Brooklyn Strong ready for improbable next step

[1]

Brooklyn Strong, champion New York-bred male in 2020, gallops Friday at Churchill Downs. Coady Photography.

By Tom Law

Brooklyn Strong looked poised to mix it up on the Triple Crown trail last December when he gutted out a narrow victory over Ten for Ten in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct.

The New York-bred gelding by Wicked Strong ended the season with three wins in four starts – the lone blemish a decent third in the Bertram F. Bongard at Belmont Park in his stakes debut – and was on his way. Until he wasn’t.

Winter weather in the Philadelphia area, where Danny Velazquez trains at Parx Racing, derailed some of Brooklyn Strong’s training and a mild illness led to more delays that put key preps for the Kentucky Derby in jeopardy. Brooklyn Strong missed the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes in early March and seemingly needed a good result in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial in early April to earn sufficient points to guarantee a starting spot in the gate on the first Saturday in May.

That didn’t materialize when Brooklyn Strong finished fifth, beaten less than 5 lengths, in the Wood Memorial. He was deep on the list of points earners with just 10 – all earned in the Remsen – after all the key preps were complete by mid-April.

“It’s been extremely hard, nothing’s been easy with him,” Velazquez said. “Start and stop, the weather, he got a little sick on me, it’s just been extremely hard.”

The road proved difficult but Brooklyn Strong, Velazquez and owner Mark Schwartz made it to Churchill this week for the 147th edition of America’s biggest race after a string of defections last week and weekend.

Brooklyn Strong will start from post 3 in the Derby with jockey Umberto Rispoli aboard for the first time. They’re 50-1 on Mike Battaglia’s morning line, but they’re in the Derby instead of an alternative choice of still back home waiting for the Preakness Stakes in two weeks.

“Last week Churchill Downs got in touch with Mark or Mark got in touch with Churchill. They said, ‘hey, listen, you guys can come and enter the Pat Day Mile and AE in the Derby if something happens you might get to run,’ ” Velazquez said. “My thought was, ‘that’s a little crazy.’ We would have looked good in the Pat Day Mile though, I looked at the race. After that Sunday morning (and the defection of Caddo River) we got the call, they said ‘are you ready to come?’ It literally came together fast, I got a plane ticket, got the horse here. It’s been a little chaotic, no sleep.”

Brooklyn Strong arrived in Louisville early Tuesday morning, walked the shedrow Wednesday, jogged on the sloppy main track Thursday and jogged and galloped over the drying out track labeled good Friday. He was one of the last horses on the track Friday morning during the designated training time for Oaks and Derby horses.

Saturday Brooklyn Strong will attempt to add his name to the list of New York-breds who fared well in recent editions of the Kentucky Derby. Tiz the Law finished second as the favorite in last year’s race, run in September because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ny Traffic also ran in the 2020 Derby and finished eighth. New York-bred Florida Derby winner Audible finished third in the 2018 running while Samraat (fifth in 2014) and Went the Day Well (fourth in 2012) also ran well.

Funny Cide flies the flag for the Empire State as its lone Derby winner, pulling the upset in 2003 over Empire Maker. He also won the Preakness, the first New York-bred to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan out of their Medaglia d’Oro mare Riviera Chic and foaled at their Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward, Brooklyn Strong originally sold as a weanling for $30,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. He RNA’d on two subsequent trips through the sales ring – for $42,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale and then for $6,000 as a yearling at the OBS October mixed sale – before Schwartz bought him for $5,000 at last year’s OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Brooklyn Strong won a maiden claiming race for a $40,000 tag in September at Delaware Park before a third in the Bongard and a victory in Belmont’s Sleepy Hollow Stakes on Empire Showcase Day. He turned heads with a mild upset victory over a field that also included eventual Florida Derby winner Known Agenda in the Remsen to end his 2-year-old season.

Brooklyn Strong comes to the Derby with two breezes since his Wood Memorial effort – a half in :49.55 April 19 and 5 furlongs in 1:00.92 Monday. He worked five times prior to the Wood Memorial.

Despite the winding road to make the Derby and Brooklyn Strong’s long odds, Velazquez remains confident taking on a field led by undefeated champion Essential Quality, unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World, Florida Derby winner Known Agenda, Louisiana Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie and others.

