Year 1•No. Arkansas flies flag for strange time strange flies for flag Day Life goesoninKentucky. BestofTheSpecial. Picks forOaklawn,Gulfstream, Tampa. Stakes Previews.Moquett StableTour. The 2020 Unique ThoroughbredCoverageSince2001 Saturday, May2,2020

Coady Photography One for the Gipper BY SEAN CLANCY The wheels began to turn, more like a churn, moping around, including Browning’s comments in a slow, grinding, methodical look at The Sarato- their entirety. Tom, ever the optimist, ever the igni- Call it a pep talk. And, by God, we needed it. ga Special, thinking about Tom Law, my brother, tion, fired an email right back. Fasig-Tipton’s Boyd Browning Jr. delivered bet- Joe, and our legacy after 20, OK, 19 years of dai- “Man, I want to run through the wall!!!! Let’s ter than Knute Rockne. Eventually. The phone con- ly publishing in the sport’s most iconic cathedral. go. Out.” versation had begun with the pandemic, of course, Browning sells horses for a living, doesn’t write It was typed on his iPhone (hence, the exclama- then moved to the twice-rescheduled Midlantic newspapers, but naturally, instinctively he looks for tion points), surely on his way down some moun- 2-year-old sale, transitioned to the uncertainty of opportunities, wondering if that closed door can tain trail in the Adirondacks or away from a craft Saratoga and then volleyed back and forth, from somehow become an open door, how that stymie brewery with a four-pack of a hazy IPA. Either way, his company’s concerns to our company’s concerns, can become a stimulus. Somehow, Browning leapt we were ready to run through the wall. from his anxiety to our anxiety, from our woes to from reader to publisher. Browning – who released something similar (if the world’s woes. “There is such a void out there of things for less fiery) to Fasig-Tipton customers via YouTube It was mid-April, the people to do and read and video this spring – called back a few hours later, just coronavirus had the world see, you might be able to…I to see if I was paying attention and offered more in its grip. An invisible, don’t know, people might pep rally, more full-court press. I told him I would life-taking, soul-searching, really enjoy and appreciate have an idea to him by Friday. It was Sunday. economy-decimating grip. you guys filling that space. We were ready to run through the wall. The list of casualties was I don’t know the tonality And, this in your hands (OK, on your screen) is long and getting longer. of it, is it rubbing salt in how we run through the wall. This is how we stop I was crying the blues. the wound or does it inspire moping, get off our asses and start writing, start “This was going to be our hope and optimism for the selling, start designing. The 2020 Special on the 20th season of The Special, future…?” first Saturday in May, it has a nice ring to it. we were scheduling events, The coach was just get- We aim to deliver more digital publications in hosting celebrations, pub- ting warmed up. 2020 as we follow the big races, the big events, ad- lishing a ‘A Best Of The Spe- “You guys are uplifters, justing and adapting to an altered climate, a make- cial’ book…now what?” not downers. You need to shift schedule, a different world and a new normal. One blues note too many, I guess. think about that. It’s tricky but . . . I think you’d If Saratoga happens and we can be there, we’ll be “Hey, in my back seat is the ‘100th anniversary be surprised. If there is some sense of revenue being there. If Saratoga happens and we can’t be there, of Saratoga’ hat. I could damn near cry…” Brown- produced, if there’s going to be a September sale or we’ll be on the phone, delivering the sport to you ing countered. “There’s a reasonable chance that some kind of Saratoga sale somewhere else, you’re like we’ve done for 20 years. Weeks after the pep our 100th anniversary and your 20th anniversary going to be able to generate some revenue, as long talk, Fasig-Tipton announced a new yearling sales occur in 2021.” as there is some racing somewhere and there will be schedule in September, yeah, we’ll be there and Like a labored sparring match in the back of a racing. Don’t give up on that idea, don’t give up. If Keeneland September, too. If there is a Belmont tired gym, we were going gripe for gripe on the de- you guys get down, we’re all in trouble…” Spring meet, we’ll cover that. If there’s a Keeneland bacle that is 2020. It was going nowhere, we both I stammered out some words, nothing enlighten- summer meet, sure, we’ll write about it, too. knew it. ing and surely uninspiring. Browning was far from Browning happened to be the person on the There was a pause, a silence, a moment where finished, however, and went full Rockne. He threw phone, offering the pep and kicking us out of our we scrambled for perspective, knowing that we down his clipboard, and ripped off his fedora. doldrums. He could have been any number of sup- were doing better than most and we needed to think “I’m going to call you next week and make sure porters. We’ve got them, and many signed up to ad- ahead, rather than behind. At least, that’s what I you’re not moping, you son of a bitch. Get off your vertise in this first edition. Thank you. You’ve got was thinking when Browning began to brainstorm ass, figure things out and make some money . . .” supporters, too. Call them. about our in-flux publishing schedule rather than I fired off an email to Joe and Tom about the Here’s to the first Special of 2020. And, to many his furloughed anniversary hats. conversation, about getting off our asses and not more.

The 2020 Editors/Publishers/Owners Sean Clancy: (302) 545-7713. [email protected] Joe Clancy: (302) 545-4424. [email protected] Managing Editor: Tom Law: (859) 396-9407. [email protected] Writers/Handicappers/Photography/Design: Paul Halloran, Charles Bedard, ST Publishing, Inc. 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921. John Shapazian, Rob Whitlock, Tod Marks, The Bell Group. (410) 392-5867 thisishorseracing.com The Saratoga Special, thisishorseracing.com, Racing Calendar, The Best of The Saratoga Special, New York Thoroughbred Breeders awards program, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and a whole lot more. Published periodically in spring/summer 2020. Look for the 20th season of The Saratoga Special this summer. Call us about your editorial needs.

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 3 here&there...in racing Presented by Shadwell Farm NAMES OF THE DAY Scolding, second race at Oaklawn Park. Phoenix Thoroughbred’s 3-year-old filly, who makes her debut for trainer , is out of Rebuke.

Illuminati, fourth race at Oaklawn Park. The 3-year-old gelding is on the also-eligible list for owner/trainer Valorie Lund. He’s by .

Kiss The Girl, seventh race at Oaklawn Park. Three Diamonds Farm’s 3-year-old filly is by Into Mischief out of Spin The Bottle.

Rotation, ninth race at Oaklawn Park. The Winchell 4-year-old colt is out of Free Spin.

Gouverneur Morris, 11th race at Oaklawn Park. Team Valor International and WinStar Farm own the 3-year-old son of Constitution, an Arkansas Derby runner, and got creative. His name- sake (“Gouverneur” is a first name) was a founding father of the and wrote the preamble to the United States Constitution.

Coach Temple, first race at . Bravo to owner/breeder Ed Seltzer, who honors Tennesee State University women’s track coach Ed Temple whose athletes over the years includ- ed Hall of Famers Wilma Rudolph, Edith McGuire, Wyomia Tyus, and Chandra Cheeseborough. Coach Temple (the horse) is out of Wyomia. Tyus won 100-meter gold medals in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.

One More Drink, fourth race at Downs. The 4-year-old gelding is by . Of course he is. Justin Manning/Eclipse Sportswire Home Run. Oaklawn Park’s racing history is well known, but the Hot Springs spot was also a hit with Major League Baseball players including the great Babe Ruth. BY THE NUMBERS 3: Horses by Hamazing Destiny in Oaklawn’s third race Saturday.

13: Spring meets on the National Steeplechase Association calendar canceled due to the coro- The Chief navirus pandemic. Three are going to try to run in June (here’s hoping). “Pancho Martin bought Never Bow from us on Monday and he was in the stake on Saturday. He said ‘I want you to keep the horse until Satur- 2,000: Dollars paid by owners Robert and Loval Yagos for an old half-mile pole from Oaklawn day, train him the same way, I will stake the groom and everybody, and Park (donated by Ron Moquett) to benefit the Arkansas Racetrack Chaplaincy. after the race I will take him home as if I claimed him.’ And I did that. We trained the horse for the race, he won and I finished second in the race. True story. Absolutely true. You can look it up. Knight in Armor was my 71,203: Attendance record for Arkansas Derby Day (set in 1986 when Rampage won). Here’s hoping Oaklawn Park and its fans get a shot to make a run at that mark next year. horse. My son was so mad. It’s incredible. We trained the horse as if we wanted him to win the race and he did. He won the race and beat us.” – Trainer Allen Jerkens, 1929-2015 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“This anti-social stuff has been this way for years, I called it foaling season.” Pin Oak Stud’s Clifford Barry

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association www.nytha.com 516.488.2337 800-523-8143 Tod Marks photo Tod

4 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 here&there...in racing Presented by Shadwell Farm REPEATING “It’s not really mowing, a lot of sand and pine , more like mulching.” Joe Clancy Sr., on yard work at the beach

“The neighbors I keep bumping into this week are like, ‘What the hell were you doing? You must have run by my house 20 times.’ ” The Special’s Joe Clancy after running two miles every hour on the hour around his neighborhood in Maryland for 12 hours

“Don’t tell anyone.” The Special’s Tom Law after referring to Saratoga as ‘Toga’

“Bad combo.” Miles Clancy, 11, when told there was no school and it was going to rain

“Aaaaah, the old homestead.” Ethan Lerman when seeing a Middleburg mailbox with “LERMAN” in faded letters Justin Manning/Eclipse Sportswire This Oaklawn stable area sign comes on a bit strong, don’t “No runners yesterday. Or today. Or tomorrow. Just to be clear…” Here’s Your Sign. you think? British trainer George Baker with an update on his stable “I’ve never been denied access to a track. I’ve even talked my way into Evangeline Downs, with “J.J. Graci reached out and talked about field breeding one of his to Amber Eagle. They a dog in the car.” produced some little stake horse and had the last laugh.” Longtime racetracker, publicist and turf writer Liane Crossley, Todd Wyatt, after his father, former /trainer who didn’t even give it a try at Keeneland during the pandemic James Wyatt Jr., who trained Amber Eagle, died April 17 “He would try to eat through a pocket to get to peppermints.” “Truly masterful.” Trainer Becky Maker, on the snacking habits Veterinarian Dr. Stowe Burke after watching The Black Stallion of Oaklawn Handicap entrant By My Standards at her farm in

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 5 here&there...in racing Presented by Shadwell Farm “I’ll hold his feet to the fire on that one.” WORTH REPEATING Starlight Racing’s Jack Wolf after the NTRA’s “A happy thought.” Alicia Hughes suggested that he’s owed Racing historian Ed Bowen, another Triple Crown winner when he pinch hit for trainer about meeting at the 2021 Maryland Hunt Cup on a teleconference with media this week

“We have become avid picnic goers and Catan players.” “Yeah, all the racetrack bums.” Special graduate Shayna Tiller, Miles Clancy, when told about about life during a pandemic all our readers (we take it as a compliment)

“I’m looking forward to reading this on Saturday morning and “No worries. Everyone’s fish is important.” then I’m planning to drive over to just be- Brown Advisory’s Mike Hankin, cause.” on the world having bigger fish to fry NTRA’s Joe Bacigalupo on his plans than advertising in a newspaper for The Special and Kentucky (and Arkansas) Derby Day

“I wouldn’t suggest it.” “And remember, ‘Trust the Process.’ Get Joe on board.” Trainer Neil Morris when suggesting, At the Races’ Steve Byk about the recent controversial draft or not suggesting, that you need a trainer’s license of the Philadelphia Eagles and the skeptical Joe Clancy Justin Manning/Eclipse Sportswire to see your horses run in 2020 Crowded House. The stands will hopefully be “We need more horseman covering our sport. Like you guys. full again at Oaklawn and other racetracks. “You can only play the cards you’re dealt.” We have enough gamblers. We need people that are horse rac- “I keep saying, ‘Another week.’ But I’ve been saying another International steeplechase fan, Richard Hutchinson, ing fans. The fans can become gamblers. The gamblers don’t week and another week for a while now.” as he studied jump form from New Zealand and always become fans.” Trainer Bret Calhoun, on knowing more Moquett, offering a pep talk about racing’s future (in the face of the “Living the isolated dream.” coronavirus pandemic) someday soon Trainer Ron Moquett, doing just that at his house “And they’re all true.” near the 4 1/2-furlong pole at Oaklawn Park Kirkwood Stable’s Kip Elser, “Unless you own Netflix, you’re losing money.” when hearing about Larry Bates’ stories Trainer Jack Fisher about the pandemic NTRA NTRA YEARLING SALE NOTICE: 1/4% CHECK-OFF PROGRAM ENROLLMENT UNDERWAY

Yearling sellers may now enroll in the voluntary NTRA ¼% Check-off Program that helps fund the NTRA’s federal legislative effort. Sale clients should return a completed enrollment form to CONTRIBUTE. NTRA 1/4% Check-off Program their consignor when selling with an NTRA sale company partner.* HILL CAPITOL FROM REPORT

You can help the NTRA’s legislative team advocate in Washington, D.C., by contributing to the NTRA 1/4% Check-Off Program when you buy or sell at major domestic Thoroughbred sales. Click here to access the ¼% Check-off Program enrollment materials. The team relies on funds from the 1/4% Check-off Program to educate members of Congress and their staffs about the horse racing industry and to advocate forCONTRIB federal legislation that is important to yourU TE. business. See reverse for current investment incentive information. NTRA 1/4% Check-o Program Our chances for success in Washington are much improved with financial backing from industry members like you. We ask you to contribute to the NTRA 1/4% Check-Off Program at the 2020 yearling sales. ENROLLMENT FORM The NTRA’s federal legislative team focuses on issues that have a direct and material effect on Re: 2020 Yearling Sales Contact Joe Bacigalupo, NTRA senior director of government relations and membership development, From: Joe Bacigalupo at [email protected] or 859-422-2677. The NTRA’s federal legislative advocacy team addresses issues that have a direct and material e ect on business activities involving Thoroughbred industry participants and their business activities. We understand that sellers Help us help horseThoroughbred racing inindustry D.C. members like you. Voluntary contributions to the NTRA ¼% Check-o program help fund this e ort. You may participate throughout the year at Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and Washington Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association.

To support the NTRA ¼% Check-o Program ($2.50 for every $1,000 in sale price), please indicate your intentions below and return this face great challenges this sales season due to the global coronavirus pandemic. However, form to your consignor.

YES! I would like to contribute to the NTRA ¼% Check-o Program. the NTRA needs your support now more than ever to ensure that we are best positioned to All horses sold; or Specific horses (listed below) Name or Sex Sire Dam ______represent the industry in Washington, D.C., at this very difficult time. ______

______

______

Help us help horse racing by contributing www.SupportHorseRacing.org No, I do not wish to participate. Sale Name: ______

Client Name: ______

Client Signature: ______$2.50 for every $1,000 in yearling sale price. Date: ______Questions? Call me at 859-422-2677 or send e-mail to [email protected]

Contact Joe Bacigalupo at [email protected] for more information

*Sale company partners include Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders Sales Company (OBS) and the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (WTBOA).

