Hip No. 731, a son of Orientate out of Mir Cat, sold for $450,000.

SettingOBS_ReCap.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/10/12 10:52 AM Page 54


acquired last year for $5,700 from Bridle-

wood Farm at the OBSAugust Sale. On day

two of the sale, he sold the filly as hip No.

363 for $260,000 to John Fort. The filly led

all Florida-breds in theApril catalog.

“I have always dreamed of doing this,”

said Parra, a jockey before he became an ex-

ercise rider, “but I didn’t have enough

money. Last year a horse

owned bymywife won a

race and we had enough

money to go the August

sale at OBS and I picked

out this filly. She wasn’t perfect. She was

very small, but I liked her. When I got her

home I could tell she had a lot of class. I

thought she would do well, but I never

thought shewould bring this kind ofmoney.”

Produced from the Halo’s Image mare

Dixie Image, a full sister to millionaire

Southern Image, the filly worked a co-

fastest quarter in :20 4/5 at the under tack

preview. She was bred in the Sunshine State

by Bridlewood Farm.

The second-highest priced Florida-bred

of the sale was hip No. 28, who was pur-

chased by Steven Young, agent, for

$180,000.The daughter of Bridlewood Farm

stallion Put It Back was consigned by Blue

River Bloodstock, agent. Bred by Circle S

Ranch, the filly is produced from the stakes-

winning Jungle Express mare Wabash Gal

and is a half-sister to stakes winner Sheza

Pretty Gal, an earner of $112,592.

The highest priced Florida-bred colt was

hip No. 415, a son of Harlan’s Holiday pur-

chased by Bear Stables for $175,000. Con-

signed by deMeric Sales, agent, the colt was

bred by Farm III Enterprises and Off The

Hook Partners. From the family of stakes

winners Colony Band and Colizeo, the colt

was a $65,000 buy-back at the 2011

Keeneland September Sale.

As anticipated, Ocala/Marion County

consignors topped the consignor rankings

for the four-day sale.

Nick de Meric’s De Meric Sales led all

consignors, selling 52 head for $2,465,000.

“It was a phenomenal sale,” de Meric

said. “There was strength at every level.”

Eddie Woods followed de Meric with

$2,427,000 on 27 sold. Niall Brennan sold

33 for $2,106,500 to round out the top three.

“You don’t have to worry about bringing

a select horse to this sale,” said Niall Bren-

nan. “They will get noticed. The better

horses sell well here. People are starting to

pay attention to theApril Sale.”

The leading buyer at $1,157,000 for 12

purchases wasKlaravich Stable. Narvick In-

ternational, agent, ranked second, buying

four juveniles for $1,090,000.

Ocala’s Mark Casse, agent,

bought four head for

$1,090,000 and Zayat Stables

took home seven for $1million.

The next sale on the OBSCalendar is the

June Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Horses of

Racing Age slated for June 19-20, with

under tack shows scheduled for June 15-17

at 7:30 a.m.�

Hernan Parra (Hilfiger shirt), wife Norma, partner Jesus Solis (far right),handler Ernisto Villarrael

“It was a phenomenal sale. There wasstrength at every level.”—Nick de Meric

STHE StandardOBS_ReCap.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/10/12 10:52 AM Page 55

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICESAdam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374

e-mail:[email protected] S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

BreedLikeRabbits.qxd:Layout 1 4/12/12 3:25 PM Page 1


Florida...the Best State for Business

BreedLikeRabbits.qxd:Layout 1 4/12/12 3:25 PM Page 2


Hello to all! Spring is now underway and some

rains have begun, buds are sprouting and the

foal crop is really getting into full swing,

showing the renewal that spring gives to the farms. Al-

though beautiful, farms are normally kept much like

golf courses; they’re beautiful to look at, but not very

friendly towards wildlife. Many people say they don’t

want to encourage raccoons and opossums onto their

property and in the barns, but many bird varieties, good

insects, and other critters can coexist happily with

horses. Over 1200 species of native wildlife exist in

Florida, and that doesn’t even count the insects and other

invertebrates! So this year, consider balancing out the

horses andwhat lives on the farm naturally; walk around

the farm to become a road engineer for wildlife.

