Linda Rice goes to $350,000 for Alpha colt in final session of OBS April

By Sarah Mace

The progeny of New York’s freshman sire Alpha[1] proved extremely popular at this week’s four-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s April sale of 2-year-olds in training. A trio of Alpha colts fetched six figures, capped by Hip 986[2] who sold to Linda Rice for $350,000 in the concluding session of trading.

Born on January 28, 2016 at Sequel Stallions[3] in Hudson, Hip 986 was Alpha’s first reported foal. Alpha is a multiple Grade 1-winning son of Bernardini who famously dead-heated with Golden Ticket in the 2012 Grade 1 Travers Stakes for Godolphin and Kiaran McLaughlin. Winner also of the Woodward Stakes, he stands at Becky Thomas’s Sequel Stallions[3] for $5,000.

Bred by Eddie Woods’ Other Things, the colt’s dam is Kentucky-bred stakes winner Silence Dogood (Grand Slam), bought by Woods from the Sequel consignment for $32,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton New York fall mixed sale. Woods consigned the colt at OBS, where he worked a quarter in :21 4/5 in the under-tack show.

Silence Dogood comes from a strong, deep family. She is a half-sister to stakes winner Silver Haze and productive Chester and Mary Broman broodmare Unbridled Star. Unbridled Star is the dam of stakes-winner and sire Friend Or Foe, stakes winner Star Grazing and Stolen Star, dam of millionaire Highway Star. Grade 1-placed Rodman also appears under the second dam. The colt’s third dam is multiple Grade 1 winner Taisez Vous, and his extended family includes European champion Bint Pasha and Grade 1 winner Beautician. Silence Dogood has produced two winners to date.

The New York-bred contingent at OBS was 80 horses strong. Of these 63 sold (including eight to-date by private sale) for a buyback percentage of 21.2%. Fourteen individuals brought six figures. The New Yorkers averaged $67,889 and the all-important median price came in at a strong $52,000.

The OBS sale as a whole was a record-breaker for the second straight year. In all 707 horses grossed a sale record $69,429,500, compared with 678 youngsters who brought a record $60,935,900 a year ago. The average price was a sale record $98,203, topping last year’s record of $89,876.  The sale median was $55,000, which is 15.8% above the 2017 sale record $47,500. Buybacks were 17.9%, up slightly from 17% a year ago.

Endnotes:
  1. Alpha: https://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/nytb/stallion/168468/alpha
  2. Hip 986: http://obssales.com/aprcatalog/2018/986.PDF
  3. Sequel Stallions: http://www.sequelnewyork.com/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/28/350000-alpha-colt-obs-april-18/

Eye Luv Lulu gets breakthrough stakes win in Affirmed Success on Belmont’s Opening Day

[1]

NYRA/Joe Labozzetta

By Sarah Mace

Michael Dubb’s Eye Luv Lulu got a breakthrough stakes victory on Opening Day at Belmont Park, winning the seventh running of the $100,000 Affirmed Success Stakes for older New York-bred sprinters.

In 42 prior starts dating back to 2013, the hard-knocking 7-year old gelding by Pollard’s Vision had hit the board in seven stakes races, including a runner-up finish to Celtic Chaos in last year’s Affirmed Success. The consistent and honest runner had also amassed over $600,000 in earnings. Still, a stakes victory had eluded him until Friday.

Drawn in the outside post of six, the Jason Servis-trainee was a well-backed 4-5 favorite. He obliged supporters when he got out of the gate briskly under Irad Ortiz, Jr., and cleared all his rivals except millionaire Weekend Hideaway, who broke from post one and assumed the lead, carving out a fast opening quarter-mile in 22.36.

Settled in the two-path a length back in second, Eye Luv Lulu shadowed Weekend Hideaway along the backstretch and into the far turn. He challenged his rival nearing the quarter pole and secured a slight edge as they were straightening away for the dash to the finish after a half in 45.19.

Edging away and clear by a length, Eye Luv Lulu was called to put in a final effort to ward off 12-1 Pat On the Back, who was closing with good energy. Victorious by three-quarters of a length, Eye Luv Lulu stopped the clock in a final time of 1.09.78.

Weekend Hideaway got the show three lengths back, keeping a neck in front of Loki’s Vengeance. Completing the order of finish were Caledonian and Gypsum Johnny. [VIDEO REPLAY[2]]

[3]

NYRA/Chelsea Durand

“It was an easy ride,” said Ortiz, Jr. “I broke well outside; I had a good post. I just sat there and waited to make my move. When I asked him, he was there for me.”

