FLORIDA FOCUS

Florida Focus Compiled by Brock Sheridan

Florida-bred Golden Pal n Coady Photo

Florida-bred Golden Pal burst from post 10 and had daylight on his rivals after just a few strides before sprinting away to a dominant victory in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland April 9. Golden Pal had ten rivals in the $350,000 Shakertown for 3-year-olds and older but none were able to get close to the son of Uncle Mo at any point in the five-and-a-half furlong turf sprint. Making his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) by a length-and-a-quarter after leading from start to finish, Golden Pal was just as sharp in the Shakertown. The Wesley Ward-trained 4-year-old sprinted to a two-and-a-half-length lead while finishing the first two furlongs in a quarter horse-like :20.94 before finishing the half-mile in :43.58 while maintaining a clear advantage turning for home. With little urging from Ortiz, Golden Pal drew off to win by four-and-three-quarters lengths in 1:02.21 on the turf course rated good after snow and rain earlier in the day. “He’s a really fast horse out of the gate,” Ortiz said. “Wesley [Ward] did a great job with him since day one. They taught him right, what he has to do. I did ask him [at the top of the stretch] and he responded really well. Then I looked around—and I’m already right there close to the wire. So I wrapped him up.”

Thomas Caruso, died Ward spoke of his fondness for Golden peacefully on April 1, Pal and how he admires his abundance of 2022, in Mountain City, talent. Tennessee. He was born “He’s just an amazing horse,” Ward on Oct. 29, 1955, the son said. “He is an amazing horse to be around. of Louis and Zana Caruso, A once in a lifetime horse. He’s just a big in Norwich, N.Y. kid around the barn but when he walks

Growing up in upstate into the paddock, he’s all focused and all New York, Tom connect- business. ed to all things “horse.” “I want to thank [the owners] for letting After high school he him run this year and letting the fans enjoy worked for trainer Joe Bo- him.” lero, traveling to Arlington Park in Chicago Golden Pal is owned by Mrs. John and Hialeah in South Florida in the winters. Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith

Tom decided Tartan Farms would be his and Westerberg and was bred by Randall next gig. He worked at the farm and trav- E. Lowe. eled with the racing stable. He managed Golden Pal made the trip to Great Brithorses such as Fappiano, Codex, Ogygian, ain for the King’s Stand, his third trip to Leroy S., Island Whirl, Tax Holiday, Adlib- Europe. He was second to The Lir Jet in ber and many other talented stakes winners. the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Ascot in

When Tartan Farms closed, Tom worked his second career start in June of 2020 and for Sam-Son Farm and Roselyn Farm before seventh last year in the Group 1 Wootton joining Bonnie Heath Farm. Bassett Nunthorpe at York in August. He

At Bonnie Heath, he oversaw many returned to the United States after the poor stakes winners including, Honor Glide, Mad effort in the Nunthorpe to win the Woodford presented by TVG (G2) at Keeneland

Flatter, Kalu, Gondwanan, His Honor, Up Front, and Outstander. After Bonnie Heath Farm Tom trained for several owners while racing at Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, and Calder Race Course. Tom retired after 10 Thomas Joseph Caruso n File Photo years as manager and trainer at Whisper Hill Farm where he earned the Florida Thoroughbred Farm Manager Of The Year award for excellence in the industry. Tom is survived: by his niece Lisa Shope of Osteen, Fla.; great nephews Zachary Shope of Sarasota, Fla. and Brett Shope of Melbourne, Fla., half-siblings Charlene Barrows of Norwich, N.Y.; Martin (Bonnie) Caruso of Troy, Ohio; Julie (Rick) Jenne of Glens Falls, N.Y.; Dano Caruso of Columbus, Ohio; Andy (Tami) Caruso of Phoenix, N.Y.; Deb (Anthony) Turiano of Andover, Ma. n

before going to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup.

He is by Uncle Mo out of Lady Shipman, by Midshipman and has now won six of nine starts with two seconds while earning $1,473,431. He is undefeated in three starts at Keeneland having also won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) there in 2020. He is the only Florida-bred to have won two Breeders’ Cup races.

He was sent to the post as the 3-5 favorite in the Shakertown and paid $3.20 to win. n

Florida-bred Old Homestead, who won his first two career starts at Delta Downs, took his winning streak north to Keeneland April 8 when the 3-year-old colt won the $400,000 Lafayette by three-and-three-quarters lengths. Old Homestead bested a field of twelve 3-year-olds in the Lafayette, going seven furlongs on the opening day of the Keeneland Spring Meet.

Surfer Dude and Irad Ortiz Jr. broke on top from post four but Old Homestead and jockey Thomas Pompell, who rode him in both of his wins in Louisiana, took the lead from the inside in the initial stages. Old Homestead, who had never been headed at any point of call in his first two starts, led Surfer Dude by a half-length through a :22.55 first quarter before stretching out to a length advantage around the turn to finish the half-mile in :45.97.

At the top of the stretch, Old Homestead continued to build his margin to two lengths as Surfer Dude was still giving chase in second with longshot Osbourne moving into third.

Old Homestead galloped home in 1:22.98 with Surfer Dude holding second, a length ahead of Osbourne in third. They were followed in order by Swale (G3)-winner My Prankster, the 7-5 favorite; Money Supply, from the Chad Brown barn; American Xperiment; Magnolia Midnight; All in Sync; Ignitis; Unified; Tejano Twist and Barossa.

It was the first stakes victory at Keeneland for Pompell and the first win at Keeneland for the jockey since 2010.

