2005-2006 Highlights

Stakes winner PLATINUM PRINCESS retired

Dr. Blanchard receives award

G3 MAKEUP ARTIST retired

Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile

GRAND REWARD to stand at Hill 'n' Dale

LAKOW JOINS HILL 'N' DALE AS GENERAL MANAGER

G1 Winner ROMAN RULER to join Hill 'n' Dale Roster

Millionaire LADY TAK

LEMON MAID sweet in Hill 'n' Dale Stakes

STARRER'S FIRST FOAL

CANDY RIDE

STELLAR JAYNE WINS G1 MOTHER GOOSE

FLORIDA BRED CHAMPIONS

PREACHINATTHEBAR WINS SAN FELIPE

CAT FIGHTER TOPS THOROUGHBRED CORP DISPERSAL

GRAYSON JOCKEY CLUB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
VINDICATION
SILVERBULLETDAY

2006 Highlights

12/16 - Big day for STORMY ATLANTIC, 2-year-old STORMELLO wins the G1 Hollywood Futurity increasing earnings to $545,100 and FLORIDA KEYS wins the Black Mountain Handicap at Turf Paradise.

12/9 - SAMBA REGGAE by MUTAKDDIM wins the G1 Gran Premio Copa De Plataquitecto Roberto Vasquez Mansilla in Argentina.

12/1 - MISS ATLANTIC CITY by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Boyd Gaming's Delta Princess Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths.

11/25 - Two-year-old DAHLGREN HALL by MUTAKDDIM wins the West Virginia Futurity by nearly 6 lengths, now with 3 wins and a 3rd in 4 starts

11/20 - DE PIZARRA by MUTAKDDIM rallied strongly in the stretch to score a 2½-length victory in the 86th running of the Gran Premio Internacional Dardo Rocha (Arg-G1), Hipodromo La Plata's premier event on Sunday in Buenos Aires

11/16 - JADE HUNTER moved to New York.

11/13 - HIP 2910, a colt from the 1st crop of CANDY RIDE brings $170,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

11/11 - FLORIDA KEYS by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Walter R. Cluer Memorial Stakes at Turf Paradise.

11/5 - LEONATUS ANTEAS by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Coronation Futurity by 1 1/2 lengths,  undefeated in 3 starts, all stakes races, earning $367,086.

11/3 - Two-year-old DAHLGREN HALL by MUTAKDDIM wins the Tri State Futurity by 2 lengths, now with 2 wins and a 3rd in 3 starts.

10/29 - ALL FOR FASHION by MUTAKDDIM wins the Caprock Stakes by 8 3/4 lengths at Zia Park, now with 3 wins in 4 starts.

10/29 - BREATH OF LOVE wins the G3 Premio Chiusura becoming MUTAKDDIM's 50th stakes winner.

10/25 - ROMAN DYNASTY by THEATRICAL wins the G3 Discovery Handicap at Aqueduct.

10/15 - LEONATUS ANTEAS by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Cup And Saucer Stakes by nearly 3 lengths, now with 2 wins in 2 starts, both in stake races, earning $211,965.

10/10 - QUITE A BRIDE by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Pebbles Stakes at Belmont by 2 lengths.

10/9 - A bay filly from the first crop of undefeated champion CANDY RIDE is the highest priced weanling in the first session of the OBS Fall Mixed Sale, selling for $105,000, over 10 times the stud fee. 

10/9 - STORMELLO by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the G2 Norfolk Breeders Cup at the Oak Tree Santa Anita Meet.

9/22 - 2007 Stud fee unchanged for VINDICATION

9/13 - VINDICATION is the Leading Freshman Sales Sire of the Keeneland Sale with 33 yearlings selling for an average of $476,336. 

9/13 - Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency ranked #1 on the Leading Consignor list for session 3 grossing $4,187,000.

9/12 - Hip 318, by VINDICATION, 1/2 brother to EL CORREDOR and ROMAN RULER brings $4,600,000 at the second session of the Keeneland September Sale.

