12 THE WOODFORD SUN, Versailles, Ky. April 12, 2012 opens Spring Meet

Gemologist wins Wood Memorial; earns Derby start

BY RICK CAPONE easily in the lead, with his ears WOODFORD SUN SPORTS EDITOR standing straight up as if he was out enjoying a morning There were three Kentucky run on the track. But, then, Derby prep races on Saturday, Alpha, another strong Derby KARLOVY VARY, right, won the Central Bank with a number of three-year- contender, came charging after (G1) this past Saturday, April 7, olds earning spots in this year’s him and got within striking the fi rst weekend of Keeneland’s 2012 Spring Meet. , which will distance of the lead. (Photo by Keeneland Photos) be run on Saturday, May 5, at Then, it happened. Just as BY RICK CAPONE . Alpha looked ready to catch up WOODFORD SUN SPORTS EDITOR It began at Aqueduct in New to him, Gemologist looked his York, where WinStar Farm’s rival in the eye and then dug It was a picture-perfect weekend for the opening of Gemologist set himself up as in, found even more speed and Keeneland’s 2012 spring meet, as fans fl ocked one of the top favorites, if not held off the defeated second- to the track to enjoy the races, which included two stakes the favorite, for this year’s place fi nisher to win the race races, the Transylvania Stakes (G3) and the Central Bank Kentucky Derby, with his by a neck, still with his ears Ashland Stakes (G1). impressive victory in the $1 standing straight up, as if it Opening day on Friday, April 6, featured the 24th million Resorts Word Casino was all very easy to do. running of the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes (G3). In the New York City Wood Memo- Gemologist fi nished the 1- race for three-year-olds, Silver Max went wire-to-wire and rial stakes (G1). 1/8-mile race in 1:50.96. Alpha cruised to a 5-1/2 length victory over Travel Advisory, the Then, in California later fi nished second, while Teeth of GEMOLOGIST, right in top photo, who is owned by largest margin of victory in the race’s history. Finishing in the day, I’ll Have Another the Dog came in third. WinStar Farm and was ridden by Javier Castellano, third was State of Play. earned his spot into the Ken- “I had a great trip,” said remained undefeated in his career, as he put on an Owned by Mark Bacon and Dana Wells, trained by tucky Derby with his win in the Castellano. “Turning for home, impressive performance to win the Wood Memorial Dale Romans and ridden by Robby Albarado, Silver Max $750,000 . he was looking around at the Stakes at Aqueduct in New York on Saturday, April 7, fi nished the 1-1/16 mile turf race in 1:41.81. Finally, Done Talking also horses. When I asked him, he Silver Max, who is out of Badge of Silver-Kissin Rene, over Alpha, left. (Photo by David Alcosser / Coglianese by Kissin Kris, now has three wins in nine career starts, earned a spot in the Derby with took off again. I like that. I was Photos) his win in the $500,000 Illinois concerned (when I saw Alpha with fi ve seconds and $169,475 in earnings. Derby (G3) at Hawthorne Race closing) because my horse was held off race-favorite and an- trained by Hamilton Smith and Then on Saturday, April 7, in another wire-to-wire Course. looking around at the crowd. other strong Derby contender ridden by Sheldon Russell, performance, Karlovy Vary, (photo above), pulled off an In the Wood Memorial, When he saw the horse coming, Creative Cause to win the Santa chased down Morgan’s Guer- upset and won the 75th running of the $500,000 Central Gemologist remained un- he took off again.” Anita Derby (G1). rilla in the fi nal strides to post Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) for three-year-old fi llies. Fin- defeated in his career after For WinStar Farm and Creative Cause finished the win by three-quarters of ishing second was Hard Not to Like, while race-favorite, putting on one of the best Pletcher, the teaming will be second in the race by just a a length. Finishing third was Stephanie’s Kitten, fi nished third. performances in this year’s a familiar one, as they won nose, while Blueskiesnrain- Hakama. Out of Dynaformer-The Right Pew, by Pulpit, Karlovy Derby prep races. the bows took third. I’ll Have Another, who Vary, who was ridden by James Graham, was 15.40-to-1 In the race, Gemologist with , who now Owned by Paul Reddam, is out of Broken Vow-Dixie at the start of the race. She was the second longest-shot in broke cleanly from the gate, stands at stud at the Woodford trained by Doug O’Neil and Talking, by Dixieland Band, the fi eld behind Goldrush Girl at 17.40-to-1, who fi nished then settled into third place, County farm. ridden by Mario Gutierrez, fi nished the 1-1/8-mile race seventh in the eight-horse fi eld. three-wide on the track, fol- With the win, Gemologist, I’ll Have Another, who is out in 1:53.88. He now has three Karlovy Vary ran the 1-1/16th mile race in 1:44.82 and lowing the race leader, The who is out of -Crystal of Flower-Alley-Arch’s Gal wins, two thirds and $381,200 improved her career record to three wins, one third and Lumber Guy, who would Shard, by Mr. Prospector, Edith, by Arch, now has three in earnings. $362,294 in six career starts. eventually fi nish fi fth in the has won all fi ve of his career wins in fi ve starts, one second The