Describing the closing stages of the race, Ortiz reported, “[Pat On the Back] was coming hard, but near the eighth pole, I just started [urging] my horse to give me everything he had, and he did.”

Four races into his sixth campaign, Eye Luv Lulu sports an impressive career record of 10 wins, 10 seconds and five thirds from 44 starts, with earnings of $696,616.

The gelding was bred by Donald Newman and foaled at Fawnridge Farm in East Nassau.

Carlos Martin trained Eye Luv Lulu for Newman for sixteen starts between October 2013 and June 2015, when he won three times, and placed in both the New York Derby and Mike Lee Stakes. A popular offering in the claim box, Eye Luv Lulu was ultimately haltered by Dubb for $40,000 in February of 2017. He spent the remainder of 2017 with trainer Rudy Rodriguez before going to the barn of Jason Servis, who had previously trained him for one race (a win).

Newman bought Eye Luv Lulu’s dam Honky Tonk Trick, who was bred by Barbara Brewer, in 2006 for $85,000 at the Fasig-Tipton preferred New York-bred yearling sale. A winner of one race, Honky Tonk Trick has gone on to produce three winners. Eye Love Lulu is the top earner and Tricky Zippy (City Zip) won the Union Avenue at Saratoga in 2015 in her stakes debut.

Honky Tonk Trick has a yearling colt by City Zip and was bred to Liam’s Map in 2017.

 

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eye-luv-lulu-the-affirmed-success-credit-joe-labozzetta.jpg
  2. VIDEO REPLAY: http://www.nytbreeders.org/includes/video-player.cfm?date=20180427&track=BED&race=5
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/eye-luv-lulu-the-affirmed-success-credit-chelsea-durand.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/27/eye-luv-lulu-affirmed-success/

OBS April Session 2 wrap: New York-bred co-toppers bring $150,000

by Sarah Mace

Making a solid showing in the second session of this year’s OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale, the New York-bred cohort produced a pair of individuals who sold for $150,000: a colt from the first crop of New York sire and 2012 Travers dead-heater Alpha[1] and a colt by Lookin At Lucky. To date nine New York-bred juveniles have brought six figures.

The Alpha colt, offered as Hip 367[2], turned heads on the second session of the under tack show when he turned in a quarter in :20 3/5, the session’s fastest work at the distance. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of the UAE signed the ticket for $150,000.

Bred by Sequel Stallions New York, who stands Alpha, and foaled on April 11, 2016, the colt sold last year at the OBS yearling sale for $18,000 to his OBS consignor Jose Munoz, making for a successful pinhook.

Said Munoz of the colt’s cost as a yearling, “I thought the price would be higher, considering Alpha did pretty good on the racetrack. To tell you the truth, I was really happy when I got him. I liked that he was by Alpha, a fresh sire who performed good on the track. Secondly, he is a very athletic horse.”

Munoz, who trains a few horses every year either for partnerships or on his own, was pleased with the way the Alpha colt developed and not surprised by the colt’s nice work. He told the TDN, “I did [expect that type of work]. We never asked him for all he had in the previous workouts, but we knew he was way faster than that. He had two or three eighth works and two or three 3/16ths and maybe two quarters and he always did good.”

The colt’s dam is Forever Valentine, an unplaced runner by Silver Deputy who has already produced stakes winner Force and graded stakes performer Beau Valentine. She has a yearling colt by Mission Impazible and aborted a foal this year.

The second $150,000 New York-bred colt of the session, Hip 317[3], was purchased by Wise Racing. He is a dark bay/brown individual by Lookin At Lucky who was bred by Joe DiRico and foaled on March 4, 2016. Last year, he brought $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic yearling sale. The colt was consigned by Harris Training Center LLC, agent and worked a furlong in 10 2/5 in the under-tack show.

DiRico purchased the colt’s dam Esperanza d’Oro in-foal at the 2016 OBS winter mixed sale for $48,000. She has produced two winners from two starters and has a yearling filly on the ground by Normandy Invasion. In 2017 she was bred to Tamarkuz.

With first half of the OBS April sale in the books, of the 41 New York-bred juveniles offered 31 have changed hands (including four private sales) for a buyback percentage of 24.4%. The New York-bred average settled at $65,226 after the first two days of trading and the median stands at $50,000.

The numbers for the full population at the sale are strong. The cumulative average is $100,404 – up 18.6% from the same point at last year’s auction – and the median is up 22.2% to $55,000. The buy-back rate stands at 21.9%.

