The Florida Horse - December 2022

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT George Isaacs

CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Lonny Taylor Powell

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT George Russell

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Francis Vanlangendonck

TREASURER

Joseph M. O’Farrell III

SECRETARY Nick de Meric

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Valerie Dailey

DIRECTORS

Fred Brei, T. Paul Bulmahn, Jerry D. Campbell, Marilyn Campbell, Laurine Fuller-Vargas, Mike Hall, Bobby Jones, Milan Kosanovich, Mary Lightner, Dr. Fred Yutani

PAST PRESIDENTS

Phil Matthews, DVM, Brent Fernung, Greg Wheeler, Don Dizney, John C. Weber, MD

ADMINISTRATIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & ASSISTANT TREASURER

Peggy Yost

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTMEMBER SERVICES & EVENTS

Tammy A. Gantt

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTOPERATIONS

Steve Koch

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & OFFICE MANAGER & ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Elaine K. Ansbacher

REGISTRATIONS & PAYMENTS COORDINATOR

Sheila Budden

STAFF ACCOUNTANTS

Liz Adorno

Kerrie Riber

ADMINISTRATIVE/MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANT

Vicki Davis

801 SW 60th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34474 (352) 629-2160 • Fax: (352) 629-3603 • e-mail: info@ftboa.com • www.ftboa.com Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm & Federal Holidays

Horse Capital of the World® is a registered trademark of The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association

FLORIDA EQUINE COMMUNICATIONS

PRESIDENT/BOARD CHAIR

George Isaacs

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

George Russell

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Francis Vanlangendonck

TREASURER

Joseph M. O’Farrell III

SECRETARY Nick de Meric

CEO & PUBLISHER

Lonny Taylor Powell

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Peggy Yost

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brock Sheridan

ASSISTANT EDITOROPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

Steve Koch

CONTRIBUTING EDITORINDUSTRY & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Tammy A. Gantt

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Antoinette Griseta

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Nancy Moffatt

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Cynthia M. Harper GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mari Black

Florida’s Breeders’ Cup Legacy

The anticipation of Florida-breds adding another Breeders’ Cup victory this year to their already impressive tally of 30 during the 39-year-history of the World Thoroughbred Championships were dashed with unfortunate racing circumstances. A slow start by Golden Pal in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1) and Elite Power’s late run to catch eventual runner-up C Z Rocket in the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) were frustrations suffered by the last two Champion Florida-bred Sprinters.

Nevertheless, Sunshine State breeders have plenty of Breeders’ Cup achievements of which to be proud.

Seven Florida-breds started in this year’s Breeders’ Cup, accumulating two-day earnings of $420,000, led by C Z Rocket’s $340,000 paycheck in the Sprint.

Since the Breeders’ Cup first ran in 1984, Florida-breds have banked $46,153,538 with Mucho Macho Man topping the list with $3,650,000 from his victory in the 2013 Classic (G1) and as runner-up in the 2012 Classic. Skip Away sits second on this auspicious list with $2,288,000 from his victory in the 1997 Classic and a sixth-place finish in the 1998 Classic.

That brings the total number of Florida-bred starters throughout the history of the Breeders’ Cup to 387 trailing only Kentucky (2,653) and Ireland (417). Florida-breds sit proudly ahead of Great Britain, whose 10 starters this year brought their total to 264, California (one starter this year) with 134, Canada (three starters this year) with 127, New York (four starters this year) with 93 and Pennsylvania (two starters this year) with 47.

Florida breeders also sit high on the all-time list of Breeders’ Cup victories. Kentucky’s seven wins and Ireland’s six, nearly swept the event this year, bringing their totals to 240 and 46 respectively. Florida sits just behind this mark at 30, but ahead of all others.

Great Britain owns 24, Maryland holds seven and Pennsylvania’s win in the Turf Sprint (G1) with Caravel brings them even with California, Canada and Argentina have six each.

Individually, with his tenth-place finish in the Turf Sprint (G1), Golden Pal missed joining Goldikova (Ire) and Beholder as the only horses with three career Breeders’ Cup victories,

having won the 2020 Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) and last year’s Turf Sprint (G1). However, Golden Pal continues to hold the title as the only Florida-bred with more than one Breeders’ Cup win.

Ontario-bred Channel Maker, who finished seventh in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) this year, now sits alone with six appearances in the Breeders’ Cup. That leaves Floridabred Firenze Fire, Better Talk Now (Ky), California Flag (Ca), Kona Gold (Ky), Obviously (Ire) and Perfect Drift (Ky) as the only horses with five starts in the lucrative series. Floridabreds Precisionist and Pure Sensation join Affirmed Success (Ky), Awesome Gem (Ky), El Senor (Ky), Eldaafer (Ky), Gio Ponti (Ky), Goldikova (Ire), Hollywood Story (Ky), Pleasant Tap (Va), Red Rocks (Ire), Riskaverse (Ky), Twilight Eclipse (Ky) and Whitmore (Ky) as horses with four Breeders’ Cup starts.

Ocala Stud, who bred this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)-contender Willy Boi in partnership with William J. Terrell, moves into third-place among Florida breeders (alone or in partnership) with 12 Florida-bred Breeders’ Cup starters. Arthur I. Appleton leads that category at 15, followed by Live Oak Stud with 13.

Proving that Breeders’ Cup wins are elusive, Ocala Stud and Live Oak Stud are the only breeders among the top five Florida producers with a victory. Ocala Stud bred 2011 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)-winner Musical Romance, who is featured on page 24 in this issue, while Live Oak Stud bred 2017 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1)winner World Approval.

Florida-bred Atomically, seventh in the NetJets Juvenile Fillies (G1) this year behind winner Wonder Wheel, extended Todd Pletcher’s lead in the category of trainers who have had the most Florida-bred starters. Pletcher has trained 14, with D. Wayne Lukas and Ocala’s Mark Casse following in second at 10 each.

With another Breeders’ Cup recently in the books, Florida breeders have added to their Thoroughbred World Championships legacy. The records separate the Sunshine State from all regions outside Kentucky and Ireland, defining Florida among the elite Thoroughbred industries and confirming the Ocala/Marion County moniker as the Horse Captital of the World® . TFH

Florida Focus

Grade 1 Winner Gretzky the Great to Stand at Ocala Stud

Gretzky the Great, a Grade 1 winner as a 2-year-old and a son of champion and Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1)-winner Nyquist, has been retired and will stand the upcom ing breeding season at Ocala Stud.

at six furlongs. Following his maiden-breaking win and prior to his triumph in the Summer Stakes, Gretzky the Great annexed the 2020 Soaring Free Stakes, also at Woodbine, at six-and-a-half furlongs on the turf. At season’s end, Gretzky the Great contested that year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) where he encoun tered a rough trip and finished sixth in a field of 14 runners.

The following season at three, Gretzky the Great flashed his customary early foot to win the $150,000 Greenwood Stakes at Woodbine. After pressing the pace throughout, he drove to the lead and determinedly fought to the wire to prevail, notching his third stakes victory. All told, Gretzky the Great, who also finished third in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park at three, retired having won four of 11 starts, banking $379,866.

By leading sire Nyquist, a three-time Grade 1 winner at two in 2015 and that season’s Champion 2-Year-Old Male after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Gretzky the Great is produced from the stakes-placed Bernardini mare Pearl Turn, and hails from the family of graded stakes winners Saint Anddan, Love The way Youare, and Luftikus. He was a $295,000 acquisition at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale in 2019. n

Ocala Stud Announces 2023 Stallion Roster and Fees

Campaigned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber and trained by Mark Casse, Gretzky the Great joined the ranks of Grade 1 winners as a juvenile.

Making an auspicious graded stakes de but, Gretzky the Great recorded a scintillat ing score in Woodbine’s $300,000 Summer Stakes (G1) at one mile on the turf, defeat ing a contentious field by three-and-a-quar ter lengths. After stalking the pace through out, Gretzky the Great entered the lane in the two-path and powered clear late to score under a hand ride in 1:34.53.

Following in the footsteps of his sire, Gretzky the Great demonstrated his precoc ity from the beginning. He exercised his su periority over a maiden special weight field at Woodbine in just his second career start, running his foes off their feet with a fourand-a-quarter length front-running romp

Ocala stud has set 2023 stud fees for its roster of 10 stallions for the upcoming breeding season, led by Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1)-winner Roadster who will stand his initial season at stud for $7,500 S&N. Also new to the roster for 2023 is Grade 1-winner Gretzky the Great, who will stand for $3,000 S&N.

Roadster, a near-millionaire son of perennial leading sire Qual ity Road, was an impressive winner of the $1 million Santa Ani ta Derby in 2019. In a determined effort, he defeated stablemate Game Winner—the previous year’s Eclipse Award-winning 2-yearold male champion—with a sustained stretch rally after circling rivals three-wide on the far turn.

In addition to his Santa Anita Derby victory, Roadster finished second in the Malibu Stakes (G1) to Omaha Beach, second in the San Carlos Stakes (G2) and was runner-up to Grade 1-winner Mucho Gusto in the Affirmed Stakes (G3). Roadster is produced from the stakes-winning and stakes-producing Silver Ghost mare Ghost Dancing and is a half-brother to Grade 1-winner and Keene land track-record setter Ascend. Roadster was sold by his breed er—Arthur Hancock III’s Stone Farm—at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $525,000.

Awesome Slew, Florida’s top-ranked first crop sire, will once again stand for $4,000 S&N. Awesome Slew’s first 2-year-olds came out running this year and are topped by undefeated Flori da-bred Awesome Strong, who became just the tenth horse in his tory to sweep the colts and geldings division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series, winning the $400,000 In Reality, the $200,000 Affirmed, and the $100,000 Dr. Fager. He was a $500,000 pur chase by CSLR Racing Partners at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale earlier this year. He has earned $458,000.

In addition to their success on the racetrack, the progeny of Awesome Slew have also proven popular in the auction ring. He has been represented by first 2-year-olds up to $400,000, $220,000, etc., and second-crop yearlings of up to $150,000 this year.

Seeking the Soul, a Charles Fipke homebred, will stand for $5,000 S&N. He welcomed first foals in 2022 and will be repre sented by first yearlings in 2023. Seeking the Soul enjoyed an illustrious racing career, winning the 2017 Clark Handicap (G1), the 2018 Ack Ack Stakes (G3), and the 2019 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2). All told, he won or placed in eight graded stakes, including runner-up finishes in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), banking more than $3.4 million.

Win Win Win, like Seeking the Soul, saw his first foals hit the ground in 2022 and will stand the upcoming breeding season for $5,000 S&N. Win Win Win captured the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in 2020, defeating four Grade 1 winners and set a new track record as a 3-year-old, winning the seven-furlong Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in 1:20.89, running a 2 on the Rago zin Sheets. He hails from a deep Live Oak family and is a descen dant of the influential Halo sire line. He stands as the property

Florida Focus

Thoroughbred Walk of Fame Planned for Horse Capital of the World®

The City of Ocala, the Ocala Metro Chamber of Com merce and the Marion County Visitor’s Bureau have partnered with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to create a Thoroughbred Walk of Fame as part of the downtown experience in Ocala, Fla.

The goal of the installation is to showcase to visitors and residents alike the $2.6 billion impact the Thor oughbred industry, and the greater equine industry as a whole, create in Marion County. Equines are a signifi cant and growing reason visitors and new residents are flocking to Central Florida.

FTBOA formed a Walk committee, chaired by FTBOA president George Isaacs, to set criteria in cluding that they are a Florida-bred inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame. The second tier of champions includes national champ-ion Flori da-breds and Florida Horses of the Year.

Project funding comes from the county tourism bed tax fund and donations of industry members. The cost of each plaque is $3,600 which includes installation and upkeep for more than 20 years. Once each plaque is in stalled, it is connected to an app that visitors can down load on their phone to learn how each horse became a champion.

Potential donors are encouraged to call 352-629-2160 or email tgantt@ftboa.com for more information. n

of a partnership between Live Oak Stud, Airdrie Stud, and Ocala Stud. Stud fees for Adios Charlie, Jess’s Dream, and Noble Bird will be $3,000 S&N, and Dak Attack and Battalion Runner will stand for $2,500 S&N. For more information, contact David or Joe O’Farrell at (352) 237-2171 or visit OcalaStud.com. n

Turbo Wins First Stakes in Juvenile Sprint Arindel

Homebred Earns $15,000 FSS Win Bonus

Turbo spent most of the summer chasing Awesome Strong in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes but returned in the one-turn Juvenile Sprint to win his first career stakes at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 29. The Arin del homebred took the $36,828 winner’s share of the $60,000 Juvenile Sprint plus a $15,000 supplement offered by the Florida Thorough bred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association as the Florida Sire Stakeseligible winner of the seven-furlong Juvenile Sprint against five other Florida-bred 2-year-olds.

