Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Wins Gr. II Oaklawn Hcp . . .

    Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator – Twinkling) passed the $2-million mark in earnings with an authoritative victory in Saturday’s $1,250,000, Gr. II Oaklawn Handicap. Pressing the pace from the start, he went for the lead on the turn, took over in the stretch and eased away to a two-length victory.

    Trained by Saffie A. Joseph Jr., the 4-year-old has posted six graded stakes wins, compiled a 23-8-2-4 career record and earned $2,291,685. At the 2021 OBS Spring Sale, he turned in an Under Tack eighth in :10 2/5 and was purchased for $37,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment.  

    Mellon Patch’s Patriot Spirit (Constitution – Mistical Plan) took the lead shortly after the break in Sunday’s $200,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne and never looked back, en route to an effortless 5 3/4-length victory.  It’s the second stakes win for the 3-year-old colt trained by Michael B. Campbell, now 7-3-0-1 with $208,300 in earnings. He was purchased for $80,000 out of the Clary Bloodstock consignment at the 2023 OBS March Sale after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. 

Saturday, April 20, 2024
OBS hits sale record on Friday . . .

    HIP No. 915, a daughter of Nyquist consigned by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne) Agent, was sold to Donato Lanni, Agent for Baoma Corp. for $850,000 to top the fourth and final session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2024 Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The dark bay or brown filly, whose Under Tack eighth in :9 4/5 was the Saturday session’s co-fastest, is out of Amagansett, by Tapit, a daughter of graded stakes-placed stakes winner Twirl (IRE).

    Kimmel & Sallusto, Agent, went to $725,000 for Hip No. 995, a son of McKinzie consigned by Caliente Thoroughbreds, Agent. The bay colt, who breezed a quarter in :21 flat, is out of Bernadreamy, by Bernardini, a daughter of Gr. I stakes-winner Dream Empress.

    Hip No. 1005, a son of Twirling Candy who breezed an eighth in a co-fastest :9 4/5 on Saturday was purchased by Marquee Bloodstock, Agent, for $700,000. Consigned by Global Thoroughbreds, Agent, the bay colt is out of Bite the Stars, by Flatter, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Stanford.

    Hip No. 1075, a daughter of Practical Joke consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, was sold to 30 Year Farm for $700,000. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is out of Choir, by Pulpit, a daughter of graded stakes-placed stakes-winning two-time OBS graduate Emmy Darling.

    Hip No. 920, a son of Uncle Mo consigned by Paul Sharp, Agent, went to D. J. Stable & Robert Cotran for $685,000. The bay colt, who galloped at the Under Tack Show, is a half-brother to graded stakes-winner First Captain out of graded stakes- winner America, by A.P. Indy.

    Hip No. 974, a daughter of McKinzie consigned by Julie Davies, Agent, was sold to Bradley Thoroughbreds for $675,000. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is out of Bay Harbor, by Speightstown, a daughter of graded stakes-winner Our Khrysty.

    Three Amiwgos ent to $600,000 for Hip No. 928, a daughter of Tiz the Law consigned by On Point Training & Sales. The chestnut filly, who breezed an eighth on Saturday in a co-fastest :9 4/5, is out of stakes-placed Animal Appeal, by Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), from the family of stakes-winner Triple Card.

    Hip No. 972, Metallix, a son of Quality Road consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, Agent for Chester & Mary Broman, was sold to Pedro Lanz, Agent for KAS Stables, for $600,000. The bay colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is a half-brother to graded stakes-winner Coinage out of Gr. I stakes-winner Bar of Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro.

    Hip No. 1143, a daughter of McKinzie whose Under Tack quarter in :20 1/5 equaled the track record, was sold to Bill Childs for $600,000. Consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, the bay filly is a half-sister to graded stakes-placed stakes -winner Strategic Dreams out of D’fashion, by D’Wildcat.

    Hip No. 936, a son of Not This Time consigned by Tom McCrocklin, Agent, went to Lael Stable for $550,000. The dark bay or brown colt, who breezed a quarter in :20 4/5, is a half brother to recent stakes-winner Laughing Boy out of Applauding, by Congrats, from the family of Gr. I stakes-winner Shedaresthedevil.

    Hip No. 1064, a son of Nyquist consigned by GOP Racing Stable Corp. was sold to Donato Lanni, Agent for Zedan Racing Stable for $525,000. The dark bay or brown colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is out of Charlatana by Harlan’s Holiday,  a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Laoban.

    Hip No. 1056, a son of Omaha Beach consigned by Richardson Bloodstock, Agent, was purchased by Spendthrift Farm for $510,000. The bay colt, who breezed a quarter in :21 flat, is out of Caxambas Pass, by Tiznow, a half-sister to Gr. I stakes-winner Point of Entry.

