Solomini colt Wynstock wins Los Al Derby

[1]

Wynstock fends off stablemate Cornell late to win the $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course. Benoit Photo.

Turns out Wynstock didn’t need the lead to win.

Southern California-based Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said that in the local press before Wynstock ran in Saturday’s $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby. Then the 3-year-old son of Solomini proved him wrong, yielding the early lead to runoff leader Tapalo before picking up the pieces in the stretch under Kyle Frey to win the 9-furlong feature at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Owned by Dr. Ed Allred and Jack Liebau, Wynstock ended a three-race losing streak and added the Los Alamitos Derby to his victory in last year’s Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. The Futurity and a flashy maiden score at Santa Anita Park helped Wynstock earn consideration for New York-bred champion 2-year-old male honors in 2023.

Wynstock came into Saturday with three off-the-board efforts in stakes – the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park in early February, Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in early April and the Desert Code sprinting on the grass at Santa Anita in mid-May.

Back on the dirt and under Kyle Frey, Wynstock vied for the lead early before yielding to fellow New York-bred Tapalo past the finish the first time. Odds-on favorite Tapalo, a 7-length winner of the Lazaro Barrera going 7 furlongs last time out, zipped through strong early fractions of :23.42, :46.20 and 1:09.63 while building a sizable lead.

Tapalo still led as the field turned for home and in midstretch but the early splits took their toll. Cornell, Baffert’s other runner in the five-horse field and the 3-1 second choice, cut into Tapalo’s lead with every stride in the lane. Wynstock also made up ground through the lane while racing down inside. The 4-1 third choice looked clear until the final strides when Cornell re-rallied before coming up just short. Wynstock won by a nose in 1:50.51. Cornell finished 5 lengths clear of Curlin’s Kaos, who nosed out Tapalo for third.

“I just let him settle early,” Frey said. “I was hoping he would have something for the stretch because he ran so well here in December when he won the Futurity. I stayed inside because I didn’t want to break his momentum.”

Wynstock, who won over the fast track in 1:50.51, improved to 3-for-8 in his career and boosted his bankroll to $243,740. He also gave Baffert his ninth victory in 11 runnings of the Los Alamitos Derby.

[2]

Co-owner Dr. Ed Allred and winning trainer Bob Baffert talk with jockey Kyle Frey after they teamed to win the Los Alamitos Derby. Benoit Photo.

“I thought Wynstock’s only chance was to be on the lead, but he runs well here because he likes a firmer surface,” Baffert said. “He could not make the lead, so (Frey) just grabbed him and (Tapalo) was out there by himself and I knew Cornell was going to make a run. Down the stretch, I thought Cornell was going to cut the corner, but he stayed outside and (Tapalo) was drifting him out and then I saw a horse flying on the inside and I thought, ‘Son of a gun,’ and then I realized ‘Oh, that’s my horse, he came back.’

“We know Wynstock has a lot of talent. It’s mental with him. I’m just happy we won and ran 1-2. It’s nice to come here and win this race, especially for Doc. I’m a big fan of his. It’s nice to hang with him and reminisce and tell old stories.’’

Bred by Empire Equines LLC, Wynstock was a $50,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase by Gerardo Barragan from Hidden Brook in 2022. He returned to the ring at this year’s OBS April sale and brought $700,000 from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, agent for Allred and Liebau, out of the Caliente Thoroughbreds consignment.

Wynstock became the first graded stakes winner for McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds’ Solomini when he won the Los Alamitos Futurity. He’s one of four stakes winners for Solomini, who is also the sire of recent Mike Lee winner Doc Sullivan, Soloshot, winner of the Cupecoy’s Joy division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes; and My Shea D Lady, winner of the $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the NYSS last year. Solomini, a Grade 1-placed son of Curlin out of the Storm Cat mare Surf Song, stands for $7,500.

Foaled at McMahon of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, Wynstock is the first foal out of the placed Flatter mare Timberlea, who was purchased by McMahon and Hill Bloodstock for $10,500 at the 2020 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale before joining the New York program. She is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 2-placed Untrapped and out of a granddaughter of successful broodmare Yarn.

Yarn’s foals included champion Minardi and Grade 2 winner and successful sire Tale of the Cat with her daughters producing European and U.S. champion Johannesburg and the dam of Grade 1 winner Joking.

