New York Thoroughbred Breeders

Mischief Lady skips over the slop to win Saturday’s NYSS Cupecoy’s Joy. Coglianese Photo.

Paddock Proud LLC’s Mischief Lady returned from almost five months away and collected her first stakes victory with a front-end score in Saturday’s $145,000 Cupecoy’s Joy division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes at Aqueduct.

Bet down to 7-5 in the off-the-turf restricted stakes, Mischief Lady took the lead early under Ricardo Santana Jr. and stayed there throughout to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Boston’s Phinest. Trained by Eddie Barker, Mischief Lady won in 1:09.65 over the sloppy and sealed main track. Storm Changer finished third, with Disco Star and Royal Event completing the field.

Barker liked his filly’s chances based on her recent training and when the race came off the grass.

“Mark Casse’s horse (Disco Star) was probably the most talented on grass, but I think if it was on dirt, or slop, it would even up,” he said. “This filly has been training awesome. We gave her the time, and she grew like a monster. I’m glad she came back the way she did.”

Santana, who rode Mischief Lady for the first time, agreed.

“I made the move on the turn for home, I asked, and she gave me a second kick,” Santana said. “She was much the best today. … I watched her replays, and she was really quick. I think the track today was going to help her more. Even coming from a layoff, she broke really sharp, and she was really comfortable on the lead. I was really happy with her.”

The Cupecoy’s Joy marked the third stakes appearance for Mischief Lady, a $57,000 purchase out of last year’s OBS March sale. Both of those starts came as a 2-year-old – a second as a maiden in the Lady Finger Stakes in September at Finger Lakes and a sixth in the Fifth Avenue division of the NYSS in December at Aqueduct. Mischief Lady came into Saturday’s effort off a front-running win in a 6 ½-furlong allowance-optional in mid-January at Aqueduct.

Mischief Lady improved to 3-for-6 in the Cupecoy’s Joy and boosted her bankroll to $188,372.

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, Mischief Lady is the first foal out of the unraced Friend Or Foe mare Miss Buff. She’s a full sister to New York-bred champion, 17-time winner and $1,403,536-earner Mr. Buff. Named New York-bred champion older dirt male in 2019 and 2020, Mr. Buff won 11 stakes including back-to-back editions of the Empire Classic Handicap on Empire Showcase Day in 2019 and 2020.

Miss Buff is also the dam of the 2-year-old New York-bred Unified filly named R U Bluffing and bred by the Bromans and a New York-bred colt by Vekoma born April 6 and bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan. Miss Buff sold for $21,000 to Sebastian Bernard at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

Mischief Lady also became the third stakes winner for Honest Mischief, New York’s leading freshman sire in 2024 who stands for $7,500 at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson. A 9-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-winning Seattle Slew mare Honest Lady, Honest Mischief also sired 2024 New York-bred champion Sacrosanct and stakes winner Stone Smuggler.

Honest Mischief topped last year’s New York freshman sire list with more than $1.6 million in progeny earnings and came into Saturday ranked sixth on the Empire State’s general sire list with progeny earnings of more than $633,000.

 

The post Honest Mischief filly Mischief Lady scores in NYSS Cupecoy’s Joy appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Initially released by The New Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, INc. (NYTHA)

Winner to be Announced on New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Thursday, July 17

New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course will be held on Thursday, July 17, and once again the presentation of the Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award will highlight the event. Named for the first horse to retire through the TAKE THE LEAD Program back in 2013, the Down Broadway winner is decided by a vote of the fans. Voting opens today, Monday, June 9.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) will host the fifth annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day, which showcases retired racehorses demonstrating the skills they’ve learned in second careers, and interviews with members of New York’s aftercare community. The $150,000 Rick Violette Stakes, named for the late trainer and NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program, will anchor the racing card.

“We have a collective responsibility to provide our equine athletes with the best of care not only when they are at the racetrack, but into their retirement as well,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA Senior Vice President for Racing & Operations. “New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day is an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together to demonstrate our dedication to aftercare. NYRA takes great pride in hosting this event for the fifth straight year on July 17 at Saratoga Race Course.”

“Thoroughbred aftercare has become an increasingly important element of New York’s racing community since TAKE THE LEAD was launched a dozen years ago,” said Rick Schosberg, president of that organization. “Ensuring racehorses have the happy, healthy, and purposeful retirement they deserve is paramount. All of us—owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and racetracks—are thoroughly committed to providing for our horses after they leave the track, and together we contribute over $1.2 million a year to aftercare.”

“We’re proud to partner with NYTHA, NYRA, and each participating organization for New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Najja Thompson. “This day helps highlight our efforts and awareness to racing fans and the public to ensure New York remains a leader in Thoroughbred aftercare, and second career opportunities for our equine athletes.”

In addition to TAKE2 and TAKE THE LEAD, representatives of ACTT Naturally, Akindale, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be on hand in the Community Booth behind the jockeys’ quarters to talk about their efforts on behalf of New York’s retired racehorses.

The Down Broadway Award was inaugurated last year and honors went to My Boy Tate (pictured above), a popular New York-bred retired through ReRun who is now learning to be a show horse.

The Down Broadway Award was inaugurated last year and honors went to My Boy Tate (pictured above), a popular New York-bred retired through ReRun who is now learning to be a show horse. Photo credit: NYTHA

Bred and trained by Michelle Nevin, My Boy Tate was campaigned by Little Red Feather Racing.

“We love being a part of Aftercare Day,” My Boy Tate’s adopter, Kendra Richardson, said after the award ceremony. “It really is our favorite thing to do every year. What we enjoyed most this year was meeting the previous owners, or people who knew the horses when they were racing, and making that connection. We are all working together for the horses, but we rarely get to meet and talk to people from the racing side. Not only are we showing the public what these horses can do, we are bringing these two communities together.”

Four retired Thoroughbreds have been nominated for this year’s Down Broadway Award by the organizations who participate in Aftercare Day. They include a true war horse who earned $342,783 in his 89 starts and was the leading Colorado-bred earner for a time; the hero of the 2008 Maryland Million Turf; a filly raced by Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parsells; and a gelding whose lone career win was a 14-1 upset in the mud at Belmont Park.

The winner of the Down Broadway Award will be decided by a vote of racing fans, with the voting open June 9 through June 26. ONE VOTE PER PERSON.

Wristbands for each nominee will be given away on Aftercare Day so that fans can show their support, and the presentation of the award will be made in the Saratoga winner’s circle after the first race that day.

Click HERE to cast your vote for the 2025 Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year!

Profiles of each of the finalists are available here or individually here: Broadway Producer (New Vocations), Cut of Music (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation), Flag is Flying (Second Chance Thoroughbreds), Mel’s Baby Sister (ReRun).

 

The post Voting Opens for Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Spinning Colors and John Velazquez cruise to the finish of Wednesday’s Mount Vernon at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

Spinning Colors may not like doing what she’s told, but when she’s tasked with running on the turf at Saratoga Race Course, she typically delivers.

Wednesday, Spinning Colors improved her record over the Saratoga turf courses to 3-for-4 when she won the $200,000 Mount Vernon Stakes at 1 1/16 miles over the inner course. The 5-year-old mare entered the Mount Vernon off a seventh in the Sand Springs against open company at Gulfstream Park, a race in which she led the field through testing fractions that included a half-mile in :45.26. In the Mount Vernon, Spinning Colors led the field through a dawdling half in :50.33. Trainer Mark Hennig said that made a big difference.

“The pace helped her save a lot of that energy,” he said. “She tried hard last time in open company at Gulfstream. In spite of that pace, she still fought on. She gets a little bit of a break running against New York-breds and then, obviously, she loves Saratoga. This was her third win here.”

Spinning Colors took the field of 10 older fillies and mares gate to wire in the Mount Vernon under John Velazquez, setting a slow pace early and kicking on late to fend off the stretch runs by Silver Skillet and Awesome Czech, who finished second and third, respectively. Spinning Colors won the Mount Vernon by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:43.27.

“I nursed her along the best I could without taking too much hold of her,” Velazquez said. “After putting my hands down at the three-eighths pole, she was full of run. I hadn’t asked her to do anything, and she was very comfortable. After moving my hands a little bit, it was an instant response. Very nice.”

Hennig, who also co-owns the daughter of Hard Spun with Bourbon Lane Stable and HGS Thoroughbreds, remarked on what a difficult mare she can sometimes be to train.

“She’s not easy to do anything with, honestly,” Hennig said. “She’s a difficult filly, but she keeps herself fit because she’s athletic. Those kind are always easier. She dictates what we’re doing daily, basically. There are days we go out with the intent to gallop and she doesn’t gallop. Before she won the race at Gulfstream in February, the day she was going to work she got loose and went around the track twice. We didn’t end up getting to work her, but she worked herself that day.”

Despite the antics, Spinning Colors has won five of 14 starts and earned $362,210. Hennig said he’d likely bring Spinning Colors back to Saratoga at some point this summer.

“They’ve got another race here during the meet, but we’ll see,” he said. “They’ve got a decent program for the New York-bred fillies as the year goes on the turf, so we could keep her with her own kind, but I wouldn’t be opposed to trying her in open company in the right spot.”

Spinning Colors was bred by William Parsons Jr. and David Howe. She is out of the winning Elusive Quality mare Kaleidoscope, who has also produced multiple time winners Bartleby and Cartwheel. – Alec DiConza

Clear Conscience holds off Hush of a Storm in Wednesday’s Kingston Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

• In the span of four weeks, owner Wachtel Stable’s Adam Wachtel experienced both ends of a tight photo with the same horse. On May 11, Clear Conscience lost an allowance-optional at Aqueduct by a nose after holding the lead mid-stretch. In Wednesday’s $200,000 Kingston Stakes, the 5-year-old gelding got involved in another nose finish, but this time, the son of Blame crossed the wire first.

“We did have a tough beat just the other day,” Wachtel said in the winner’s circle. “Better to win this one than that one, right?”

Wachtel privately purchased Clear Conscience during last year’s summer meet at Saratoga because he saw some potential in his past performances. He wasted no time, transferring the gelding to Mark Casse and winning an allowance race on Travers Day just weeks after the purchase. The Kingston victory is the second by Clear Conscience since the change in connections.