9/11 - The VINDICATION - Serena's Tune Colt brought $2,800,000 in the first session of the Keeneland September Sale. Vindication averaged $613,571 putting him on the leading sire list with Storm Cat, AP Indy and Seeking The Gold.

9/11 - Hip 142, a THEATRICAL filly out of ANGILLA brings $800,000 at the Keeneland September Sale.

9/5 - 2-year-old TAK'S WISH by MUTAKDDIM wins the All Sold Out Stakes at Fairmount Park by 6 lengths.

9/2 - SEA SIREN by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the G3 Arlington Matron Handicap by 4 lengths.

8/26 - BRUNILDA by MUTAKDDIM wins the G3 Eatontown Handicap at Monmouth.

8/20 - 2-year-old filly SEA THE JOY by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Top Flight Stakes at Arlington Park, now with 3 wins in 4 starts.

8/13 - 2-year-old colt LEONNATUS ANTEAS by STORMY ATLANTIC wins his first start in the $150,000 Vandal Stakes at Woodbine.

8/9 - # 1 Freshman Sire at the Fasig Tipton July Sale, VINDICATION, has yearlings sell for $500,000, $400,000, etc. at the Saratoga Select Sale.

8/6 - HOT STORM by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the West Virginia Secretary Of State Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths.

8/4 - 2-Year-Old MISS ATLANTIC CITY by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the John Franks Memorial Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths.

7/31 - The Hill 'n' Dale Farm's sponsored team defeats WinStar in the championship of the Blue Grass Farms Chaplaincy Soccer Tournament.

7/22 - OKIE TIME by MUTAKDDIM wins the Iowa Stallion Stakes.

7/16 - BRUNILDA by MUTAKDDIM wins the Politely Stakes at Monmouth by 2 lengths.

7/15 - ADIEU by EL CORREDOR wins the G2 Delaware Oaks by 2 1/4 lengths, now with 5 wins and $889,934!

7/5 - Three stakes winners for STORMY ATLANTIC on 4th of July Weekend: SEA THE JOY, QUITE A BRIDE and HOT STORM!

7/1 - Undefeated 2-year-old PINATA by VISION AND VERSE wins the $100,000 Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park.

6/25 - ATLANTIC FROST by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Possibly Perfect Stakes at Arlington Park by 1 1/2 lengths.

6/24 - Undefeated SEEKINGTHEREINBOW by MUTAKDDIM wins the Northbound Pride Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths, now with 5 wins in 5 starts.

6/19 - MUTAKDDIM has 2 Grade 1 Winners in Argentina's version of the "Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship"!  LA COCASSE wins the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile Fillies & MOONER wins the Gran Premio Estrellas Classic at Palermo.

6/12 - Two Stakes Wins for STORMY ATLANTIC: QUITE A BRIDE scores her 3rd straight win in the Trenton Stakes and ICY ATLANTIC wins the Battle Field Stakes at The Meadowlands.

6/3 - Hill 'n' Dale Sales graduate and BUDDHA's first starter, Lenaro won by 5 widening lengths in a $50,000 MSW at Churchill Downs.

5/31 - MEDIA PUZZLE by THEATRICAL wins the Seamus McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.

5/27 - Undefeated SEEKINGTHEREINBOW by MUTAKDDIM wins the Bob Bryant Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

5/19 - 3-year-old ROMAN DYNASTY by THEATRICAL wins the Match the Hatch Stakes at Belmont.

5/13 - WANNA RUNNER by leading sophomore sire EL CORREDOR wins the $300,000 G3 Walmac Lone Star Derby by 5 1/4 lengths, updated earnings of $566,950.

5/12 - THE STUDENT by MUTAKDDIM wins the Costy Caras Memorial Stakes increasing his earnings to over $400,000.

