April 23, 2014 www.PaulickReport.com SPECIAL

A Failure to Communicate

By Ray Paulick

“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” to ask questions about the bills or treatments they are ultimately paying for. I recently heard of a very prominent That famous line from the classic movie “Cool Hand Luke” trainer who chastised an owner for having the audacity to applies to many aspects of our lives, including horse racing. call a veterinarian because of a question on a bill he’d just received. The failure to communicate between trainer and owner, in fact, has been something of an inside joke for many years. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be, says Dr. Jeff Blea, The late Hall of Famer Charlie Whittingham, who said the a Southern California racetrack practitioner and the presi- most dangerous thing in racing is an owner with a condi- dent of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. tion book, often joked that he treated his owners like mush- Blea describes the relationship and communications rooms. “Keep ‘em in the dark and feed a steady diet of ma- among owner, trainer and veterinarian like a triangle, with nure,” he would say. the vet responsible to both parties. The owner, Blea said, should have access to all treatment and medication infor- But it’s the owners who pay the bills, and failure by train- mation and feel free to discuss it directly with the vet. ers to communicate with them has driven more than a few owners out of the game. Continued on Page 5

Trainer Michele Nihei is the antithesis of old-schoolers like Whittingham. Nihei, a lifelong equestrienne with a PhD in neuroscience, left academia for the racetrack 13 years ago. She worked as an assistant for Todd Pletcher for sev- eral years before going out on her own in 2007. She com- municates everything to her owners.

“They know every single thing about their horses,” Nihei said. “Sometimes it’s painful for them to hear it, and it can be painful for me to tell them.”

That communication extends to the veterinarians that treat Nihei’s horses. “I always tell my owners and my vets they are free to communicate with each other,” she said. Some trainers don’t want their owners calling their vets

ASK RAY

QUESTION: Does it really matter that Churchill Downs is raising the takeout on bets?

ANSWER: What if a sale company raised its commission by as much as 3 percent (which is what Churchill Downs is doing on exacta payouts)? Would that affect your profit margins and would you and your partners be inclined to invest more or less in future purchases for pinhooking? It matters: wagering will decline.

OBS April 2.indd 1 4/21/14 2:22 PM www.PaulickReport.com Page 2 Stallion Spotlight Bellamy Road By Frank Mitchell

Commercial interest at the sales of 2-year-olds in training edge, and Bellamy Road’s fortunes slipped, too. The stallion is first determined by speed, then by physical appeal. Bel- had only 29 foals in his crop of current 3-year-olds, but his lamy Road was a classic prospect of such quality that he 2014 2-year-olds number 137, with 119 yearlings follow- brought experienced journalists from around the world to ing. see his effort in the Kentucky Derby. At that point, Bellamy Road had won four of his five starts, and his prep for the Those numbers are the tangible evidence of Bellamy Road’s Derby was a 17 ½-length victory in the Grade 1 Wood Me- resurgence as a significant stallion. The big, rangy and dark morial. Bellamy Road led all the way with fractions of :46.08 horse is a consistent sire of athletes that combine bone, for the half and 1:09.84 for six furlongs, with a clocking of scope, and athleticism with speed. That last component 1:47.16 for the nine furlongs. It ap- was not lost on the savvy horsemen peared to serious students of form who buy yearlings for resale at the that Bellamy Road had only to lope a in-training auctions; there are 21 10th furlong in :13 to win the roses juveniles by Bellamy Road here at easily. If only racing were that easy. OBS April. Among those are some highly promising lots who have Bellamy Road did make the lead be- shown speed in the brief trials that tween calls, then faded to seventh, form the basis for judging which in the Derby that Giacomo won in prospects are the most desirable 2:02.75. Bellamy Road came out future racing. The breezes indicate of the race with some issues, raced which horses are naturally athletic only once more, when a solid second and look like sound racers, although in the Travers, and entered stud as there are no graded stakes at these a horse who “might have been.” abbreviated distances. To his credit, the dark brown son of Bellamy Road himself came through Concerto had impressed horsemen the OBS April sale in 2004 when he was purchased by in Kentucky with his speed and stamina. As a stallion, Bel- George Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Stud for $87,000 out of lamy Road found a loyal following of breeders who wanted the Ocala Stud consignment, agent. So it is not a big sur- to add his size and scope to their matings. The results paid prise that the stallion gets good juvenile prospects. off on the racetrack, with such quality performers as G1 Wood Memorial winner Toby’s Corner, G2 Adirondack Several have worked well, and these include Hip 280, a Stakes winner Position Limit, G3 Lexington Stakes winner colt who worked in :10 1/5. Standing 16 hands already, All Squared Away, G3 Schuylerville Stakes winner Georgie’s this May foal appears mature and well-grown, with medium Angel, and other good graded horses. bone and substance. Another appealing prospect by the stallion is Hip 515, a filly with a huge shoulder standing 16 Those graded stakes winners came from the stallion’s hands and having great length through the body. PRS first two crops, bred just as the economy slipped over the

