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FLORIDA’S DAILY SALES DIGEST • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 Published by Florida Equine Publications Inc. SALE HEADLINES WWW.FTBOA.COM Global Market The OBS August Yearling Sale, which gets rolling with today’s select session at 1 p.m., boasts graduates that continue to win some of the world’s most important stakes races

By MICHAEL COMPTON The OBS August Yearling Sale has a history bursting with stakes winners at the highest levels dating back to the likes of Groovy and Florida-bred classic winner Silver Charm. Graduates of the sale have won major races across the country, in Dubai and at Royal Ascot, es- calating the August Sale from its regional roots to a global marketplace. This year’s renewal kicks off today with a selected session at 1 p.m. OBS set the later start to afford horsemen additional travel time to Ocala following weekend stakes races and to provide a longer in- spection period prior to the sale. The select session is followed by two open sessions on Wednesday and Thursday that begin at 10:30 a.m. A total of 751 yearlings have been cataloged for the entire sale with 188 head offered in the opening select session. The August Yearling Sale follows on the heels of a record-setting juvenile sale season for OBS. “The juvenile sales went very well,” said Tom Ventura, OBS president. “Success like that certainly helps the pinhookers. Since a portion of these yearlings will go to pinhookers, I expect they will be active this week.”

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CINDY MIKELL PHOTO OBS August WWW.FTBOA.COM • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 • 2 www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

OBS August from page 1 Springs bought five for $204,000 in the select along with Candy Ride (ARG), Elusive Quality, session and haltered 14 for $256,000 to lead Pulpit, Hard Spun, Congrats and Afleet Alex. OBS officials admit it’s tough to clearly as- all buyers in last year’s open session. Fashionable young sires represented with sess the yearling market based on initial of- All told, last year’s select session saw 114 yearlings include Curlin, Pioneerof the Nile, ferings this season, including the high profile horses gross $4,278,000 and average $37,526. Colonel John, Majestic Warrior, Tiz Wonder- Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale. That sale, The open session grossed $4,603,800 and av- ful, Dunkirk, Old Fashioned, Cowboy Cal, Mid- held, Aug. 6-7, saw gross prices decline 2.7 eraged $11,201 on 411 head sold. night Lute and Kodiak Kowboy. percent to $32 million. Aver- Graduates of the 2011 Au- Florida sires also are plentiful in the select age was off 6.3 percent to gust Sale are already making offering. Journeyman Stud’s Wildcat Heir, $299,065 and the median fell their marks on the racetrack. Awesome of Course, Teuflesberg, Exclusive 10 percent to $225,000. Last year’s graduates are off to Quality and Cowtown Cat, Stonewall Farm Horses sold rose 3.9 percent promising starts, scoring in Ocala’s Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), A.P. Warrior to 107, while the buy-back early maiden races at Arlington and Value Plus, Ocala Stud’s High Cotton and rate went up to 34 percent Park, Belmont Park, Calder, Bet- Montbrook, Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds’ from 22 percent a year ago. fair Hollywood Park, Saratoga With Distinction, Bridlewood Farm’s Put It “It is hard to gauge the and Woodbine. August graduate Back, Get Away Farm’s Two Step Salsa and market based on what we’ve Candy Coded Kisses notched a Vinery’s Pomeroy are among the Florida stal- seen so far,” said Ventura. “At victory in the recent Desert lions represented with yearlings. worst, the market has leveled Vixen Stakes, first leg of the Featured on the cover of this year’s open out and stabilized. Our num- Florida Stallion Stakes Series at sale is Florida-bred Jeranimo, the 21st mil- bers with this sale are inching Calder. lionaire from the OBS August Sale following forward. We have to have a ELEANOR HANCOCK PHOTO Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Sta- his victory in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1) little better sale than last Au- “The juvenile sales bles, Ciaglia Racing LLC & Rob at Betfair Hollywood Park. Sold by On Course gust.” Dyrdek’s Weemissfrankie, winner Sales, agent, at the 2007 OBS August Sale, Topping last year’s OBS went very well. Suc- of her first three starts, two in B.J. Wright’s Jeranimo is one of 122 August August select session was a cess like that cer- grade one company, is on the graduates who have won or placed in 230 filly by Midnight Lute pur- tainly helps the cover of this year’s select cata- stakes races since the beginning of 2011, ac- chased for $110,000 by log. With earnings of more than cording to OBS. SGV Thoroughbreds. Wood- pinhookers. Since a $500,000 to her credit, she was “We’re cautiously optimistic that the mo- ford Thoroughbreds, agent for portion of these sold by Summerfield, agent, at mentum from our juvenile sales will carry over CloverLeaf Farms, consigned yearlings will go to the 2010 August Yearling Sale. into this sale,” said Tod Wojciechowski, OBS the session topper. Leading “The select session has a director of sales. “We have a good book, the the way in the open session pinhookers, I expect slightly larger book this year,” buyers are here and we’re excited about the was a colt by Lemon Drop Kid they will be active said Ventura. “In both sessions sale.” consigned by Beth Bayer, this week.” we have a good mix of pedigree Conformation photographs of most of the se- agent, and purchased by Sal- and individuals, as well as some lected yearlings may be viewed on the OBS web- —Tom Ventura lusto/Albina, agent for high profile sires. I think when site at obssales.com. The sale will be streamed $105,000. prospective buyers evaluate these horses they live via the OBS website and also via The Blood- Nick de Meric, agent, led all buyers at the will be pleased.” Horse and Daily Racing Form websites. The cat- 2011 select session, taking five head for Some of the leading sires represented in alog can be downloaded for iPad use. For more $275,000. EQB Inc., Patrice Miller, agent, was the select session include Giant’s Causeway, information and to obtain the application, go to next with four purchases at $247,000. Adena Empire Maker, War Front and Kitten’s Joy, http://www.equineline.com/SalesCatalogApp/. WWW.FTBOA.COM • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 • 3 www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse MakingTHE Rounds