4/29 - Two Graded Stakes Horses on the same day for MUTAKDDIM: GANGSTER ran 2nd in the G3 Vigil Stakes & BRUNILDA ran 3rd in the G3 Beaugay Handicap at Aqueduct.

4/23 - THE STUDENT by MUTAKDDIM wins the Hoover Stakes at Pimlico.

4/22 - 3-year-old filly BOND QUEEN by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the Supernaturel Stakes at Hastings.

4/22 - A new millionaire for THEATRICAL, hard knocking DEL MAR SHOW won an allowance at Keeneland putting his earnings at $1,032,400.

4/18 - Hip #54, a colt from the 1st crop of G1 winner BUDDHA brings $475,000 at the Keeneland April 2-year-old sale.

4/4 - Stakes winner PLATINUM PRINCESS retired, going to ROMAN RULER.

4/1 - Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency graduate, WANNA RUNNER by EL CORREDOR wins WinStar Derby by five lengths. more

3/23 - Hill 'n' Dale veterinarian garners top honor in reproductive field.

3/3 - G3 MAKEUP ARTIST joins the Broodmare Band at Hill 'n' Dale.

2/28 - At the Fasig Tipton Select Two-Year-Old Sale at Calder, Two-Year-Olds by Leading Sophomore Sire EL CORREDOR bring up to $340,000, with 7 Two-Year-Olds averaging $192,143 on a $20,000 stud fee. HIP # 244, a filly by MUTAKDDIM brings $150,000 .

1/28 - HOT STORM by STORMY ATLANTIC wins the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths.

1/22 - SEI MIL by MUTAKDDIM out of multiple graded stakes winner SEINITA wins the G3 Premio Latinoamerica in Argentina.

1/18 - Hip #372 a colt by Leading Sophomore Sire EL CORREDOR tops Wednesday's session of the OBS sale at $160,000. Congratulations to Beth Bayer & BGH Ranch!

1/16 - MUTAKDDIM on the move - 43 Stakes Winner Worldwide - FAST LANER wins the Dixie Flag Stakes at Aqueduct increasing her earnings to nearly $300,000.

1/14 - 4 in a row for HOT STORM by STORMY ATLANTIC winning the Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway Park, now with 7 wins, $394,505.

1/14 - Another Graded Stakes horse for EL CORREDOR, Wanna Runner finishes 3rd in G2 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita.

1/13 - G1 Winner MASS MEDIA returns to the track in 2006.

1/7 - ITTY BITTY PRETTY by EL CORREDOR wins the G3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita by 6 lengths.

First stakes winner of the year for EL CORREDOR! 3-year-old colt OBJECTIVE wins the Hill Rise Stakes at Santa Anita by 4 1/4 lengths on January 2nd.

11/1/05 - GRAND REWARD to stand at Hill 'n' Dale in 2006. Stud fee set at $12,500.

10/31/05 - ROMAN RULER retired to Hill 'n' Dale. Stud fee set at $30,000.

8/12/05 - Mike Lakow joins Hill n Dale as General Manager.

8/8/05 - G1 winner ROMAN RULER to join Hill n Dale Stallion Roster.

7/20/05 - Hill 'n' Dale buys majority interest in millionaire LADY TAK.

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Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm to sponsor Cigar Mile
 
Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington will sponsor the $350,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct on November 26.

"We are excited to have Hill ‘n’ Dale aboard as a sponsor of one of New York’s signature races," said Bill Nader, senior vice president of the New York Racing Association. "The Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile has a young but rich tradition and is the final Grade 1 of the year in New York. Hill ‘n’ Dale is also recognized for its respect for tradition and understanding of the importance of major races. This is simply a perfect fit."

 

Formerly known as the NYRA Mile Handicap, the race was renamed in 1997 in honor of Cigar, Horse of the Year in 1995 and ’96, who won the race as a four-year-old in 1994. The victory marked Cigar’s first in a stakes and the second victory of his historic 16-race win streak.