Ridden from post five by Edgard Zayas in the Juvenile Sprint for trainer Juan Alvarado, Turbo raced just off the hip of early leader No Name Dude down the backstretch as those two finished the first quarter-mile in :23.11 on the fast track. Turbo and No Name Dude led Dangerous Ride by a length-and-a-half past the half-mile pole as Turbo began wear down No Name Dude around the turn and took a clear lead turning for home after a half-mile in :45.77.

Turbo continued to increase his advantage down the stretch and raced under the wire four-and-a-half lengths in front of Dangerous Ride in second as Souper Blessing rallied to get third after a slow start. Big Save was fourth followed by No Name Dude and Bold Majestic.

Turbo paid $3 to win as the 1-2 favorite and stopped the clock in 1:24.61 for seven furlongs.

“Edgar did perfect and got him to the outside, and he held on,” Arindel’s Brian Cohen said. “We were saying before, [that he had already run] three races and we really didn’t want to run him again so quick after the last race. But this was really the last Flor ida-bred opportunity and he was doing well, so we tried it. It gives him a little bit of time before his next race at the Championship Meet.”

A veteran of all three legs of the male divisions of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes over the summer at Gulfstream, Turbo was second to Awesome Strong in both the $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs on Aug. 6 and in the $200,000 Affirmed over seven fur longs on Sept. 3. Turbo had a difficult trip when jostled around in the first turn of the $400,000 In Reality, also won by Awesome Strong, at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on Oct. 1, and he finished out of the money for the first and only time in his career.

“I think he had run a whole bunch of good races in the Sire Stakes,” Cohen said. “Maybe he didn’t want to go so far the last time. It’s a lucrative series and we thought he would stretch out the way he ran seven furlongs before, but I think he’s maybe a one-turn horse. It’s nice not having to run against Awesome Strong. [Trainer] Jorge [Delgado] has done a great job with him. If he’s not there, maybe in other years [Turbo] is up there winning a couple.”

The son of Arindel stallion Brethren out of Horah for Bailey, by Doneraile Court came back strong in the Juvenile Sprint to win his second career race in four starts. Before the Florida Sire Stakes, Turbo broke his maiden by two-and-a-half lengths over five-anda-half furlongs in an open maiden special weight at Gulfstream in June. He now has earnings of $154,828 from his five races.

Dorth Vader Forces Her Way to Victory in the Juvenile Fillies Sprint

Also Earns $15,000 FSS

Win Bonus

John Ropes’ Dorth Vader gave jockey Marcos Meneses his third victory of the day as the daughter of Girvin drew off in the stretch to win the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 29. Trained by Michael Yates, Dorth Vader also took down the $15,000 supplement presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association as a Florida Sire Stakes-eligi ble winner against five other 2-year-old Florida-bred fillies going seven furlongs.

Breaking from the outside post six, Dorth Vader raced just off of early leader and 2-1 favorite Hoax, who was a half-length in

Florida Focus continues on page 14

Florida-breds Make Florida Racing

From coast to coast, Florida’s tax-friendly, pro-business environment is poised n No tax on stallion seasons n No personal state income tax n No individual capital gains tax n Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms n Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner Emily Hetherington • (850) 617-7291 (Office) Emily.Hetherington@FDACS.gov www.FDACS.gov

and ready to attract new companies and create new employment opportunities. n Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt n Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder n National leader in veterinary and equine research n Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Lonny T. Powell, CEO

Tammy A. Gantt, Associate Vice President / Membership Services & Events 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 • 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

Florida Focus

front of Alternate Rock between horses, completing the first two furlongs in :23.07. As they moved into the far turn, Alternate Rock could not keep up while Dorth Vader ranged up on the outside to join Hoax on the lead and Charlie’s Wish made a three-wide run at the leaders.

As they finished the half-mile in :46.48 past the three-eighths marker, Dorth Vader and Charlie’s Wish were noses apart and pulling away from Hoax in third, taking their fight into the run for home. Charlie’s Wish stuck a head in front at the top of the stretch but Dorth Vader fought back on the rail before pulling away to a clear lead inside the final sixteenth of a mile.

Dorth Vader finished four lengths faster than Charlie’s Wish in second while completing the seven furlongs in 1:24.83 on the fast track. Esoteric was four lengths farther back in third with Alternate Rock, Hoax and Extra Indy completing the order of finish.

Dorth Vader was let go at 5-2 and paid $7 to win.

She earned $36,828 for the victory plus the $15,000 FTBOA win supplement to increase her career bankroll to $125,228 from

OBITUARY

Luis de Hechavarria

Luis “Luisito” “Louie” de Hechavarria, 95, of Ocala passed away peacefully, sur rounded with his family, on Thursday evening, Sept. 22.

Luis was born and raised in Santiago, Cuba to Luis and Emma de Hechavarria. He be gan his early career as a cattle rancher in Cuba until the Cu ban revolution, when his farm was confiscated. Luis left Cuba with his family and began working in Mexico. After several moves, Luis’ homes became Jacksonville and Ocala. Luis en joyed breeding horses, hunting, golfing, and wood working and was an active member of Queen of Peace Church of Ocala.

Survivors include his children Annie and husband Hans Scott of Ocala, Luis “Wicho” and wife Georgette de Hecha varria of Jacksonville, Susan and husband James Whelan of Hyannis Port Mass., Paul and wife Courtney de Hechavarria of Ocala and eight grandchildren; Jimmy, Chris, Niki, Ashley, Gigi, James, Ella, and Claire.

Catholic funeral services were held privately, with intern ment at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala. n

two wins and a third in four starts.

Dorth Vader won her second career start, defeating a field of Florida-bred maiden special weight fillies going five-and-a-half furlongs on Aug. 21 before finishing third behind Atomically in the $400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl at a mileand-a-sixteenth on Oct. 1.

Bred in Florida by her owner, Dorth Vader is out of the Hard core Candy, by Yonaguska, who was second in the 2008 Freedom of the City Stakes at Northlands Park. Hardcore Candy has five winners from six starters and eight foals that include Theforcebe withyou, a yearling filly; and a weanling filly, both by Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie.

Orange Theory is Longshot Winner of Lynn Chouinard Founders Distaff

Shelly Brown’s Orange Theory used a victory in a non-winners of three, $17,000 optional claiming on Oct. 8 at Century Mile to propel her to victory in the US$36,380 Lynn Chouinard Founders Distaff over the same track Oct. 29 at odds of 11-1. The 4-year-old Florida-bred daughter of First Dude won her first career stakes against six other fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and older at eightand-a-half furlongs.

Ridden by Renaldo Cumberbatch for trainer Rodney Cone, Orange Theory and 7-2 second choice Solarity stalked early leader We Be Three through quarter-mile fractions of :23.42, :46.78 be fore 6-5 favorite Dance Shoes joined them around the far turn in a joint second. Turning for home, Dance Shoes and Orange Theory were challenged on the lead by a late running Plum Blue with Dance Shoes getting a short lead from between horses inside the

final furlong. Orange Theory fought back on the inside to eventu ally get a three-quarters of a length lead under the wire and finish in 1:50.67 on the fast track.

Plum Blue finished second, a length faster than Dance Shoes in the show spot with Mangotango, Solarity Tone It Up and We B Three completing the order of finish.

Orange Theory paid $25.40 to win.

Orange Theory is out of Chippi, by Trippi and was bred by Wil liam P. Sorren. Orange Theory is a half-sister to Silver Diva, by Cir cular Quay, who won the 2016 Our Dear Peggy at Gulfstream Park.

Prior to winning the aforementioned optional claiming race on Oct. 8, Orange Theory finished fifth in the US$36,789 R.K. Red Smith Handicap won by Dance Shoes at eight-and-a-half furlongs at Century Mile on Sept. 24.

Orange Theory has now won six of 27 starts with three seconds and six thirds with earnings of $83,547.

C Z Rocket to Rest then Return for 9-Year-Old Season after Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Altamira Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, Gary Barber and Tom Kagele’s Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up C Z Rocket will return to the track next year according to trainer Peter Miller.

The soon-to-be 9-year-old Florida-bred gelding will be given a rest and pointed to Oaklawn Park’s sprint series next spring and possibly the Grade 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Race Course in the United Arab Emirates.

The son of City Zip was also second in the 2020 edition of the Sprint at Keeneland and seventh in 2021 at Del Mar. With his $340,000 second-place check in the Sprint, C Z Rocket improved his career earnings to $1,952,641 and moved

OBITUARY

Bucky Jolin

Midlantic trainer Louis F. “Bucky” Jolin passed Oct. 12 in Ocala where he resided since selling his New Egypt, N.J. farm in 2001. He was 97-years-old.

Born in Rhode Island, he had been in Ocala since 2001, continuing in the industry break ing yearlings and taking lay ups on his farm in Reddick, Fla.

A World War II veteran of the Navy, he was part of the rescue of the Hindenburg at Lake

to forty-second on the all-time list of leading Florida-bred money earners behind Ladies Din with $1,966,754 and ahead of Rocky Appeal with $1,942,217.

Bred in Florida by Farm III Enterprises, C Z Rocket was con signed as a 2-year-old to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales April Sale by John Stephens’ Stephens Thoroughbreds. This was his third ap pearance in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and his second runner-up finish. He ran second to Whitmore at Keeneland in the Sprint in 2020 and was seventh after a slow start in the 2021 Sprint won by Aloha West. n

hurst, N.J., having worked on dirigibles.

His best horses were graded stakes-winners Southern Sign for Steve Atkins and Muffies Muffin for George Rosenberger. He also bred Network Effect who was a stakes winner cam paigned by Chad Brown. Additionally Jolin op erated Bucky’s Turf Supply on the New Jersey circuit.

Interestingly he raced a horse and won in Cuba before the Castro regime in 1967. n

Florida Focus

Florida-breds Bank $420,000 in Breeders’ Cup Earnings

Led by C Z Rocket’s $340,000 earned while finishing second to Elite Power in the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), the seven Florida-bred Breeders’ Cup runners banked $420,000 in total earnings during the two day Thoroughbred World Championship at Keeneland on Nov. 4-5.

Willy Boi (tenth in the Sprint) and Atomically (tenth in the Ju venile Fillies) earned $20,000 each while Simplification (seventh in Dirt Mile), Speed Boat Beach (ninth in Juvenile Turf Sprint), Golden Pal (tenth in Turf Sprint) and Delight (tenth in Juvenile Fillies Turf) each earned $10,000.

In the 39-year history of the Breeders’ Cup 385 Florida-breds have earned $46,153,538 led by Mucho Macho Man with $3,650,000 in Breeders’ Cup earnings from a win and a second in three starts. He is followed by Skip Away ($2,288,000, 2-1-0-0), Little Mike ($1,620,000, 2-1-0-0), Unbridled ($1,350,000, 2-1-0-1) and Ginger Punch ($1,220,400, 2-1-0-0). n

Breeders’ Cup, Marion County, Florida Connections (Among Top 3 Finishers)

n Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)-winner Flightline received his early training at April Mayberry’s Mayberry Farm in Ocala, Fla.

n Breeders’ Cup Classic second-place finisher Olympiad is a graduate of Barry Eisaman’s Eisaman Equine located in Williston, Fla.

n Breeders’ Cup Classic third-place finisher Taiba was purchased as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton October and sold at Fasig-Tipton Florida March by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds of Ocala, Fla.

n Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) third-place finisher War Like Goddess is a graduate of Kinsman Farm located in Ocala, Fla. She was consigned to the OBS June Sale by Hemingway Racing and Training in Ocala, Fla.

n Breeders’ Cup Distaff second-place finisher Blue Stripe (Arg) is a graduate of Eisaman Equine.

n Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) third-place finisher

Clairiere received her early training at Stonestreet Training and Rehabilitation located in Summerfield, Fla.

n FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) second-place finisher Shirl’s Speight received her early training at McKathan Brothers in Citra, Fla.

n Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) thirdplace finisher Lady Speightspeare received her early training at McKathan Brothers in Citra, FLa.

n Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)-winner Goodnight Olive was consigned to the 2019 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield. She is also a graduate of Paul Sharp Stables Training in Ocala, Fla.

n Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1)-winner Cody’s Wish received her early training at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla.

n Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) second-place finisher Cyberknife is a graduate of Susan Montanye’s SBM Training and Sales in Ocala, Fla.

n Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up C Z Rocket is a graduate of John Stephens’ Stephens Thoroughbreds located in Ocala, Fla., who consigned him to the 2016 OBS June Sale. C Z Rocket was bred in Florida by Farm III Enterprises LLC.

n FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)-winner Forte received his early training at Ocala Stud in Ocala, Fla.

n NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)-winner Wonder Wheel is trained by Ocala resident Mark Casse.

n Pleasant Passage, who was second to Meditate (Ire) in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), is a graduate of Niall Brennan Stables in Ocala, Fla.

n Cairo Consort, who was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, received early training from Robert and Trish Meshell’s Big Easy Racing, Sales and Exporting located Dunnellon, Fla.

n Nagirroc, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) received his early training from John Stephens’ Stephens Thorough breds in Ocala, Fla. n

Retired Thoroughbred Expo

Planned in December

Run for the Ribbons, Inc. is hosting the sixth annual Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo Dec. 9-11 at the 500-acre Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park near Ocala, Fla.