6 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 7 Coady Photography Stable star charges home to with win his third April 8. the Ron Moquett

BY TOM LAW “We look at the end of the year and you can tell what kind of year we Never doubt Ron Moquett’s abili- had by the right side of the column. ty to be the most hands-on horseman That’s where the money is made. We possible. always tell people, ‘If you want to Despite dealing with the autoim- use a number to describe us, look mune disease atypical sarcoidosis at what the horses cost that we have – a condition that affects the lungs, then look at what they made and tell makes breathing difficult and makes me if we’ve done a good job.’ Don’t him especially at risk for the corona- let the aggressiveness of the way we virus and seasonal flu – Moquett still enter be it. You can take just about makes it out to the Count Fleet barn anybody off the street and claim 10 on Oaklawn Park’s backstretch daily horses for $50,000, run them all for albeit with a twist. $5,000 and have the highest win per- “With my condition I’m one of centage of any trainer there. That’s those people that has to be very not horsemanship.” careful and that’s just a part of it,” Moquett credits a loyal staff – Moquett said this week. “Anything some employees have been with him that could turn into pneumonia is for between 10 and 15 years – along not good for someone that’s got an with his wife, assistant trainer and immune disorder and chronic lung exercise rider Laura for all the suc- problems. They went past two weeks ago when Whitmore, cess over the years. The barn made $1.2 million or “There are times that all the people stay put up Moquett’s pride and joy, became Oaklawn’s all- more in purses every year since 2012. and I go to the barn. I’m never around any peo- time stakes leader with his third Count Fleet Hand- Moquett hopes to add to his 2020 haul in the ple. We leave the bandages open and I get to go icap win and seventh stakes score at the track. final days of the Oaklawn meet, but knows the task in, touch the horses, do all that stuff. Then I come Moquett heads into the final day of racing at is tough in Hot Springs this year with a significant back whenever training happens and everybody his home track with 18 wins at the meet, good influx of leading horsemen from around the coun- gets back in there cleaning stalls, giving baths and for fourth in the standings. He’s also fourth in try. I go to the front of my house and watch training the column he says counts most – earnings – with “It’s amazing how hard it is to win here,” he there. I get leg reports and depend a lot on my cam- $1,129,447 in purses through Friday. said. “Not only the competition but the numbers. eras set up around the barn that let me watch hors- “I haven’t got a 2-year-old, they don’t allow You have Baffert, Hollendorfer, Sadler, Englehart, es cool out, get baths, all that stuff.” them here. All the 2-year-olds are coming in, which Pletcher, Weaver, McCarthy. I tell everybody, Sara- Moquett’s house sits just off Oaklawn’s back- would be right now,” Moquett said. “I’ve got about toga has a lot of really good horses but you don’t stretch in Hot Springs, just about at the nine-six- 35 horses. Most of them are just horses that have have to run against Baffert and McCarthy in maid- teenths pole. been around a long time. Same owners, the ones en special weights. When we go to San Diego you “Everybody that runs a race has to come by my that stuck with me being sick and there’s not a day don’t have to run against Pletcher and Weaver in house,” he said. “It’s weird. It sounds like a Juras- that goes by that I’m not thankful for the people a-other-thans. I’m looking the other day, it was sic Park movie whenever they go past. You’re not that allow me to do this. The loyalty of those peo- Pletcher, Baffert and D’Amato, Asmussen, Cox, going to sleep through a race. What’s weird is if ple and a respect for me and my crew that we’re Calhoun, and I don’t think any of them won the I’m sitting in my living room, having a glass of tea going to do our best, that means something.” race. It’s crazy.” or something, and a race goes by it vibrates the The Moquett stable has won 23 races this year, And now for the tour: ground. That’s why I say Jurassic Park. Like when from 127 starts, which seems about normal even in the guy in the movie who was drinking the water a year where racing has been interrupted all over Whitmore: The big horse with a monster following. He won his third Grade 3 Count Fleet in the last four years April 18 to and he could see the ripples, that’s what it does to the country. Two years ago, the trainer won 91 rac- improve to 14-for-34 lifetime with a bankroll of $3,146,350. whatever I’m drinking. I always point it out.” es and had purse earnings of more than $4.4 mil- Owned by Bob LaPenta, Southern Springs Stables and Head of The rumbles will go past 15 times today – once lion (both career-highs). Plains Partners, the Pleasantly Perfect gelding has won stakes for the first 13 races and twice for the finale, the “We’ve never been a win-percentage group,” Continued On Page 9 “Trail’s End” traditional meet finale at 1 3/4 miles. said Moquett, who saddled his first runner in 1997. 8 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Man In The Can: JRi- Breaking News: The Cellas’ 4-year-old Mineshaft colt re- ta Young Thoroughbreds’ turned from five-month break to finish sixth in a 6-furlong al- Stable Tour – homebred Arkansas-bred lowance Thursday. Continued from page 8 3-year-old Can The Man “Layoff. We’re going to have the best shot at his next race colt improved to 3-for-4 to come back rolling. Five years ago I’d say he would be ready at 4, 5, 6 and 7, including the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga in with a victory in the Rain- to win a race like this and to go bet, but I can’t say that now 2018 and Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland in 2017. bow Stakes April 17 and in because of how tough the races are now. It’s amazing how “I’m so humbled. I try to allow him to go to the forefront Friday’s Arkansas Breed- hard it is to win here.” and keep us in the back. I give him all the credit. I am so hon- ers’ Championship. ored. I’m taken aback by how many people love him. I tell ev- “He’s owned by the Petrov: An allowance winner at Saratoga in 2018, 6-year- erybody Hot Springs claims him, different towns claim him. I people that give me a good old son of Flatter looked to end string of 11 losses dating to snuck in on a conversation the other day that was on social Arkansas-bred every year. that mid-August afternoon in Thursday’s sixth. Entered for media, everybody was talking about whose horse he was. I He’s a very nice horse, put- $35,000, he finished third. never commented I just read it. That is so cool that people ting everything together Tod Marks “He hadn’t run good recently so we’re going to try and start like him like that. And he deserves it. I know I’m biased but I and we’re looking for good Trainer Ron Moquett. him back up.” think he deserves all of it. He’s happy and we’re tickled to death stuff out of him. We won with how he’s doing. We’re just going from the Breeders’ Cup the Rainbow Miss the last three years and this was the first Seven Nation Army: Franklin Stables’ and Southern backward. I would rather have a definite plan but we have to year we won the Rainbow in a while. I’ve won it before but it Springs Stables’ 5-year-old gelding won March be very liquid.” had been a bit. This year we didn’t win the Rainbow Miss, but 26, prompting Moquett to tweet “Love this song. Love this Favorite race he’s won? “Obviously the race, the we did win the Rainbow.” horse” along with a Spotify link to The White Stripes song. Forego, is probably my favorite. The other day, the Count Fleet “He’s coming around the right way. He’s one of the ones here, was pretty special and I’ll tell you why. It made him the Prodigious Bay: John and Louis Cella’s Maryland-bred on hold, a race I tried to run him in wouldn’t go the last week.” all-time winningest stakes horse in Oaklawn’s long history. The 3-year-old Bayern colt, bought for $110,000 at last year’s historical significance means the world to me. Maybe one day Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale, broke his maiden April 11 and Implicator: Arkansas-bred 3-year-old by Race Day finished somebody will break his record but it means something to me. runs back in Saturday’s 10th race, a loaded 1 1/16-mile option- second in Oaklawn maiden races three times in four starts this If I get run over tomorrow, my kids, my grandkids will be able al with a field of 12. season, with a fourth in the other effort. to say my grandpa had the baddest horse, the most consistent, “He’s a nice horse we have a lot of hope for, now we’re “He finished second in his last two outs. He’s a nice home- whatever they want to say. They could just say, my grandpa had hoping he gets a good trip and does well. We feel like he’s bred for Southern Springs and William Sparks.” Whitmore. You wake up every day in this game wanting one of got a real good shot to be a nice horse. The owners (who also those. You thank the racing gods that he chose me.” own Oaklawn Park) have two or three with me. They’re super, Subiaco: Another for Southern Springs and Sparks, Ken- How about a race where he didn’t win but you still gained super good. I said this before and got in trouble before but I tucky-bred 4-year-old filly by won a waiver more admiration of him? “That the race we got beat in the don’t care, in the land of corporate decision-makers being the maiden claiming race March 6 and an open allowance April 3. Count Fleet last year with Mitole. It was a sloppy track, it was leaders of the track and everything is based on the almighty She’s breezed twice since and Moquett will look down the road. horrible and Mitole is controlling speed. We weren’t going to dollar, these guys do things for the sportsmanship. I’m always “She’s won her last two and is doing good.” beat him that day but I loved how hard he tried. impressed by that. They’re great.” Continued On Page 10

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 9 win came in the 2018 Rainbow Miss Stakes. “She left the other day to go get bred (to Stable Tour – Cross Traffic). She’s a good horse. Retired Continued from page 9 sound, just time to go get bred.” Firecrow: Twice a Fasig-Tipton graduate Skyburst: Westrock Stables’ unraced home- (Kentucky July as a yearling and Midlantic bred 3-year-old by Sky Kingdom. Ten works at May as a $300,000 2-year-old), Maclean’s Oaklawn, dating to New Year’s Eve and includ- Music colt broke maiden in the race after last ing back-to-back gate works April 18 and 25. year’s Preakness at Pimlico and has added “He’s a horse I really like. He’s by Sky King- two more wins since including February score dom, a horse Bob Baffert had for Westrock. at Oaklawn. Placed in two deep allowance rac- It’s his first year for having 3-year-olds and es in March and April. he had one that was in the Derby that cost “He’s been very nice. Owned by Mr. LaPen- $875,000 as a 2-year-old (Wrecking Crew). ta and Harlow Stables (Eric Johnson, the CEO He’s a runner. My horse is ready, too, we just of Gulf Oil). He won an allowance race and didn’t get in. I’ll tell you what, it’s a lot easier was second in a big stakes race that was an to be a fan and a handicapper here than it is allowance race. I want you to look up Firecrow to win races. We were in a maiden race and and see what he ran against. There were four I saw you had Juddmonte, Godolphin, Tom stakes winners. Wilbo won the race. He’s won Durant, Winchell, Stonestreet, Phoenix. That’s the at Churchill. These are all stakes murderer’s row.” horses. St. Joe Bay is a Grade 2 winner. Grad- ed stakes, graded stakes. That’s an allowance Skyvalue: Another Westrock homebred, the race anywhere in the country that’s tough to 3-year-old filly broke her maiden for a $30,000 fill. The handicappers tweeted that it’s a great tag in second start as favorite April 18. Grade 3 they’re running as an allowance race “She’s one by Sky Kingdom that we won with a $60,000 pot. with. We were happy with that win.”

Georgia’s Reward: JRita Young Thor- Proud Victoria: JRita Young Thorough- oughbreds’ 5-year-old Arkansas-bred by breds’ 3-year-old filly by Laurie’s Rocket Warrior’s Reward retired after a seventh in op- started career with back-to-back wins at tional March 27, which came three weeks after Remington and Oaklawn before fourths in the a win at same level. Third in the Downthedu- Downthedustyroad and Rainbow Miss. styroad Breeders’ Stakes for state-breds, she “We didn’t get the best trip that day in the won three of 12 and earned $207,902. Biggest Rainbow Miss, but she’s a nice horse.”

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10 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Another golden son: watch out for Anneau d’Or in the G1 Arkansas Derby

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One of the great stallions: set to be a great sire of sires

ASTERN His sire’s fastest ENTICED New in 2020: and highest-rated son. a gorgeous and very First yearlings in 2020. well-bred G1 talent. Still time to book a late-foaling mare... Making history: it takes foresight Darley

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 11 Fresh Start Anneau d’Or seeks bounce back against heavy favorite Charlatan BY TOM LAW ARKANSAS DERBY I PREVIEW Blaine Wright found a few hours Thursday afternoon to check out the Wrecking Crew were scratched this sights in and around Hot Springs, week – will do so in front of an empty Ark., a long way from home in Wash- grandstand. The ongoing coronavi- ington and in the midst of a super rus pandemic forced Oaklawn Park strange time in racing and beyond. officials to keep fans away and close “Sorry to get back to you so late, the track’s casino. Racing continued I’ve been out playing all day and we in the horse-crazy town, including the just got in off the lake,” Wright said. monster Arkansas Derby Day card “I’m not sure where, some lake in Ar- that will see a split of the meet’s signa- kansas. A couple of these guys took ture race for the first time since 1960 me out and we had a good time. It and a strong renewal of the Grade 2 was a good day away from training, Oaklawn Handicap. but now it’s back to business.” “It’s gorgeous here,” said Wright, Coady Photography The business comes Saturday after- who makes his home in Enumclaw Anneau d’Or trains at Oaklawn Park Friday morning. noon when Wright sends out Anneau not far from Mt. Rainier National gate for the rescheduled Kentucky know what to think about that last d’Or in the first division of the Grade Park and bases his approximately Derby Sept. 5, doesn’t appear as deep race to tell you the truth. 1 Arkansas Derby, looking to bounce 80-horse training operations out of when compared to the second. The “I’d like to tell you it’s this, it’s back from a puzzling performance in Golden Gate Fields in California and race does feature unbeaten morn- that. But there’s nothing to tell us so New Orleans with an eye four months Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. ing-line favorite Charlatan making we can say, ‘We fixed this and we’re down the road to Louisville and Sep- “Of course I get the year that they his stakes debut for Bob Baffert, last all set.’ But you know what, the horse tember’s . don’t get any crowd. They say that’s year’s Grade 1 Hopeful winner Basin has always done pretty well and I’ve Anneau d’Or and the eight oth- the greatest part about it, usually the and the highly regarded Gouverneur got to hope he overcomes whatever it er 3-year-olds left in the $500,000 city shuts down then everybody flocks Morris. was last time and just put that behind first division – Shooters Shoot and to the races. But you know what, Anneau d’Or, second by a head us.” maybe we’ll get to experience that in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his Wright’s original plan for Anneau next year.” second start and second by a neck a d’Or after the Fair Grounds trip was Wright and Anneau d’Or made it month later in the Grade 2 Los Alam- a return to Santa Anita, where he fin- to Oaklawn Sunday, flying from San itos Futurity in his third, needs to re- ished second to Storm The Court in Francisco to Arkansas before bed- bound from a ninth last time out at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, for the ding down with Mike Puhich’s string. even money in the Grade 2 Grade 1 April 4. Wright came solo per track restric- at Fair Grounds. That race was postponed when the tions that only allow a trainer and/or In the Risen Star, also run in divi- Los Angeles County Health Depart- assistant, and without Anneau d’Or’s sions Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds, An- ment shut down racing in Arcadia in regular exercise rider and groom. neau d’Or never seriously threatened late March. Puhich’s team pitched in this week while wearing blinkers for the first Anneau d’Or initially trained over – like many Oaklawn horsemen did time. Golden Gate’s synthetic surface af- this winter and spring for out-of- Wright takes the blinkers off for ter the Risen Star before shipping to towners – with some help and An- Saturday and reunites the son of southern California and breezing 6 neau d’Or trained just like he did Medaglia d’Oro with regular rider furlongs in 1:13 March 28 at Santa back home. Juan Hernandez. Anita. When the Santa Anita Derby “He’s a longtime friend, a family Wright still can’t explain the per- came off the table Wright sent An- friend,” Wright said of Puhich. “My formance of the colt that cost owner neau d’Or back to Golden Gate, and dad and his dad are real, real tight. Peter Redekop $480,000 at last year’s stayed himself while his fiancé Risa They’ve been here and have been put- OBS April sale. Walter and his young daughter were ting us up. That’s how we got on the “I’m still trying to figure out if that home in Washington. lake today.” last race is for real or if it’s a flop,” “We were geared up for the Santa Coady Photography The competition in the first divi- Wright said. “That’s pretty much Anita Derby,” Wright said. “I’ve had Charlatan is favored in the first division of sion, which carries 100 points to the where we are. He’s always trained him down there twice and he showed the Arkansas Derby. winner toward a spot in the starting good, never did much wrong. I don’t Continued On Page 14

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 13 estreet, which bred Charlatan, owns fellow unbeaten Kentucky Derby can- Derby I – didate . Continued from page 12 Martin Garcia, who rode frequent- ly and with success for Baffert when that he loves the track, what you like based in California, picks up the to see out of a horse. We were thrown mount for Van Dyke. California regu- a curveball there. So we swung and lations prevented Van Dyke and other missed there and now we’re back in jockeys from coming onto the Santa the batter’s box. Hey, we have a fresh Anita grounds, prompting Baffert’s count. What are you going to do? That’s the state of racing right now. decision to “use riders who help me” “These guys are running here (at and go to Garcia in Arkansas. Oaklawn), this race is here, we were “Drayden Van Dyke was getting fit and we had an opportunity to get on both horses in the morning and here and we got here in good shape. he tends to think Authentic is a better The horse shipped well. He’s trained horse,” Starlight’s Jack Wolf said this well the three days we had him over week. “Until Charlatan had his two- the track.” turn race last time out I think Bob Charlatan drew post one for Bob might have had some concerns about Baffert – a spot the Hall of Fame distance limitations, but the way he trainer dreads – and looks to make it galloped out, won the race, I think that calmed his nerves a little bit. Coady Photography 3-for-3 off a 5 3/4-length maiden win Hopeful winner Basin gallops at Oaklawn Wednesday. Feb. 16 and a 10 1/4-length optional “He didn’t bounce. His first race score March 14. he ran a 4 on the sheets and came $600,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Jackpot Farm’s Basin won the Both wins for the Speightstown colt back about a month later and ran a 3. Gulfstream sale, attracted plenty of Hopeful the same day Gouverneur came at Santa Anita under Drayden A horse that is that young and can do attention after breaking his maiden Morris broke his maiden, leading a Van Dyke for the partnership of SF that, I guess that’s why he’s getting all by 9 lengths in his debut for Todd 1-2-3 for Steve Asmussen in Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket the press that he’s getting.” Pletcher on Saratoga’s Closing-Day the traditional Spa finale. He’s lost Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Fred Her- Team Valor International’s and card last summer. He finished second back-to-back starts since, finishing WinStar Farm’s Gouverneur Mor- trich III, John Fielding and Golconda next out in the Grade 1 Claiborne third in the Grade 2 Rebel March 14 Stables. That same group minus Ston- ris, a son of Constitution who cost Breeders’ Futurity – 5 1/2 lengths and fourth in the Oaklawn Invitation- behind Maxfield – but Team Valor’s Barry Irwin opted to skip the Breed- al April 11. ers’ Cup. Winning Impression, disqualified Gouverneur Morris returned in from an optional victory April 4, 2020 with a win at leads the remainder of the first divi- before a non-threatening fourth in the sion’s five entrants. My Friends Beer, Grade 1 Derby March 28 at Mo Mosa, Jungle Runner and Crypto Gulfstream. Cash complete the field.

Coady Photography Coady Photography Gouverneur Morris strikes a pose on the track at Oaklawn Thursday. My Friends Beer leans into a gallop at Oaklawn Wednesday.