The auction continues with Hips 613-918 on Thursday and Hips 919-1222 on Friday. Sessions begin at 10:30 a.m.

 

Endnotes:
  1. Alpha: https://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/nytb/stallion/168468/alpha
  2. Hip 367: http://obssales.com/aprcatalog/2018/367.PDF
  3. Hip 317: http://obssales.com/aprcatalog/2018/317.PDF

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/26/obs-april-18-session-2-wrap/

From NYTB Executive Director Jeff Cannizzo: Save the Date & Make Your Voice Heard

[1]To All Participants in the New York State Breeding and Racing Program:

In the coming weeks the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund (the Fund) will host two public forums for the breeding and racing industries, one in Saratoga Springs and one at Belmont Park. The aim is to elicit feedback from a broad spectrum of program participants about New York awards incentives and program rules.

Over the years, one constant for the Fund board has been engaging in dialogue with stakeholders. It is not unusual either for program participants’ feedback to spark spirited discussion at board meetings. That said, stakeholders do not, as a rule, reach out to the Fund Board to talk about what aspects of the program they support or think are working well. Generally, the people who speak out are advocating for various program tweaks. Moreover, the Fund has come to realize that most input comes from a relatively small group of voices.

The upshot is that, in order to serve all its stakeholders, the Fund board – on which I am the NYTB appointee – decided to create opportunities this spring for a greater number of interested parties to voice their opinions.

At this upcoming pair of town hall-style meetings, the Fund hopes to hear from a wide range of program participants. Issues likely to be covered include the structuring and percentages of the categories of awards (breeder, stallion owner, owner), the status of New York’s stallion roster and rules covering mare residency and breed-back. You can see a preview of some prospective topics by taking the Fund’s brief online survey[2].

The first public forum will take place on May 12 at the Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs. The second will be on June 2 at Belmont Park. Both meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m. and light refreshments will be provided.

Click here[3] for program flyer.

I would like to assure program participants, that no program changes are in the works. These forums and the Fund survey are simply part of a fact-finding mission so that the Fund board can get a clearer idea of the needs, opinions and suggestions of a broad cross-section of constituents. That said, the incentive program affects the lives and businesses of all, so I believe all participants should listen to what fellow stakeholders are thinking and make their views known.

I strongly urge you take the survey and to attend one or both meetings to listen and make your voice heard. I hope for a good turnout at both events and look forward to a lively and informative exchange of ideas.

Sincerely yours,
Jeff Cannizzo

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/town-hall-invite-18-1.jpg?utm_content=Sarah&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Click%20here&utm_campaign=April%2020%2C%202018%20eNewsletter
  2. online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FQ959M7
  3. Click here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/town-hall-invite-18-1.jpg?utm_content=Sarah&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Click%20here&utm_campaign=April%2020%2C%202018%20eNewsletter

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/25/letter-cannizzo-letter-public-meetings/

Alpha colt is top New Yorker in opening session of OBS April

By Sarah Mace

A bay colt from the first crop of New York sire Alpha[1] was the top-selling New York-bred juvenile in Tuesday’s opening session of the four-day 2018 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s April sale of 2-year-olds in training. Bred by Sequel Stallions New York[2] and consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, the youngster was purchased by David Meah for $120,000 on behalf of Team D, Circle B and John Holmes.

Tuesday’s transaction marks the second time Hip 67[3], who breezed a furlong in :11 flat in the under tack show, had come under the hammer. At the 2017 OBS yearling sale he went to Second Chance Racing for $14,000.

Foaled on March 12, 2016, the colt is out of Back in the Shade, a stakes-performing Florida-bred mare by Put It Back whose second dam Nabora is a stakes producer. Two of Nabora’s daughters are also stakes producers. Back in the Shade has produced two winners, topped by Jonker, a Japan-based colt by Exchange Rate who has earned $510,600. Sequel sold Back in the Shade for $4,500 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton New York fall mixed sale, and her most recent reported foal by is a yearling filly by Forty Tales.

A second New York-bred 2-year-old to reach the six-figure threshold in the session was Hip 156[4], a dark bay/brown Bodemeister colt from the immediate family of $1.2-million earner and sire Musket Man.

Bred by McMahon of Saratoga[5] and foaled on April 6, 2016, the colt is a graduate of last summer’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale in Saratoga, where he was purchased by Windswept Stables for $50,000.

Consigned at OBS by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent XV, the Bodemeister colt was purchased by trainer Linda Rice, who signed a $100,000 ticket for an undisclosed client following the colt’s :10.2-furlong work under tack.