The Thoroughbreds’ disciplines include hunter, jumper, work ing ranch/trail riding, dressage, and freestyle.

“Run for the Ribbons has been growing year after year with our competitors returning and our success is clear based on our numbers,” Run for the Ribbons founder Laurine Fuller-Vargas said. “In the past six years, we have grown from a mere 30 entries

in 2017 to more than 120 last year with $28,000 in prize money.”

Fuller-Vargas who is also on the board of the Florida Thor oughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, founded Run for the Ribbons to increase the awareness of Thoroughbreds in oth er horse sports after racing. The third-generation horsewoman’s goal of hosting shows throughout the year and hosting the expo is a dream come true.

“We have longtime partners and sponsors who continue to be a part of our efforts to promote Thoroughbred aftercare and raise the demand for Thoroughbreds,” Fuller-Vargas added. “We believe new sponsors will join in on our efforts this year too.”

To sponsor or participate, call 774-328-1760 or email runfor-theribbons@gmail.com n

OBITUARY

Remi Gunn

Remi Gunn, 62, passed on Oct. 1 due to complications from her racing accident on Aug. 6, 2003, that left her a para plegic. Four children survive her: Bethany Taylor 35, Vinton, Louisiana; Stori Douglas 30, Ocala, Florida; Peyton Gunn 29 Orange Lake, Florida; Greadon Spicer 26, Ocala, Florida; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial donations may go to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, as they helped Remi tremendously over the last 20 years. TFH

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 taxbreaks for Florida horse farms

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

FLORIDA

AGRICULTURE

A

with FTBOA CEO

Lonny Powell &

TFH - In the pages that follow we will be hearing from the “all-business” side of you in terms of the Florida Thoroughbred industry via select remarks of note from your CEO State of the Association and industry report during FTBOA’s Annual Meeting. So for the purposes of this lead-in to those remarks, let’s talk a bit about and remind some about your background and journey in the horse business starting with how long you have been involved and how you got involved?

LP - I have been in volved and had my and my family’s daily needs pro vided by horses (primarily Thoroughbreds but Quar ter Horses, Appaloosas and Hunter-Jumpers too) all 62 years of my life. I guess it makes it obvious I did not get to vote on it. It was kind of just the way it was. My dad was a jockey and my mom a jockey’s wife. He primarily rode in California at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and then we and our camper trailer went on to the racing and beaches of Del Mar. He then retired into Jockey’s Guild management continuing our semi-nomadic racing life that saw me doing kindergarten and first grade in Hialeah, grade school in the Los Angeles area followed by junior high and high school in Idaho. During this entire time, we also either owned, or had access to or stabled a never-ending variety of pleasure horses

and ponies of numerous breeds for our family use and enjoyment. This said, I did not think of myself as making a career in horses. As the designated ‘fourth generation last family hope,’ I much more wanted to be a veterinarian, then lawyer and ultimately poli tician at the time. My early days at Les Bois Park in Boise cleaning toilets, stalls, hauling garbage and mowing lawns sure did noth ing to change my mind during most of high school.

TFH - So what changed?

LP - Clearly two things (possibly three things if you believe genetics or the in ner-most family fabric plays a part).

First, my senior year in high school I asked to step up and try out basically to get off the ground and in the starting gate with the horses—in my mind the ul timate rush short of being a jockey. Then, I got the fun of doubling as a jockey valet and saddle the horses and weigh and assist the jockeys. I knew then that no matter my college degree, I wanted to use it to become some type of official in horse racing.

Second, finding out about, attending and graduating from the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program provided me with that bridge to what has a turned out to be a pretty amazing, diverse, wildly exciting and consistently successful and reward

ing career culminating in the incredible position I enjoy today as the FTBOA CEO with such an incredible brand and team of staff, managers, advisers, directors and supporters behind me and our highly respected Association. I’ve enjoyed fantastic support and friendship from our volunteer presidents/board chairs including recently retired president Valerie Dailey, who did such an amaz ing job for us. I also have every confidence that new president and long-time FTBOA director and officer George Isaacs of John Malone’s Bridlewood Farm will also contribute greatly as our board leader. We are really blessed by the quality and expertise.

I guess from there and everything in between is his tory. I’ve absolutely had one of the most unique and amazing runs (with no plans to stop and much more to do and accom plish) of any living or deceased individual in the horse and/or Thoroughbred and pari-mutuel industry in that, in addition to my myriad of current respon sibilities and experience in my FTBOA role:

I have years of operating ex perience as a track president, CEO or COO operating several major market tracks including Santa Anita in Southern Califor nia.

Corporately oversaw the acquisition, onboarding and trans formation of multiple racing properties across the country with respective property presidents reporting directly to me.

I worked as a University program administrator and faculty member.

I served and was extremely honored to serve as a member of a governor’s cabinet

I served as a state regulator, agency head, administrative law judge and international regulatory spokesman and policy member.

I was recruited to serve as an officer and top executive of the nation’s largest internet gaming company at the time.

I have been recruited to serve on a number of horse industry, business or community boards including currently/recently of most note:

• Current vice chair/past chair of state-appointed Florida Horse Park and Agricultural Authority (all breeds and disciplines)

• State-appointed/sole equine representative of the Florida An imal Industry Technical Council, (all breeds and disciplines)

• American Horse Council Racing Committee

• Chairman, Florida Society of Association Executives

• Director, Ocala Metro Chamber of Commerce

TFH – We can’t close this conversation without mentioning the incredible summer you have had this year, highlighted by the two, for no better words, life-time achievement and service awards. I know you were very surprised to receive both awards, starting with the Van Ness Award, presented to you in Wash ington D.C. by the American Horse Council, which represents all breeds nationally. Then, shortly after that, you received the second award which recognized you as this year’s Florida Exec utive of the Year as recognized the Florida Society of Association Executives. How does that feel and how do you process it?

LP – I am so honored and appreciative to have been named as the Executive of the Year by the FSAE in Tampa. Words cannot come close to expressing how meaningful it is to have my FTBOA career achievements, state-wide ser vice and leadership recognized by such a highly respected and acclaimed organization repre senting non-profits, member and trade associations and hospitality interests from Tal lahassee to Miami. The peo ple, programs and events that make up all aspects of FSAE are just amazing.

Even more mind-blowing—in a really good way, of course—and mega surreal is that the FSAE Executive of the Year Award comes a month after being honored on a national industry stage in Wash ington D.C. by the American Horse Council with their Van Ness Award for the positive impacts that I and my hard-working teams comprised of staff, advisors, directors, members, volunteers and supporters have had on the overall horse industries in Florida, California, Kentucky, Arizona and Washington.

I simply accept these awards on behalf of them all.

It’s not exactly like scooping up top honors and awards is part of my daily routine - LOL. It’s so humbling and brings about so much introspection, reflection, memories and many smiles. Spe cial thanks to team FTBOA for making it a pleasure to lead and continue to lead while working at their side.

It’s amazing to be recognized at the highest levels in the big gest ways for what you do and what you have done. All I know is, we have much more work to get done for many years to come and we will continue to lead by effort and example.

Life can sure present some crazy-good surprises. I will never forget or take for granted all of the wonderful accolades and hon ors extended to me this summer. Thank you to each and every person who put me on your shoulders to get me there. TFH

CEO Update

Annual Meeting of the FTBOA Membership

n Oct. 21, 2022

It is an October tradition of the 74-year-old Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, that I, as your CEO, provide you—our valued, hard-working, and heavily invested members— with our views on the state of your Association and the Florida Thoroughbred industry. We are here today in person after two years of meeting virtually due to the pandemic.

Before I discuss the state of the Associa tion, I think it may be prudent to first remind you of the FTBOA’s core mission.

By statute, we have the responsibility to administer the funds set aside for Florida breeder and stallion awards and for purse and purse supplements for Florida-bred racing. In the latter category, these dollars continue to be the sole source of funding for the second straight year for Florida Sire Stakes purses and for Florida-Bred Incentive Fund purse supplements at Gulfst ream, which were previously partially matched by the track and horsemen.

The Association is also generally responsible for promoting the Florida Thoroughbred industry within and beyond our state boundaries.

I’d like to summarize some of the things the FTBOA and its subsidiary, Florida Equine Communications (FEC), do in order to carry out the two statutory responsibilities.

First, we serve the promotional, economic, regulatory, govern mental, industry and community interests of our member Florida breeders, their horses and their farms. We also try to support, lead or collaborate on efforts, when possible, to improve the situa tion for Thoroughbred owners in Florida, in particular, and train ers and tracks statewide.

I am confident you will not find another state or provincial breed association in North America with these wide-ranging in dustry responsibilities, which are enhanced by our ownership

and operation of a media company (FEC) and by our other endeavors, like our work with Florida Thoroughbred Charities. As a board of directors and management team, we relish the significant scope and breadth of this mis sion.

And I’m proud to say that we do really well in fulfilling these responsibilities -- often with “best in class” impact.

Accordingly, while we always strive to im prove every facet of our organization, I am happy to advise that the economic, operation al and governance pillars of your Association remain strong.

Our team of Ocala-based managers and Tallahassee-based advisors continue to oper ate at the highest level, supported by our amazing FTBOA and FEC staff here in our acclaimed and mortgage-free Ocala head quarters and governed by our outstanding and consistently dedi cated board of directors and officers.

On the breeding front, the national Thoroughbred foal crop continues its years-long consolidation, with the most recent sta tistics from The Jockey Club showing continued annual declines at the national level and in the overwhelming majority of states (including Florida).

Though Florida outperforms a vast majority of North American breeding jurisdictions, we neither see nor expect a return in nation al or state foal crops to the levels of years past. The fact is that there are simply fewer Thoroughbred tracks at which to race our hors es and there are higher and higher expectation in terms of horse soundness and quality both at the tracks and in the sales ring.

That said, Florida is consistently the second or third largest producer of foals in North America, with Kentucky obviously in a dominant position.

Fortunately for Florida, our high caliber horses have enjoyed consistent racing success not only at Gulfstream Park and Tampa

Bay Downs but at tracks throughout the United States and glob ally. Florida Thoroughbreds have long competed everywhere and at all levels, from graded stakes to the classics to overnight races.

Florida-breds don’t dodge open company or hold out for re stricted races, but they do like to win (and take purse money!), as evidenced by our Florida-breds in 2022 capturing 74 stakes races worldwide, 17 of which were graded stakes. Some recent key statistics highlight the strength of our Florida-breds and our racing programs:

At Gulfstream Park (year to date), registered Florida-breds win 40% of races, and 72% of those Florida-bred winners are by Florida stallions.

At Tampa Bay Downs (year to date), registered Florida-breds won 37% of races, and 77% of those are sired by Florida stallions.

In all of Florida (all year), four out of every 10 starters are Florida-breds, earning $4 out of every $10 in purses. And there were eight Florida-bred competitors in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup.

Florida-breds by percentage of foal crop win more graded stakes than horses from any other state.

Let there be no mistake, Florida-breds are critical to field siz es, race dates, and wagering (including ADW) on a year-round basis at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Our nationally acclaimed Florida Sires Stakes continues to grow in popularity, producing big purses, race numbers, field sizes, and wagering.

We are glad to contribute to our two Florida tracks at such an unusually high-level for a state-bred program, as we appre ciate the need for increased purses and wagering in addition to the importance of our foundational breeder awards. In the Thor oughbred business, the three primary industry stakeholders (the tracks, horsemen, breeders), now more than ever must work together for the good of all.

With Gulfstream, we continue to face some challenges, in cluding delays in finalizing our 2023 Florida-bred racing pro gram at Gulfstream, which is now funded entirely with awards funds by this Association, as well as new uncertainty on future awards funding from ADW, all of which is disruptive to the Thor oughbred economic pipeline.