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OBS April 2.indd 2 4/21/14 2:22 PM www.PaulickReport.com Page 3 Honor Roll Fashion Plate Keeps Rolling on the Front End By Scott Jagow

wired the field of the Las Virgenes Stakes Feb. 1. “She went pretty quick, and I think that was a testament to her courage and ability that she was able to do that and sustain the run,” said Callaghan. An extra half a furlong proved no problem, either. In early April, Fashion Plate put on another gate-to-wire show in the G1 Santa Anita Oaks, beating Ria Antonia, winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Fashion Plate relaxed nicely up front for Stevens. “She was reminding me of (1988 Kentucky Derby winner) Winning Colors going down the backside. I thought if I can keep doing this… it’s going to be pretty special,” said Ste- vens. Named outstanding 3-year-old filly at the Santa Anita win- (2011 DK B, Old Fashioned -- Miss Puzzle (AUS), by Ci- ter meet, Fashion Plate appears to be the best West Coast tidancer (IRE)). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent, hope in the Kentucky Oaks May 2 at Churchill Downs. PRS to 2012 Keeneland September sale, purchased by Nick de Meric, agent, for $35,000. Consigned by de Meric to 2013 OBS April and purchased by Simon Callaghan for $340,000. ALL Bred in Kentucky by Springland Farm and Fox Hill Farms, NATURAL Fashion Plate actually first sold as a weanling at the 2011 Keeneland November sale for $75,000. She would even- Remarkable Products!! tually go for more than four times that bid as a 2-year-old Remarkable Results!! at OBS April. Despite her price tag, the filly showed little in her debut for owners Arnold Zetcher and Michael Tabor, finishing last of seven at Del Mar last August. By her third race, however, it was clear Fashion Plate was growing into a very promising From 2YO Sales to runner. She displayed her gift of speed, going gate to wire at Santa Anita in a 6 ½-length romp. the Triple Crown... Trainer Simon Callaghan was so encouraged that he took The advantage you her from maiden winner to Grade 1 in her next start. can’t do without! Stretching out to a mile under Gary Stevens, Fashion Plate

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OBS April 2.indd 3 4/21/14 2:22 PM www.PaulickReport.com Page 4

Back Ring The lighter side of Four Star Sales client recruitment agent “Deuce” Greathouse

What’s your favorite time of day on the farm? he ran in the Haskell. His first start was April 2 of his 3-year- I’d say turnout time. When you’re sending everybody out, old year, and his fourth start was May 1 in the Kentucky and they get moving in the field, you get a little more of a Derby. There aren’t many horses with the constitution to feel for them than in your standard conformation evalua- handle that and still come back to win the Haskell. tion. What do you do when you’re not at the farm or the sales? What’s the most important trait that you want to see in I’ve got a four-and-a-half-year-old little girl, so a lot of my time a good horse? is spent with her. I like bird hunting and golfing. A horse that gives you that feel of athleticism, not as a spe- cific conformation thing, or even mentality, but for some If you could change one thing about the business, what horses, as you’re writing your notes on them the word you would it be? keep using is “athletic.” Probably the fact that a very small group of people with a bad reputation allow non-horse people to stereotype the What is your biggest pet peeve? business as being a lot less transparent than it really is. Arrogance. What would you be Who’s your favorite horse who never won Horse of the doing if you weren’t in Year? the horse business? I’d have to be biased and say Wavering Monarch. I was very I’d probably be in New young, like three years old, when he was running, but even Orleans (I went to Tu- then I have vague memories of how big a deal it was when lane there) and I’d probably be in real es- tate.

What’s your proudest moment? I think just being in- volved with my uncle and my father in purchasing horses like Uncle Mo and Devil May Care that went on to do great things.

What’s the best advice you ever received? After you’ve put all the thought into something that it merits, don’t be afraid to make a decision, right or wrong. PRS

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PR Trivia: Know Your Florida Breeding History? By Mary Schweitzer

1. Many credit this horse for putting the Florida breeding program on the map in the 1950’s. Who is he? 2. The horse from Question 1 won two of the three legs of DON’T MISS OUR FIRST the Triple Crown. Which race did he not win? 2-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE! 3. Where did this horse stand during his stud career? 4.This farm sold its first crop of 2-year-olds in 1958. AUCTION: MON., ApR. 28 AT 10 AM 5.This stallion, which stood at Ocala Stud, was called “one BREEZE SHOW: SAT., ApR. 26 AT 10 AM of the most successful stallions in Florida breeding history. Name him. 6.Name two of this stallion’s best progeny. Also selling horses of racing age! 7.Ocala Stud bred and raised this recent champion. Name him/her. Look for Equine Sales Co. 8.What championship did this horse from question 8 win? graduate VICAR’S IN TROUBLE 9.What Florida horse farm was established by Donald in the Kentucky Derby! Dizney in 1983?

