florida horse

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4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2012

20 ELITE STATUS2011 Florida-bred Champions By Jo Ann Guidry

28 BIG NIGHT FOR FLORIDAAT ECLIPSEAWARDSFlorida-bred Musical Romance was named championFilly and Mare Sprinter; Havre de Grace is Horse of theYear. By Michael Compton

36 ACCELERATED EARNING POWERa robust Stakes and FOA Program in place at Gulf-stream Park and Tampa Bay Downs By Michael Compton

40 STALLION SHOWCASEDoor were open to prospective breeders in January asthe areas popular stallion shows continued.Photos by Serita Hult

54 EQUINE CARE: ISMY HORSE JUST FAT?—or does he have a metabolic disease?By Sarah M Reuss,VMD,DACVIM

COVER PHOTO: BREEDERS’ CUP LIMITEDCONTENTS PHOTO OF FORT LOUDON: JIM LISA

DEPARTMENTS/COLUMNS

FEATURES

J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2 V O L 5 5 / I S S U E 1

CONTENTS

6 PRESIDENT’S REPORT8 EDITOR’SWELCOME10 FLORIDA FOCUS48 LEADING FLORIDA SIRES53 FTBOA CHASETOTHE CHAMPIONSHIP58 YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK By Connie Duff Wise

59 FARMMANAGEMENT By Jamie Cohen

60 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING62 PLAYER’S PAGE:QUIET TOO LONG By Paul Moran

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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.

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Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc. BOYD

THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2012 5

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Compton

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

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

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president’s report

Phil Matthews,President FTBOASERITA HULT PHOTO

By PHIL MATTHEWS

As members of the FTBOA, many of us don’t

have the opportunity to work with the staff

of the organization, whether they are on

the publications side or on the membership side.

Personally, I had little contact with most of those

people prior to my serving on the board of directors.

It has been a gratifying experience to get to know all

of these people and to witness first-hand the dedi-

cation to their work and their commitment to the As-

sociation.

Today, I would like to address one person in par-

ticular, Michael Compton, editor-in-chief of Florida

Equine Publications.

To give Michael the label of editor frankly sells

him short. He has been much more than that; the

proverbial glue that holds that department together.

Michael came to us from California 12 years ago

and he brought with him a passion and respect for

horse racing. Accolades followed soon after his ar-

rival with numerous awards from American Horse

Publications (AHP). In fact, The Florida Horse

magazine is AHP’s reigning five-time best state or

regional publication in the equine industry.

Beyond Michael’s literary skills, he brought a

team mentality to Florida Equine Publications (FEP)

and a strong work ethic. This team atmosphere be-

came contagious with his fellow employees.

It is literally with a heavy heart that I tell you

Michael is leaving us. He is moving on to pursue

his dreams and we wish him the very best.

Michael Compton will be sorely missed and even

harder to replace. This is obvious to anyone that

reads our publications and even more so to those

of you that had the opportunity to work more

closely with him on your advertising and other

publishing projects.

Brent Fernung may have said it best, “Michael

Compton has proven over the years to be one of the

most conscientious people that I have come in con-

tact with. He is an excellent writer with an astute

knowledge of horse racing and breeding, talents that

are in short supply. That, combined with his work

ethic, guarantees he will be sorely missed by the

Florida Thoroughbred industry.

For all of us, I would like to tell Michael that

we will miss him greatly but wish him the very best

in all of his future endeavors. Thanks, Michael, for

all you’ve done for us. �

Phil Mathews

Michael Compton has proven over the years to be one of

the most conscientious people that I have come in contact

with. He is an excellent writer with an astute knowledge of

horse racing and breeding, talents that are in short supply.

That, combined with his work ethic, guarantees he will be

sorely missed by the Florida Thoroughbred industry.

—Brent Fernung

ProverbialGlue

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Purpose and passion. The culture of the Thor-

oughbred industry is based on competitiveness.

Having a purpose and being passionate can cer-

tainly help generate victories of all kinds, for horses and

people, alike. The team at Florida Equine Publications

(FEP) and its stable of freelance talent has worked with

purpose and passion throughout my 12-year tenure as

editor-in-chief. Collectively,we have vigorously pursued

excellence on behalf of the readers of themagazine and

themembers of the FloridaThoroughbredBreeders’and

Owners’Association (FTBOA).

This columnmarksmy last as editor-in-chief of The

Florida Horsemagazine as I am moving on to pursue

new creative directions this year.

When I look back over my length of service to FEP

and the FTBOA, I am proud of what we have accom-

plished together—the entire staff, board of directors,

the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer

Services, readers and advertisers.

In March of 2000, following 10 years at California

Thoroughbredmagazine, I movedmy family across the

country to take the reins of The Florida Horse andWire

to Wire. Thanks to Richard Hancock, Jo Ann Guidry,

Patrick Vinzant, Jon Siegel and Terry Leffel, the tran-

sition from living in Southern California to Ocala/Mar-

ion County was an easy one.

It didn’t take long for me to gain a great appreciation

of what makes the Ocala area distinctive: open green

space, historic farms and a deep respect for horses has

clearly helped shaped this dynamic community.Over the

last decade, I have had the privilege to serve the com-

munity as a former boardmember of both the Public Ed-

ucationFoundation ofMarionCounty andmore recently

theMarion County Chamber of Commerce.

The highlights of chronicling Florida’s Thorough-

bred industry are too numerous to mention here. Of

course, I covered Breeders’ Cup victories—Ginger

Punch in the slop at Monmouth Park in 2007, Dubai

Majesty,Awesome Feather and BigDrama at Churchill

Downs in 2010 and Musical Romance this past No-

vember—immediately spring to mind.

My first article for the magazine 12 years ago was a

feature on Needles being inducted into the prestigious

Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Racing in

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The storied Florida-bred’s long

awaited honor asHorse ofYesteryearwaswelcomenews

to the state’s prizedThoroughbred industry.

Bonnie Heath, III, whowas 6 years oldwhen his fa-

ther’s racehorse became the first Florida-bred in history

towin theKentuckyDerby, arranged a luncheon forme

to meet his father and interview him for the story. Over

lunch at Golden Hills Country Club we relived Nee-

dles’ historic Derby victory and all the emotions sur-

rounding his dramatic come-from-behind score.

Everyone affiliatedwith Florida’s horse industry for any

length of time understands that Needles’ Derby win

sparked an industry in Florida and he is credited with

being responsible for selling asmuch land in the area as

any real estate agent at that time.

Florida lost industry pioneers in the last 12 years.

Bonnie Heath, Fred Hooper, John Franks, Harry Man-

gurian, Arthur Appleton and George Steinbrenner are

just a few. I was fortunate to havemet all of them. It was

an honor remembering their accomplishments in print.

Their contributions to the Thoroughbred industry will

be felt for generations to come. Inmymany guided tours

of FTBOA’s gallery, I shared with curious visitors the

trophies, racing silks and photographs that highlight and

immortalize their greatest triumphs on the racetrack.

On Feb. 28, 2006, I watched a handsome juvenile

colt by Forestry parade around Calder’s paddock prior

to entering the auction ring during that year’s Fasig-

Tipton sale. Moments later, well quite a few moments

later, the Florida-bred colt was hammered down at a

record $16 million.

It was evident to everyone in attendance that day that

Coolmore and Darley had locked horns on the colt.

When the bidding came to a rousing conclusion, Cool-

more had prevailed. Later named The Green Monkey,

the colt was unable to deliver on the promise he flashed

at the sale in his brief racing career. Hope springs eter-

nal in this business, however, and his chance to make a

name for himself continues today as he stands stud in

Ocala at Hartley/De RenzoThoroughbreds.

In 2003, I attended the one andonlyGreat StateChal-

lenge at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. It


editor’s welcome

Michael Compton/JOE DIORIO PHOTO

It didn’t take long for me to gain a great appreciation ofwhat makes the Ocala area distinctive: open green space,

historic farms and a deep respect for horses has clearlyhelped shaped this dynamic community.

FarewellEditorsWelcome_Jan_USE.qxd:EditorWelcome 1/19/12 2:40 PM


was a day designed to shine a spotlight on state-bred run-

ners fromaround the country.Runners from theSunshine

State nearly stole the show that December afternoon,

winning two of the day’s stakes races with My Cousin

Matt and Elegant Designer, placing in two others and

falling toKentucky byonly twopoints, 36-34, in the end.

I traveled to BuenosAires in 2009 as part of a trade

mission toArgentina.As a guest of theArgentine Jockey

Club and theArgentinaThoroughbred BreedersAssoci-

ation, I took in the festivities surrounding that year’s re-

newal of the Grade 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, the

last leg ofArgentina’sTriple Crown, at San Isidro.

On that trip, in the company of Paul Davis from the

Department ofAgriculture andwithmywife serving as

an interpreter, I discovered that many conversations I

had with horsemen there mirrored the discussions we

have with horsemen here at home. Paramount issues

facing our industry are universal. People in other coun-

tries are concerned about the Thoroughbred industry’s

future and care passionately about the health and wel-

fare of the horses, aboutmedication issues and integrity.

In November of 2006, I received a hand-written let-

ter fromJohnNerud following a feature onhimpublished

in themagazine. It read simply: “Thank you for sending

me The Florida Horsemagazine. Florida’s breeding in-

dustry has grown up since the 1960s, and so has The

Florida Horse magazine. Regards, John.” Those few

lines from a legendary horsemanmean a lot to me.

I met Karl Koontz, the first editor of The Florida

Horse, for a feature on the 50-year anniversary of the

magazine, in 2008. Koontz was the editor of the maga-

zine’s inaugural issue in 1958.With horses working out

on the track at OBS one morning, we sat in the bleach-

ers overlooking the track and remembered his early days

at the helm of the publication. Hewas a treasure trove of

memories. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down memory

lane and talking about the standout horses of that gener-

ation. He recalled them all with stunning clarity.

The print publishing industry has undoubtedly ex-

perienced tremendous change in

recent years. With the delivery

of information changing as fast

as advancing technology, we are

definitely in an age of transition.

It hasalwaysbeenourprimary

mission at FEP to make sure that

your interactions with the publi-

cationaremeaningful.Articlesare

designed tohelp readersbetterun-

derstand Florida’s Thoroughbred

industry and the people responsi-

ble forbreeding,owning, training,

selling and racing Florida-breds.

It has been a pleasure chron-

icling the exploits of Florida-bred racehorses and their

connections in print for FEP and the FTBOA. I am ex-

cited aboutmy future, and I know that despite the tough

economic times that have hit theThoroughbred indus-

try in recent years, Florida is poised for recovery and is

ready to embark on a new era of prosperity. �

CIND

YMI

KELL

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It has been a pleasure chronicling

the exploits of Florida-bred race-

horses and their connections in print

for FEP and the FTBOA. I am ex-

cited about my future, and I know

that despite the tough economic

times that have hit theThoroughbred

industry in recent years, Florida is

poised for recovery and is ready to

embark on a new era of prosperity.

EditorsWelcome_Jan_USE.qxd:EditorWelcome 1/19/12 2:40 PM

By PATRICK VINZANT

Florida-breds took center stage at Gulf-

stream Park on Jan. 8 with the sixth running

of the $60,000 Ocala Stakes. The Todd

Pletcher trained R Holiday Mood looked to

be the winner coming to the wire at the Hal-

landale oval, but a late rally by the Mark

Casse trained Delightful Mary proved too

close to call and resulted in a dead-heat.

R Holiday Mood went to the lead soon

after the start in the 1-mile contest for fillies

and mares 4-years-old and up. She was

hounded by a host of pursuers, including de-

fending race champAll Due Respect. R Hol-

iday Mood set the pace under pressure. She

was headed byAll Due Respect in the stretch,

but came back on to regain the lead and just

lasted to finish on even terms with Delight-

ful Mary. She set fractions of 23.91, 46.67,

1:11.10 and stopped the teletimer in 1:37.25.

Favored All Due Respect finished a length

back in third.

“When they crossed the wire I thought she

got beat,” said Todd Pletcher. “I had her en-

tered in an allowance race earlier in the meet,

but she tied up and we had to scratch her. I

think she’s best at six or seven furlongs, but

we thought we’d try her going a mile in this

spot and got half-lucky.”

R Holiday Mood races for her breeder E.

Paul Robsham Stable LLC. The Ocala score

marked the fourth win in seven starts for the

daughter of Trippi. She won the Miss Preak-

ness Stakes at Pimlico on May 20. She now

has career earnings of $127,800.

Jockey John Velazquez was pleased with

the effort his charge gave to finish in a dead-

heat.“I wasn’t able to get her to relax the way

I wanted in the first part. I kind of played

give-and-take with her a little bit because I

didn’t want to fight with her toomuch. When

she switched leads I hit her and she took off.

But then Delightful Mary came to us and I

was like ‘man, after fighting the whole way

here comes another,’” Velazquez said of R

Holiday Mood. “I was proud of her though,

she never gave up.”

Trainer Mark Casse was looking for De-

lightful Mary to return to the form that

earned her the 2010 Sovereign Award in

Canada for the top 2-year-old filly. The

$500,000 OBS graduate was bred by Hobeau

Farms and races for John C. Oxley.