“I’m a Ragozin sheets person, and he had a great looking sheet,” Wachtel said about the decision to buy Clear Conscience. “He was very fast, and I thought he was maybe better than his results were. So, we’re very pleased and Mark has done a great job with him.”

In the Kingston, a 1 1/16-mile turf event for older New York-breds, Clear Conscience sat a stalking trip on the inside behind pacesetters Union Trail and Itsallcomintogetha. He switched outside turning for home under Jose Ortiz and mowed these leaders down before facing a menacing bid from favorite Hush of a Storm. Clear Conscience just held on to get the bob and win by a nose in 1:41.30.

“He’s a very good gate horse and we love that about him. He broke good and put me into a great position,” Ortiz said. “I was following the one horse, who was of course very live.”

The effort from Clear Conscience impressed Casse, who felt fortunate that the photo went his way this time.

“He showed some grit, because the other horse went by him and he battled back,” he said. “Jose said he thought he was beat. We did get lucky on the bob, but many times I don’t get lucky on the bob, so I’ll take it when I can get it.”

Wachtel, who co-owns Clear Conscience with Gary Barber and Pantofel Stable, said there’s a good chance his gelding will return to Saratoga for another stakes race this summer.

“As long as he’s healthy, he’ll definitely run back here,” he said. “There’s a New York-bred stakes in the middle of August. I’m sure we’ll point to that. He’s just a nice horse. We’ve got a lot of options with him.”

Clear Conscience was bred by Alan Quartucci and Sebastian Varney. He is the second foal out of the Gio Ponti mare Blank Slate, who has also produced the four-time winner Topic Changer and the recent maiden winner Cognoscenti. Clear Conscience is now a winner of three out of 15 starts with earnings of $294,988. – Alec DiConza

The post Spinning Colors improves Spa record in Mount Vernon; Clear Conscience wins tight photo in Kingston appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Manny Franco celebrates Commentator victory aboard Bank Frenzy Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

Rudy Rodriguez gave Manny Franco a leg up on Bank Frenzy before Wednesday’s $200,000 Commentator Stakes and offered one final bit of instruction before the field of eight left the Saratoga Race Course paddock for the second stakes on the New York Showcase Day card.

“Don’t let him steal the race, put some pressure on him,” Rodriguez said, encouraging Bank Frenzy’s regular partner to stay close to last year’s Empire Classic winner and expected frontrunner Mama’s Gold in the 9-furlong stakes for older New York-breds.

Franco followed suit, never letting the Central Banker gelding lost contact with Mama’s Gold before pouncing on the leader approaching the top of the stretch en route to a 1 1/4-length victory. Owned by Randy Sarf’s LSU Stables and the 7-5 favorite in the field of eight, Bank Frenzy improved to 9-for-18 with his latest stakes victory. He’s won his last three New York-bred stakes appearances, along with the Stymie against open company in March, after finishing 4 1/4 lengths behind Mama’s Gold in the Empire Classic Handicap last fall.

“Manny won that race,” Sarf said as he hugged Rodriguez walking out of the winner’s circle. “He put Romero (Maragh, aboard Mama’s Gold) to sleep. He put him to sleep.”

Sarf purchased Bank Frenzy privately from Phil’s Racing Stable last spring after a 5 1/4-length victory in a 1-mile state-bred allowance-optional at Aqueduct. He won the Evan Shipman in mid-August at Saratoga in his first start for LSU and Rodriguez, before back-to-back seconds that led to a four-race win streak.

Bank Frenzy came into Showcase Day off a fourth in the Grade 3 Westchester on a muddy track May 4 at Aqueduct. He rebounded in a big way in the Commentator, defeating not only Mama’s Gold but last year’s winner Drake’s Passage (third), Locke And Key (fourth) and General Banker (sixth).

“I knew he was going to be good,” Sarf said of the private purchase. “Once you see a horse win by that distance, if they stay sound, they can win these state-bred stakes. We love the state-bred game. We tried to see how good he was (in graded company last time), but state-breds hang out with state-breds. I guess that’s why you breed in New York, to hang out in New York.”

The Commentator didn’t go completely smooth for Bank Frenzy.

Typically outfitted with extension blinkers for his morning training, Bank Frenzy made the walk from the holding barn to the paddock without blinkers.

“He’s a little quirky but he does his job,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a little difficult in the morning so we put the extension blinkers on. Today he didn’t have them and was kicking all over the place. He’s more happy when we put the blinkers on and that’s all we can do.”

Bank Frenzy raced with his usual blinkers and Franco set up shop in second around the clubhouse turn behind Mama’s Gold through the opening splits of :23.79 and :47.84.

Mama’s Gold continued to lead past 6 furlongs in 1:11.53, with Bank Frenzy just a half-length back while in the three path on the bend. Bank Frenzy took over outside the quarter pole and eventually shrugged off a stubborn Mama’s Gold in the lane to win in 1:50 over the fast track. Mama’s Gold held second, 3 1/2 lengths clear of 2-1 second choice Drake’s Passage.

“My horse broke so sharp and Rudy told me he was going to break like that because he broke sharp in the mornings,” Franco said. “I just took advantage of my break and just put him right behind (Mama’s Gold). That was the horse that I thought I had to beat. My horse made the front a little earlier than I wanted, but he was running so nice and he kind of got lost a little on the front end, that’s why (Mama’s Gold) came back. I had a lot of horse under me. I was comfortable all the way around.”

Bred by Chester and the late Mary Broman and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, Bank Frenzy is out of the Tiznow mare Storm Now. He originally sold for $110,000 at the 2022 OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training. Bank Frenzy picked up $110,000 for the Commentator victory and boosted his bankroll to $695,920. – Tom Law

Bernietakescharge (inside) holds off Sterling Silver to win Wednesday’s Critical Eye at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

• Two races after her half-sister Bernieandtherose finished third in the Bouwerie Stakes, Bernietakescharge made the family even more proud by winning the $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes in front-running fashion.

Breaking from the outside post in the field of seven, Bernietakescharge took the lead going into the clubhouse turn and set moderate splits of :24.01 for the quarter-mile and :47.86 for the half. The filly owned and bred by Robert Rosenthal and Bradford Bernstein faced a major challenge from millionaire Sterling Silver nearing the quarter pole, but after a long duel with that foe through the stretch, Bernietakescharge prevailed to win by a neck for trainer Dominick Schettino and jockey Romero Maragh. The daughter of Take Charge Indy completed the 9-furlongs in 1:50.26.

“We had a very nice trip,” Maragh said. “I know she likes to be on the front. She gets very game when she’s on the front. So, that was the whole game plan to be on the lead and be pretty aggressive with her, and get her into her rhythm. That was the game plan. Everything honestly worked out super perfect, super great.”

Millionaire, multiple stakes winner and 3-10 favorite Sterling Silver made a run alongside Bernietakescharge and Schettino felt that maybe a runner-up finish was in the cards for his 4-year-old filly.

“When they got to the quarter pole and I saw her (Sterling Silver) coming, I said, ‘Well, second ain’t bad,’ ” he said. “Then I saw her in the stretch fighting again and I said, ‘Wow, she’s got a shot here.’ We wound up better today than her.”

Schettino wasn’t surprised by the grit Bernietakescharge showed Wednesday.

“That filly, when she gets to the quarter pole and the stretch, if she is in front, a lot of times, she will continue to grind it out,” he said. “That’s what she does. When that filly got to her, I figured ‘well, that filly is a graded winner.’ Like I said, if she finished second she ran a bang-up race. She was training forwardly and she ran to it today.”

Bernietakescharge is the second foal out of the stakes winning mare Berning Rose, who Schettino trained in 2017 to win the Maid of the Mist Stakes at Belmont Park. Berning Rose, a daughter of Freud, has also produced multiple stakes winner Bernieandtherose, winning mare Berning Honor and an unraced 2-year-old named Roseberns Dream. Bernietakescharge is now a winner of six of 17 starts and has earned $469,580. – Alec DiConza

The post Bank Frenzy bounces back in Commentator; Bernietakescharge does family proud in Critical Eye appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Train the Trainer rolls to victory in Wednesday’s Mike Lee to kick off the New York Showcase Day portion of the card at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

Rob Atras picked up the phone to call fellow trainer Mark Glatt shortly after the 3-year-old gelding Train the Trainer showed up at his Belmont Park barn from California this spring with a short assessment.

“Geez, look at this horse. I love this horse,” Atras said, immediately impressed with the New York-bred son of Dialed In. “He was big, strong, (had) good bone on him. Big, tall and the way he carries himself. He has a lot of presence.”

Atras loved Train the Trainer a bit more when he romped to a 5-length victory in his first start in the Empire State and even more after a 2 3/4-length tally to open the New York Showcase Day portion of the card Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course.

Jon Taisey of Hibiscus Stable isn’t surprised by the love. He liked the then colt plenty when he and the Hibiscus team sent him down to Lexington for the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Hip 590, the ninth foal out of the Forestry mare Heavenly View, attracted plenty of attention on the sales grounds but not a ton of action in the ring.

“I loved him ever since he was a baby,” Taisey said. “I never thought that he was a horse we could really afford to bring back and syndicate, so we brought him to the sale there and honestly was super disappointed when we only got $52,000 for him.”

Glatt purchased the colt, on behalf of Alipony Racing and Saints or Sinners. He eventually went to California, where he didn’t race at 2 before surfacing in a 6-furlong maiden race April 6 at Santa Anita Park. He finished second that day, splitting a pair of Bob Baffert-trained first-time starters Goal Oriented and Sierra Silver.

“He put in a heck of a race and I knew at that point he was the real deal,” Taisey said. “I called the owners and tried to get them to at least send him back or sell him to clients of mine. Well, they decided to send him but not sell him. Mark handed over the reins to Rob and obviously Rob has done a great job with the horse to this point.”

The job now includes back-to-back victories, the latter in 1:23.92 for the 7 furlongs over the fast track in the opening flat stakes of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga. Under Irad Ortiz Jr., Train the Trainer went to post as the 9-5 second choice behind Prince Valiant and five others in the Mike Lee.