 

"Hill ‘n’ Dale is proud to be associated with such an important race as the Cigar Mile," said John Sikura, president of Hill ‘n’ Dale. "Great milers make great sires, and past participants such as El Corredor and Distorted Humor are proving to be the next generation of important sires."

 

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Grand Reward to stand at Hill ‘n’ Dale
 
Grand Reward, a Grade 2-winning son of Storm Cat out of champion Serena’s Song, will enter stud in 2006 at John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington.

The four-year-old colt will stand for $12,500 as the property of a syndicate.

Grand Reward won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) by a neck on April 9 after placing in group stakes in England and Ireland as a two- and three-year-old. He finished sixth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) on October 1 at Belmont Park in his final start.

 

"He’s a Grade 2 winner and if you boil it down to just simple terms, he’s by the world’s leading sire both as a commercial sire and as a universally endorsed racehorse sire and he’s out of a mare who is in the Hall of Fame and has been an outstanding producer," Sikura said. "He’s as good looking a horse as anyone will stand anywhere. To me, he’s the kind of horse that could be a major, major sire."

 

Serena’s Song, a daughter of Rahy, has produced five winners from six starters, including Group 1 winner Sophisticat and multiple stakes winner Serena’s Tune, who is a member of the broodmare band at Hill ‘n’ Dale. John Ferguson Bloodstock purchased a full brother to Grand Reward for $3.5-million at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

 

“Grand Reward is not only the best-looking son of Storm Cat I have ever trained but he is the best-looking son of Storm Cat I have seen,” Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “He’s by the best sire in the world out of one of the greatest fillies to ever run. He has all the ingredients to become a home-run sire.”

 

Trained in Europe by Aidan O’Brien, Grand Reward finished second in the 2003 Mill Reef Stakes (Eng-G2) and ’04 Tetrarch Stakes (Ire-G3) and finished third in the ’03 Gimcrack Stakes (Eng-G3) and ’04 Ballygallon Stud Renaissance Stakes (Ire-G3).

 

Bred by Bob and Beverly Lewis, Grand Reward won four of 24 career starts and earned $545,844.—Jeff Lowe

 

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Lakow Joins Hill 'n' Dale Farm as G.M.
by Lenny Shulman
Date Posted: 8/11/2005 2:52:57 PM
Last Updated: 8/11/2005 4:00:33 PM

 

Mike Lakow, who was relieved of his duties as racing secretary in a July shake-up of the New York Racing Association, has accepted the position of general manager of John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington, Ky.

Lakow, who served as racing secretary at Belmont Park and Aqueduct for 10 years and at Saratoga Race Course for eight seasons, received a groundswell of support from horsemen who were surprised by his dismissal last month.

 

"Two things stood out for me," said Sikura. "One, the way respected horsemen and true professionals rallied behind him and spoke up for his abilities, and two, I think his skills are completely portable. He dealt with horses and horsemen, and all those horses, if they're successful, will be coming to a breeding farm. So recognition of those horses, their values, and what they've accomplished is key, and Mike knows as much or more about that than anybody. Dealing with people in a first-class manner, confronting problems, and being organized apply here as they do at the racetrack."

 

"The industry starts at the farms," said Lakow. "I followed the farms and breeding when I first got into the industry. This is a change of pace for me, but it's an unbelievable opportunity. Hill 'n' Dale is a beautiful farm and John has a reputation for integrity and fairness--things I pride myself on. I think we'll make a good team."

 

Among Lakow's duties at Hill 'n' Dale will be coordinating, organizing, and being in charge of all office activities and personnel. He will be active in the recruitment of stallion prospects and serve as a liaison between the farm and trainers and owners.

 

Lakow is scheduled to begin his duties Aug. 22.

 

Copyright © 2005 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

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MIKE LAKOW

 

Mike has spent his entire career in the Thoroughbred industry. He has enjoyed the respect of horsemen throughout the nation and brings a resume of great achievement. His vast skills and experiences in all facets of our industry add a great dimension to the dynamics of the farm. Hill 'n' Dale hired a consummate professional in Mike Lakow.