To complicate things, just in the almost 11 years I have been with the FTBOA, there have been six different people in charge of Gulfstream, four FHBPA/FTHA presidents and five executive directors, plus three or four top state regulators. By contrast, Tampa Bay Downs’ Peter Berube, OBS’s Tom Ventura, and I are basically the only Florida industry leaders in place for at least 10 years. This kind of experience, history, perspective, and

continuity really does matter.

As of the date of our FTBOA Annual Meeting (Oct. 21, 2022), I am cautiously optimistic that our long delayed talks with Gulf stream on the 2023 Florida-bred racing program have finally commenced as their new executive team begins to coalesce. We do very much hope that the newly ordained track leadership will make a difference in racing decisions like these and in collabo rating with us on how to grow and improve the industry and its economics.

We will keep you posted on the progress of these efforts via print, digital media, and/or video podcast between now and January. The request for a “call to action” to our members and supporters always remains a possibility at that time. Please stay tuned.

As far as the future, we look forward in 2023 to continue building upon some major initiatives from 2022, which focused on enhancing and extending our media platforms and com munications in keeping with our role as a state breed registry, non-profit trade association, and promoter of Florida-breds.

This includes the housing of a modern high tech video studio in our headquarters building, which will allow us via FEC to har ness numerous platforms to launch podcasts, big race previews, human interest stories, and calls to action in response to indus try, community or legislative developments. This presence will also help enhance the awareness and commercial potential of our HORSE CAPITOL OF THE WORLD® trademark and its result ing licensing and merchandising potential.

We have also added two new rock star executives to an already super star FTBOA/FEC management team: Executive Assistant/ Office Manager Elaine Ansbacher (formerly of Sandhurst Thor oughbreds and Live Oak Stud) and Associate Vice President-Op erations Steve Koch (formerly of The Stronach Group and NTRA). These professionals are a great fit and have the work ethic and chemistry to help our team in so many positive and impactful ways. We welcome them on board and thank them for recogniz ing what a great, fun, exciting and rewarding place the FTBOA is!

While time will not permit us today to get into the many other issues facing our industry, like HISA, increasing purses, a state purse and award pools, representation of horse owners’ inter ests, sports betting, non-profit racing permits, etc., please know that your Association team is working to advance your interests on these issues every day. Anticipate those topics and more to be addressed via one or all of our various FEC media products or platforms during the year ahead.

Thank you for your devotion to the Florida Thoroughbred in dustry and for your participation in this Association! TFH

The heroine of every romance novel has a meet cute guy theme and then twists and turns to her happily-ever-after ending. Such is the tale of Florida-bred multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Musical Romance, who in 2011 posted her Cinderella story. By the end of the season, the glass slipper, or glass horseshoe in this case, defi nitely fit: Musical Romance won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), became a millionaire and then collected the 2011 Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter. And here’s some thing of note: She was bought for the bargain price of $22,000 at a juvenile sale.

But let’s back up to the beginning of Musical Romance’s story. At the 1991 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s February juvenile sale, Ocala Stud sold a Florida-bred filly by Who’s for Dinner out of Victorious Meg, by Soy Numero Uno, for $15,000 to William Terrell. The filly bred by Ocala Stud, J.M. O’Farrell Jr. and Ed Weist was subsequently named Romantic Dinner; she won one race, earned $67,730 and became a broodmare.

“Some time in late 1994, I got a call from Billy Terrell,” Ocala Stud president Mike O’Farrell said. “He said that he and his part ners had bred Romantic Dinner to a stallion in New Jersey and he wanted to make a deal. He wanted to send the mare down to Ocala Stud, have us foal her out, raise the foal and then we could keep Romantic Dinner.”

O’Farrell had actually bought Victorious Meg, the dam of Ro mantic Dinner, for $20,000 from Lin-Drake Farm as agent, at the 1985 OBS October mixed sale. Out of Florida-bred stakes winner and multiple stakes-producer Cricket Club, by Dr. Fager, Victori ous Meg then produced Florida-bred graded stakes winner Nome, by Double Sonic. Nome, an earner of $363,626, was bred by Ocala Stud Farm, J. M. O’Farrell Jr. and Ed Weist.

“Good broodmares are always hard to come by and it was the Dr. Fager line,” O’Farrell said. “So we did the deal and Romantic Dinner became an Ocala Stud broodmare.”

O’Farrell’s instincts were good. For Ocala Stud, Romantic Dinner produced Florida-bred stakes winners Lady Gin, Sea of Green and stakes-placed Decennial. She then would go on to be come the granddam of Florida-bred Grade 1-winners Musical Ro mance and Rigoletta; Florida-bred Grade 2 (Puerto Rico) stakes winner Vuelve Ruben; Florida-bred Grade 3-winner Gourmet Din ner; Florida-bred stakes-winners Gaston A. and Forevamo; and stakes-winner Queen Amira (GB).

“Romantic Dinner turned out to be just the kind of broodmare I

was hoping for,” O’Farrell said. “Actually, I guess she turned out to be even better than I had hoped for.”

Candlelight Dinner, Romantic Dinner’s 2002 filly by Ocala Stud stallion Slew Gin Fizz, was sold privately to Richard Aver ill. She only raced one season as a 3-year-old, winning once and earning $17,600. Ocala Stud bought her back privately and she joined the farm’s broodmare band. It was another good decision by O’Farrell. Candlelight Dinner produced the aforementioned Florida-bred graded stakes-winners Musical Romance (by Con corde’s Tune) and Vuelve Ruben (by Concerto) and Florida-bred stakes-winner Forevamo (by Uncle Mo). Millionaire Musical Ro mance was also an Eclipse Award winner and Vuelve Ruben was named a multiple champion in Puerto Rico.

THE ROMANCE BEGINS

Consigned by Ocala Stud to the 2009 OBS April juvenile sale, Musical Romance sold for $22,000 to William Kaplan as agent for Pinnacle Racing Stable. Adam Lazarus, a New York native who moved to the Miami area in 1990, founded Pinnacle Racing Stable, a racing partnership, in 2002. The Pinnacle Racing Stable partner ship originally bought 50% of Musical Romance with Kaplan, who trained the filly, owning the other 50%. But that original partner ship soon encountered a misstep, literally.

“On just her second day of training, Musical Romance cracked a pastern,” Lazarus said. “I let the Pinnacle Racing Stable part ners opt out of their shares and sell their shares back to me. Bill Kaplan retained his 50% share.”

Lazarus paid for Musical Romance’s pastern surgery and sub sequent four-month rehab time. When she returned to training, Lazarus resold shares in her to other Pinnacle Racing Stable part ners.

Musical Romance broke her maiden in her third career start on Oct. 23, 2009, at Calder Race Course. She won by five-and-a-quar ter, stopping the clock in 1:12.34 for the six furlongs. Stepped up to stakes company in her next start, she finished an unimpressive seventh in the Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies Stakes on Nov. 14 at Calder. That was followed by a third in an allowance race on Dec. 7 at Calder. On the season, she earned $22,365, just a little bit more than her purchase price.

The 2010 season was a mixed bag filled with hints of Musi cal Romance’s potential, only to be followed by disappointment. She won an allowance race on the turf on Jan. 23, then came a

A decade ago, Florida-bred Musical Romance made national headlines with a Breeders’ Cup victory on her way to a championship season.

string of three off-the-board finishes in stakes races. Finally, on June 6 at Calder, Musical Romance collected her first black type win, capturing the Sweettrickydancer Stakes by half a length. Her winning time was 1:34.88 for the mile on the turf.

For the rest of the season, Musical Romance added another allowance win and posted a skein of stakes-plac ings. She was second in the Our Dear Peggy Stakes and Ms Brookski Stakes. There was also a trio of thirds in the Judy’s Red Shoes Stakes, list ed Calder Oaks and listed Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap. Musical Romance earned $154,751 on the season.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

The 2011 racing season did not start well for Musical Romance, but it most certainly had an amazing ending.

Musical Romance finished off the board in her first five starts of the season. Then on April 25 at Calder, she was second to Cher okee Queen in the Hollywood Wildcat Handicap and would never be off the board for the rest of the season.

On May 22 at Calder, Musical Romance won the Ema Bova ry Stakes by a nose over Bella Moneta. That was followed by a three-quarter length win in the U Can Do It Handicap on June 11 at Calder. Then she posted a second in the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder on July 9 and won the Barb’s Dancer Stakes on Aug. 7 at Calder. Three weeks later, she was third in the Connie Ann Stakes on the turf at Calder.

Kaplan then took Musical Romance on the road, leaving south Florida for the first time in her career. What followed was truly a romantic novel surprising twist.

First up was the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) on Sept. 10, where Musical Romance notched a neck victory over Ariana D. In winning her first graded stakes, she

stopped the clock in 1:16.40 for the six and a half furlongs on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface. From there, it was on to Keeneland for the Thorough bred Club of America Stakes (G2) on Oct. 8. Musical Romance just missed, finishing second by a head to Holiday for Kitten on the synthetic Polytrack surface.

“It was Bill who suggested we run Musical Romance in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint,” Lazarus said. “But she wasn’t nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, so that meant we’d have to sup plement her to the race for $130,000. We decided to do it. Bill and I came up with the money just in time to make the supplement deadline.”

The Musical Romance show moved on to Churchill Downs for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on Nov. 4. Breaking well, Musical Romance ran just off the pace before rallying three-wide coming into the stretch. Angled to the rail, she drew clear to win by a length and a quarter over Switch with Her Smile finishing third. Winning time for the seven furlongs was 1:23.47. Musical Romance collected $540,000 for the win and boosted her seasonal earnings to $1,040,734.

The BC Filly & Mare Sprint victory garnered Musical Romance the 2011 Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter. With that title, she became the fourth national champion bred by Ocala Stud. The oth ers in that elite club are: My Dear Girl (1959 champion 2-year-old filly), Ro man Brother (1965 Horse of the Year and champion handicap horse as voted by Daily Racing Form); Office Queen (1970 champion 3-year-old filly).

Musical Romance was also named the 2011 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, Florida-bred champion older female and Florida-bred champion female sprinter.

BACK FOR MORE

Musical Romance returned to race in 2012 and added two significant wins to her career. On March 17 at Gulfstream Park, she captured the

Inside Information Stakes (G2) by three-quarters of a length ahead of Hot Summer. Her winning time for the seven fur longs was 1:21.88.

After a second to the formidable Groupie Doll in the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, Musical Romance tallied the second Grade 1 win of her career two months later at Calder. She won the Princess Rooney Hand icap (G1) on July 7 by half a length ahead of Nicole H. She stopped the clock in 1:10.92 for the six furlongs.

Next was a third to Dust and Diamonds in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) on Sept. 22 at Belmont Park. Back home at Calder, Musical Romance won the Mike Sherman Memo rial Stakes on Oct. 6. Her connections rolled the dice again, entering her in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 3. Unfortunately, this time around she finished sixth to Groupie Doll.

Musical Romance, the $22,000 juvenile purchase, was retired as a national champion with career earnings of $1,681,885. She was named the 2012 Florida-bred champion older female and Florida-bred champion female sprinter.

Consigned by Three Chimneys Sales to the 2012 Fasig-Tip ton Kentucky Fall sale, Musical Romance sold for $1.6 million to Katsumi Yoshida. She was sent to Japan to begin her broodmare career. Her most successful foal is stakes-placed Serieuse (Jpn), a 2016 filly by Deep Impact (Jpn), who has earned $355,856 to date.