“Safe trip. Not to be bland, but just a safe trip. A good showing,” Velazquez said when asked what he was looking for Saturday. “I have zero pressure. I’m the underdog and nobody expects much from me. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but don’t sleep on him either. This horse belongs, he really does. He belongs, he has the numbers, he has the class, his paper looks great. He really does belong.

“Obviously I wish I had more time to school and go over to the track and let him see everything but that’s the card I was dealt.”

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BrooklynStrong0430.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/30/brooklyn-strong-ready-for-improbable-next-step/

Free admission for NYTB members returns at Belmont

[1]

Racing at Belmont Park. Susie Raisher photo

On Wednesday, April 28 the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that Belmont Park will re-open to ticketed spectators on live race days effective Saturday, May 1, 2021.

What does this mean for NYTB members?

With the updated protocols issued from New York State and NYRA, starting today, NYTB members can make plans to resume visiting Belmont Park with comped admission. In order to obtain a reserved ticketed seat, contact the NYRA Ticket Office in advance at 844-NYRA-TIX.

The NYRA Ticket Office will confirm your 2021 NYTB membership with our database and you will have the option to have your tickets sent via e-mail or text message.

All attendees are still subject to submit proof of a completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

For more information outlining all required health & safety protocols for entry to Belmont Park please visit here[2].

If you have any questions, please contact NYTB Membership services at 518.587.0777. A full list of member benefits and the process to join can be found here[3].

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BEL-scene_9187-u.jpg
  2. here: https://www.belmontstakes.com/tickets/know-before-you-go
  3. here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/membership/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/29/free-admission-for-nytb-members-returns-at-belmont/

Brooklyn Strong takes first spin at Churchill Downs

[1]

New York-bred champion Brooklyn Strong (right) jogged Thursday at Churchill Downs. Coady Photography.

By Tom Law

Danny Velazquez stepped out of the shedrow of Barn 41 on the backside of Churchill Downs Thursday morning and still couldn’t get over the sequence of events that got him and Brooklyn Strong to Louisville for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

“How does this happen? I still don’t get it,” Velazquez, who trains the New York-bred son of Wicked Strong from his base at Parx Racing, said to anyone within earshot.

A small crowd gathered nearby as Brooklyn Strong, who arrived in Louisville early Tuesday morning before drawing post 3 for the 147th Derby, walked out of the same shedrow a few minutes later to head out for his first training session at Churchill.

Trainer Joe Sharp, aboard his pony, led Brooklyn Strong on the short walk from the barn to the backstretch gap where fellow Derby runners Soup and Sandwich, Helium, Rock Your World and Hot Rod Charlie and Kentucky Oaks entrant Pass the Champagne waited for the all-clear to train during the designated window for Oaks and Derby runners.

Velazquez found a spot along the outside rail to watch Brooklyn Strong go off the wrong way and the gelding, last year’s champion New York-bred 2-year-old male who was pegged at 50-1 on the morning line for the Derby, jogged once around the sloppy main track with the pony.

[2]

Brooklyn Strong arrived in Kentucky Tuesday morning after a 12-hour van ride from Parx. Coady Photography.

“He’s taken it better than me, he’s settled in and hasn’t stopped eating, which is key,” Velazquez said. “Honestly as far as fitness is concerned he’s as fit as I can get him with one week notice and we’re in. I’m just happy to be here. Like I said, I have nothing to prove. He’s a $5,000 purchase and we’re here, we made the 1 percent.”

Brooklyn Strong wound up in the Derby after a series of defections last weekend started to whittle down the field. Brad Cox took Caddo River out of consideration Sunday and that put Brooklyn Strong, ranked 20th by points thanks to the 10 he earned winning the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes last December at Aqueduct, in the race if owner Mark Schwartz and Velazquez wanted the spot.

Brooklyn Strong worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.92 Monday to solidify his chances. He shipped by van Monday night and arrived in Louisville at about 6 a.m. Tuesday. Velazquez didn’t train the gelding Wednesday, waiting instead for the light session Thursday.

“I’m going to try to school today,” Velazquez said. “You have to remember he worked Monday and then had a 12-hour van ride. Compared to everybody else, they’ve been here, relaxed, whereas this horse has been on a van doing everything.”

Bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan and foaled at their Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward, Brooklyn Strong originally sold as a weanling for $30,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. He RNA’d on two subsequent trips through the sales ring – for $42,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale and then for $6,000 as a yearling at the OBS October mixed sale – before Schwartz bought him for $5,000 at last year’s OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training.

[3]Brooklyn Strong won a maiden claiming race for a $40,000 tag in September at Delaware Park before a third in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes and a victory in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes, both at Belmont Park. He turned heads with a mild upset victory over a field that included eventual Florida Derby winner Known Agenda in the Grade 2 Remsen to end his 2-year-old season.

Velazquez hoped to make the late winter and early spring classic preps with Brooklyn Strong but wound up beset by weather issues and the gelding’s mild illness that forced him to miss the Grade 3 Gotham in early March. He trained Brooklyn Strong up to the Grade 2 Wood Memorial April 3 at Aqueduct and they finished fifth, not earning any points and seemingly seeing his connections’ Derby dreams come to an end.

“This is not the plan, but what is the plan right? This is life,” Velazquez said of the improbable way they made it anyway. “I’m just excited to be here, taking it all in. Like I’m telling everybody I have zero pressure and I’m just enjoying all of it. It’s a lifelong dream.”

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Brooklyn-Strong-0429.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BrooklynStrong-Headshot.jpg
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Brooklyn-Strong-Tack.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/29/brooklyn-strong-takes-first-spin-at-churchill-downs/

A chemist and a dentist bred a Derby horse

[1]

Cheryl Prudhomme and Michael Gallivan, breeders of Kentucky Derby contender Brooklyn Strong, at Saratoga Race Course. Photo provided.

By Paul Halloran

Cheryl Prudhomme and Michael Gallivan had lengthy professional careers that had nothing to do with horse racing – Prudhomme as a chemist and Gallivan a dentist. Yet, horses were part of their lives since their youth and they couldn’t ignore what Gallivan calls a “passion” for equines, nor would they ever try.

Their paths first crossed at a New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s Awards Dinner in 2005. They have been working together for 15 years and were married in 2015. They are the quintessential small breeders, keeping about 10 broodmares on their Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward, about 15 miles northeast of Saratoga.

They do almost all of the work themselves – from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year – tending to the horses and everything else that comes with running a farm, from replacing fencing to repairing sheds. At least one of them is there virtually at all times.

“We haven’t left the farm together in five years,” Prudhomme said.

That will change this weekend.

Prudhomme and Gallivan will make the 800-mile trip from Fort Edward to Louisville, dropping off and picking up a few mares and foals, with a very important stop Saturday to watch their wildest dream come true.

[2]

Brooklyn Strong carries hopes and dreams of small breeders and their community in Saturday’s 147th Kentucky Derby. Photo provided.

When Brooklyn Strong breaks from the starting gate in the 147th Kentucky Derby, he will be carrying more than the 126 pounds assigned to the horses in the Run for the Roses. The gelding that Prudhomme and Gallivan bred and foaled will be bearing the hopes and dreams of his small-town connections who, for one day at least, will be playing in the biggest of leagues.

“We were a nervous wreck before the Wood Memorial,” said Prudhomme. “I’m still trying to figure out what the Kentucky Derby will be like. It’s going to be so exciting. It’s almost surreal.”

“It’s a dream but that’s all it is – a remote dream,” said Gallivan, who was a practicing dentist for 47 years and retired from his “real” job only a few months ago. “People spend millions trying to get a Derby horse.”

It cost Mark Schwartz only $5,000 to buy Brooklyn Strong at the 2020 OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training; he spent 10 times that to enter the Derby. Prudhomme and Gallivan shelled out $10,000 to breed their mare Riviera Chic to Wicked Strong, resulting in the birth of a bay foal on Jan. 20, 2018 at Shamrock Hill. Three years later, he will be one of 20 horses from the 2018 crop of 19,664 North American foals to run in the biggest race in the world; that’s .1 percent.

“We don’t have expensive mares and we can’t afford expensive stallions. But we do a good job and our horses always run,” said Prudhomme, who grew up in the Greater Boston area, went to a small Catholic high school (Saint Clement, now closed) and earned a full scholarship to Regis College, where she majored in chemistry.