Train The Trainer went to the lead from the start and clicked off an opening quarter-mile in :23.09 ahead of Prince Valiant, First Pitch and Soontobeking. He maintained that margin around the far turn and to the half in :46.30.

Ortiz stayed busy on Train the Trainer approaching the stretch and they widened from there, opening up a 2-length lead in midstretch on the way to victory. Soontobeking, second behind Prince Valiant last time out in the Times Square division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes April 13 at Aqueduct, finished a head in front of that same rival for the place spot with Calling Card, First Pitch and Smilensaycheese completing the field. Train The Trainer picked up $110,000 for the win, boosting his bankroll to $167,000.

“Everything you see now started out in California,” Atras said. “They started with him and did all the base work. He had the one race then when we had him we just led him over, stayed out of his way and let him progress. There’s nothing we really did any differently, just let him grow up and get bigger and stronger.”

Foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Train the Trainer is a half-brother to six winners out of Heavenly Vision. She’s a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and sire Cairo Prince and the Grade 1-placed Empire Maker mare Nonna Mia, the dam of Grade 1 winner Outwork. – Tom Law

Kay Cup holds off her challengers in Wednesday’s Bouwerie Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

• Dan Zanatta walked off the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sales grounds after a long few days of inspections of the New York-bred yearlings in the 2023 catalog. He put a filly from the first crop of Instagrand on the short list of potential purchases for NY Final Furlong Racing Stable, just not quite into the top five prospects.

NY Final Furlong, a partnership operation headed up by Zanatta and Vince Roth perhaps best known for campaigning New York-bred champion Venti Valentine and multiple stakes winner Espresso Shot, exclusively buys fillies to syndicate. Zanatta and Roth, along with members of the Rice family that helps with inspections, liked the filly out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Gypso Go.

“She was probably a top six filly on our list and honestly, probably at the bottom of the list going into the final day of the selection process,” Zanatta said. “Then the last day she just kept showing better and showing better. She was a filly that every time we looked at her we upgraded her. We ended up upgrading her to the top of the list.”

Bidding through Ricehorse, NY Final Furlong landed the filly for $100,000. Now almost two years later and with Electric City Racing and Sportsmen Stable on board as partners, the filly named Kay Cup continued her ascent up the New York-bred 3-year-old filly ranks thanks to a victory in the $200,000 Bouwerie Stakes on New York Showcase Day.

Kay Cup improved to 2-for-3 with her 3-length win over Charlotte’s Heart in the Bouwerie. Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode two winners on the Showcase Day card, guided Kay Cup to victory for trainer Jorge Abreu in 1:23.79 for the 7 furlongs on the fast main track.

Abreu trained Venti Valentine, recently named 2024 New York-bred champion older dirt female after winning the 2-year-old filly title in 2021, and didn’t hesitate to compare the two after Wednesday’s Bouwerie.

“Since Day 1 we have liked the filly,” Abreu said. “Her presentation in the morning and the way she trains, she’s very professional. Everything about her. She’s never had a bad day and that’s important for fillies. They can go the wrong or right way and she’s always been the right way. She could be the next Venti Valentine.”

Zanatta and Roth actually hoped Kay Cup could follow in the early hoofprints of Venti Valentine and Espresso Shot.

“When we first bought her and after her first race, in my mind this was our Busher horse,” Roth said of the open-company 3-year-old filly stakes typically run in early March at Aqueduct. “We won the Busher with Espresso Shot, we won the Busher with Venti Valentine. She had a slight setback and needed some time off, so we couldn’t get her ready for that race. We brought he back and she won at Aqueduct (in an April 27 maiden) and now we have a new plan in mind.

“I don’t know if Jorge is going to like this but I told him there’s a couple pretty big races in August at Saratoga that I’d like to see her in.”

Bred by Caperlane Farm and sold at the 2023 Saratoga New York-bred sale by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, Kay Cup is the second foal out of the winning Gypsy Jo.

Kay Cup is also part-owned by ESPN Radio personality Anita Marks through America’s Best Racing’s “A Stake in Stardom” program made popular this spring thanks to social media influencer Griffin Johnson’s part ownership of Grade 1 winner and classics competitor Sandman. Kay Cup picked up $110,000 for the Bouwerie victory to boost her bankroll to $161,500. – Tom Law

The post Train the Trainer dominates Mike Lee; Kay Cup improves to 2-for-3 in Bouwerie appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Sterling Silver, dominating winner of last year’s Johnstone Mile Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, headlines star-studded group of New York-breds running Wednesday on New York Showcase Day. Coglianese Photo.

The 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival kicks off in style Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course with New York-breds in the spotlight. New York Showcase Day leads off the five-day stand at the Spa, along with the Grade 1 Beverly Steinman Handicap over jumps.

The Showcase Day portion of the card features nine races for New York-breds, including six stakes worth $200,000 apiece.

In partnership with New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., Opening Day of the Belmont Festival will tip off with an I Love NY-Breds baseball cap giveaway. The first 10,000 fans to enter with paid admission will receive a free, white baseball cap featuring the NYTB and 2025 Belmont Stakes logos in tribute to the New York-bred industry.

Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first post scheduled for 12:40 p.m.

The Saratoga Special, set for its 25th season this summer, will be on the scene to capture all the action and present a new Showcase Special for the first of two signature days for New York-breds this year at the Spa. Enjoy.

Worth Repeating
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to kick off this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with a New York Showcase Day card to highlight the quality of competitive racehorses produced in the Empire State when the racing world and media will be focused on Saratoga. New York-breds compete and win at every level around the world. Featuring a card with six state-bred stakes races and lucrative purses at a historic venue such as Saratoga Race Course shows why it pays to breed and race in New York.”
New York Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Najja Thompson.

By the Numbers
1: New York-bred champion from the 2024 season entered on Showcase Day – Bank Frenzy, who runs in the $200,000 Commentator Stakes.

5: Entries for trainer Jimmy Ferraro on Showcase Day, the most for any conditioner. Ferraro’s runners include Mama’s Gold in the $200,000 Commentator and Howling Wind in the $200,000 Bouwerie.

5: Entries apiece for McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds’ resident stallions Central Banker and Solomini

6: Number of runners out of Freud mares entered Wednesday.

6: Stakes on Wednesday’s Showcase Day card.

8: Finalists for New York-bred championship honors in 2024 entered on Wednesday’s card – Accelerating, Antonio of Venice, Bank Frenzy, Landed, Mama’s Gold, Silver Skillet and Sterling Silver.

27: Total stakes run during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

62: Trainers with runners entered on Showcase Day.

100: Entries on Wednesday’s card, including the seven in the Grade 1 Beverly Steinman.

$784,428: Earnings for Commentator entrant General Banker, the most of any New York-bred male on the card.

$1,046,051: Earnings for Critical Eye entrant Sterling Silver, the most of any New York-bred on the card.

$1,200,000: Purses for the six stakes.

$11,275,000: Purses for the 27 stakes at the Festival.

As for the races …
Race 1. Beverly R. Steinman Hudle Handicap (G1). $150,000, 4-year-olds and up, 2 3/8 miles over national fences. Post time 12:40 p.m. No New York-breds in the field but a competitive field of seven to kick off the day.

Mo Plex, winner of the Grade 3 Sanford last summer at Saratoga, runs in Wednesday’s Mike Lee Stakes. Coglianese Photo.

Race 2. Mike Lee Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Post time 1:13. Seven line up for the first stakes of the Showcase Day portion of the card, including graded stakes winner Mo Plex, stakes winners Soontobeking and Prince Valiant and one-time classics hopeful Calling Card.

Race 3. Maiden special weight. $90,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 5 1/2 furlongs, turf. Post time 1:46. Miss Im Pulsive moves to the grass after solid debut sprinting on the dirt last time out for Amelia Green. Willful Mama, a daughter of War of Will out of 2024 New York Broodmare of the Year In Spite of Mama, shortens up in her fourth start on the grass for owner-breeder Buck Butler and trainer Mike Maker.

Race 4. Commentator Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles. Post time 2:19. Drake’s Passage won last year’s renewal for the late Christophe Clement and will become Miguel Clement’s first New York starter in this year’s renewal. He prepped for this with a fifth in a 1-mile open optional-claimer last month at Aqueduct. Bank Frenzy looms large from the outside. Last year’s champion older dirt male looks to bounce back from fourth in Grade 3 Westchester and rattling off four straight wins in late 2024 and early 2025.

Race 5. Allowance. $95,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles, turf. Post time 2:51. Sounds Like a Plan didn’t miss by much last time against open company in the Woodhaven Stakes. Son of Twirling Candy drops back to allowance ranks for Horacio De Paz and meets the likes of Pay the Juice, Leon Blue, The Paddock Pastor and Courtly Banker.

Bernieandtherose looks to extend win streak to five in Wednesday’s Bouwerie Stakes. Coglianese Photo.

Race 6. Bouwerie Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds, fillies, 7 furlongs. Post time 3:26. Bernieandtherose looks to keep win streak intact for owners and breeders Robert Rosenthal and Brad Bernstein and trainer Dominick Schettino. She’s won four straight, including back-to-back stakes. Accelerating, winner of last year’s Seeking the Ante and disappointing in her two tires this spring at Oaklawn, returns to the Empire State and looms a threat while Charlotte’s Heart switches to the main track for the first time.

Race 7. Kingston Stakes. $200,000, 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles, turf. Post time 4:02. The Freud gelding Schlomo makes his stakes debut off back-to-back wins for trainer Bill Mott and takes on field of experienced runners led by Hush of a Storm, Born Dancer, Clear Conscience, Be of Courage and Itsallcomintogetha.

Race 8. Critical Eye Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 1 1/8 miles. Post time 4:37. Back to the main track for next-to-last stakes on the card. Landed, who figured to be favored, will come out of the race according to published reports and that leaves field of eight if they all go. Sterling Silver, who packs a strong resume and big bankroll; and Bernietakescharge, who scored a blowout win two starts back before fading in the mud last time, look toughest of that group.