14 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 41487_Ashford_SaratogaSpecial_PG_1May.qxp_41487_Ashford_SaratogaSpecial_PG_1May 29/04/2020 16:59 Page 1

Aidan O’Brien selects three Air Force Blue juveniles he is looking forward to this season. CHIEF LITTLE HAWK - Bay Colt: Air Force Blue – Marylebone Out of a Grade 1 winner in America, he is a half-brother to the useful Sloane Street. ❝He is a sharp colt that shows plenty of speed at home. He looks one for the two-year-old races over five or six furlongs at Royal Ascot. He’ll be ready to run as soon as racing starts again.❞ GIORGIO VASARI - Bay Colt: Air Force Blue – Dream The Blues He is a half-brother to the Group 1-winning juvenile Sioux Nation. ❝He is a half-brother to a very fast and tough two-year-old in Sioux Nation and this colt looks to be cut from a very similar cloth. He’s fast and sharp at home. He is a real sprinting type. He very much looks like a Royal Ascot horse and will be ready to run as soon as racing restarts.❞

HYDE PARK BARRACKS - Bay Colt: Air Force Blue – Secret Charm A half-brother to the Group 1-placed Hidden Message, he realised €250,000 as a yearling. ❝He is a fast, very sharp colt. He looks a real Royal Ascot two-year-old. I’m not sure how far he’ll stay, but sprinting should suit him well. We’d hope to run him as soon as racing recommences.❞ , April 24th

3-TIME GR.1 WINNING CHAMPION 2YO BY WAR FRONT

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 15 The champ gets a shot Storm The Court connections hope third off layoff pays off BY TOM LAW ARKANSAS DERBY II PREVIEW Peter Eurton didn’t see himself or last year’s champion 2-year-old Storm Grade 1 Arkansas Derby due to any The Court at Oaklawn Park this number of shifting scenarios all hav- spring for the Arkansas Derby. ing to do with the health concerns At the same time he didn’t want to facing the world in 2020. Churchill wind up like one of those folks you’d Downs moved the Kentucky Derby see on the side of the road – at least from the first Saturday in May to the before the coronavirus pandemic and first Saturday in September. Califor- subsequent stay-at-home recommen- nia stopped racing along with most of dations kept most people inside – the country’s racing states, scuttling casting a wanting, hoping, desperate Storm The Court’s original target. glance into the distance. Oaklawn Park, closed to spectators Coady Photography “We may have stayed here for the and racing with essential personnel Last year’s 2-year-old champion, Storm The Court trains at Oaklawn Park Thursday. Santa Anita Derby probably,” Eurton only, moved the Arkansas Derby from said. “Our options were limited . . . April 4 to May 2. Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock “The quality of horses always You just don’t want to keep training And Eurton had a spot for Storm and Susanna Wilson, meets unbeaten seems to change a bit as you go from and training and training. It’s like be- The Court, who upset last year’s winner Nadal, Louisi- 2-year-olds to 3-year-olds. The Juve- ing at the bus stop and waiting for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 45-1 to ana Derby winner Wells Bayou, Tam- nile winner is not always the best out there but he has reason to get better. it to show up so you have to guess claim the as the divi- pa Bay Derby winner King Guillermo He is a late foal, a May foal. We’re about when we’re going to run.” sion champion. and Southwest Stakes winner Silver happy with the way he’s going right Storm The Court wound up ship- “Coming into his third race off Prospector in the 9-furlong Arkansas a layoff we thought the timing was Derby. now.” ping from his base at Santa Anita Eurton said Storm The Court lost Park to Hot Springs for Saturday’s right for him to take the trip,” Eurton Storm The Court arrived in Hot said. “As far as the race being split it’s Springs Tuesday, all his serious work some weight between the 7-furlong really a great thing to see, it’s going done at Santa Anita including a half- San Vicente, where he also finished to be an awesome card Saturday. The mile tightener in :47.60 Monday af- behind today’s rival Fast Enough, and the San Felipe. The Court Vision races are going to be great to see, 14 ter a 6-furlong drill in 1:13.60 the colt bounced back since and put on full races.” week before. He galloped at Oaklawn weight, not unlike some folks stuck at Eurton, who sent a small string to Thursday and Friday. home during the pandemic and filling Oaklawn and brings a 3-4-6 mark The Arkansas Derby, which still the hours with Zoom cocktail happy from 20 starts into Saturday’s card, offers 100 points to the winner of hours and home cooking. each division toward a spot in the nearly had two chances in the split “I’m happy with his weight now,” starting gate for the Kentucky Der- Arkansas Derby until Shooters Shoot Eurton said. “Going into the San Vi- by, gives Storm The Court a chance came out of the first division Tuesday cente his weight was good. Going with a fever. to redeem himself a bit from a fourth into the San Felipe I think he dropped Being left with the defending behind Nadal in the Grade 2 San Vi- a few pounds, probably the same 2-year-old champion doesn’t hurt, cente to start the season and a third in weight, maybe even a little bit lighter even if he’s in what’s considered the the Grade 2 San Felipe. as he was as the Juvenile winner. Now tougher of the two races and will like- “He’s had a little bit of freshen- he’s over 1,100 pounds and that’s ly need to improve off two defeats to ing,” Eurton said. “I don’t think we about 35 pounds of weight put back start the season back home in Califor- had him that keyed up for the San Vi- on. He hasn’t missed a day of training nia. cente. He ran OK. Probably a little on so it’s not because of lack of exercise, Coady Photography Storm The Court, 6-1 on the the dull side but I felt like he bounced it’s just because he seems like he’s in a Louisiana Derby winner Wells Bayou is a morning line with Flavien Prat back back decently in the San Felipe. He Continued On Page 18 player in the Arkansas Derby field. aboard for owners David Bernsen, didn’t have the best of trips. 16 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 GULFSTREAM PARK RACES NOW - SEPTEMBER 27 SPRING // SUMMER MEET

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 17 Bolton, Nadal worked to win the Rebel. He dueled early with American Derby II – Theorem, dropped that rival, edged Continued from page 16 clear and held off a late run from Ex- cession to win by three-quarters of good place right now. Hopefully we a length. Basin, last year’s Grade 1 can see him jump into where we want Hopeful winner making his 2020 de- to be.” but, finished third and returns in the Bred in Kentucky by Stepping Stone first division. Farm and purchased for $60,000 at Oaklawn split the Arkansas Der- OBS April last year, Storm The Court by for the first time since 1960, when won his debut at Del Mar last summer, Spring Broker and Persian Gold each parted company with Prat in the Del won a division. Mar Futurity in his second start and Like Storm The Court, King Guill- was third in the ermo registered his biggest win at at Santa Anita before prevailing by a monster odds, taking the March 7 head at the Breeders’ Cup. at 49-1 for trainer As always, the Arkansas Derby Juan Avila and former Major League field (no matter which division) is Baseball player Victor Martinez. The loaded with 3-year-old talent. Unde- colt won a maiden race and feated Nadal didn’t race at 2, but has finished third in the Stakes, more than made up for it with two both on the grass in Florida, in his wins at Santa Anita early in the year previous two starts. – a maiden in January and the Grade Wells Bayou drew the outside in 2 San Vicente in February. Trainer the second division’s field of 11 for his Bob Baffert shipped Nadal to Oak- Oaklawn return. Brad Cox trained lawn in March and won the Grade the colt in Hot 2 Rebel, then brought the Blame colt Springs all winter and he finished sec- back to his Santa Anita base to prep ond to Silver Prospector in the Grade for spots down the road. The Arkan- 3 Southwest in mid-February before sas Derby eventually became the only winning the Louisiana Derby at Fair choice, with Keeneland’s spring meet Grounds in March. scrapped, racing halted at Aqueduct Farmington Road, runner-up in and the March 28 on the Oaklawn Invitational April 11 too short of a turnaround. for ; Finnick The Fierce, A $700,000 buy at last year’s Code Runner and Taishan complete Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream 2-year-old the field. Saratogian and Fast Enough sale by a partnership led by George are scratched.

Coady Photography Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas (right) checks out Nadal, led by Bob Baffert’s assistant Jimmy Barnes, in the Oaklawn barn area Wednesday.

18 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Oaklawn Park – Saturday

the Power grid Race # John Tom Charles Rob Nancy Shapazian Law Bedard Whitlock Holthus Timely Tradition Full Of Grace Timely Tradition Timely Tradition Miss Imperial Full Of Grace Timely Tradition Miss Imperial True Castle First Alternate 1 First Alternate She’s A Dime Full Of Grace Hawt Mess A. P. Princess Take Charge Glenda Scolding She’s The Boss Take Charge Glenda Scolding Bonus Baby She’s The Boss Brittle And Yoo Bonus Baby Bonus Baby 2 She’s the Boss Brittle And Yoo Scolding Extra Effort Brittle And Yoo Bebop Shoes Captain Don Captain Don Tempt Fate Captain Don Captain Don Bebop Shoes Tempt Fate My Golden Diablo Tempt Fate 3 Tempt Fate Tempt Fate Bebop Shoes Reef’s Destiny Bebop Shoes Major Attraction Bank Bank Major Attraction Bank J Z My Man Uncle Addouma Major Attraction Bank Major Attraction 4 Uncle Addouma Major Attraction Uncle Addouma Uncle Addouma Gambler Rocket Endorsed Endorsed Pirate’s Punch Bankit Pirate’s Punch Pirate’s Punch Two Thirty Five Endorsed Endorsed Bankit 5 Two Thirty Five Bankit Two Thirty Five Pirate’s Punch Endorsed Friar’s Road Friar’s Road Divine Armor Friar’s Road Divine Armor Wild Union Divine Armor Second Line David Second Line David Friar’s Road 6 Absolute Unit Hunt The Front Hunt The Front Hunt The Front Hunt The Front Gamine Gamine Gamine Ain’t No Elmers Gamine Speech Speech Ain’t No Elmers Gamine Speech 7 Mi Bella Kiss The Girl Speech Mi Bella Queen Bridget Caribbean Moretti Moretti Fra Mauro Fra Mauro Benintendi Benintendi Benintendi Moretti Moretti 8 Fra Mauro Caribbean Dukes Up Wild Popit Caribbean Fearless Proverb Fearless Mo Gotcha Rotation Proverb Rotation Rotation Eskenforit Fearless 9 Rotation Fearless Popular Kid Fearless Popular Kid Rushie Prodigious Bay Ginobili Rushie Rushie Ginobili Candy Tycoon Spanish Kingdom Villainous Candy Tycoon 10 Candy Tycoon Rushie Villainous Amen Corner Ginobili Charlatan Anneau d’Or Charlatan My Friends Beer Charlatan Gouverneur Morris Gouverneur Morris Anneau d’Or Charlatan Gouverneur Morris 11 Basin Basin Gouverneur Morris Basin Basin Combatant By My Standards Combatant By My Standards Combatant Mr Freeze Combatant Improbable Chess Chief Warrior’s Charge 12 Trophy Chaser Mr Freeze By My Standards Combatant Mr Freeze Nadal Nadal King Guillermo Wells Bayou Silver Prospector Storm The Court Storm The Court Wells Bayou Nadal Nadal 13 King Guillermo Wells Bayou Storm The Court Silver Prospector Wells Bayou Carlos Sixes Carlos Sixes Carlos Sixes Carlos Sixes Carlos Sixes Dangerfield The Rouge Diesel Wickets Way Wickets Way Dangerfield 14 Wickets Way Magic Vow Ghostly Who Take Charge d’Oro Magic Vow The Special’s four handicappers are regulars in Saratoga (see subsequent pages for 2020 numbers at Oaklawn). Guest handicapper Nancy Holthus is a Hot Springs native and third-generation horsewoman who works as paddock analyst and handicapper at Oaklawn Park.

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 19 OAKLAWN HANDICAP PREVIEW On the Improve By My Standards seeks third straight to start 4YO season BY JOE CLANCY Time. Veteran horsemen will tell you it’s as im- portant as any ingredient in the recipe for a good racehorse. Pedigree, hay, straw, oats, grass, water, exercise, luck . . . sure, they matter. But the calendar can make it all work. And there’s no better example than By My Stan- dards, 9-2 co-second choice in Saturday’s Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park. After finishing 11th Coady Photography via disqualification in last year’s Kentucky Derby, By My Standards, here training for last year’s Kentucky Derby, is a contender in the Oaklawn Handicap. Allied Racing Stable’s colt spent several months Saudi Cup in February for Juddmonte Farm and cal quarter crack but it didn’t really patch and lock with Becky Maker in Kentucky getting over a foot Bill Mott plus three-time graded stakes winner Mr down like a normal quarter crack,” said Calhoun. issue, enjoying extended turnout time, devouring Freeze (6-1) and Grade 1-placed longshot Bravazo “We worked on it and worked on it and couldn’t peppermints and – most importantly – growing up. (30-1) Saturday. Trainer Bob Baffert shows up with figure out why we couldn’t get it closed down like He returned to the races for trainer Bret Cal- Improbable (8-1), who comes off a second in the we thought we should have. When we got through houn in February, and dominated a two-other-than Oaklawn Mile April 11. The race goes off at 7:04 with the Derby and really looked into it, we had allowance at Fair Grounds and backed up that win p.m. eastern, splitting the two divisions of the Ar- more than a quarter crack. There was a wall sepa- with a 3-length score in the Grade 2 New Orleans kansas Derby for 3-year-olds. ration underneath it. It just took a while to heal.” Classic at that track in March. The son of Gold- By My Standards’ Kentucky vacation included Enter Maker, who specializes in lay-ups and con- encents takes on 13 others in Saturday’s Grade 2, five or so hours of paddock time a day and was ditioning work at her farm in Versailles. She’s cared the 12th of 14 races on the Closing Day card. Cal- designed to help him recover from the rigors of his for Whitmore, Mitole, She’s A Julie and others over houn’s horse is in deep, with plenty of big names 3-year-old campaign which included a maiden win the years and By My Standards fit right in. He got lured by the $600,000 purse, but the trainer is con- at Fair Grounds in February and an upset win in turned out from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. pretty much every fident in his horse. the Louisiana Derby in March. day. “He trained great, but you don’t know how He broke slowly from post three in the Kentucky “I have mine out longer sometimes, but some they’re going to run off an extended layoff and Derby, got pinched and was well behind on a slop- horses are so used to the racetrack routine and against older horses for the first time, but he did it py track before finishing 11 lengths behind disqual- we’re pretty careful to make sure they’re not feeling nicely,” Calhoun said of the season opener. “Then ified winner . Calhoun knew his at a loss,” she said. “You can tell how comfortable he had to step up to a pretty nice field of stakes first Derby try as a trainer was over early. they are with it. Some want to come in after a few horses and he handled them just as well. It wasn’t a “He became the wise-guy horse going into the hours, some are happy to be out there all day. He hard race on him or a gutting effort, just the kind of Derby, because he trained really well and people enjoyed it. He was a fun one, active and a bit of a effort you like to see in a steady progression. He’s were talking about him,” he said. “Of course, the handful but in a good way. He’s a very, very intel- got a lot of confidence, and he’s physically doing track was a sloppy mess and he got away a half- ligent horse. He knows . . . he knows. It’s fun to be really well.” step slow and the speed got away from him and it around horses with that much talent and when they California shipper Combatant is the slight 4-1 was a disaster. I just remember thinking, ‘All the have the on top of it too.” favorite on the morning line after winning the San- time and effort for this . . .’ ” Bred in Kentucky by Don Ladd and purchased ta Anita Handicap for Hronis Racing and trainer By My Standards dealt with a quarter crack all for $150,000 by agent Josh Stevens at OBS April in John Sadler in March. That win put the 5-year- spring, and after the Derby debacle and a couple of 2018, By My Standards liked having other horses old ridgling over $1 million, and he’s June works while entertaining another start, there turned out in neighboring paddocks and used the got company in the six-figure department in New wasn’t much to do but try to get it fixed. Continued On Page 21 York shipper Tacitus (9-2), who exits a fifth in the “On the outside looking in, it looked like a typi-