They have bred stakes horses, including Meriwether Jessica, who won the 2010 Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and ran second in the Grade 3 Tempted Stakes in 2007 at Aqueduct; and Bellacourt, who ran third to My Miss Aurelia in the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga in 2011. They chose to breed to Wicked Strong with the idea of producing a horse that could run long. A Kentucky Derby starter? That’s another story altogether.

[3]

Cheryl Prudhomme and Michael Gallivan hosted a group of nuns from the Daughters of Mary order at Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward. Photo provided.

“A million things can go wrong,” said Gallivan, who grew up in Guilderland and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Providence College and Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry. “This horse happens to have a good owner and an up-and-coming trainer (Danny Velazquez).”

For the breeders, the road to the Derby has been one marked with elbow grease and endurance. Prudhomme cashed in her 401K to buy the farm, but still commuted back and forth to Massachusetts to work for a few years in order to make ends meet. Gallivan, who got his equine education from champion show horse trainers Joe Stewart and John Bell, recalls struggling through dental school with the support of his first wife, Margaret.

“That’s when I learned about poverty,” he said. “If you don’t experience the valleys, you never appreciate the peaks.”

A friend convinced Gallivan, who has five children and seven grandchildren, to attend that New York Breeders event, hoping to cheer him up after Margaret’s death in 2003. He saw Prudhomme again at a horse auction a month later, took her to dinner at the Anvil Inn in Fort Edward for their first date, and they went to the Travers together (surviving a pungent ride caused by Gallivan stepping in dog excrement at the farm). They were together 10 years before formalizing the arrangement in a ceremony on the farm.

On Saturday, they will pull into Churchill Downs in their Dodge pick-up truck and take their place among blue-blood breeders including Juddmonte, Stonestreet, Phipps, Godolphin and Calumet. Prudhomme said she typically cries at “My Old Kentucky Home” when she is watching on TV. She has no idea what state she will be in when she hears it live, but she knows she will never forget it.

“For a horse from Fort Edward to make it to the Kentucky Derby is unbelievable,” she said.

But not impossible.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Prudhomme-Gallivan.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Prudhomme-Gallivan-Sign.jpg
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PrudhommeGallivan-Nuns.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/28/a-chemist-and-a-dentist-bred-a-derby-horse/

Brooklyn Strong draws post 3 for Derby 147

[1]

Brooklyn Strong, working Monday at Parx, arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning. Nikki Sherman Photo.

By Tom Law and Paul Halloran

Brooklyn Strong arrived in Louisville early Tuesday morning after a van ride from Parx Racing, bedded down in the Churchill Downs stable area and his connections learned where the New York-bred champion would start his improbable journey in Saturday’s 147th Kentucky Derby.

Brooklyn Strong drew post 3 in the full field of 20 for the $3 million Derby, just to the outside of Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Like The King and immediately inside Keepmeinmind. Like those two and four others in the field, Brooklyn Strong was pegged at 50-1 on the morning line by Churchill oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.

“It’s deep inside but it’s OK,” trainer Danny Velazquez said of Brooklyn Strong’s draw. “(Owner) Mark (Schwartz) says three is his lucky number and he’s won from there before. Hopefully, he gets a good break and can settle into third or fourth early.”

Brooklyn Strong will be ridden in the Derby for the first time by Southern California-based jockey Umberto Rispoli, who rode Kentucky Derby second choice Rock Your World to victory in the Santa Anita Derby but lost the mount when trainer John Sadler opted for Joel Rosario.

Brooklyn Strong is expected to walk tomorrow and train Thursday and Friday, Velazquez said. Churchill-based trainer Joe Sharp was helping line up an exercise rider for Brooklyn Strong since Velazquez’s assistant and regular rider Maria Remedio-Adorno did not make the trip. Velazquez is expected at Churchill Wednesday and owner Mark Schwartz arriving Thursday.

The $3 million Derby goes as the 12th race on Saturday’s 14-race card at Churchill with post time of 6:57 p.m. The race will be broadcast live by NBC during coverage from 2:30 to 7:30. Horse Racing Radio Network will also carry the race live from 5-7:30 p.m.