Compliled by Brock Sheridan

George Isaacs John Rio Beth Bayer Bridlewood Farm Buyer Beth Bayer Consignment I’m looking for a BROCK SHERIDAN PHOTOS I think we’re going to have a nice sale because good horses sell My expectations are good. The traffic has good sale. I think the trends around here will and from what I’ve seen, it appears there are been excellent and the quality of horses continue to point upwards because the 2- plenty of good horses. We don’t have any set matches the traffic so I’m pretty happy. We’ve year-old market was so strong and that can objectives, but we’ve seen some nice horses been busy all day. help this sale. Because Ocala has some of and those we like, we are going to try to get. the best pinhookers in the world, this is a market that can be driven by those con- signors and the success that they had earlier Lynn Rainbow this year.That’s what can make this yearling The Acorn LLC sale so unique compared to the others. You Xavier Moreau I think there’s have plenty of end-users here, but pinhook- Moreau Bloodstock been a lot of enthu- ers impact this sale and it’s looks like they’re I’ve been getting siasm overall. We’re all here looking. good feedback from pleased with the lots of people. I’ve numbers that are coming through the been hearing good things from people from barns. I think it is higher than we’ve had out of town, not just Ocala so I’m getting before. To be perfectly honest, the weather some good vibes. The catalogue looks good, has been very conducive to buying a horse especially some I’ve seen in the select ses- as well.The weather has been absolutely sion. So I’m hoping things are looking up. gorgeous for Ocala in August.

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FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND CONSUMER SERVICES AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-617-7341 • Fax 850-617-7331 Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President e-mail: [email protected] 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160 407 S. Calhoun • 416 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399 Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • [email protected] LIZ LAMONT PHOTO WWW.FTBOA.COM • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 • 4 www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