20 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN Oaklawn Hcp. – BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ Continued from page 20 CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP break to catch up to himself. “The Kentucky grass always helps, FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY but it’s amazing how much they grow as 3-year-olds,” Maker said. “TheyGRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP were so patient, gave him a little more IROQUOIS HURDLE TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY time than they thought they were going Winning when it matters. to when they started, and did rightKING’S by BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN their horse.” Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center horses Maker prepped By My Standards on MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN MILE STAKES the farm’s free walker, then sent him to include 67 individual Grade 1 winners Calhoun in Louisiana last fall. The colt PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY had his first timed workout inSPINSTER almost SWORD DANCERand the winners TEST of UNITED 105 Grade NATIONS 1 races. VANITY HANDICAP WHIT- six months at the end of November and returned to the program going 1 NEY1/16 HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIALJust some A.G. of theVANDERBILT races they’ve ALICIBIADES won… ARLINGTON MILLION miles Feb. 9. “He came back really good as an AWESOME AGAIN BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF older horse,” Calhoun said. “We felt all along through his 3-year-oldBREEDERS’ year CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE he would get better as time wentHANDICAP on, DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE but he grew up a lot physically. He’s always been a smart, classy horse. HeFOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE just grew up as an individual.” Unbeaten in two starts at 1 HASKELL1/8 INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE miles, By My Standards won’t have a problem with Saturday’s distance andHIRSCH TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME is flexible enough to find a spot despite breaking from post 12. GLORY HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH Improbable, Warrior’s Charge, METROPOLITANMr MILE NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II Freeze and Trophy Chaser figure to en- sure a quick enough pace and By My SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER TEST Standards should be in front of several closers. UNITED NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL “Depending on how fast they’re go- ing, I see him in the second flight,” Cal-A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN houn said. “He hasn’t been the sharpestBELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ away from the gate at times, but I hope that’s a maturing situation because he’s CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP been better this year. It’s a long run into the first turn and they’re going a mile- DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK and-an-eighth so (the post) doesn’t overly me. I’d like to seeKILROE a nice, MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATION- stalking trip.” AL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF Tacitus hasn’t won since the Wood Memorial more than a year ago, butCLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE he’s placed in the Kentucky Derby, , Jim Dandy, TraversMAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN and . John Velazquez rides the son of TapitMILE and NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF Juddmonte star Close Hatches from MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST UNITED NATIONS post nine. Combatant makes his third Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | AquaPacer | Cold Saltwater Spa | Dry Salt Room | Vibration Therapy | Training Center start for Sadler since being purchasedVANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDER- from Winchell Thoroughbreds and 721 Training Center Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921 trainer Steve Asmussen for $220,000BILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTONPhone: 610-496-5080 MILLION www.fairhilletc.com AWESOME AGAIN BELMONT DER- at Keeneland November. The 5-year- PHOTO © KATHEE RENGERT old finished third in the San PasqualeBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY in February, then handled 1 ¼ milesAND in MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP the Santa Anita Handicap. Joel Rosario rides from post seven. FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY Saturday, May 2, 2020 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLEThe 2020 Special HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF21 CUP Stable Tagg Derby start on hold, trainer aims for turf stakes with 3-year-old filly BY SEAN CLANCY GULFSTREAM PARK PREVIEW It had been eight months. Eight months since we spoke to Barclay : Wow, what a debut. The son Tagg and his assistant Robin Smullen of Constitution produced one of the most for the Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour in impressive debuts of any horse at the meet, one of the final issues of The Saratoga winning easily Aug. 8. Sackatoga purchased Special last summer. the son of Constitution from the Fasig-Tipton “I guess it has been,” Tagg said Fri- New York-bred sale here last summer. Smul- day afternoon. “I guess it has been.” len: “The star of the show. He’s extremely intelligent, not afraid of anything. The other Eight months ago, Tagg and Smul- day, Rick Schosberg was walking his dog, the len talked about two 2-year-olds who dog was kind of growling and barking and the had shown promise in their debuts at colt looks at him like he was going to strike at Saratoga. him. He didn’t care.” Tagg: “I thought he was The Stable Tour went something the best looking New York-bred horse I’d ever like this: seen. When you look at the big white face, you think Hereford, but I couldn’t fault him. I kept Highland Glory: Full-sister to stable stal- looking at him and looking at him and looking Derbe Glass/Gulfstream Park wart Highland Sky, the 2-year-old filly finished at him. He looks like a little chunk but when Highland Glory aims for her third consecutive win in Saturday’s Honey Ryder. second in her debut going 6 furlongs on the you really look at him, he stands over a lot of dirt here Aug. 25. Tagg: “She’s a really nice ground, he’s got great bone, great strength. Four wins from five starts, the “He’s a good feeler, he’ll rear up looking horse, she’s a beautiful mover, nice We didn’t expect him to run like he ran. We Florida Derby in a romp, yeah, you with you now and then, but he’s very disposition.” Smullen: “She’s got some atti- thought he was doing good, but we didn’t should be the favorite for the Ken- sensible with his training. He’ll go tude, she’s got more attitude than he has. I know he was that good. He never got out of a tucky Derby. any speed you want to go or do any- was galloping her before we ran her and said hack canter. Junior never had to ask him. Two “He just does what he does, he’s thing you want him to do. He’s a cool to Barclay, ‘This filly might be a dirt filly.’ About white-rimmed eyes, that stops me, but you an amazing horse, you don’t see any cat,” Tagg said. “I don’t think I’ve three days later, Junior (Alvarado) worked her couldn’t turn down the rest of his body. He got a little bit of a shin, he probably could have great flare, he just comes out on top, ever seen a horse exactly like him. I’ve out of the gate and said, ‘You are running her we’ll see, it’s going to get tougher seen some good horses in my time but on the dirt, right?’ We said, ‘She’s supposed run in the Hopeful but there’s too many other to be...’ He said, ‘I wouldn’t run her on the turf things to look forward to, I put a blister on now,” Tagg said. “I wish I could run he’s just kind of a phenomenon. He’s just yet.’ ” it, two days after he ran. There’s a New York- him in the Derby tomorrow.” a good looking horse but he doesn’t bred race on the 20th, we might make that.” But this is 2020. look like American Pharoah or one The Kentucky Derby is postponed of those horses. He just looks like a They didn’t make the New York- until Sept. 5 and everything else is horse and he just does whatever you bred race. They made the Grade 1 swirling around scientists’ labs, poli- ask him. He never takes a deep breath. Champagne in October, he won that. ticians’ briefings and racing secretar- Ran him a mile and an eighth in the Made the Grade 2 in early ies’ desks. Florida Derby, just galloped around February, won that. Made the Grade Tagg could envision a shortened there, sat third and went on and won 1 Florida Derby in late March, won Belmont Stakes sometime in June, the the race, came back and wouldn’t that. His only blemish in five starts Travers moving earlier in August and have taken a deep breath. It’s amaz- came after a rough trip in the Ken- the Derby on the first Saturday in Sep- ing, amazing. It’s all put in there some tucky Jockey Club back in Novem- tember. way and works out.” ber. The stable star should be bedded But that’s all rumor. As for Highland Glory, she’s work- down in ’s old stall at “I don’t know if it will work out ing out, too. Tagg tried the dirt twice Churchill Downs, Tagg walking cir- that way or not,” Tagg said. “You with the full-sister to stakes winner cles outside the barn, with hours tick- have to leave a lot up to the gover- Highland Sky before switching to the ing until the Kentucky Derby. nors.” turf where she’s won twice, taking a “How would you like to have the That’s when you realize Tagg is maiden and the Sanibel Island Stakes favorite for the Kentucky Derby…?” talking about politics rather than at Gulfstream this winter. Tagg said, letting the thought drift horses and the conversation needs to “She’s better conformed than across a phone and above Highland get back to the basics. It’s an easy seg- Highland Sky (breezing for his 7-year- Glory while grazing the filly outside ue, a natural transition for the former old debut). Really, he looks more like Tod Marks his Palm Meadows barn Friday after- steeplechase jockey, especially when Tiz The Law, Kentucky Derby hopeful. Continued On Page 24 noon. he’s talking about Tiz The Law.

22 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 23 The Honey Ryder, the ninth race on the card, kicks off a three stakes Gulfstream – skein on the Gulfstream card. Continued from page 22 The Big Drama for Florida-breds going 7 furlongs attracted a field of the old-fashioned grandmother, she’s eight but will lose a little smoother, they’re completely winner With Verve, who will scratch different types,” Tagg said. “He looks to wait for the Roar Stakes later in like a big, long-distance turf horse, May. Two-time winner Network Ef- she looks more like a middle-distance fect meets Florida-breds for the first turf horse. I’m not limiting her to that, she might be able to run all day. time for Klaravich Stable and Chad I don’t see anything to hold her back Brown. The son of Mark Valeski except herself.” makes just his seventh start but does Owned by Steadfast Stable, the post runner-up finishes in the Nash- daughter of Sky Mesa rolls into Satur- ua and Remsen as a 2-year-old. Stan day’s Honey Ryder Stakes, restricted Hough sends out Sagamore Farm’s to 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 mile He Hate Me, a four-time winner who on the turf, as the 9/2 second choice finished third in the Sir Shackleton in behind Envoutante, an impressive March. maiden winner in her last start for The English Channel for 3-year- Ken McPeek. olds on the turf rounds out the stakes “She doing well, I hope she keeps trifecta. Gufo tries to make it three it up. She’s nice and sound, she’s a in a row for Otter Bend Stable and nice-looking filly, there’s nothing I Christophe Clement. The son of Dec- can knock her about,” Tagg said. laration of War broke his maiden and “She does well, she’s nice to ride, she took an allowance race over the Gulf- does everything she is supposed to do, stream turf this winter. Three-time she’s no problem in the gate, she’s no winner South Bend represents Sag- problem in the barn. As a matter of amore Farm and Hough and exits a fact, I’m grazing her out here right runner-up finish in the Cutler Bay in Facebook, yelp, Instagram,now, Tri- she’s just eating grass like a good March. Island Commish rides a three- grass eater.” race win streak, including the Grade pAdvisor Now, that’s a Tagg quote, “. . . eat- 3 Kitten’s Joy, for Matt Schera and ing grass like a good grass eater.” Saffie Joseph Jr.

24 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Gulfstream Park – Saturday

the Power grid Race # John Tom Charles Rob Jason Shapazian Law Bedard Whitlock Blewitt Hero d’Oro Turn Of Events Turn Of Events Wind Ridge East Lex Turn Of Events Hero d’Oro East Lex Maine Hero d’Oro 1 East Lex Win d’Oro Lascari Mighty Tough Win d’Oro Fives Wild Luckytobeinamerica Luckytobeinamerica Fives Wild Gran Causeway Sighted King’s Castle Nacho Papa Luckytobeinamerica Luckytobeinamerica 2 Gran Causeway Gran Causeway Gran Causeway King’s Castle King’s Castle Or’effice Or’effice Newsworthy Or’effice Or’effice Ajhar Ajhar Or’effice Newsworthy Newsworthy 3 Rag Tag Newsworthy Hard Lighting Hard Lighting Ajhar Invaluable Espiritu de Luna Teenage Kicks She So Naughty She So Naughty Private Message She So Naughty Invaluable Teenage Kicks Teenage Kicks 4 Teenage Kicks Teenage Kicks She So Naughty Espiritu de Luna Espiritu de Luna Followhisfootsteps Followhisfootsteps Followhisfootsteps Jamaican Phish Fan Jamaican Valdocco Finnegan Finnegan Followhisfootsteps 5 Silent Tiger Finnegan Silent Tiger Phish Fan Finnegan Customerexperience Customerexperience Loriloupies Sweetheart Deal Loriloupies Loriloupies Sweetheart Deal Fast Fionnuala Freezer Burn Freezer Burn 6 Fast Fionnuala Loriloupies One Hot Drama Loriloupies Customerexperience Positive Phil Lookin At Roses Dizzy Sight Smell Of Roses Notsosubtle Lookin At Roses Positive Phil Lookin At Roses Lookin At Roses Positive Phil 7 Smell Of Roses Handsome Lil Devil Conquistador Handsome Lil Devil Lookin At Roses Beau Luminarie Overdeliver Kid Bourbon Beau Luminarie Kid Bourbon Kid Bourbon Kid Bourbon Beau Luminarie Just For One Day Overdeliver 8 Overdeliver Sandino Ruler Be Gone Daddy Overdeliver Allurstra Highland Glory Highland Glory Highland Glory Seducer Highland Glory Astoria Kitten Envoutante Mimina’s Team Highland Glory Envoutante 9 Onyx Astoria Kitten Ivyetsu Stunning Sky Mimina’s Team Network Effect Network Effect Network Effect He Hate Me Network Effect Red Crescent He Hate Me He Hate Me Network Effect Last Judgment 10 Noble Drama Last Judgment Last Judgment Last Judgment Royal Squeeze Gufo Gufo Gufo Gufo Gufo South Bend South Bend Proven Strategies Don Juan Kitten Proven Strategies 11 Don Juan Kitten Island Commish Island Commish Ever Dangerous Island Commish Britesideoftheroad Hotty Toddy Britesideoftheroad La Incondicional Hotty Toddy La Incondicional Britesideoftheroad La Incondicional Hotty Toddy Britesideoftheroad 12 Dangerous Woman Beach Dreaming Drinks On Me Britesideoftheroad La Incondicional 2020 Records 7/22 7/22 7/22 6/22 The Special’s four handicappers are regulars in Saratoga every summer (records are from two cards at Oaklawn this year). Guest handicapper Jason Blewitt is a racing analyst and television host at Gulfstream Park.

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 25 Base Camp Trainers juggle options from oasis

BY SEAN CLANCY TAMPA BAY DOWNS Jordan Blair answers on the sec- ond ring. Kent Sweezey calls back, which is great,” Sweezey said. “Stella minutes after listening to his voice- has given us a little bit of hope, she’s a mail. That’s life for trainers today – saint on the backside, whenever man- time on their hands while they await agement comes by, you hear people their next moves. Thursday morning, saying, ‘Thanks for staying open.’ I’ve as rain pelted the Tampa area, Blair been shocked by that, it’s not really and Sweezey tried to make tangible in our nature necessarily to think like decision for horses entered Satur- that, because we think it’s our right to day (scratch, run off the turf, et cet- have racing.” era) while juggling bigger moves for Originally scheduled to close Sun- their stables (hunker down, wait for day, Tampa extended its meet to May marching orders, etc.). 30, providing a racing product for Blair and Sweezey, based at Tampa bettors and a reliable venue for train- Bay Downs for the winter, are some ers and their horses. A reliable venue of the lucky ones during the coronavi- has never been more important. As rus pandemic. The quaint track with horsemen were shut down in Califor- its reliable dirt surface and stellar turf Coglianese/Gulfstream Park nia, New York, Louisiana, Maryland Based at Tampa Bay Downs, where he has 18 wins, Kent Sweezey (left) won a graded stakes course has provided a constant during and most states, Tampa Bay Downs at Gulfstream Park with Phat Man. the crisis that has shut down most kept going, providing a place for tracks around the country. horsemen to train and compete. In lucky, we’re racing, we have a chance a long time, I’m ready to get back. Owned by Stella Thayer, Tampa this ever-changing world, that’s been to keep the business going. We’ve still I made one trip home about every Bay Downs has raced without fans a boon. For trainers, a lifeline. had racing, we’re still training hors- three weeks for a while and the week since March 18. Blair, 39, has won eight races from es, our schedules have not changed. around Easter, it’s been different. My “They’ve done a really good job, just 35 starts at Tampa. For the most part, it’s been business wife is ready for me to come home. as soon as this started, they start- “No complaints, well, I could as usual, the phone has rung more in She got the short end of the stick this ed communicating with the trainers, complain plenty but we have it pretty the last month, people asking what winter.” saying this is what we need to keep good,” Blair said. “On the business we’re going to do after Tampa but As for Sweezey, he’s weighing op- running,” Blair said. “They sent out end, we’ve actually picked up horses I’ve picked up horses. Sam-Son sent tions as he waits for Monmouth Park flyers, explaining, ‘Wash your hands, because we have been running. A lot me horses when they moved out of to make an announcement while won- keep social distancing, designate one of guys in New Orleans, New York, Fair Grounds. That’s huge. You never dering about the paperwork he signed shank per hotwalker.’ They had a visit had to turn horses out, we didn’t have know.” to buy a house near the Jersey Shore with the health department and obvi- to do to that. Horses have been win- No, you never know. oval. Monmouth has always been his ously passed, management has done ning and I have a lot of confidence As always on the racetrack carni- summer destination but it’s far from a good job and horsemen have done that they’ll continue to run well.” val ride, it’s about where you’re going finalized at the moment. a good job. It really hasn’t been that Sweezey originally had 10 horses next. “We’re thankful we have to June much of a burden.” at Gulfstream Park and 30 at Tam- With Churchill Downs’ announce- 1, I need to figure out what I’m go- “Tampa has one stable gate, they pa, but consolidated all his horses at ment that it will open its stable area ing to do. I’ve talked to people who take your temperature with a digi- Tampa once the pandemic took hold. May 11 and begin racing May 16, tal thermometer, I drive through the The 34-year-old has knocked out 18 Blair has a plan for his 18-horse string. say Monmouth isn’t going to happen stable gate a couple of times a day, it wins from 130 starts during the meet. Blair should be home by May 16 or and I’ve talked to people who think doesn’t matter if you drive through “They knew early on that they 17, to see his 4-year-old daughter, it’s fine, no big deal,” Sweezey said. there 10 times or drive through there wanted to extend it and I’m glad they Hunter, his 9-month-old son, Weston, “I’ve got horses for a bunch of differ- once, they take your temperature, could do it,” Sweezey said. “We’re and his wife, Jordan, who has been a ent people and everybody I talk to has single mother all winter long. a different opinion, they think they “The vanning companies have been know, they’ve heard this, they feel this on top of it and we’ve already booked way, every single person I talk to is For more award-winning racing content, check out our vans,” Blair said. “We won’t stay different. It’s wild. Wild.” until the end of the month because I As for Saturday at Tampa, Blair is thisishorseracing.com don’t want to get stuck. We’ll leave scratching his one entry, Nerissa, and when we can and head back. As soon Sweezey will probably run Finest Jew- as Churchill lets us in, we’ll be there. el on the main track and Pert on the I’ve been away from my family for turf in the ninth. 26 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Tampa Bay Downs – Saturday

the Power grid Race # John Tom Charles Rob Matt Shapazian Law Bedard Whitlock Carothers Elusive Ro Malio’s Malio’s Elusive Ro Malio’s Malio’s Dad’s Yankees Lem Me Tel Ya Malio’s Ox Trot 1 Lem Me Tel Ya Lem Me Tel Ya Elusive Ro Ox Trot Elusive Ro Publicist Publicist Publicist Lolanita Nikki Bella Nikki Bella Lolanita I’llmakeyousmile Publicist I’llmakeyousmile 2 Dreaming Diamonds Nikki Bella Dreaming Diamonds Nikki Bella Dreaming Diamonds Nerissa Nagini Worlds Apart Paddy Kaye’s Wild Lilys From Paris Worlds Apart Calypso Key Calypso Key Nerissa Nerissa 3 All American Jewel All American Jewel Lilys From Paris Lilys From Paris All American Jewel One More Drink One More Drink One More Drink One More Drink Overpraise Imperial Greatness Swift Kid Overpraise Overpraise Captainontherocks 4 Overpraise Imperial Greatness Imperial Greatness Swift Kid Imperial Greatness Tatterazzi Catsoutofthebag Tatterazzi Tatterazzi Eye On The Finish Finest Jewel Tatterazzi Bizness Beauty Finest Jewel Tatterazzi 5 Catsoutofthebag Finest Jewel Finest Jewel Catsoutofthebag Shenu Shenume Shanghai Mistress Shanghai Mistress Shanghai Mistress Field Letters Field Letters Flan Field Letters Flan Flan Flan 6 Tornero Golden Note Concertos Appeal Shanghai Mistress Shanghai Mistress Fox Rox Pure Luck Enduring Honor Enduring Honor Fox Rox Enduring Honor Fox Rox Little Leo Little Leo Little Leo 7 Pure Luck D’craziness Hey Big Guy D’craziness Enduring Honor Sacco And Vanzetti The Spider Lucky Runs North Sacco And Vanzetti Sacco And Vanzetti Rock The Park Lucky Runs North Sacco And Vanzetti Lucky Runs North Lucky Runs North 8 The Exception The Exception The Exception Ed’s Dog Little Guy Matinee Girl Sugar Fix Sugar Fix Sugar Fix Sayyida Al Hurra Sugar Fix Pert Pert Peace Taker Matinee Girl 9 Peace Taker Matinee Girl Strong Gem Matinee Girl Sugar Fix 2020 Records 7/22 7/22 7/22 6/22