Ponds and marshy areas are good places to start.

Often times, racetracks are placed around wet, unsuit-

able areas for horses, but these areas can be a tremen-

dous home and breeding ground for birds and wildlife.

Some farms dig out ponds themselves, just because they

are pretty, but these areas can still be hugely beneficial.

Food, water, cover and space are essential ingredients

needed to be a desirable habitat for wildlife. By estab-

lishing native Florida freshwater wetland plants into

these marshy areas or ponds, not only can water quality

be improved by the plants ability to filter and/or remove

fertilizers, like nitrogen and phosphorous, but they also

provide the best overall food sources for wildlife. Plant-

ing native trees or shrubs (if not already inside the track),

give nesting sites and escape cover for many birds, not

to mention how attractive all of that beautiful and ben-

eficial vegetation will look! Next, add some native fish,

like bluegill, bass and catfish and then just watch the

birds flock to their newly created haven. Don’t forget

that these wet and marshy areas may be anywhere on

the property, not only on the inside of the track.

Winding Oaks Farm, in Ocala, FL, is a perfect ex-

ample of how fantastic management of the ponds has

greatly benefitted wildlife. Operations Manager, Mike

Dixon, stated that they take great care to protect and en-

hance the three ponds on their 1,100 acre farm. Ponds

not already having fish were stocked with bluegill and

catfish. About two years later, bass were also added.

Mike can’t say enough about how the fish, water and

native plants have attracted several different breeds of

migratory and year-round birds to the ponds. He said

Egrets, Canadian Geese, ducks, hawks and Bald Eagles

all use the pond to their benefit. “The ponds attract a lot

of interesting creatures”, Mike says, proving that not

only the birds benefit from good conservation practices.

Talk with neighbors, too. Perhaps the median be-

tween farms, where traffic may be low, can be utilized

to promote wildlife. Several farmsworking together can

be hugely beneficial in creating cost-effective areas that

also help to create larger habitat wildlife patches. If you

live in an equine subdivision that shares a track, this may

be something that could become part of the association

“code”, where all in the community participate a bit in

the promotion of wildlife on the inside of the track.

Again, there is power in numbers. If you have an inter-

est in helping wildlife in your ponds, or on your land,

but lack funding, go to: http://myfwc.com/conserva-

tion/special-initiatives/lap/hcss, to learn about Florida

Fish and Wildlife Commission Financial Assistance

Programs and learn about possibilities for assistance

with restoration and conservation plans.

Remember, it is possible to have wildlife and horses

living together in a positive, beautiful and environmen-

tally friendly way. Be sure to contact me, your local Ex-

tension agent, or a Fish andWildlife representative to get

the ball rolling. As always, keep up

the good management practices!�

FARM MANAGEMENT

Schedule a Farm Call:

JamieA. CohenFarm Outreach CoordinatorUF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service352-671-8792 • [email protected]

Remember, it is possible to have wildlife and horses livingtogether in a positive, beautiful and environmentally friendlyway. Be sure to contact me, your local Extension agent, or aFish andWildlife representative to get the ball rolling.

Create andConverseDiverseWildlifeHabits on the Farm

Cohen_FarmManagement.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/7/12 11:02 AM Page 58

I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all

who have continued investing your valuable

time and dollars in the future of this 500-

acre unique outdoor venue. Each month, the

Park’s event schedule grows with another great

project.

We have already scheduled more than 200

event days for 2012, including horse shows, dog

shows, professional BBQ competitions, trail

rides, triathlons and more.We recently confirmed

a brand new contract with the Ocala Scottish

Highland Games for this fall – a festival expected

to attract several thousand visitors.