the Brock talk The Numbers Don’t Lie If one subscribes to the old adage that breds make up approximately 9.8% of the pop- their Grade 1 tallies. But the day also featured says numbers don’t lie, then Florida-breds had ulation at tracks today. The actual percentage graded stakes winners Mucho Macho Man notable success at North American thorough- of Florida-breds currently racing is almost cer- (Suburban Handicap [G2]), Emma’s Encore bred race tracks during the months of June tainly lower, but to make a point, we’ll stay con- (Victory Ride Stakes [G3]), Fort Loudon (Carry and July. servative and keep the number artificially high. Back Stakes [G3]) and Another Romance (Aza- That could be apparent to even the casual During the month of June, Florida-breds lea Stakes [G3])—all bred in Florida. observer of such things as runners from the won 19 stakes races. Using Daily Racing Form Yes it is without question that statistics can Sunshine State won two Grade 1 races in each as a source with an effort to delete all restricted be calculated, twisted and molded to say just month with Ron the Greek winning the Stephen and non-black type stakes, those 19 stakes win- about anything the author, mathematician or Foster at on Jun. 16 and Jeran- ners made up nearly 14% percent of all stakes marketer would like to convey. But these num- imo taking the Shoemaker Mile at Betfair Holly- winners in North America during the month of bers are all very much straight forward. Be- wood Park two weeks later. Then Musical June. cause of overnight stakes that may have been Romance won the Princess Rooney Stakes at Looking at graded stakes during the month written late or perhaps restricted stakes were and Race Course and Turbo Com- of June, we add Vagrancy Handicap (G2) win- not found, it is only fair to disclose that there pressor took the United Nations Stakes at Mon- ner CC’s Pal and Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) may be slight variances in the above calcula- mouth Park , both on July 7. winner Circle Unbroken to the list of Florida- tions, but it would be difficult to manipulate A closer look at other stakes results and bred graded stakes winners. In total, June fea- them too much one way or the other because breeding statistics however, accentuates the tured 33 graded stakes around the continent of of the simplicity of the calculations. point even further. which four (12.1%) were won by those bred in Regardless, it is difficult to argue that To determine what percentage of thorough- Florida. Florida-bred thoroughbreds continue to excel bred runners during those two months were July was even more impressive for Florida- above their counterparts foaled in other states. bred in Florida, we first assume that the vast breds. During the month there were 23 Florida- Not to say that Florida can compete with Ken- majority of thoroughbreds at the tracks today bred stakes winners that amounted to 14.1% of tucky on volume as the Bluegrass State pro- fall somewhere in the two to 5-year-old age all non-restricted and black-type stakes in North duces approximately 33% of the thoroughbreds group. Using that assumption and combining it America in July. Of the 57 graded stakes during in North America. But with the annual Florida Registered Foal Crop as the month, 13 were won by Florida-breds which when it comes to the published by the Jockey Club Fact Book, we see amounts to a whopping 22.8%—more than probability of a given that when those age groups were foaled, Florida double what would be expected by less than Florida-bred becoming a babies made up 11.8% of the North American 10% of the population. stakes winner compared crop in 2007, 10.2% in 2008, 9.2% in 2009 and There were ten Grade 1 stakes in July so the to those foaled in other 7.9% in 2010 (second in numbers and percent- victories by Musical Romance in the Princess states—at least in June ages to only Kentucky.) Rooney and Turbo Compressor calculate to and July of this year— Although the vast majority of thoroughbreds 20%—again more than double the expectation. the numbers don’t lie. racing today are ages two through four, we’ll The biggest day of the month for Florida- stay conservative on the high side and average breds was by far Jul. 7 when Musical Romance Brock Sheridan those four foal crop numbers to assume Florida- and Turbo Compressor took the headlines with Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Publications WWW.FTBOA.COM • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 • 5 www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse Little Mike Flawless In Victory By Brock Sheridan race was 2:02.44 as Little Mike ran the last Distance does not seem to factor into his success 1 Although Little Mike took a different rider into quarter of a mile in a rapid :22.50. too much. Both of those races were at 1 ⁄8 miles. the starting gate of the Arlington Million (G1), the “[Little Mike] was running very comfortable,” In his last race, he was third behind Florida-bred game plan was the same. So obvious was the plan Dominguez said after the race. “Turning for Jeranimo in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Betfair