But Musical Romance’s legacy will always be her Cinderella 2011 racing season, proving fairy tales can come true. TFH

Musical Romance

2007 bay mare by Concorde’s Tune –Candlelight Dinner, by Slew Gin Fizz

Breeder: Ocala Stud

Owners: Pinnacle Racing Stable & William Kaplan

Trainer: William Kaplan

Career Race Record/Earnings

41-12-6-8/$1,681,885

Career Blacktype Stakes Wins

2012 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1)

2012 Inside Information Stakes (G2)

2012 Mike Sherman Memorial Stakes

2011 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1)

2011 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2)

2011 U Can Do It Stakes

2011 Ema Bovary Stakes

2011 Barb’s Dancer Stakes

2010 Sweettrickydancer Stakes

Highest Honors

2011 Eclipse Award – Champion Female Sprinter

2011 Florida-Bred Horse of the Year/Champion Older Female/Champion Female Sprinter

2012 Florida-Bred Champion Older Female/ Champion Female Sprinter

RACING 2021

HORSE / YOB / SEX / SIRE

1 Skip Away / 1993 / H / Skip Trial

All-Time Florida-bred

Leading Money Earners

BREEDER EARNINGS HORSE YOB SEX SIRE

Anna Marie Barnhart $9,616,360

2 Silver Charm / 1994 / H / Silver Buck Mary Lou Wootton $6,944,369

3 Mucho Macho Man / 2008 / H / Macho Uno John D. Rio & Carole A. Rio $5,625,410

4 South Vigorous / 1996 / H / End Sweep Samuel H. Rogers, Jr. $4,596,196

5 Unbridled / 1987 / H / Fappiano

Tartan Farms Corp. $4,489,475

6 David Junior / 2002 / H / Pleasant Tap Arthur I. Appleton $4,116,358

7 Flat Out / 2006 / H / Flatter Nikolaus Bock $3,645,383

8 Medina Spirit / 2018 / H / Protonico Gail Rice $3,545,200

9 Little Mike / 2007 / G / Spanish Steps Carlo E. Vaccarezza $3,543,392

10 Precisionist / 1981 / H / Crozier F. W. Hooper $3,485,398

11 X Y Jet / 2012 / G / Kantharos

Didier Plasencia $3,096,513

12 Peace Rules / 2000 / H / Jules Newchance Farm $3,084,278

Bold = Raced in 2022

as of Nov. 5, 2022

57 Proper Reality / 1985 / H / In Reality

BREEDER EARNINGS

Mrs. James A. Winn $1,701,650

58 Sheer Drama / 2010 / M / Burning Roma Harold L. Queen $1,691,040 59 Asia Express / 2011 / H / Henny Hughes Ocala Stud $1,684,875

60 Musical Romance / 2007 / M / Concorde’s Tune Ocala Stud $1,681,885

61 Forbidden Apple / 1995 / H / Pleasant Colony Arthur I. Appleton $1,680,640

62 Pistols and Roses / 1989 / H / Darn That Alarm Happy Alter $1,680,506

63 Smile / 1982 / H / In Reality Frances A. Genter Stable Inc. $1,664,027

64 Toyo Rainbow / 1994 / H / Deputy Minister Stanley M. Ersoff $1,626,700

65 Kissin Kris / 1990 / H / Kris S. John Franks $1,616,936 66 Sultry Song / 1988 / H / Cox’s Ridge Live Oak Stud $1,616,276

42 Revved Up / 1998 / G / Sultry Song Live Oak Stud $1,548,653

43 Smok’n Frolic / 1999 / M / Smoke Glacken Cherokee Farms Inc. $1,534,720

44 Cherokee Run / 1990 / H / Runaway Groom George C. Onett $1,531,818

45 Jeranimo / 2006 / H / Congaree Brylynn Farm, Inc. $1,525,364

Live Oak Stud $3,062,363

13 Ginger Punch / 2003 / M / Awesome Again Adena Springs $3,065,603 14 World Approval / 2012 / G / Northern Afleet

15 Go Between / 2003 / H / Point Given Vegso Racing Stable $2,908,880

16 Ron the Greek / 2007 / H / Full Mandate Jack T. Hammer $2,769,557 17 Afleet Alex / 2002 / H / Northern Afleet John Martin Silvertand $2,765,800

18 Big Drama / 2006 / H / Montbrook Harold L. Queen $2,746,060

19 Beautiful Pleasure / 1995 / M / Maudlin Farnsworth Farm $2,734,078

20 Firenze Fire / 2015 / H / Poseidon’s Warrior Mr Amore Stables $2,730,350

21 Presious Passion / 2003 / G / Royal Anthem Joseph & Helen Barbazon $2,694,599

22 Miesque’s Approval / 1999 / H / Miesque’s Son Live Oak Stud $2,648,879

23 Sir Bear / 1993 / G / Sir Leon A. L. Smollin $2,538,422

24 Gate Dancer / 1981 / H / Sovereign Dancer William R. Davis $2,501,705

25 Holy Bull / 1991 / H / Great Above Pelican Stable $2,481,760

26 Mecke / 1992 / H / Maudlin Farnsworth Farm $2,470,550

27 Marlin / 1993 / H / Sword Dance (IRE) Gilbert G. Campbell $2,448,880 28 Affirmed / 1975 / H / Exclusive Native Harbor View Farm $2,393,818

29 Gamdonguibada / 2009 / M / Werblin Michael & Judy Crowe, Karen & Jim Perrone $2,357,640

30 Benny the Bull / 2003 / H / Lucky Lionel Tomoka Farms, Inc. $2,353,430

31 Prized / 1986 / H / Kris S. Meadowbrook Farms, Inc. $2,262,555

32 Parranda / 2009 / M / English Channel Kinsman Farm $2,252,633

33 Imperial Hint / 2013 / H / Imperialism Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc $2,209,055

34 Val’s Prince / 1992 / G / Eternal Prince Four Horsemen’s Ranch $2,118,785

35 Starship Jubilee / 2013 / M / Indy Wind William P. Sorren $2,093,069 36 Lost Code / 1984 / H / Codex Mareinvest 83, Ltd. $2,085,396

37 Zafolia / 1993 / H / Gone West Gilman Investment Co. $2,029,028

38 Pure Sensation / 2011 / G / Zensational Patricia Generazio $2,004,050 39 Itsallgreektome / 1987 / G / Sovereign Dancer Sugar Maple Farm $1,994,618 40 Ladies Din / 1995 / G / Din’s Dancer Meadowbrook Farm, Inc. $1,966,754

41 C Z Rocket / 2014 / G / City Zip Farm III Enterprises LLC $1,952,641

42 Rocky Appeal / 1998 / H / Valid Appeal Mockingbird Farm, Inc. $1,942,217 43 Awesome Feather / 2008 / M / Awesome of Course Jacks or Better Farm Inc. $1,912,746 44 Duke of Mischief / 2006 / H / Graeme Hall Marilyn McMaster $1,905,747 45 Jewel Princess / 1992 / M / Key to the Mint Farnsworth Farms $1,904,060 46 A Shin Wezen / 2007 / H / Trippi Helen Y. Painter $1,849,668

Southern Image / 2000 / H / Halo’s Image Arthur I. Appleton $1,843,750 48 Hi Friend Code / 1995 / M / Tunerup Norman E. Casse & Harry Katz $1,836,186 49 Macho Again / 2005 / H / Macho Uno Milan Kosanovich $1,825,767 50 Golden Pal / 2018 / H / Uncle Mo Randall E. Lowe $1,825,131 51 Jackson Bend / 2007 / H / Hear No Evil Jacks or Better Farm Inc. $1,806,750 52 Silver Tree / 2000 / H / Hennessy Vegso Racing Stable $1,781,654 53 Express Tour / 1998 / H / Tour d’Or Karen Silva $1,767,515 54 Stallwalkin’ Dude / 2010 / G / City Place Maria M. Haire $1,741,397

55 Frisk Me Now / 1994 / H / Mister Frisky Farnsworth Farms $1,727,707 56 Extravagant Kid / 2013 / G / Kiss the Kid Vincino Racing Stable $1,704,683

46 Soldier’s Dancer / 2004 / G / Lost Soldier Franks Farm $1,524,780 47 Big City Man / 2005 / H / Northern Afleet Four Horsemen’s Ranch $1,521,505

48 Cosmo Bell / 2004 / M / Formal Dinner Dr. D. W. Frazier $1,514,325

49 Wekiva Springs / 1991 / H / Runaway Groom Donald R. Dizney $1,512,575

50 Dubai Majesty / 2005 / M / Essence of Dubai Harold J Plumley $1,509,243

51 Machikane Allegro / 1991 / H / Kris S. Meadowbrook Farms Inc. $1,487,872

52 Diamond Stripes / 2003 / G / Notebook Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr. $1,478,014

53 Halo America / 1990 / M / Waquoit John Franks $1,460,992

54 Sound Gaga / 2009 / M / Roman Ruler Peggy S. & Norman Dellheim & The Roman Ruler Syndicate $1,458,186

55 Equalize / 1982 / H / Northern Jove Tartan Farms Corp. $1,455,298

56 Discreet Lover / 2013 / H / Repent Woodford Thoroughbreds $1,452,735

57 Bet On Sunshine / 1992 / G / Bet Big Janet Gomez $1,449,882

58 Meadow Star / 1988 / M / Meadowlake Jaime S. Carrion $1,445,740

59 First Dude / 2007 / H / Stephen Got Even Donald R Dizney $1,442,140

60 Shake You Down / 1998 / G / Montbrook Ocala Stud Farm $1,442,014

61 Hollywood Wildcat / 1990 / M / Kris S. Irving Cowan & Marjorie Cowan $1,432,160

62 Buzzards Bay / 2002 / H / Marco Bay Jay Shaw $1,428,141

63 A Shin Bullseye / 2011 / H / Belgravia Elijah Bailey $1,408,935

64 Best of the Rest / 1995 / H / Skip Trial Bea Oxenberg $1,407,796

65 Cutlass Reality / 1982 / H / Cutlass Jaime S. Carrion $1,405,660

66 Honor Glide / 1994 / H / Honor Grades Bonnie Heath Farm $1,397,187

67 Black Bar Spin / 2003 / H / Put It Back Arthur I. Appleton $1,391,999

68 Solar Splendor / 1987 / G / Majestic Light Live Oak Stud $1,386,468

69 Fatal Bullet / 2005 / G / Red Bullet Adena Springs $1,377,256

70 Eishin Dansville / 1997 / H / Rizzi Harry T. Mangurian Jr. $1,354,303

71 Comma to the Top / 2008 / G / Bwana Charlie Richard & Linda Thompson $1,349,406 72 Dry Martini / 2003 / G / Slew Gin Fizz Carol Hershe & Marty Hershe $1,344,006 73 Surplus Singer / 2004 / H / Songandaprayer MGG Holdings $1,338,683 74 Supah Blitz / 2000 / H / Mecke Bee Bee Stables, Inc & Equitor, Inc $1,324,330 75 Richman / 1988 / H / Bet Big Scott Savin $1,314,360 76 Caledonia Road / 2015 / M / Quality Road Vegso Racing Stable $1,307,800 77

Leading

The following lists includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through Nov. 5, 2022. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

2022 NA

Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo Stallion Farm Sire Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW’s Wins SW’s Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg

Khozan Journeyman Stud Distorted Humor $3,724,035 142 68 4 5 1 $3,922,189 Hot Peppers $381,500 45 $17,967 20 $29,300

Brethren Arindel Distorted Humor $2,755,689 107 62 5 6 1 $2,767,949 Lynx $303,000 7 $7,643 4 $7,875

Jess’s Dream Ocala Stud Curlin $2,120,206 90 49 0 0 0 $2,120,206 W W Crazy $94,628 6 $4,567 7 $34,286

First Dude Double Diamond Farm Stephen Got Even $2,028,472 88 48 3 3 0 $2,031,280 Maryquitecontrary $144,830 3 $2,900 7 $35,214

Gone Astray Pleasant Acres Stallions Dixie Union $1,619,595 78 43 1 1 0 $1,621,818 World Gone Wild $151,755 1 $8,000

Social Inclusion Briardale Farm Pioneerof the Nile $1,505,036 44 26 4 6 0 $1,508,343 Gordian Knot $223,800 2 $12,000 Cajun Breeze Stonehedge Farm South Congrats $1,456,138 53 33 0 0 0 $1,457,065 Dean Delivers $135,700 2 $2,600

Girvin Ocala Stud Tale of Ekati $1,374,811 40 15 4 4 1 $1,374,811 Atomically $288,000 27 $56,896 40 $91,925 Adios Charlie Ocala Stud Indian Charlie $1,351,598 78 40 1 1 0 $1,354,385 You’re Killin Me $78,780 8 $11,350 14 $77,036

Field Commission Deceased Service Stripe $1,270,394 47 24 1 3 1 $1,277,782 Drafted $321,000

Bahamian Squall Double Diamond Farm Gone West $1,071,414 45 25 1 2 0 $1,099,875 Spirit Wind $189,010 1 $1,500

Big Drama Deceased Montbrook $1,082,870 55 31 1 1 0 $1,085,868 Drama Chorus $110,395 3 $3,333

Handsome Mike Pleasant Acres Stallions Scat Daddy $943,141 61 24 0 0 0 $943,141 Better Call Mama $67,300 2 $4,500 2 $15,250

Awesome of Course Private Awesome Again $833,462 36 18 1 1 0 $844,144 Awesome Indra $119,810 1 $20,000

Awesome Slew Ocala Stud Awesome Again $839,189 18 9 1 3 0 $839,189 Awesome Strong $458,000 8 $59,625 15 $72,600 Noble Bird Ocala Stud Birdstone $824,795 39 19 2 2 0 $824,795 King Cab $133,247 1 $15,000 8 $23,750