Empire Equines also bred Timberlea’s most recent New York-bred foals – a yearling filly by Mo Town and a full sister to Wynstock born March 26.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wynstock-a2-200-1.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Allred-Dr.-Edward-Baffert-Bob-Frey-Kyle-1-200.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/29/solomini-colt-wynstock-wins-los-al-derby/


NYS Gaming Commission Forming Advisory Committee to Guide Racehorse Aftercare Funding

[1]New York State Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer today issued a call for volunteers to serve on an advisory board to assist directing contributions from New York’s Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding funds to responsible racehorse aftercare organizations.

Thoroughbred and Standardbred owners and breeders, and animal protection organizations specializing in horse aftercare and rescue are eligible to serve on the panel.

“We are seeking responsible and dedicated horseracing industry participants and animal welfare organizations to work together to drive resources to equine aftercare organizations,” said Chairman O’Dwyer. “This advisory board of experts will help ensure that every dollar contributed for retired racehorses is spent wisely to promote the health and well-being of these magnificent animals.

New Yorkers may make contributions on personal and/or corporate state income tax returns to funding the operation of retired race horse aftercare facilities via the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and/or the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (for Standardbreds). In addition, any fines collected for violations of New York State law prohibiting the slaughter of race horses and race horse breeding stock (Section 382 of the Agriculture & Markets Law) are remitted to the respective funds to be spent solely for the purpose of the care of retired race horses.

The funds will then distribute the funds to organizations, with consideration as to whether the group is an accredited horse retirement and rescue program.

Those who meet the aforementioned qualifications and are interested in serving are encouraged to contact Acting Secretary to the Commission Kristen Buckley at 518-388-3400 or emailing info@gaming.ny.gov[2].

 

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/nys_gc_logo.jpg
  2. info@gaming.ny.gov: mailto:info@gaming.ny.gov

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/26/nys-gaming-commission-forming-advisory-committee-to-guide-racehorse-aftercare-funding/


Tiz the Law filly highlights Fasig-Tipton June sale

[1]

Hip 16, a daughter of Tiz the Law bred by Pine Ridge Stables, zips a quarter in :21.4 before selling for $50,000 at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic June sale. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

A filly by Tiz the Law brought the highest price for a New York-bred and a filly by leading New York-based second-crop sire Solomini landed near the top of the results sheet during Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic June 2-year-olds in training sale.

Hip 16[2], a daughter of two-time New York-bred Horse of the Year and 2020 Belmont and Travers Stakes winner Tiz the Law, sold for $50,000 to Andy Simoff, agent for Imaginary Stable.

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable and consigned by Wes Carter, agent for Lemon Creek Farm, the filly is the third foal out of the winning Smart Strike mare Marcy Darcy. Out of the Grade 1-winning Dixie Union mare Hot Dixie Chick, Marcy Darcy is the dam of the winner Dr. Benny and the New York-bred 3-year-old Flatter colt Palpito.

Purchased by Lemon Creek Farm for $10,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale, the Tiz the Law filly originally sold as a short yearling for $21,000 at the 2023 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. She shared honors with two others for the fastest quarter-mile breeze – :21.4 – during presale workouts.

Hip 76[3], a daughter of New York’s leading 2023 freshman sire Solomini, sold for $39,000 to Ken Kachel. Bred by Seth Gregory, the filly is out of the winning Artie Schiller mare Harlan Light. The filly was consigned by Little Farm Equine LLC, agent.

Solomini, a 9-year-old son of Curlin who topped the New York freshman sire list last year with more than $1.4 million in progeny earnings, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs.

[4]

Hip 42, a filly by Vekoma bred by Hidden Lake Farm LLC and 3C Stables LLC, sold for $40,000 at the Midlantic June sale. Photo courtesy of Navas Equine.

Hip 42[5], a daughter of Vekoma bred by Hidden Lake Farm LLC and 3C Stables LLC, commanded the second highest price for a New York-bred on a $40,000 bid from Anthony Farrior. Consigned by Navas Equine, agent, the filly is out of the winning Stephen Got Even mare Summer Shade. The filly is a half-sister to a pair of winners led by stakes-placed $240,586-earner Harmon.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 15 of the 21 New York-breds offered for a total of $281,500, an average price of $18,767 and median of $15,000.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hip-16-UTS-6_24_2024-4th-in-21_4-Fasig-TIpton-Midlantic-June.jpg
  2. Hip 16: https://www.fasigtipton.com/catalogs/2024/0625/16.pdf
  3. Hip 76: https://www.fasigtipton.com/catalogs/2024/0625/76.pdf
  4. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9fb1646f-5772-4f4f-b4f0-0f63ff910514.jpeg
  5. Hip 42: https://www.fasigtipton.com/catalogs/2024/0625/42.pdf

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/26/tiz-the-law-filly-highlights-fasig-tipton-june-sale/


Mischief Joke dominates Ontario County

[1]

Mischief Joke makes quick work of his five foes in Monday’s Ontario County at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Mischief Joke handled his second trip to Finger Lakes in western New York better than the first last fall and came away with a convincing victory in Monday’s $50,000 Ontario County Stakes.