Silver Skillet, a multiple New York-bred champion nominee in 2024, bids for third win in four starts at Saratoga in the Mount Vernon Stakes. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

Race 9. Mount Vernon Stakes. $200,000, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 1 1/16 miles. Post time 5:12. Silver Skillet returns to defend her title, albeit last year’s event was run on the main track after rains washed away the Showcase Day grass races. Daughter of Liam’s Map is equally good on grass, with three wins and two seconds in 11 tries. Reunites with Joel Rosario and potentially caps a big emotional day for the Clement family. Won’t be easy with the likes of Whatlovelookslike, Awesome Czech, Can’t Fool Me and Spinning Colors also in the field.

Race 10. Maiden special weight. $90,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles, turf. Post time 5:47. Coach Case, a son of Slumber, makes second start after good try in debut on the grass for the late Christophe Clement. Plenty of players in the field with Sir Oscar, English Castle, Spirit of the Law, Hello Newman, Moe Eighty Eight, Mission Hill and Sir Lawrence all looking like threats.

The post New York Showcase Special appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Dear Members:

Please note

All new and renewed 2025 NYTB members are eligible for general admission access during next week’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with your 2025 NYTB membership card on the following dates: Wednesday, June 4; Thursday, June 5; Friday, June 6; and Sunday, June 8.

A limited number of General Admission tickets remain available for Belmont Stakes Day, on Saturday, June 7. NYTB Members are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets may be purchased via Ticketmaster or by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844.697.2849.

 

2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Admission Information

Race Date Parking Gates Open    Admission Gates Open  First Post Wed., June 4 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:40 PM Thur. June 5 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:40 PM Fri., June 6 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:45 AM Sat. June 7 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 11:40 PM Sun. June 8 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:40 PM

If you have any questions regarding your NYTB membership, please contact the NYTB Office at 518.587.0777. 

Kind regards,

Najja Thompson, Executive Director

 

The post 2025 NYTB Membership Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Protocols appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Tacony Road and Emanuel De Diego rally on the outside to win Monday’s George W. Barker at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Tim Murphy’s homebred Tacony Road rallied from off the pace to upset the battling favored duo Looms Boldly and Lady’s Golden Guy in Monday’s $50,000 George W. Barker Stakes at Finger Lakes.

Sent off as the second longest shot in the field of six at 20-1, Tacony Road made a sustained run around the far turn and through the stretch to win the 6-furlong Memorial Day feature by a length over Lady’s Golden Guy. Multiple stakes winner and 1-2 favorite Looms Boldly finished another head back in third in his attempt to get back to the winning form that saw him land the John Morrissey Handicap last summer at Saratoga Race Course.

Tacony Road landed his first stakes victory in his third stakes attempt, after finishing sixth in the 2023 New York Derby and third in last year’s Leon Reed Memorial, both at Finger Lakes. The 5-year-old Klimt gelding came into the Barker off a third behind Lady’s Golden Guy and stablemate Rhymes Like Dimes in an open-company allowance May 6 at Finger Lakes.

Murphy also trains Tacony Road, who was ridden to victory in the Barker by Emanuel De Diego. Tacony Road won in 1:12.71.

Lady’s Golden Guy, the 2-1 second choice, came away quick from the gate and opened up on his five rivals early. Looms Boldly made up the deficit and joined the leader through the opening quarter-mile in :22.75 with Tacony Road and Rhymes Like Dimes chasing the top pair while racing side-by-side up the backstretch.

Looms Boldly put a head in front around the far turn and clicked past the half in :45.96 with a determined Lady’s Golden Guy hanging tough on the rail. The two leaders continued their battle into the stretch and past 5 furlongs in :58.93 before Tacony Road emerged on the scene late and won going away. Royal Suspect, Rhymes Like Dimes and Take the Gold completed the field.

Tacony Road is the first foal out of the multiple stakes-winning Nobiz Like Shobiz mare Fingerpainter, who Murphy also trained. Bred in New York by Richard and Kay Zwirn, Fingerpainter won six of 16 starts and earned $148,347. Second at 2 in the Shesastonecoldfox Stakes at Finger Lakes, she returned at 3 to win the Niagara Stakes and Arctic Queen Stakes.

Fingerpainter is also the dam of the winning New York-bred Firing Line gelding Paint the Line and the 2-year-old New York-bred Take Charge Indy filly Our Girl Indy. Fingerpainter is also the dam of a colt by Vekoma born February 21 and named Fly Vekoma Fly.

Tacony Road improved to 6-for-22 with the Barker victory and boosted his earnings to $149,683.

The post Tacony Road rallies to upset George W. Barker appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Respected horseman and leading trainer Christophe Clement. Coglianese Photo.

Leading trainer Christophe Clement, who won more than 2,500 races and racked up purses of more than $184 million, passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 59. A native of Paris, France, Clement enjoyed success at the highest levels of racing for more than three decades, including a classic win in the 2014 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes with Tonalist for owner Robert S. Evans.

“Unfortunately, if you are reading this, it means I was unable to beat my cancer,” Clement wrote in a message posted on social media Sunday. “As many of you know, I have been fighting an incurable disease, metastatic uveal melanoma. As I reflect on my journey, I realize I never worked a day in my life. Every morning, I woke up and did what I loved most surrounded by so much love. This journey started with my wife, Valerie, and six horses. Being a racehorse trainer is far more than a profession, horses have brought me fulfillment, friends and such wonderful memories.”

Clement, who saddled 2,576 winners from 13,269 starters according to Equibase, ranks 11th all-time in total earnings with more than $184,119,069 million. The list of top runners is led by Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti, champion older horse of 2009 and champion turf male in 2009 and 2010 who earned $6,169,800; and Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist, who also won back-to-back editions of the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap before retiring with earnings of $3,647,000.

Clement won 286 graded stakes during his career that earned him multiple finalist nominations for induction into the Racing Hall of Fame, including in 2025. He also holds the distinction as a trainer of Grade 1 winners and also as the breeder of a New York-bred Grade 1 winner on the flat. Therapist, co-bred by Clement and Richard Leahy’s Oak Bluff Stable and born at Berkshire Stud, provided that Grade 1 with a victory in the 2023 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Clement was honored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. as its Trainer of the Year in 2021 and 2022. He trained a bevy of New York-bred champions, including Pandagate (3-Year-Old Male in 2024), Silver Skillet (Turf Female in 2023), City Man (Turf Male in 2022), Acoustic Ave (2-Year-Old Male in 2022), Senbei (2-Year-Old Male in 2021), Gucci Factor (Turf Male in 2019), Disco Partner (Turf Male in 2017), Lubash (Turf Male in 2014 and 2015), and Discreet Marq, winner of the G1 Del Mar Oaks and two championship trophies in 2013.

The list of 286 graded stakes victories includes 41 at the Grade 1 level, mostly recently three last year in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer at Saratoga with Far Bridge, Saratoga Derby Invitational with Carson’s Run and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct with Far Bridge.

The New York-bred Disco Partner won 11 of 33 starts for his owner and breeder Patricia Generazio and Clement, including back-to-back editions of the Jaipur Invitational in 2017 and 2018 at Belmont Park. Disco Partner’s victory in the Grade 3 Jaipur in 2017 in 1:05.67 established a world record for 6 furlongs on the turf.

Family was always at the heart of his operation, learning at the hand of his late father, Miguel Clement, a successful trainer in France. After his father passed in 1978, Clement worked with many of the elite trainers in Europe, including legendary French conditioner Alec Head. In 1986, he spent time with Taylor Made Farm in the U.S., and a stint with Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.

Clement ventured back to Europe in 1987 to work for Luca Cumani in the U.K. before returning stateside to go out on his own in 1991, winning with his first starter, Spectaculaire, that October over the inner turf at Belmont Park with Triple Crown-winning jockey Jean Cruguet at the helm. That victory came just one year after his brother, Nicolas Clement, saddled Saumarez to a prestigious victory in the 1990 Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Clement was pre-deceased by another brother, Marc Clement.

Clement was supported throughout his racing journey by his wife, Valerie, who in addition to handling the business side of the stable, operates her own design company. Together, they raised their children Charlotte and Miguel. Charlotte, a Vanderbilt University graduate, received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She is married to Shaun Collins and a proud Clement was often seen trackside at the Oklahoma holding his young grandchild, Hugo Christophe Clement Collins.

Miguel, who has served as his father’s assistant since graduating from Duke University and the Darley Flying Start program, is married to NYRA TV analyst Acacia Clement. Miguel will take over training duties going forward and will continue a storied family legacy that includes his father’s 30 years of excellence at the top of the sport.

Christophe Lorieul, a member of Clement’s ‘chosen family’ and his assistant since 1994, will also continue to steer the organization with a steady hand.

Remembrances and messages of condolences flooded in from all corners of the racing industry Sunday with the news of Clement’s passing.

“He was always interested in seeing others succeed in racing,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and longtime friend of the Clement family. “He wanted to see the sport succeed at every level, but most of all, he was a compelling, compassionate, friendly and outgoing individual, that really supported everyone he encountered in his life, including mine.”

“Every now and then a rare individual comes along and distinguishes themselves in the way they approach life, rising to the top of their game and positively impacting those around them. Christophe was a leader, a family man, friend and mentor to others,” said Marc Holliday, Chairman of NYRA’s Board of Directors. “Christophe was an incredible horseman, who always put the horse first and the results speak for themselves. I feel lucky to have known him. His legacy is his family and the giant he was in the industry. It will take time to grieve his loss, but as much as this is a sad day, in time there will be much to celebrate for a life well lived.”

“Beyond his accomplishments as a trainer, which are many, Christophe Clement was a kind and generous man who made lasting contributions to the fabric of racing in New York,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “His loss is profound, and he will be deeply missed across our sport. We extend our condolences to Christophe’s family and legion of friends.”

“Our hearts are saddened today,” said New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Tina Marie Bond. “Christophe was a consummate horseman and so esteemed by his peers, but above all he cherished his family and friends. He made an extraordinary life for himself here in New York. Our sympathies go out to Valerie, Miguel, Charlotte, and Acacia, as well as all of the long-standing members of the CC tribe. May he rest in peace.”