three-year-old also has The win gave trainer Rusty Arnold and Graham their eight-horse fi eld. starts and collected $784,855 and $634,000 in earnings. two Woodford County connec- fi rst win in the Ashland. They had come close in 2012 when Coming around the fi nal in earnings. Both I’ll Have Another and tions, as his sire, Broken Vow, It’s Tea Time fell just short of the win to . turn, Gemologist, under some In addition, with his second Creative Cause will now head stands at Pin Oak Stud, while With her Ashland win, Karlovy Vary earned a spot in urging from Javier place fi nish, Alpha also has to Churchill for the Derby. his dam’s sire, Dixieland Band, the , which should be her next race. Castellano, began to make enough stakes earnings to join Finally, Done Talking also stood at Lane’s End Farm be- “She’ll run in the (Kentucky) Oaks if everything is his move. As he entered the Gemologist in the Kentucky earned a spot in the Derby with fore being pensioned after the good,” Arnold said. stretch, he began to catch up to Derby. his win in the $500,000 Illinois 2008 breeding season. Sadly, Keeneland’s 15-day spring meet runs each Wednesday the leaders, and by the eighth Later in the day on Satur- Derby (G3) at Hawthorne Race at 30 years old, Dixieland to Sunday through April 27. Post time for the fi rst race pole, he took the lead. day, I’ll Have Another also Course. Band was euthanized due to each day is 1:05 p.m. Gemologist continued stamped his entry ticket into The 12-to-1 long shot, who the infi rmities of old age on down the stretch, running the Kentucky Derby when he is owned by Skeedattle Stable, April 7, 2010. WOODFORD FEED CO. Old Friends returns to Woodford County 498 Lexington Rd. • Versailles 873-4811 Complete line of Horse Feed & Supplies

HORSE STORIES ABOUND AT OLD FRIENDS. Summer Attraction follows his pal Dustin, top left photo, as the two explore their new home on the day they arrived at Old Friends in Midway earlier this year. A little later, Michael Blowen gives Summer a carrot, top right photo. Summer is one of Michael’s favorite retirees. He trained the horse over 10 years ago at Suffolk Downs, and their reunion was special. Kent Ralstin and his faithful buddy, Shane, right photo, perform their daily rounds together at both Old Friends’ farms. Sea Na- tive, bottom right photo, came to Old Friends thanks to an “amazing letter” his owner Angela Black wrote to Blowen. (Photos by Rick Capone)

BY RICK CAPONE Ring, Ruhlmann, Taylor’s his wife, Missy), and one thing “That’s what makes this WOODFORD SUN SPORTS EDITOR Special and Riva Way came led to another, and here we sport so great,” Blowen said. to the farm. are,” he said about how things “You have all these amazing This Saturday, Old Friends, After two years at Hurst- came about to lease the land at stories about these horses. the retirement land, Blowen began looking Merefi eld Farm. No matter if they won the farm founded by Michael for a permanent home for Old So, this Saturday, Old Kentukcy Derby or they just Blowen in 2003, comes full Friends, and in July 2006, he Friends at Merefi eld Farm, won a claiming race at Suffolk circle and returns to its roots purchased the 52-acre Dream which is already home to 25 Downs.” with the grand opening of a new Chase Farm in Georgetown. , will hold its One example is Sea Na- farm in Woodford County. Today, Old Friends has 92 grand opening, and Blowen tive, a Thoroughbred that With its main facility lo- acres after Blowen purchased could not be happier coming found a home at Old Friends cated at Dream Chase Farm 40 more acres behind the home to Woodford County. thanks to his owner, Angela in Georgetown, Blowen leased farm, and is home to 49 Thor- “When we fi rst moved here Black. “Rhett,” which she 120 acres from Ron and Missy oughbreds, and one loveable (to Kentucky), we lived in affectionately calls him, was Maclin at Merefi eld Farm on miniature horse, Little Silver Midway and we have a lot of an off-track Thoroughbred Lansing Lane in Midway so Charm, who thinks he owns friends in Midway,” he said. (OTTB) she purchased in the on him. She’s perfect.” had taken care of Summer) and it could expand and add more the place and is a fan favorite, “We’ve gotten tremendous hopes of retraining him to be a Added Black, “Michael is she told me that he was ready Thoroughbreds to its roster. especially with kids. support (from all the merchants hunter/jumper. Unfortunately, such a kind man with a big to retire,” Blowen said. But, “We had horses on some Along with Blowen, Old and residents). Wallace Station injuries forced his retirement heart for these horses. I will she added, “If I wanted him other farms (in the area), and Friends is run entirely by donates a hundred pounds and she had to fi nd him a new admit, losing my horse was to retire to Old Friends, we I wanted to try and consolidate volunteers, except for Sylvia of carrots a week. The Grey home. such a heart-wrenching thing had to take his pal, Dustin, so as much as we could,” Blowen Stiller, the farm’s offi ce man- Goose, 815 Prime have always “Selling him was not a good for me. Rhett was my equine I said, ‘Sure.’” said. “We needed more room ager, and Janet Beyersdorfer, been very supportive for what option for me, as I wanted a soul mate. But as I drove