“I thought she got up. I don’t think she

saw that other horse down on the inside,”

said Casse, whose filly was making only

her second lifetime start on dirt and first

since finishing third in the 2010 Breeders’

Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She has five

wins in eight starts with earnings of

$435,277.

Casse said that the $300,000 Florida Sun-

shine Millions Distaff at Gulfstream Park on

Jan. 28may be next for the daughter of Lime-

house, while Pletcher was undecided about R

Holiday Mood’s next start.

“She ran so hard today I don’t think I can

bring her back in the Sunshine Millions.

That’s probably too close. We’ll see,”

Pletcher said.


Get Rich Quick

Get Rich Quick toStand at Coco Ranch

Florida-breds Dead-heat

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Get Rich Quick will enter stud this

year at Guillermo Morales’ Coco Ranch

nearAnthony.A graded stakes-placed son

of Seeking the Gold, Get Rich Quick will

stand for $2,500 live foal.

Get Rich Quick ran second in the 2010

Colonel E.R. BradleyHandicap (G3). Dur-

ing his career, he won or placed in 13 of

34 starts and earned $272,566.

Get RichQuick is out of the Strawberry

Road (AUS) mare Danka. He is a half

brother to five stakes horses including Be-

danken and Much Obliged. For more in-

formation on Get Rich Quick contact

Guillermo Morales at 352-362-5877.

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It’s Me MomRomps in Minaret

It has taken 85-year-old breeder andowner Thomas Bosch of Holiday, Fla. his en-tire adult life to get a horse like Florida-bredIt’s Me Mom.

The wait has been worth it.“We’ve had a lot of winners, but none like

her,” said Bosch’s wife of 59 years, Jean, afterthe 3-year-old filly, trained by Lynne Scace,closed her ascendant 2011 campaign with an8¼-length victory from Moon Buzz in the50,000 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downson Dec. 31.

It’s Me Mom’s time of 1:09.68 for the sixfurlongs shattered the stakes record of 1:102/5 set by Forli’s Lass in 1993 and was lessthan a second off the track record of 1:08.69set in April by Sneaking Uponyou.

It’s Me Mom is 8-for-13 lifetime, includingfour stakes victories. The winner’s share of$30,000 raised her career earnings to$335,200. It’s Me Mom paid $3.60 as theheavy favorite in the 10-horse field. Her win-ning margin was the same as the margin sheposted winning the Minaret Prep on Dec. 7.

“Oh, we love her,” Jean Bosch said. “She’swonderful. She has always been good to us.Her mother was great for us, too – she brokeher maiden here at Tampa in 2006. We hadhopes It’s MeMomwould be this good, but wedidn’t know.We just hoped and hoped.”

Ridden by regular rider Willie Martinez, It’sMe Mom was ahead by three lengths beforethe other nine fillies andmares had a chance toreact. With scant encouragement from Mar-tinez, It’s Me Mom cranked out quarter-milefractions of 22.07 and 44.65 and was neverthreatened a step of the way, Martinez sittingvirtually statue-like throughout the stretch.

Leandro Goncalves, the jockey on runner-up Moon Buzz out of the Steve Margolis barn,offered no excuses.

Yournotthebossofme finished third.

Florida-bred Itʼs Me Mom

in Ocala Stakes

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Florida-breds Delightful Mary (outside)and R Holiday Mood dead-heat

Singlet Captures Xtra Heat StakesBy PATRICK VINZANT

Florida-bred Singlet easily captured the $73,500 Xtra Heat Starter Stakes for 3-year-

old fillies atAqueduct on Jan. 5. The daughter of Real Quiet bred by the McKathan Broth-

ers defeated Union Victory by six

lengths as the 3-5 favorite.

Ramon Dominguez was aboard

theTony Dutrow charge who won for

the third time in four starts. She

completed the six furlongs over the

inner dirt in 1:11.73. Singlet paid

$3.30, $2.40 and $2.10. Union Vic-

tory returned $3.50 and $4, and

Torchme paid $6.60 to show.

Florida-bred Singlet

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Mr. Prankster came fromoff the pace and

a six-week layoff to win the $50,000 Turfway

Prevue Stakes at Turfway Park Jan. 7, getting

back on track for trainerMikeMaker, who co-

owns the colt with Thomas Conway. John

McKee was aboard for the well timed ride.

Magical Season, also trained by Maker,

finished 31⁄2 lengths behindMr. Prankster after

getting shuffled back early and closing hard

up the center of the track. Frankie is Rock

tracked the pace and got up for third, another

half-length back.

Written for 3-year-olds going 61⁄2 fur-

longs, theTurfway Prevue is the first of three

local preps for the Vinery Racing Spiral

Stakes (G3) in March.

Pressured by D’Wildcat Road all the way

to the top of the stretch, Jasizzle jumped out

first under Perry Ouzts and set the first three

quarters in :22.46, :45.49 and 1:11.83. After

D’Wildcat Road gaveway, Ouzts urged Jasiz-

zle to meet a new challenge coming fromCir-

cus Clown and Frankie is Rock, but while

those twowere bearing downon the pacesetter,

Mr. Prankster had steadily advanced from the

middle of the field and ran them all down, free

and clear five wide. Final time was 1:18.96.

Mr. Prankster was the post time favorite at

6-5 and paid $4.40, $3, and $2.80.

After missing by a neck in his debut inAu-

gust,Mr. Prankster won his next race and then

was a strong second in the Fitz Dixon Me-

morial Jr. Stakes. His steady advance was

temporarily stalled by a disappointing finish

in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) in No-

vember and a subsequent brief illness. The

colt earned his first stakes win with his return

to action in the Turfway Prevue.

By Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion It’s No

Joke out of Cremedelacramer, by Avenue of

Flags, Mr. Prankster now has two wins and

two seconds in five starts and earnings of

$88,612. – Turfway Park Publicity

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Florida stallion Itʼs No Joke

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Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion It’s Not Jokerepresented by first stakes winner

Mr. Prankster Takes Turfway Prevue

Mr. Prankster

Apriority OvercomesTrouble to WinMr. Prospector

Trainer David Fawkes was at

Gulfstream Park earlier this year after

sending out Harold Queen’s 2010

Eclipse champion sprinter Florida-

bred Big Drama to set a track record

winning the $100,000 Mr. Prospector

Stakes. He was back in the same spot

Dec. 31 after Donald Dizney’s 4-year-

olf Florida homebred colt Apriority

won the same race.

While Big Drama won off by four

lengths in the six-furlong dash, Apri-

ority won by a desperate nose after a

near disastrous start when he stumbled

badly, nearly unseating jockey Luis

Saez while breaking from the one-post

in the talented field of seven as Klar-

avich Stables and William H.

Lawrence’s 3-year-old gelding Florida-

bred Zero Rate Policy set the pace

under pressure.

A son of Grand Slam,Apriority was

making his first start since finishing

sixth in the $1.5 million Breeders’Cup

Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs on

Nov. 5 and paid $7.20 for $2 to win

while timed the distance in 1:09:28

over the fast track. Zero Rate Policy

finished a game second with Stud El

Aguila’s 3-year-old Indiano only a

half-length further back in third.

– Gulfstream Park Publicity

Florida-bred Apriority

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C C’s Pal started off the New

Year the same way she ended her

2011 campaign – in the winner’s

circle at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Taking over from the pacesetters

in midstretch, the 5-year-old mare

rolled to a commanding 2¾-length

victory in the 141st edition of the

$75,000 Ladies Handicap, her sec-

ond straight stakes victory atAque-

duct. Ridden by JuniorAlvarado, C

C’s Pal settled in third as 6-5 fa-

vorite Katy Now and Bahama

Bound raced through fractions of

24.95, 49.74 and 1:13.86, then charged up on

the outside to take the lead approaching the

eighth pole, hitting the wire in 1:52.85 for the

11⁄8 miles.

“She tries hard,” said Alvarado, who was

aboard when C C’s Pal won the six-furlong

Garland of Roses on Dec. 3. “When I rode

her six furlongs, she was running in the end.

I rode her long right now, and she was run-

ning in the end, too. [Distance] doesn’t matter,

she’s just a big-heart filly.”

C C’s Pal has now won three of her four

starts since joining trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr.’s

barn, two of them sprinting. She also placed

third in the Grade 2 Go forWand, a one-turn

mile, on Nov. 25.

“To be honest, I wasn’t sure she

could get amile and an eighth, but if

you’re ever going to get a mile and

eighth it’s going to be here on this

inner track,” said winning owner

Eric Fein of CC’s Pal, who had also

been under consideration for the six-

furlong Interborough on the New

Year’s Day card. “I left it [which

race] up to Rick.We actually would

have run in both if we could have.

That’s how good she is doing.”

Sent off as the 7-5 second

choice, CC’s Pal returned $4.80 for

a $2win bet and extended her career record to

7-5-5 from 25 starts. She has earned

$451,086. The daughter of Alex’s Pal was

bred in Florida by Beth Bayer.

Bahama Bound finished a neck in front of

Katy Now for second, with One Last Dance

finishing fourth and Fools in Love fifth. Kar-

mageddon was scratched. – NYRA Press


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C C’s Pal Rings in New Year With Victory in Ladies

Longtime Ocala horsemanWill Johnson has been tabbed as the

new stallion manager at John Sykes’CloverLeaf Farms II and has

already begun duties at the Reddick-based stud farm.

An Ocala resident since 1975, Johnson most notably worked

for 20 years at Franks Farms stallion operation in Ocala.

Johnson will oversee established leading Florida sire

Repent, along with his top son Crown of Thorns, who

will stand his first season at stud in 2012.

“I cannot tell you how excited I am to have the op-

portunity to work with breeders again for such a top-

class stallion operation like CloverLeaf,” said Johnson.

“Mr. Sykes has always had a reputation for quality and

integrity. The quality shows in the top stallions he’s

brought to Ocala, and both Repent and Crown of

Thorns certainly uphold that tradition. They’re both

awesome individuals that sell themselves when you see them in

person and evaluate their credentials. The integrity is something

I am expected to carry out with breeders, and I can’t wait to get

to work with my fellow Florida horsemen during the upcoming

breeding season with these two exciting stallions.”

Repent is coming off a stellar year in 2011. He was the only

sire with five 2-year-old stakes winners – leading all sires in North

America – and also led all sires in Florida with 10 stakes winners

overall in 2011.

Crown of Thorns recently retired to Florida as a

multiple Grade 2 winner of $821,693. His biggest win

came during his undefeated 3-year-old campaign when

he dominated the Robert Lewis S. (G2) in stakes-

record time of 1:40.76 to become the early favorite for

the Kentucky Derby (G1).

“We’re thrilled to have such a respected and expe-

rienced horseman likeWill heading up the CloverLeaf

stallion division,” said Sykes. “His reputation for hon-

esty and hard work, along with his rapport with

breeders, will serve him well. We welcome him to the Clover-

Leaf team.”

For further inquiries, callWill Johnson at the farm at 352-591-

5871, or on his mobile at 352-427-1268.

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Will Johnson

Florida-bred C Cʼs Pal

Will Johnson Named Stallion Manager at CloverLeaf

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By MICHAEL COMPTON

Florida-bred Pomeroys Pistol carried a

class edge into the Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3)

against seven rivals atGulfstreamPark onDec.

10.AmyTarrant, her breeder, owner and trainer

had expressed some concern prior to the race

about her charge drawing the rail in the com-

pact field, but her pre-raceworrieswere erased

by the time the runners hit the top of the stretch

in the six-furlong, $100,000 event.

Under Javier Castellano, Pomeroys Pistol

was out-sprinted early and settled in behind

the early pacesetters. Approaching the far

turn, Pomeroys Pistol still found herself be-

hind a wall of horses. Once the field straight-

ened for the stretch drive, however, Castellano

swung his mount to the outside. Once in the

clear, she leveled off in a professional man-

ner and simply ran away from her rivals

through the lane en route to a facile, two-

length score, stopping the timer in 1:09.35.

“My only concern going into the race was

the one post,” said Tarrant. “I wasn’t worried

that she’s only had oneworkout sine theBreed-

ers’ Cup. I knowher andwhat she needs. I was

confident going into the race. She had three

quality weeks turned out on the farm, but

prettymuch kept herself fit running around her

paddock. I don’t like to grind on them before

they run.The time frame, five weeks since the

Breeders’ Cup, was perfect. Javier knows her

now and rides her with confidence.”

Castellano first partnered with Pomeroys

Pistol in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2)

Sept. 24 at Belmont Park. Pomeroys Pistol

won by four lengths that afternoon and

stamped her ticket to the Breeders’Cup Filly

and Mare Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs on

Nov. 4. She bobbled at the break of that race

and finished a game fourth, about three

lengths behind fellow Sunshine State product

Musical Romance.

The Sugar Swirl was Castellano’s third

race calling the shots aboard Pomeroys Pistol.

“I had a beautiful trip,” he said, “a dream

trip. She is a really nice filly, really straight-

forward. I love her.You can do whatever you

want with her. I saved all the ground I could

and when I put her outside, she took off. She

was much the best in the field.”

Florida-bred Pica Slew, making her first

starts since January, finished second after

contesting the early pace. Strike the Moon

finished third.

Pomeroys Pistol has never finished

worse than third in four lifetime starts at

Gulfstream Park. Earlier this year she won

the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) and finished

second in the Old Hat Stakes (G3) and third

in the Davona Dale.