Neolithic Pleasant Acres Stallions Harlan’s Holiday $764,910 35 17 0 0 0 $764,910 Poiema $106,255 12 $15,042 8 $26,625

Valiant Minister Bridlewood Farm Candy Ride (ARG) $670,182 28 14 1 1 0 $670,182 Legends Can’t Die $126,350 13 $18,231 5 $23,000

Greenpointcrusader Ocala Stud Bernardini $668,959 28 13 0 0 0 $668,959 Mia’s Crusade $133,281 3 $2,500 4 $12,000

Chitu Bridlewood Farm Henny Hughes $632,081 52 21 0 0 0 $640,388 Chitienne $49,680 1 $4,500 5 $32,000

Songandaprayer Pensioned Unbridled’s Song $592,526 49 19 0 0 0 $593,143 Hammer Lane $95,360 1 $12,000

Bucchero Pleasant Acres Stallions Kantharos $421,780 22 8 0 0 0 $421,780 Toddchero $59,990 26 $16,881 20 $48,025 Wildcat Heir Deceased Forest Wildcat $397,660 25 15 0 0 0 $411,598 Royal Squeeze $68,910 Amira’s Prince (Ire) Pleasant Acres Stallions Teofilo (IRE) $399,112 11 7 2 2 0 $399,112 Sister Otoole $149,411 2 $5,250

Fury Kapcori Deceased Tiznow $347,759 14 7 0 0 0 $350,645 Handy Dandy $171,800 1 $3,500 1 $7,000

Fort Loudon Private Awesome of Course $298,391 11 6 0 0 0 $298,391 Grainger County $121,560

Backtalk Stormborne Stallions Smarty Jones $235,028 11 8 0 0 0 $235,028 Nick the Cardshark $76,520 2 $5,500

Global Response CoCo Ranch A P Indy $215,436 12 5 0 0 0 $215,436 Spanish Delight $77,311

Greatness Solera Farm Mr Prospector $214,906 8 4 0 0 0 $214,906 Richies Great Girl $115,870 1 $22,000

High Cotton Pensioned Dixie Union $173,063 16 8 0 0 0 $173,063 High Five Cotton $27,995

Ami’s Flatter Ocala Stud Flatter $157,283 4 2 0 0 0 $157,573 Keen Flatter $113,484 1 $3,000 1 $20,000

Hear No Evil Private Carson City $144,794 7 3 0 0 0 $144,794 Friendly Fella $73,160

The following lists includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through Nov. 5, 2022. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

Neolithic Pleasant Acres Stallions Harlan’s Holiday $99,781 12 3 0 0 0 $99,781 Flawless Cat $29,300 12 $15,042 8 $26,625 Tunwoo

Bridlewood Farm Medaglia d’Oro

Florida-breds Around The Country By Race Type/Grade October/2022

$400,000 $80,000

2/$334,500 $28,500

$65,000 $39,494

$150,000 $15,670

Chess Master G 6 Overdriven Chesty Brenda K Jones

10/20/22 LRL 2 $70,900 $14,000

Chillin Lady M 5 Stay Thirsty Princess Jasmine Darsan Inc 10/5/22 TDN 3 $38,000 $2,800 Day Blue C 2 Brethren Liza Doolittle Day Arindel 10/6/22 CMR 3 $13,230 $1,350

Defend G 3 American Freedom Fabiana’s Flash Cheryl McGuire, James McGuire, Richard Heysek & Catherine Perez 10/29/22 DEL 3 $52,500 $5,500

Fast N Gone F 3 Gone Astray White Hands JDAB Stables LLC 10/7/22 CMR 3 $11,000 $1,100

Fluid Situation C 3 Warrior’s Reward Volatile Vickie Hidden Point Farm Inc 10/16/22 BAQ 1 $105,000 $57,750

Game Boy Benny G 6 Benny the Bull Ashley and I Mary Jean Bonfili 10/23/22 HAW 2 $35,360 $6,800

Goodbyellowbrickrd G 3 Paynter A Day in Oz Jennifer Johnson & Gillian Johnson 10/27/22 MVR 3 $26,400 $2,640 Heidi T F 3 Klimt Awesome Lily Lott’s Creek Farm LLC & Christine K Jones 10/1/22 CT 2 $34,230 $6,835

It’s Sizzling Time G 4 Not This Time Coolenoughtosizzle James W . Terdik 10/22/22 DEL 2 $50,750 $8,800

Java Buzz G 3 Mshawish Agasaya West Stables 10/22/22 BAQ 2 $105,000 $21,000

Lady in Heels F 3 Ocean Knight Carey Princess Martin Goodell & Emily Goodell 10/6/22 PID 3 $37,126 $3,750

Magical Warrior G 3 Poseidon’s Warrior Magical Madam Richard P Arnold 10/15/22 DEL 2 $50,750 $8,800

Marital Bliss C 3 Unified True Bliss Sally J Andersen 10/5/22 IND 3 $36,000 $3,600

Mas Chikilin G 6 Prospective Lady Carlotta Ocala Stud 9/1/22 TDN 1 $31,700 $17,820

Mia Martina F 4 Not This Time Proud and Charming CESA Farm 10/7/22 KEE 1 $90,070 $45,260

Mister K G 5 Kantharos Goodgollymissdolly Marie Bates 10/5/22 RP 2 $34,000 $6,766

My d’Valentine F 3 Orb D’ Country John Ropes 10/16/22 MNR 3 $18,048 $1,880

My d’Valentine F 3 Orb D’ Country John Ropes 10/5/22 TDN 3 $28,000 $2,800

Neon Summer F 3 Neolithic Mommie’s Summer Patricia Generazio 10/12/22 RP 1 $34,000 $20,196

One Night Stand F 4 Macho Uno Oasis At Midnight David L Rousso & Joseph Orseno 10/9/22 MNR 1 $22,848 $13,804

Pirate Parade G 4 Drill Starship Venus Pine Branch Stable 10/21/22 MED 2 $46,250 $9,000

Prospective Forum F 4 Prospective Strict Forum WK France & Cheryl McGuire 10/11/22 TDN 3 $29,700 $2,970

Purdy Pumkin F 3 First Dude Cowgirl Spirit Jason DaCosta 10/5/22 TDN 1 $28,000 $16,800

R Averie Lynn F 4 Gone Astray Tereska Dancing Wind Stables LLC 10/21/22 DEL 1 $44,000 $26,400

R Averie Lynn F 4 Gone Astray Tereska Dancing Wind Stables LLC 10/14/22 DEL 2 $44,150 $8,800

Replete G 6 He’s Had Enough Discreet Chat Woodford Thoroughbreds 10/13/22 RP 2 $34,000 $6,732

Runaway Breeze F 3 Cajun Breeze Run Macy Run Stonehedge LLC 10/6/22 PID 1 $37,126 $22,500

Shellphone M 5 Uncaptured Offshore Lady Sharon Biamonte 10/2/22 LBG 1 $7,100 $3,763

Smarmy F 4 Liam’s Map Ebony Moment Barry Berkelhammer & Rich Averill 10/20/22 KEE 3 $114,755 $7,300

Song Saver F 4 Super Saver Ballad English Range Farm 10/14/22 PEN 1 $29,680 $16,800

Spikezone G 3 Speightster Blameitontheice Bishop Racing, Inc 10/20/22 DEL 3 $45,360 $6,050

Suleman G 5 Jack Milton Dyna Del SJT Racing Stable LLC 10/28/22 CT 3 $34,285 $3,432 Sweet Laura F 3 Greenpointcrusader Hot Trip St Elias Stables, LLC 10/15/22 DED 1 $35,000 $21,000

Tape to Tape G 4 Uncaptured Trippi Honor Honors Stable Corporation 10/30/22 HAW 2 $36,040 $6,800

Thisismystory

8 Drosselmeyer Sea Span Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & WinStar Farm, LLC 10/9/22 LBG 2 $9,000 $2,340 Thisismystory

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING

Horse Name Sex Age Sire

Dam Breeder

Date Track Finish Value Earnings

Baby Yoda G 4 Prospective More Than Speed Kathleen Amaya, Alexandro Centofanti & Raffaele Centofanti 10/7/22 BAQ 1 $111,550 $63,250

Bee by the Sea G 5 With Distinction Come Out and Play Carol Kemp 10/30/22 GP 3 $46,100 $5,540

Bee by the Sea G 5 With Distinction Come Out and Play Carol Kemp 10/2/22 GP 1 $43,000 $25,800

Boo Boo Kitty F 3 Poseidon’s Warrior Seductive Lady Stonehedge LLC 10/12/22 PID 1 $40,200 $24,000

Bouncer C 2 Adios Charlie Kaiken Helen C Alexander 10/7/22 GP 3 $51,000 $5,540 Chitienne F 3 Chitu Donatienne Tanma Corp 10/22/22 GP 2 $43,000 $9,030

Dilettante G 8 Unbridled’s Song Royal Ancestry Donald R Dizney, LLC & The Unbridled’s Song Syndicate 10/24/22 FE 1 $18,751 $9,840

Farm Boy G 5 Khozan Settling Seas Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung 10/8/22 GP 3 $43,000 $4,730

Feelthebeat G 3 Cupid Shelby’s Song Brad Grady & Misty Grady 10/16/22 WO 3 $76,913 $8,173

Finalist G 5 Tonalist Val Marie Rustlewood Farm, Inc 10/9/22 WO 3 $72,210 $7,425

Fish Mooney F 3 Lookin At Lucky Gotham City Girl Red Oak Stable 10/29/22 WO 2 $87,853 $14,860

Friendlypersuasion F 2 Arrogate Brazen Persuasion Bridlewood Farm 10/9/22 KEE 1 $88,238 $44,733

Full Disclosure G 3 Cajun Breeze Theladysaidno Shadybrook Farm Inc 10/29/22 GP 1 $43,000 $25,800

Gitana M 5 Poseidon’s Warrior Sasha’s Reward Just For Fun Stable, Inc 10/2/22 GP 2 $43,000 $9,030 Glava G 3 He’s Had Enough Zenzelda Eric Reller & Michelle Reller 10/29/22 CTM 1 $16,730 $10,200

Grainger County G 5 Fort Loudon Evil Dame Jacks or Better Farm Inc 10/22/22 GP 2 $50,300 $10,640 Gran Slash C 2 Uncaptured Gran Nighthawk Granpollo Stable 10/7/22 GP 1 $51,000 $31,300

Hay Hay Paula F 4 Bahamian Squall Super Trooper Pamela Edel 10/22/22 GP 1 $43,000 $25,800

Heals the Soul G 4 Maclean’s Music Heavenly Gift Rick Sutherland 10/29/22 GP 2 $43,000 $9,030

J P Hellish G 6 J P’s Gusto Rakehellish Jan Alan Meehan & John Petika 10/8/22 GP 1 $43,000 $25,800

Kingston Time M 5 Graydar Sexy Suzy Destiny Oaks of Ocala 10/18/22 MNR 2 $18,048 $3,760

Mamba On Three G 4 Big Drama Miss Grandiose Carl Bowling & Hallmarc Stallions LLC 10/30/22 GP 2 $46,100 $10,640

Mas Chikilin G 6 Prospective Lady Carlotta Ocala Stud 10/10/22 MNR 2 $23,324 $4,760

Midtown Rose M 6 Gary D Uno Royale Dynasty Thoroughbreds 10/24/22 PRX 3 $62,290 $5,170

My Lovely Girl M 5 Poseidon’s Warrior Orlyana Queen Orlyana Farm 10/22/22 CT 2 $30,085 $5,968 Nana Fanny F 3 Brody’s Cause Dancing Rage Mr & Mrs Annuncio Stanchieri & Farm III Enterprises 10/14/22 GP 3 $44,700 $5,980

Neophyte G 3 Neolithic Fazed SCF, Inc 10/2/22 GP 3 $43,000 $4,300 Octane G 3 Brethren Star Recruit Arindel 10/16/22 GP 2 $46,400 $10,850 Old Chestnut G 5 Speightstown Pool Land Live Oak Stud 10/23/22 WO 3 $102,952 $8,173

Orange Theory F 4 First Dude Chippi William P Sorren 10/8/22 CTM 1 $16,850 $10,200

Picking Up Pennies G 4 First Dude Dreaminofauntdiane Jesus Rodriguez 10/1/22 GP 1 $51,000 $31,300

Poiema F

$45,400 $10,200

$52,000 $31,900

Wilensky 10/24/22 MNR 3 $20,944 $2,380

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING

Horse Name Sex Age Sire

Dam Breeder

Date Track Finish Value Earnings

Valenzan Day C 2 Khozan Radical Grace Raul Mendoza & Santiago Mendoza 10/27/22 LRL 2 $59,160 $10,800