Old Homestead broke his maiden by 11 ½ lengths at Delta Downs on Jan 28 before winning a non-winners of two allowances by nearly six lengths on March 4, also at Delta.

Old Homestead is by Overanalyze and was bred in Florida by the owners Marablue Farm LLC and Pegasus Stud LLC. He is the first foal out of the Florida-bred Songandaprayer mare Pearl de Vere, who won nine races while sprinting including six on the turf. She was also bred by Marablue Farm LLC.

Old Homestead paid $21.80 to win at odds of 9-1 and now has career earnings of $212,325 in his three starts. n

Florida-bred Old Homestead n Coady Photo

Strategic Bird earned her second career stakes victory April 17 at Mahoning Valley Race Course as the daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Noble Bird took the $75,000 Cheryl White Memorial by three-and-ahalf lengths. Ridden by Alex Achard, Strategic Bird soundly defeated nine other 3-year-old fillies in the Cheryl White over six furlongs on a muddy and sealed track.

Sent to the post as the 3-5 favorite, Strategic Bird broke evenly from post six as Beneath the Stars went to the front with longshot Offtheroadagain quickly joining them to their inside as Strategic Bird took up a comfortable position on the rail in seventh about six lengths farther back.

Beneath the Stars turned for home in front but Strategic Bird

Reed Palmer Photo *Swept FSS series, won Breeders’ Cup the following year **Second in FFS race, won Breeders’

Cup Classic the following year

S. Stidhamr Photo

Awesome Feather

2010 National Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Unbridled

1990 Kentucky Derby Winner National Champion 3-year old colt

became a threat from the six path before sprinting past the leaders with a sixteenth of a mile to run and winning in 1:12.67. Brody’s Jessica nabbed Aberration at the finish to take second in a photo while Beneath the Stars was another length back in fourth.

Strategic Bird paid $3.40 to win.

Out of Strategize, by Afleet Alex, Strategic Bird has now won three of five career starts with two thirds and earnings of $115,100. She is trained by Mark Casse for Gary Barber and was bred in Florida by John Oxley Living Trust.

She was a $40,000 purchase by TMC at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale in June where she was consigned by Royal Thoroughbreds. She also went through the OBS auction ring during the 2020 October Sale where Luis Guevara bought her for $2,000 out of the Kelli Mitchell consignment.

Strategize has six foals and one other winner from two starters. She also has a yearling colt by Noble Bird and weanling colt by Noble Bird. n Florida, I am especially delighted for the opportunity to continue serving our great community,” Fennessy said.

Sara Fennessy began her career with Horse Farms Forever® in 2019 as director of community affairs and quickly grew into the position of executive director. Under her tenure, Horse Farms Forever grew in public stature and influence and went from a hand-

Emily Holmes n Victoria Demore Photo

Sara Fennesey n Kate Wilson Photo

Sara Fennessy has accepted an executive position on the College of Central Florida administrative team as director governmental relations and special assistant to the president.

“As a graduate of the College of Central ful of members to more than 1,000 members.

Replacing Fennessy as the executive director at Horse Farms Forever is Emily Holmes, who recently served as events coordinator and director of events at Florida Horse Park where she assisted in developing the facility to its current infrastructure and brought multiple competitions in-house. In addition, Holmes was influential in obtaining an FEI 4*S competition to add to the Ocala International Festival of Eventing.

Holmes is also a freelance organizer of USEA/USEF Horse Trials and FEI Eventing competitions across the country and has her USEF “r” Eventing Technical Delegate’s license.

Holmes holds a bachelor of science in equine studies/industry management from the University of New Hampshire and a master of arts in mass communication: public relations from the University of Florida. n

John C. Oxley’s Devious Dame drew off to an impressive five-and-a-half-length victory against maiden special weight foes in her first career start May 5 at Churchill Downs to give Ocala Stud stallion Girvin his first winner.

Trained by Norm Casse and ridden by Joe Talamo, the dark bay or brown filly raced head and head with 7-5 favorite Empire of My Own through fractions of :22.57 and :45.94 before taking over in the stretch and finishing the five furlongs in :58.09 on the fast track.

Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud, Joseph M. O’Farrell III, David O’Farrell et. al, Devious Dame is out of the unraced Quality Road mare The Shady Lady, who has now produced three winners from three starters including Capturini, a 4-year-old filly by Uncaptured; and One More Score, a 3-yearold colt by Ocala Stud’s second crop sire Noble Bird.

Girvin is by Tale of Ekati out of Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon and won the Grade 1 betfair.com Haskell Invitational, the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana

Derby and Risen Star (G2) while earning $1,624,392. Girvin’s 2022 fee is $6,000.

Devious Dame is a recent graduate of the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where she was consigned by Ocala Stud and purchased by One Up Bloodstock for $240,000 as Hip 198. n

Elena Racing Inc.’s Awesome Strong provided Ocala stud freshman sire Awesome Slew with his first winner May 6 at Gulfstream Park, capturing a maiden special weight by six lengths in his first start.

Trained by Jorge Delgado, Awesome Strong sat third, a length-and-a-half behind front-runner Cajun Hope through a first quarter-mile in :21.79 before beginning to make up ground around the far turn. However, the chestnut colt was unable to find room for an inside run and was thus steered to the outside by jockey Miguel Vazquez. With a quarter-mile to run, Awesome Strong found room between horses and took a clear lead turning for home. After a half-mile in :45.16, Awesome Strong drew off to win in :51.62 for the four-and-a-half furlongs on the fast track.