 

Mr. Lakow served with distinction in the most prestigious racing jurisdiction in North America for the past 14 years, where he served 10 years as Racing Secretary. While serving as Racing Secretary at NYRA, there were nearly 100 employees who reported directly to him.

 

For nearly a decade and a half, Mike worked intimately with some of the world's leading owners and trainers from whom he garnered both their praise and affection. In addition, he held a seat on the Breeders' Cup, Graded Stakes and Classifications committees, as well as being a member of the North American Ratings Committee to which he brought integrity, honesty and objectivity.

 

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Hill 'n' Dale Purchases Majority Interest in Lady Tak

by Evan Hammonds

Date Posted: 7/20/2005 5:30:45 PM

Last Updated: 7/20/2005 6:27:03 PM

Adam Coglianese Photo

Hill 'n' Dale announced Wednesday that the farm has purchased a majority interest in Lady Tak, a multiple grade I-winning 5-year-old mare from Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt.

The millionaire filly will continue to be in training until the end of the year, at which time she will be retired and take up residence at Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington.

"This is one special filly," said John G. Sikura, president of Hill 'n' Dale in a release. "As a 2-year-old, Lady Tak posted the second highest Beyer Speed Figure of any 2-year-old, colt or filly, in North America. She went on to become one of only a handful of distaffers, which include Lady's Secret, to have won both the grade I Ballerina Handicap and the grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga. Her stakes-record setting performance in the Test was unbelievable. Hill 'n' Dale is pleased to be involved in a partnership with such outstanding horsemen as Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt. I hope Lady Tak will have the same success in the breeding shed as she did on the racetrack."

Lady Tak, bred by the late John Franks, is a daughter of Mutakddim out of the Lucky North mare Star of My Eye. Mutakddim (Seeking the Gold--Oscillate, by Seattle Slew) is the sire of 32 stakes winners and stands at Hill 'n' Dale. His 2005 fee was $10,000.

A $7,500 Keeneland September yearling, Lady Tak was purchased by Robbins Ranch for $75,000 out of the following year's Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training. She had made all of her starts for the Heiligbrodts and trainer Steve Asmussen.

A winner of 10 of 19 starts and $1,160,792, Lady Tak was two-for-two as a juvenile in 2002, then won three stakes to kick off her 2003 campaign: the six-furlong Thelma Stakes, one-mile Tiffany Lass, and 1 1/16-mile Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) at Fair Grounds.

After running second as the favorite in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I), she was unplaced as the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks. She bounced back big-time in the seven-furlong Test Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, turning the tables on Oaks winner Bird Town by 4 1/2 lengths. Her final time was 1:20.83.

At four, Lady Tak won three stakes: the six-furlong Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs, the seven-furlong Ballerina Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga (in 1:21.09), and the 6 1/2-furlong Gallant Bloom Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park (in 1:16.04).

In her only start this year, Lady Tak finished third in an allowance race at Churchill Downs May 5.

Lady Tak has four second-place efforts, all coming in graded stakes, and also has a third-place effort in the $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. II) to her resume.

Copyright © 2005 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Starrer's first foal

Posted: 2/21/2005 6:57:00 PM ET
 
Multiple Grade 1 winner Starrer produces first foal
 
Multiple Grade 1 winner Starrer delivered her first foal, a Danzig filly, on February 19 at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington.

"This is an outstanding first foal," said Donato Lanni, director of bloodstock services at Hill ‘n’ Dale.

 

Starrer won five graded stakes, including the 2003 Santa Margarita Invitational (G1) and Santa Maria (G1) Handicaps. The half sister to two-time Grade 1 winner Stellar Jayne won six of 20 career starts and earned $1,043,033 for owner George Krikorian.

 

The seven-year-old daughter of Dynaformer out of To the Hunt, by Relaunch, will be bred back to A.P. Indy this season.

