SPECIAL March 18, 2015 www.PaulickReport.com

Sales Legends: Harry Mangurian By Natalie Voss

It’s incredible to think of the impact one afternoon of bore- While attending a 1972 auction at Hialeah, Mangurian dom can have on the course of a sport’s future. In the case bought the mare Desert Trial from the dispersal of Mu- of Harry Mangurian Jr., it was boredom that prompted him riel Vanderbilt Adams and thought so much of the mare to wander into Bay Meadows one day in 1946. Mangurian that he also paid $40,000 for her 2-year-old filly by In Re- and a few of his Navy buddies were on shore leave and look- ality. The filly turned out to be Desert Vixen, who won six ing for something to do. He didn’t walk into another track Grade 1s with trainer Tommy Root, Sr. Voters gave her until 1948, when he happened by Arlington Park on the day two Eclipse Awards for her 3- and 4-year-old seasons, and of Citation’s American Derby. Those two experiences stuck she was inducted to the National Museum of Racing and with young Mangurian for some 20 years before he bought Hall of Fame just five years after her retirement. his first horse. The foal Desert Trial was carrying at the time of her sale, Mangurian was born in 1926 in Rochester, N.Y., to Ar- a full sibling to Desert Vixen, became Valid Appeal. The bay menian immigrant Harry Sr. and Ethel Roberts, who ran did not parallel his sister’s success on the track, earning a retail furniture business. After World War II broke out, eight wins from 36 starts; his impact was in the breeding Mangurian enlisted as soon as he was of age and served shed. There, he was a foundation stallion for Mockingbird three years in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Upon his return to the East Coast, Mangurian went to work in his continued on Page 5 family’s business and expanded it by the 1960s, opening more than a dozen stores with 300 employees and eventu- ally taking the company public. Mangurian parlayed his new fortune into more business ac- BREED WITH quisitions, including the formation of Drexel Investments, a NO STUD FEE Florida real estate construction and leasing firm which built OWED UNTIL SALE. 10,000 residences throughout the state. He purchased the First National Bank of Rochester and Southeastern Jet Corporation, though sports fans will remember him best as the owner of the Buffalo Braves and then the Boston FIRST MONEY GOES TO YOU. Celtics. Finger Lakes Racetrack opened its doors in 1962, and the prospect of having racing close by to his New York home STUD FEE PAID renewed his interest from those bygone days at the races. FROM PROCEEDS. Mangurian bought his first racehorse in 1966 and his first BETTER THAN A farm—the former Tartan Farm in Ocala—three years later. FOAL SHARE. He renamed the operation Mockingbird Farm and used it BETTER THAN PAY OUT as a base for his commercial breeding and racing stable. OF PROCEEDS. YOU KEEP THE REST. Within a few years, Mockingbird was in the winner’s circle. It’s simple. Breed. Sell. ASK RAY If you don’t profit, you don’t pay. SHORTCOMINGS QUESTION: What’s this about Shared Belief rac- ARE FORGIVEN. ing next in the Charles Town Classic? I thought he was going in the .

ANSWER: Trainers of good horses know never to make a The Breeders’ Farm commitment to a handicap race until the weight assignments 859-294-0030 | 888-816-8787 www.spendthriftfarm.com come out. You’ve got to make sure the racing secretary knows you have options. www.PaulickReport.com Page 2 Stallion Spotlight Speightstown By Frank Mitchell

It takes little imagination to envision a champion sprinter as ing four, one ran a furlong in :10 2/5, and three worked a leading sire. Racers of that ilk have speed; that’s a cham- quarter-miles. One in :20 4/5 and two in :21 1/5. pion sprinter’s calling card and one of the most desirable traits in a sire prospect. That’s the consistency breeders dream of. As a champ on the track, Speightstown has the speed and Part of the reason for Speightstown’s success is physique has proven vastly popular with breeders. A top sales year- and part is genetic. The 17-year-old son of top sire Gone ling and a great-looking horse, Speightstown won 10 of 16 West is out of the Storm Cat mare Silken Cat, and he com- starts and earned more than $1.2 bines the most prolific male lines million. of Mr. Prospector and with the unerring brood- The only surprise in a salty race re- mare contribution of . cord is that Speightstown won his first stakes at 6, when most top stal- As a result, Speightstown is fre- lion prospects are already at stud. In quently seen with recombinations that championship season, Speight- of these famous lines. In the case stown won five stakes, including the of the stallion’s Hip 62, which was , True North, Vander- one of Speightstown’s four work- bilt, and Breeders’ Cup Sprint. ers who sped the furlong in :10, the dam is Dance Swiftly, a stakes- Sometimes a nagging afterthought producing daughter of the North- like not winning a stakes till 6 will ern Dancer stallion . have a chilling effect on breeders and taint a horse’s opportunities. But not An unraced mare, Dance Swiftly is so with Speightstown, who has stood his entire career at a full sister to the splendid cham- WinStar and has been strongly and pragmatically promot- pion mare Dance Smartly, winner of the Canadian Triple ed by WinStar and Taylor Made. Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Dance Swiftly has produced two stakes winners, Paiota Falls and West Coast Today, Speightstown is a well-established stallion and lead- Swing, the latter by Speightstown’s sire Gone West. ing sire who stands for $80,000 live foal in 2015. Dance Swiftly is out of champion Classy ‘N Smart, dam Further proof of Speightstown’s standing with breeders of four stakes winners, also including leading sire Smart and buyers is seen in his offspring at the Ocala Breeders’ Strike (Mr. Prospector), who has several hot prospects in Sales Company’s March auction of 2-year-olds in training. this sale. And this is the sort of family that regularly fill the The stallion had a dozen youngsters breeze at the March book of leading sires like Speightstown, which guarantees sale previews, and even more impressively, four went in :10 them the best chances of reproducing success. flat, and four more ran a furlong in :10 1/5. Of the remain- PRS