Bred in Florida by John B. Penn, Awesome Strong is out of the unraced Pleasant Tap mare Pleasant Ring, who now has six winners from 10 starters and 10 foals including multiple stakes-winner and multiple graded stakes-placed Bad Debt, by Grand Reward.

Awesome Slew is by Awesome Again out of the stakes-winning and graded stakesplaced Seeking the Gold mare Slewfoundmoney. The first four dams in his female family are all stakes winners and each has produced at least two stakes horses.

Awesome Slew earned $1,223,310 on the track as a multiple graded stakes-winner of such races as the Grade 3 Commonwealth and Grade 3 Ack Ack, earning triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures on both occasions. His fee for 2022 is $4,000.

Awesome Strong was a $30,000 purchase by Elena Racing at the 2021 OBS October Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Sue Vacek as Hip 40. n

Florida-bred Awesome Strong n Ryan Thompson Photo

Robert A. “Bobby” Raymond, who trained 1,294 winners in a 43-year career, died May 8 at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, Fla., from septic shock. He was 74.

According to Raymond’s son Rob, the trainer’s right leg became infected on a visit with wife Kathy to Mobbly Beach Park in Oldsmar just days prior when he waded into the water and bacteria entered a small cut on his leg.

Raymond, a Woonsocket, R.I., native who owned Bobkat Stable farm in North Smithfield, R.I., with wife Kathy, began training in 1979 at Suffolk Downs in Boston and made Tampa Bay Downs his winter base during the 2003-2004 season.

Before becoming a trainer, Raymond shod horses and worked on several racetrack starting gate crews.

Survivors include Kathy, his wife of 48 years; son Rob; and brothers Fred and Paul. – Tampa Bay Downs Press Office n

Drafted became the sixth Florida-bred winner in nine runnings of the Grade 3 Runhappy Stakes at Belmont Park May 15 as the son of the late Florida sire Field Commission rallied from last to catch the pace-setting Chateau in the final strides of the six furlong test for 4-year-olds and older. Drafted joins Royal Currier (2012), Stallwalkin’ Dude (2015, 2017) and Firenze Fire (2019, 2021) as Florida-bred winners of the $150,000 Runhappy.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Drafted broke well from post two but was taken back to last in the five-horse field as jockey Kendrick Carmouche sent Chateau to a quick two-length lead ahead of Florida-bred Officiating in second for the run down the backstretch.

Chateau finished the first quarter-mile in :22.61 with a length-and-a-half advantage on Officiating in second with Repo Rocks third as Drafted lingered six lengths farther back in last.

Chateau continued to show the way around the far turn as Repo Rocks joined Officiating in second, but neither could make

Florida-bred Drafted n Janet Garaguso Photo

Ocala Stud’s first crop sire Awesome Slew continued to make headlines as Awesome Strong, who was the stallion’s first winner on May 6 while taking a maiden special weight by six lengths at Gulfstream Park, topped the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale with a $500,000 price tag as Hip 24.

The chestnut colt out of Pleasant Ring is a full-sister to stakes-winner and graded stakes-placed-producer Pleasant Chimes. Pleasant Ring has produced six winners to date, including multiple stakes-winner Bad Debt, by Grand Reward.

Consigned by Elena Racing, the colt was purchased by Bill Childs and is eligible for the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes. n

up much ground on the front-runner, who extended his advantage to three-and-a-half lengths at the top of the stretch after a halfmile split in :45.57.

Chateau appeared home free until deep stretch when Drafted launched his big run on the far outside. Drafted wore down the leader in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a length in 1:10.84 on the fast track.

Officiating finished another three-quarters of a length back in third followed by Repo Rocks and Answer In.

Owned by Dublin Fjord Stables LLC, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert and Thomas E. O’Keefe, Drafted won his second graded stakes in three starts this year in New York having also won the Grade 3 Toboggan over seven furlongs at Aqueduct on Feb. 5. More recently, the 8-year-old grey or roan gelding was fifth in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap won by Speaker’s Corner, also at seven furlongs at Aqueduct on April 9.

Drafted is out of Keep the Profit, by Darn That Alarm and has now won eight of 27 starts with two seconds and three thirds while banking $939,193. Keep the Profit had seven winners from nine starters and 10 foals. Drafted was bred by John Foster, Barbara Hooker and the Field Commission Partnership.

Drafted is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales but did not sell as a yearling at the 2015 August Sales where he was consigned by Kim Harrison. Harrison returned to the 2016 OBS March Sale with Drafted where Eoin Harty purchased him for $35,000. He was also sold by Godolphin at their 2017 Dubai Sale for $10,982 to Brian Gleeson. n

Joy’s Rocket was first into stride from post four and never relinquished the lead as the Florida-bred filly dominated the $100,000 Skipat on May 21 at Pimlico, winning by four-and-a-quarter lengths. The six furlong Skipat featured a field of eight fillies and mares and was one of nine stakes on the Preakness Day undercard at Old Hilltop.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Joy’s Rocket was a length in front of 2-1 favorite Cilla, a twotime stakes-winner at Delta Downs earlier in the year, while clicking off a solid first quarter-mile in :22.57 on the fast track. Around the far turn, What A Summer Stakes-winner Time Limit tried to threaten from the outside but Joy’s Rocket found another gear turning for home and was two in front with a furlongand-a-half left to run. Inside the sixteenth pole, Rosario looked back for challengers but was clearly able to take Joy’s Rocket under the wire with ease in 1:09.76. Fille d’Espirit was second, a length-and-a-half in front of thirdplace finisher Time Limit followed by Cinnabunny, Cilla, Oxana, Glory Dia and Street Lute.