The Special’s four handicappers are regulars in Saratoga every summer (records are from two cards at Oaklawn this year). Guest handicapper Matt Carothers is racing analyst for TVG and in-house handicapper for Tampa Bay Downs

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 27 The Saturday Special BY TOM LAW AND SEAN CLANCY The first Saturday in May will never be the same Day’s racing menu overflows with options again, or at least not for a long time. No Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, rescheduled because of the ongoing corona- virus pandemic. No , either. In the early days of the health crisis, both events were moved to September. When they return – some might say if they re- turn – we’ll look at the opportunity to throw on a jacket and tie, sundress and floppy hat, slug back a or two, cry when they play , high five with friends, cash our tickets, count the losses and fight the traffic on the way out of the Downs without a care in the world. We’ll remember the first Saturday in May 2020, when Oaklawn Park stepped up with a loaded card topped by two division of the Arkansas Derby. We’ll be thankful for Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, filling the space of the afternoon under lockdown, quarantine, stay-at-home suggestions, whatever it’s called these days. Our crew is grateful for the opportunity to keep writing about the game we all love and have done it throughout the pandemic in the weekly primer we call The Saturday Special. Coady Photography We always start overseas, lately in Australia Oaklawn Handicap runner Improbable is alone with his thoughts on the backside Wednesday morning. but most times flat and jump racing from Europe, before meandering back to the U.S. for NYRA, Doomben. Race 5. 11:37 p.m. With a universal theme at a Oaklawn Park. Race 1. 1:00. The final day of the winter-spring Kentucky, Florida, California and everywhere in troubled time, here’s the “Thank Healthcare Workers” Hand- meeting in Hot Springs kicks off with a 6-furlong starter al- icap. lowance and a field of 12. Get used to the big fields, they’re in between. The primer knows no boundaries; we vogue throughout the Arkansas Derby Day card. were touting horses at Fonner Park and Will Rog- Morphettville. Race 6. 1:16 a.m. Saturday. Garner, a son of ers Downs – and Belterra Park, Grants Pass and Barbados, looks unstoppable for trainer Gordon Richards in Tampa. Race 3. 1:27. A lot of rain Thursday moves $16,000 Pleasanton – before they became a big hit amidst the TAB Euclase Stakes, a Group 2 sprint for 3-year-olds on maiden claimer at 9 furlongs from the grass to the main track. the crush of COVID-19. the turf. Every Friday – well not during Saratoga and if Oaklawn. Race 2. 1:32. One might think 6-furlong maiden for we get slammed with other projects – the prim- Morphettville. Race 7. 1:56 a.m. Going strong? Here’s the fillies is for 2-year-olds with all the first-time starters. No dice er appears at thisishorseracing.com. Now it’s in Schweppes Oaks, a Group 1 stakes for 3-year-olds fillies going though, no 2-year-olds allowed on the grounds. Eleven of the “print” right here in the digital edition of The 2020 1 ¼ miles on good turf. We like Affair To Remember. 12 entered make their debut, the lone holdout coming from Special. Here’s your primer for Saturday, May 2, Phil D’Amato’s Oaklawn string in She’s The Boss. Ascot. Race 6. 2:11 a.m. If only we were strolling down Bard- Derby Day (with some Friday action tossed in for stown with a life-changing Oaks/Derby Double ticket in our Gulfstream. Race 3. 1:45. Mark Hennig touted Or’effice in his good measure). Good luck, be safe and enjoy. (All pocket…well, here’s the next best thing, the Group 3 Northam Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour last summer and gave a hint about the times Eastern) Mazda Stakes. Fabergino rolls into this on a three-race win Medaglia d’Oro colt’s name. He meets six in two-turn maiden. streak. Doomben. Race 1. 9:13 p.m. Friday. Depending on when Oaklawn. Race 3. 2:04. A dozen Arkansas-breds for 6-furlong you’re reading this…if you’re a Friday night reader, then here Morphettville. Race 8. 2:36 a.m. OK, you can go to bed after allowance, including Rainbow Stakes second- and third-place you go, jump into Doomben, established in 1933, the first on watching Away Game, a 2-year-old daughter of Snitzel, take on finishers Captain Don and Tempt Fate, respectively. a full plate of cards in Australia. Global Citizen should improve older fillies and mares in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes. from his debut second two weeks ago. The four-time winner carries 104 pounds in the 6-furlong dash, Tampa. Race 5. 2:29. Catsoutofthebag should appreciate 21 pounds fewer than her rivals, including favorite, multiple slight drop in class for Mike Dini in $16,000 claimer at 1 mile. Morphetville. Race 1. 10:06 p.m. The Queen Adelaide Stakes, Group 1 winner Sunlight. If she runs off the grass. for 2-year-old, kicks off a strong card at Morphettville, the South Australian venue where they’ve been racing since 1875. Tampa Bay Downs. Race 1. 12:20 p.m. The start of the day in Oaklawn. Race 4. 2:36. Major Attraction and Bank stand out the U.S. Here’s a $6,250 claimer at 7 furlongs. in 6-furlong maiden for 3-year-olds and up. Randwick-Kensington. Race 2. 10:15 p.m. American-bred Yonkers aims for his fourth career victory. The son of Medaglia Gulfstream Park. Race 1. 12:45. A dozen, including a main- d’Oro fetched $575,000 at Saratoga in 2017. Anybody remem- track only runner, entered in 1-mile turf maiden to start the day ber Hip 122? You can bet him tonight, 7-1 on the morning line. in South Florida. Continued On Page 29

28 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Oaklawn. Race 8. 4:47. Boston baseball fans will like Benin- Gulfstream. Race 11. 5:57. The final of three stakes in South tendi, hunch players will fancy Fortheluvofbourbon and Chica- Florida, the $75,000 English Channel. Substitute race for Chur- Saturday – go deep-dish pizza lovers will be all in on Moretti in 1 1/16-mile chill’s American Turf for some, full field of 12 3-year-olds is Continued from page 28 allowance. led by Gufo, South Bend, Summer To Remember and Proven Strategies. Oaklawn. Race 5. 3:10. Endorsed, runner-up in the and Gulfstream. Race 9. 4:53. The first of three straight stakes, fourth in the Travers last summer at Saratoga, makes first start the $75,000 Honey Ryder for 3-year-old fillies. Some of these Oaklawn. Race 11. 6:29. First division of the $500,000 Arkan- for Bill Mott after previously running for the retired Kiaran Mc- no doubt would have run in the Edgewood Stakes at Churchill sas Derby and 100 points to the winner for a spot in the Ken- Laughlin. He takes on 11 others in tricky two-turn optional that Downs on the Kentucky Oaks undercard. Highland Glory looks tucky Derby starting gate. All eyes on Charlatan, who crushed also draws Pirate’s Punch, Bankit, Rated R Superstar and Long to make it three straight for Barclay Tagg while Envourante re- in his first two starts at Santa Anita for Bob Baffert. He takes on Range Toddy. turns to the grass off blowout maiden win for Ken McPeek. Gouverneur Morris, Anneau d’Or and Basin in Grade 1 stakes.

Oaklawn. Race 6. 3:44. Get a feel for the 9-furlong trip with a Oaklawn. Race 9. 5:19. Fearless suffered first defeat last time Oaklawn. Race 12. 7:04. The Arkansas Derby divisions get all full field of 3-year-old maidens. Divine Armor should win if he when fifth via DQ in the Grade 2 New Orleans for Todd Pletch- the headlines but the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap might be the draws in off also-eligible list. If he doesn’t perhaps it’s fellow er. Lightly raced son of Ghostzapper back to optional ranks race of the day. How about the first three across the finish in Californians Absolute Unit or Friar’s Road. against Rotation, Proverb, Sonny Smack and Popular Kid. the New Orleans Classic in By My Standards, Captivating Moon and Chess Chief; Santa Anita Handicap winner Combatant, Tampa. Race 8. 4:05. One with our kind of name, Little Guy, Gulfstream. Race 10. 5:25. Florida-breds square off in Grade 3 Razorback winner Warrior’s Charge, Wood Memorial takes on 11 in $8,000 claimer on the grass. We’d have fun $100,000 Big Drama at 7 furlongs. Network Effect, second winner Tacitus, Grade 1 winner Improbable, Pegasus World with a Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour with the Little Guys during the off layoff last time for Chad Brown, seeks return to 2-year-old Cup runner-up Mr Freeze, Challenger Stakes winner Trophy non-Saratoga months. Hmmm, ideas, ideas. form while He Hate Me tries to end string of six losses dating Chaser and more? back to Saratoga win in mid-July. Oaklawn. Race 7. 4:16. Fillies and mares take their turn in Oaklawn. Race 13. 7:43. Second division of the Arkansas two-turn optional. How good was Gamine winning first time Oaklawn. Race 10. 5:54. Whitey McCarthy sends out Rushie, Derby and 100 more points, along with a $300,000 payday for out for Bob Baffert March 7 at Santa Anita? She’ll be tested a distant second to Charlatan last time out, in two-turn optional the winner. Will Bob Baffert sweep the divisions? He sends out against much better here, including Grade 3 Santa Ysabel run- that also lures Grade 2-placed Ginobili and Candy Tycoon, Vil- Nadal, winner of the Grade 2 Rebel last time, in here but faces ner-up Speech. lainous and Prodigious Bay. tough test against champion 2-year-old male Storm The Court, Louisiana Derby winner Wells Bayou, Tampa Bay Derby winner Gulfstream. Race 8. 4:21. Nine horses entered in 1-mile op- King Guillermo and Southwest winner Silver Prospector in the tional, including Overdeliver, Gump, Kid Bourbon, Cool Bobby. field. For more award-winning racing content, Tampa. Race 9. 4:37. Back to the grass for the finale, a Oaklawn. Race 14. 8:14. A fan favorite every year, the tradi- $20,000 claimer at 1 mile. How about two for Mike Dini Sat- check out thisishorseracing.com tional finale 1 3/4-mile starter known as the Trail’s End. They’ll urday? He sends out Sugar Fix off runner-up against tougher even play the song, despite the lack of an on-track crowd. Read last time. more about the race in Tom Law’s column on page 42.

John Prine, an old friend who I never met: Sean blogged about the ’s songwriter, who wrote about everyday things, everyday life; the good, the bad, the ugly in raw deliverance.

Throwback Thursday: ’s first son in 1990: Joe uncovered a story he wrote about Secretariat’s first son, an Appaloosa named First Secretary, from his days on the staff at the Cecil Whig newspaper. You’re reading the debut issue of The 2020 Special, an offshoot of sorts of our flagship publication The Saratoga Special published annually during the James R. Wyatt, Jr.: Trainer Todd Wyatt lost his father, 83-year-old former jockey and lifelong Saratoga Race Course meeting. Sometimes we’re asked before, during and horseman, to the coronavirus April 17. He’d been suffering from dementia and Sean wrote “it was time, everybody knew it was time, but it’s still cold, unforgiving, the passage of time after Saratoga, “What do you do the rest of the year?” slamming its door in the middle of a time when doors are swinging off the hinges.” Easy answer. In addition to providing editorial content for Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Springtime Slowdown: April 15 came and went and the Oklahoma Training Track didn’t open magazine and producing other customized work, we write for our website for offseason training – and still hasn’t opened. Tom caught up with a fixture there during and thisishorseracing.com. We cover jump racing, flat racing and post the week- in the offseason, clocker Dave Lynett, to see how he spent the day. ly primer The Saturday Special, weekly recap The Monday Special and a Throwback Thursday feature on the website. Depending on the season you Run. Rest. Repeat: Now this was a test. Joe and son Nolan, inspired reading about an ultra might see coverage from the Triple Crown, Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland, Laurel, runner who completed a monster challenge, dug deep with a 2-mile run every hour, on the Aqueduct, Parx, you name it. hour for 12 hours. How’d it go? Read on. Sean probably blogs the most, in his The Inside Rail spot that sometimes All quiet at Keeneland: Kurt Becker, Keeneland’s first and only announcer spent what would reads just like his Cup of Coffee column popular in The Saratoga Special (and have been Opening Day of the spring meeting at home in Illinois. Tom caught up with Kurt that now The 2020 Special). Joe writes about everything from racing to running day and found out what he was up to on the unplanned dark day. with Katie the Labrador in his The Outside Rail blog and Tom contributes some slice-of-life pieces about Saratoga in the offseason – and whatever else Florida Derby Q&A: Jack Knowlton: Before Tiz The Law earned New York-bred Horse of the comes up – in his In the Paddock blog. Year and champion 2-year-old male and waltzed to another win in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Here’s a sampling of what we’ve been up to the last few weeks amidst the Sean caught up with the man behind Sackatoga Stables to reminisce about Funny Cide and coronavirus pandemic. look ahead to the rescheduled Kentucky Derby. And check out the site next week for coverage of all the racing action from across the country, and more. Social-media star, or ‘Bean’ for short: Melissa Bauer-Herzog, who regularly pens our The Monday Special recap, chatted with Rosie Margarson about European runner Caribbean Spring and their unlikely rise to fame around the world.