Third after ducking in and checking after the start of the $161,547 New York Breeders’ Futurity October 16, Mischief Joke made amends in the 6-furlong Ontario County as the 2-5 favorite. The 3-year-old son of Practical Joke added Monday’s co-feature to his victory in January in the Rego Park Stakes at Aqueduct, winning by 5 1/4 lengths under Andre Worrie.

Owned by Paradise Farms Corp., Parkland Thoroughbreds, Barry Fowler and Angelo Carlesimo and trained by Mike Maker, Mischief Joke returned in the Ontario County after finishing last of five in the Mike Lee Stakes June 9 at Saratoga Race Course.

Bet down from his 9-5 morning-line odds, Mischief Joke raced third early while 3-1 second choice Stars N Stones took the early lead ahead of Benji Brown. Stars N Stones led by a half-length through the opening quarter-mile in :23.01.

Worrie guided Mischief Joke to the three-path around the far turn and Mischief Joke rolled past Stars N Stones and Benji Brown to take command. Mischief Joke led through the half in :46.72 and cruised through the lane, past 5 furlongs in :59.48 on a 4 1/2-length lead that widened at the finish. Aelfgar ralled from fifth to finish second, 5 ¼ lengths ahead of Stars N Stones in third. Mischief Joke won in 1:12.92.

Bred by Pine Ridge Stables LTD and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Mischief Joke is out of the unraced Distorted Humor mare Shesabitdistorted.

Shesabitdistorted is a full sister to graded stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Sharp Humor, champion New York-bred 2-year-old male in 2005 and champion New York-bred 3-year-old male in 2006. She’s the dam of six winners including Mischief Joke and fellow New York-bred It’s Mo Joke.

Mischief Joke sold for $6,500 to Erick Torres as a short yearling at the 2022 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. He started his career in Kentucky for Torres and owner Twin Oaks LLC, finishing second in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race at Keeneland Race Course, before being purchased privately by his current connections.

Mischief Joke was offered but not sold on a bid of $150,000 during last year’s Fasig-Tipton August digital sale. He compiled a record of 1-5-2 in nine starts last season before starting 2024 with a victory in the Rego Park Stakes in late January at Aqueduct. He defeated Antonio of Venice in the Rego Park before that rival turned the tables in the $93,000 Damon Runyon Stakes in mid-March at Aqueduct.

Mischief Joke didn’t race for nearly three months after the Damon Runyon and returned in the Mike Lee on the New York Showcase Day that closed the four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.

The Ontario County victory, worth $30,000, boosted Mischief Joke’s bankroll to $259,595 from a record of 3-6-2 in 13 starts.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6-24-24-R5-Mischief-Joke.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/24/mischief-joke-dominates-ontario-county/


Sweet Brown Sugar back home with Niagara Stakes victory

[1]

Sweet Brown Sugar makes winning return to Finger Lakes in Monday’s Niagara Stakes. SV Photography.

Sweet Brown Sugar returned to Finger Lakes off a short freshening that followed her second stakes victory and added a third Monday in the $50,000 Niagara Stakes.

Off since winning the $100,000 East View Stakes March 17 at Aqueduct, the 3-year-old daughter of Collected ran her record at Finger Lakes to 3-for-3 with her 5 1/2-length win in the Niagara. Owned by Richie Rich Racing Stable and trained by Paul Barrow, Sweet Brown Sugar started her career at Finger Lakes with back-to-back victories that included the $40,000 Shesastonecoldfox in early November.

Hammered down to 1-9 in the field of five reduced by the scratch of A Thousand Plans, Sweet Brown Sugar and jockey Jeremias Flores took the lead from Dorth’s Sol Dancer shortly after the break and opened up a clear lead.

Sweet Brown Sugar clicked past the opening quarter-mile in :23.44 with Dorth’s Sol Dancer giving chase ahead of Dreamery, Love Thyself and Sevens Up. Dorth’s Sol Dancer inched up within three-quarters of a length midway around the far turn before Sweet Brown Sugar opened up again past the half in :47.45.