    Bow River Ranch, Hoby Kight, Agent, went to $500,000 for Hip No. 1044, a son of OBS graduate Into Mischief consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent. The bay colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is a full brother to graded stakes- winner Into Chocolate out of Candy Drawer, by Candy Ride (ARG).

    Hip No. 1191, a son of Tiz the Law consigned by Britton Peak, Agent, was purchased by Taproot Bloodstock, Agent, for $500,000. The bay colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5, is out of Enough, by Arch, a half-sister to stakes-winner Plenty of Vision.

    For the session, 141 horses sold for a total of $19,701,500 compared with 168 horses grossing $22,781,000 at last year’s final session. The average price was $139,727, compared with $135,601 a year ago, while the median price was $65,000, identical to 2023. The buyback percentage was 21.2%; it was 12.9% in 2023.

    For the entire Spring Sale, 633 horses sold for a total of $82,086,500, compared to 699 horses bringing $90,405,000, last year. The average was a sale record $129,679, eclipsing last year’s $129,335 while the median price was a sale record $70,000, compared with $65,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 19.2%; it was 16.8% in 2023.





Thursday, April 18, 2024
Admission is $10, with children free . . .

    OLDSMAR - Whether you’re new to Thoroughbred racing or you’ve been coming to the racetrack since the days of Secretariat, Forego, Ruffian and Affirmed, it’s hard to pass up a chance to watch the most exciting 2 minutes in sports surrounded by fellow horse lovers who understand what the fuss is about.

    Kentucky Derby Day is May 4, and Tampa Bay Downs plans a celebration like none other on the west coast of Florida. As track management is fond of saying: Louisville has the race, but we have one heck of a party!

   Plus, a full slate of racing to wrap up the 2023-2024 meet and accompany the simulcast excitement from Churchill Downs – which will present seven graded-stakes races in addition to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve – and many other racetracks.

  Admission at Tampa Bay Downs is $10, with children 17-and-under free. Valet parking is $25. The gates will open at 10 a.m., and the first local race will begin around noon. Automatic wagering terminals will be set up outside in front of the main Grandstand entrance for fans who decide to grab their tickets early and watch at home or elsewhere.

    Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. The final minutes before the race are electric, as the realization sinks in that this is it for another year.

    Plenty of Kentucky Derby souvenirs will be available in the Gift Shop, including glasses listing all 149 winners of the race. The cost is $14.95; if you want the traditional mint julep, the cost is $19 ($10 for the glass and $9 for the drink).

There will also be food-truck specials on the grounds, in addition to the usual concession and restaurant fare.

    The 150th edition of the Run for the Roses is expected to feature a full field of 20 horses, including as many as three who have competed at Tampa Bay Downs: the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby winner, Domestic Product; West Saratoga, who finished third in the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes and second in the Pasco Stakes; and Grand Mo the First, the third-place Tampa Bay Derby finisher who is 21st in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points standings, necessitating a withdrawal beforehand to qualify.

   Domestic Product, a homebred owned by Klaravich Stables and trained by Chad Brown, has worked four times at Payson Park Training Center since winning the Tampa Bay Derby on March 9, including a 4-furlong breeze of 48 2/5 on Saturday, the fastest of 58 recorded workouts that day at the distance. “The horse is training super, better than ever, and I’m happy I chose to train him into the race,” Brown told the Daily Racing Form.

    Brown also trains top contender Sierra Leone, who won the Toyota Blue Grass on April 6 at Keeneland.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Three Amigos pays $775,000 . . .

    Hip No. 199, a daughter of Caracaro consigned by Global Thoroughbreds LLC, Agent, was sold to Three Amigos for $775,000 top the first session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2024 Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. The bay filly, whose quarter in :20 2/5 was fastest at Monday’s Under Tack session, is a half sister to stakes placed Twirled out of Key d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro, from the family of graded one stakes winner Key Phrase.

    Hip No. 291, a son of Global Campaign consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, was sold to  Pedro Lanz, Agent for KAS Stables for $650,000. The bay colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is out of Maid in Heaven, by Yes It’s True, a full sister to graded stakes-winner Yesbyjimminy.

    Hip No. 166, a daughter of Uncle Mo consigned by Tom McCrocklin, Agent, was sold to Justin Casse for M. V. Magnier for $600,000. The bay filly, whose Under Tack quarter in :20 3/5 was co-fastest at Sunday’s Under Tack session, is a half sister to grade one stakes placed Be You out of graded stakes winner Jacaranda, by Congrats, a half sister to grade one stakes winner Constitution.

    Hip No. 125, a son of Nyquist consigned by Thorostock LLC, Agent, was sold to Spendthrift Farm / MKW Racing and Breeding LLC for $550,000. The dark bay or brown colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat, is a half brother to graded stakes placed stakes winner Monday Morning QB out of How My Heart Works, by Not For Love, from the family of graded stakes winner Cyberknife. 

    Hip No. 153, a son of Nyquist consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, was purchased by James Divito, Agent, for $460,000. The dark bay or brown colt, who breezed an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat, is a half brother to stakes placed Elle’s Town out of graded stakes placed stakes winner Irish Presence, by champion OBS graduate Midnight Lute.

    Hip No. 295, a daughter of Bolt d’Oro consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, was sold for $460,000 to Bregman Family Racing LLC. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :9 4/5, is out of Major Z, by Candy Ride (ARG), from the family of champion Shared Belief.

    Woodford Thoroughbreds went to $390,000 for Hip No. 127, a daughter of Omaha Beach consigned by JVC Training and Sales, Agent. The bay filly, who worked an eighth in :10 flat, is out of Humor Me Dixie, by Distorted Humor, a daughter of graded stakes winner Dixie City.

    Hip No. 302, a son of Not This Time consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, went to D. J. Stable LLC for $380,000. The bay colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5, is a half brother to stakes winner Balandeen out of graded stakes winner Mama Kimbo, by Discreet Cat.

    Hip No. 143, a daughter of Quality Road consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, was sold to Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC for $370,000. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5, is a half sister to graded stakes winner Lovely Bernadette out of Inlovewithlove, by Bernstein.

    Hip No. 136, a son of Street Sense who breezed an Under Tack quarter in :21 flat, went to Taproot Bloodstock, Agent, for $340,000. Consigned by Pick View LLC, Agent, the bay colt is out of In a Snit, by Lookin At Lucky, a half sister to graded stakes winner Blind Date.

    Hip No. 109, a son  Vekoma consigned by Kinsman Farm, went to Reeves Thoroughbred Racing for $325,000. The bay colt, who breezed an Undeofr Tack eighth in :10 flat, is out of Hidden Facts, by The Factor, a daughter of stakes winner Mystic City.

    Hip No. 106, a daughter of Win Win Win consigned by Ocala Stud, was sold for $310,000 to Champion Equine LLC. The bay filly, who worked a quarter in :21 1/5, is out of Hello Juliet, by Adios Charlie, a half sister to stakes winner Lisa’s Booby Trap.

    Speedway Stables also paid $300,000 for Hip No. 16, daughter of Good Magic consigned by Hartley / DeRenzo Thoroughbreds.

Saturday, April 13, 2024
He adds No. 2,501 later on program . . .

    HALLANDALE BEACH - Longtime South Florida trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. notched win No. 2,500 at Gulfstream Park when Raging Fury scored by four lengths in Race 6 of a 10-race program.

    The highly-respected 74-year-old trainer watched the milestone victory in Ocala, where he will attend next week’s OBS April Spring Sale. “I feel very fortunate. I’ve been very blessed in this game. I’ve been blessed with great owners. I’ve been blessed with great support, especially from my wife and family,” said Plesa, whose wife, Laurie, owns Racing Fury with longtime client Donald Mensh. “Laurie just asked me, ‘How do you feel?’ I said, ‘Who would have thought I would ever win 2,500 races?’”

    Plesa, the son of highly-respected trainer Eddie Plesa Sr., has been based in South Florida throughout his career but has enjoyed Gr. 1 success out of town. He saddled Itsmyluckyday for a victory in the 2014 Woodward at Belmont following a second-place finish in the 2013 Preakness Stakes. Plesa-trained Three Ring, winner of the 1999 Davona Dale (G2) and Bonnie Miss (G2) at Gulfstream, captured the Acorn (G1) at Belmont Park.

    Raging Fury ($10.20) took command at the top of the stretch under Edgard Zayas and drew off to win the $35,000 claiming race. Just two races later, Epona’s Hope ($32.20) awarded Plesa with Win No. 2,501 with an upset victory in the Race 8 feature, a five-furlong optional claiming allowance for 3-year-old fillies on turf.

    Plesa, obviously, hasn’t grown tired of winning. “I’m up here for a reason. I’m not up here for the weather,” Plesa said. “I’m not quite ready to hang it up. We bought a couple of 2-year-olds earlier in the year. I’m going to see if I can buy a couple more right now.”

    NOTES: Ralph Nicks visited the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle Saturday, a day before he will step away from training. Nicks-trained Fast Chad ($7.60) scored a dominating win in Race 1, a maiden claiming race for 3-year-olds. The 57-year-old horseman, who assisted Hall of Famer Bill Mott during the Cigar years before going out on his own to win 722 races, plans to travel throughout the U.S. following Sunday’s program, for which he has entered three horses.