Royal Currier Takes Valley ForgeBy MICHAEL COMPTON

Florida-bred Royal Currier proved his fondnes for the track surface at Parx Rac-

ing again on Dec. 20, taking down top prize in the $75,000 Valley Forge Stakes. In his

last trip to Parx, the son of Red Bullet set a six-furlong track record when he captured

the $250,000 Gallant Bob Stakes.

Kept slightly off the early pace, Royal Currier made a sweeping move around the

far turn of the six-furlong event, took command at the eighth pole and drew clear

late to score by 1¾ lengths under Stewart

Elliott. Royal Currier covered the distance

in 1:10.06 in notching his 8th victory

from 19 starts.

Bred by Adena Springs, Royal Currier is

conditioned by Patricia Farro and owned by

Mat Stables.

J J’s Lucky Train, winner of the Bay

Shore Stakes (G3) earlier this year, finished

second and odds-on favorite Poseidon’sWar-

rior was third.

Florida-bred Royal Currier

Pomeroys Pistol fires Best shot in Sugar Swirl

Florida-bredPomeroyʼs Pistol

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By JOANN GUIDRY

The 2011 Florida-bred champions were a

class of overachievers. The nine champions

won 22 stakes races in North America, in-

cluding 14 graded stakes. Of that latter number,

eight were Grade I stakes. And five of the nine be-

came millionaires in 2011.

Florida-bred Breeders’ Cup champion Musical

Romance claimed both the champion older female

and female sprinter titles. During a season that saw

him earn over a million dollars, Flat Out earned the

champion older male crown.

Fort Loudon swept the Florida Stallion Stakes on

hisway to being named the champion 2-year-oldmale.

Candrea proved the best of her division and tallied the

champion 2-year-old filly title. Brilliant Speed and

Turbulent Descent dominated their class, being named

champion 3-year-old colt and filly, respectively.

The fast and consistent Jackson Bend garnered

top honors as the champion male sprinter. In the

male and female turf divisions, the honors went to

two-time Grade I winner Teaks North and Bay to

Bay, respectively.

As a breeder, Ocala Stud was represented by three

Florida-bred champion in Musical Romance, Can-

drea and Turbulent Descent. Jacks Or Better Farm

was represented by Fort Loudon and Jackson Bend.

The Florida-bred champions are determined by

points accumulated during the year-long FTBOA

ChaseToThe Championship. In case of ties by points,

the tiebreaker is mostmoney earned.The Florida-bred

Horse of theYear and Breeder of theYear, as well as

other year-end awards are determined by the FTBOA

Board of Directors and season statistics.


2011 Florida-bred Champions

Florida-bred Fort Loudon

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FORT LOUDON2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

2-YEAR-OLD COLT

WhenFort Loudonwon the InReality Stakes onOc-

tober 15 at Calder RaceCourse, it was a historical

victory for Fred and JaneBrei’s JacksOrBetter Farm and

trainer Stanley Gold. That would be sweeping a division

of the Florida Stallion Stakes for three consecutive years.

Jacks Or Better homebreds Jackson Bend andAwesome

Feather swept the FSS in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Now add Jacks Or Better homebred Fort Loudon to that

trifecta in 2011. Gold trained Jackson Bend, Awesome

Feather and Fort Loudon to their noteworthy accom-

plishment. It marked the first time in the history of the

FSS that the same combination of breeder/owner and

trainer has swept the series three years in a row.

After notching a pair of thirds in his first three outings,

Fort Loudon broke hismaiden in impressive fashion in his

fourth start. On July 16, the bay colt by Awesome of

Course rolled to a 10-length victory overChiptease. Itwas

a signal ofwhatwas to come in theFloridaStallionStakes.

First up was the $75,000 Dr. Fager Stakes of the

FSS on August 6. Fort Loudon, ridden by Luis Ju-

rado, made it look almost too easy as he cruised to a

win. He bested fellow Jacks Or Better homebred Ar-

gentine Tango by a length and a quarter with For Oby

in third. Winning time for the six furlongs was

1:13.55. Three weeks later on August 27, the

$125,000 Affirmed Stakes looked like a rerun of the

Dr. Fager Stakes. This time, Fort Loudon rolled to a

two-length victory and Argentine Tango was once

again second. Kings Over finished third. Fort Loudon

covered the seven furlongs in 1:26.75.

Well-rested after a six-week span between the Af-

firmed Stakes and the $300,000 In Reality Stakes, Fort

Loudon left no doubt that hewas the best Florida-bred 2-

year-old colt. He took over the lead in deep stretch, pow-

ering to victory by two and a half lengths. Twin took the

runner-up spot with Sarava’s Dancer settling for third.

Fort Loudon’s winning time for the eight and a half fur-

longs was 1:48.29. In sweeping the FSS, Fort Loudon

brought his seasonal record to fourwins and two seconds

in eight career starts. He banked $333,485 on the season.

Jacks Or Better Farm bought multiple graded stakes

winner and millionaire Lottsa Talc, the dam of Fort

Loudon, for $575,000 at the 1997 Keeneland Novem-

ber sale. She was in foal at the time to Unbridled’s Song.

By Talc out of Antilassa, by Anticipating, Lottsa Talc

won 16 stakes, including three graded stakes, and was

stakes-placed 15 times in a remarkable 65 starts. She

earned $1,206,248. LottsaTalc had a 2011 Consolidator

filly andwas bred back toAwesome of Course for 2012.

Stakes winner Awesome of Course, the sire of 2010

Florida-bred Eclipse champion Awesome Feather, was

also bred and raced by Jacks Or Better Farm. In addition

to Fort Loudon, he is also the sire of Jacks Or Better

homebreds Redbud Road, who won the Desert Vixen

Stakes, andAwesome Belle, whowon theMyDear Girl

Stakes, in the 2011 FSS filly division. Awesome of

Course, a son of Awesome Again out of the Lypard

mare Mais Oui, stands as property of Jacks Or Better

Farm at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud.

CANDREA2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

2-YEAR-OLD FILLY

Candrea staked her claim to the Florida-bred 2-year-

old filly championship with a burst of brilliance in

the early fall. For the Trippi filly, raced by the trio of

KarlWatson,Mike Pegram and PaulWeitman, it proved

to be enough to claim the title.

Bred by Ocala Stud, Candrea flashed her preco-

ciousness early on. In her first start on July 7 at Holly-

wood Park, she broke her maiden by three and a half

lengths over Made to Love Her. Her winning time for

the five and a half furlongs was 1:04.20.

Candrea’s next start yielded her blacktype. She cap-

tured the Phil D. Shepherd Stakes on September 16 at

Fairplex. Her winning margin was four lengths over

Real Dream with Lasso From El Paso coming in third.

Candrea clocked a 1:24.87 for the seven furlongs. From

the Phil D. Shepherd Stakes, she was moved right into


FLORIDA-BRED C H A M P I O N S 2011

FORT LOUDON2009 bay colt

by Awesome of Course –Lottsa Talc, by Talc

Breeder/Owner:Jacks Or Better FarmTrainer: Stanley Gold

2011 Race Record/Earnings:8-4-0-2/$333,485

2011 Stakes Record1st – In Reality Stakes (FSS)1st – Affirmed Stakes (FSS)1st – Dr. Fager Stakes (FSS)

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Florida-bred Fort Loudon


the top tier and a Grade I start.

In the Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) on October 2 at Santa

Anita, Candrea gave a good accounting of her abilities.

The Bob Baffert trainee finished second by half a length

toWeemissfrankie;Charm theMaker came in third. In but

five seasonal starts, Candrea posted twowins and one sec-

ond to bank $116,000.Ocala Stud bred, broke and trained

Candrea, selling her for $340,000 at the 2011 Ocala

Breeders’SalesMarch juvenile sale toSmackDownFarm.

Mike O’Farrell Jr., who serves as president of Ocala

Stud, privately bought stakes winner Burn Brightly, the

dam of Candrea. ByAmerican Chance out of theWood-

manmareHandleWithCare, BurnBrightlywon the 2000

Spring Fever Stakes and was stakes-placed four times on

her way to earning $147,407. Burn Brightly is also the

dam of Florida-bred stakes winner Dream ofAngels and

Florida-bred stakes-placed winner Good to Be Seen.

Dream ofAngels, also byTrippi and thus a full brother to

Candrea,won a trio of stakes andwas stakes-placed twice

to earn $227,090. Burn Brightly had a 2010 Montbrook

filly and was bred to Discreetly Mine for 2012.

Trippi, the sire ofCandrea and a former leadingFlorida

sire, previously stood at Ocala Stud. He was sold in 2008

and now stands at L’Ormarins Stud in SouthAfrica.

BRILLIANT SPEED2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

3-YEAR-OLD COLT

Just call Brilliant Speed multi-talented. Charlotte

Weber’s Live Oak Stud homebred won 2011 graded

stakes on both the Polytrack surface and the turf, while

also being graded-stakes placed on the dirt. It was this

versatility that led him to a stellar season in which he

became a Grade I millionaire.

After Brilliant Speed posted

seconds in the Dania Beach

Stakes and Hallandale Beach

Stakes, both on the turf, trainer

Tom Albertrani changed the

game plan in a big way. He

shipped the bay Dynaformer

colt to Keeneland for the Blue

Grass Stakes (G1) on the Poly-

track synthetic surface.

Going off at odds of 19-1,

Brilliant Speeddelivered a stun-

ning win by a nose over Twin-

spired. Closing with a rush to

tally theBlueGrass Stakeswin,

Brilliant Speed covered the nine

furlongs in 1:50.92. The Blue

Grass Stakes victory earned the colt a start in theKentucky

Derby (G1), where he finished seventh to Animal King-

dom in the traffic-jam, 19-horse field. Skipping the shorter

Preakness Stakes (G1), Brilliant Speed’s next start would

come in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Brilliant Speed rallied

at the top of the stretch over a very sloppy track and fin-

ished a good third to Ruler On Ice.

For the Saratoga meet, it was time to switch Brilliant

Speed back to the turf with a successful outcome.As the

favorite in the Saranac Stakes (G3) o September 4, Bril-

liant Speed won by two and a half lengths in 1:48.73 for

the nine furlongs over the turf. Finished second was

Queen’splatekitten with King Congie third.

Next up for Brilliant Speed was a second by a length

toWestern Aristocrat on the turf in the Jamaica Handi-

cap (G1) at Belmont Park. He would close out his out-

standing season with a third to St. Nicolas Abbey (Ire)


CANDREA2009 bay filly by Trippi –Burn Brightly,by American Chance

Breeder: Ocala StudOwners: Karl Watson,Mike Pegram & Paul WeitmanTrainer: Bob Baffert2011 Race Record/Earnings5-2-1-0/$116,0002011 Stakes Record1st – Phil D. Shepherd Stakes2nd – Oak Leaf Stakes (G1)

BRILLIANT SPEED2008 bay colt by Dynaformer –Speed Succeeds, by Gone West

Breeder/Owner: Live OakStud/Live Oak Plantation

Trainer: Thomas Albertrani2011 Race Record/Earnings9-2-3-2/$1,022,0002011 Stakes Record1st – Blue Grass Stakes (G1)1st – Saranac Stakes (G3)2nd – Jamaica Handicap (G1)2nd – Dania Handicap2nd – Hallandale Beach Stakes3rd – Belmont Stakes (G1)3rd – Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)

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Florida-bred Candrea

Florida-bred Brilliant Speed

FL_BredChampions.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/23/12 9:49 AM

in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on November 5 at

Churchill Downs. In nine outings on the year, Brilliant

Speed posted two graded stakes wins and was stakes-

placed five times to earn $1,022,000.

Brilliant Speed is out of the Gone West mare Speed

Succeeds,whowas purchased byWeber’s LiveOakPlan-

tation for $1.45million at the 2002Keeneland September

yearling sale. Unraced, Speed Succeedswas sold by Live

Oak, throughWarrendale Sales, agent, for $42,000 toHill

‘n’Dale Farm at the 2010Keeneland Januarymixed sale.

The last foal out of Speed Succeeds for Live Oak Stud

was Souper Speedy, a 2009 colt by Indian Charlie.

TURBULENT DESCENT2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

3-YEAR-OLD FILLY

TurbulentDescentknowshowtodoanencore.Asa two

year old,Turbulent Descent was an undefeated Grade

I stakes winner. As a three year old, she notched a pair of

Grade I wins, a Grade II victory and was Grade I stakes-

placed twice. It was an outstanding season that earned the

Congrats filly the Florida-bred championship title.

After finishing second to Zazu in the Las Virgenes

Stakes (G1) on February 5 at SantaAnita,Turbulent De-

scent next scored a record-settingGrade Iwin. OnMarch

5, the Ocala Stud-bred filly got a measure of revenge,

besting Zazu by a neck in the SantaAnita Oaks (G1). In

doing so, she set a stakes-record time of 1:41.05 for the

eight and a half furlongs. The previous stakes record for

the race, known then as the Santa Susana Stakes, was

1:41 1/5 set by Hall of Famer Bold ‘n Determined.

TrainerMike Puype then shippedTurbulent Descent

to Keeneland for the Beaumont Stakes onApril 17.This

time she cruised to a five-length win over Honey Chile,

clocking 1:26.12 for the seven furlongs. Next stop was

the Acorn Stakes (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park,

where Turbulent Descent finished second to It’s Tricky.