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CANDY RIDE TO HILL N DALE

Undefeated Candy Ride retired, headed to Hill ‘n’ Dale
 
The stellar but brief career of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Candy Ride (Arg) has officially ended after 12 months of aborted comeback attempts and he will join the stallion roster at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm near Lexington.

The five-year-old son of Ride the Rails, who has been plagued by foot and ankle problems over the past year, will stand for $10,000 next season.

 

A champion miler in his native Argentina, Candy Ride has not raced since his record-setting win in last year’s Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar, when he defeated Medaglia d’Oro by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:59.11 for the 1 1/4 miles.

 

"I feel for all purposes he’d be better off at stud," trainer Ron McAnally told Daily Racing Form. "It looks like he’ll be going to [owner] John Sikura at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm. We’re drawing up the papers now. It doesn’t make sense to risk missing another breeding season. He’s too valuable not to give him a chance at stud."

 

Sikura added that Hill 'n' Dale has purchased a substantial interest in Candy Ride and will be partners with owners Sidney and Jenny Craig. The striking bay horse is expected to arrive at the farm by week's end at which point the final details surrounding the deal will be consummated.

 

"He's just an amazing racehorse, and I don't use that term lightly," Sikura said. "I first saw him run two years ago in Argentina and I've been interested in him ever since. When I saw him convert that form onto what I believe is the toughest race circut in the world in Southern California and dominate the best horses there, I thought that was unbelievable. I think he'll be the best value in Kentucky. I can't think of a horse in recent times who achieved what he did who will stand for that kind of value."

 

Bred in Argentina, Candy Ride won all three of his North American starts after McAnally purchased him on behalf of the Craigs from Miguel Wenceslao Alonso. The bay horse captured the San Isidro (Arg-G1) and Joaquin S. de Anchorena (Arg-G1) in his native country en route to being named champion miler in Argentina for the 2002-’03 season.

 

Candy Ride is out of the unraced Candy Stripes mare Candy Girl and is a half brother to Group 3 winner Candy Apple (Arg). Overall, he earned $749,149.

 

"Ron told me he was the best horse he's ever trained, and for a man as achieved as he is, that really tells you something about this horse," Sikura said.--Alicia Wincze 
 

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STELLAR JAYNE

Lukas Longshot Lands Mother Goose
by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: 6/26/2004 9:41:49 PM
Last Updated: 6/27/2004 3:55:51 PM

Stellar Jayne shocks Ashado in the Mother Goose. Photo: AP/NYRA Adam Coglianese

Stellar Jayne kicked away from even-money favorite Ashado in the final furlong to register a huge 2 1/2-length surprise in the $300,000 Mother Goose (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.

Ridden expertly by Robby Albarado, Stellar Jayne was able to enjoy tepid early fractions while racing on the inside of Ashado and John Velazquez, who held a slight lead most of the way, before pulling away from the field . She completed the one-turn 1 1/8-mile event in 1:48 on a track that was upgraded to "fast" just before the race.

"She didn't break that alertly so I jumped on her right away," Albarado said. "Then she put herself in the race and from there on she was comfortable up the backside. Ashado ranged up to her and it looked like (John Velazquez) had a lot of horse so I said 'you know what, I'm going to ride her from here.' Turning for home, she just exploded. She ran great."

Island Sand, who fought jockey Terry Thompson down the backstretch, lacked any response in the lane after making a three-wide move on the turn and finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas for owners Spendthrift Farm, Nancy Cole, Charles Kidder and Nick Strong, the gray filly paid $61.50, $12.60 and $4 and keyed a $146.50 exacta. Lukas won his sixth Mother Goose. He last scored in 1995 with Serena's Song following wins with Open Mind (1989), Fiesta Gal (1987), Life At The Top (1986) and Life's Magic (1984).

Stellar Jayne was seventh behind the winning Ashado, beaten by 10 lengths, in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) April 30. She bounced back from the performance with a 3 1/2-length win in the Dogwood Breeders Cup (gr. III) June 5 at Churchill Downs. Ashado was making her first start since taking the Oaks impressively.