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 29 WILL ROGERS DOWNS Boomer Sooner Local star Welder keeps rolling with another TRAO BY JOHN LIES Severe weather is a way of life in Oklahoma in April and May. A portentous band of red outlined by orange and yellow shined with warning on the hand-held devices of officials and employees at Will Rogers Downs, a small track racing without patrons on what was becoming a steadily darker Will Rogers Downs afternoon this past Tuesday. Oklahoma-bred star Welder rolls home in the TRAO Sprint Stakes at Will Rogers Downs Tuesday. No one told Mother Nature that the 7-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding Welder had a date with warmup for Tuesday’s race. on what is described as a “beautiful facility” owned destiny. And even if they did she would not have Welder stood with his pony, still as a statue, with by Rash in a 14-by-20 foot “condo” of a stall, a budged. his hind end against the outside rail near the five- foot deep in shavings. He enjoys his own window A fifth consecutive win in the $55,000 TRAO eighths pole and his head facing north as southerly and a fly system to keep any bugs away. He jogs Classic Sprint would earn Welder enough purse gusts at 25 mph continued to stir the pot. The other regularly on the on-site training track and hops in money for acceptance into ’s horses jittered around, and dampened their custom the van two or three times a week to come to the elite millionaires club. But a feature race tradition- saddlecloths while affected by the increasing hu- racetrack for gallops or workouts. ally goes as the penultimate one, and afternoon midity. Welder just watched them. He then reached “Taking him to the track is not just a 15-minute thunderstorms need time for the heat to kick up out into a nonchalant jog when cued and off to the deal,” Luneack said. “First he goes and stands with and cause problems with the cooler air. This re- post they all went. And after a sprightly 1:09.01 on the lead outrider for 10 to 15 minutes, and then he sulted in a clash of expectations hanging over Will a track that has not been particularly quick, Welder goes over and visits the other outrider and stands Rogers, dizzy from the highs of a record-breaking had done it. He won by 6 ½ lengths and paid $2.40 with him for a bit. Then we go and gallop or breeze season and sudden national attention in the wake after letting Shannon C make the early running. him. He just loves to be at the racetrack and watch of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luneack and Rush first learned they had a spe- horses train.” Everyone just hoped the race would start before cial horse when they unveiled him as a 2-year-old at A fast horse right from the start, Welder was at the storm hit. Welder, of course, could wait all day. Remington Park in Oklahoma City. times too eager to blaze off to the front and strut “He absolutely loves to go the racetrack and “It had poured down rain and I asked Clayton, his stuff, a tactic which likely contributed to his stand and watch horses train,” said trainer Tere- ‘Should we run?’ I told him a good horse will run lone Will Rogers defeat in 2018. Luneack credits sa Luneack, who first noticed Welder as a yearling in any weather and I think he’s a good horse,” jockey David Cabrera with Welder’s ability to relax when bought as part of a package of six horses for Luneack said. “So we ran and he just missed and more early in the race as he has matured. Other Clayton Rash’s Ra-Max Farms. Luneack liked how we had hauled in and all, so that’s when we really signs of aging beyond their control, true of most he looked, boxy and square yet balanced. knew we had something.” dignified grays, include more white hairs on his An examination of Welder’s female line does in- As a 3-year-old, Welder first caught the eyes at coat in patches and around the edges. dicate some good stuff. Dixie Band, a juvenile stakes Will Rogers, winning an allowance race restrict- “David has really bonded with the horse,” winner and Welder’s third dam, produced Summer ed to accredited Oklahoma-breds against older in Luneack said. “He used to just want to run off to Doldrums, a Grade 3 winner of $928,159, just one above-par fashion for the level. His subsequent the front but he really worked with him and was year after foaling Welder’s dam, the mare triumph in the 2016 TRAO Classic Sprint would able to get him to relax more with a horse in font Dance Softly. Unraced, Dance Softly first produced mark the beginning of his admirable streak over a of him, kind of like how he did (Tuesday). But he is Maniac, who surprisingly clings to a surface he obviously adores. very, very easy to train, quiet, loves to nap. He likes two-win lead of 24-22 over Welder in the lifetime Horseplayers who admire his local record today his afternoon siesta.” win category, six years before foaling Welder. may not realize what a home-court advantage he To be fair and accurate, Welder would have But this knowledge of his habits as a now 7-year- owns whenever he shows up at Will Rogers. Welder Continued On Page 31 old would have comforted any observers of the lives just a few miles down the road in Claremore

30 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Welder – Continued from page 30 quite a ways to go if anyone were to aim him for the very top when it Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center horses comes to Thoroughbred racehors- es bred in Oklahoma. Lady’s Secret, include 67 individual Grade 1 winners a 1982 model, earned Horse of the Year honors at 4 following her Breed- and the winners of 105 Grade 1 races. ers’ Cup Distaff victory in its third renewal. Her lifetime bankroll of just Some of the races they’ve won. over $3 million would be surpassed by both inflation and another flashy gray named Kip Deville, whose 30- race career included multiple Grade 1 A.G. VANDERBILT (2) FRIZETTE METROPOLITAN MILE victories and ended with a bankroll of $3,325,489. Other millionaires bred ALCIBIADES GARDEN CITY NEARCTIC STAKES in Oklahoma include She’s All In and ARLINGTON MILLION GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE PRIORESS Shotgun Kowboy, a 15-time winner still active at age 8. Clever Trevor AWESOME AGAIN HASKELL INVITATIONAL QUEEN ELIZABETH II started in the 1989 Kentucky Der- BELMONT DERBY HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP SHADWELL TURF MILE by won by and was regionally popular during a 30-race BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC IROQUOIS HURDLE (2) SPINAWAY (2) career. “I’m guessing this could be his last BREEDERS’ CUP TURF (2) JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC (2) SPINSTER year racing,” Luneack admitted when BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF KENTUCKY DERBY (2) SWORD DANCER (4) asked about the prospects of next spring. “We want him to retire sound DELAWARE HANDICAP KING’S BISHOP TEST and happy. And the way he is at the track he could still have another ca- DONN HANDICAP (2) LONESOME GLORY HURDLE UNITED NATIONS (2) reer.” DUBAI WORLD CUP MAKER’S 46 MILE (3) VANITY HANDICAP Among the group of seven-figure Sooners, Welder has earned his place. FLORIDA DERBY MANHATTAN (2) WHITNEY HANDICAP (2)

A former summer intern at The FRANK KILROE MILE MAN O’ WAR (4) WOOD MEMORIAL Saratoga Special, John Lies is the MATRIARCH (2) track announcer, racing secretary and morning-line oddsmaker at Will Rog- ers Downs. The Oklahoma track was one of the few Thoroughbred tracks permitted to race during the pandem- ic, and set several handle records de- spite racing without fans and with no account wagering in the state.

For more award-winning racing content, check out Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | AquaPacer | Cold Saltwater Spa | Dry Salt Room | Vibration Therapy | Training Center thisishorseracing.com 721 Training Center Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921 Phone: 610-496-5080 www.fairhilletc.com

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 31 FONNER PARK The Boss Cap Nebraska track makes most of its moment in spotlight BY CHRIS KOTULAK The 31st renewal of the Bosselman/Gus Fon- ner Stakes was run Wednesday, April 29 at Fon- ner Park racetrack in Grand Island, Neb. If run- ning our biggest race of the year on a Wednesday sounds peculiar, you should have seen the grand- stand apron; it looked like a parking lot – because it was. People drove their vehicles onto the apron to watch the races drive-in movie style. Plus, the Ellis Collins Sleepy Eyes Todd streaks home in the 2020 “Boss Cap” at Fonner Park Wednesday. parking lot, while mostly empty, did have many cars parked at the clubhouse entrance although the nouncer at Fonner Park a lifetime (and millennium) a good horse was getting slim. Gus Fonner never grandstand was closed to the public. Are you still ago from 1986 to 1995. I returned to Fonner Park dreamt when he donated 300 acres of land to Hall with me? To further the oddity that created such in 2018 and am now the track CEO. I did some County for “civic and agriculture” usage in 1954 a spectacle, instead of 7,500 spectators on-track, additional announcing, some TV work and wrote a that his dream park and racetrack would become tens of thousands (if not more than 100,000), of book somewhere in between. such a focal point. I informed Charlie Bosselman horseplayers watched the race – but they weren’t Now is the time to mention the c-word: coro- that the race was still very much on the radar and at the track; they watched online or via television. navirus; covid. Call it what you like; capitalize it if asked that he consider some form of continued (al- All told, $6,457,098 was bet on the day of racing. you like; add a 19 for good measure; but either way beit reduced) race sponsorship. Times are tough all What just happened? The 2020 Boss Cap just – stay the hell away from it. Or at least try to stay over and what made fiscal sense for Bosselman En- happened. away from its wrath. terprises and Fonner Park was a $50,000 purse. It Now then, the Boss Cap is the Fonner Park take- That’s what we have done and continue (we worked. The resulting field would have made for an off of the Santa Anita Handicap Big Cap, in name hope) to do at Fonner Park. That’s why we have no acceptable $75,000 stakes but for a $50,000 added only of course. The first time the race was run for fans in the stands and that’s why we have a daily race it worked very well. Any racing secretary in $100,000 was in 1990, thanks to a $40,000 purse average of $2.8 million bet on our races. But how? the nation would be pleased with a race like this – sponsorship from Bosselman Enterprises, a Grand On March 16, I opted to pitch spectator-free The 2020 Boss Cap. Island-based fuel, gas station and convenience store racing to Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele when When they left the gate, the 6-5 co-favorite dynasty. he strongly encouraged that Fonner Park cease rac- Sleepy Eyes Todd went to the front and he and his In 1990 I embraced the Boss Cap play on words; ing operations. He agreed to my concept based on jockey Quincy Hamilton never looked back. Ham- my boss gave it the cold shoulder and Fred Boss- the existing COVID-19 protocol we had already ilton’s first ride at Fonner Park was a winning and elman was just happy to be the patron to some established and policy I promised to enact. I knew nostalgic trip; he is the son of John Hamilton who newfound attention. The nickname stuck and the we would be in the shadows of racing if we stayed rode a few stakes winners at Fonner Park in the race is commonly with our weekend race schedule, so we jumped to early 1990s before shifting gears to Quarter Horse referred to as the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday racing and pushed racing and becoming a champion jockey. Trainer Boss Cap by horse- our first post to 4 p.m. We were thrown into the Miguel Silva and owner David Cobb of Thumbs men and horse- limelight and the attention became brighter with Up Racing received the winner’s trophy from Char- players, although every track that subsequently fell to the wayside of lie Bosselman along with four other well-dressed, the race has not that aforementioned wrath. mask-wearing Bosselman family members. The Boss been a handicap About the time people started asking what or Cap trophy looks like a fancy ice bucket, so fitting- for decades. who is a Fonner was the same time I learned from ly, the spoils of silver was presented with a bottle I’m a bit late to my racing office crew that the Boss Cap was getting of Veuve Clicquot. Trainer and owner approached more attention than usual. Why? Because with so mention this, but I Fonner CEO Chris Kotulak Continued On Page 33 was the track an- many racetracks closing, the opportunity to a run

32 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 we annually shoulder the weight of Nebraska Thoroughbred racing and Fonner Park – training for half the calendar year. Continued from page 32 Now is a beautiful time to witness Fon racing, whether you’re watching this race as a meaningful stakes and from your laptop in Santiago, Chile they have already scheduled a 2021 or from a pub in Cornwall, England return trip for their striking gray colt or countless betting shops from sea to by Paddy O’Prado. Sleepy Eyes Todd shining sea. Grand Island is not close covered the 1 1/16-mile distance in to any sea, nor is it an island. But Fon- 1:44.2 over a fast track; the fastest ner Park does look like a park, pop- winning time for this race in 16 years. ping with beauty every April with the Beyond the joy of being able to colorful trees that come into bloom. host another Boss Cap is the elation Pink, fuschia and white blossoms en- of conducting six weeks of no-specta- hance a field of recently green grass tor racing. Technically, I am not par- punctuated by pairs of Canada geese ticularly happy about racing with an and their tiny chartreuse goslings empty facility. But I am elated, that learning the ways and means of their Fonner Park horses and horsemen and parents. It is springtime to the hilt. It horses stayed fed and their caregivers Ellis Colllins is, as our slogan states, “The Nebras- The Fonner Park infield is al- were able to maintain their liveli- ka Springtime Tradition.” ways a sign of spring in Ne- hoods. The silver lining of the shroud So bring on the Fon! Or plan to braska, as is a packed grand- of COVID-19 is that little Fonner come see it for yourself in 2021. But stand under non-pandemic Park become visible to hundreds of please make reservations in advance, conditions. thousands of horseplayers who had because we routinely sell out every no clue who and what we are. I am Saturday. Really! proud of our tidy, efficient, cute, safe, professionally run racetrack. We are Chris Kotulak is the CEO of Fon- a proper racetrack. We are not a ner Park racetrack, and jumped at the carnival or a fair meet. Fonner Park chance to tell our readers a little bit opens nearly two months before our about the Nebraska track. Thanks for first race is run in late February and the enthusiasm.

CONGRATULATIONS to MIKE KEOGH, Aiken based since 1994, on being inducted in the Canadian Horse raCing Hall of fame. Aiken Trials March 13, 2021 www.aikentrainingtrack.com Train Here • Win Anywhere

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 33 Derby Memories Longtime attendees recall favorites, firsts from Kentucky’s race BY PAUL HALLORAN For someone who has been to 52 of the last 54 Kentucky Derbies, Billy Reed’s best story might be about one he missed. It was 1973 and Derby Day coincided with the presentation of the Sigma Delta Chi journalism awards in . Sports writers Reed and Jim Bo- Keeneland Library/Thoroughbred Times Collection lus were being honored for their investigative re- Secretariat’s historic Kentucky Derby victory in 1973 thrilled many, but sports writer Billy Reed missed it while accepting a porting on races that had been fixed on the Derby journalism award in Omaha. undercard the preceding year. They were receiving Reed was a senior at Transylvania University very sick. He and his brother, Dr. Ron Richard- the top overall award, and if you want to get an and assistant sports editor of the Lexington Herald son, drove to Lexington to pick up Stephens. They idea of the significance, two guys named Wood- when he went to his first Derby in 1966, won by brought him back to Louisville and admitted him ward and Bernstein finished second for exposing . He has chronicled it ever since in a ca- to Norton Hospital. shenanigans in a different race. reer that has seen him win multiple Eclipse Awards Stephens, who also had a Kentucky Oaks con- They flipped a coin to see who would travel and write a dozen Sports Illustrated cover stories. tender in Miss Oceana, was discharged Thursday, to accept the award. Bolus won the flip, so Reed “You can always find an angle at the Derby,” May 3. Friday, Miss Oceana lost the Oaks by a packed his bags. For true Kentuckians and diehard said Reed, who missed the 1994 Derby for his head to D. Wayne Lukas’ Lucky Lucky Lucky, but Derby devotees, being at Churchill Downs on the daughter’s graduation from Duke. “For me, unlike ’s Derby victory – the first for first Saturday in May takes precedence over almost the Super Bowl or World Series or bowl games, I’ve – was just what the doctor ordered, even if you everything, even winning a photo with Woodward never been disappointed in the Derby.” couldn’t tell by looking at him. and Bernstein. “Woody was still gray as ghost,” said Richard- “So, the morning of the Secretariat Derby,” Reed Healthy Obsession son. “My brother and I literally carried him to the recalled this week, “I was flying over Churchill For Dr. J. David Richardson, the Derby is more a winner’s circle in the infield.” Downs on the way to Omaha.” – or holy day, for that matter – than simply The $3,000 bet Stephens had on Swale must Reed met Bernstein when he got there – not sure an event. He and more than 150 family members have made him feel at least a little better. if he won or lost the flip with Woodward – and the typically gather for brunch at his home and then two struck up a conversation. As the day went on, head to Churchill. A Different ‘Angle’ each was preoccupied with something of significant “It’s a special time for the whole family,” he said. All eyes were on Secretariat as the chestnut colt consequence at home. Richardson was in junior high in 1958 when he roared down the Churchill stretch on the way to “We both kept running to the phone,” Reed went to his first Derby and saw wear the a record-breaking performance (1:59 4/5) in the said. “He was calling Woodward to see what was roses. He’s been to 43 straight and said the most 1973 Derby. going on with Nixon and I was calling Bolus to ask memorable experience involved a family mem- Well, not all eyes. about Secretariat.” ber, Woodford Cefis Stephens – you know him as Dr. Robert Copelan was in the stands that day Maybe you have to be a racing fan to perfectly “Woody” – who was Richardson’s father’s first and his binoculars were indeed trained on a horse understand that nothing trumps the Derby – even a cousin. trained by – just not the one you once-in-a-generation political scandal. Stephens, who had won his first Derby in 1974 would expect. That’s the effect the Derby has on people, espe- with , brought Swale into the 1984 Even though he had treated Secretariat, who cially those for whom it is not so much a major Derby off an upset loss in the Lexington Stakes at was bothered by an abscess in his mouth in the two sporting event as a way of life. Keeneland. The Lexington was run on a cold, rainy weeks prior to the Derby, Copelan was focused on “I always know where I will be the first Saturday day and Stephens came down with pneumonia. his stablemate, Angle Light, because of something in May. Now, I’m here, but the Derby won’t be,” Richardson, currently chief of surgery at Uni- that happened the day before the race. Reed said of the postponement to Sept. 5 due to the versity of Louisville Hospital, learned the day after Continued On Page 35 ongoing global health crisis. the Lexington that Stephens, 70 at the time, was

34 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 “I never saw Secretariat,” said Co- he has passed it on to his children, Seabiscuit fame, was sent to Kentucky pelan, a marvel who practiced veter- especially daughter, Kory, who is 25 from his Chicago base as a 2-year-old. Memories – inary medicine for exactly 65 years years old and has been to 25 Derbies, While he was gone, there was a fire Continued from page 34 – June 12, 1953 to June 12, 2018, re- though she thought her streak might that killed 22 of his barnmates. In the tiring at age 91. “My glasses were on end last year. 1947 Derby, he drew outside, was Laurin had asked the veterinarian Angle Light; I was hoping he didn’t “I had moved to Alaska and I was taken to the lead by and to give both horses a final once-over. bleed.” nervous that I was going to miss the held on to defeat by a head. When Copelan arrived at the barn, he Derby for the first time ever,” she These days Ellis, 88, is content met a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter, Family Affair said. “But my boyfriend, now fian- to watch the Derby on TV from his who asked him, “What’s that coming Trainer and lifelong Kentuckian cé, bought me a plane ticket to come Bourbon County farm where, he said, out of that horse’s nose?” Buff Bradley has missed only two back for it.” “I’m looking out at four horses that I The horse was Angle Light, who Derbies in the last 43 years – to run Kory, back working on the family used to train and I’m trying to outlive had upset Secretariat in the Wood in a high school track meet in 1981 farm, had a temporary panic attack them.” Memorial, and he was bleeding from and when he was working as an as- when she learned of this year’s post- Bill Landes, general manager of both nostrils. Copelan called Clai- sistant to Clarence Picou in Louisiana ponement to September. “I’m getting Hermitage Farm, went to his first borne Farm, where Laurin had gone in 1990. married in September,” she said, “but Derby in 1975 as a guest of Warner L. to check on some yearlings, and told “It’s the biggest day of the year my wedding is the last weekend and Jones Jr., who was running Hermitage him he should scratch Angle Light. for me,” said Bradley. “I remember the Derby is the first weekend.” at the time. Landes was catching the Laurin asked Copelan to break the watching Secretariat and I learned There’s even time for a honey- racing bug, and the Derby helped turn news to the owner, Edwin Whittaker, quickly what the Derby and the Triple moon. it into a high-grade fever. a Toronto-based electronics execu- Crown were all about.” “What a thrill for a 25-year-old tive. “His face turned white,” Cope- Bradley has been training since You always remember your first that was,” he said of watching Fool- lan recalled. 1993, but he is still waiting for his Ercel Ellis Jr. – owner, breeder, ish Pleasure give trainer LeRoy Jolley Whittaker asked the vet if anything Derby horse. That doesn’t dampen trainer, writer, broadcaster – went to his first Derby win. “I was horse cra- could be done. Copelan told him run- his enthusiasm for the spectacle that his first Derby in 1947 with his par- zy. It consumed me.” ning a horse the day after he bled – let is the Derby. “I think it might be more ents. His father managed Dixiana In 1977, Landes, who had come alone in the Kentucky Derby – was meaningful for somebody growing up Farm, which had Star Reward in the to Louisville to attend University of highly inadvisable, but Whittaker in the horse capital of the world,” he race. He ran a respectable sixth to Jet Louisville Law School, took a year pleaded and Angle Light ran. He fin- said. Pilot, who may have been destined to off from practicing law to learn more ished 10th of 13, beaten 20 lengths by Bradley inherited his love of horses win. about the horse business. Forty-three his stablemate the legend, and came from his late father, Fred, a consum- , bred by Arthur B. Han- years later, the barrister is still in the out of the race healthy. horseman and gentleman, and cock and trained by Tom Smith of barn.