“For decades, Christophe was the embodiment of professionalism, dedication and integrity in our industry,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “He earned the deep respect of his peers through consistent excellence and a record of success at the highest levels of racing. Yet beyond achievements, it was Christophe’s genuine love for the horse that truly set him apart. He was a consummate professional and a welcoming gentleman whose demeanor was always positive, gracious and upbeat. May his memory continue to inspire the industry he loved so dearly.”

“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Christophe Clement,” a statement from Breeders’ Cup Ltd. Said. “Not only was Christophe an exceptional trainer who excelled at the pinnacle of Thoroughbred racing, but his mark upon our sport also went above and beyond just winning races. He was a fierce champion of integrity, a friend and mentor to many, and a consummate professional who always put the well-being of his horses at the forefront of every decision. Our heartfelt condolences are with Christophe’s family, staff, and many friends. His presence will be dearly missed, and his legacy will live on for generations.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The post Racing mourns passing of Christophe Clement appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Hip 187, a colt by New York-based sire Galilean bred by Andy and Susan Beadnell, sold for $700,000 Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

A pair of New York-bred colts – including one from the first crop of New York-based sire Galilean – sold for $700,000 to spark Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale of 2-year-olds in training in Timonium, Maryland.

Bloodstock agent Mahmud Mouni purchased both colts during the sale condensed to a single session after issues with the Timonium racing surface postponed and eventually shifted last week’s presale under-tack shows to a gallop-only event Sunday.

The colts were Hip 187, a colt by Galilean offered by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables Inc. consignment; and Hip 136, a colt from the first crop of Yaupon sold by Grassroots Training and Sales LLC.

“I’m so happy,” said Mouni, who bought five juveniles including another colt by Into Mischief for $1 million. “The horses were bought for Tagermeen Racing, a group of Libyan owners together. About five owners. All our horses I purchased for them. They will all stay in the United States for racing.”

Bred by Andy and the late Susan Beadnell and foaled at their Bead Land & Cattle Co. in Pottersville, the Galilean colt is the second foal out of the winning Mineshaft mare It’s Timeless. The Beadnells also bred the mare’s first foal, the New York-bred 3-year-old Global Campaign filly Campaign Champagne. Susan Beadnell, who with her husband bred New York-bred Grade 1 winner Haveyougoneaway and several other stakes winners, passed away at the age of 79 in mid-April.

Galilean, a 9-year-old multiple stakes-winning son of Uncle Mo out of the El Prado mare Fresia, stands for $3,500 at Questroyal North in Stillwater. The colt out of It’s Timeless, who sold to Bronco Bloodstock for $95,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, was one of 16 yearlings by Galilean that sold for an average of $41,369 in 2024.

Hip 136, a colt by Yaupon bred by Gabrielle Farm and Saratoga Glen Fal, also brought $700,000 Tuesday in Timonium. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

Gabrielle Farm and Saratoga Glen Farm bred the colt by Yaupon, who is out of the multiple stakes-winning Frost Giant mare Frosty Margarita. Foaled at Saratoga Glen Farm in Schuylerville, the colt is the second foal out of the $599,876-earner who earned champion New York-bred 2-year-old filly honors in 2015. The colt was a $250,000 purchase out of this year’s Fasig-Tipton February digital sale.

Gabrielle Farm and Saratoga Glen Farm also bred Frosty Margarita’s first foal, the Malibu Moon gelding Malibu Margarita, and her yearling daughter of leading New York sire Central Banker.

“In my opinion (and) in my experience, I think Fasig-Tipton is one of the best auction sales,” Mouni said. “I’m so lucky to get these horses here. It feels like they are selected horses. You can find whatever you want. I like the facilities. The people help me so much. That is a very special thing.”

The leading colts were two of 15 New York-breds that sold for $100,000 or more during the record-breaking sale. Others included Hip 194, a colt by Yaupon out of the Grade 2-winning Menifee mare Just Jenda; and Hip 541, a filly from the first crop of Modernist out of the winning Daaher mare Ascot Walk.

Justin Casse, agent for M V Magnier, went to $500,000 for Hip 194. Bred by and foaled at Milfer Farm Inc. in Unadilla, the colt originally sold for $130,000 at last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale. Consigned at the Midlantic sale by Steven Venosa’s SGV Thoroughbreds LLC, agent, the colt is the seventh foal out of Just Jenda and a half-brother to stakes winners Jenda’s Agenda and Miss Alacrity.

Repole Stable went to $310,000 to purchase Hip 541, who finished the sale as the top-priced New York-bred filly. Bred by Kaylee M. Platt and foaled at Platt’s Windy Acres in Boonville, the filly is the third foal out of Ascot Walk and a half-sister to stakes winner and recent Kentucky Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill and graded stakes-placed $179,510-earner Regaled.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 68 of the 84 New York-breds through the ring Tuesday for a total of $6,176,500, an average price of $90,831 and median of $52,500.

The post Pair of $700,000 colts highlight Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

My Mane Squeeze, winner here of the the Grade 3 Fasig-Tipton Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs, earned New York-bred Horse of the Year and multiple divisional honors for 2024. Coady Media.

My Mane Squeeze earned New York-bred Horse of the Year honors and led a haul for her owner and breeder William “Buck” Butler during Monday evening New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ Inc.’s Annual Awards Ceremony at Sacred Saratoga at GMP Farm in Schuylerville.

Bred by Butler and campaigned in partnership for most of 2024 by Butler and WinStar Farm, My Mane Squeeze went 4-2-1 in nine starts and earned $860,750. Her victories included the Grade 2 Eight Belles Stakes and Grade 3 Fasig-Tipton Dogwood Stakes, both at Churchill Downs. In addition to Horse of the Year honors, My Mane Squeeze took home Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Champion Female Sprinter honors.

The 2024 New York-bred Horse of the Year and divisional champions were chosen by a vote of New York turf writers, handicappers, photographers and television and radio hosts and analysts conducted by the NYTB.

Butler was also selected by the NYTB board as New York Breeder of the Year and his Speightstown mare In Spite of Mama was named Broodmare of the Year. Butler’s homebred multiple stakes winner Rotknee also took home honors as Champion Male Sprinter.

A Commemorative Awards Program, written and produced by ST Publishing (the team behind The Saratoga Special and Thisishorseracing.com), was produced for the Awards Dinner and is available on the Thisishorseracing.com website by clicking here.

New York’s 2024 honorees:
New York-Bred Horse of the Year, Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Champion Female Sprinter
My Mane Squeeze (Audible – In Spite Of Mama, Speightstown)
Owners: William “Buck” Butler and WinStar Farm
Breeder: William “Buck” Butler
Trainer: Mike Maker
Foaling farm: Keane Stud, Amenia

Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief – Vibrato, Unbridled’s Song)
Owners: Lady Sheila Stable, Net Birdie and Schwing Thoroughbreds
Breeders: Burleston Farms, Mckenzie Bloodstock and Sequel Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Brad Cox
Foaling farm: Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
With the Angels (Omaha Beach – Sister Margaret, Pulpit)
Owners: Winning Move Stable, John Oxley, Lady Sheila Stable, Rideau Racers and Sanford Robbins
Breeder: Joseph DeRico
Trainer: Linda Rice
Foaling farm: River Valley Farm in Gansevoort

Champion Three-Year-Old Male
Pandagate (Arrogate – Kitty Panda, Sky Mesa)
Owners: Adelphi Racing Club, Madaket Stables, Corms Racing Stable, On The Rise Again Stable
Breeder: Fred Hertrich III
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Foaling farm: Waldorf Farm in North Chatham

Champion Older Dirt Male
Bank Frenzy (Central Banker – Storm Now, Tiznow)
Owners: LSU Stables, Phil’s Racing Stable
Breeders: Chester and Mary Broman
Trainers: Rudy Rodriguez, Lisa Lewis
Foaling farm: Chestertown Farm in Chestertown

Champion Older Dirt Female
Venti Valentine (Firing Line – Glory Gold, Medaglia d’Oro)
Owners: N Y Final Furlong Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds
Breeders: Final Furlong Racing Stable and Maspeth Stable
Trainer: Jorge Abreu
Foaling farm: Schuylerville Thoroughbred Farm in Schuylerville

Champion Turf Male
Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d’Oro – Khancord Kid, Lemon Drop Kid)
Owners: Madaket Stable, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn
Breeders: Chester and Mary Broman
Trainer: Chad Brown
Foaling farm: Chestertown Farm in Chestertown

Champion Turf Female
Moonage Daydream (Candy Ride – Elatha, Malibu Moon)
Owner: Chris Larsen
Breeder: 3C Stable
Trainer: Jorge Abreu
Foaling farm: Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater

Champion Male Sprinter
Rotknee (Runhappy – In Spite Of Mama, Speightstown)
Owner/Breeder: William “Buck” Butler
Trainer: Mike Maker
Foaling farm: Keane Stud in Amenia

Broodmare of the Year: In Spite of Mama (Speightstown – Mama Theresa, Carson City), dam of My Mane Squeeze, Rotknee, Mama’s Gold
New York Sire of the Year: Central Banker (McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds)
New York-Bred Trainer of the Year: Mike Maker
New York-Bred Jockey of the Year: Manny Franco
New York Breeder of the Year: William “Buck” Butler
New York-bred Program Lifetime Achievement Award: Barry K. Schwartz
New York Farm Manager of the Year: John McMahon (McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds)

The post My Mane Squeeze earns 2024 New York-bred Horse of the Year, multiple divisional honors appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Photo courtesy Old Tavern Farm

Press release courtesy of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)
Presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc, fan-favorite experience features breakfast at the track and tours of breeding farms

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that the popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm program will be offered Thursdays through Sundays during the 2025 Saratoga summer meet to better accommodate the schedules of families. Previously, the program was available Wednesdays through Saturdays.

This year’s Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours are presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) and will feature three area farms: Old Tavern Farm, Sugar Plum Farm and Song Hill Thoroughbreds.

The tours will be available every Thursday through Sunday during the 2025 Saratoga summer meet, beginning with Opening Day, Thursday, July 10, and continuing through Sunday, August 31. The lone exception is Sunday, August 10, whose tour to Sugar Plum Farm will be offered on Wednesday, August 6. In addition, there is no tour on DraftKings Travers Day, Saturday, August 23.