The dam of Hip 156 is Casablanca Babe, a Kentucky-bred mare by Horse Chestnut (SAF) who was purchased by McMahon of Saratoga with the sale colt in utero for $50,000 from the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2016 Keeneland January sale.

Casablanca Babe is a half-sister to Musket Man. Ron the Greek, a multiple graded stakes winner, $2.7-earner and champion imported older male in Saudia Arabia appears under the third dam. On the track the mare won 12 races and earned over $200,000 and has been a consistent performer as a broodmare, having produced five winners from five foals to start.

Eighteen New York-bred juveniles were offered in the first session at OBS. Fourteen changed hands (including 2 private sales) for a 22.2% buyback percentage. The New York-bred average was $50,357 and the median checked in at $42,500.

The auction continues with Hips 307-612 on Wednesday, Hips 613-918 on Thursday and Hips 919-1222 on Friday. All sessions begin at 10:30 a.m.

 

 

Endnotes:
  1. Alpha: https://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/nytb/stallion/168468/alpha
  2. Sequel Stallions New York: http://www.sequelnewyork.com/
  3. Hip 67: http://obssales.com/aprcatalog/2018/67.PDF
  4. Hip 156: http://obssales.com/aprcatalog/2018/156.PDF
  5. McMahon of Saratoga: http://www.mcmahonthoroughbreds.com/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/25/alpha-colt-session-1-obs-april-18/

Equine industry thriving in New York: grows by $1.1 billion, adds 10,000 jobs

[1](Joint press release from NYTHA, NYTB & NYS Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund)

Horses are big business in New York. The American Horse Council Economic Impact Study, published earlier this month, shows that the state’s Equine Industry has grown by $1.1 billion and added nearly 10,000 jobs since the New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry Alliance’s New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study of 2012. There are more than 154,000 horses stabled in New York.

The Equine Industry is the second largest agribusiness in New York, providing the state with $5.3 billion in economic impact, a 26% increase in the last five years and an eye-opening 121% growth rate since a study conducted in 2005. Employment opportunities in the industry have expanded by 28% since 2012, with horses generating 42,400 full-time jobs for New Yorkers. The horse industry also does its part for the preservation of green space. Approximately 1.3 million acres are currently used for horse-related purposes, and the equine industry is active in every one of New York’s 62 counties.

Thoroughbreds account for the largest segment of the state’s horse population, numbering more than 39,000.

“We are a labor-intensive industry,” said Joe Appelbaum, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which represents more than 4,000 Thoroughbred owners and trainers. “That is particularly true of the racing industry, which boasts 80 jobs for every 100 racehorses. Horses are an invaluable asset for New York, and a thriving Equine Industry is vital to the state’s economy.”

State Senator John Bonacic, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering said, “The thriving equine industry in New York generates billions in economic impact and thousands of jobs for everyday New Yorkers, due in part the work of the Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, New York Thoroughbred Breeders and the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. As Chairman of the Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, I have worked hard to ensure that New York’s racing industry remains strong, and will continue to work with all the industry’s stakeholders to ensure its sustained vitality.”

New York State Assembly Racing & Wagering Committee Chair J. Gary Pretlow remarked, “As a result of the substantial economic impact provided by our equine industry, New York has garnered the reputation as one of the leading horse racing states in the country.  My colleagues and I look forward to continue working with the industry leaders in further enhancing its applauded contributions.”

The racing sector of the Equine Industry is particularly robust, with a $3.08-billion total impact on the New York economy and $1.73 million in direct value while supporting 19,704 jobs. The numbers take into account direct expenditures (e.g. breeding, maintenance, training, insurance, veterinarians, jockey fees, transportation, etc.) plus indirect/induced economic expenditures (e.g. totalizer companies and other wagering technology, infrastructure, broadcasting, television, food and beverage concessions, track maintenance and security).

New York is one of the largest horseracing hubs in the United States, as highlighted by the AHC Study, with 11 racetracks throughout the state as well as hundreds of breeding farms and training facilities. Saratoga Race Course, one of the pre-eminent and oldest tracks in the country, attracts more than 1 million visits a year. In total, New York hosts 1,294 race days annually, offering purses of $289 million and generating $3.4 billion in handle.

“Once a confidence level was reached by Thoroughbred breeders and owners regarding our purses and incentive awards, our State-bred program positioned itself ahead of the rest of the national landscape,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Jeffrey Cannizzo. “New York-breds are in demand in the marketplace, farms have reopened across the state and people are investing again in New York. This renaissance is creating hundreds of jobs and injecting needed revenue into communities across our state of New York.”