Although she has now won a third of her 15 career starts with five seconds and a third, Joy’s Rocket had not won since taking the $75,000 Letellier Memorial going six furlongs at Fair Grounds in December of 2020. It was the first time she had led from start to finish since taking the $125,000 Songbird going six-and-a-half furlongs at Keeneland a race earlier in November of that year.

The Skipat was her sixth start of the year after racing exclusively at Oaklawn where she had three seconds including a neck loss to Miss Mosiac in the $150,000 American Beauty going six furlongs on Jan. 22. She was also fourth behind winner Acting Out two starts prior to the Skipat in the $200,000 Carousel, also at six furlongs, on April 2.

Joy’s Rocket paid $9.40 to win.

The bay filly has now won five of 15 career starts with five seconds and a third while banking $449,474. She is by Anthony’s Cross out of the unraced Special Rate mare Queenie’s Pride and was bred in Florida by Weston Thoroughbreds Training and Sales. Queenie’s Pride has also produced stakesplaced Zippy, by Morning Line, who was third in the 2018 English Channel won by Bankable at Gulfstream in 2018. She also has an unnamed yearling filly by Pleasant Acres Stallion Bucchero.

Joy’s Rocket was a $47,000 purchase by Steve Asmussen as an agent at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where she was consigned by GOP Racing Stable Corp. n

Florida-bred Lightening Larry n McCue Photo

Lightening Larry was a shocking winner of the $200,000 Chick Lang (Grade 3) at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, as the Florida-bred colt won at odds of 12-1 and giving trainer Jorge Delgado his first graded-stakes victory. Ridden by Chantal Sutherland for owner Lea Farms LLC, Lightening Larry defeated seven 3-year-old rivals who sprinted six furlongs.

Cogburn, the 2-1 favorite, broke quickly from the inside post but was quickly joined by Lightening Larry to his outside as those two sprinted through a blistering first quarter-mile in :21.87 while three lengths ahead of Florida-bred Old Homestead in third. Cogburn tried to shake off Lightening Larry around the far turn as he increased his advantage to a length while finishing the halfmile in :44.14, but Lightening Larry erased that lead in an instant when they turned for home. Together, those two raced away from Old Homestead in third down the stretch but Lightening Larry took a short lead past the eighth-pole and went on to win by three-quarters of a length in 1.09.66 on the fast track.

Cogburn was second, two lengths faster than Chasing Time in third with Alotahope fourth. They were followed in order by Old Homestead, Little Vic, Whelen Springs and Doctor Jeff.

Lightening Larry paid $26 on a $2 win ticket.

The Chick Lang was the second stakes victory in the last three starts for Lightening Larry, who won the $100,000 Limehouse by a half-length going six furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 1. In his first start for Delgado, Lightening Larry finished second to fellow Florida-bred King Cab in the $100,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore over seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs, March 27 in his last race before the Chick Lang.

“I still don’t know what happened,” Degado said. “I’m just so happy the horse won. Everything went very fast but I could tell the horse broke on his game. We’ve been training for this race specifically since February. We used the Tampa race as a prep and he finished second. After that we shipped to Monmouth targeting this race.”

Lightening Larry is by Uncaptured out of Moon and Sun, by Malibu Moon and was bred by Michelle Redding. He has now won four of nine career starts with four seconds while earning $305,610. Moon and Sun now has three winners from seven foals and five starters. She also has an unnamed, 2-year-old filly by Ocala Stud stallion The Big Beast and an unnamed yearling colt by Enticed. She was bred to Gunnevera in 2022.

Lea Farms purchased Lightening Larry for $50,000 out of the Pick View consignment at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale.

■ No tax on stallion seasons ■ No personal state income tax ■ No individual capital gains tax ■ Florida ’ s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms ■ Physical climate

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Emily Hetherington • (850) 617-7291 (Office) Emily.Hetherington@FDACS.gov www.FDACS.gov

■ Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt ■ Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder ■ National leader in veterinary and equine research ■ Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Tammy A. Gantt, Associate Vice President / Membership Services & Events 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 • 801 SW 60th Ave.

Jorge Delgado n Coglianese Photo

Chantal Sutherland n Ryan Thompson Photo

Owner Lea Farms, trainer Jorge Delgado and jockey Chantal Sutherland teamed up for a stakes victory for the second consecutive week with a Florida-bred May 28, this time with Willy Boi in the $65,000 Big Drama at Gulfstream Park. The trio had also won the Grade 3 Chick Lang at Pimlico with Lightening Larry the week prior on May 21.

The 4-year-old Willy Boi took his second victory in two starts this year in the seven furlong Big Drama, for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and older, after winning a second level, $32,000 optional claiming at Tampa Bay Downs on April 8.

Facing a solid field of seven rivals who between them had 12 stakes victories, Willy Boi sat in second down the backstretch, about two lengths behind a speedy King Cab. Leaving the quarter-mile marker, however, Willy Boi pounced on King Cab and those two were even turning for home before Willy Boi accelerated to the front.

Willy Boi raced under the wire a winner by five-and-a-quarter lengths while finishing the seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.33. King Cab was second, three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Shivaree in third. They were followed in order by Sir Ollie, Rough Entry, Cajun’s Magic, Well Defined and Gatsby.

Willy Boi paid $5.40 as the 8-5 favorite.

Willy Boi, who won the $75,000 Hutcheson over a sloppy six furlongs in March of 2021 during Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet, has now won five of 11 career races with one second and $37,830 first-place check increased his earnings to $199,085.