Sweet Brown Sugar cruised from there, turning for home well in control and widening her advantage. Love Thyself made a tepid run down on the inside to edge past 9-1 second choice Dorth’s Sol Dancer by a half-length at the finish for the place spot at 25-1. Dreamery finished another 8 1/4 lengths back in fourth. Sweet Brown Sugar won in 1:12.41 over the fast track.

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, Sweet Brown Sugar is the first and only foal out of the winning Bodemeister mare Rachel’s Blue Moon. The winner of two of 11 starts and $97,096, Rachel’s Blue Moon raced for the Bromans as a second-generation homebred for the multiple leading breeders in New York. Rachel’s Blue Moon is out of the Grade 1-placed stakes-winning El Corredor mare Beautiful But Blue, who is out of the multiple stakes-winning $523,927-earning Dixie Brass mare Beautiful America.

Beautiful But Blue, third in the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga in 2012 and winner of three New York-bred stakes on the NYRA circuit that season, is also the dam of stakes-placed Montebello. Beautiful But Blue won five of 17 starts and earned $395,450. Beautiful America won six of 21 starts and earned $523,927 for the Bromans from 2002 to 2004.

Sweet Brown Sugar originally sold for $10,000 through the Sequel New York consignment at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. She was then offered as part of the Scenic Sales consignment at the 2023 OBS June sale and brought $32,000 from Nick Hines, agent for Richie Rich Stables.

Sweet Brown Sugar started her sophomore campaign at Aqueduct for Barrow. After a fifth behind My Mane Squeeze in the Franklin Square Stakes in mid-January, she finished third in a 6-furlong allowance-optional. Sweet Brown Sugar has won three straight since – a similar 6 1/2-furlong allowance-optional, the East View by 4 lengths and Monday’s co-featured Niagara. Sweet Brown Sugar improved to 5-for-7 and boosted her bankroll to $180,500 with her latest score.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6-24-24-R3-Sweet-Brown-Sugar.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/24/sweet-brown-sugar-back-home-with-niagara-stakes-victory/


Kant Hurry Love defends title in Dancing Renee

[1]

Kant Hurry Love holds off Leeloo to defend title in Sunday’s Dancin Renee Stakes. Susie Raisher/NYRA Photo.

Trainer Dave Duggan added blinkers for Kant Hurry Love’s return to the races, hoping for a little more focus from the 5-year-old daughter of Kantharos. He got it Sunday at Aqueduct.

Running for the first time since March 9 and with her new equipment, Ken Wheeler Jr.’s Kant Hurry Love defended her title in the $125,000 Dancin Renee Stakes. She won last year’s renewal at Belmont Park for her first stakes victory and picked up Sunday’s during the Belmont at the Big A meeting to the delight of her conditioner.

“It was a very unique performance,” Duggan said. “We were very nervous about how the blinkers would affect her off a good run. Obviously, at this stage, we don’t have to worry about that. She got loose on the lead and got very comfortable. It made a big difference.”

Off since a narrow second behind Hot Fudge in the open-company Correction Stakes March 9 at Aqueduct, Kant Hurry Love controlled the Dancin Renee from the start. Hustled away from the gate after the break by Trevor McCarthy, Kant Hurry Love led longshot Majestic Return up the backstretch through the opening quarter-mile in :22.28. Leeloo raced just behind the top pair and the complexion of the race remained that way around the far turn.

Kant Hurry Love shook off a pesky Majestic Return past the half in :44.95 and braced for the late runs from Leeloo and 1-2 favorite Sterling Silver in the stretch.

“We were rolling right along,” McCarthy said. “On paper, Kendrick [Carmouche, aboard Majestic Return] and I were the speed and with the blinkers on, I wanted to really hustle her. She broke good. I hustled her out of there and kind of had to earn it a little more than I thought.

“When we turned for home, I let her open it up a little bit and try and put some distance on Javier [Castellano, aboard Sterling Silver] and get the jump on them. She had been waiting on horses a little bit and that’s why we put the blinkers on. When she felt Javier inside and she surged again just inside the last 70 yards. It was a great performance by her.”

Leeloo, shipping in from trainer Ignacio Correas IV’s barn at Keeneland off back-to-back tries in open stakes, made a solid run at the leader but couldn’t get past. Kant Hurry Love won by three-quarters of a length over Leeloo with Sterling Silver third of six. Kant Hurry Love won in 1:10.11.

“Last race, that was a tough race beaten by a very good filly,” Duggan said of Hot Fudge. “She showed up against her own company today. We beat Sterling Silver at our game, not her game, at seven-eighths she is a better filly I think.”