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 35 Derby Delay Life in Louisville feels different without spirit of Derby in May BY JIM MULVIHILL Living in Louisville this week all I can think about is where I should be at any given moment. First thing when I open my eyes in the morning – I should be at the barns by now, chasing down trainers for quotes. At 9 a.m. – I should be in the track kitchen grabbing a breakfast sandwich and a horrible cup of cof- fee. At 10 a.m. – I should be heading to the Media Center to write some- thing about the works. At 11 a.m. – I should be covering the draw. At noon – I should be going to lunch at El Molcajete with Lucas and Aman- da and Kelsey. At 1 p.m. – I should Louisville resident Jim Mulvihill be flipping through the PPs looking Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire vation Army into my mouth during The mornings are as much a part of a typical Derby Week as the race itself. to bet on something. At 3 p.m. – I should be on the loading dock mak- the break. I’d like to be at the Amoss ing sure the Betting Guides arrived. barn saying hi to all of the New Orle- At 5 p.m. – I should be watching the ans media that love being here. races from the tunnel. At 7 p.m. – I I’d like to be in the paddock, sur- rounded by Thoroughbreds and jock- For more award-winning racing content, check out should be having drinks on the porch at Melissa and Kat’s rental house on eys and all the people who love them. thisishorseracing.com Central. At 8 p.m. – I should be en I’d like to be in Darren Rogers’ office, route to a dinner or a party. At mid- cracking up over the latest clueless re- night – I should probably be thinking quest left on his voicemail. I’d like to about how I really should be getting be in a box sipping mint juleps with my wife and some art-world luminar- home. ies who come every year but still can’t Alas, the one place I should nev- read the program. er be during a typical Kentucky Der- I’d like to be drinking keg beer out by Week is at home. From Opening back at Grant’s house with Tim and Night to the Sunday after, this week Beth and T and a bunch of friendly is the whole reason I live in Louisville people I see once every year and nev- and I always push myself to make the er quite manage to remember their most of it. I take a perverse pride in names. I’d like to be picking up my saying yes to every invite, getting up brother from SDF and reminiscing early, staying out late, sleeping as lit- about the first time we did this togeth- tle as my body will allow. Next week er, in 1999, long before I ever consid- this city goes back to being a perfectly ered that I might live here someday. fine place to live and work. But this I’d like to be at Juliet and Mathias’s week it is – or should be – pure magic. annual Derby Pie & Bourbon Party, Where else would I rather be right and yes, those two things are all they now instead of in quarantine writing serve. I’d like to be at any of the ga- at a folding table in my basement? las or parties that happen every year I’d like to be following horses at the – the Trainers’ Dinner, Jocktails, Taste gap by the McPeek barn, where you of Derby, et cetera. It doesn’t even re- see so much more and with far fewer ally matter what the event is; someone tourists. I’d like to be in the Rec Hall Continued On Page 37 stuffing Krispy Kremes from The Sal-

36 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 was, my wife and I were on the couch watching Tiger King. We heard some Delay – pops in the distance, loud enough Continued from page 36 that I asked, “Were those gunshots?” Then there were more pops, and then just offered me a ticket so I’m there. massive booms much closer to our I’d like to be having a nightcap at The street. It was 9 p.m., two Saturdays History Lesson Back Door with everyone else who before the first Saturday in May, and wishes it could always be this week. it finally dawned on me that all over Mining gems from Ky. Derby past When I moved to Louisville six years town citizens were setting off their ago I worried that Derby might not own pyrotechnics, in tribute to the BY PAUL HALLORAN C. Nicholson’s comprehensive “The seem as special. In fact, the opposite cancelled show. Kentucky Derby,” Byrnes reasoned is true. Being here for the buildup you Last night I drove my car for the Had the 146th Kentucky Derby that with the U.S. still entrenched in get to see how much this race means to first time in a week, to carefully toss been run as scheduled Saturday, it World War II, racing was not an es- the city. So much of Louisville’s iden- some mail in a drive-through slot at would have marked the 16th time sential activity. tity is borne in our Derby traditions, the post office. It was 9:30 p.m. and the race was on May 2. Fortunately, Germany would even for those residents who never Bardstown Road was nearly desert- Some notes on previous May 2 soon surrender and, three days after go to the track or wager a dollar on ed. The weather was immaculate (of editions: V-E Day, racing returned in May. anything. It’s the onset of spring and course) but all of my favorite neigh- • Elmwood won the 1904 Derby, The Derby was run June 9 be- the whole , borhood spots were closed. the only Missouri-bred to win it. fore a crowd of 75,000, who wa- with concerts by the river, the mara- I keep wondering what I should • picked up gered $2,380,796 on the Churchill thon, the steamboat race, the parade, do this Saturday to occupy myself. I the second of his four Derby wins card. Hoop Jr. gave , culminating with house parties on can’t pretend it’s any other day. There aboard in 1959. who shares the record for Derby Oaks and Derby days and two nights will be a Derby this year, eventually, • ’s triumph in 1987 wins with , the third of when the city suspends last call until 6 and it will have a worthy winner. But gave trainer his only his five. On the same day, war hero a.m. The Derby sustains the economy, I’ve already accepted that most of my Derby win and jockey Chris McCa- Gen. George S. Patton Jr. was hon- giving many beloved small businesses friends won’t come to town, and we rron his first (of two, ored with a homecoming parade in one huge month that can carry them won’t gather at restaurants and bars came next in 1994). downtown Los Angeles. through the leaner stretches. on Frankfort Avenue and Bardstown, • While Lil E. Tee pulled off a About 110 miles north of Los An- Louisville without the Derby is or dance with sweaty crowds at any 16-1 upset in 1992, ’s finish geles, Army Air Corps private Rob- Pamplona without the Running of the late-night soirees. It will, however, all was even more shocking. The 4-5 fa- ert Copelan listened to the Derby on Bulls or Munich without Oktoberfest. come back in a year or two. Louis- vorite finished eighth, his first loss in the radio while working in the Offi- For most natives the unofficial ville will make sure of it, because this eight starts. cer’s Mess at Minter Army Airfield start to Derby season is Thunder horse race is our culture. And when • Shh. In 1998, gave in Bakersfield. He heard that the Over Louisville, the largest annu- it does come back, God help me, I’ll Bob Baffert back-to-back Derby winning owner was Fred Hooper, al fireworks in the country, sleep even less. wins. Baffert has added three since. who struck Derby gold with his first always scheduled for two weeks be- • Borel guided 50-1 shot horse. fore Derby but postponed this year Jim Mulvihill, a former member up the Churchill Almost 30 years later, Copelan, to August 15. Two weekends ago, on of the editorial team at The Saratoga Downs rail and completed a last-to- who went on to a distinguished 65- a night like every other night of late, Special, is senior director of betting first run to shock the world in 2009. year career as a veterinarian, oper- one where we probably couldn’t have information at Churchill Downs Inc. Enough about May 2. This year’s even told you what day of the week it ated on Hooper’s standout mare, Derby is scheduled for Sept. 5, the 1972 Kentucky Oaks winner Susan’s third time it is not run in May and Girl, whom he recalled had broken a the first since 1945. If you’re look- sesamoid in her left front ankle. The ing for the significance of that date injury was serious but Susan’s Girl in racing history, start with the recovered and returned nine months 2009 Woodward, the day that, in later to win the Grade 2 Falls City the words of the incomparable Tom Handicap at Churchill Downs in Durkin, “ raises November 1974. Susan’s Girl ended the rafters at the Spa.” her career with 29 wins and $1.25 The 1901 Derby was run April million in earnings. 29 and won by , rid- In 1980 Susan’s Girl, who had den by , who would been bred to Tri Jet, a turf star also win again in 1902 aboard Alan-a- treated by Copelan, produced a foal. Dale, marking the last time an Afri- Hooper named the horse Copelan, can-American jockey has been victo- and the equine version was also rious in the Derby. a star, winning seven of 17 starts, In 1945, horse racing nationwide including the Sanford, Hopeful, was shut down Jan. 3 by James F. Champagne and Fountain of Youth. Byrnes, the director of War Mobi- Seventy-five years ago, the Der- lization for the country (and future by was delayed by war; this year, by secretary of state, who, ironically, pandemic.Who knows what 2095 In April, a video board at Churchill paid tribute to UPS staffers working during the pandemic. was born May 2). As noted in James will hold.

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 37 Barry Bornstein Trainer Mike Keogh watches horses train at Aiken. Hanging in There Keogh enjoys Canadian Hall honor BY SEAN CLANCY best horses so it’s nice to get in there with them,” Keogh said. “Plus Play If Holly Robinson and Tracy At- The King, it’s really cool we’re both tfield say you’re OK, then you’re OK. getting in at the same time. He was a Put it in the drawer, filed, forever. It’s beautiful horse, he was unbelievable, that simple. Those stalwarts of char- one cool dude. He could take a nice acter judging (and character) have al- hold, he was very competitive, but he ways said Mike Keogh is OK. was a gentleman.” Better than OK. On April 7, the Sounds like Keogh. Woodbine-based conditioner was Growing up at the home of the Ep- elected to the Canadian Horse Racing som Derby in England, Keogh fell for Hall of Fame for a stellar career that racing, rode jump races before visit- has produced three-time Grade 1 win- ing his sister and her husband in Can- ner Langfuhr, Canadian Triple Crown ada in the mid-1970s. He was hooked winner Wando, Queen’s Plate winner and looking for a way to stay but kept Woodcarver, Sovereign Award winner getting turned down for a visa. On Mobil and countless other stakes win- one of his visits, he heard that trainer ners. Private trainer for fellow Hall of J. C. Meyer had a knack for getting Famer Gustav Schickedanz, Keogh Europeans into Canada. Keogh visit- joins several of his runners, his boss- ed the future Canadian Horse Racing es, his friends, in the Hall of Fame. Hall of Famer. The following spring, As a bonus, Play The King, will be Keogh was here to stay. inducted sometime this summer (the “March the 3rd, 1977, I arrived in date is pending due to coronavirus re- Canada,” Keogh said. strictions). Keogh, galloped the cham- Keogh galloped horses for Mey- pion sprinter for Roger Attfield. er for a few years, worked for Mike “I’m very honored to make it, I Doyle in his first year as a trainer trained for Gus Shickedanz for all my at St. Lucie Training Center (now training career, he’s in there, Langfuhr and Wando are in there, two of my Continued On Page 39

38 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 S.C. during the winter and winning big races at numbers have been going down gradually. It was Woodbine the rest of the year. tough to watch the babies get sold.” Keogh – “I trained at the farm for quite a while and I got Ever an optimist, Keogh found a way to keep the Continued from page 38 him convinced to let me take a couple of stalls at Schickedanz legacy going. the track, like a real smart guy, now I’m working at “I ended up getting a couple of us together and Payson Park) before hooking up with John Tamma- the farm and working at the track, so much extra we bought one of them,” Keogh said. “She’s a real ro where he galloped Deputy Minister. Yeah, that work,” Keogh said. “I had the old brick barn next nice filly, too. It’s a really good family. She’s by Deputy Minister. to Buddy Raines’ barn, I had five stalls, I had Lang- Langfuhr, one of his last crop, out of a mare named Always wanting to become a trainer, Keogh fuhr there when he was 2 turning 3.” Sweet Bama Breeze, a City Zip mare, she’s been a found his way to Hall of Fame trainer Roger At- It worked. great producer.” tfield where the likes of Izvestia, With Approval Langfuhr, a hombred son of Danzig, made his Of course, she has. Recently, Keogh has been and Play The King taught him everything else he career debut at 3 in April, 1995. He won that day battling prostate cancer. I finally stuttered out a needed to learn. and another eight times, including Grade 1 tri- question about his health. “I wanted to apprentice under somebody like umphs in the Vosburgh, Carter and Met Mile to “I’m doing pretty good, thanks Sean,” Keogh Roger because I always had great respect for him,” finish his career and further bolster Shickedanz’s said. “I was just at the oncologist, everything’s pret- Keogh said. “I knew I couldn’t go out as a public breeding empire. ty good. Hanging in there.” trainer because I just couldn’t afford it. Gus was “He was unbelievable,” Keogh said. “The best I “Like all of us,” I said. looking for a private trainer and I applied for the ever trained.” Keogh laughed. job, luckily, I got it.” For 27 years, Keogh and Schickedanz did it their By the end of the conversation, the 63-year- Next stop, Hall of Fame. way, choreographing a quality over quantity ap- old horse trainer was dreaming about a daughter Keogh began training for Schickedanz in 1993. proach that yielded 330 wins and over $21 million of Langfuhr, his other 14 horses at Woodbine and “Great horses,” Keogh said. “Gus was just a in earnings. Schickedanz, a self-made man who had reminiscing about old friends, former trainer Rob- wonderful man, a gentleman, a man of his word. escaped the Russians in World War II, died at 90 inson and tech tycoon, Attfield. Lifers, legends. And also, our farm manager, Lauri Kenny, just a last summer. “We’ve had a lot of fun over the years,” Keogh great guy to work with, I honestly believe if the “His family doesn’t have any real interest,” Ke- said. “They’re special.” farm manager and trainer don’t get along, you ogh said. “All the yearlings got sold last year, the Just like Keogh. won’t have any success. Lauri has always been be- hind me 100 percent.” Old school, Schickedanz, Kenny and Keogh For more award-winning racing content, check out formed a formidable team, spelling older horses and teaching young horses at the Aiken Training thisishorseracing.com Center and on Shickedanz’s farm in Springfield,

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 39 2020 Hindsight IN CELEBRATION OF THE SARATOGA SPECIAL’S 20TH SEASON Founded in 2001, The Saratoga Special has covered plenty of great horses and people and we’ll bring you some highlights during our 20th season. First up is something from Year 1, a conversation with jockey the day before he rode Point Given to victory in the .

Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001. Riding A Star. Stevens awed by power of Point Given.

BY SEAN CLANCY Gary Stevens walked out of the jocks’ room on Friday agitated. First he did a TV interview where the interviewers asked him more dumb ques- tions than a mother after a high-school dance. Then he tried to call his agent, his wife, anybody and couldn’t get any service on his Nokia cell phone. In the middle of all this, three fans asked him to sign a couple of programs and a poster. Then ask him about Travers favorite Point Given. Nothing like being carried away by a good horse. Sit down on the top of a picnic table under the trees at Saratoga.