Summer means Saratoga and Turbulent Descent was

there in fine form. In the Test Stakes (G1) on August 6,

she beat sister Florida-bred Pomeroys Pistol by three and

three-quarters length. Her winning time for the seven fur-

longswas 1:24.17. It alsomarkedher initialNewYorkwin.

Turbulent Descent finished a disappointing fifth to

sister Florida-bred Musical Romance in the Breeders’

Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on November 4 at

Churchill Downs. Ironically,Musical Romancewas also

bred and sold by Ocala Stud. With three wins and two

seconds in six starts, Turbulent Descent banked

$530,000 on the season. She is raced by Scott Sher-

wood’s Blinkers On Racing and partners.

Ocala Stud bought the unraced Forestrymare Roger’s

Sue, the dam of Turbulent Descent, for $105,000 at the

2004 Keeneland November mixed sale. She was in foal

at the time to Golden Missile. Ocala Stud sold Turbu-

lent Descent for $160,000 to Sherwood’s Blinkers On

Racing Stable at the 2010 OBS April juvenile sale.

Ocala Stud later sold Roger’s Sue privately to SFBlood-

stock and she had a 2011 In Summation colt.

Congrats, the sire of Turbulent Descent, previously

stood at Vinery Florida before being relocated to Vin-

ery Kentucky.

FLAT OUT2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

OLDER MALE

Asa finally healthy five year old, Flat Out got down

to flat out running and winning in 2011. Nagged

by injuries and ailments in his first three seasons of rac-

ing, Flat Out made a grand total of only six starts,

notched three wins, andmade a little over $100,000. But

he showed he had talent, winning the 2009 Smarty Jones

Stakes at Oaklawn Park.That talent and being sound led

him to two graded stakes wins, four graded-stakes plac-

ings, more than a million dollars in earnings and a 2011

Florida-bred champion title.

Flat Out opened the season with a second to Awe-

someGem in the Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) onMay

30. Two starts later, the Preston Stables colorbearer

posted his first career graded stakes win. On July 2 at

Belmont Park, Flat Out captured the SuburbanHandicap

(G2) by a convincing six and a half furlongs over Hymn

Book.Winning time for the nine furlongs was 1:46.64.

Next stop for the Charles “Scooter” Dickey trainee

was Saratoga, where Flat Out first finished second to



TURBULENT DESCENT2008 bay filly by Congrats –

Roger’s Sue, by Forestry

Breeder: Ocala StudOwners: Blinkers On Racing

Stable & PartnersTrainer: Mike Puype

2011 Race Record/Earnings6-3-2-0/$530,000

2011 Stakes Record1st – Santa Anita Oaks (G1)

1st – Test Stakes (G1)1st – Beaumont Stakes (G2)

2nd – Acorn Stakes (G1)2nd – Las Virgenes Stakes (G1)

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Florida-bredTurbulent Descent


Tizway in the Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1). He

followed that with a second to super filly Havre de

Grace in theWoodward Stakes (G1).

Moving on to Belmont Park, Flat Out proved that

NewYork was his kind of town. OnOctober 1, he hand-

ily won the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) by two

and a quarter lengths. Finishing second was Belmont

Stakes (G1) winner Drosselmeyer while Travers Stakes

(G1) winner Stay Thirsty was third. Flat Out clocked a

winning time of 2:03.17 for the 10 furlongs.

Flat Out then notched a disappointing fifth to

Drosselmeyer in the Breeders’Cup Classic (G1) on No-

vember 5 at Churchill Downs. He closed out the year

with a third to Wise Dan in the Clark Handicap (G1)

on November 25. In eight starts on the season, Flat Out

banked $1,195,283.

By Flatter out of Cresta Lil, by Cresta Rider, Flat Out

was bred byNicolaus Bock.The latter bought Cresta Lil

while she was carrying Flat Out for $5,000 at the 2005

KeenelandNovembermixed sale fromClairborne Farm,

agent. Cresta Lil, in foal to Anasheed, was then con-

signed byThoroughstock, agent, and sold for $3,500 to

A. Renee McCollum at the 2006 OBS October mixed

sale. Later acquired privately by Michael and Judy

Crowe, Cresta Lil’s last foal was PrairieWildcat, a 2008

Wildcat Heir filly.

Consigned by Thoroughstock, agent, Flat Out was

sold as a weanling for $11,000 to Picturesque Farm at

the 2006 OBS October mixed sale. Current owner Art

Preston purchased Flat Out for $85,000 from the Blue-

water Sales, agent, consignment at the 2007 Fasig-Tip-

ton Kentucky July yearling sale.

MUSICAL ROMANCE2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

OLDER FEMALE / FEMALE SPRINTER

Musical Romance was the feel-good story of the

year. Purchased for amodest $22,000 as a two year

old, the Concorde’s Tune filly recovered from a cracked

pastern, and then went on to win the 2011 Breeders’Cup

Filly&Mare Sprint (G1) after being supplemented to the

race for $130,000.And talk about sharing thewealth,Mu-

sical Romance is owned by a nine-member partnership

racing under the banner ofMiami-based Pinnacle Racing

Stable. That partnership includes Adam Lazarus, the

founding and managing partner of Pinnacle Racing Sta-

ble, and Bill Kaplan, who trains Musical Romance.

At her Calder Race Course home base, Musical Ro-

mance began the season by winning a trio of stakes and

finishing second by a neck to Sassy Image in the Princess

Rooney Handicap (G1). She then left her home state for

the first time, shipping to Presque Isle Downs in northern

Pennsylvania. Undeterred by the change of scenery, Mu-

sical Romance prevailed by a neck over favoredArianaD

in the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) on Sep-

tember 10. Inwinning her first graded stakes,MusicalRo-

mance covered the the six and a half furlongs in 1:16.40.

In the Thoroughbred Club ofAmerica Stakes (G2)

at Keeneland on October 8, Musical Romance was

second by a mere head to Holiday for Kitten. That ef-

fort and her outstanding season to date led the Pinna-

cle Racing Stable partnership to supplement Musical

Romance for $130,000 to the BC Filly &Mare Sprint

(G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs. It proved to

be money well-spent as Musical Romance rallied

three-wide coming into the stretch, angled to the rail

and drew clear to win by a length and a quarter. With

the winner’s share of $540,000, Musical Romance

boosted her seasonal earnings to $1,040,734.


FLAT OUT2006 bay horse by Flatter –Cresta Lil, by Cresta Rider

Breeder: Nikolaus BockOwner: Preston Stables LLCTrainer: Charles L. Dickey2001 Race Record/Earnings8-2-3-1/$1,195,2832011 Stakes Record1st – Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)1st – Suburban Handicap (G2)2nd – Whitney Invitational

Handicap (G1)2nd – Woodward Stakes (G1)2nd – Lone Star Park

Handicap (G3)3rd – Clark Handicap (G1)

MUSICAL ROMANCE2007 bay filly by Concorde’sTune – Candlelight Dinner,by Slew Gin Fizz

Breeder: Ocala StudOwner: Pinnacle Racing StableTrainer: Bill Kaplan2011 Race Record/Earnings14-5-3-1/$1,040,7342011 Stakes Record1st – Breeders’ Cup Filly &

Mare Sprint (G1)1st – Presque Isle Downs

Masters Stakes (G2)1st – U Can Do It Stakes1st – Ema Bovary Stakes1st – Barb’s Dancer Stakes2nd – Princess Rooney

Handicap (G1)2nd – Thoroughbred Club of

America Stakes (G2)2nd – Hollywood Wildcat

Handicap3rd – Connie Ann Stakes

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Florida-bred Flat Out

Florida-bred Musical Romance


By the deceased Concorde’s Tune out of multiple

graded stakes-producer Candlelight Dinner, by SlewGin

Fizz, Musical Romance was bred and sold by Ocala

Stud, J. Michael O’Farrell Jr., president. Musical Ro-

mance sold for $22,000 at the 2009 OBSApril juvenile

sale to Bill Kaplan, agent for Pinnacle Racing Stable.

In addition to Musical Romance, Ocala Stud-bred

Candlelight Dinner is also the dam of Florida-bred

graded stakes winner Vuelve Ruben M. Candlelight

Dinner had a 2010 Montbrook colt, a 2011 Montbrook

filly and was bred to Circular Quay for 2012.

JACKSON BEND2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

MALE SPRINTER

Jackson Bend, who swept the 2009 Florida StallionStakes series,wentwinless butwasgraded stakesplaced

four times in 2010. But the Hear No Evil 4-year-old colt

rebounded in a big way in 2011, winning a Grade I stakes

on his way to becoming amillionaire by season’s end.

Always a competitor, JacksonBend posted a second to

S.S. Stone in the Skip Away Stakes (G3) on April 3 at

Gulfstream Park. Next up was third to Motovato in the

MemorialDayHandicaponCalder.A road trip toSaratoga

would prove to be a winning tonic for Jackson Bend.

First up was the JamesMarvin Stakes on July 22 and

the small but gutsy chestnut colt tallied a win by two and

a half lengths over Hamazing Destiny. His winning time

for the seven furlongs was 1:20.91. Then on September

3 at Saratoga, Jackson Bend finally won his initial

graded stakes after 11 tries. But it was well worth the

wait as he won the Forego Stakes (G1) by three and a

quarter lengths over Jersey Twon with fellow Florida-

bred Aikenite third. Jackson Bend clocked a winning

time of 1:22.08 for the seven furlongs.

A month later, Jackson Bend was second to 2010

Eclipse champion Uncle Mo in the Kelso Handicap

(G2). Hewrapped up an outstanding season with a third

toAmazombie in the Breeders’Cup Sprint (G1).Trained

by Nick Zito, Jackson Bend tallied two wins, two sec-

onds and two thirds in eight starts to bank $422,000. To

date, he has career earnings of $1,250,950.

Bred by Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks Or Better Farm,

Jackson Bend raced for his breeder when he swept the

2009 Florida Stallion Stakes. He now races for Robert

LaPenta and Fred Brei. Jackson Bend is pure Jacks Or

Better-bred top and bottom.

Hear No Evil, the sire of Jackson Bend, was bred and

raced by Jacks Or Better Farm. By Carson City out of

the Cox’s Ridge mare Nizy, stakes winner and graded

stakes-placed Hear No Evil earned $599,415. He stands

stud as property of Jacks Or Better Farm at Brent and

Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud.

Sexy Stockings, the dam of Jackson Bend, is also a

Jacks Or Better homebred. In addition to Jackson Bend,

she is also the dam of Florida-bred stakes winner Garter

Belt and stakes-placed Grande Shores. By Tabasco Cat

out of graded stakes winner andmillionaire LottsaTalc,

by Talc, Sexy Stockings is a half-sister to Florida-bred

stakes winner Fort Loudon. Also a Jacks Or Better

homebred, Fort Loudon swept the 2011 Florida Stallion

Stakes and was named the 2011 Florida-bred champion

2-year-old colt. Sexy Stockings produced a 2010 Hear

No Evil filly and is in foal to Hear No Evil for 2012.

TEAKS NORTH2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

TURF MALE

TeaksNorth became the member of two elite equine

clubs in 2011. He scored not one, but two Grade I

victories and became a millionaire as well.

Bred by J.D. And Phyllis Bryant’s BryLynn Farm,

Teaks North set the tone for his outstanding season with

his first start of the new year. On February 5, the 4-year-

old NorthernAfleet gelding bested Smart Bid by a nose

in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1). His win-

ning time for the nine furlongs over the turf was 1:46.39.

The victory gave Teaks North both his first graded

stakes and Grade I stakes win all rolled up in one.

Come summertime,Teaks North was doing anything

but taking at vacation at Monmouth Park. In the Mon-

mouth Stakes (G3) on June 12, the Justin Sallusto

trainee closed strongly in the final furlong to win by



JACKSON BEND2007 chestnut colt

by Hear No Evil –Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat

Breeder: Jacks Or Better FarmOwners: Robert LaPenta

& Fred BreiTrainer: Nick Zito


2011 Stakes Record1st – Forego Stakes (G1)

1st – James Marvin Stakes2nd – Kelson Handicap (G2)2nd – Skip Away Stakes (G3)

3rd – Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)3rd – Memorial Day Handicap

BAY TO BAY2007 bay filly by Sligo Bay (Ire) –

Bala, by With Approval

Breeder: Adena SpringsOwner: Robert SmithenTrainer: Brian A. Lynch


2011 Stakes Record1st – Nassau Stakes (G2)

2nd – Dance Smartly Stakes (G2)3rd – Diana Stakes (G1)

NYRA

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Florida-bred Jackson Bend


three-quarters of a length over Sleepless Knight. Odds

on favorite Get Stormy finished third. Teaks North,who

races for Jules Boutelle, clocked 1:48.56 for the nine-

furlong turf test. Chalk up another graded stakes win.

But there was more to come. On July 2 in the United

Nations Stakes (G1), Teaks North kicked into another

gear in the midstretch and tallied his second Grade I ca-

reer win. He won by half a length over Chinchon (Ire)

with Stacelita (Fr) coming in third.Winning time for the

11 furlongs was 2:13.28.

On eight starts with three graded stakes wins, Teaks

North banked $817,564 on the season. He has career

earnings to date of $1,001,964.

The Bryants and Martha Fisher raced Teaks North

early in his career.. After being sold privately, he then

raced for Boutelle and Nick Sallusto in partnership with

Joe Bulger. In August 2010, Teaks North began racing

solely for Boutelle.

Teaks North is out of the deceased unraced High

Honors mare Teaksberry Road, who was acquired pri-

vately by BryLynn Farm. In addition to Teaks North,

Teaksberry Road is also the dam of Grade II stakes win-

nerWooden Phone, as well as stakes winners Chief Oki

Dokie and Teak Totem. Teaks North was the last foal

produced byTeaksberry Road, who died in 2009. Stakes

winner Teak Totem, a full sister to Teaks North, is a

member of the BryLynn Farm broodmare band. Teak

Totem is the dam of Florida-bred graded stakes winner

Adios Charlie and stakes-placed Streakin’Mohican.

BAY TO BAY2011 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

TURF FEMALE

Afrequent traveler,Bay toBaywasdisplayedher talent

on the turf in both the United States and Canada in

2011.Shewonagraded stakes atWoodbine andwasGrade

I stakes-placed at Saratoga for owner Robert Smithen.

Bred by Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs, Bay to Bay

scoredher stakeswinof the seasonon June4 atWoodbine.

The BrianA. Lynch trainee was two lengths the best over

NeverRetreat in theNassau Stakes (G2).ValliWith aVow

was third.Winning time for themile turf test was 1:36.48.

Five weeks later at Woodbine, Bay to Bay this time

aroundhad tosettle for second toNeverRetreat in theDance

SmartlyStakes (G2).Shipped toSaratoga,Bay toBayposted

a third to Zagora (Fr) in theDiana Stakes (G1) on July 30.

On the season, Bay to Bay posted one win, two sec-

onds and one third in seven starts to bank $326,721.The

4-year-old filly by Sligo Bay (Ire) out of the graded

stakes-placedWithApproval mare Bala has career earn-

ings to date of $654,728.

Bay to Bay was consigned by Adena Springs to the

2008 Keeenland September yearling sale. There she was

purchased by current ownerRobert Smithen for $35,000.

Frank Stronach purchased Bala, the dam of Bay to

Bay, for $60,000 at the 2004 Keeneland January mixed

sale. Bala, who earned $230,105, was third in the 2001

Natalma Stakes (G3) and second in the Truly Bound

Handicap. Bay to Bay, who was Bala’s 2007 foal, won

the 2009Natalma Stakes (G3).Adena Springs sold Bala

in foal to El Prado (Ire) for $150,000 to Bluestone

Equine Management at the 2007 Keeneland November

mixed sale. She was later sold in foal to Harlan’s Holi-

day for $65,000 to Black Rock Stables at the 2011

Keeneland November mixed sale.

Sligo Bay (Ire), the sire of Bay to Bay and who pre-

viously stood at Adena Springs South, currently stands

at Adena Springs Canada.�


TEAKS NORTH2007 bay gelding byNorthern Afleet – TeaksberryRoad, by High Honors

Breeder: BryLynn FarmOwner: Jules BoutelleTrainer: Justin Sallusto2011 Race Record/Earnings8-3-0-0/$817,5642011 Stakes Record1st – United Nations Stakes (G1)1st – Gulfstream Park Turf

Handicap (G1)1st – Monmouth Stakes (G3)

MICH

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URNS

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Florida-bred Teaks North

Florida-bred Bay To Bay


BREE

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Big Night for Florida

“Iwant to thank Ocala Stud forbreeding a great horse (Champion

Female Sprinter Musical Romance)and selling her to us.”—Bill Kaplan


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By MICHAEL COMPTON

Thoroughbred racing’s best were honored on Jan.

16 at the 41st annual EclipseAwards ceremony

at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills,

Calif.At the end of the nearly three-hour event, a female

walked away from the ceremony with Horse of theYear

honors for the third consecutive year as Havre de Grace

earned the 2011 title, following in the footsteps of

Rachel Alexandra in 2009 and Zenyatta in 2010.

Awinner in 5 of 7 starts in

2011, Havre de Grace earned

more than $1.6 million on

the season for Rick Porter’s

Fox Hill Farms and trainer

Larry Jones. She won the

Azeri Stakes (G3) and the

Apple Blossom Stakes (G1)

at Oaklawn Park. She beat

the boys in the prestigious

Woodward Stakes (G1) at

Saratoga over the summer

and returned to her division

to romp in the Beldame Invi-

tational (G1) in October. She

concluded her season with a

game fourth-place finish

against males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

In her final race of 2011, she defeated Acclama-

tion at the polls, receiving 166 first-place votes for

Horse of theYear to runner-upAcclamation’s 26 votes.

“It is some kind of thrill to win an award I could

only dream about 10 years ago,” said Porter. “As many

of you in this room know, I’ve seen the lows and the

highs of this game. Havre de Grace is the highest.

There’s no question in my mind that she deserves this

honor. I want to thank Larry and Cindy Jones for their

horsemanship and for making this happen. I hope we

can do it again in 2012.”

In addition to her Horse of theYear award, Havre de

Grace was voted champion Older Female as well.

“I could talk a long time about all the thrills she

gave us last year,” said Porter. “She gave us, our fam-

ily, friends and all her fans a lot of excitement. It did-

n’t take me long to fall in love with her at the sale. She

had an incredible year in 2011. I’m blessed to own her.

I will always cherish this award.”

The Sunshine State basked in the Eclipse spotlight.

Florida-bred Musical Romance, bred by Ocala Stud

Florida-bredMusical Romance (at left) named championFilly and Mare Sprinter; Havre de Grace is Horse of theYear

“As many of you in this room know, I’ve seen the lowsand the highs of this game. Havre deGrace is the highest.”—Rick Porter

Horse of the YearHavre de Grace

COAD

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at Eclipse AwardsTHE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2012 29


and sold at OBS, was honored as the Eclipse cham-

pion Female Sprinter for co-owner and trainer Bill Ka-

plan and Adam Lazarus’ Pinnacle Racing Stable.

The daughter of the late stallion Concorde’s Tune

sold at OBS for $22,000. She enjoyed a banner sea-

son in 2011, capped off by an emphatic triumph in

the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at

Churchill Downs. Also numbered among her scores

was a dramatic victory in the rich Presque Isle Mas-

ters Stakes (G2) at Presque Isle Downs last Sep-

tember.

“This is for all the people in barn 50 at Calder,”

said Kaplan from the podium. “It’s for all the unsung

heroes—the grooms, exercise riders, blacksmiths and

vets. I want to thank Ocala Stud for breeding a great

horse and selling her to us. I

also want to thank jockey

Juan Leyva. This award is

proof to the world that a lit-

tle guy can invest a little and

make it to the top.”

Lazarus also took time to

acknowledge the founding father of Thoroughbred

partnerships, Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable, who

received the Eclipse Award of Merit earlier in the

evening.

“All of us in this room share common character-

istics,” he said. “Number one, we love this game.

Number two, we have to be gamblers. Without Cot’s

idea of creating partnerships I would not be standing

in front of you tonight.”

Musical Romance secured 131 first-place votes,

comfortably turning back runner-up Hilda’s Pas-


Royal Delta, winner of the Breeders’

Cup Ladies Classic (G1), was named

champion 3-year-old filly.

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EclipseAWARDS

Champion 3-year-oldmale Animal Kingdom


sion, who received 53 votes.

Champion 3-year-old male,Animal Kingdom, also

boasts Florida ties. The Team Valor International

homebred is a son of Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), who was Eclipse champion

turf horse as a 5-year-old in 2005.

Animal Kingdom won the Vinery Racing Spiral

Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park and captured the Ken-

tucky Derby (G1) in his initial try over a traditional

dirt track. He finished second in the Preakness Stakes

(G1) and was injured in the Belmont Stakes (G1). He

won the Eclipse by a narrow vote, edging Caleb’s

Posse by a vote of 114-111. Mark Polivka of Team

Valor accepted the award.

Royal Delta, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies

Classic (G1), was named champion 3-year-old filly.

She made seven starts last year at six different tracks.

In addition to taking down top prize in the Ladies

Classic, she also won the Alabama Stakes (G1) and

the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2). Following her

Breeders’ Cup win she was sold for $8.5 million to

Florida’s Besilu Stables of Benjamin Leon.

Royal Delta’s trainer, Bill Mott, received the

Eclipse Award as the leading trainer. Mott notched

two Breeders’ Cup victories. In addition to saddling

Royal Delta in the Ladies Classic, he lead over

Drosselmeyer to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)

24 hours later. It was the third Eclipse Award for

Mott, who also won it in 1995 and ’96.

Champion 2-year-old colt went to Hansen. The son

of Tapit won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in No-

vember, beating two other finalists in Union Rags and

Creative Cause. Co-owner Dr. Kendall Hansen ac-

cepted the award.

Two-year-old filly honors went to undefeated My

MissAurelia. Co-owner Barbara Banke, the widow of

Jess Jackson, accepted the award along with George

Bolton. My Miss Aurelia is named for Bolton’s

mother, Aurelia.

“Jess loved this sport,” Banke said. “He pulled me

in and hooked me. This is especially sweet for our

family. We raised this filly and she has always been

special to us. Jess named her.”

Bolton followed Banke to the microphone and


PALM

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Animal Kingdom (at left) also boasts

Florida ties. The TeamValor Interna-

tional homebred is a son of Stonewall

Farm Ocala stallion Leroidesanimaux

(BRZ), who was Eclipse champion turf

horse as a 5-year-old in 2005.

Champion 3-year-old fillyRoyal Delta

EclipseAwards.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/19/12 2:54 PM

addressed the gathering.

“This is such a tribute to Jess,” he said. “She was a

star as a 2-year-old in training in Ocala. It’s rare to

have a horse go the gate four times and get better each

time. This is special. Thank you.”

Male Turf Horse went to Cape Blanco. Perfect in

three U.S. starts in 2001, Cape Blanco won the Man o’

War Stakes, the Arlington Million and the Joe Hirsch

Turf Classic Invitational, all Grade

1 events for Mrs. Fitri Hay, Derrick

Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael

Tabor.

Stacelita (FR) earned Female

Turf Horse honors for owner Mar-

tin Schwartz. Trained by Chad Brown, Stacelita cap-

tured the Beverly D. Stakes (G1) and won 10 of 18

lifetime races before being retired at season’s end.

“It’s been a special experience to share this with

my family,” said Schwartz. “She is a beautiful race-

horse who took us on a magical carpet ride. She won

six Grade 1 races in her career. She is one of a select

few to have won Grade 1 races in three consecutive

years.”

Male Sprinter went to Ama-

zombie, winner of the Breeders’

Cup Sprint (G1). The California-

bred runner is a son of former

Florida sire Northern Afleet. He

won four graded stakes in 2011,

including theAncient Title Stakes

(G1) at Santa Anita. Trainer and

co-owner Bill Spawr accepted the

award.

Fellow Cal-bred Acclamation

took home honors for champion Older Male. The son

of Unusual Heat reeled off five straight wins during

the season, culminating with a win in the Pacific Clas-

sic (G1) at Del Mar.

“After 55 years in the business, this is pretty great,”

said Old English Rancho’s Bud Johnston. “This is a

family business for us. My father started the business

in 1938. It’s been a family affair for many, many years.

This is an exciting moment. The greatest part of this

business is the people.”

Nineteen-year-old Kyle Frey was named champion

Apprentice Rider. Ramon Dominguez was named

champion Jockey for the second consecutive year.

Outstanding Breeder for the 8th time and 7th time

in the last eight years was Frank Stronach’s Adena

Springs Farm. Adena Springs-bred runners won 455

races in 2011 and earned $14.6 million.

Owner of the year went to Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

The Ramseys won the award in 2004.

Rapid Redux received a special Eclipse Award for

his record-setting on the racetrack. In winning his 19th

race of the year on Dec. 13, he equaled Citation’s all-

time record. On Jan. 4 of this year he extended his re-

markable win streak to 22 straight with a victory at

Laurel. Owner Robert Cole accepted the award.

“I claimed him for $6,250,” Cole said. “I turned

him over to trainer DavidWells and he turned him into

a priceless horse. David and Rapid Redux were perfect

in 2011.”

The Eclipse Awards are voted on by Daily Racing

Form, the National TurfWriters and Broadcasters and

the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. �


EclipseAWARDS

“This is such a tribute to

Jess. She was a star as a

2-year-old in training in

Ocala. It’s rare to have a

horse go the gate four

times and get better each

time.”—George Bolton

BREE

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OTO

My Miss Aureliawon the award for

2-year-old filly.

EclipseAwards.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/19/12 2:55 PM

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorseFlorida... the Best State for Business

GetOnBoard.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/11 9:41 AM Page 1

No tax on stallion seasons.No personal state income tax.

No individual capital gains tax.National leader in veterinary and equine research.

Ranked third in the U.S. for number of horses and size of horse industry.Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt.

Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder.Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms.

Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities.

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

801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

From coast to coast,Florida’s tax-friendly, pro-business

environment is poised and ready toattract new companies and create

new employment opportunities.