Kant Hurry Love improved to 5-for-14 at the 6-furlong trip and 6-8-5 in 22 starts. She earned $68,750 for the Dancin Renee victory and boosted her bankroll to $525,600.

Bred by Dr. John and Laura McDermott, foaled at Seldom Still Farm in Granville and out of their homebred Langfuhr mare She’s All Love, Kant Hurry Love sold for $40,000 to Debbie Easter at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Showcase in Kentucky.

A half-sister to stakes winners Candid Desire and Bonus Points, She’s All Love is also the dam of the 3-year-old New York-bred Keen Ice gelding Triple Word Score. A $50,000 purchase out of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale, Triple Word Score finished third in most recent start in a mid-May maiden-claiming race at Belmont at the Big A. She’s All Love did not produce a foal in 2022 or 2023 and delivered a New York-bred filly by multiple Grade 1 winner Vekoma February 10.

Duggan said Kant Hurry Love, who scratched out of the April 13 Primonetta Stakes at Laurel Park and the June 5 Rehoboth Stakes at Delaware Park, would stay with New York-breds for her next start this summer.

“That’s it; that’s the plan,” Duggan said of the August 9 Union Avenue Handicap at Saratoga Race Course. “Would just train her up to that.”

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/kant-hurry-love-the-dancin-renee-credit-susie-raisher.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/23/kant-hurry-love-defends-title-in-dancing-renee/


Remembering Toby Sheets

[1]

Toby Sheets, former assistant to Steve Asmussen with NY-Bred Champion Haynesfield Photo Courtesy of Adam Coglianese/NYRA Photos

By Teresa Genaro

Maggie Wolfendale Morley and Toby Sheets’ friendship did not get off to an auspicious beginning. Morley (then Wolfendale) had recently begun working as the New York Racing Association’s paddock analyst, and Sheets was Steve Asmussen’s assistant. 

One night, she joined trainers Abigail Adsit and David Cannizzo for dinner. Sheets was seated across from her. 

“He ripped me a new one,” she said. “We didn’t really know each other, and he started talking about what I said about people’s horses on TV, and he was not happy. ‘You can’t say that!’”

Apparently the conversation escalated to the point that other diners in the restaurant noticed, leading to the waitress to come to the table as Morley tried to defend herself. 

“I started to lose it,” she said. “I went to the bathroom and Abby came with me, and she said to me, ‘Go to the bar, do a shot with him, and you’ll be good.’

“I took her advice, and by the end of the night, Toby and I were best friends.”

Fiercely protective of both his horses and his friends, Sheets was found dead in Greece on June 16. The cause of death was drowning. 

[2]

Winners circle photo following Haynesfield’s victory in the 2010 G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. Photo Courtesy of Adam Coglianese/NYRA Photos

[3]

Toby Sheets with jockey Ramon Dominguez & Haynesfield Photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese/NYRA Photos

Sheets had worked for years as Steve Asmussen’s assistant at Belmont Park. When Asmussen closed his New York barn last year, Sheets worked for several other trainers at Belmont before recently traveling to Greece, with an eye on moving there and establishing a career in the restaurant industry.

“I feel completely empty,” said retired trainer Rick Schosberg, the president of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Take the Lead racehorse retirement program. “I had talked to him just a couple of days ago about Chestertown.”

Asmussen, and thus Sheets, had trained the New York-bred Chestertown, who sold for $2 million as a two-year-old in 2019 and who was retired last year. Chestertown was bred by Chester and Mary Broman and named for their upstate New York farm; Sheets had been training him to be a stable pony, and, ever vigilant, had made arrangements for the horse to be transferred to Miguel Gutierrez for a career as an outrider pony.

 

“I texted him while he was in Greece and he called me back a day later,” said Schosberg. “He seemed relieved to be in another place than the racetrack, at least for a little while.”

Known for his extraordinary kindness to other people, Sheets asked little of his friends, and even those closest to him often didn’t know much about his life before he got to Belmont.

Morley said that Sheets grew up in Arkansas and had been around horses since childhood; he left home while still young, working as a waiter and bartender in Colorado, then galloping horses on the West Coast and in New Orleans. He trained on his own for a decade before signing on as Asmussen’s assistant in 2004.  

He stayed in New York year-round, and while many images capture him at Aqueduct in the winter, it was in the summer during the Saratoga meet that he and others based at Belmont had time to relax.