Here’s the field with jockeys and morning-line odds:

  1. Known Agenda, Irad Ortiz Jr., 6-1;
  2. Like The King, Dayden Van Dyke, 50-1;
  3. Brooklyn Strong, Umberto Rispoli, 50-1;
  4. Keepmeinmind, David Cohen, 50-1;
  5. Sainthood, Corey Lanerie, 50-1;
  6. O Besos, Marcelino Pedroza, 20-1;
  7. Mandaloun, Florent Geroux, 15-1;
  8. Medina Spirit, John Velazquez, 15-1;
  9. Hot Rod Charlie, Flavien Prat, 8-1;
  10. Midnight Bourbon, Mike Smith, 20-1;
  11. Dynamic One, Jose Ortiz, 20-1
  12. Helium, Julien Leparoux, 50-1;
  13. Hidden Stash, Rafael Bejarano, 50-1;
  14. Essential Quality, Luis Saez, 2-1;
  15. Rock Your World, Joel Rosario, 5-1
  16. King Fury, Brian Hernandez Jr., 20-1;
  17. Highly Motivated, Javier Castellano, 10-1;
  18. Super Stock, Ricardo Santana Jr., 30-1;
  19. Soup And Sandwich, Tyler Gaffalione, 30-1;
  20. Bourbonic, Kendrick Carmouche, 30-1.
Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BrooklynStrong-Parx.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/27/brooklyn-strong-draws-post-3-for-derby-147/

Brooklyn Strong posts strong workout, confirmed for Derby

[1]

Brooklyn Strong, Jomar Torres aboard, breezes at Parx, confirming a trip to the Kentucky Derby. Nikki Sherman Photo.

By Paul Halloran

Danny Velazquez was hoping New York-bred champion Brooklyn Strong would let him know that he is ready for a chance to take on the big boys in the Kentucky Derby Saturday. After watching his horse work at Parx Racing Monday morning, Velazquez was convinced.

“He is the horse that won the Remsen,” Velazquez said after Brooklyn Strong went 5 furlongs in 1:00.92 under Jomar Torres. “It was a perfect work.”

Brooklyn Strong, a New York-bred gelding by Wicked Strong, was timed in :35.87 and :49.23 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:15.17. Velazquez said he cooled out well and will leave for Louisville by van at 6 p.m. Monday. Derby horses are required to be at Churchill Downs by 11 a.m. Tuesday, when the post-position draw will be held.

“Looks like we’re going,” said owner Mark Schwartz, who lives in Florida, after getting a report on the workout. “Danny said it was a great work and the horse looks terrific.”

Brooklyn Strong will be ridden in the Derby by Umberto Rispoli, one of the top jockeys in Southern California. Rispoli rode Rock Your World to a convincing win in the Santa Anita Derby, but trainer John Sadler opted to give Joel Rosario the mount in the Kentucky Derby.

Brooklyn Strong earned 10 points for the winning the Remsen at Aqueduct Dec. 5, but after a fifth in the Wood Memorial off a four-month layoff, it appeared as if there was no chance of qualifying for the Derby. As the defections piled up last week, however, Schwartz let Churchill Downs officials know they would run if the horse cracked the top 20.

When Caddo River was withdrawn from consideration Sunday morning, Brooklyn Strong – named for the borough where Schwartz grew up and the gelding’s sire – was in. Not bad for a $5,000 purchase at the 2020 OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training sale who was a two-time RNA as a yearling.

“I had an illusion going into the Wood and I was trying to see something that wasn’t there,” Velazquez said. “Now, with clarity, I see that he is loose and ready. This is as fit as I’ve had him.”

Brooklyn Strong has had one other workout since the Wood, covering 4 furlongs in :49.55  at Parx April 19.

[2]

Brooklyn Strong, Jomar Torres aboard, breezes at Parx, confirming a trip to the Kentucky Derby. Nikki Sherman Photo.

“We watched the replay of the Wood several times and my horse never stopped running and had a big gallop out,” said Velazquez, who thinks the 10 furlongs of the Derby is within his reach.

The plan is for Brooklyn Strong to walk at Churchill Wednesday and train on the track Thursday and Friday. Post time for the 147th Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. Saturday.

Brooklyn Strong, out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Riviera Chic, was bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and her husband, Dr. Michael Gallivan and foaled at their Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward Jan. 20, 2018.

Prudhomme and Gallivan sold Brooklyn Strong as a weanling, but have followed his career with pride and are planning to be there to watch him run under the twin spires Saturday.

After breaking his maiden at Delaware Park, Brooklyn Strong ran third in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes and won the Sleepy Hollow Stakes at Belmont Park for 2-year-old state-breds. He took on open company in the Remsen and got up just before the wire to earn the Derby points and lock up honors as New York-bred champion 2-year-old male.