Cannizzo added, “Because incentive awards and lucrative purses have increased competition in the sales ring for top-tier New York-breds, breeders are putting extra resources and effort into breeding better horses. The quality of horses continues to improve in the sales ring and on the racetrack. In 2017, 16 New York-breds scored wins in 19 graded stakes, with three of those victories coming at the Grade 1 level across the globe.”

Tracy Egan, Executive Director of the NYS Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, noted that the AHC findings line up with the improving picture for the state’s breeding industry.

“In 2017, breeders helped put 1,705 Thoroughbred foals on the ground in New York,” Egan said. “Those foals represent a 4.7% year-to-year increase in the foal crop, and a nearly 40% increase since 2011. Significantly, the increase in the number of foals occurs as the industry nationwide experiences a decline in foal crops. And the quality of New York-breds is now firmly established as year after year they win Graded and Group Stakes around the world. Currrently, New York-bred Audible confirms the trend will be a lasting one as he is one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.”

Appelbaum concluded. “The AHC Economic Impact Study clearly demonstrates that the investment made in Thoroughbred racing and breeding through our share of VLT revenue has borne fruit. We thank Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator John Bonacic, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and all of our representatives for their support, which has helped to make our industry strong.”

Click here[2] for the complete New York Break-Out Report from the AHC Equine Industry Economic Impact Study.

Click here[3] for the highlights from the New York Break-Out Report.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Study-cover.jpg
  2. Click here: https://nytha.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ba2287c0ccea8583f37283499&id=0773ef6ffb&e=fd457af55b
  3. Click here: https://nytha.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ba2287c0ccea8583f37283499&id=597e06f176&e=fd457af55b

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/25/2017-ecconomic-impact-release/

Retonova kicks clear to take NYSS Times Square second out

[1]

NYRA/Chelsea Durand

By Sarah Mace

In just his second career start, My Purple Haze Stables’ Retonova kicked clear in the stretch to win Aqueduct’s co-featured $100,000 Times Square division of New York Stallion Stakes series carded for eligible New York-sired sophomores. The undefeated winner is a dark bay gelded son of Boys at Tosconova, a top-10 New York sire standing at Questroyal North [2]in Stillwater.

Drawn well in the outside post of five, by post-time Retonova was bet down to 2-5 favoritism to win the 6 1/2-furlong tilt. In his unveiling at Aqueduct on March 17 for trainer Chris Englehart, he stalked his way to a 4-length victory in 1:12.50 for six furlongs, which earned a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 80. He also emerged as the bettors’ clear choice after main rival A True Giant was scratched at the gate.

Under jockey Trevor McCarthy, who had the repeat call after guiding Retonova to victory in his bow, the gelding was reserved in the early stages. The pair settled in fourth place in the four-path three lengths off the pace set by a headstrong Belleville Spring, who clocked fast early fractions of 22.77 and 45.21 while Aqua Bel Sar chased in second.

Rounding the far turn three-wide, Retonova began his bid in earnest. He advanced into third and, moving in tandem with Aqua Bel Sar, overtook a tiring Belleville Spring. At this point, Retonova had all the momentum on his side. He kicked clear of Aqua Bel Sar and drew off to secure the victory by 2 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:16.62

Longshot Spectacular Kid (18-1) got up for second, while Aqua Bel Sar held on to the show. Santo Antonio finished a neck back in fourth and pacesetter Belleville Spring faded to last. [VIDEO REPLAY[3]]

McCarthy realized he had a nice youngster on his hands after riding Retonova to victory first out. “He ran such a great race for me and after I won the first time with him I called my agent and said, ‘whatever you do, don’t let him get away.’” McCarthy continued, “He was pretty impressive today. Being on the outside and that other horse scratching, it was an advantage.”

McCarthy felt that Retonova’s talent made up for some lack of seasoning. “He’s still a little green in the lane, but he shows a lot of ability. He was a little worked up back there [in the gate]. I was getting a little nervous because he was getting a little hot and antsy. But when he broke, he was doing so good. He was in a perfect spot.”

Bred by Barry Ostrager, Retonova is out of Kentucky-bred stakes winner and successful producer Jb’s Golden Regret.

Ostrager bought Jb’s Golden Regret for just $17,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November sale. She has produced six winners from six foals to start. Retonova is her first stakes winner, but she has two more stakes performers. Six-year-old Gypsum Johnny by City Zip is a multiple stakes performer and has earned nearly $500,000, and E J’s Legacy by Freud is also stakes placed.