GetOnBoard.qxd:Layout 1 8/10/11 9:42 AM Page 2


FTBOA Stakes Funds for distribution for the

2011/2012 Gulfstream Park meet are estimated to be

$416,000, based upon 2010/2011 figures, which the

FTBOA will use for the Florida Sunshine Millions

($350,000) and “Win It to Get It.”

FTBOA Stakes Funds available for distribution at

Tampa Bay Downs are estimated to be $350,000

based upon 2010/2011 figures and include the

Florida Cup Day ($150,000) and the Florida-bred

Stakes Fund ($200,000).

SUNSHINE MILLIONS

The annual SunshineMillions, a collaborative effort be-

tweenFTBOA,FHBPAandGulfstreamPark, is set this year

for Jan. 28.While the previous editions of the popular day

of racing featuredFlorida-breds vs.California-breds in races

split between Gulfstream Park in Florida and Santa Anita

Park inCalifornia, this year’s renewal features only Florida-

breds in races atGulfstreamPark.Only Florida-bred horses

registered with the FTBOAwill be eligible for entry.

THE SUNSHINE MILLIONS RACES, CARRYING TOTALBPURSES OF $1.3 MILLION, ARE:

$400,000 Classic for 4-year-olds and up and

set at 1 1/8 miles.

$300,000 Distaff for fillies and mares,

4-years-old and up at 1 1/8 miles.

$150,000 Turf for 4-year-olds and up on the

turf at 1 1/8 miles.

$150,000 Filly and Mare Turf on the turf

at 1 1/8 miles.

$150,000 Sprint for 4-year-olds and up at

six furlongs.

$150,000 Filly and Mare Sprint at six furlongs

The event is funded in the following amounts: Gulf-

stream Park, $600,000; FHBPA, $350,000; FTBOA,

$350,000.

“WIN IT TO GET IT”

In an unprecedented move designed to reward own-

ers of Florida-bred horses and increase the value of

Sunshine State products, the FTBOA, FHBPA and

Gulfstream Park have designed “Win It to Get It.”

FTBOA Stakes Funds will supplement purses (for eli-

gible winner only) for six stakes races for 3-year-olds

during the 2012 Gulfstream Park meet with a supple-

ment of $100,000 to the winning owner (s) of Florida-

breds registered with the FTBOA. The $100,000

supplement will go to the owner of a Florida-bred who

wins any of the following races:

$500,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3)

to be run on Jan. 29

(including FTBOA fund supplement of

$100,000)

$300,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G2)

to be run Jan. 29


$100,000)

earning powerAdvert isement

in place at GulfstreamPark and Tampa Bay Downs,starting 2012 on the righttrack is as easy as owninga Florida-bred

BILL

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GulfstreamTampaBay.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 10:04 AM


Accelerated

FTBOA:THE VOICE OF FLORIDA’S THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY

Since its inception, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association has been re-sponsible for Florida-bred registration and administration and distribution of the industry’s incentiveawards program, which encourages individuals to breed, train and race Thoroughbreds in Florida.

The FTBOA is dedicated to ensuring a prosperous business climate for the industry.With Florida’slow taxes and smart growth policies, basing a Thoroughbred operation in the Sunshine State makesperfect business sense. For more information, contact the FTBOA at (352) 629-2160.

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTUREAND CONSUMER SERVICES

Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374e-mail: [email protected]

407 S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603

www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse


$300,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2)

to be run Feb. 25


$100,000)

$500,000 Fountain ofYouth Stakes (G2)

to be run Feb. 26

(Including FTBOA fund supplement of

$100,000)

$1.1 million Florida Derby (G1)

to be run March 31

(Including FTBOA fund supplement of

$100,000)

$400,000 Gulfstream Oaks (G2)

to be run March 31

(Including FTBOA fund supplement

of $100,000)

To earn the FTBOA sup-

plement the winner must be

a Florida-bred registered

with the FTBOA prior to

becoming a 2-year-old. It

must also be by a sire regis-

tered with the FTBOA and

standing in Florida when

the foal was conceived in

2008.

FOAS

It is estimated that the

2012 Gulfstream Parkmeet

will generate approximately

$1.4 million for FOAs (es-

timated from 1 percent of

on-track exotic wagers and 8.5 percent of the purse ac-

count generated through intertrack wagering and inter-

state simulcasting).

FOAS MAY BE PAID AS FOLLOWS:

70 percent of the FOA to the Florida-bred

finishing in the first position.


finishing in the second position.


finishing in the third position.

FLORIDA-BRED PREFERREDRACES AT GULFSTREAM PARKAND TAMPA BAY DOWNS

The requirement of one Florida-bred preferred or re-

stricted race daily shall be changed to three Florida-bred

Preferred races offered daily.The three Florida-bred pre-

ferred races required daily shall be included within the

first 10 races offered daily. The designated races shall

be a mix of all conditions and types of races.

FLORIDA CUP DAY

Florida CupDay atTampa BayDowns has proved to

be one of the more popular signature racing days on the

calendar. The event is set this year for Saturday,April 7,

and will feature six guaranteed restricted Florida-bred

stakes races for $75,000 each. Only Florida-breds reg-

istered with the FTBOA will be accepted.

Tampa Bay Downs, Tampa Bay Downs HBPA and

FTBOA each will contribute $150,000 to fund Florida

CupDay.All fees will be added to the respective purses.

FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

$50 nomination fee

$350 entry fee

$350 starting fee

Nominations will close on March 24.

Entries will close onApril 5.


earning powerAdvert isement

COOL

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Hartley DeRenzo stallions:1. With Distinction

2. The Green Monkey3. Cool Coal Man

4. Belgravia5. Full Mandate

6. Simon Pure7. City Place

Ocala/Marion CountyThoroughbred farms openedtheir doors to prospectivebreeders in December andJanuary as the area’s popu-lar stallion shows got un-derway. More shows areslated for this month, and

they will befeatured in future issues.

PHOTOS BY SERITA HULT

Hartley/DeRenzo1

3

2

2012StallionStallionShows.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/23/12 10:01 AM

Get Away Farm


2012Stallion Shows

Get Away Farm stallions:1. Imperialism2. Two Step Salsa

1

2

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Double Diamond Farm Stallions:1. First Dude2. Wekiva Springs3. American Spirit


Double Diamond Farm

12

3

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Northwest Stud stallions:1. Flash Storm2. Gone Astray3. United States4. Pleasant Strike

Northwest Stud

1

2

34

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AD bleed check.qx:Layout 1 12/14/11 11:22 AM Page 1


The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through December 31, 2011. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

Leading Florida Sires

LEROIDESANIMAUXWILDCAT HEIR GRAEME HALLNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo

Name 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 $4,826,172 180 109 8 13 2 $5,066,293 John Johny Jak $215,061 24 $26,458 16 $39,531

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) Candy Stripes Stonewall Farm Ocala $3,989,479 92 49 5 7 4 $4,266,068 Animal Kingdom $1,904,900 21 $37,293 3 $53,500

Graeme Hall Dehere Winding Oaks $3,133,568 121 73 4 4 3 $3,140,464 Duke of Mischief $721,681 12 $19,342 5 $17,600

Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $3,081,268 215 100 1 3 0 $3,091,100 Navy Chapel $139,515 17 $14,629 11 $19,836

With Distinction Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $2,721,204 134 67 4 6 0 $2,745,427 Decisive Moment $409,300 21 $26,200 39 $25,612

Concorde's Tune Concorde Bound Deceased $2,453,510 77 39 1 5 1 $2,489,757 Musical Romance $1,040,734 7 $27,214

Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $2,251,640 175 72 7 11 2 $2,419,976 It's Me Mom $206,500 32 $17,556 24 $27,000

Greatness Mr. Prospector Stonewall Farm Ocala $2,348,229 73 44 3 10 1 $2,354,257 Immortal Eyes $271,215 1 $1,000 1 $2,000

Pomeroy Boundary Vinery Florida $2,162,948 80 41 6 11 2 $2,265,063 Pomeroys Pistol $521,188 13 $28,423 17 $78,235

D'wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery Florida $1,994,266 115 57 1 1 0 $2,185,824 D'cats Meow $134,446 19 $18,142 25 $30,079

Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $2,135,755 83 43 3 6 2 $2,148,588 Tackleberry $599,667 4 $16,500 12 $35,142

Halo's Image Halo Deceased $2,082,349 79 41 5 8 1 $2,086,821 Atlantic Hurricane $391,033 4 $5,675 4 $12,250

Full Mandate A.P. Indy Hartley/DeRenzo $2,060,209 116 64 2 3 0 $2,064,225 Full of Gut $151,320 3 $1,400 5 $17,540

Value Plus Unbridled's Song Stonewall Farm Ocala $1,910,118 117 67 1 1 0 $1,940,456 All Due Respect $100,638 22 $10,582 4 $41,250

Roar of the Tiger Storm Cat Deceased $1,696,078 112 58 3 4 0 $1,696,650 Tazz $134,691 6 $8,833 9 $14,667

Three Wonders Storm Cat Deceased $1,617,633 101 56 1 2 0 $1,631,370 Trelawny $121,309

Burning Roma Rubiano Stonewall Farm Ocala $1,465,435 89 53 3 3 0 $1,467,342 Queen Drama $126,705 6 $6,833

West Acre Forty Niner Stonehedge Farm South $1,403,346 49 34 4 4 1 $1,403,346 Watch Me Go $258,070 1 $2,500 5 $9,900

Black Mambo Kingmambo Deceased $1,347,264 88 45 1 1 0 $1,362,310 Argentine Tango $113,075 3 $5,000 3 $10,903

City Place Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $1,182,789 63 36 2 2 0 $1,241,522 City Sage $123,042 6 $9,583 16 $32,469

Mass Media Touch Gold Journeyman Stud $1,223,096 42 31 3 8 0 $1,232,692 Manicero $271,500 6 $19,917

B L's Appeal Valid Appeal Randolph Thoroughbreds $1,175,126 72 42 0 0 0 $1,175,126 B L's Tsumani $76,988 2 $1,000 2 $3,200

Awesome of Course Awesome Again Journeyman Stud $1,065,961 18 8 4 8 1 $1,065,961 Fort Loudon $333,485 1 $10,000

Act of Duty Mr. Prospector Bridlewood Farm $946,502 70 37 0 0 0 $952,546 Aintnothinbutakiss $71,940 3 $2,046 5 $7,640

Sarava Wild Again Bridlewood Farm $945,850 57 31 1 1 1 $945,850 Gladding $133,375 1 $1,000 2 $8,500

LeadingSires.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 9:49 AM



Leading Florida Juvenile Sires

WITH DISTINCTIONAWESOME OF COURSE CHAPEL ROYALNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo


Awesome of Course Awesome Again Journeyman Stud $781,579 7 3 3 6 0 $781,579 Fort Loudon $333,485 1 $10,000

With Distinction Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $750,403 51 18 3 3 0 $771,160 For Oby $134,712 21 $26,200 39 $25,612

Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $756,411 51 21 1 3 0 $756,411 Navy Chapel $139,515 17 $14,629 11 $19,836

Wildcat Heir Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud $488,842 26 16 1 1 1 $710,362 Vexor $135,000 24 $26,458 16 $39,531

Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $640,265 44 14 3 3 0 $646,251 Yara $103,920 32 $17,556 24 $27,000

High Cotton Dixie Union Ocala Stud $611,279 30 15 1 1 1 $644,743 Currency Swap $180,000 9 $26,222 23 $31,518

Saint Anddan A.P. Indy Journeyman Stud $509,341 35 16 1 1 0 $509,341 Saint D'aroak $78,388 3 $12,667 24 $18,396

D'wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery Florida $450,836 36 12 0 0 0 $450,836 Blue Forty $70,042 19 $18,142 25 $30,079

Exclusive Quality Elusive Quality Journeyman Stud $445,405 34 13 1 1 0 $445,405 Exclusively Maria $98,258 14 $8,307 30 $21,550

Burning Roma Rubiano Stonewall Farm Ocala $419,065 17 9 2 2 0 $419,065 Queen Drama $126,705 6 $6,833

City Place Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $340,369 24 11 0 0 0 $340,369 Bob's Place $55,574 6 $9,583 16 $32,469

Pomeroy Boundary Vinery Florida $302,762 21 6 1 1 0 $302,762 Mel Beach $103,254 13 $28,423 17 $78,235

Simon Pure Silver Deputy Hartley/DeRenzo $287,993 19 10 1 1 0 $287,993 Aracelis Baby M. $63,960 7 $6,757 22 $13,732

A. P. Warrior A.P. Indy Stonewall Farm Ocala $258,241 31 14 0 0 0 $264,276 Race to the Top $37,160 6 $13,083 4 $42,500

Teuflesberg Johannesburg Journeyman Stud $220,184 18 5 0 0 0 $227,225 Trinniberg $101,300 5 $22,000 7 $44,000

Black Mambo Kingmambo Deceased $223,639 11 5 0 0 0 $223,639 Argentine Tango $113,075 3 $5,000 3 $10,903

West Acre Forty Niner Stonehedge Farm South $214,190 10 7 0 0 0 $214,190 Melpomene $49,940 1 $2,500 5 $9,900

Concorde's Tune Concorde Bound Deceased $195,482 12 6 0 0 0 $195,482 Arabella's Tune $45,499 7 $27,214

Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $192,727 12 3 0 0 0 $192,727 Montessa G $69,735 4 $16,500 12 $35,142

Bring the Heat In Excess (IRE) Ward Ranch $185,087 11 9 0 0 0 $185,087 Firefall $37,843

BECOMEAwww.facebook.com/thefloridahorse • www.ftboa.com




Leading Florida Freshman Sires

SAINT ANDDANHIGH COTTON EXCLUSIVE QUALITYNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo


High Cotton Dixie Union Ocala Stud $611,279 30 15 1 1 1 $644,743 Currency Swap $180,000 9 $26,222 23 $31,518

Saint Anddan A.P. Indy Journeyman Stud $509,341 35 16 1 1 0 $509,341 Saint D'aroak $78,388 3 $12,667 24 $18,396

Exclusive Quality Elusive Quality Journeyman Stud $445,405 34 13 1 1 0 $445,405 Exclusively Maria $98,258 14 $8,307 30 $21,550

Simon Pure Silver Deputy Hartley/De Renzo $287,993 19 10 1 1 0 $287,993 Aracelis Baby M. $63,960 7 $6,757 22 $13,732

Teuflesberg Johannesburg Journyeman Stud $220,184 18 5 0 0 0 $227,225 Trinniberg $101,300 5 $22,000 7 $44,000

Call: 352.732.8858

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse



Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through December 31, 2011.