that the opposing jockeys were well aware that Lit- home when I decided to let him run, he beauti- Hollywood Park after a half in :46.40. He also won tle Mike would get the early lead in the $1 million fully started opening up. I wasn’t sure how slow the 2011 Canadian Turf (G3) at one mile after a race—but still they could do nothing to defeat him. we were going. I got him to the three-eighths half in :45.42 so he is capable of going faster early And that is the way Little Mike and jockey pole and he started to open it up. I tried to slow and winning. But give Little Mike a half in :48 or Ramon Dominguez executed the course of ac- him down [early], but [for the rest of the way] I so and he appears deadly. tion in the 1¼ mile turf race at Arlington Inter- was going to let him spring home. He galloped It was the eleventh win from 19 career starts for Little Mike who is trained by for Priscilla Vaccarezza of Parkland, Fla. The $570,000 first -place check in the Million makes Little Mike the newest Florida-bred millionaire with a career bankroll of $1,436,412. He also joins Ron the Greek as Florida-breds with two Grade 1 victories this year. Bred by Carlo E. Vaccarezza, also of Parkland, Little Mike will now be pointed to Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Nov. 3 as the Arlington Million was a “Win and You’re In” race. Entry fees to either the Breeders’ Cup Turf or Breeders’ Cup Mile and a travel expense allowance will now be paid to Ms. FOUR FOOTED FOTO Vaccarezza. “This is Florida’s horse. “This is Florida’s horse,” And I want to say that Dale said Carlo Vaccarezza, who Romans is not just my owns Frank and Dino’s trainer but my friend. He’s restaurant in Dearfield Beach Florida-bred Little Mike handily and Damiano’s restaurant in wins the Arlington Million. done such a tremendous job with Little Mike. A Boca Raton, Florida along with partner John Williams. national Race Course near Chicago. Little Mike home like a freight train.” great deal of credit also “And I want to say that Dale jumped out of the gate and went right to the lead It was the second Arling- goes to Jimmy Crupi.” Romans is not just my trainer —Carlo Vaccarezza from post position four with Wilcox Inn giving ton Million for Dominquez but my friend. He’s done such chase in second and Colombian racing third, who also won aboard Gio Ponti in 2009. Just as a tremendous job with Little Mike. A great deal of more than a length back, as they passed the Dominquez was elated with the way the Arling- credit also goes to Jimmy Crupi [of Ocala and grandstand for the first time. Just as fast as Lit- ton Million played out however, Kieren Fallon who gave Little Mike his early training.] tle Mike got the lead however, Dominguez was aboard Afsare felt nothing but frustration. “But I was also so happy to win the Arlington able to slow the Florida-bred horse into his win- “I knew what was happening [with eventual Million for America. Before the race, the [Euro- ning pace, going the first quarter mile in :25.10 winner Little Mike setting a slow pace]. But peans] were all so cocky saying they were going to and the first half-mile in :49.95. As if that wasn’t there was nothing I could do about it,” Fallon beat us. But Little Mike kicked [them into defeat.]” slow enough, they nearly put the field of 11 in- said. “I had to ride my horse to win, and there Little Mike ended a streak of eight straight wins ternational runners into a gallop as they finished was nothing I could do. I had to ride my horse by European-based runners in International Festi- six furlongs in 1:15.03 and the mile in 1:39.54. to win, and there was no pace.” val races at Arlington Park that also include the By that time the race was all but over as Lit- Pace is the key to success for Little Mike. In $750,000 Beverly D. (G1), $500,000 Secretariat tle Mike sprinted away from Wilcox Inn and his last five races going back to a Dec. 22 optional Stakes (G1) and the $400,000 American St. Leger Colombian as they turned for home. At one claiming race victory at , when Lit- Stakes. The last American-based horse to win a point in the stretch, Little Mike was more than tle Mike has been able to get to the half-mile pole Festival race was the Dale Roman’s-trained Paddy four lengths in front before eventual runner-up in :47.90 or slower, he has won. He went the half O’Prado who took the 2010 Secretariat Stakes. Afsare made his late run that fell short by a in :48.27 in winning the Grade 1 Woodford Re- Little Mike paid $9.80 for a $2 win ticket, length and one-half. Afsare was another length serve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs May 5 and $5.60 to place and $4.40 to show. Afsare returned and-a-half ahead of Rahystrada and Colombian, he went in :48.01 while winning the $150,000 $6.60 and $4.80. Rahystrada paid $4.40 to show who had dead heated for third. Final time of the Sunshine Millions Turf Jan. 28, also at Gulfstream. while Colombian returned $3.80 to show. WWW.FTBOA.COM • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012 • 6 www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse