Thursday, July 17, 2025
    HALLANDALE BEACH - The $200,000, Gr. III Princess Rooney Invitational, a Breeders’...

    HALLANDALE BEACH - The $200,000, Gr. III Princess Rooney Invitational, a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ event, will highlight the 2025 Sunshine Meet stakes schedule of 17 races worth $1.625 million in purses at Gulfstream Park.

    The seven-furlong stakes for fillies and mares, which offers the winner a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del Mar, will be renewed Sept. 20.

    Last year, Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Soul of an Angel captured the Princess Rooney by 3 ¼ lengths before going on to rally from last to prevail in the seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint by a half-length at Del Mar. Michael McCarthy-trained Ce Ce won the 2021 Princess Rooney before going on to score in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar. Ce Ce returned to Gulfstream to win the 2022 Princess Rooney, but was unsuccessful in her defence of  her Breeders’ Cup title at Keeneland. Both Soul of an Angel and Ce Ce were honored with the Champion Female Sprinter Eclipse Award after winning the Princess Rooney and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

    The stakes action for the Sunshine Meet (Sept. 5 through Nov. 23) will be kicked off by the first leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds, Florida-breds. The $100,000 FSS Dr. Fager, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds, and the $100,000 FSS Desert Vixen, a six-furlong dash for juvenile fillies, will be run on Sept. 6.

    FSS action will resume Oct. 18 with the $150,000 FSS Affirmed, a seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds, and the $150,000 FSS Susan’s Girl, a seven-furlong stakes for juvenile fillies.

    The $100,000 Gil Campbell Memorial, a mile stakes for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up, will also be featured on the Oct. 18 program. Campbell, the late president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, owned Stonehedge Farm South in Williston, FL with his wife Marilyn, who is still very much active in breeding and owning Florida-breds.

    Seven stakes are scheduled to be conducted on a turf course that is currently undergoing renovation. The $75,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint, a five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up, and the $75,000 Ginger Punch, a mile stakes for fillies and mares, will kick off the turf stakes action on the Princess Rooney Invitational undercard on Sept. 2
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Monday, July 14, 2025
Two win graded stakes . . .
    Bregman Family Racing and Swinbank Stables’ Governor Sam (Improbable – I’m Betty G, by Into Mischief) romped in the Gr. III, $175,000 Quick Call at Saratoga Race Course to become one of two OBS grads to win graded stakes on the weekend.

    Trained by George Weaver, the son of Improbable annexed three turf sprint stakes as a juvenile and finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Weaver added that Governor Sam could next contest the Gr. III, $175,000 Mahony on Aug. 10.

    Governor Sam was purchased by Bregman Family Racing and Ivan Cabrera for $275,000 from Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale after breezing in :9 4/5.

    At Saratoga, Hit The Bid Racing Stable, Morplay Racing and Randall Hartley’s Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo- Social Call, by Smart Strike) earned her first graded win and second career victory when she captured the Gr. III, $175,000 Coronation Cup.

    Trained by John Terranova, the daughter of Uncle Mo prevailed by one length over Laurice, who edged Abientot by a neck for place honors with Cloe completing the superfecta. Bred in Kentucky by Repole Stable, Italian Soiree, a full sister to stakes-winner Be Better, was a $600,000 purchase by Hit The Bid Stables from the Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2024 OBS March Sale after breezing in :10 flat. 

    At Gulfstream Park, Miguel Vasquez proved to be a perfect fit for C2 Racing Stable, Kuehne Racing and Mark Corrado’s Andrea (Thousand Words- Photoplay, by Tiznow) in their first pairing together as they scored a half-length victory in the $75,000 Azalea Stakes.

    The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Andrea notched her second stakes victory in eight career starts and her first since winning the Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream last September. At the 2024 OBS April Sale, she worked in :9 4/5 and was purchased by Joseph for $105,000 out of the Eddie Woods consignment. 

    At Colonial Downs, Dream Big Racing's Winfinity (Not This Time-Winter, by Awesome Again) captured the $125,000 Miss Disco Stakes for 3-year-old fillies open to both Virginia-bred/sired & Maryland-bred/sired sophomores.

    Trained by John Alexander Ortiz, the daughter of Not This Time had done well at Colonial previously, winning the Keswick Stakes for Virginia-Restricted horses last August. She was purchased for $300,000 by John Wade from the de Meric Sales consignment at the 2024 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.

    At Century Mile, Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd.’s Apprehend (Arrogate – Hero’s Amor, by Street Hero) was victorious in the $75,000 Century Mile Handicap (Listed) by 3 ¾ lengths to earn his third straight stakes victory and fifth straight win overall. Trained by Barbara Heads, he set a track record when he covered the distance in 1:39.83. The son of Arrogate was purchased by Alistair Roden Bloodstock for $185,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at 2021 OBS June Sale after breezing in :20 4/5.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Edwin Gonzalez hits No. 1,999 . . .
    HALLANDALE BEACH - A mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool yielded multiple payoffs of $14,191 today at Gulfstream Park.

    The multi-race wager had gone unsolved for five consecutive racing days since mandatory payouts of $4,220 on June 29. A total of $954,078 was put into the Rainbow 6 today on top of a $98,693 carryover from Saturday’s program.

    Sharpazano ($19.40) captured the Race 10 finale to complete the winning 7-2-5-2-6-9 combination. Other winners in the sequence were Refined Honor ($6) in Race 5, Trelawny ($8.60) in Race 6, Garuda ($13.40) in Race 7, Wink of an Eye ($8.20) in Race 8 and Mr Narcissistic ($3.80) in Race 9.

    The Rainbow 6 begins anew when the Royal Palm Meet resumes Friday, spanning Races 4-9. Charlie’s Beauty chases a third straight win in the Race 7 feature, an optional claiming allowance for Florida-bred fillies and mares 3 and up sprinting six furlongs on the main track.

    Notes: Jockey Jose Morelos rode two winners today, Tinkatwo ($12.80) in Race 2 and Trelawny ($8.60) in Race 6 … Meet leader Edgard Zayas also doubled on Refined Honor ($6) in Race 5 and Mr Narcissistic ($3.80) in Race 9, as did seven-pound apprentice Yolber Torres with High Prince ($5.80) in Race 3 and Wink of an Eye ($8.20) in Race 8 … Jockey Edwin Gonzalez picked up career win No. 1,999 with Garuda ($13.40) in Race 7. Gonzalez is named in six of nine races when the Royal Palm Meet resumes Friday.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Effective immediately . . .
    OCALA - The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association announced that it will waive most registration fees for Florida-bred and Florida-sired foals of 2025, effective immediately. This unprecedented offer is available exclusively to FTBOA regular members whose names appear as the official breeder of record.

     "After successfully defending our industry – once again – against decoupling efforts in the 2025 legislative session, we wanted to show our appreciation for the unwavering support of Florida's Thoroughbred breeding community," FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell said. "It's our way of giving back to those who stand with us."


     The Florida-bred registration schedule for foals of 2025 is:

 •           Foals: Aug. 31, 2025 ($0 FTBOA Members / $300 Non-Members), or

•           Extended Foals: Dec. 31, 2025: ($0 FTBOA Members / $500 Non-Members), or

•           Yearlings: Dec. 31, 2026: ($400 FTBOA Members / $800 Non-Members).


     Florida-bred foals of 2025 sired by registered Florida stallions assume full eligibility for the Florida Sire Stakes upon successful Florida-bred registration by December 31, 2026. Late registrations (2-year-olds) for the Florida Sire Stakes remain available, as follows:

 •           Two-year-old Standalone: Jan. 15, 2027 ($5,000), or

•           Two-year-old Last Chance: May 1, 2027 ($10,000), or June 30, 2027 ($15,000).


   Florida-bred and Florida Sire Stakes registration forms reside at FTBOA.com, or contact the FTBOA office for assistance ([email protected], 352-629-2160).

     All applications must be postmarked within FTBOA's published deadlines to qualify for registration and member pricing. Registration fees and deadlines for non-members remain unchanged from prior years, as do Florida stallion registration schedules and fees.

 

 
Monday, July 7, 2025
Violence colt is 2-for-2 . . .
    Leland Ackerley Racing’s Obliteration (Violence- I’mclassyandsassy, by Master Command) improved to 2-for-2 in his burgeoning career when he scored a dominating 10 1/2-length victory in the Gr. III, $175,000 Sanford, a six-furlong test for juveniles, at Saratoga Race Course to lead the slate of stakes-winning OBS grads.

    Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the son of Violence broke his maiden by 7 1/2 lengths on June 12 at Churchill Downs prior to his Spa effort and hit the wire Saturday in a final time of 1:10.65. Obliteration was a $200,000 purchase by his owner at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the consignment of breeder Ocala Stud after breezing in :21 3/5.

    Other stakes-winners included Kingsolver (Omaha Beach - Famous Writer, by Speightstown) who graduated in Friday’s Listed $150,000 Schuylerville, a six-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies during the July 4th Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, Kingsolver is owned by Storyteller Racing, who purchased her and own her in partnership with Michael Schroeck, Open Gate Horse Ventures, Brian Cahoe, Scott Catlett, Dave Russel, Matthew Ransdell, Michael Motley and Joel Braun.

    She was purchased for $95,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the JVC Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

    At Presque Isle Downs, D. J. Stable’s Horsepower (Good Samaritan - Bear's Lightning, by Maria's Mon) rallied past by Breeders’ Cup winner Nobals for an upset win in the $100,000 Karl Boyes Stakes. Horsepower, trained by Joe Orseno, won for the third time in five starts and earned his first stakes score. He was purchased by D.J. Stable for $60,000 from the Whitman Sales consignment at the 2023 OBS March Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.

    At Prairie Meadows, Patricia’s Hope and Carolyn Wilson’s Sassy C W (Yaupon-Sassy Miss Sue, by Tiznow) went gate to wire to take the $100,000 Prairie Gold Lassie and remain unbeaten in three career starts. Trained by Larry Rivelli, the filly previously captured the $150,000 Astoria Stakes on June 5 at Saratoga. Consigned by Top Line Sales, Sassy C W was a $375,000 purchase at the 2025 OBS March Sale by Carolyn Wilson after breezing in :9 4/5.

    At Horseshoe Indianapolis, Resolute Racing’s Dana’s Beauty (Not This Time – City Siren, by City Zip) got up at the wire to win the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly Distaff and become a millionaire. Trained by Mike Maker, Dana’s Beauty improved her record to 13 wins from 47 starts with a career bankroll of $1,034,495. The daughter of Not This Time is a two-time OBS graduate, sold first by Bobby Jones Equine for $47,000 at the 2019 October Yearling Sale then sold for $70,000 by Blue River Bloodstock, Agent to Sarah Russell Stables & TNT Equine Holdings at the 2020 Spring Sale after working in :21 3/5.

    Also at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Paradise Farms Corp.’s Willy D’s (Lookin At Lucky – Boston Mine, by Mineshaft) went wire-to-wire to take Saturday’s $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial by 4 1/2 lengths, setting a track record of 1:37.98 for a mile and 70 yards. The son of Lookin At Lucky was purchased by Danny W. Brown for $60,000 at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the Woodside Ranch consignment after breezing in :22 1/5.

    At Gulfstream Park, jockey Edgard Zayas guided BC Racing’s Prevent (Neolithic - Bossy Gal, by Pioneerof the Nile) to a front-running victory in the $75,000 Soldier’s Dancer Handicap. Trained by Carlos David, Prevent was purchased for $15,000 by Brian Cohen at the 2022 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the Las Palmas Farm consignment.

    On June 30, Golden Afternoon (Goldencents – Afternoon, by Street Cry (IRE)) prompted the pace and drew off by 2 1/2 lengths to capture the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes at Presque Isle Downs to give Nick Vaccarezza his first win as a licensed trainer. The gelding is owned by a partnership headed by Carlo Vaccarezza, Nick's father, and includes Eddie and Pat Greco, Scott Jaffe, and Michael Cloonan. Golden Afternoon was purchased by Carlo Vaccarezza at the 2024 OBS April Sale for $70,000 from the Ocala Stud consignment after breezing in :21 2/5.