An illness after that race led to the lengthy layoff. He takes a 5-3-0-1 record into the Derby with $225,000 in earnings.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210426010-Brooklyn-Strong-website.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210426006-Brooklyn-Strong-website.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/26/brooklyn-strong-posts-strong-workout-confirmed-for-derby/

Derby Dream revived: Brooklyn Strong is in

[1]

Brooklyn Strong, out of Kentucky Derby consideration last week, landed a spot for the May 1 classic Sunday after a series of defections. Susie Raisher/NYRA Photo.

By Paul Halloran

Mark Schwartz and Danny Velazquez left Aqueduct April 3 resigned to the fact that their Kentucky Derby dream had ended, after Brooklyn Strong ran fifth in the Wood Memorial. Certainly, the 10 qualifying points he had earned by winning the Remsen Stakes last December would never be enough to earn a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate on the first Saturday in May.

Hold all tickets.

With the announcement by Brad Cox Sunday morning that Caddo River would not run, Brooklyn Strong – last year’s champion New York-bred 2-year-old male – has earned a spot in the starting gate for the biggest race in the world.

Brooklyn Strong will work at Parx Racing Monday morning and, if all goes well, the van for Louisville leaves at 6 p.m. That would get the horse to Churchill Tuesday morning before the 11 a.m. deadline for Derby horses to be on the grounds.

“Maybe this is all meant to be,” said Schwartz, who had notified Churchill officials Saturday morning that he would like his horse placed back in consideration for the Derby. “At one point, we were 44th (in points).”

Schwartz said if they run Umberto Rispoli will ride, after getting confirmation from the jockey’s agent, Scotty McLellan, Sunday morning. Rispoli rode Rock Your World to a convincing win in the Santa Anita Derby, but trainer John Sadler opted to give Joel Rosario the mount in the Derby.

When Peter Miller removed Get Her Number from consideration Saturday morning, Brooklyn Strong moved into 21st place on the list of Derby contenders. The Caddo River defection put him in the field.

“Can this story get any crazier,” said Velazquez, who will make a final decision after Monday’s workout. “It all depends on how he looks tomorrow. But he looks good.”

Team Brooklyn Strong had high hopes entering the Wood, although Velazquez was concerned with the four-month layoff, and that turned out to be warranted. The horse did not have an ideal trip under Manny Franco, stuck on the rail for virtually all of the 9 furlongs, but he also did not fire his best shot.

Brooklyn Strong has worked once since the Wood, covering a half-mile in :49.55 at Parx April 19. Velazquez, who was in Ocala for the OBS April sale that day, said the Derby was still in the back of his mind – but way back.

“It was an illusion at that point,” he said. “But here we are.”

Ironically, despite the prospect of facing 19 horses and running 1 1/4 miles on a track on which he has never stepped foot, Velazquez thinks he may be in a better position than entering the Wood.

“We weren’t training for this, but he is back to his old form,” he said. “The downside is he’s only going to have a few days over the surface.”

Velazquez said the horse would walk at Churchill Wednesday and go to the track Thursday and Friday. His assistant and Brooklyn Strong’s regular exercise rider Maria Remedio-Adorno would ride those days.

“I don’t know how any of this is happening,” Velazquez said. “This is a movie. It’s nuts.”

Brooklyn Strong, by Wicked Strong out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Riviera Chic, was bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and her husband, Dr. Michael Gallivan. He was foaled at their Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward.

Prudhomme and Gallivan sold him to Jeremiah Engelhart as a weanling for $30,000. The horse was a two-time RNA as a yearling – for $42,000 and for $6,000 – before Schwartz got what looks like the deal of the century for $5,000 at the 2020 OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BrooklynStrong-NYTB.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/25/derby-dream-revived-brooklyn-strong-is-in/

Connect colt soars during OBS Spring finale

[1]

Hip 1135, a colt by Connect bred by Hidden Lake Farm LLC and South Elkhorn, became the top-selling New York-bred 2-year-old Friday when Stonestreet Stables went to $685,000 at OBS. Photo provided.

By Tom Law

Stonestreet Stables went to $685,000 to land a New York-bred colt by Connect during Friday’s final session of the OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training in Ocala.