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 31is 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 beused 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

Two-Year-Old Colt/GeldingFort Loudon (Awesome of Course) - 19 Jacks or Better Farm Inc Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Stanley I GoldCurrency Swap (High Cotton) - 15 Stonecliff Farm Klaravich Stables Inc &William H Lawrence Teresa M PompayVexor (Wildcat Heir) - 5 Carlos Rafael & Briggs & Cromartie Bloodstock Gold Mark Farm LLC John C Kimmel

Two-Year-Old FillyCandrea (Trippi) - 12 Ocala Stud Karl Watson, Michael Pegram & Paul Weitman Bob BaffertRedbud Road (Awesome of Course) - 8 Jacks or Better Farm Inc Jacks or Better Farm Inc Stanley I GoldAwesome Belle (Awesome of Course) - 7 Jacks or Better Farm Inc Jacks or Better Farm Inc Stanley I Gold

Three-Year-Old Colt/GeldingBrilliant Speed (Dynaformer) - 43 Live Oak Stud Live Oak Plantation Thomas AlbertraniCoil (Point Given) - 26 Glen Hill Farm Karl Watson, Michael E Pegram & Paul Weitman Bob BaffertToby's Corner (Bellamy Road) - 18 Dianne D Cotter Dianne D Cotter H Graham Motion

Three-Year-Old FillyTurbulent Descent (Congrats) - 55 Ocala Stud Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, Lapso, et al Mike PuypePomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) - 37 Hardacre Farm LLC Hardacre Farm LLC Amy TarrantAwesome Feather (Awesome of Course) - 17 Jacks or Better Farm Inc Stronach Stables Chad C Brown

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding)Flat Out (Flatter) - 45 Nikolaus Bock Preston Stables LLC Charles L DickeyTeaks North (Northern Afleet) - 33 Brylynn Farm Inc Jules Boutelle Justin SallustoJackson Bend (Hear No Evil) -32 Jacks or Better Farm Inc Robert V LaPenta & Fred J Brei Nicholas P Zito

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare)Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune) - 44 Ocala Stud Pinnacle Racing Stable &William A Kaplan William KaplanAmen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 25 Thorobeam Farm IEAH Stables,Whizway Farm, Robert Teel and Pegasus Holding Group Stables Richard E DutrowTrip for A.J. (Trippi) - 14 Peter D Fuller Peter D Fuller Milton WWolfson

Male Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding, race distances one mile and less)Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 30 Jacks or Better Farm Inc Robert V LaPenta & Fred J Brei Nicholas P ZitoApriority (Grand Slam) - 19 Donald R Dizney Donald R Dizney David FawkesAikenite (Yes It's True) - 17 Brylynn Farm Inc Dogwood Stable Todd A PletcherTrappe Shot (Tapit) - 17 Hobeau Farm Mill House Kiaran McLaughlin

Female Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare, race distances one mile and less)Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune) - 44 Ocala Stud Pinnacle Racing Stable &William A Kaplan William KaplanTurbulent Descent (Congrats) - 40 Ocala Stud Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, Lapso, et al Mike PuypePomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) - 37 Hardacre Farm LLC Hardacre Farm LLC Amy Tarrant

Male Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding, races run on the turf)Teaks North (Northern Afleet) - 33 Brylynn Farm Inc Jules Boutelle Justin SallustoJeranimo (Congaree) - 27 Brylynn Farm Inc B JWright Michael PenderBrilliant Speed (Dynaformer) - 23 Live Oak Stud Live Oak Plantation Thomas Albertrani

Female Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare, races run on the turf)Bay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13 Adena Springs Robert Smithen Brian A LynchTrip for A.J. (Trippi) - 10 Peter Fuller Peter Fuller Milton WWolfsonRomacaca (Running Stag) - 9 Cashel Stud Inc Frank Carl Calabrese Nick Canani

ChaseToChampionship_Jan.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 9:47 AM Page 35

By SARAH M REUSS,VMD, DACVIMUniversity of Florida College ofVeterinary Medicine

Obesity is becoming a more well-recognized

disease in all of our domestic animal species.

It can be either a cause or effect of other dis-

ease conditions or problems. Obesity can worsen or-

thopedic conditions such as arthritis and may

predispose horses to laminitis. It may be due to simple

overfeeding for the amount of exercise being per-

formed, or it may be due to an actual disease condition.

The two diseases that can cause abnormal weight gain

or distribution in horses are Equine Metabolic Syn-

drome (EMS, also referred to as insulin resistance) and

Equine Cushing’s Disease (also known as pituitary pars

intermedia dysfunction, PPID).

Cushing’s disease is due to dysfunction at the level

of the brain. There is damage to the hypothalamus, an

area of the brain that produces a hormone called

dopamine which is supposed to suppress the pituitary

gland.When this suppressive factor is no longer pres-

ent, the pituitary gland (specifically the pars inter-

media portion of the pituitary) begins to secrete


PHOT

OSCO

URTE

SYUN

IVER

SITY

OFFL

ORID

A

IsMyHorse

The two diseases that can cause abnormal weight gain or

EquineCare

A horse shown withCushings disease

–or Does He Have a

EquineCare_MetobolicDisease.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 8:58 AM


increased amounts of several hormones (e.g., ACTH,

MSH, B-endorphin) that cause some of the clinical

signs directly as well as an increase in cortisol release

from the adrenal glands. The pituitary gland contin-

ues to enlarge with functional adenomas (small tu-

mors). These can become large enough to compress

other areas of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus

resulting in some loss of their function as well. The

Cushing’s disease that we see in horses is different

than that seen in dogs or people, so PPID is the pre-

ferred term for the disease in horses.

PPID is generally seen in older horses. The average

age is 19-21, but it has been diagnosed in horses as young

as 7. The prevalence increases drastically after 30 years.

It is more common in ponies than horses. PPID causes

changes in the fat and muscle distribution in affected

horses. Fat accumulates in the crest of the neck, tailhead,

over the eyes, and in the sheath. At first, horsesmay have

more overall weight gain but over time, they lose themus-

cle along their topline leaving more of a potbellied ap-

pearance. One of themost telltale signs of PPID is called

hirsuitismwhich is an excessively long hair coat that does

not shed out normally. Laminitis or founder can affect up

to 80 percent of horses with PPID.Themechanism is un-

clear, but this painful conditionmay be the ultimate cause

of death in PPID affected horses.Other signs that youmay

notice in a horsewith PPID are increased thirst, increased

urination, lethargy, increased appetite, change in tem-

perament, recurrent infections, infertility, increased sweat-

ing, and/or persistent lactation in mares.

Testing for PPID is a common source of confusion

and debate. The baseline ACTH is the most common

screening test. This test involves just taking a blood

sample, so there is no risk to the horse. The main

problem with the test is that there is known seasonal

variation in ACTH in horses with levels being higher

in the fall. The “gold standard” test for PPID is the

dexamethasone suppression test. This test involves

drawing a baseline blood sample, administering dex-

amethasone, and then repeating a blood draw at 15

and 19 hours. There is some risk to this test as the ad-

ministration of dexamethasone has been linked to the

occurrence of laminitis in some horses. Other tests

include a thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation

test, combined dexamethasone-thyrotropin-

releasing hormone stimulation test, and domperidone

challenge test. Resting cortisol levels are not a good

test as there is a lot of normal variation in all horses.

Treatment of horses with PPID involves both man-

agement and drug therapy. Regular deworming, dental,

and foot care is necessary due to some of the clinical signs

seen with the disease. Body clipping is also very useful

for horses that do not shed out normally.Good quality hay

and feedwith high nutrient density should be fed. Equine

Senior is a good option for many of these horses if they

require a concentrate to maintain adequate body condi-

tion. The primary drug currently used in the treatment of

PPID is pergolide.This is an oral drugwithminimal side

effects, but it must be handled and stored carefully. Other

drugs that have been used include cyproheptadine,

bromocriptine, and trilostane. Herbal treatments such as

chaste berry have been advocated, but there is no scien-

tific proof that they are effective in horses with PPID.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome should be suspected in

any overweight horse described as an “easy keeper.”

EMS is seen in horses over 5 years of age and is most

common in ponies, Morgans, Arabians, and Fjords but

can be seen in any breed.There is current research look-

ing for a genetic marker, but this appears to be a dis-

ease with a genetic predisposition that is brought on by

Just Fat?

distribution in horses are Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Equine Cushing’s Disease.

Metabolic Disease?


management factors. Most horses with EMS are obese with a body

condition score greater than 7 out of 9. They will also have regional

fat distribution like horses with PPID but will not have the muscle

loss. Horses with EMS often present for spontaneously occurring

laminitis that may occur in association with pasture or feed changes.

Diagnosis of EMS is dependent on the measurement of serum

insulin, as insulin resistance is part of the syndrome similar to Type

II diabetes in people. A resting serum insulin concentration can

be performed as a screening test, but the horse must be fasted

overnight prior to the blood sampling. Blood glucose is

checked at the same time, but most horses maintain a

normal blood glucose even with insulin resistance. If

this test is equivocal, a combined glucose-insulin rest

can be performed. An oral sugar test using Karo syrup

has also been developed.

Horses with EMS may develop PPID as they get

older. In other species, obesity has been associated with

a chronic inflammatory state which may cause PPID at

a younger age. Horses with EMS should be monitored

carefully for muscle atrophy, hair coat abnormalities, alterations in

metabolism, and exacerbation of hyperinsulinemia or laminitis. If

these develop, testing for PPID should be performed, as horses can

have both diseases.

Unlike PPID, there is no direct pharmacologic treatment for

EMS. The bulk of treatment is dietary and management. Horses

with EMS should go on a weight reduction diet. This includes no

grain and a dry lot or small paddock. For the first two weeks, they

should receive 1.5 percent of their current body weight per day in

hay. Weeks 2-6, they should be fed 1.5 percent of their ideal body

weight per day in hay. After that, they should receive 1 percent of

their body weight per day. The hay should be low in non-structural

carbohydrates. This can be confirmed via forage analysis or by

soaking hay for at least 30 minutes prior to feeding it. A vitamin

and mineral supplement should also be considered. Exercise is

very important for the horse not undergoing an active laminitic

bout, and should consist of 30 minutes of trot and

canter four to seven times per week. Most EMS

horses can return to some degree of pasture once

they have lost weight, however horses with recurrent

severe laminitis may be safest in a dry lot. Grazing muzzles can

also be very useful. Turnout should occur in the early morning or

late at night when grass sugar content is the lowest.

Historically, many horses with EMS have been treated with

levothyroxine (Thryo-L) a thyroid supplement.While these horses

do not have actual thyroid dysfunction, short term supplemental

thyroid hormone will increase insulin sensitivity and weight loss.

Weight loss will only occur, however, if calories are also restricted,

so levothyroxine may be prescribed for three to six months to ac-

celerate weight loss while other management changes are instituted.

Metformin is another drug used in people with insulin insensitiv-

ity that has been looked at for the treatment of horses with EMS.

So far, the studies that have been performed have conflicting re-

sults. Herbal supplements such as magnesium, chromium, and cin-

namon have not been shown to alter insulin sensitivity in horses.

While horses with EMS are often treated with thyroid hor-

mones, the existence of true hypothyroidism in the horse is con-

troversial. Historically, hypothyroidism has been linked to obesity,

laminitis, anhidrosis (non-sweating), recurrent tying up, and de-

creased fertility. In all of those cases, however, actual hypothy-

roidism could not be documented, and most of these horses more

likely suffered from PPID or EMS. To truly diagnose thyroid dys-

function, a thyroid stimulation test would have to be performed.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome and PPID remain a source of con-

fusion and frustration for many owners and veterinarians. Differ-

entiating between the two diseases can be difficult. The age of

onset, appearance of the haircoat, and presence of muscle loss may

all help in addition to blood tests. Management is a significant part

of both diseases, with the main goal being to prevent secondary

complications such as laminitis. �


Is My Horse Just Fat?