The Foundation for the Florida Horse Park is

also producing ongoing fundraising for the Park’s

development. Our popular farm tour, typically

held in the fall, will be repeated this May, with a

lineup of beautiful and varied horse farms

throughout Marion County. In addition, we’ve in-

creased our outreach by partnering with new

friends…producing pony rides at community fes-

tivals, presenting our message at dozens of civic

organizations, and increasing our social media

presence.

These efforts are being recognized by those

both inside and outside the agriculture industry.

In January, Mr. Whit Palmer, longtime supporter

and visionary for the Park, was recognized as

Ocala Magazine’s Person of the Year, thanks in

large part to his role in creating the Foundation

for the Florida Horse Park. Whit has been an

amazing leader and a mentor to me – congratula-

tions, Whit!

Last month, the Florida Agriculture Center

and Horse Park was recognized by the

Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce as

Marion County’sAg/Equine Business of theYear.

We are grateful for this truly special designation!

Our board of directors comprise a stellar

group of men and women dedicated to the Park’s

success, and our donors and sponsors continue to

inspire us to keep working hard.We look forward

to a continual partnership with you all. �

Your

May is inMotionMotion

FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Most sincerely,

Connie Duff Wise

President, Foundation for the Florida Horse Park

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAYY 2012 59

We have already scheduled more than 200event days for 2012, including horse shows,dog shows, professional BBQ competitions,trail rides, triathlons and more. We recentlyconfirmed a brand new contract with the OcalaScottish Highland Games for this fall – a festivalexpected to attract several thousand visitors.

Warm spring greetings fromthe FloridaAgriculture Center and Horse Park!

YourFloridaHorsePark.qx:Florida Horse_template 5/7/12 11:03 AM Page 1


What is causing these large mounds of dirt in

my pasture and how do I get rid of them?

One of my yearlings stepped in one of the

holes and twisted her ankle. I’ve tried dragging the pas-

ture, but the mounds seem to come back overnight and I

never see anything making them. Is there anything I can

do to get rid of these annoying piles of dirt and holes in

my pasture?” The farm owner explained to me, she had

been dealingwith this problem for two or three years and

had been unsuccessful in her pasture of these trouble-

some mounds. Her frustration had recently reached its

peakwhen one of her “best” yearlings had to be scratched

from a sale because it nowhad a swollen ankle as a result

of stepping in one of the holes. So began our discussion

of the cause and control of this pasture problem.

The southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) is

also known as “sandy-mounder” or “salamander”. It’s

known as a pocket gopher because of the fur-lined cheek

pouches the gopher uses to carry food. Tan to grayish-

brown with light colored feet and hairless tail, pocket

gophers range in size of 9-12 inches from nose to tail.

Gophers dig extensive tunnel systems and are usu-

ally not seen on the surface. They are active year round

and may burrow at any time of day. However, gophers

are most active in the spring when they may construct

up to three mounds a day.Additionally, they seem to be

more active around dusk and at night.

Gopher tunnels are slightly smaller than an average

person’s forearmand run parallel to the surface.Most tun-

nels run between 2 inches to 2 feet in depthwith some lat-

eral extensions for food storage andnesting reachingmore

than 5 feet below the surface.Average tunnel length is 145

feet and at least one tunnel was followed for 525 feet.

As it digs, the gopher pushes the loose soil behind it-

self and then turns around and pushes the soil up a tun-

nel terminating at the surface. (This process produces

the mound in the pasture.) Once the main tunnel ex-

tends past the first tunnel, another lateral tunnel is dug

to the surface and the first lateral tunnel is backfilled to

block it off from the surface. (This process results in the

rows of gopher mounds on the surface.) Just because

there are numerous mounds in a pasture doesn’t mean

there are the same number of gophers. Remember, a

single gopher can build up to three mounds a day. The

backfilling of the tunnel is the gopher’s primary defense

against its main predator, the Florida pine snake.