Lukas' assistant, Peter Hutton, said Stellar Jayne had hinted of a big effort following her break-out win in the Dogwood.

"Wayne expected her to be in the first three," Hutton said. "Obviously coming in, you don't expect to beat Ashado, but as well as she was doing, she had to have a shot."

Ashado inherited the early lead when no one else wanted it and she and Stellar Jayne on her inside took the compact field through fractions of :23 4/5, :47 and 1:10 4/5. Island Sand, held up toward the rear of the six-horse field but only three lengths off the pace, fought her way into contention when finally unleashed, but she could not go with the leaders through the long Belmont stretch.

Ashado returned $2.90 and $2.20 and Island Sand was $2.60 to show.

Miss Coronado, Daydreaming and Society Selection completed the order.

Stellar Jayne, a daughter of Wild Rush–To the Hunt (by Relaunch), was bred in Kentucky by Wind Hill Farm and sold at Fasig-Tipton in November 2001 for $150,000.

She won for the fifth time in 13 lifetime starts and increased her career earnings to $446,551.

Hutton said the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I), the second leg of the Triple Tiara series at 1 1/4 miles July 24, would be a likely target for Stellar Jayne.

Ashado's trainer Todd Pletcher said she was tired at the end and she should be sharper for the Coaching Club American Oaks.

"She hadn't run since April 30," he said. "Hopefully this will move her forward for the next one."

Larry Jones, trainer of Island Sand, said, "Terry (Thompson) said she was making a lot of racket breathing. When she cools out, we'll get her scoped and see what we have. Terry said he had a lot of horse and then she just quit. There's a real good shot she's entrapped or displaced. That's something we can fix."

The Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 21 is the final leg of the New York Racing Association's filly triple.

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KEEP Meeting Draws Strong Horse Industry Response
by Tom LaMarra
Date Posted: 5/27/2004 8:18:51 AM
Last Updated: 5/27/2004 11:30:49 AM

KEEP chairman Brereton C. Jones. Anne M. Eberhardt Photo

In a strong display of solidarity, more than 600 members of the horse industry packed the visitors' center at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington May 26 for the first town hall meeting held by the Kentucky Equine Education Project. Several participants said they were blown away by the turnout.

KEEP, officially launched in early May, set forth its goals and objectives for 2004. One of them is to raise $1.5 million to support its mission of educating the public and the legislature of the importance of the horse industry to the Kentucky economy.

The horse industry--racing and breeding in particular--received a cold shoulder if not rejection during the 2004 legislative session. For the past three years, a racetrack-led coalition has pushed for alternative gaming with no success. KEEP has shied away from even discussing the issue or any proposed legislation.

KEEP vice chairman Bill Casner of WinStar Farm said the objective is to "make sure Kentucky remains the horse capital of the United States, and the horse capital of the world." He said there would be a "campaign for recognition in Frankfort," but he didn't discuss specifics.

KEEP chairman Brereton Jones of Airdrie Stud said no decisions have been made on legislative initiatives, and in fact it could be almost two years before KEEP is ready to flex its muscles with the legislature. The 2005 session is a short 30 days.

"I don't think we'll be ready to influence the General Assembly in 2005," Jones said. "We won't be ready to be a major influence until 2006. This is a common-sense plan, but it's not doable overnight. This is a sweat-equity operation."

KEEP unveiled is charter membership structure with various categories and contributions that range from $100,000 to $5. Jones said the plan was to keep the minimum at $100, but he got an e-mail message from a good friend, Ed Ashcraft, who told him not to forget the little guys.

The $10 membership is dubbed "cavalry." Ashcraft, who operates Ashcraft Farm in Owenton, happened to be on hand for the town hall meeting.

"You're going to have to call them out (to make trips to Frankfort)," Ashcraft said of the many smaller horse farmers and horse industry supporters that may not be able to afford large contributions. "You need the numbers. Otherwise, you'll have an elitist organization."