War Dancer meets one of his sons at Sugar Plum Farm in Saratoga Springs. Barbara Livingston photo

Photo courtesy of Song Hill Thoroughbreds

Tickets will be available beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at NYRA.com. The package includes buffet breakfast, transportation, guided tour of a local breeding farm and admission to Saratoga Race Course. Tickets are $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests.

“The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours have become a new and exciting tradition for racegoers and families throughout the summer racing season,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “Each tour offers the opportunity to learn every facet and stage in the development of our equine athletes: from watching horses of racing age at historic Saratoga Race Course to receiving a behind-the-scenes look at a locally based New York Thoroughbred breeding farm where racehorses are foaled and spend time before and after their racing careers. New York Thoroughbred Breeders is proud to partner with NYRA and CDTA to offer fans this unique experience.”

The all-inclusive experience begins with a buffet-style breakfast available from 7 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on the Porch at Saratoga Race Course against the backdrop of morning training on the main track. At 9:15 a.m., fans will board a CDTA trolley at the Clubhouse entrance for the short ride to the day’s breeding farm where they will enjoy a comprehensive guided tour before returning to Saratoga Race Course for an afternoon of live racing.

Tours will be available each week as follows: Thursdays at Song Hill Thoroughbreds, 290 County Road 75 in Mechanicville; Fridays at Old Tavern Farm, 45 Brown Road in Stillwater; and Saturdays and Sundays at Sugar Plum Farm, 96 Gilbert Road in Saratoga Springs.

Old Tavern Farm is a private boutique thoroughbred-breeding operation in nearby Stillwater that was founded in 2016 by Walt and Michelle Borisenok. The farm helped launch the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm program in 2022. More information is available at oldtavernfarms.com.

Established in 2005 and managed by owner Robin Malatino, Sugar Plum Farm is a private breeding operation located just minutes from Saratoga Race Course. The farm also serves as the summer home of New York’s leading Turf Sire, War Dancer, who is on hand to greet visitors from his paddock. More information is available at sugarplumfarmsaratoga.com.

Song Hill Thoroughbreds, owned by Jim and Tina Bond, was established in Mechanicville in 2005. More information about the expansive 100-acre horse farm can be found at jamesbondracing.com/song-hill-thoroughbreds.

In addition to Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour tickets, single-day general admission tickets to Saratoga Race Course will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, May 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at Admissions. General admission tickets allow fans to enjoy hundreds of free picnic tables located in the Rivers Casino Backyard as well as access to the apron and many other areas on-track.

A special July 4th Racing Festival general admission pass will also be available for purchase for just $20 beginning on Wednesday, May 14 by clicking here. The July 4th Racing Festival, typically held at Belmont Park, will take place from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 at Saratoga while construction continues on the new Belmont Park.

The July 4th Festival will serve as the prelude to the 40-day Saratoga summer meet which will open Thursday, July 10 and continue through Monday, September 1, highlighted by the 156th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 23 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 2.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

The post NYRA announces new weekend-friendly schedule for Saratoga Breakfast & Breeding Farm tours appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

River Thames, a dominant winner in his first two starts this winter at Gulfstream Park, steps up in Saturday’s 150th Preakness Stakes. Coglianese Photo/Ryan Thompson.

New York-bred River Thames takes his turn in the 2025 Triple Crown when he takes on eight others in the 150th running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Owned by WinStar Farm, CHC Inc., Pantofel Stable and Wachtel Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, River Thames drew post six in the field of nine for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride the son of Maclean’s Music, who is pegged as the 9-2 third choice behind 8-5 morning-line favorite and Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism and 4-1 second choice and Arkansas Derby winner Sandman.

River Thames comes into the 1 3/16-mile Preakness with two wins in four starts and placings in the Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. The Fountain of Youth loss came by just a neck to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty.

River Thames earned sufficient points to land a spot in the starting gate for the May 3 Kentucky Derby but his connections opted to wait, giving the colt six weeks between starts.

“He has proven that he has held good company,” Pletcher said. “We’ve been able to give him a little space here, after his first three races were all pretty close together. So hopefully that little extra time from [the Blue Grass] to the Preakness and being fresh, gives him a chance to make a move forward.”

Pletcher breezed River Thames three times between the Blue Grass and Preakness, including a half-mile tightener in :48.25 last weekend on the Belmont Park training track.

“We are happy with his condition,” Pletcher said after the work. “He has bounced out of the Blue Grass well. He has been training consistently here. He has put on a few pounds, so we are happy with the way he is coming into it.”

Bred by CTR Stables LLC and foaled at Stonegate Stables in Fort Edward, River Thames sold to CHC, Siena Farm and WinStar’s Maverick Racing for $200,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He’s the first foal out of the winning Discreet Cat mare Proportionality, a half-sister to stakes winner Miss Interpret from the family of Grade 1 winners Paulassilverlining and Dads Caps.

The Preakness, broadcast by NBC, goes as the 13th of 14 races Saturday with post time set for 7:01 p.m. ET.

• Waterville Lake Stable’s homebred Loon Cry, a finalist for champion New York-bred turf female honors in 2024, makes her first start since early November in Friday’s $100,000 The Very One Stakes sprinting on the turf. Trained by Christophe Clement and foaled at Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, the 5-year-old daughter of More Than Ready won one of her two stakes on the Maryland circuit last year when she took the 6-furlong Sensible Lady at Laurel Park. She’s the 9-5 favorite on the morning line for jockey Flavien Prat, not including potential main track only runners if the race is moved off the grass. Post time for The Very One, which goes at 5 furlongs on the turf, is 4:38 p.m.

The post River Thames flies the flag for Empire State in Preakness appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Whatchatalkinabout lands first graded stakes victory in Saturday’s John A. Nerud at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

Whatchatalkinabout returned to stakes company for the first time since October 2023 and came away with a gritty victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $169,750 John A. Nerud at Aqueduct.

Owned by Ice Wine Stable and trained by Wesley Ward, the 4-year-old son of Dialed In also returned from an almost five-month layoff to win a three-way photo in the 6-furlong Nerud. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Whatchatalkinabout, who edged Silver Slugger to his inside and Surveillance to the outside.

Bet down to even-money favoritism, Whatchatalkinabout broke well and relinquished the lead early to Silver Slugger up the backstretch. Silver Slugger led through the opening quarter-mile in :21.89 over the fast track, just ahead of Whatchatalkinabout with Surveillance and Full Moon Madness right behind the top pair.

Silver Slugger and Whatchatalkinabout continued their battle around the far turn and to the half in :44.84 with Surveillance ranging up three wide at the top of the lane. The trio flashed past the eighth pole heads apart in :56.67 for the 5 furlongs and threw it down in deep stretch.

Whatchatalkinabout edged clear of Silver Slugger just before the wire for his second stakes score and fourth overall win from seven starts. Whatchatalkinabout, scratched at the gate before last month’s Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland, won in 1:09.03.

“He’s a good horse, talented,” Ward said. “He ran a gutsy race. I was proud of him. That horse on the inside [Silver Slugger] ran a big one and also the grey horse on the outside [Surveillance]. To be in the middle of those two and for him to gut through it really showed something.

Ortiz came away equally impressed.

“He was good. I was supposed to ride him last time and we scratched at the gate,” he said. “He was much better at the gate. That helped, we broke so good, he put me right in the race, and after that I was closer than I thought, and I go from there. He was game at the end. He felt the outside horse and fought. Then the inside horse came back, and he fights back and by the time we hit the wire he had his head in front. He was game, he was fighting.”

Whatchatalkinabout started his career with two wins in three starts, including a debut score in mid-May 2023 at Belmont Park and the New York Breeders’ Futurity in mid-October at Finger Lakes. He also finished third behind The Wine Steward and El Grande O in the Funny Cide Stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day during his juvenile season.

Off until last October, Whatchatalkinabout returned with back-to-back seconds at Aqueduct before an 8-length victory in mid-January at Aqueduct. Ward purposely waited until this spring to bring Whatchatalkinabout back to the races.

“He ran such a big number in his last race, I just wanted to give him a bunch of time,” Ward said. “I’ve learned a lot over the 35 years. When I started, I had black hair and now it’s white, so, I’ve learned what not to do. It’s hard to be patient, especially when he ran a big one like that.”

Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, Whatchatalkinabout is the sixth foal out of the unraced Super Saver mare Super Savvy. A half-sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Don’t Forget Gil, Super Savvy is the dam of 10-time winner and $354,215-earner Prince James and winner Stopdropandroll.

Super Savvy is also the dam of the 2-year-old New York-bred Sharp Azteca colt Hamilton’s Reason and a colt by Maxfield born February 12 in Kentucky. Newtown Anner Stud bred both colts.

Originally consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale, Whatchatalkinabout left the ring unsold on a bid of $38,000. Reoffered by Blake-Albina at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale, Whatchatalkinabout sold to Ward for $82,000.

Whatchatalkinabout earned $96,250 for the Nerud victory to boost his bankroll to $335,328.

The post Whatchatalkinabout grits out John A. Nerud win appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Manny Franco celebrates victory aboard Spirit of St Louis in $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Saturday. Churchill Downs/Coady Media.

Spirit of St Louis vaulted to the top of the North American male turf division Saturday with a rousing victory in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.

Reunited with Manny Franco – who rode the Medaglia d’Oro gelding to six stakes wins in 2023 and 2024 – Spirit of St Louis added the Turf Classic to his victory two starts back in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park. He also bounced back from a close fourth as the favorite in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes in late March at Fair Grounds.

Sent off again as the favorite – this time 3-1 against nine others over the saturated turf course labeled good – Spirit of St Louis closed from the back of the field to win a six-way wild finish by three-quarters of a length over Mercante and Highway Robber. Franco angled Spirit of St Louis wide into the lane, avoiding any trouble down inside to give owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Richard Schermerhorn the win in the traditional Derby Day fixture.

“I was so happy in the last 200 yards because I thought I made the right move,” Franco said. “There were a lot of horses back in the same spot and I never had to stop and that was the key.”

Brown also praised Franco’s ride, which provided the trainer with his fifth victory in the Turf Classic following scores with Program Trading (2024), Domestic Spending (2021), Digital Age (2020) and Bricks and Mortar (2019).