Veloce Bella F 3 Songandaprayer Italy Girl A Stanchieri & Farm III Enterprises 10/22/22 GP 3 $43,000 $4,730

War of Ages F 3 Poseidon’s Warrior Oh My Danielle Just For Fun Stable, Inc

10/29/22 GP 1 $48,900 $31,300

Wildwood’s Beauty M 6 Kantharos Miss Propitious Philip Matthews & Karen Matthews 10/2/22 HAW 2 $47,120 $7,600

Yes I’m a Beast G 3 The Big Beast Inpending Danger Joanne Margaret Crowe 10/2/22 GP 2 $52,000 $10,850

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT

Horse Name Sex Age Sire

All Bizz F 3 Fed Biz

Dam Breeder

Kats Golden Ways Double W Thoroughbred Racing Inc

Date Track Finish Value Earnings

10/10/22 FL 2 $26,600 $5,320

Alpha Blue G 3 Air Force Blue Sky Goddess Dr Derek K Paul 10/23/22 GP 3 $48,600 $5,430

Anamnestic C 2 Bucchero Selective Memory Belvedere Farm 10/2/22 GP 1 $40,000 $24,000

Angie From Kulm F 2 Gormley Dakota Sis Y-Lo Racing Stables, LLC 10/7/22 GP 3 $50,000 $5,000

Anthony’s Rocket G 3 He’s Had Enough Run Carly Run Linda Peterson 10/5/22 FL 3 $26,600 $2,660

Atthecrossroads F 2 Practical Joke Midnight Magic Dr Carolin Von Rosenberg DVM 10/28/22 GP 1 $47,000 $31,000 Atthecrossroads F 2 Practical Joke Midnight Magic Dr Carolin Von Rosenberg DVM 10/1/22 GP 2 $40,000 $8,400

Awesome Cajun C 2 Awesome Slew Absolute Madness Stonehedge LLC 10/28/22 DED 2 $34,000 $6,800

Awesome Cajun C 2 Awesome Slew Absolute Madness Stonehedge LLC 10/6/22 DED 3 $34,000 $3,740 Baby Bulldog G 2 Uptowncharlybrown Pollard’s Girl Craigie Investments Inc 10/28/22 CT 3 $33,030 $3,325 Ballymena F 3 Poseidon’s Warrior Catch That Kitten Fangoros Farm 10/28/22 CT 1 $33,085 $19,594 Bank On It F 2 Tapwrit Harlan’s Honor Bridlewood Farm 10/22/22 DED 3 $34,000 $3,740

Beach Ready F 2 Treasure Beach (GB) Crown Ready Just For Fun Stable, Inc 10/29/22 GP 2 $40,000 $8,000 Big Save C 2 The Big Beast Save a Rose Alex Lieblong & JoAnn Lieblong 10/7/22 GP 1 $40,000 $24,000 Biloxi G 3 Jess’s Dream Echo Bluff Stonecliff Farm 10/20/22 DED 1 $34,420 $20,400 Boy o’ Boy G 2 Rainbow Heir Sumfloridasunfun William Deaton & Kim Deaton 10/8/22 GP 2 $49,000 $10,000 Bring It On C 2 Girvin Majestic Minister Gloria G Tobin 10/8/22 CMR 2 $13,500 $2,700

Built Like Tarzan G 4 Soldat First Run James Thomas Socciarelli & Gino Thomas Socciarelli 10/14/22 TDN 3 $26,400 $2,640 Cajun Occasion G 2 Cajun Breeze Driving Mrs B Stonehedge LLC 10/7/22 GP 2 $40,000 $8,400 Capetown Candy F 3 Uncaptured Capetown Lady John Oxley Living Trust 10/11/22 MNR 1 $16,500 $9,570 Catalina Express G 2 Adios Charlie Gilded Arrow Staghorn Thoroughbreds LLC 10/23/22 GP 3 $40,000 $4,000 Charlie’s Wish F 2 First Dude Superior Sarah Three Gin Guys Stable 10/1/22 GP 1 $40,000 $24,000 Cora Pearl F 2 Astern (AUS) Pearl de Vere Marablue Farm LLC & Pegasus Stud LLC 10/22/22 DED 1 $34,000 $20,400 Dash Away F 2 Tunwoo Her Special Way Tanma Corp 10/2/22 SA 2 $63,000 $12,200 Defended F 2 Khozan Crowninshield Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung 10/21/22 GP 1 $40,000 $24,000 Drama’s Prayer C 3 Big Drama Bucky’s Prayer Mary Bennett & Gerald Bennett 10/6/22 DEL 1 $43,755 $25,200

Dropkick Murphy C 2 Bucchero Birthday Suit Irish Eyes Stable L L C & Going In Circles L L C 10/23/22 GP 2 $40,000 $8,400 El Zafiro C 2 Suntracer Discreet Gal D Gonzalez 10/8/22 CMR 3 $13,500 $1,350 Ensign Skip G 2 Bucchero Madama Butterfly Crystal R Lanum 10/2/22 GP 3 $40,000 $4,400 Exquisito Coco C 2 Uncaptured Global Beauty Coco Guillermo Morales 10/16/22 MNR 2 $16,005 $3,300 Fancee Grace C F 2 Girvin C d’Cat Brad Grady, Misty Grady & Mary Ellen Coenan 10/12/22 DEL 1 $42,450 $25,200 Feline F 3 Brethren Feline Story Arindel 10/14/22 GP 2 $49,300 $10,430

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT

Horse Name Sex Age Sire

Dam Breeder

Date Track Finish Value Earnings

Luck in the Dusk F 2 Malibu Moon Fortunia Janeen Oliver, Glenridge Farm LLC & Spendthrift Stallions, LLC 10/29/22 GP 1 $40,000 $24,000

Lupo’s Legacy G 3 Verrazano Lupo’s Way Carol A Reitman, Susan Gannon & Miller Warren 10/29/22 KEE 3 $78,022 $6,197

Lupo’s Legacy G 3 Verrazano Lupo’s Way Carol A Reitman, Susan Gannon & Miller Warren 10/16/22 KEE 3 $96,742 $6,616

Mauna Kea Bound C 2 Uncaptured Midnight Candy Richard B Bennett Jr & Simba Farm, LLC 10/7/22 GP 3 $40,000 $4,400

Mi Gusto Es G 6 J P’s Gusto Kat of Kilkenny Joel Covarrubias 10/19/22 MNR 2 $16,005 $3,300

Michele M F 2 West Coast Juliamarie Milan Kosanovich 10/5/22 PID 1 $35,250 $21,000

Minister Maz G 2 Valiant Minister Destiny Leads Me Constance E Stawasz 10/11/22 ZIA 3 $29,000 $2,900

Mr Cash C 3 Distorted Humor Avila Road CESA Farm 10/6/22 DEL 2 $43,755 $8,400

My Billeeboy C 2 Long On Value Cane Cat (IRE) Lavender Hill Stud LLC

10/8/22 GP 1 $49,000 $31,000

Neon Sign C 2 Neolithic Lovely Valentina Southern Comfort Farm 10/18/22 PEN 2 $31,978 $5,420

Night Ride G 2 Ride On Curlin Midnight Lonnie Stokes 10/17/22 PID 3 $34,850 $3,500

Oh Darlin F 2 Uncaptured Solitaire’s Vision Copper Water Tb Co 10/28/22 GP 1 $49,000 $31,000

Oh Darlin F 2 Uncaptured Solitaire’s Vision Copper Water Tb Co 10/7/22 GP 2 $50,000 $10,000

Oh Donna F 2 Bucchero Laynes Road Edward Robert Schuster 10/21/22 MED 1 $40,000 $24,000

Omo Ten Girl F 2 Girvin Fiesta d’Oro Belvedere Farm 10/1/22 GP 3 $40,000 $4,000

Princess Bettina F 2 Will Take Charge Aiden’s Girl Donald R Dizney, LLC 10/23/22 SA 1 $63,000 $36,600

Purified R 3 Lord Nelson Luna Dorada Farm III Enterprices LLC 10/23/22 SA 3 $63,000 $7,320

R Cardinal Prince G 2 Khozan Blue Baby Al Shaqab Racing 10/27/22 MVR 1 $24,300 $15,066

R Swirvin Girvin F 2 Girvin Lucy Ring Joan M Tennant & Judy Karlin 10/28/22 DEL 3 $42,150 $4,620 Racing Dream C 2 Jess’s Dream Princesa Mia Elena Mata 10/8/22 CMR 1 $13,500 $7,830

Ready for Diamonds C 2 More Than Ready Polish a Diamond Westbury Stables LLC 10/30/22 GP 3 $40,000 $4,400 Rocky’s Express G 4 In Summation Miltos Express Thomas Kenwood Equels 10/14/22 TDN 2 $26,400 $5,280

Royal Poppy F 2 Classic Empire M’Dearest Orlyana Farm 10/14/22 BAQ 2 $95,000 $19,000 Rudder’s Men C 2 Battalion Runner Unblemished St Elias Stables, LLC 10/22/22 BAQ 1 $95,000 $52,250

Ryan’s Fleet G 2 Midshipman Your Pace Or Mine Four Horsemen’s Ranch 10/18/22 PRX 2 $61,750 $12,000

Sassy But Precious F 2 Jess’s Dream Now My Precious JJ Brevan Stable LLC 10/21/22 GP 2 $40,000 $8,000

She Had a Secret F 3 He’s Had Enough Carmen’s Secret Carmen Roberson 10/18/22 ZIA 3 $28,420 $2,900

Sherlyn Go Go F 2 Bucchero Cute and Beautiful Dominique Damico & Fly By Breeding 10/29/22 GP 3 $40,000 $3,600

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stakeholder comments

9.

The $6.5 million HISA regulatory assessment on Florida horse racing, which amounts to 6.7% of total purses paid in Florida, creates a substantial new financial burden on this long-standing and important state industry. If shouldered by the industry alone as an added cost, we anticipate swift purse reductions at the tracks, with economic ripples that include reduced equine breeding, training, and ownership in Florida. Moreover, a reduction in Florida racing dates is a distinct possibility, in particular the important summer racing dates that allow many owners and trainers to operate in Florida year-round.

We urge the Commission to consider every mechanism available to the state to mitigate these effects. First, the state should “opt in” as soon as possible, after securing any necessary authorization from the Florida Legislature. This would allow all or most of the HISA assessment to be paid by the state through its existing budget and pari-mutuel tax collections, effectively redirecting existing Commission resources to HISA where the same regulatory functions are now being performed by HISA.

Second, where HISA offers credits against the assessment for the state’s performance of various HISA functions and where the state can perform those HISA functions less expensively, the Commission

should maximize the state’s participation to achieve meaningful credits. A considerable portion of the HISA assessment covers functions that the state itself already performs. For example, state resources already sustain post-race sample collections, laboratory testing, positive test enforcement, and various other administrative components.

The state’s “opt in” most efficiently defers anticipated economic harms to a signature Florida industry. State funding of HISA costs would preserve current purses and forestall very damaging effects of even temporary industry uncertainty. The $6.5 million HISA cost is a miniscule fraction of the state’s $110 billion annual budget. It is a very small investment to keep the state’s $2.7 billion equine industry healthy and competitive on the national level, including with other major breeding states that compete with Florida and have previously “opted in,” like Kentucky and California.

HISA presents many opportunities to unify the national horse racing industry. However, the continued viability of horse racing in every state will depend upon the willingness of each individual state to help its industry navigate the transition to HISA as smoothly and predictably as possible. In states where that assistance is lacking, the state’s horse racing industry may well falter or be dealt a crippling blow. TFH

The Florida Gaming Control Commission has solicited

on the Commission’s option to pay the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority assessment for the Anti-Doping and Medication Control and Racetrack Safety Programs.

Equine Care

New Way to Treat Septic Joint Infection in Foals

Research trials are assessing a new process for treating multi drug-resistant bacterial joint infections (septic arthritis) in foals. This research is a partnership between Colorado State University, Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky.

Dr. Thomas Koch (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College), founder and CEO of eQcell—a company part nering in this research, has co-authored several papers looking at combining antibiotics and stem cells in treating these resistant infections. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were used in con junction with antibiotics, with good results.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a growing concern in treating humans as well as animals. Emergence of “superbugs” resistant to antimicrobial medications threatens animal and hu man populations due to widespread use of antibiotics. In recent years, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) released a joint state ment on responsible and judicious use of antimicrobials and pub

lished guidelines for appropriate veterinary antimicrobial use. Many federal agencies in various countries are moving to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animals.