10. Name the horse that became one of Dizney’s first ma- Queen Steve Vicar’s in Trouble jor stakes winners. Equine Sales Co. 11. What two big Grade 1 races did this horse win during www.equinesalesofla.com his racing career? 372 Harry Guilbeau Rd. • Opelousas, LA 70570 • (337) 678-3024 12. What farm did Brent and Crystal Fernung establish in 1989? Continued from Page 1 13. The aforementioned farm stands many notable stal- lions; which one sired a Breeders’ Cup winner and cham- Nihei said some trainers may want to keep owners in the pion? dark because of the pressure many owners put on them to 14. What is the name of that Breeders’ Cup and cham- win as quickly and often as possible. pion? 15. Lambholm South was formerly what famous Florida “The first question many owners ask when a horse walks farm? into the barn for the first time is, ‘When will he get to a 16. The farm in question 15 produced three famous – or race?’” Nihei said. “The question they should ask is, ‘Is this possibly infamous – horses that ran in the farm’s silks in a horse that will take time or is it precocious?’ the 1960’s & 1970’s. Name them. 17. What famous horses were defeated by the horses “When you work for a breeder who is trying to make a from question 16? mare more valuable, they’ll often tell you, ‘Take all the time 18. Who trained those ‘giant killers’? that you want.’” Horses are competitive athletes and veterinary care and therapeutic medication are a necessary part of the sport. Answers “The horses with the most talent are the ones that need

the most help,” Nihei said, “because they try so hard.”

each beat Secretariat 18. H. Allen Jerkins Allen H. 18. Secretariat beat each Setbacks can be tough for owners to swallow, Nihei said,

(defeated by Beau Purple 3 times), Onion and Prove Out Out Prove and Onion times), 3 Purple Beau by (defeated adding, “The old adage that time heals all wounds is true.” Farm 16. Beau Pruple, Onion, Prove Out 17. Kelso Kelso 17. Out Prove Onion, Pruple, Beau 16. Farm

Awesome of Course 14. Awesome Feather 15. Hobeau Hobeau 15. Feather Awesome 14. Course of Awesome That’s one reason communication is key. “The owners feel stream Park H, Suburban H 12. Journeyman Stud 13. 13. Stud Journeyman 12. H Suburban H, Park stream

- Double Diamond Farm 10. Wekiva Springs 11. Gulf 11. Springs Wekiva 10. Farm Diamond Double the financial pressure,” she said, “and there is pressure

7. Musical Romance 8. Champion Filly/Mary Sprinter 9. 9. Sprinter Filly/Mary Champion 8. Romance Musical 7. on trainers who fear losing the horse to someone else. It’s

Stud 5. Rough’n Tumble 6. Dr. Fager and My Dear Girl Girl Dear My and Fager Dr. 6. Tumble Rough’n 5. Stud important for an owner to be able to hear the truth about 1. Needles 2. Preakness 3. Bonnie Heath Farm 4. Ocala Ocala 4. Farm Heath Bonnie 3. Preakness 2. Needles 1. PRS PRS a horse.”

OBS April 2.indd 5 4/21/14 2:22 PM www.PaulickReport.com Page 6 Five to Watch A look at the top OBS hips By Frank Mitchell

Hip 630 (Chestnut colt by Curlin x Silent Eskimo, by sire Gone West. This colt’s dam is a half-sister to Silver Eskimo): This colt prepped with a furlong work in :10 flat, Wagon, who was a G1 winner sprinting in the Hopeful at 2 although Horse of the Year Curlin is known more for the and later in the Carter. The second dam also produced mul- stamina of his offspring than raw speed. The colt is out of tiple stakes winner Rehoboth and is a half-sister to three multiple graded stakes winner Silent Eskimo, who has pro- stakes winners. duced a pair of stakes-placed horses. Silent Eskimo won the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn, among other important races. Hip 924 (Bay colt by Indian Charlie x Agatha, by Distorted Humor): Robust colt worked a quarter-mile in :20 4/5 and Hip 644 (Bay colt by Lord Shanakill x Singuna, by Black looked stylish doing it. He is by the late Indian Charlie, a lead- Sam Bellamy): There is no more exotic critter in Ocala than ing speed sire. The dam is a half-sister to three stakes win- this colt who worked a furlong in :10 1/5. He was bred ners, including Hishi Akebono, who was a multiple champion in Germany, and his sire was a Group 1 winner in France in Japan, and Agnes World, who won the G1 July Cup in who is a son of last year’s leading U.S. sire Speightstown. England and the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye in France. The dam is by a well-regarded racehorse who won around the world, went to stud in Germany, and is a full brother to Hip 925 (Bay colt by Majesticperfection x Aheadnotatail, Galileo. by Unbridled): Worked a furlong in :10 and is a half-brother to seven winners, all the mares other foals of racing age. Hip 667 (Gray colt by War Front x So Posh, by Gone The second dam is multiple graded stakes winner Highland West): This colt worked quickly and has the pedigree for it. Penny, and this colt comes from the first crop of foals by G1 He is a son of the hot young stallion War Front and is the winner Majesticperfection, who won the Alfred Vanderbilt first foal out of young mare by leading sire and broodmare at Saratoga. PRS

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