What do you think about tomorrow? is how it all starts. “There’s been a lot of questions, from the naysayers, about the Haskell. That it wasn’t impressive and he’s wheeling back in three weeks. This horse has thrived on being drilled. The more he runs the better he gets. Bob had to stop on him after the Belmont because of the hind foot, he walked for 24 days and we really weren’t planning on running in the Haskell. “We kind of had to do a rush job. The Travers had been the goal, they bumped the purse up and it was like boom you’re running. I felt like if they were going to beat him they were going to beat him in the Haskell. Bob was real uptight before the Haskell and it made me uptight. I think we both knew in the back of our heads that he wasn’t wound up 100 percent. “I know publicly he’s said in the last seven, eight days that we were going to run but privately we’ve known since he came back from Jersey and we saw what he did when he got home that he was going to run. But we wanted to make sure all systems were go. I feel very very confident. I’m excited. “The Haskell, I was like, ‘are we all right here? Are we all right?’ But he got the job done. He’s come back home and he’s thrived. When I saw the picture of him getting off the van and he had his ears up, I was like ‘oh yeah we’re all right.’ I feel very very confident. If he shows up the way I think he’s going to show up then it’s going to take something really really special to beat him.”

Stevens is just rolling now. The agitation or what- Getting chills? Yeah, they’re going around. But who ful that he’s going to hurt himself playing. But he’s ever it was is gone. He’s a boy talking about a horse. is Point Given? We see a giant horse winning every- not doing it in a mean way, he’s not trying to hurt “People ask me all the time what makes him thing but we’re in the stands. His personality? anybody. If he ever decided that he wanted to hurt so special to me, why do I think he’s such a great “He’s just like his old man. Thunder has somebody or got mean then shame on everybody.” horse? He gives me an overwhelming feeling of con- stamped his offspring. I’ve ridden quite a few of fidence when I’m riding him. When I turn down the his babies and they’re their own men and he was OK, but where does that come from? backside I blow up, like, ‘how good is this?’ I smile like that. There’s a fine line between asking them to “ was like that. I remember early to myself. I’ve ridden some great horses that have do something and telling them do something. You in his 2-year-old year, he was lugging in all the way given me a feeling like that. But I’ve never ridden don’t tell these horses to do anything. And with his at Aqueduct. He won by a head and I never let him a horse that gives me a feeling like he does when strength and his size, he’s a little different to handle run. He was basically running off with me. Then he’s on his game, I feel like I can beat anybody or than some of them. If you ever got him upset you I went to and Mike Smith was riding that he can beat anybody. It’s just a great feeling of could do some serious damage. What he does in the power. morning is game time. He’s playing. We’re all fear- Continued On Page 41

40 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 Now that’s what riding horses is all about. Right? Point Given – “It’s why I came back. I missed Continued from page 40 that feeling of… that feeling of power… not so much me but liv- him, he’d win by a head and he ing that power through the horse. was constantly leaning on horses. That’s why I came back. Every Seemed like he was doing anything day is a blessing. People ask me to tease the competition and just how much longer I’ll ride. These get up and win. Point Given has things (knees) will tell me when that same kind of temperament. it’s over. I don’t know if it’s to- It’s all a game to him. Bob and I morrow or three months from both feel like he still hasn’t put it all now or three years from now. But together. Thunder Gulch put it all every day that I get to do what I together on Derby Day, he turned did today is a blessing. I’m just into a man that day. Point Given is enjoying it and having a really so gifted to me that I don’t think good time. It’s way easier now. I we’ve seen the best of him yet. Not consider myself semi-retired. I try that he’s not a true race horse but to hit every big event I can and I when he decides to go on and do really enjoy it.” what he’s supposed to do, that he truly doesn’t want to toy with the Back to the big horse. Does he field anymore, it’s going to be scary. Tod Marks know who you are? Like the Belmont, what he win by Point Given (7) and Gary Stevens break from the gate in the 2001 Travers Stakes. “I’ve been around two horses 13 lengths or whatever? And trust Back to Saturday. Is there any way for this horse to that I won’t go around their stall. me the last eighth of a mile he was not running. He get beat? How can this horse get beat? Period. Point Given and . They hear had his ears up and was fooling around. I felt like if “I’ve got to get him beat or the horse has to get my voice and they get antsy. I think that’s a good he beared down and gave everything then he could himself beat in some way. That’s my pressure, in thing. They associate me with running in the after- have done a Secretariat, winning by 25 lengths or noon, not a morning workout. That’s part of why I whatever. That’s the kind of horse he is.” knowing how good he is, but he’s so adaptable when he is on his game. I don’t think he has to be don’t work him in the morning.” Is that why you were hitting him all the way to the 100 percent tomorrow because I don’t think we’ve line? This is no criticism, just wondering, now that seen 100 percent of him yet. I expect to see a much OK, the million dollar question. If they blindfolded we’re talking and everything. better Point Given than we did in the Haskell. And you, spun you around, and gave a leg up. Would you “With the Belmonts of the last couple of years, really that’s not even running through my mind, I’m recognize him? me getting nailed on and me beating not seeing him getting beat. Every scenario I see has “Oh yeah. Definitely. From his stride. His balance. Real Quiet right on the money with Victory Gal- him in front and I don’t really want to go anywhere His size. Just how fluid he is. He wastes absolutely lop, I was seeing demons all the way down the lane. else.” no energy at all. Mainly his size. His withers and I was hearing things that weren’t there. My silks shoulders are so wide, I drop my stirrups three inch- were flapping and I was like ‘oh ----, somebody’s Wow, visions. How often? es longer on him. I don’t ride that short but I don’t coming. I peeked like this and I swear I heard some- “Every race I ride, buddy. It doesn’t always turn ride long either. With him, I drop them down three thing, I thought somebody was three of four lengths out like that but I have to truly believe I’m going inches and when I see pictures it looks like I have behind me, I thought it was probably to win or have a chance to win every race that I go them jacked up to my chest. That’s just his size.” still there. I took a peek at the wire and I didn’t out there. I have to make up some type of scenario see anything in my peripheral vision then I took a of how I can win that particular race. Fortunately So that’s what it’s all about? good look, I was like ‘----, you idiot.’ Because he with this horse I don’t have to make up that many “He’s one of a kind for me. When you’re a kid was loafing. He fired big with me off the turn when scenarios, it’s just there.” growing up you imagine yourself riding Secretariat I reached back and nailed him left-handed. He or or . This is my Secretariat. sprinted to the eighth pole then his ears started flut- We’re just bettors or fans or casual observers. To This is what I waited for. And don’t get me wrong, tering and he was just going through the motions. I ride the favorite in the Travers… I’ve ridden some great horses but this one is special.” was having nightmares of Silver Charm, little did I “You feel like a marked target. Everybody does Tod Marks know he was opening up on the field.” know where you’re at. You have to take that into consideration when you put yourself into a certain That makes sense. What about him? Does he know? spot in a race. The good thing about this horse is “Yeah, I think he knows. Good horses have a he’s so big and so intimidating that nobody wants certain presence about them. They get used to the to get in a bumping match with him. And he’s go- cameras. This horse has turned into a ham. He’ll ing to win every bumping match that he gets in. If stop and pose for pictures. John Henry was the you get in a spot that you need to get out of, you same way. Silver Charm got like that. I think they point him a little bit and the horse next to you is in- know they’re special. I really do. People ask what’s timidated. I truly believe that horses do intimidate the aura with these horses that you talk about. Well other horses. When he looks them in the eye, they that’s the aura. Unless you’ve ridden those kind of know. Winning Colors had that, even though she horses you don’t know. You can’t explain it to peo- was a filly. Silver Charm had that, and this horse ple, they’re like ‘all bull.’ Well it’s there.” has it.”

Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 41 inthepaddock BY TOM LAW The Trail’s End Traditions are on hold everywhere. Arkansas Derby and I’ll hear it. You always stop. It We can all blame the coronavirus pandemic for kind of gives you goosebumps.” that, the outbreak’s insidious reach extending into Liane Crossley, a former colleague who worked every corner of the world, killing more than 60,000 in the Oaklawn publicity staff for Oaklawn’s long- in the United States and affecting every way of life. time legendary announcer Terry Wallace in the Everything feels on hold, canceled, postponed or 1980s, can relate to Hoyt’s pause at the big moment. operating in some bizarro way no one could have “I even remember there was an Oompah Band imagined just three months ago when the Kansas that played from the infield on Arkansas Derby City Chiefs topped the San Francisco 49ers to win Day,” said Crossley, now a publicist and turf writer the Super Bowl. Everyone knows this of course. living in Lexington. “They’d come onto the track, But what did your Easter look like? lederhosen and everything. They’d come on track Drive through church, worship via Zoom? before the last race. They’d play Auld Lang Syne Brunch with those you’re holed up with, or perhaps while the horses were in the post parade. During the even solo because you’re in self-quarantine? Easter Justin Manning/Eclipse Sportswire nine years I was there . . . even if I was in the middle Dinner the same way? A walk around the neighbor- while the fans sing the song, too. They just look of something I’d say, ‘Wait, wait, the horses are on hood – for the umpteenth time since stay-at-home at the crowd and the crowd always freaks out. It’s the track for the Trail’s End.’ I always really enjoyed orders or isolation suggestions went into effect in right after the Derby. It’s a tradition, and basically that. That’s how I remember it.” March? Yeah, we can relate. Who can’t? the horsemen’s way of saying, ‘We’ll be back.’ They Most everyone remembers it that way, and One tradition that might not be altered comes love us here. It’s crazy.” they’re all hopeful for a return to its former rendi- Saturday, after the second of two divisions of the Oaklawn’s winter-spring meet continued in the tion come 2021. Arkansas Derby is complete and following a stretch midst of the pandemic – Arkansas ranks toward the Moquett doesn’t have a runner in the 2020 field of three consecutive graded stakes on Saturday’s bottom of all states affected by coronavirus – but topped by last-out winner Carlos Sixes, Magic Vow loaded Oaklawn Park card. limited its live cards to essential personnel and no and Dangerfield. The trainer won it in 2007 with The Trail’s End always ends the meet in Hot fans in mid-March. The track’s casino is closed, too, Humble Chris, a then 6-year-old Arkansas-bred Springs and it’s slated to end it again Saturday, with but the Racing Festival of the South rolls on. Count gelding by Forever Dancer for Bowman Couch Rac- a twist. the Trail’s End in the festival. ing. The $50,000 starter allowance at 1 3/4 miles Jennifer Hoyt, Oaklawn’s media relations man- “He was my marathon champion,” Moquett drew a dozen entrants, including two-time defend- ager, said that even though the track’s bugler was said. “An Arkansas-bred that just kicked their ass. ing champ The Rouge Diesel, and goes as the 14th among those laid off due to the economic crunch of For a mile-and-a-half he was a bad boy. race at 7:14 p.m. local time. The twist comes in the crisis the song would still be piped in for those “It’s the kind of race you want to be in and be what happens before the race, during the post pa- watching via simulcast. there for. It doesn’t matter, when we ran second to rade. “All of our fans will still be watching, just American Pharoah in the Arkansas Derby I wanted Every year before the Trail’s End and with the through TV,” Hoyt said. “It’s usually quite a thing. to be there when they did the Trail’s End. It’s kind of horses on the track, Oaklawn’s bugler belts out The crowds wait for it and sing along. It’s a tradi- like Oaks Day to Louisville, the locals’ day, a way of Auld Lang Syne. The horses don’t parade while the tion. We really stick to tradition here. Mr. (Charles) saying goodbye. This year will be a little strange, the song goes – like they do in say, the Kentucky Derby Cella started giving out Arkansas Derby ties and we first time that the horses are not going to face any for My Old Kentucky Home – but instead stand and are continuing that. Everybody in the race will get crowd . . . I’m sure they’ll play the song, I just don’t face the crowd. a Derby tie. know what it’s going to be like to be standing there “It’s how we say goodbye to the fans,” said train- “With the Trail’s End a lot of times I’ll be back with the horses facing the grandstand and nobody’s er Ron Moquett. “The horses . . . they stand there in my office transcribing notes and working on the in it.”

Let’s Roll from the Quarter Pole

Dennis Henry Lynch July 19, 1951 – May 1, 2020

Goodbye and rest in peace to one of our friends, faithful readers and loyal supporters, Dennis Lynch, longtime executive at Fasig-Tipton Co. We read the news Friday, from Dennis’ personal blog about his long battle with cancer simply titled “Updates on my journey.” Friday’s post read: “Husband, father, brother, uncle and friend he was this to all of us. He was also a man of deep faith in God. ‘Let’s roll from the quarter pole’ is something Dennis said many times when he wanted to get everyone moving in the same direction. Although we were not ready for him to leave us, Dennis was ready to move to heaven.”

42 The 2020 Special Saturday, May 2, 2020 cupofcoffee BY SEAN CLANCY Know Him In the ongoing, never-ending, sarcastic, sensa- There’s one at Saratoga, there’s another one coming or we had a runner in a big race, he made a real tionalist, one-upmanship of the Internet, the com- home from the track, there’s a perfectly framed con- effort,” Morley said. “You knew he was going to be ment has rung and stung from the beginning. formation shot… there every day. My riders liked Martin, everybody Does anybody actually know of anyone who has “I have countless photographs of Martin stand- liked Martin, he was just a mainstay of our barn. died from this virus? ing horses on the wash rack,” Morley said Thurs- It’s just…it’s just…he was just…he was just…I’ll I read it often at the beginning, less often lately, day. “I was just amazed how many times I had obvi- never, ever forget him for his smile.” but still, the vicious, malicious words come calling, ously called Martin to stand a horse up for a photo As ever, the transient nature of the racetrack has crawling from the naysayers, the hoax mongers, the to send to an owner. He loved his horses, he was added burden to the tragedy as Morley tries to com- callousness of social media, the ugliness of mankind. absolutely fantastic with young horses, big, burly municate with Zapata’s family in Panama. With an Yeah, I do. You do. Everybody does. Or will, colts, you were always confident to have him at the exercise rider as an interpreter, they share a laugh when it’s all said and done. end of the shank. that Zapata used to take care of a good horse in For Fiona Prine and a legion of fans and friends, it “He just knew how to Panama, Tom, Tom something, they can’t remem- was song-writing legend, John Prine. Her husband. do it. He was just one of ber. His brothers like that he worked for Tom, Tom Our God. Gone at 73. For Todd Wyatt, it was his those people.” something in America. father, his hero, James R. Wyatt Jr., dead at 83. For Yeah, one of those peo- On top of the language barrier, the distance el- my friend George Baker, it was his friend’s son, Lee ple. A small cog in the ev- ement, the lack of family close by, the worldwide Nurse, a cricket-loving 43-year-old, gone. For Tom er-spinning wheel of the pandemic has ripped away any natural healing pro- Morley, his team and for the com- racetrack. From a Pan- cess that man has leaned on for centuries. No gath- munity, it was Martin. Dark-skinned, wide-smiling, amanian racing family, erings, no service, no funeral, no hugs. And, some- naturally cordial, ever-present hotwalker, Martin friends with jockey Ricar- times, no news. Zapata. Dead at 63. do Santana’s family, Zapa- Zapata’s brothers have chosen not to tell their Those are a few we knew, victims of this dreaded ta made his way to Amer- 87-year-old mother. A heart condition, diabetes, she scourge. If you’re asking. ica and made a life here. has already lost one son. They can’t face it, can’t Zapata showed symptoms of COVID-19, tested He never stopped smiling. broach it, can’t risk it. positive, quarantined, got worse, went to the hos- Ask anybody, that was his “The hospitals in Panama are absolutely overrun pital, was on a ventilator for a week and was gone. signature. Dropping off at the moment and so his siblings have chosen not That fast. He tested positive March 24. He was The Special at Morley’s Saratoga barn, it was Zapa- to tell her yet for fear that the news could end up dead April 7. ta who greeted you, waved, smiled. Whether you hospitalizing her and you couldn’t take her to hospi- “It hit home of exactly how dangerous this thing were a paperboy or an owner, Zapata would emcee. tal at the moment,” Morley said. “It’s very difficult is,” Morley said. “That it could happen to one of “He was the doorman who always knew your for us not to be able to do something for him, it’s our own, that it could happen to a seemingly healthy name,” owner and consignor Kip Elser said. “He what everybody around the world is going through individual. He was 63 years old and never missed a was always there. Always smiling.” who lose someone, we can’t have a gathering or day of work. It’s hard on everybody who worked Yeah, he always showed up. Loved his job. anything for him. Normally, we’d have a memorial with him, everybody who knew him, everybody.” Brightened the world with as much flame as he at Belmont, or do something for him, have a proper Morley scrolls through his phone and there’s could light. Just a hotwalker, an immigrant with- goodbye. I was thinking of asking if we could have Zapata standing proudly with a big colt. There’s an- out any family here, a backstretch lifer, a New York a race for him…” other photo, his Panamanian hotwalker with a filly year-rounder, part of our world, our family. Make it a good one. on the apron at his Belmont Park barn. There’s an- “Some of these hotwalkers, they just come in and other one, Yankees’ hat wearing brother of six with go around in a circle and go home at the end of the • Morley has set up a GoFundMe page for Zapa- a 2-year-old who just shipped in from the farm. morning. When it was Martin’s turn to go racing ta at gofundme.com/f/martin-zapata

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 The 2020 Special 43 Thank You

Founded in 2001, The Saratoga Special celebrates its 20th season this year – in what form remains to be seen. Thanks for reading this May edition of The Special and an even bigger thank you to a loyal squadron of advertisers.

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The 2020