“He was standing flat-footed and he didn’t break all that well,” Brown said. “But Manny did a good job of saving ground with him in the first turn and then got him running late. I was confident today with this horse because he does real well on soft turf. I’ve been following his numbers and he is getting better and better. But he has surprised me with how far he can run.”

Spirit of St Louis improved to 3-for-4 at 9 furlongs, winning in 1:48.20. A full brother to New York-bred Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold, Spirit of St Louis also improved to 11-for-16 with three seconds in the Turf Classic. He earned $530,110 to boost his bankroll to $1,809,250, good for 14th on the all-time list of New York-bred earners.

Bred by Chester and the late Mary Broman and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, Spirit of St Louis is also a half-brother to stakes-placed New York-breds Land Mine and Homeland. Khancord Kid, a Grade 3 winner, has produced five winners. She’s also the dam of a 2-year-old full brother to Spirit of St Louis named Kid’s Khanclusion.

The Bromans bought Khancord Kid’s dam, Confidently, for $1 million at the 2000 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. Out of Grade 1 winner Key Phrase, Confidently is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Yankee Gentleman with her dam a half-sister to the dam of champion Shared Belief.

Spirit of St Louis, a $300,000 purchase by BSW/Crow out of the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale, made his first two starts for owner Peter Brant and Brown. He won his debut on the dirt in mid-February 2023 before a second in a 9-furlong allowance on the dirt, both at Aqueduct. Dubb purchased Spirit of St Louis for $280,000 shortly after that effort, at the Keeneland April horses of racing age sale. He’s won 10 of 13, including a run of five straight stakes from late 2023 to the summer of 2024.

The Turf Classic marked just the fourth graded try for Spirit of St Louis, who also finished a troubled fifth in last year’s Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland. He bounced back from that effort to win his second straight Mohawk Stakes on Empire Showcase Day in late October to close his 5-year-old campaign and set up a strong start to 2025.

The post Spirit of St Louis collects second Grade 1 in Old Forester Turf Classic on Derby Day appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Early On, a daughter of Union Rags bred by John Lauriello, leads the New York-bred contingent this weekend at Churchill Downs and starts in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks. Churchill Downs/Coady Media.

A trio of runners will fly the flag for the New York Thoroughbred breeding program at Churchill Downs in Grade 1 events on this weekend’s Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby cards.

The group includes Early On in Friday’s headlining $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks, which lost a New York-bred Thursday morning following the scratch of potential contender Five G.

Early On, a 3-year-old daughter of Union Rags bred by John Lauriello, will start from post one in the 9-furlong Oaks for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and owners C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer and Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch and Bradley Kent. She finished second by a nose behind Ballerina d’Oro last time out in the Grade 3 Gazelle April 5 at Aqueduct and is listed at 30-1 on the morning line for the Oaks.

“This is unbelievable. She’s going to be in the Kentucky Oaks,” Lauriello said last month. “I’m 77. I’ve been in and out of the horse business in a small way for 50 years. This is just a miracle. That filly has really done well. Sometimes you get lucky, not often.”

Lauriello lives in Alabama and keeps a small band of broodmares as a hobby. He purchased the winning Distorted Humor mare Sally O’Brien, carrying Early On in utero, for $75,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Sally O’Brien later sold in foal to Corniche for $55,000 to Fortune Farm at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

Early On, who also finished second behind fellow Oaks entrant Fondly in the Virginia Oaks March 15 at Colonial Downs, was foaled at Hickory Hill Farm Thoroughbreds in Fort Edward and sold for $20,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

“I love the New York program,” Lauriello said. “The New York breeding program is second to none in my opinion. I’ve been involved in horse racing with some folks from Birmingham and upstate New York, but the breeding was as much or more fun. The people from Birmingham got old and stopped their horse racing business, still fans, but didn’t want to breed or race, so I started about 15 years ago buying broodmares.

“I grew up in Amsterdam. The Sanford family had a farm there. When the season started at Saratoga, we used to hitchhike, and when kids couldn’t get in, we’d stand on the hoods of cars and look over the bushes to see the track. From the time I was a kid in Amsterdam going to the Sanford farm, I got bit early. Long story short, I got the bug.”

The New York program lost its other Oaks entrant, Grade 1 Gulfstream Parks Oaks winner Five G, when trainer George Weaver scratched the daughter of Vekoma after she reportedly backed off her feed and didn’t train to his satisfaction. The Gatsas Stables’ homebred figured to be one of the potential threats to favorites Good Cheer, Quietside, La Cara and Ballerina d’Oro.

“This is the type of race where you’ve got to be 110 percent and we don’t feel like she is,” Weaver told Daily Racing Form’s David Grening Thursday morning.

The Kentucky Oaks goes as the 11th of 13 races Friday with post time set for 5:51 p.m. ET.

The other two Grade 1-bound New York-breds run on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Day card.

• Gary Barber’s Mi Bago, the winner of three straight stakes to end 2024 and start this season, leads things off when he takes on a full field of 13 other 3-year-olds in the newly upgraded $1 million American Turf presented by Ford. Bred by Highclere Inc., the son of Vekoma drew post four in the full field for the 1 1/16-mile turf event that goes as the ninth race at 4:06 p.m.

Mi Bago won the Pulpit Stakes on the turf in late November, Dania Beach on synthetic on New Year’s Day and Colonel Liam back on the grass in early March, all at Gulfstream for trainer Mark Casse. Foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham and out of the Indian Charlie mare Wabanaki, Mi Bago is 10-1 on the morning line for jockey Jose Ortiz.

• Spirit of St Louis, winner of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf two starts back, could give the Empire State its best chance of the weekend in the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes. Campaigned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Richard Schermerhorn, the 6-year-old Medaglia d’Oro gelding is the 9-2 second choice in the field of 12 entered in the 9-furlong stakes.

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown and out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Khancord Kid, Spirit of St Louis reunites with Manny Franco for the Turf Classic. Franco rode the gelding to six stakes victories in 2023 and 2024, including back-to-back editions of the Mohawk on Empire Showcase Day. Trained by Chad Brown, Spirit of St Louis drew post 10. The Turf Classic goes at 5:39 p.m., leading in as usual to the headlining Kentucky Derby at 6:57 p.m.

Notes: Buck Butler’s homebred My Mane Squeeze was entered in Saturday’s $1 million Derby City Distaff Stakes presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery but reportedly will scratch in favor of next Saturday’s Grade 2 Ruffian at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old daughter of Audible is trained by Mike Maker and co-owned by WinStar Farm.

 

The post New York-breds set for Oaks-Derby weekend appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Leading owner and breeder Barry K. Schwartz. Coglianese Photo.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) is pleased to announce Thoroughbred breeder and owner Barry K. Schwartz will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the New York-bred program.

Schwartz, who owns and operates Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs with his wife Sheryl, will be recognized at the NYTB’s Awards Dinner sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm in Schuylerville.

“Barry has been an integral and influential person in the development of New York breeding and racing,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede. “He has achieved success in every facet of our industry, and we are proud to honor and recognize his contributions to New York breeding and racing at our marquee event.”

Schwartz, the former CEO of Calvin Klein Inc., grew up a racing fan and purchased his first horse in 1978. He has consistently been one of the Empire State’s leading owners and breeders for nearly four decades since.

“What a great honor,” Schwartz said. “When I got the call, everything was out of the blue and kind of shocking. Yes, I was shocked. Shocked. I guess it tells you you’re getting up in years when they use that lifetime word.”

A member of The Jockey Club and former Chairman and CEO of the New York Racing Association, Schwartz bred and campaigned New York-bred Grade 1 winners Voodoo Song, The Lumber Guy and Princess Violet, along with New York-bred graded stakes winners Lovely Lil and Sharp Starr in his signature black and white colors. Other leading runners campaigned by Schwartz include Boom Towner, David, Degenerate Jon, Great Intentions, Jacaranda, Killer Diller, Lovely Lil, Nothing But Fun, Papa Shot, Papua, Rodman, Star Dabbler, Thepromonroe, Three Ring, Turnofthecentury and Whatlovelookslike.

Boom Towner won 29 of 82 starts with 30 other placings and earned $962,391. Claimed for $50,000 in September 1993 at Belmont Park, he won the Grade 3 Boojum Handicap three starts later at Aqueduct for trainer Mike Hushion. The popular gelding known for his tendency to lug in won three more stakes carrying Schwartz’s colors. Boom Towner continued to run competitively in the claiming ranks at 7, 8 and 9 before being claimed for $25,000 in late June 1997. Schwartz and Hushion claimed him back for $18,000 in December 1997 and retired the gelding in early 1998.

“He certainly wasn’t the best horse that I’ve had, but he was my favorite,” Schwartz said. “We claimed him for $50,000. He went up the ladder. He was a stake horse for a long, long time. He came back down the ladder, as he aged, and got claimed a few times. Eventually I retired him and he lived until he was 31.

“Every year when I’d go out to California, I’d see him and take a picture with him because I didn’t know if I was going to see him again. But he hung in there. He lived until he was at 31, which is a real ripe old age. He definitely recognized me. He’d know my car when I came up the road to the paddock he was in. He’d come over to the fence and look for some sort of a treat. He’d stick his head right into my chest, you know, and nuzzle me. We had a very personal relationship.”

Schwartz takes a hands-on approach to building and sustaining his broodmare band that runs between 15 and 20 mares every year. He’s assisted by his longtime farm manager Peter Moore and enjoys the challenges with breeding his own racing prospects.

“Most of the years, believe it or not, I did it all myself,” Schwartz said of his approach to mating mares. “I did a lot of reading. I go back in the days reading the Racing Form when (Leon) Rasmussen would write the ‘Bloodlines’ column. I read Tesio’s books. I read most everything I could get my hands on relating to breeding over the years.

“Now I do it all with my farm manager. He’ll go down to Kentucky to visit the stallions, look at them physically and make recommendations. He’s truly a horseman. We’ve become very close and have really worked very well together for a number of years now.”

Stonewall Farm was honored as Breeder of the Year by the NYTB in 2023 and 2012 and by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association as New York Breeder of the Year in 2023. Schwartz also received the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Award as “the person who did the most for racing” in 2001 by the New York Turf Writers Association.