“A lot of the assistants stayed at Belmont year-round,” said Cherie DeVaux, a trainer who formerly worked for Chad Brown. “It was quiet in the summer because the racing was upstate, so we got a chance to hang out. Toby was a big supporter when I went out on my own. He’d send a quick text to check in or to congratulate me, and he was always there to talk to, no matter what was going on.”

She remembered a particularly painful incident that was made slightly easier because of Sheets’ presence, when one of the horses that she worked with suffered an injury that required the horse to be euthanized.

“I was really struggling during the procedure, and he took over for me,” she said. “He told me to step away and he held the horse to make it easier on me. That’s the kind of person he was: he always put other people first.” 

Known as much for his horsemanship as for his kindness, Sheets reliably retired horses when they were ready, getting the retirement paperwork done early and thoroughly.

“He was by far one of the best all-around horsemen I’ve ever known in 40 years on the racetrack,” said Schosberg.

He recalled an incident when he was at the track during morning training; Sheets was on the pony, and an exercise rider was having trouble with one of Asmussen’s horses.

“He pulled the pony up, switched places with the exercise rider, and within an eighth of a mile, Toby had this horse that had been acting like an idiot galloping around with his head down.” 

Carol Seaver was the racing manager for Turtle Bird Stable, who owned Asmussen stable standouts Haynesfield and Cluster of Stars, both New York-breds, both graded stakes winners. 

“He knew what was going on with every horse in the barn, not just the accomplished ones like Haynesfield,” she said. “His being able to get on horses was such an asset, and he had such a good handle on Haynesfield. He understood the horse’s cruising speed and ability, and he plotted a very successful course for him, knowing where he’d shine the most.” 

Bred by Barry Weisbord and Margaret Santulli, Haynesfield retired with earnings of $1.3 million, a win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), and a head loss to Jersey Town in the Cigar Mile (G1).  When Dave Lyon bought a $250,000 Classic Empire colt in 2021, he asked David Ingordo, his bloodstock agent, for trainer recommendations.

“He told us to send him to Asmussen, essentially because of Toby,” said Lyon. “And he was right.” After Morello won the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, Lyon and his partners invited Sheets to have champagne with them.

“Nope,” said Lyon. “He wanted to go back to the barn. After we won the Gotham, he did the same thing. He always put the horse before everything. And he didn’t hesitate to tell us when a horse needed time or needed to be laid up for a little while.”

Sassy, sarcastic, and often spicy, Sheets might not be the first person you’d think of as a babysitter for humans. But his kindness and care extended beyond his friends and his horses to the children of his friends.

“My kids would spend holidays with him and his family, and we got to know his dad and his brothers,” said Seaver. When Maggie and Tom Morley had their first child in 2016, they asked Sheets to be Grace’s godfather. “He and Grace were really close,” said Morley. “He promised her that when she turned 18, they’d go to Paris together.”

She paused, choked up. “He was an amazing person to our girls. He and Leah Gyramati were the first people to hold Grace after Tom and me. He stood next to me at my wedding, and when he knew that Tom was away and I had the girls to myself, he’d come hang out and spend nights with us.”

When Asmussen shut down operations at Belmont, it “rocked Toby’s world a little bit,” said Wolfendale Morley. Another friend said that demons chased Sheets, and he chased them back. 

“I kind of thought that he’d made this far and he’d be around forever,” she said. “It hurts so much, especially because it was so sudden. The day before I heard the news, I’d been thinking about how I was going to find him to get to Greece to visit him.” 

“He was always there for us,” she went on, “and he never asked anything in return, just to be a friend and give love. As he always said to me, ‘Love is love.’” 

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSC_9902-scaled.jpg
  2. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSC_7226-scaled.jpg
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSC_0255-scaled.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/20/remembering-toby-sheets/


Expanded NYRA Saratoga Breakfast & Breeding Farm tours for 2024 launches July 12

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Photo courtesy Old Tavern Farm

(Press Release courtesy of NYRA)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is expanding the highly popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour program this summer with the addition of a third participant, Sugar Plum Farm, to complement incumbents Old Tavern Farm and Song Hill Thoroughbreds.

Thanks to overwhelming interest from fans, Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours will now be offered Wednesday through most Saturdays, plus select Sundays, beginning Friday, July 12 through Saturday, August 31.

Tickets are $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 years of age and under and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at NYRA.com. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests.