Jb’s Golden Regret produced a full sister to Retonova in 2016 named She’s Irie, has a yearling colt by City Zip and was bred last year to the late Effinex.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/retonova-the-nyss-credit-chelsea-durand.jpg
  2. Questroyal North : http://www.questroyalnorth.com/
  3. VIDEO REPLAY: http://www.nytbreeders.org/includes/video-player.cfm?date=20180422&track=AQD&race=7

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/22/retonova-nyss-times-square/

Frost Giant’s Baby Boss surprises at 23-1 in NYSS Park Avenue

[1]

NYRA/Joe Labozzetta

By Sarah Mace

While making her stakes debut in her fourth career start, Neal M. Allread’s Baby Boss got no respect at the betting windows. Let go at odds of 23-1 in Saturday’s $100,000 Park Avenue division of New York Stallion Stakes series for eligible New York-sired 3-year-old fillies, Baby Boss belied her odds, proving both speedy and game when she led the field gate-to-wire through 6 1/2-furlongs to get the win by a length.

Turning back from a mile in her prior start, Baby Boss was the first to strike the lead from post five following the opening scrum. She set up in the three path to lead the field of nine through a sharp opening quarter-mile in 22.76.

Tucking into the rail position late in the backstretch, Baby Boss maintained her one-length advantage over presser My Roxy Girl in second and saved some ground as the half went in 46.28, but midway around the far turn, My Roxy Girl and Orchid Party menaced directly to Baby Boss’s outside.

With urging, Baby Boss shook off both foes in upper stretch. Under a left-handed whip in the final panel, she held on to win by a length over a resurgent My Roxy Girl in a strong final time of 1:16.85.

My Roxy Girl in second, was followed another length back by Orchid Party, returning for Rudy Rodriguez on just three days’ rest. Next in order across the wire were Aunt Babe, favorite Pure Silver, Baby Boss’ stablemate Wegetsdamunnys, Cathy Naz, Our Super Nova and Giant Boxer. [VIDEO REPLAY[2]]

[3]

NYRA/Chelsea Durand

Baby Boss paid $48.80 for a $2 win-bet and had a hand in triggering a pick-5 and pick-6 carryover into Aqueduct’s closing day, where there is a mandatory payout for both pools ($18,071 pick-6, $48,700 pick-5).

“Going to the lead wasn’t the plan, but I wasn’t going to get in her way,” said winning jockey Manny Franco. “She put me in that position, so I’ll take it. She took me there, but I wasn’t going to go out of my way … Today, she broke sharp and I just left her there and she responded very well for me.”

After establishing the lead, the pilot then felt that it was just a matter of playing “catch me if you can.” Said Franco, “I knew they were going to have to run to catch me. I felt pressure a little bit, but I knew I had horse left under me.”

In her lone start as a juvenile for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, a maiden special weight at Finger Lakes last September, Baby Boss showed speed before tiring to fifth over off-going. Returning for her sophomore season, she graduated in a $40,000 state-bred claiming race on January 26 from a stalking position. Unclaimed in that race, she stretched out to a mile while moving up into a first-level New York-bred allowance on March 11, just missing when out-finished by a neck by Park Avenue Rival Our Super Nova.

Englehart felt his filly appreciated the turnback Saturday. “She had a tough draw,” said Englehart, “but I think the cutback … helped coming back from racing a mile. I still think she’d be OK going seven-eighths to a mile. If you look at the race she broke her maiden she rallied behind horses, so she’s definitely versatile and picked up a nice win today.”

Bred by Eric Bishop, Baby Boss is a daughter of Frost Giant, who stands at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC[4], and currently sits in a virtual tie with Freud as the leading sire in the state.

Baby Boss is the first winner out of Wild in Montana, a winning Kentucky-bred Yankee Victor mare. Owner Neal Allread purchased Baby Boss for $23,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile sale for $23,000. The filly has now earned $96,380 from two wins and a second in four starts.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/baby-boss-the-nyss-credit-joe-labozzetta.jpg
  2. VIDEO REPLAY: http://www.nytbreeders.org/includes/video-player.cfm?date=20180421&track=AQD&race=9
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/baby-boss-the-nyss-credit-chelsea-durand.jpg
  4. Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC: http://www.ihdvstallions.com/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/21/baby-boss-nyss-park-avenue/

Chester & Mary Broman repeat as top 2017 NY breeders, Mind Your Biscuits repeats as HOY

[1]

Photo by Bill Denver Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup

By Sarah Mace

When the top New York breeder and New York-bred horse of the year were announced at the annual awards banquet of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), the names were familiar. Chester and Mary Broman were named the state’s outstanding breeders for the second straight year and fifth time overall. Mind Your Biscuits, the 2016 New York-bred horse of the year, was once again the voters’ pick for the top honors in 2017.