Willy Boi is by Uncaptured out of Shining Moment, by Yes It’s True and was bred by Ocala Stud and William J. Terrill. Ocala Stud consigned the now 4-year-old gelding as a 2-year-old to the 2020 OBS October Sale where Lea Farms purchased him for $40,000.

Shining Moment now has six winners from six foals. In addition to Willy Boi, she has produced Petulant Delight, by Double Diamond Farm stallion First Dude, who earned $167,629 from eight wins in 34 starts. n

John C. Oxley’s Devious Dame gave Ocala Stud freshman sire Girvin his first stakes winner June 9 at Belmont Park as the Florida-bred filly dominated the $150,000 Astoria against four other 2-year-old females.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, the Mark Cassetrained Devious Dame sat fourth during the early part of the five-and-a-half furlong Astoria, about three lengths behind the front-running Alexis’s Storm. After a first quarter-mile in :22.67, Alexis’s Storm led by a length around the far turn but extended her advantage to three lengths turning for home as she was chased by the trio of Magic Beauty on the rail, Florida-bred Girl Bye between horses and Devious Dame on the outside.

Alexis’s Storm continued with a clear lead with three-sixteenths of a mile to run

before Devious Dame ran her down with a furlong to the finish. Devious Dame raced under the wire five-and-a-quarter lengths in front of Alexis’s Storm in second with Girl Bye another nine-andthree-quarters lengths back in third. Magic Beauty was fourth with Shaymyname last.

Devious Dame finished the distance in 1:04.75 on the fast track. She paid $2.90 to win as the 2-5 favorite.

It was the second victory in two career starts for Devious Dame, who won a five furlong maiden special weight by five-and-a-half lengths at Churchill Downs on May 5 after going head and head for the lead during the early stages.

Casse said he was pleased to see Devious Dame rate from further off the pace Thursday.

Devious Dame is out of The Shady Lady, by Quality Road and was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud, Joseph M. O’Farrell III, David O’Farrell et. al. She has now earned $118,060 in her two starts. The Shady Lady now has three winners from three starters plus a unnamed yearling colt and a weanling colt, both by Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew. n

Florida sire Bucchero, who stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Morriston, Fla., was represented by his first winner June 10 at Lone Star Park when Mark Norman and Norman Racing LLC’s Toddchero won impressively on debut.

Trained by Jayde Gelner and ridden by Lane Luzzi, Toddchero led throughout the five furlong maiden special weight through solid fractions of :22.56 and 45.65 on the fast track. He drew off in the stretch to win by three-and-a-half lengths in a final time of :58.62. B W P Spirit was second, more than 15 lengths ahead of American Forest in third.

Toddchero is out of stakes-placed mare French Politics, by Political Force and was bred in Florida by GDS Racing Stable. He was purchased by Mark Norman at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale for $77,000 out of the Fast Horses consignment.

Toddchero continues what has already been a successful year for Bucchero, whose first class at the 2-year-old sales averaged $48,595 with a median of $37,000 from 21 sold. His top seller was just established at the OBS June Sale when the filly Picchero went to trainer Cherie DeVaux for $150,000.

Bucchero won the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland during a racing career that generated $947,936. The son of Kantharos stands for a fee of $5,000. n

Florida-bred Oil Money n Coady Photo

Danny Stafford’s Oil Money extended his winning streak to four June 10 at Prairie Meadows as the 6-year-old Florida-bred gelding dominated the $50,000 Ed Skinner with a six-and-a-quarter-length thrashing of five other 3-year-olds and older who went six furlongs.

Ridden by Wilmer Garcia from post two, Oil Money broke on top and quickly established himself on the lead as Shannon C tried to run with him early on the outside. Oil Money kept a half-length advantage on Shannon C through a first quarter-mile in :21.63 before slowly getting away to a length-and-a-half lead around the turn that grew to a four-length upper hand turning for home. Oil Money cruised to the finish in 1:08.03 as Chicks Dig Scars rallied from last to get second, five-and-three-quarters lengths ahead of 3-2 favorite No Shirt No Shoes in third. They were followed by Shannon C, Joe Frazier and Upstriker. Ultimate was scratched.

Oil Money was claimed for $20,000 by trainer Jon G. Arnett and Stafford at Hawthorne in October out of a fourth-place finish against first level optional claimers.

The Ed Skinner was the first stakes victory for Oil Money since

winning the $50,000 Highland Ice at Will Rogers Downs in April of 2020. Welltraveled is an understatement for Oil Money who also counts stakes wins in the 2019 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia and in the 2018 Zia Park Juvenile at Zia Park.

Oil Money is by J P’s Gusto out of the stakes-placed mare Cryptocandiac, by Candy Ride (Arg) and was bred in Florida by Brent and Crystal Fernung. Cryptocandiac has two winners from five foals including an unnamed yearling filly by Solomini. She was bred to One Sided in 2021.

Oil Money now has 15 wins from 35 starts with four seconds and a third with earnings of $323,020. n

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Isolate earned his first stakes victory June 11 at Hawthorne as the Florida-bred colt won the $75,000 Work All Week by two-and-a-half lengths. With jockey Orlando Mojica in the irons, Isolate defeated seven other 3-yearolds and older over six-and-a-half furlongs.

Kadri broke fastest of all from post seven but Isolate was able to take an authoritative lead from the outside post nine shortly after the start. Isolate raced down the backstretch with a length on Kadri in second when even-money favorite Kneedeepinsnow rushed up on the rail to challenge for the lead as they finished the first quarter-mile in :22.48.