off A few days later, Blowen because of the demand – be- who along with Kent Ralstin, we’re trying to accomplish. I good home for him and I had no with my empty horse trailer I took Summer and Dusty cause people want to give us manage and take care of all the also think, on a practical side, guarantee he would not be sold could tell Old Friends was the off of the trailer at the Old horses.” horses at both farms. they know that Old Friends again,” she said. “I had heard perfect place for Rhett and if he Friends farm in Midway and Old Friends was founded in In addition, in 2009, Old will bring visitors to downtown of Old Friends through a fellow was happy, I was happy. (And), watched, with some tears in 2003, after Blowen read about Friends opened up a satellite Midway that will, hopefully, horsewoman who had visited each time I have returned for a his eyes, as the two happily the death, by slaughter, of 1996 farm in Greenfield Center, spend money in the stores and the farm on a recent vacation. visit he has seemed truly happy. galloped around their new Kentucky Derby winner, Fer- New York, called Old Friends: restaurants.” I (also) had heard it was easier Has he forgotten me? I don’t home together. dinand, in Japan. After reading The Bobby Frankel Division, Visitors to Old Friends at to get your child into Harvard think so. Every time I return for “He still comes when I ask that, Blowen, a former movie which is named after hall of Merefi eld Farm will get to see a than it was to get your horse a visit he has always greeted him too,” Blowen said with a writer for the Boston Globe, fame trainer Bobby Frankel. wide variety of Thoroughbreds into Old Friends, but I gave it me with that hearty deep nicker smile. “He’s just a marvelous was determined to fi nd a way to All told, Old Friends is now at the farm, from great champi- a chance.” that (horses) seem to reserve horse. He earned every penny retire not only Thoroughbreds, home to 119 horses. ons and sires, like Wallenda, a Thankfully, it all worked for their favorite humans.” and every day of his retirement. but stallions, something that However, Blowen still four-time graded stakes winner out and Sea Native came to Then there is the story of He’s great.” had never been done. needed more room for all the and second-place fi nisher in Old Friends. another equine retiree named Old Friends opened after retired horses on the farm’s the 1993 “When she (Black) fi rst Summer Attraction, a horse For more information Blowen leased 20 acres at roster, plus the 60 to 80 horses at Keeneland; to Canadian made the request for Sea Native Blowen had trained and raced about the grand opening Afton Farms in Midway, and on the waiting list. Horses of the Year Thornfi eld to come to Old Friends, I didn’t at Suffolk Downs over 10 years of Old Friends at Merefi eld retired his fi rst horse, a mare Then, one day while driv- (1999) and Benburb (1992); have any room,” Blowen said. ago. Blowen loved the little Farm, see John McDaniel’s named Narrow Escape, to the ing around, Blowen saw a sign to hard-running geldings like “I couldn’t say yes. I really horse and, after he retired him, Midway column on pg. farm. about land available for lease in Riva Way, whose sire is Tin- wanted to, but I couldn’t. And he found Summer a good home 10. A year later, Blowen needed Midway. Since he always loved ners Way, who is retired at then she wrote me one of the as a lesson horse for kids at a Tours of the farm will more room, so he leased land Woodford County, especially Old Friends in Georgetown. most amazing letters I’ve ever farm in New England. be given this Saturday from at Hurstland Farm in Midway Midway, which is where he and Even more interesting is that gotten – I still have the letter Over the years, Blowen 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Visitors to expand. Before long, Old his wife, Diane, fi rst lived when Riva is also a direct descendant – explaining why we should do had lost track of Summer. He can ride by van to the farm Friends’ roster included the they moved to Kentucky, and of Triple Crown winner Sec- it, and why it would be impor- couldn’t get in touch with the from 8:15 Prime at 131 fi rst two Thoroughbred retirees where Old Friends fi rst started, retariat and Kentucky Derby tant to her, why it’s important person he had given him to, East Main in Midway. In that Blowen was able to get he decided to make a call. and winner to him. It was brilliantly done. and so he resigned himself addition, tours will be back from Japan, Sunshine “I saw a sign over there Riva Ridge. So, then, we worked over time that his former little horse was given on Sundays in April Forever and . Then, that they were leasing land, But, according to Blowen, to fi nd a spot, and we did. She’s probably dead. at 1 p.m. two other horses returned from and I talked to Janet, and then what makes Old Friends spe- the perfect owner. She visits Then, out of the blue earlier Please call for reserva- Japan, Fraise and Ogygian. In I called Ron Maclin (owner cial are the stories behind the him. She donates money. She this year, his phone rang. “I got tions at 502-863-1775. addition, Estrepade, Special of Merefi eld Farm, along with horses. takes care of him. She dotes a call from Faith Perini (who