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

The all-inclusive experience begins with a buffet-style breakfast at Saratoga Race Course from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. against the backdrop of world-class thoroughbreds during morning training. At 9:45 a.m., fans board a CDTA trolley at the Clubhouse entrance for a short ride to the day’s breeding farm. Upon arrival, fans will enjoy a 60-minute guided tour with the farm’s owners and expert staff before returning to the track for an afternoon of live racing.

“Thanks to our friends at NYRA and CDTA, the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours have quickly become an important part of the complete Saratoga experience for racing fans and newcomers to the sport alike,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “These tours showcase the importance of the New York State breeding industry, and also demonstrate the care, dedication and passion that breeders bring to their craft. Each of these three farms embodies the spirit of New York’s thoroughbred breeding community.”

War Dancer meets one of his sons at Sugar Plum Farm in Saratoga Springs. Barbara Livingston photo.[2]

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

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Photo courtesy of Song Hill Thoroughbreds

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to be involved with NYRA’s breeding farm tours. They give us a chance to meet new people and introduce them to another facet of the thoroughbred world,” said Robin Malatino, Sugar Plum Farm Owner and Breeder. “Everyone loves to see where a racing career begins and following a tour, people leave with a greater appreciation and a more holistic understanding of the thoroughbred industry.”

Located just minutes from Saratoga Race Course, owners Robin and Tony Malatino have operated Sugar Plum Farm since 2005. More information is available at sugarplumfarmsaratoga.com.

Song Hill Thoroughbreds, owned by Jim and Tina Bond, was established in Mechanicville in 2005. Song Hill joined the Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours in 2023. More information about the expansive 100-acre horse farm can be found at jamesbondracing.com/song-hill-thoroughbreds.

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 Breakfast and Breeding Farm program in 2022. More information is available at oldtavernfarms.com.

Highlighted by the 155th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 3, the annual 40-day summer meet will open Thursday, July 11 and continue through Monday, September 2.

Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from closing week, when the 2024 summer meet will conclude on Labor Day.

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

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Alpine-Sky-photo-courtesy-of-Old-Tavern-Farm.jpeg
  2. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WarDancerSon.jpg
  3. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/song_hill-e1713884435842.jpeg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/19/expanded-nyra-saratoga-breakfast-breeding-farm-tours-for-2024-launches-july-12/


The Big Torpedo storms home in NYSS Spectacular Bid

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The Big Torpedo and Eric Cancel cruise to the finish in Sunday’s Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Series at Belmont at the Big A. NYRA Photo.

Tom Morley looked forward to running The Big Torpedo back on the grass after what he called persevering through the winter and running the Big Brown colt on the dirt.

Second in that return to the grass in late April against open company in the Woodhaven Stakes at Aqueduct, The Big Torpedo took it a step further with a victory in Sunday’s $150,000 Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes at Belmont at the Big A.

Owned by Thomas Albrecht, Vincent Fusaro and James Klein and trained by Morley, The Big Torpedo won by 3 1/2 lengths over the Central Banker gelding Courtly Banker with the Bustin Stones gelding Bustin Away third and the Leofric colt Fidelightcayut fourth in the Father’s Day feature. Eric Cancel rode The Big Torpedo, who won the 6-furlong stakes over the firm turf in 1:08.38.

“These Stallion Series races are worth so much money,” said Morley, who ran The Big Torpedo in four straight dirt races including the $500,000 Great White Way division of the NYSS last December. “We had several options, we could have run in the Penn Mile or in the ‘A-other-than’ last week at Saratoga, but when you have a Stallion Series horse, you have to have a go at these races.

“Fingers crossed, he’s in good shape and we go up to Saratoga for the Cab Calloway. Now it will be about getting him to relax going into the first turn at Saratoga because it’s back to two turns next time.”

The 7-5 favorite in the field of eight off that close second in the Woodhaven, The Big Torpedo settled in third early as Bustin Away and Courtly Banker scrimmaged through the opening quarter-mile in :22.58.

Cancel was content to stay fourth around the far turn as Bustin Away clicked past the half in :45.66 just ahead of Courtly Banker and Grand Opening. The Big Torpedo surged through spot between the leader and the rail in the stretch, accelerated and opened up to lead in midstretch by a head.

“I was waiting for the right time,” Cancel said. “As soon as the rail opened up just a bit more where I knew he would fit perfectly, I went for it. I had the horse underneath me and once I asked him, he responded very quick.”

The Big Torpedo flew home from there, widening with every stride to finish clear. Courtly Banker edged Bustin Away by a neck for the runner-up spot with Fidelightcayut another head back in fourth. Grand Opening, Heavyweight Champs, Retail Man and Freedsdale completed the field.