Those two raced together into the turn before Isolate appeared to put some distance on Kneedeepinsnow past the quarter-pole, but Kneedeepinsnow fought back on the rail in upper stretch. However, Kneedeepinsnow was unable to sustain the pressure inside the final furlong and Isolate went on to win by two-and-a-half lengths and finish in 1:15.90 on the fast track. Kneedeepinsnow finished second, three-and-a-half lengths clear of Navy Seal in third. They were followed in order by Chipofftheoldblock, Aggressively, Pats Property, Kadri and Mojo Man.

Trained by Tom Amoss, Isolate has now won three of his last four going back to a pair of victories at Fair Grounds. He won a second level, $40,000 optional claiming by four lengths on Dec. 16 and a non-winners of four, $80,000 optional claiming by five-anda-quarter lengths on Feb. 3. His only loss in that span came when fourth after a wide trip behind winner Full Authority in a third-level, $100,000 optional claiming at Oaklawn on April 16, his last start before the Work All Week victory.

Isolate is by Mark Valeski out of the Florida-bred mare Tranquil Song, by Unbridled’s Song and was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds. Woodford consigned the colt as a weanling at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale where Reeves Thoroughbred Racing bought him for $70,000. Tranquil Song has five winners from eight foals including Aunt Snookie, an unraced 2-year-old filly by Cloud Computing and a unnamed yearling colt by Enticed. Isolate has now won half of his 10 career starts with one second and two thirds while banking $209,115. n

Florida-bred Hot Peppers n Chelsea Durand Photo

Last of seven in her first start against stakes horses in the $110,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies won by Midnight Stroll during Florida Cup Day, March 27 at Tampa Bay Down. Hot Peppers did not disappoint the betting public who made her the 3-5 favorite June 12 at Belmont Park in the $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes as she won the six furlong test by nearly seven lengths against four other 3-year-old fillies.

Ridden by Luis Saez from post four in the Jersey Girl, Hot Peppers sprinted to a lengthand-a-half lead ahead of Stand Up Comic and Sweet Solare in a joint second through the first quarter-mile in :22.36 on the main track labeled good.

Hot Peppers continued to lead by a lengthand-a-half around the far turn where she finished the half-mile in :45.76 as Stand Up Comic and Sweet Solare continued in vain to give chase. Hot Peppers began to stretch her lead to three lengths in mid-stretch and

was six-and-three-quarters lengths in front at the wire as she finished in 1:10.24. Stand Up Comic was second, a length-and-three-quarters ahead of Sweet Solare in third. Gimmick was fourth with Diamond Collector last.

Hot Peppers paid $3.50 to win.

Hot Peppers broke her maiden in her second career start in January at Gulfstream, winning a maiden special weight by 14 ¼ lengths while owned by trainer Ronald Spatz with Tom Cannell and Debbi Gagne. She was then purchased privately by Michael Dubb, who kept her with Spatz for whom she then won a state-bred allowance later that month by five-and-a-half lengths at Gulfstream before again wiring a first level, $75,000 optional claiming at Gulfstream in February prior to going to Tampa Bay Downs for the Sophomore Fillies.

Hot Peppers is by Khozan out of Friends Pro, by Friends Lake and was bred by Brent and Crystal Fernung. Friends Pro has one other winner from four foals and as many starters.

She is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales having sold as a yearling at the 2020 October Sale to de Meric Sales for $40,000 from the Journeyman Bloodstock Services consignment. She was then purchased by Spatz for $16,000 at the 2021 OBS June Sale from the de Meric Sales consignment.

Hot Peppers now has four wins in six career starts with one second and earnings of $195,450. n

Third in last year’s version of the Ginger Punch won by Shifty She, Lovely Luvy avenged that loss with a tenacious halflength victory ahead of stablemate Sugar Fix June 12 at Gulfstream Park. The $65,000 Ginger Punch for Florida-bred fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older was moved from the turf to a mile-and-seventy yards on the Tapeta course.

The 6-year-old Lovely Luvy was last during the early stages of this year’s Ginger Punch as Tracy Ann’s Legacy took up a position on the lead. Around the far turn, Tracy Ann’s Legacy was challenged by Promise Me as jockey Junior Alvarado had Lovely Luvy full of run four-wide and still four lengths back. Suddenly, Sugar Fix shot through on the rail and Lovely Luvy took over on the outside as they came out of the turn together. Sugar Fix tried to fight back on the rail but never got within a half-length as they raced under the wire in 1:41.53.

Both trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Lovely Luvy and Sugar Fix completed the Ginger Punch exacta fourand-a-half lengths clear of Una Luna in third. Passion Plus was fourth followed by Lookinlikeaqueen, Promise Me and Tracy Ann’s Legacy completed the order of finish.

Lovely Luvy paid $6.80 to win.

Lovely Luvy is by He’s Had Enough out of Realgoodlookin, by Unbridled’s Song and was bred in Florida by Rustlewood Farm Inc. n

Florida-bred Lovely Luvy n Lauren King Photo Last in the field of eight turning for home,

Hot Blooded and jockey Miguel Vasquez accelerated on the far outside down the stretch to win the $65,000 Soldier’s

Dancer by a half-length ahead of Me and Mr.