NYTB’s awards banquet was held on April 9, 2018 at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. Sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, the event was emceed by Richard Migliore, a former champion New York jockey and now a racing analyst for XBTV. All New York-bred divisional champions and horse of the year were chosen by a ballot of New York turf writers, handicappers, chart callers and racing analysts conducted by NYTB.

Chester and Mary Broman, whose names are synonymous with New York breeding and racing success, won seven stakes races in 2017 with their homebreds, led by Bar of Gold who ran a huge race at odds of 66-1 to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar. Highway Star, another Broman standout, took the Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes, Gallant Bloom Handicap and Grade 3 Distaff. Haul Anchor and Held Accountable also picked up stakes victories last year. In all, the Bromans won 71 races with their New York-breds and earned $3,746,914 in purses. The couple won the outstanding breeders award previously in 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2016.

Horse of the Year Mind Your Biscuits (Posse), who was bred by Jumping Jack Racing LLC, won his second start of 2017 on the biggest stage of all, when he scored a wide-trip much-the-best victory in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse. In July he also won the Grade 2 Belmont Sprint Stakes. The chestnut cemented his claim to excellence just last month when he repeated in the Golden Shaheen and became the richest New York-bred in history with earnings of $3,719,286, overtaking the mark of $3,529,412 set by Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. Chad Summers, who trains Mind Your Biscuits, is also a co-owner in a partnership that consists of Head of Plains LLC, J Stables LLC, Michael Summers, Dan Summers and Michael Kisber.

Mind Your Biscuits was also voted Champion New York-Bred Male Sprinter and Champion New York-Bred Older Dirt Male. The other multiple winner of the night was the Bromans’ Bar of Gold, who was voted Champion New York-Bred Female Sprinter and Older Dirt Female.

Also honored on Monday were the most successful jockey and trainer of New York-breds in 2017. Linda Rice was the top trainer with 72 New York-bred wins, 3 stakes victories and $3,520,844 in New York-bred earnings. Rice was named outstanding trainer five times before (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015). Irad Ortiz, Jr. ended the year atop the New York-bred jockey rankings with 139 New York-bred wins, 11 stakes victories and $8,725,595 in New York-bred earnings. Irad won the award in 2013 and 2016, while younger brother Jose picked up the hardware in 2014 and 2015.

A complete list of New York’s 2017 equine and human honorees follows:

Horse of the Year, Champion Older Dirt Male, Champion Male Sprinter: Mind Your Biscuits
CH, C, foaled March 15, 2013 (Posse – Jazzmane, by Toccet)
Breeder: Jumping Jack Racing LLC
Owner: J Stables LLC, Head of Plains Partners, Summers et al
Trainer: Chad Summers

Champion Female Sprinter, Champion Older Dirt Female: Bar of Gold
DK B/, M, foaled February 9, 2012 (Medaglia d’Oro – Khancord Kid, by Lemon Drop Kid)
Breeder/Owner: Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman
Trainer: John C. Kimmel

Champion Two-Year-Old Male: Therapist
CH, C, foaled May 22, 2015 (Freud – Lady Renaissance, by Smart Strike)
Breeder: Oak Bluff Stable, LLC & C. Clement
Owner: Oak Bluff Stables
Trainer: Christophe Clement

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly: Pure Silver
GR/RO, F, foaled April 1, 2015 (Mission Impazible – Jehan, by Forest Wildcat)
Breeder: Twin Creeks Farm
Owner: Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Champion Three-Year-Old Male: Twisted Tom
CH, G, foaled April 1, 2014 (Creative Cause – Tiffany Twisted, by Thunder Gulch)
Breeder: Dr. William B. Wilmot & Dr. Joan M. Taylor
Owner: Cobra Farm, Inc., R R Partners and Head of Plains Partners LLC
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Fifty Five
B, F, foaled April 22, 2014 (Get Stormy – Soave, by Brahms)
Breeder: Empire Equines, LLC
Owner: Peter M. Brant
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Champion Turf Male: Disco Partner
GR/RO, H, foaled May 15, 2012 (Disco Rico – Lulu’s Number, by Numerous)
Breeder: Patricia Generazio
Owner: Patricia Generazio
Trainer: Christophe Clement