EquineMetabolic Syndrome and PPID remain a source of confusion andfrustration for many owners and veterinarians. Differentiating between thetwo diseases can be difficult. The age of onset, appearance of the haircoat,

and presence of muscle loss may all help in addition to blood tests.



If you’re reading this column any time after

the first week of January, there’s a strong

chance that you, like every other mortal in

the universe, have already broken a new year’s

resolution or two. It’s a predictable process, one

that experts speculate occurs because we set the

bar too high and too unrealistically. They’re prob-

ably right. In our emotional determination to ac-

complish major change, we tend to visualize

radical, quick results that, realistically, take hard

work AND time.

But wait! This year – if you resolved to get in-

volved in a new activity, to watch a new sport, to

give back to your community or industry, to vol-

unteer, to explore new places or learn a new skill

– we have great news.

The 500-acre Florida Agriculture Center and

Horse Park, located in south Ocala, offers fam-

ily-friendly opportunities for everyone.

Want to see something new? Come to the Park

and watch a boisterous and entertaining Jack Rus-

sellTerrier race, or soak in the beauty of a dressage

horse performing a high-level test in the show ring.

Cheer on cross-country riders in three-day event-

ing, or visit the Park for a professional BBQ event.

Want to learn something new? Rent a horse

from Cactus Jack’s trail rides, and ride the famous

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenways.

Don’t want to ride a horse? Take a hike—liter-

ally—on a foot trail. Come to a clinic at the Park,

or swing by the office and we’ll show you the

FloridaAgriculture Center and Horse Park Com-

prehensive Master Plan – a blueprint for devel-

oping the Park into an even larger economic

driver than it is even today.

Want to get involved? The Park has a myriad

of volunteer opportunities, from light office du-

ties and marketing projects to outdoor mainte-

nance and carpentry needs.Volunteers are needed

at horse shows, with parking for large events, and

so much more. We value your unique gifts, and

we are thrilled when you are able to share them

with this worthy project.

Want to invest financially? As a 501 c3 cor-

poration, any donation to the FloridaAgriculture

Center and Horse Park Authority or the Founda-

tion for the Florida Horse Park is 100% tax de-

ductible. For those interested in large gifts, we

have multiple legacy giving opportunities for

barns, arenas and other buildings, and we would

love to share more with you about these opportu-

nities at your convenience.

Resolutions, it turns out, can begin any day. I

think today is a good day – how about you? �

You make ALL the difference.

Sincerely,

Connie DuffWise

Your

Resolutions

FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Connie DuffWise

Chairman of the Board

FloridaAgricultural Center

and Horse Park

YourFloridaHorsePark.qx:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 9:00 AM Page 1

Happy New Year! Hopefully, the year has

started out nicely and everyone is getting

used to some cooler temperatures. Preserv-

ing water quality to help protect our beautiful springs

and aquifer is a topic routinely mentioned, but I rarely

discuss how to USE LESS water on the farms (or even

in your homes, for that matter).

Let’s start with basics. Check all faucets, hose

sprayers and nozzles, automatic waterers, toilets and

pipes for leaks. Do you want to find out how much

water comes from that leaky equipment? To learn the

answer, go to: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sc4.html.

This is the USGS—Science for a Changing World

website. This interesting and very informative link

takes you to a page that calculates how much water

is lost from your home (which can be easily made to

work for barns). It also has lots of other very inter-

esting facts about water and water use. There is even

a good quiz about water knowledge. I’m depressed

to say that I didn’t score too well, so I guess I still

need more education, too!

Regarding automatic waterers, they can be a good

choice to help save water (as opposed to throwing out

unused water from buckets), but I am old-school and

will always prefer filling buckets so I know howmuch

my horses are drinking. If you are like me and refuse

to switch, then try using the unused bucket water by

adding it to your stall waste if you compost, which

will cut down on adding additional potable water, or

by using it on your landscaped areas instead of wa-

tering them from a hose. A big barrel can be used to

hold all of the water that is dumped out of the buck-

ets. This barrel of water can then be held until needed,

for things like bathing the horses.

Rain barrels placed at the end of the barns can col-

lect the water that normally drains from the gutters

on the roof, instead of just letting it drip to the

ground, potentially creating puddles and excess

runoff in those bad Florida summer storms. That col-

lected water can also be used for a variety of things,

helping to cut down on your groundwater use. This

water is perfect for watering your plants and flowers

on the farm, or it can also be used to water your track

and riding rings. You could get really “green” and

cover the barn roof with vegetation, helping to soak

up the rain (avoiding puddles) and treating any rain-

water runoff naturally to help eliminate excess sedi-

ments and nutrients.

Look to see if you get any excessive rainwater

runoff from big storms. Not that we get any real mud

in Florida, but heavy rainwater drainage and erosion

can definitely create gulleys and ditches on the farm.

Vegetation is a great natural soaker of rain water and

can also help slow water’s speed of travel. Planting

shrubs, bushes and grass in areas that normally are a

path for rain flow will help break up the “river” that

can be caused in a storm. Additionally, you can also

use this new vegetation in a “pretty” way to help

spruce up your barn area. Lastly, gravel in excessive

travel areas can work nicely as a sort of “permeable

pavement” for soaking up a bit more water.

Consider this fact: Seventy-five percent of the

Earth is water, but only a little more than 2 percent of

that is fresh water and almost two-thirds of that 2 per-

cent is locked up in the ice caps and glaciers. That cer-

tainly doesn’t leave much for us all to drink!

Hopefully these ideas have given you a good start on

ideas for water savings and/or better ways to use the

water already taken out of the aquifer.

As always, keep up the good

management practices!

FARM MANAGEMENT

Water SavingsWatch

Schedule a Farm Call:

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


Consider this fact: Seventy-five percent of the Earth is water, but

only a little more than 2 percent of that is fresh water, and almost two-

thirds of that 2 percent is locked up in the ice caps and glaciers.

Cohen_FarmManagement.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 9:01 AM Page 1

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANAURY 2012

Ifnecessity is the mother of invention then frugality

must be the sire. Long before the slogan “Use it up,

wear it out, make it do, or do without” became the

mantra of American consumers during World War II,

farmers had been observing this timeless practice.

One of the first things I learned on the farm was to

fix what needed to be fixed using whatever was avail-

able on site. Just because something was broken didn’t

mean you needed to drive all the way into town and buy

a replacement. More importantly, some repairs such as

a cracked water line or broken gate hinge need to be

performed immediately.

Most horse farms I’ve worked on had a shop with a

few basic tools (hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.)

as well as a storage area for items such as baling wire,

hay string, cracked water buckets, broken boards and

posts, tires, inner tubes and lots of other stuff no longer

good for its original purpose. Nearly all horse farmers

can fix most anything, at least temporarily, with a little

ingenuity, duct tape, baling wire, a hammer and what-

ever can be scavenged from the “junk pile.” Similar to

a pressure bandage, water line leaks can be stoppedwith

rubber strips cut from old inner tubes secured with bal-

ing wire.A broken gate hinge can also be repaired with

baling wire.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” and “repurpose” are popu-

lar ways to say what farmers have long considered a

normal way of life. Following are a few examples of on-

farm recycling:

� Cracked water buckets can be use to carry fence repairor welding supplies.

� Fifty-gallon food grade barrels make great dry, rodent/bugresistant feed storage containers.Non-working chest typefreezers can also be used.

� Five-gallon food grade pails with lid are great for dry, ro-dent-proof mineral and/or supplement storage.

� Chain link fencing or old tires chained together make agreat pasture drag.

� Old fiberglass car top carriers provide waterproof storage.� Use two or five pound coffee cans in the shop for storing

nails, fence staples, screws, washers, etc.� Bleach or detergent bottles can be cut to make feed scoops.

� Old inner tubes make excellent hose and plumbing splices.� Feed sacks make good garbage bags for barn trash.� Old industrial conveyer belts can be cut to fit stall, wash

rack or trailer mats.� Vinyl billboard material can be used to provide ultraviolent

waterproof protection for outdoor equipment storage.� Even an old bathtub can be used as an attractive planter.Also, consider checking out local salvage centers for

building supplies. Used RV or mobile home trusses are

just the right size for a storage shed roof.

I even knew an old horse farm manager that con-

verted his ex-wife’s van into a smokehouse.

Even though many items around the farm can be

easily reused for other purposes, some things like used

horse shoes are more difficult to recycle unless you’re

a proficient welder or inventive blacksmith. Horse shoes

aren’t usually put with the other trash or dumpsters des-

tined for the land fill. Some farriers do recycle used

horse shoes, but many horse farms and training centers

accumulate a large number of shoes over a period of

years.

By the time you count labor and a trip to the recycle

center, it’s usually not worth the effort for the amount of

money paid for scrap steel and aluminum. I once knew

a farrier who gave his apprentice approximately 600

pounds of used shoes.The apprentice decided to sell the

scrap steel and buy new bar stock for forge practice. He

spent most of a day loading and hauling the shoes and

received a grand total of $40 and some change.

With that thought in mind, the UF/IFAS Marion

County Extension Service alongwith Ocala Recreation

and Parks Discovery Center will provide horse farmers

with an opportunity to recycle their used horse shoes.

Help set the record formost horse shoes recycled. Bring

your used shoes to EarthFest/Arbor Day on Saturday,

April 28, and enjoy all the activities and live entertain-

ment. If you can’t make it to EarthFest, call the Exten-

sion Service at 352-671-8400. Also, watch for “Lucky

U’ horse shoe collection sites around Marion County.

Proceeds will benefit the Ocala Farm Ministry. Since

Ocala is “Horse Capital ofTheWorld,” wemight as well

be horse shoe recycling capital too.�

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

by UF/IFAS MarionCountyLivestock Agent

Mark Shuffitt

Reduce, Reuse, RecycleandRepurpose

One of the firstthings I learned onthe farm was to fixwhat needed to befixed using what-ever was available

on site. Justbecause somethingwas broken didn’tmean you needed

to drive all the wayinto town and buy

a replacement.

ShuffitColumn.qxd:Florida Horse_template 1/20/12 9:03 AM Page 1

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It is reasonable even in dark times to begin a new

year with a blank slate and brimming hope. Op-

timism is generally a good trait but just as Christ-

mas trees were trimmed last month and lists of

well-meant resolutions for 2012 were compiled, those

who occupy the current administration’s justifiably

maligned version of the Justice Department issued a

legal opinion in the nation’s capital that in effect stiff-

ened significantly the economic headwinds against

which racing’s ship has struggled in recent years.

At the end of a year that saw every measure of the

industry’s economic health continue the alarming

trend that has marched in lockstep with the decline

of the larger recessionary economy, the Justice De-

partment reversed its long-held opposition to many

forms of Internet gambling, removing a significant

legal hurdle for states that wish in what is no more

than a typical money grab to sanction online gam-

bling.

The opinion was issued in response to requests

from officials of the New York and Illinois state lot-

teries to clarify whether the Wire Act of 1961, which

prohibits interstate wagering over telecommunica-

tions systems, applies to states using the Internet to

sell lottery tickets within their own borders. Accord-

ing to the appointed minions of Barack Obama and

Eric Holder, it does not, a position that opens the door

for states not only to sell lottery tickets but allows In-

ternet poker and other forms of online betting that do

not involve sports. The opinion also implies that

states may by consensual agreement permit gambling

that does not involve sports across borders.

The opinion states: As long as the gambling oper-

ator and the customer are within the same state and

the betting activity does not include sporting events,

a state’s own laws apply.

Politicians desperate for money in the face of

mounting debt and the threat or in some cases the re-

ality of insolvency give little consideration to long-

term ramifications of cannibalizing their existing

constituency, in this case the racing and breeding

businesses that have long produced revenue to gov-

ernment and provided jobs to those who pay taxes.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is in many cases a standard

business practice.

What the racing industry does not need at the mo-

ment is more competition for an already tautly

stretched gambling dollar.

Racing is largely exempt from the provisions of

the Wire Act of 1961 and relies heavily on wagers

placed by telephone and over the Internet as well as

alternative gaming options offered at racetracks. It

faces competition from a wild array of state lottery

games, some involving many states, casinos operated

by Native American tribes, some far afield of reser-

vations, and casino gambling in Nevada and New Jer-

sey. The federal government permitting states – which

regulate racing — to offer online lotteries, casino

games and poker only places the nation’s racetracks at

a more daunting competitive disadvantage.

As this is written, there has been no response from

the racing community to the threat of expanded state-

sponsored interactive gambling and the interests of

stakeholders once more goes without effective repre-

sentation in the District of Columbia. The industry

appears to have no position other than to turn the

other cheek.

Americans may have a voracious appetite for gam-

bling, second only perhaps to the spending habits of

the political class, but the current economic malaise

coupled with the seemingly endless expansion of op-

tions has seen business declines in Nevada and At-

lantic City as well as the nation’s racetracks. The

money supply is finite for those prohibited for print-

ing their own and an ever more crowded trough re-

sults inevitably in less for everyone. The signs of

oversaturation are apparent at every gambling venue,

all dependent upon the customers’ discretionary in-

come for survival.

Someone, at some point must finally stand up and

scream, “Enough.” �

PLAYER’S PAGE

by Paul Moran

What the racing industry does not needat the moment is more competition for analready tautly stretched gambling dollar.

QuietTooLong

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