C in second June 12 at Gulfstream Park. The

Soldier’s Dancer, for Florida-bred 3-yearolds and older, was scheduled to be run at about seven-and-a-half furlongs on the turf but was moved to a mile-and-70 yards on the Tapeta. The race also offered a $35,000 purse enhancement for a winner eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’

Association. Hot Blooded was not eligible for the bonus. Shivaree went to the early lead from post five in the Soldier’s Dancer to lead Freedom

Matters and Alabama Slammer around the clubhouse turn. Meanwhile, Hot Blooded was tucked in behind those leaders on the rail in fourth with Max K.O. to his outside as they finished the first quarter in :23.73. Alabama Slammer ran by Shivaree around the far turn with Max K.O. also making a Continued on next page Florida-bred Hot Blooded n Lauren King Photo

three-wide move as Hot Blooded looked for racing room on rail while five lengths farther back in last. Max K.O. shot to the lead coming out of the turn and had daylight on Cuy in second with Me and Mr. C finding room on the inside as Hot Blooded swerved to the outside with an eighth of a mile to the finish.

Me and Mr C took the lead for an instant with 50 yards to the wire but Hot Blooded was in full flight on the outside and sprinted to the finish in 1:41.49 ahead of Me and Mr. C in second with Uno Tiger another half-length back in third. They were followed in order by Max K.O., Cuy, Freedom Matters, Alabama Slammer and Shivaree.

Hot Blooded paid $17.60 to win at odds of 7-1.

Hot Blooded is by Declaration of War out of Hot Cappucino, by Medaglia d’Oro and was by Hallmarc Stallions LLC. Hot Blooded now has three wins from 17 starts with earnings of $177,840. n

Stone Silent, a Florida-bred filly by Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie, ran to her $410,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales price tag while drawing off to win the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante at Santa Anita June 18 in her first career race. Ridden by Ramon Vazquez from post two, Stone Silent sprinted to the lead from the start against six other 2-year-old fillies going five furlongs on the main track at the Great Race Place.

Stone Silent was a length in front of second-running Rousing Jewel going into the far turn before finishing the first quarter-mile in a quick :22.08 and stretching her lead to two lengths. She completed the halfmile split in :45.32 while five in front before gearing down to a three-and-a-half-length advantage under the wire in :58.28.

Her time was .81 of a second faster than another stakes-winning filly that day at Santa Anita. Absolutely Zero defeated the boys in :59.09 in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Futurity at the same distance eight races later.

Tom’s Regret, the 3-5 favorite based on her undefeated record in two starts including a win the $179,000 Kentucky Juvenile at Churchill Downs on May 5, was second and nearly five lengths ahead of E Z Pharis in third. They were followed by Dancing Mo, Rousing Jewel and Paddle on Polly. Smokem for You was scratched.

Trained by John Sadler for Talla Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Edwin S. Barker, Stone Silent paid $8 to win as the 3-1 second choice.

Stone Silent is out of the multiple stakes-winning Travelator, a daughter of A.P. Jet who earned $647,672 during her racing career. Travelator has also produced Hollywood Jet, winner of the $100,000 Fishtown at Parx on March 7 and third to fellow Florida-bred Drafted in the $106,000 Mr. Prospector at Monmouth Park on June 4; and stakesplaced Sweetheart Deal, who was second to Lenzi’s Lucky Lady in the $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen in 2019.

Travelator has also produced Fantasy Forest, the dam of multiple graded stakeswinning Florida-bred Last Judgment and two other stakes-placed runners; and graded-stakes producer Tranquil Song. She now has nine winners from nine starters and has an unnamed yearling full-sister to Stone Silent.

Stone Silent was bred in Florida by William J. Terrell and Frank De Savino and was consigned at the OBS March Sale by Ocala Stud where he was purchased by West Point Thoroughbreds and Talla Racing. She earned $60,000 for her victory in the Debutante. n

Owner Lea Farms LLC, trainer Jorge Delgado and jockey Chantal Sutherland continued their hot streak June 2 as Willy Boi won the Grade 3 Smile Sprint Invitational at Gulfstream Park by a length ahead of Pudding in second with Absolute Grit completing the Florida-bred trifecta.

Lea Farms took home a bundle with Willy Boi’s victory in the Smile Spirnt.

They got the $59,400 winner’s share of the $150,000 Smile Sprint purse and as a registered Florida-bred, Willy Boi also takes down an additional $50,000 presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for a $109,400 payday.

The Smile is one of 12 graded dirt stakes included in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen, an incentive-based participation bonus program. Willy Boi earned a $30,000 credit toward the entry fee for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland. The second-place finisher, Pudding, earned a $15,000 credit, while third-place finisher

In Reality and Affirmed Stakes winner Octane, by Brethren out of Star Recruit, by Aldebaran Breeder/Owner: Arindel

LAUREN KING PHOTO

2-Year-Old Payment* $250 by Jan. 15

Yearling Payment $250 by May 15

Last chance payment option of $10,000 by May 1 of 2-year-old year (horse must not have started)

* All terms of FSS races and FTBOA purse supplements, including number of races, purse levels, race conditions, racing dates and the host track may change from year to year and may change at any point after the FSS racing schedule for a particular year is announced.

Florida-bred Willie Boi n Ryan Thompson Photo

Absolute Grit earned a $7,500 credit.

Willy Boi, who has now won three straight, started his winning streak on April 8 in his first start for Delgado when he won a second condition, $32,000 optional claiming by seven-and-a-half lengths. He was then even more impressive in winning the $65,000 Big Drama by more than five lengths against fellow Florida-breds at seven furlongs on May 28 before winning the Smile.