Gophers reach sexual maturity at about 6 months of

age. They usually have one or two litters per year with

one to three young per litter. Breeding is most common

inMarch, July orAugust. Gopher nests of shredded grass

are located in the deepest part of the tunnel system, 2-5

feet below the surface. Their underground lifestyle and

lack of natural predators allows the gophers’ relatively

low reproductive rate to sustain gopher populations.

The soil gophers bring to the surface contains nutri-

ents leached from surface soils. This natural fertilizer

helps to maintain the sandhill ecosystem. The mounds

of loose soil provide needed germination sites for some

native plant seeds. Many amphibians and reptiles use

pocket gopher mounds as homes, including Florida’s

unique mole skinks. The pocket gopher tunnels them-

selves serve as habitat for many unique invertebrates

found nowhere else. Gophers should be maintained in

natural areas as well as other non-livestock areas such

as rights-of-way for power lines and roads.

When southeastern pocket gophers damage pastures,

lawnsor gardens itmaybecomenecessary eliminate them.

Gopher traps are effective and several types are available

commercially. Like I told the farm owner that called me,

themost important part of trapping a gopher is locating an

active tunnel. Look for the freshest mound you can find,

push the dirt back and probe the areawith a trowel or rod.

Once the tunnel is located, dig it out with something

like a serving spoon until all the dirt is removed. You

may have to go as far as your elbow or deeper to open

up the tunnel.After the tunnel is dug out, insert the trap

and check it later the same day or first thing the next

morning. If an active tunnel is cleaned out, the theory is

the gopher will come back to refill the tunnel and in so

doing be caught in the trap. Successful trapping of just

one gopher can make a significant difference in the

amount of mounds you see your pasture.

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

by UF/IFAS MarionCountyLivestock Agent

Mark Shuffitt

Mounds and Mounds“

The most importantpart of trapping a

gopher is locating anactive tunnel. Look

for the freshestmound you can find,

push the dirt backand probe the area

with a trowel or rod.

Shuffitt.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/7/12 11:06 AM Page 1

LLoouuiissee EE.. RReeiinnaaggeellHORSE PHOTOGRAPHERVisit me at www.louiseereinagel.com

E-Mail: [email protected]

(352) 237-3809

Classified ADSCall (352) 732-8858

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSTRUCTION

BECOMEA

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorsewww.ftboa.com

EQUINE SERVICES

BRIDLEWOOD FARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

CLOVERLEAF FARMS II INC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

FTBOA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

JOURNEYMAN STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 15, 19, 64

NTRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

OCALA BREEDERS SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

OCALA STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

OCD EQUINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

RUTHERFORD MULHALL, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

SOUTHERN STATES COOPERATIVE, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

To Advertise Call352.732.8858

Specializes in Farm PavingASPHALT HAULING • PAVING PARKING LOTS • SEAL COATING

FARM LANES • SMALL DRIVEWAYS • ROAD GRADINGLocated in Ocala

Fred BurtonPAVING• 800.709.1903

GT Farm LLC is a full serviceBroodmare, Foaling,

Weanling, Yearling farmFull Boarding & Pasture Boarding, Turnouts, Layups, Sales Prep.

Visitors welcome by appt.

[email protected] Ocala call: (352) 512-3717 •(561) 502-4475

www.gtfarmllc.com

Classifieds_April/May2012.qxd:Layout 1 5/8/12 10:01 AM Page 1


There are few things in life more dangerous than the

knee-jerk reaction.

It is often violently damaging, sometimes in a way

that is embarrassing and painfully irreversible. It always

happens within a vacuum of thoughtful consideration,

with neither due diligence nor rational thought.

There are also few things as fallacious amongAmer-

icans as the belief that if something – anything – exists

in Europe, it is better than the practice here. This is the

great American inferiority complex, based on evidence

neither historic nor current but nevertheless evident in

erroneous hair-shirt, apologetic self flagellation.