Selling as Hip 1135[2], the colt not only became the top New York-bred sold over the four sessions at the OBS Spring sale but the most expensive New York-bred 2-year-old through the ring so far in 2021. He was also the eighth most expensive horse overall at the OBS Spring sale and the sixth highest-priced colt.

Bred by Hidden Lake Farm LLC and South Elkhorn, the colt is the third foal out of the unraced Rock Hard Ten mare Miss Ten and a half-brother to the winning Oxbow mare Jingle Inmyjeans.

Consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales, agent, the colt breezed a quarter mile in :20.3 during presale workouts. Jonathan Thorne purchased the colt for $100,000 as a weanling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale and he later RNA’d for $70,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Showcase last September.

The third most expensive New York-bred filly of the sale also went through the ring Friday.

Hip 969[3], a daughter of Bernardini out of the winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Katama, sold for $310,000 to Doubledown Stable. Bred by Vineyard Racing LLC and Godolphin and consigned by Gene Recio, agent, the filly breezed an eighth in :10.2.

Vineyard Racing was listed as the buyer of the filly for $70,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Showcase. She’s the third foal out of Katama and a half to the dam’s two winners from two foals to race – the Orb colt Bump and the Flatter colt Katama Bay.

OBS reported sales on 72 of the 91 New York-breds over the four sessions for a total of $5,931,500, an average of $82,381.

Hip 1140[4], a colt from the first crop of New York-based sire Union Jackson, helped that average when he sold for $140,000 to George Weaver, agent, during Friday’s session. Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, Inc., agent, the colt is out of the winning Wildcat Heir mare Mochima

Bred by Larry F. Botting, the colt was sold as a weanling to Fish Bloodstock for $32,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale and then to Autrey Bloodstock for $37,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Showcase. He’s the first foal out of Mochima, who is also the dam of a New York-bred yearling filly by The Lieutenant.

 

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hip1135-OBSApril2021.jpg
  2. Hip 1135: http://obscatalog.com/apr/2021/1135.PDF
  3. Hip 969: http://obscatalog.com/apr/2021/969.PDF
  4. Hip 1140: http://obscatalog.com/apr/2021/1140.PDF

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/24/connect-colt-soars-during-at-obs-spring-finale/

Bank On Shea opens Belmont meet with upset victory

[1]

Bank On Shea takes advantage and wins Affirmed Success to open the Belmont Park spring-summer meeting. Janet Garaguso/NYRA Photo.

By Tom Law

Tyler Servis and Kendrick Carmouche chatted on the phone Friday morning about strategy for the first stakes of Belmont Park’s spring-summer meeting, and more specifically about what to do with Bank On Shea’s inside draw in the $100,000 Affirmed Success Stakes.

“I spoke to Kendrick this morning and I told him we didn’t need the lead,” said Servis, who trains the 4-year-old New York-bred Central Banker colt for Shea D Boys Stable.

Servis might have been correct – and Bank On Shea had won from off the pace in the past, just not from the rail – but it didn’t really matter in the 6-furlong Affirmed Success.

Bank On Shea wound up on the lead, partly because of a little coaxing from Carmouche at the break and mostly because none of the expected early speed materialized. And with that Bank On Shea did all the work on the front and stayed there en route to a 1-length victory Wudda U Think Now. Bank On Shea, the 7-1 fifth choice in the field of six older state-breds, improved to 4-for-6 with his victory in 1:09.85.

“We talked this morning and Tyler said [the inside post] was the best position to be in whether we wanted to be on the lead or sit off of it,” said Carmouche, who rode Bank On Shea to victory in an open allowance March 19 off a 13-month layoff. “We were thinking about sitting coming out of the one with everybody wanting to go, but when the gates opened and (Winners Laugh) didn’t go, it’s up to me to do the correct thing.”

Servis took over the colt’s training last year from his uncle Jason Servis, who had his license suspended in March 2020 while facing federal charges for allegedly using misbranded and illegal drugs on his horses.

Bank On Shea won the Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Stakes and finished third in the Notebook Stakes as a 2-year-old in 2019. He also finished second in the Gander Stakes last February in his lone start at 3.

“He always was a nice horse from the start,” said Tyler Servis, winning his first stakes on the NYRA circuit. “Just to get a horse and for him to overcome a lot of the things that he’s had to overcome really means a lot.”