A different approach must be sought to find alternatives to or en hancements of conventional antimicrobials. Clinicians today may want to consider other strategies for treating microbial infections, and one strategy may include mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). These unique cells have been explored in regenerative medicine, for engineering tissues or as immune-stimulating agents for treat ment of inflammatory diseases. More recently, MSCs have shown promise as a potential treatment to address infections that are re sistant to antimicrobial treatments, Koch points out.

“MSCs have antimicrobial properties; they secrete antimicro bial molecules (peptides) that directly interact with pathogens, as well as other factors (cytokines) that boost antimicrobial activ ity of the host’s own immune cells. In some studies, MSCs have shown strong synergy with standard antibiotic treatments to pen etrate biofilm infections, as well as serving as antifungal, antiviral and anti-parasitic agents,” he says.

MSCs have antimicrobial properties that may help solve the problem of antibiotic-re sistant bacteria. “Recent findings in equine, canine and bovine studies have shown that MSCs have significant effects on a variety of bacterial species either alone or in combina tion with antibiotics,” says Koch.

MSCs exert their effect directly through secretion of various bioactive factors or indi rectly through recruitment and activation of host immune cells. MSCs may become a valu able tool for veterinarians treating antimicro bial resistant infections, but a great deal of work remains for the development of optimal MSC production conditions, and testing for efficacy on different indications and species.

“The studies at Colorado State University have been going on awhile; I came into this project to collaborate with them—but initial groundwork was done by Drs. Steven Dow and Lynn Pezzanite at CSU,” Koch says. Now his company, eQcell, has joined with them to push their discovery toward commercializa tion.

anism is but there is a synergistic effect with the combination.”

RESEARCH IN DOGS - Then the researchers treated seven dogs at the CSU teaching hospital. “These were client-owned dogs with documented bacterial infections and multi-drug resistance. They were not responding to the prescribed an tibiotic treatments even though the veterinarians were using very potent antibiotics,” says Koch.

The infections varied in duration from several months to almost two years. “They had different types of conditions; the infections were quite var ied, but they were all deep-seated and long-lasting in spite of treatment,” he explains.

“They treated these dogs three times, two weeks apart, with intravenous infusion of manip ulated stem cells. In five of the seven dogs they saw a complete cure; the infection cleared up and the dogs became healthy, without any signs. Bac terial testing and culture sensitivity showed that the infection was no longer there.” The other two dogs were partial responders. There was some im provement, but not a complete cure.

EARLY

STUDIES

WITH MICE - “They did some interesting work in dogs and horses but started out with mice. They made skin wounds in mice and infected the wounds with multi-drug resistant bacteria. Then they treated the mice in different ways.”

Some mice were left untreated, and some were treated with antibiotics alone or stem cells alone. Another group was treated with manipulated stem cells, activated in culture to be more anti bacterial. “Then they treated some of the mice with combinations of either stem cells and antibiotics, or activated stem cells and antibiotics,” Koch says.

“They saw the best response (clearing up infections) in the mice that received the antibiotic plus the manipulated stem cells. With this combination there was a synergistic effect with the MSCs, compared with antibiotic alone,” he says.

The stem cells alone were not good enough and the antibiotic alone was not as effective. They determined that the manipulated MSCs could be utilized as an add-on treatment with antibiotics to improve infection control. “You still need to treat with antibiotics but if you add stem cells there is a better response than with anti biotics alone. It is not completely clear what the underlying mech

Dr. Steven Dow, Professor at Colorado State University and Director of the Center for Immune and Regenerative Therapies, has now treated many dogs success fully at the vet school using this combination therapy. “These were dogs with chronic drug-resistant infections. We know that it works in larger animals and not just mice. We have a good level of understanding about this therapy and a good level of comfort using this to treat dogs,” Dow says.

The dogs in his study were people’s pets, with a variety of in fections that had not responded to treatment for at least a month. Some were joint infections, some were soft tissue and some were bone infections. The results were exciting.

RESEARCH WITH HORSES

– “A study with horses was funded by the Grayson Jockey Club, using research horses,” says Koch. Normal joints were infected with a USA300 MRSA superbug bac terium that had been isolated from a human patient and donated to the research group. Those joints became infected, and the hors es become lame.

“They treated some of these infected joints with antibiotic alone—one that they would normally choose, and expected to work

Equine Care continues on next page

Equine Care

against those bacteria based on culture and sensitivity. A second group was treated with the same antibiotic plus manipulated stem cells. They saw a significant improvement in joints treated with manipulated MSC and antibiotics in degree of lameness and other outcome parameters including reduced bacterial burden and inflammatory cytokine levels. Overall, there was a significant effect when adding the manipulated stem cells to the treatment protocol,” Koch says.

Horses that got the combination cleared the infection and were less lame and had a better treatment response. This preliminary effort paved the way to move into treating client-owned horses, to try to assess whether adding stem cells to antibiotics will have an effect in those horses with naturally-occurring (rather than induced) bacterial infections in joints.

Dr. Lynn Pezzanite (Assistant Professor, Colorado State Univer sity College of Veterinary Medicine) began her PhD project in Dr. Dow’s lab. “Some of the initial groundwork with in-vitro human MSCs and ini tial mouse studies were already on going in Dow’s lab when I began my graduate program,” Lynn says.

“Part of my thesis was funded by an NIH program in partnership with the UC Denver medical school, with the goal of encouraging com munication between the veterinary and medical school programs. One of Dr. Dow’s collaborators, Jason Stoneback, Chief of Orthopedic Sur gery and Director of the Limb Restoration Program at the medical school was my mentor through the program. He works with chal lenging human orthopedic cases, which present many of the same difficulties in treatment; they are often complicated by infection with multidrug resistant bacteria. He was interested in this kind of treatment for humans as well. Use of our anti-infective cellular therapies in larger animal models, dogs and horses, provides fur ther support for integration of these therapies in human clinical trials,” she says.

“Treating horses with infection is my main focus here at the veterinary school but our findings also represent a translational model for humans suffering from the same processes.” She has submitted a paper for publication describing the work she’s done using an equine model, looking at septic arthritis in adult horses.

“In adult horses we’ve seen more rapid improvement, both in clinical parameters and lameness and in their overall pain/inflam mation scores—in the horses treated with stem cells and antibiotics

versus just antibiotics alone,” she says. “Some of our in vitro out comes were also exciting in terms of how these cells work. There is certainly more to learn in terms of how these cells are exert ing their effects but our study findings in adult horses with joint infections demonstrated that those treated with stem cells had lower levels of inflammatory cytokines and more rapid healing/ normalization of joint fluid parameters, including white cell count and inflammatory mediator serum amyloid A. They also had lower bacterial bioburden in their joints based on quantitative cultures compared to horses that received antibiotics alone,” she says.

NEW STUDY WITH FOALS

- Dr. Scott Hopper at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky is a part of the study in foals. “Their practice frequently treats Thoroughbred foals intended to be race horses. Foals often encounter a number of systemic diseases in their early months of life. These in clude colitis, umbilical and respira tory issues and all of these can get into the bloodstream and seed infec tions into the joints. They are very susceptible to joint infections,” Lynn says.

“This study will employ the same techniques that Dr. Dow pioneered in the lab and what we did in adult horses, using activated stem cells in combination with antibiotics in the joint itself.” Foals in the study will be randomized into groups. Some will receive the standard treatment of la vaging and debriding the joint and others will receive standard treatments and this new treatment of stem cells.

Joint infections, especially those that don’t respond to stan dard treatments, can leave the joint permanently damaged. If they develop arthritis secondary to infection and become lame, the horse won’t have an athletic career. This new treatment will be an exciting improvement if it works for these foals, not only to hopefully improve treatment of the infection initially but poten tially improve long-term athletic outcomes.

“A large part of our interest and enthusiasm for using this in foals is knowing that it works in dogs—which are more the size of a foal than the earlier mouse models,” says Dow. “We can probably use doses equivalent to what we’ve been using in dogs. We also know that infusions of these activated stem cells are very safe.”

The researchers chose to start their new study with foals less than 6 months of age. “These are foals that have been diagnosed with joint infections which may be due to infections in other areas

of the body, such as the intestine or umbilicus,” Koch explains.

Some foals have more than one joint infected—if bacteria have spread through the bloodstream. A foal may have bacterial inva sion that enters via the navel stump, lungs or digestive tract, get ting into the bloodstream to cause a bacteremia or septicemia and that’s how it gets seeded into the joints—affecting more than one joint. “If it’s a foal with multiple joints affected, all those joints will get the stem cells if that foal is allocated to the stem cell treat ment group,” he explains.

“We have selected four different antibiotics--chosen by re searchers in Colorado after evaluating a number of antibiotics to find out which ones the stem cells can tolerate. Some antibiotics are toxic to them and will kill stem cells. They screened a num ber of antibiotics to determine their degree of cell toxicity. We’re using four antibiotics that should not affect the cells too badly,” he says.

“We have a hierarchy of treatment for this study. First we’ll use a certain antibiotic and if that fails to make a difference we can go to another antibiotic and so on. There will be foals that only receive antibiotics and they will be our control group. Then there will be foals that receive that same antibiotic plus stem cells.”

This study is being conducted at three locations. “Foals that

come to Colorado State University with joint infections will be treated at their teaching hospital. Foals will also be treated at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital and at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky. We expect the majority of foals will be enrolled at Rood and Riddle because the teaching hospitals don’t see as many foals. We grow cells in the lab and ship them to Rood and Riddle. Dr. Hopper at Rood and Riddle is the equine surgeon putting together the protocol; some of his col leagues at that hospital will also be treating foals,” says Koch.

It’s hoped that this new treatment will accelerate healing of joint infections in foals. “The cell treatment given in conjunction with antibiotics won’t replace the antibiotic; they work together,” says Dow. “If the foal study gives positive results, we will deliver the cells intravenously, rather than just injected into the joint. We showed in the mouse and dog studies that cells given intravenous ly can find their way through the body to sites of inflammation or infections. Giving cells intravenously is a lot easier to do than to inject them into the joint,” Dow says.

This new treatment will be a way to deal with drug-resistant infections and also help clear the joint infection before the carti lage is damaged. Then the foals have a better chance to return to full function and a chance to grow up to be athletes. TFH

Membership Update

News, Information and Deadlines

Florida Sire Stakes 2-year-old payment deadline

Jan. 15 is the deadline for FSS 2-year-olds for $250. If missed, the next deadline is Feb. 28 for $500. The yearling payment must have been paid. If the yearling payment was missed, a $5,000 payment can be made by Jan. 15. If all else is missed, then a $10,000 payment by May 1 can be made (horse must be unraced).

Membership Renewals

Membership renewals for 2023 begin in late December. Members who are renewing will have an online payment option available at www.ftboa.com. All categories of members will receive a mailed renewal form and also a renewal form via e-mail.

Horse Capital TV App Adds Podcast

On your phone or your Smart TV platform, download the free Horse Capital TV app to watch episodes of Horse Capital TV featuring all breeds and disciplines in Central Florida, with a focus on Florida Thoroughbreds. In addition, the app is great to listen to or view FTBOA’s new, The Florida Horse Podcast, featuring topics and personalities related to the Florida Thoroughbred industry. The segments and podcasts are typically 10 to 15 minutes long.

Wire to Wire Racing Digest Updates

If you haven’t been opening your Wire to Wire Racing Digest coming to your e-mail inbox at 6 p.m. five nights per week, you have missed the new features that have been recently added. Brock Sheridan, editor-in-chief, produces original feature content and has added special features including Floridabreds in weekend stakes and their results, area connections to Breeders’ Cup, enhanced coverage of Florida-breds in the sales, and consignor successes.

These join the proprietary lists that are available only in Wire to Wire and nowhere else which include Florida stallion progeny in races and the list of breeders with progeny in races.

We send Wire to Wire to industry stakeholders, FTBOA members and licensees. If you are not receiving Wire to Wire, please notify our offices so we can confirm your email and/or ensure your server or e-mail provider is not blocking delivery.

Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo

Held Dec. 9 - 11, at the Florida Horse Park, the sixth annual expo features competition in six disciplines including dressage, working ranch/trail horse, show jumper, show hunter and freestyle. Each discipline is composed of off-track and unraced thoroughbreds. Expo events include a parade of all thoroughbreds on the grounds and a group photo. The entry fee to the parade will be donated to charity. Food trucks, a vendor fair, and educational seminars will also take place.

The Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Exposition is presented by the charitable organization Run For The Ribbons Inc., founded by Laurine Fuller-Vargas, a breeder and FTBOA board member, who dedicates time to providing off- track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) the foundation needed to ensure a smooth transition into their next career and home. Visit runfortheribbons.com. TFH