The field of six 3-year-olds and older broke in tandem in the Smile Sprint before Yes I’m a Beast grabbed a halflength advantage on the rail with Gatsby in second as those two finished the first quarter-mile in a very fast :21.74. Around the turn, Yes I’m a Beast shook free from Gatsby but Willy Boi and Drain the Clock made strong moves and came out of the turn together. But Willy Boi began to draw off with three-sixteenths to the finish as Pudding made a nice run on the outside after being forced six-wide on the turn. Pudding could get no closer than a length under the wire as they finished up in 1:09.71 on fast track. Absolute Grit completed the Florida-bred trifecta with Drain the Clock two lengths farther back in fourth. They were followed by Gatsby and Yes I’m a Beast.

Willy Boi paid $3.80 as the slight favorite over Drain the Clock, who was also listed at 4-5.

Willy Boi is by Uncaptured out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Shining Moment, by Yes It’s True and has now won half of his 12 career starts with one second and earnings of $308,485. Willy Boi was bred by Ocala Stud and William J. Terrell.

Lea Farms purchased Willy Boi for $40,000 at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Sale where he was consigned by Ocala Stud. n

Gatsas Stables, R.A. Hill Stables and Steven Schoenfeld’s Midnight Stroll returned to her winning form using a slightly different strategy June 2 at Delaware Park as the 3-year-old Florida-bred filly won the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks, a head faster than Shotgun Hottie in second. The $300,250 Delaware Park Oaks is for 3-year-old fillies with Shotgun Hottie the slight 5-2 favorite ahead of Midnight Stroll, who was also at 5-2 on the tote board.

Midnight Stroll was a speedy winner of a maiden special weight in her third career start before taking the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies while also leading from start to finish on Florida Cup Day, March 27 at Tampa Bay Downs.

But the dark bay filly was unable to find her best stride in her next start in the Grade 2 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico on May 20. Midnight Stroll was in tight right from the start, never got close to the lead, was forced four-wide on the second turn and finished ninth of 13 behind winner Interstatedaydream.

But it was a different game in the Delaware Oaks although Midnight Stroll and jockey Eric Cancel were also unable to establish a comfortable front-running position alone.

Instead, longshots Chardonnay from post four and Unadulterated from post seven shot to the lead at the start and took the field of seven into the clubhouse turn before finishing the first quarter-mile in :23.40. For Midnight Stroll, it appeared as if she might be looking at a repeat performance of the Black-Eyed Susan as she had two horses beat around the turn.

However, down the backstretch, while

Unadulterated and jockey Feargal Lynch put four lengths on Chardonnay in second, Midnight Stroll was able to get a much closer position in third on the rail about two lengths behind the leader.

Unadulterated went into the turn after half-mile in :46.99 and still had plenty of cushion until Midnight Stroll accelerated away from her other rivals. Midnight Stroll shot to the front as they passed the threeeighths marker and hit the top of the stretch alone with only Shotgun Hottie giving chase in second. With less than an eighth of a mile to the finish, Shotgun Hottie appeared to have an opportunity but Midnight Stroll dug in again to win in 1:44.31 on the fast track.

Shotgun Hottie was four lengths clear of Morning Matcha in third followed by Republique, Sandstone, Unadulterated and Chardonnay.

Midnight Stroll paid $7.20 to win.

Midnight Stroll is by Not This Time out of Midnight Magic, by Midnight Lute and was bred in Florida by Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg DVM. Midnight Magic has two winners from two starters and an unraced 2-year-old filly, Atthecrossroads, by Practical Joke. The unraced, 9-year-old mare also has an unnamed yearling colt by Practical Joke and an unnamed weanling colt by Mitole.

Midnight Stroll has now won half of her six career starts with earnings of $238,225. n

After winning his first three career races including the $347,000 Lafayette at Keeneland on April 8, Florida-bred Old Homestead suffered his first defeat when fifth behind fellow Florida-bred Lightning Larry in the Grade 3 Chick Lang at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard on May 21.

But the 3-year-old colt bounced back with strong effort June 2 across town at Laurel Park as he won the $100,000 Concern by a length ahead of Nimitz Class in second. The Concern featured a field of five 3-year-olds who went seven furlongs.

A solid front-runner in his first three wins, Old Homestead was unable to get the lead in the Chick Lang and again in the Concern where he was ridden for the first time by jockey Charlie Marquez. He broke best by a narrow margin from post four with fellow Florida-bred Defend to his outside and Scaramouche also showing early speed on the rail from post two.

As they finished the quarter-mile in :22.68, Scaramouche and Old Homestead raced together on the lead with Defend and Alottahope running in a joint third about a length-and-a-quarter back. With three furlongs left, Old Homestead got away from Scaramouche as Defend chased from third and they finished the half-mile in :45.86. Old Homestead turned for home in front and extended his lead to two-and-a-half lengths in mid-stretch before Nimitz Class made a late run on the outside from last.

Nimitz Class was never a threat in second as Old Homestead finished in 1:22.65 on the fast track. Scaramouche was third followed by Defend and Alottahope. Tops the Chart was scratched.

Old Homestead paid $4.60 as the 6-5 favorite.

Although Old Homestead was not alone on the lead early, Marquez said Old Homestead appeared to enjoy the competition.

Old Homestead is by Overanalyze out of the Florida-bred mare Pearl de Vere, by Songandaprayer and was bred by owner Marablue Farm LLC and Pegasus Stud LLC. Old Homestead is the first foal out of Pearl de Vere, who earned $329,163 during her career. She also has an unraced 2-year-old filly, Cora Pearl, by Astern (Aus) and an unnamed weanling filly by Practical Joke.

Old Homestead now has four wins in five starts with earnings of $278,325. TFH