Champion Turf Female: Fourstar Crook
B, M, foaled February 15, 2012 (Freud – Avril a Portugal, by D’Accord)
Breeder: Kathleen M. Feron
Owner: Dubb, Michael, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Aisquith, Gary
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Broodmare of the Year: Jazzmane (Toccet – Alljazz, by Stop the Music), dam of Mind Your Biscuits

Breeder of the Year: Chester and Mary Broman
Trainer of the Year: Linda Rice
Jockey of the Year: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/zzz171104_eclipsesportswire_bd_45506.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/09/chester-mary-broman-repeat-top-2017-ny-breeders-mind-biscuits-repeats-hoy/

Swing and Sway wins Oaklawn’s Carousel in the slop

By Sarah Mace

Westrock Stables LLC’s Swing and Sway (Maclean’s Music) thrives at Oaklawn Park, her springtime home-base, and loves off-going. With both factors at play on Saturday afternoon, she won the 6-furlong, $150,000 Carousel Stakes by a half-length to earn her second victory of the spring meet in Hot Springs.

Winner of Oaklawn’s 6-furlong American Beauty on a sloppy (sealed) racetrack two races back on January 27, and a closing third in the Spring Fever at the same venue on March 3, Swing and Sway was still only third choice at odds of 3-1 in the Carousel’s field of five. First choice was odds-on Grade 2 Prioress winner Vertical Oak trained by Steve Asmussen, and second in the betting was Bad Cox-trained Mythical Tale, an up-and-comer who earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure last out in an Oaklawn allowance.

Swing and Sway went with the vanguard following a good break and established position at the rail, with Vertical Oak and Mythical Tale stacked up on even terms to her outside.

Vertical Oak, between horses, eventually got a half-length advantage over her two rivals clocking a testing quarter-mile in 22.32, leaving Swing and Sway penned down on the fence in very tight quarters. In the approach to the far turn, the filly took back two lengths and let the Vertical Oak and Mythical Tale continue the duel alone.

Regrouping on the bend through a half in 46.10, Swing and Sway angled out three wide late in the far turn, caught back up with the leading pair and collared Mythical Tale.

With Swing and Sway and Vertical Oak left to fight it out, Swing and Sway gained an advantage by mid-stretch and began to draw off, but had to be urged to the wire by jockey David Cabrera to hold off a menacing late bid by Thoughtless. Swing and Sway prevailed over the the would-be spoiler by a half-length.

Vertical Oak held on to third, followed across the line by Impasse and Mythical Tale. The final time for six furlongs over the sloppy (sealed) track was 1:11.20.

Pilot David Cabrera was ecstatic. “This filly, she was so calm in the paddock,” he said. “She was doing everything right and I knew she could run big. I thought if I broke on top I would just sit there. As the speed got going pretty fast, I just let her sit where she was comfortable, and she responded to me. That’s what I was expecting out of her and that’s what she gave me. I love that filly!”

Trainer Ron Moquett recounted his thoughts as he second-guessed Cabrera’s tactics during the running of the race. “I was questioning the move at the quarter pole and then I was stating [Cabrera’s] brilliance in the stretch. Trainer’s play-by-play: ‘What are you doing? Oh, yeah, great, that worked great.’”

The conditioner is also looking forward to the rest of the season with his 4-year-old filly. “Not only is she talented, but now she’s improving with consistency. That could make for a really fun rest of the year.”

A winner of five races (three on off-tracks) with three seconds and a third from 15 starts, Swing and Sway has earned $345,540.

Bred by Canyon Lake Thoroughbreds and foaled at Keane Stud[1] in Amenia, Swing and Sway is out of Placerita a winning Kentucky-bred Gilded Time mare. Placerita has produced eight winners from 10 foals to start. Swing and Sway leads the pack, followed by closely by graded stakes winner Sticksstatelydude by First Dude ($345,057) and Saturday Nite Ride (Flower Alley), who won four stakes races in Canada ($220,471). The family tree boasts Grade 1 winners The Big Beast and Slew the Dragon.

Swing and Sway first changed hands for $50,000 as a short yearling at the 2015 Keeneland January mixed sale, going to Walter Bloodstock. Purchased by Woodford Sales for $117,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale in Saratoga, she posted a co-bullet :9 4/5 breeze in the under-tack show at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds, where she was purchased by Westrock Stables for $185,000.

Endnotes:
  1. Keane Stud: http://www.keanestud.com/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/04/07/swing-sway-carousel/

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