“We look forward to celebrating Barry’s lifetime achievements as an owner, breeder and racing executive at this year’s New York-bred Divisional Champions Awards dinner,” said NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson. “In addition to celebrating each of our divisional program nominees it will be a wonderful evening.”

The post NYTB to honor Barry K. Schwartz with Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Mo Plex guts out another stakes victory in Saturday’s Bay Shore at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo//Susie Raisher.

R and H Stable’s Mo Plex returned to the winner’s circle – back against open company for the first time since last fall – in Saturday’s $145,500 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct.

The 3-year-old graded stakes-winning son of Complexity dueled for the lead early outside of Faster Gator early and shrugged off that foe in the stretch for his second open stakes victory. The win was Mo Plex’s first in four starts since taking the Funny Cide Stakes in late August at Saratoga Race Course.

“That was great,” winning trainer Jeremiah Englehart said. “The whole team did a great job. He looked great in the paddock. His groom, and Harlem [Johnson] and Dana [Saul, assistants] did really well with him. It was nice to get him back in winning fashion. The 3 horse [Faster Gator] ran a hell of a race and so did the West Point colt [No. 1, Pascaline]. They both look like horses with bright futures so hopefully he moves onward and upward from here.”

Faster Gator, who entered a 2-for-2 record at Laurel Park, made the lead from post 3 under Arnaldo Bocachica but it was 6-5 favorite Mo Plex and jockey Manny Franco who pressured from the outside and put a head in front through an opening quarter-mile in :23.09 over the fast main track.

Pascaline attempted an inside move approaching the turn with New York-bred maiden winner Share the Ludt and McKellen trying wide bids as Faster Gator battled back to gain a half-length advantage after a half in :45.55.

Mo Plex put his head back in front at the stretch call, but a stubborn Faster Gator continued to find more as the field straightened away. Mo Plex, game and determined, would not be denied the narrow win by head in a final time of 1:21.96. Pascaline completed the trifecta with Share the Ludt and McKellen rounded out the order of finish.

“He was [game]. You’ve got give credit to the horse from Anthony [Farrior, trainer of Faster Gator] – he was tough to go by, but at the same time, I feel my horse was running for me, so I was happy,” Franco said. “I was happy with where I was. [Faster Gator] broke on top, I let him take it and just sit right next to him and put the pressure. I knew that I got Javier [Castellano, aboard McKellen] outside, so he wanted to get close to me and I let my horse go a little bit. I had a lot of horse under me the whole way.

“He’s getting more mature, more intelligent. He liked to get out before, but now it seems like he’s straightening out a lot better this year.”

Bred by Avi and Rhoda Freedberg’s Everything’s Cricket Racing and foaled at Stonegate Stables in Fort Edward, Mo Plex is the first foal for the Uncle Mo mare Mo Joy. He was offered but listed as an RNA for $27,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Englehart and Legion Bloodstock purchased Mo Plex for R and H Stable for $45,000 out of last year’s OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale.

A finalist for New York-bred champion 2-year-old male honors, Mo Plex won his debut against state-breds by 10 lengths last June at Aqueduct before a victory in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes on opening weekend of the Saratoga Race Course meeting. Mo Plex ran his record to 3-for-3 with a victory in the $200,000 Funny Cide presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on Saratoga Showcase Day. He finished the season with a third in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and a runner-up finish in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes on Empire Showcase Day, both at Aqueduct.

Mo Plex improved to 4-for-7 with Bay Shore victory and boosted his earnings to $445,000.

“Any time that you get a horse who looks very precocious as a 2-year-old, and goes on and wins his first three races, obviously he’s going to be running against tougher competition,” Englehart said. “He got beat a couple of times, but if you look at who beat him, they are no slouches. His last race was his first race off a layoff going a flat mile. You want them to back up what you think of them, and I’m glad to get another ‘W,’ and kind of re-affirm what we have thought all along about him.”

The post Mo Plex adds another open company score in Bay Shore appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Hip 925, a colt by Kantharos bred by Masters 2013 and Kantharos Syndicate, finished as one of nine juveniles that brought $200,000 or more at the OBS April sale. Photo courtesy of Doble J Equine Sales.

Interest in New York-breds continued through Friday’s closing session of the OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale with three more six-figure juveniles sold to push the overall total to 21 for the week.

Friday’s trio was led by Hip 925, a colt by Kantharos out of the winning Scat Daddy mare Corner Three, that sold for $200,000 to Salusto & Kimmel, agent for Winning Move Stable. Consigned by Doble J Equine Sales, agent, the colt breezed an eight in :10 during presale workouts.

Bred by Masters 2013 and Kantharos Syndicate, the colt originally sold for $18,000 to Rua Racing & ARC at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. He’s the sixth foal out of three-time winner and $122,200-earner Corner Three, who is the dam of winner and $232,603-earner Timbuktu and winner and $127,920-earner Baseline Drive.

The colt was also part of a group of nine juveniles that sold for $200,000 or more – including a son of Vekoma that brought $750,000 during the third session – at the sale. OBS reported sales on 60 of the 71 New York-breds through the ring over the four sessions for a total of $6,217,000, an average price of $103,617 and median of $67,500.

The final session’s other two six-figure juveniles were Hip 937, a daughter of Silver State named Two Pearl Penny bred by Windylea Farm New York LLC purchased by Cherry Valley Farm for $120,000; and Hip 1185, a daughter of Charlatan bred by Rockridge Stud LLC and Ascendant Farm purchased by Sport of Kings Racing Partnership for $105,000.

A pair of juveniles by New York-based sires came next on the final day’s sale’s sheet.

Hip 920, a son of Redesdale out of the Johannesburg mare Cool Johanna, sold to Chad Schumer, agent for $70,000. Consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, agent, the colt is a half-brother to three winners including the stakes-placed duo of Zolo and D’fever. He was bred by Lannister Holdings LLC.

Redesdale, a 12-year-old son of Speightstown out of the Grade 3-winning Danzig mare Harpia, stands for $2,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs.

McMahon of Saratoga’s Central Banker also sired a $70,000 juvenile in Hip 1072, a filly out of the stakes-placed New York-bred Flashback mare Forever Changed purchased by Elizabeth Morey. Bred and consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, the filly is the first foal out of the half-sister to multiple stakes winner and $470,748-earner Classic Lady.

Central Banker, a 15-year-old son of Speightstown out of the stakes-winning Go For Gin mare Rhum, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga. He topped the New York general sire list from 2021 through 2024 and sits atop the same list with progeny earnings of nearly $1.5 million through Friday.

The post Strong demand holds up at OBS April finale; Redesdale, Central Banker juveniles fare well appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Susan and Andy Beadnell reached the peak as breeders thanks to the Grade 1 success of Heaveyougoneaway. Skip Dickstein Photo.

Susan Beadnell, who with her husband Andy bred Grade 1 winner Haveyougoneaway, passed away April 16 at the age of 79 at home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Glens Falls, Beadnell grew up at her parents’ Ed and Orabel Castens’ Ridin Hy Ranch Resort in Warrensburg. She and her husband later owned and operated Ridin Hy, transforming the dude ranch from a seasonal to year-round vacation destination. Susan became a staple at the Ridin Hy front desk for more than 40 years.

The Beadnells “retired” in 2010 and moved to their home on the Schroon River in Pottersville. They began their foray into the Thoroughbred industry in the 2000s, raising horses on their Bead Land & Cattle Company in Pottersville.

Haveyougoneaway, a daughter of Contrats out of the Beadnell-bred Wiseman’s Ferry mare One Wise Cowgirl, was born and raised at Bead Land & Cattle Company. She was originally sold by the Beadnells for $50,000 at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale, and sold the following year for $105,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Haveyougoneaway raced with success in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa and New Mexico before returning to her native state in the spring and summer of 2016. After a runner-up finish in the Critical Eye Stakes at Belmont Park, Haveyougoneaway rattled off three straight victories in the Dancing Renee at Belmont and Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap and Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga Race Course for trainer Tom Morley and owners Gary Barber and Sequel Racing. She finished seventh in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Park, retiring with a record of 11-4-6 and earnings of $907,425 in 27 starts and sold shortly after for $1.1 million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Haveyougoneaway was voted champion New York-bred female sprinter and older dirt female in 2016.

The Beadnells also bred the topper at the 2016 Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Mo Diddley, a son of Uncle Mo out of the Vindication mare Miss Bodine, sold for $450,000 at Cheyenne Stables. He went on to win eight of 24 starts with $288,287 in earnings.

They also bred Collegeville Girl, a daughter of Central Banker who won the 2016 Iroquois Stakes on Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park; 2016 champion New York-bred steeplechaser Willow U; and Nutmet, a winning New York-bred daughter of Lemon Drop Kid who sold for $190,000 at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings.

The Beadnells, who enjoy a longtime association with McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, were featured in New York Breeder in 2016. Susan described the couple’s involvement in the Thoroughbred industry as commercial breeders.

“We are not races; we are breeders,” she said. “I’m the one who pays the bills, and I tell Andy, ‘We can’t afford to be a racer.’ As breeders, we enjoy seeing a horse we bred be so successful, like Haveyougoneaway. It’s been surprising the attention we’ve got from being her breeders. Yesterday, in the mail, I got a really nice pewter cup engraved as being ‘The Breeder of the Month’ from WinStar Farm, who stands her sire Congrats. It was just so nice to receive that.”

Susan was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband Andy and their sons, Tod and his wife Heidi of Lake George, Tim and his wife Patience of Warrensburg, Troy and his wife Carrie of Warrensburg and semi-adopted son David Letzelter and his wife LaRae; seven grandchildren, Kyle (Jessie) Letzelter, Zoie and Orabel Beadnell, Mattelyn and Gavin Beadnell and Andrew and Nathan Beadnell; her brother Gary Carstens of Saratoga and his daughters Brandy and Samantha.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.shrinerschildrens.org. Family and friends are invited to call Friday, April 25, from 3-6 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street in Warrensburg.

Full obituary.

The post New York breeder Susan Beadnell passes at 79 appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.