Bank On Shea led through the first quarter-mile in :22.80 with some pressure from the eventual runner-up before opening up by a length through the half in :46.11. He and Carmouche held that advantage in the lane to earn the $55,000 first-place check. Wudda U Think Now finished 5 ½ lengths clear of 5-2 second choice Big Engine with 8-5 favorite Captain Bombastic a non-threatening fifth and Winners Laugh last of six after tossing his head at the start and hitting the gate at the break.

Stewards took a look at the break but determined Winners Laugh caused his own problems, which left him 12 1/2 lengths back at the quarter and 10 1/2 behind at the half.

Bred by Dr. Scott W. Pierce and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, Bank On Shea is the first foal out of the unraced Uncle Mo mare Miss Moultree. Shea D Boy Stable purchased Bank On Shea for $110,000 at the 2019 OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training after the colt breezed an eighth in :10 during presale workouts.

Miss Moultree sold in foal to Central Banker for $2,200 at the 2017 Keeneland November breeding stock sale to Ellen Caines. She did not produce a foal in 2018 or 2019 but delivered an Oklahoma-bred filly by Home of the Brave last April.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BankOnShea-NYTB.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/23/bank-on-shea-opens-belmont-meet-with-upset-victory/

Overanalyze colt sells for $300,000 at OBS Spring sale

[1]By Melissa Bauer-Herzog

The leading New York-bred sold during Thursday’s third session of the OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training also ended the day as the sale’s top-selling colt bred in the Empire State.

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan purchased Hip 684[2], a colt by Overanalyze who breezed an eighth in :10 during presale workouts, privately for $300,000. The colt, the third most expensive New York-bred sold from the first three sessions, is out of the three-time winning Curlin mare Curlamorous.

Bred by Hidden Point Farm and consigned by Dynasty Thoroughbreds, the colt is a half-brother to two winners out of the mare who is a half sister to multiple stakes winner and $640,906-earner Da Stoops from the family of Grade 2 winner Humorous Lady. The colt sold for 12 times more than he did his last time through the OBS sales ring when JDR Farm bought him from the Dynasty Thoroughbreds consignment at the OBS October yearling sale for $25,000.

The colt is also the first New York-bred and youngest foal for his dam. Curlamorous also raced for Hidden Point Farm in the final two races of a career that saw her finish in the top three in 10 of 15 starts and earn $87,945.

[3]

Hip 853, a Frosted colt and third-generation product of Chester and Mary Broman’s breeding program, sold for $210,000 Thursday at OBS Spring sale. Photo provided.

Makoto Kato purchased the session’s second most expensive New York-bred, Hip 853[4], a Frosted colt named Flurry of Notes, for $210,000. A third generation homebred for Chester and Mary Broman, who sold a homebred out of Grade 1 winner Artemis Agrotera for $335,000 Wednesday, the Frosted colt is a third generation homebred for New York’s seven-time leading breeders.

Consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, agent for the Bromans, the colt breezed an eighth in :10 during presale workouts. He’s out of the winning Medaglia d’Oro mare G Note, whose two foals of racing age are both New York-bred winners. G Note is a half-sister to the multiple stakes winning New York-bred Mineralogist, who is also the dam of the Bromans’ stakes winner Can You Diggit.

Out of Grade 2 winner Seeking The Ante, G Note is also a half-sister to stakes-placed Risk a Chance and a granddaughter to multiple Grade 1 winner Antespeed, who the Bromans bought for $900,000 as a 4-year-old during her final season of racing.

G Note had a New York-bred Bernardini colt last year and foaled a Practical Joke colt in New York April 19.

Through the first three sessions 11 New York-breds have brought six figures, led by a $365,000 Candy Ride filly sold during Wednesday’s session.

OBS reported sales of 50 of the 65 New York-breds through the ring for an average of $73,000 and $40,000 median.

The final session of the sale starts at 10:30 a.m. Friday with hips 913 through 1217 slated to run through the ring.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/April_CC_Jay.gif
  2. Hip 684: http://obscatalog.com/apr/2021/684.PDF
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hip853-OBSSpring2021.jpg
  4. Hip 853: http://obscatalog.com/apr/2021/853.PDF

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/04/22/overanalyze-colt-sells-for-300000-at-obs-spring-sale/

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