Ashcraft raises Thoroughbreds, Paints, and Quarter Horses. Though many attendees at the meeting are in the Thoroughbred business, many other breeds were represented. Jones offered statistics that show Kentucky has one horse per every 20.5 people, the highest per capita of major racing states.

Among the Standardbred breeders on hand was Dr. Luel Overstreet, who has a farm in western Kentucky. In the 1970s and 1980s, Overstreet would breed about 70 mares in Kentucky, and most to his own stallions. Now, he has about 30 mares, all of which are bred in Indiana.

Catherine Parke, who owns Valkyre Stud near Georgetown, said she hooked up with a client who wanted to purchase three 2-year-olds in training this year. She picked out horses--all Kentucky-breds--and was astounded at his response.

"I showed him my list and he said, 'I don't want a Kentucky-bred. I want a New York-bred, a Maryland-bred, or a Pennsylvania-bred.' He ended up buying two New York-breds and a Pennsylvania-bred. It devastated me."

KEEP officials said the number of mares bred in Kentucky dropped by 1,052 in 2001-2002. New York, meanwhile, has registered seven years of growth.

The plan is to hire an executive director and support staff by July 1, and have a board of directors in place by the same date. (Jones said representatives of every breed of horse in the state would "have a voice on the board.") KEEP will develop an advisory council, recruit chairpersons for each of the state's 120 counties, and develop new economic data.

John Long, chief executive officer of the United States Equestrian Federation, remembered when he used to work as a top-level official for Churchill Downs Inc. and Ladbrokes. The companies were pursuing alternative gaming and frequently had to deal with various legislatures.

"There has not been another state in the country that has put together this organization this quickly," Long said. "It's not too little, too late."

Copyright © 2004 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

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FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION

Lady Tak was named champion three-year-old filly. Bred by the late John Franks, the daughter of Mutakddim scored wins in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and finished second in three Grade 1 races for owner Heiligbrodt Racing Stable.

The Florida-bred champions are selected by a panel of five racing secretaries: three based in Florida, one in New York and one in California. There are 10 nominees in each division and past performances on the season for all the horses are provided to the racing secretaries. Votes are cast for the top three in each division. The results are then tabulated and announced by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

The Florida-bred champions, their breeders, owners and trainers, were honored at the annual FTBOA Awards Dinner on Monday evening, March 15, at Steinbrenner’s Ramanda Yankee Inn in Ocala.

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CHAMPION VINDICATION TO STAND AT HILL 'N' DALE IN 2004 for $50,000.

Although every stop was pulled out by Padua Stable to return Vindication to the track following an injury early in his 3 yr old season, it has been determined that there is not enough time to get him ready for the Breeders' Cup so he will be retired.

“We have always held Vindication in the highest regard, and he never once let us down,” said Satish Sanan, principle owner of Padua Stables. “His comeback from injury has been nothing less than remarkable and he continues to go to the racetrack with zest and verve. But we have really run out of time to achieve our ultimate goal, which has always been the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

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AZERI - HORSE OF THE YEAR

Azeri, the 5 year old filly by JADE HUNTER out of the mare Zodiac Miss *AUS, was named Horse of the Year at the 2003 Eclipse Awards Ceremony. Not since 1996 has a filly won the honor and never has a filly won it while not having run against the colts. Azeri's impressive win in the Breeders Cup Distaff was her seventh stakes win in 2002 and coupled with War Emblems poor run in the Breeders Cup Classic stamped Azeri as the Horse of the Year. Bred by the late Allen Paulson and raced by the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, Azeri is trained by Laura De Seroux. Azeri is scheduled to start next in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn.
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SILVERBULLETDAY produces STORM CAT filly

3/9 -Two time champion SILVERBULLETDAY prodcued a filly by STORM CAT. She has a yearing colt by A.P. INDY and is booked back to STORM CAT.

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