“I’ve been working the horse and seeing him train,” Cancel said. “He’s been doing phenomenal. I sat the right trip with him. I knew I didn’t have to be on the lead, I could just sit from behind. That’s what I did, and everything worked out to our favor.”

The Spectacular Bid capped a big eight-day stretch for Big Brown, New York’s leading sire in 2020 who stands for $5,000 at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions in Stillwater. Champion 3-year-old male and winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2008, Big Brown is also the broodmare sire of last weekend’s Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch and his Kentucky Derby-winning half brother Mage.

The Big Torpedo, bred by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, foaled at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater and out of the Empire Maker mare U. S. S. O’Brien, finished second in his debut going 6 furlongs on the turf last November at Aqueduct. He crossed the finish fourth and was elevated to third via disqualification in the Great White Way in mid-December. The Big Torpedo won a 1-mile state-bred maiden race in mid-January by 10 lengths to earn a spot in the $100,000 Gander Stakes at the same distance. After a well-beaten fifth there, The Big Torpedo returned with a close second in a 1-mile allowance-optional in late March to set up his run in the Woodhaven.

A $130,000 purchased by Fox Hill Farm at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale, U. S. S. O’Brien won three of 11 starts with four placings and earned $143,140. She won the $50,000 Golden Beach Handicap in 2014 at Gulfstream Park for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and trainer Kathy Ritvo.

U. S. S. O’Brien produced her first foal, a colt by Uncle Mo, in 2018. Her second foal, the Mucho Macho Man filly Hang On Honey, won one of two starts and earned $12,330. The Big Torpedo is U. S. S. O’Brien’s fourth foal. He improved to 2-3-1 in seven starts and earned $82,500 to boost his bankroll to $238,400.

U. S. S. O’Brien is also the dam of the 2-year-old Maclean’s Music colt O’Brien’s Song, a $28,000 RNA at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-big-torpedo-the-nyss2.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/16/the-big-torpedo-storms-home-in-nyss-spectacular-bid/


Vekoma filly, Honest Mischief colt top OBS finale

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Hip 1017, a filly by Grade 1-winning freshman sire Vekoma bred by Hidden Brook, sold for $330,000 during the OBS June finale. Photo courtesy of Hidden Brook.

A filly from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Vekoka landed a $330,000 to highlight the final session of the OBS June 2-year-olds in training sale Friday in Ocala.

Swinbank Stables purchased Hip 1017[2], the second foal out of the stakes-winning Rockport Harbor mare Grace’s Treasure. Bred by DiRico R&B, LLC, foaled at River Valley Farm in Gansevoort and consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, the filly originally sold for $160,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

The $330,000 price not only was the highest amount paid for a New York-bred during Friday’s session, but the most expensive for the sale.

Grace’s Treasure won four of 13 starts, including the 2017 Open Mind Stakes at Churchill Downs, and earned $133,924. She was purchased in foal to Bolt d’Oro by Joseph DiRico for $100,000 at the 2020 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. She produced a filly by Bolt d’Oro, later named Catchphrase. A $200,000 purchased by Maverick Racing/Siena Farm at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Catchphrase is in training at WinStar Farm’s training center in Kentucky.

Grace’s Treasure is also the dam of a yearling colt by Gun Runner and a filly by Candy Ride born March 13, both bred by DiRico.

The Vekoma filly was one of two six-figure New York-breds sold during the session, along with Hip 906[3], a colt by New York-based freshman sire Honest Mischief who brought $110,000. Purchased by High Point Bloodstock, agent for Richard Greely, the colt is out of the Include mare Memories of Mom.

Bred by Robert Harris, foaled at Saratoga Glen Farm in Schuylerville and consigned by Harris Training Center LLC, agent, the colt is the fourth foal out of Memories of Mom. Her first three foals are by three-time leading New York sire Central Banker and two – the 5-year-old gelding Walk the Bank and 4-year-old gelding Saratoga Banker – are winners.

OBS reported sales on 18 of the 30 New York-breds offered during the final session for $653,400, an average price of $36,300. Overall, 61 New York-breds were sold for $1,850,600, an average price of $30,338.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1017p.jpg
  2. Hip 1017: https://obssales.com/catalog/#/137/hip/1017?refSize=20&refUrl=results&session=3
  3. Hip 906: https://obssales.com/catalog/#/137/hip/906?refSize=20&refUrl=results&session=3

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/06/15/vekoma-filly-honest-mischief-colt-top-obs-finale/