So, awidely-criticized and undoubtedly dubious exam-

ination of racing’s issues regarding medication and injury

published recently by the New York Times – a purported

news agency that routinely declines to cover most of the

most-important races run in its home metropolis – has ig-

nited greatwhimpering and breast beating in racing’smost

hallowedhalls.Basedupondata thatwas at best profoundly

flawed and at worse thinly veiled fabrication, the Times,

with narrative couched in the NewMexican quarter-horse

industry, portrayed the sport as little more

than amoney-churning grind that consumes

horses and humans without regard for the

well being of either and points to the admit-

tedly incongruous array of local medication

regulations as the source of all thingswrong

with the sport, pointing fawningly toEurope

and other nations inwhich race-daymedica-

tion is officially banned as a standard of purity.

Reconsideration ofmedication regulation is not in itself

a bad idea but itmust be thoughtful and approachedwith a

high degree of caution. Common regulation adopted on a

national scale, however, is probably no closer at hand than

the abolition of income tax – a nice thought far-fetched.

First, it is important to identify the problem and the

knee-jerk reactionaries appear to be gathering in a knot of

support for the elimination of Lasix, the almost universally

diuretic commonly legal in every racing jurisdiction. The

JockeyClub, though impotent in the regulatory sense, sup-

ports elimination of the use of Lasix on race day.TheKen-

tuckyRacing Commission, playingwith fire while facing

into the wind, is considering a more impactful measure.

But no organization of horsemen or women has lent sup-

port to ameasure that would – since slightly less than 100

percent of horses are treated with Lasix prior to competi-

tion -- effectively end racing as we know it.

True, any study of the issue concludes that the inci-

dent of serious injury of horses has increased in recent

decades.The Times study dutifully overstates the increase

among thoroughbreds by folding quarter-horse data into

the larger study. Others, including one funded by the

Jockey Club, suggest increases less stark but there is no

solid evidence that Lasix is the root cause of anything ex-

cept control of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage,

the purpose for which it is designed. Economically, so-

cially, in racing terms and in every other respect, Europe

is in the steepest stage of decline, but the overarching de-

sire of the Times and Jockey Club is to bring theAmeri-

can Industry in line with the rest of the racing world.

It is timefor racing tobeginaprocess solving itsproblems

while avoiding becoming victim ofmisdirected reform.

The medication discussion has become a smorgas-

bord of misconception.

The days before Lasix were by no stretch of the

imagination drug-free. Silent Tom Smith himself, the

storied, stoic horse-whisperer who trained Seabiscuit,

served a year’s suspension in NewYork

for use of ephedrine after taking over

horses owned by ElizabethArden. Think

Seabiscuit got some of that? Cocaine

and heroin were at one time commonly

used to affect performance. Those of

sufficient vintage recall Sublimaze and

etorphine. The use of cobra venom was

first rumored in the late 1970s and still defies testing.

It is unlikely that any horse has ever suffered a fatal

breakdown because it wasn’t bleeding internally.

“Performance enhancing drugs” are and have always

been illegal if often difficult to detect.

Once upon a time, racing was seasonal with less pres-

sure put upon the horse population. It was also the realm

of the severely wealthy who bred to race. How many

major farms and stables prominent in the ‘70s remain ac-

tive? Nowadays, horsemen are usually concerned with

maintaining the solvency of clients and breeding for the

marketplace is too often accomplished at the expense of

sound genetic bloodlines.

Many issues in this milieu persist and demand study.

But overreach for the obviously low-hanging fruit, in this

case Lasix, never results in solution. Viewed from any

angle, not bleeding can only be a good thing. �

PLAYER’S PAGE

by Paul Moran

It is time for racingto begin a process

solving its problemswhile avoiding

becoming victim ofmisdirected reform.

ADangerousReaction?

PlayersPage_April_May.qxd:Florida Horse_template 5/7/12 11:07 AM Page 1



Documents

April/May 2012 Florida Horse