10-70% off MY Up to 28% off Up to 40% off ADVANTAGE Exclusive Member Up to 15% off Up to 30% off Discounts Call us toll-free at 866-678-4289 or visit NTRAadvantage.com. www.PaulickReport.com Page 3 Honor Roll Proved His Mettle on the Track By Mary Schweitzer

was sound and with a good attitude and temperament.”

Itsmyluckyday was purchased by trainer Eddie Plesa, Jr., on behalf of David Melin at the OBS March sale. Under Plesa’s tutelage, Itsmyluckyday broke his maiden in his sec- ond career start and then was quickly moved into stakes company. The colt won Calder’s Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash and Foolish Pleasure Stakes as a juvenile.

As a sophomore, Itsmyluckyday proved to be the real deal, winning both the Gulfstream Park Derby and G3 before finishing second to future winner, , in the G1 .

After the Florida Derby, Churchill Downs appeared to be the logical next start for the colt. Although fortune didn’t smile upon him on the first Saturday in May, Itsmyluckyday 2010 Dkb/br Colt, — Viva La Slew, by Don- bounced back to finish second to in the G1 Preak- eraile Court. Consigned by Brandywine Farm, agent, to ness two weeks later. 2011 Sept., purchased by Nick J. Hines for $47,000. Consigned by Eisaman Equine to 2012 OBS Itsmyluckyday missed the remainder of his 3-year-old sea- March Sale, purchased by Eddie Plesa for $110,000. son when he was pulled up in his next start, the G3 Pega- sus Stakes, with a fractured ilium. Itsmyluckyday was a model of consistency throughout his racing career, winning nine of 21 starts and finishing in the The son of Lawyer Ron returned to the races as a 4-year- money 15 times. A stakes winner from ages two through old and quickly developed into one of the top older horses four, Itsmyluckyday was classic-placed at three and cap- of 2014. Itsmyluckyday broke through for his first Grade 1 tured the Grade 1 as a 4-year-old. victory in August as he took the Woodward Stakes by 1 ½ lengths over Moreno. Itsmyluckyday was from one of only two crops sired by 2007 Eclipse Champion Older Male Lawyer Ron before Itsmyluckyday is standing his first season at stud at Spend- his untimely death in 2009. Bred in Kentucky by Libera- thrift Farm in Kentucky. PRS tion Farm and Brandywine Farm, Itsmyluckyday sold as a yearling at Keeneland September to agent Nick Hines for $47,000 then reappeared as a $110,000 pinhook in the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. About “What I remember most about him, he was always a very good student,” consignor Barry Eisaman recalled recently. “Very healthy, always did everything asked, a good mover, For advertising inquiries please call Emily at 859.913.9633

RANDOM FACTS Ray Paulick - Publisher [email protected] by Ray Paulick Emily Alberti - Director of Advertising [email protected] Scott Jagow - Editor-in-Chief [email protected] “Thirty Tons a Day” is an entertaining memoir of racetrack ownership written by the Mary Schweitzer - News Editor [email protected] late Bill Veeck, better known as a creative, Natalie Voss - Features Editor [email protected] offbeat marketing genius during his days as a Major Emily White - Weekend Editor [email protected] League Baseball team owner. The book title is based Frank Mitchell - Contributing Writer on the amount of manure and waste produced daily at COPYRIGHT © 2015, BLENHEIM PUBLISHING LLC Suffolk Downs in Boston. www.PaulickReport.com Page 4

Back Ring Getting to know Al Shaqab Racing advisor Bradley Weisbord

What would you be doing if you didn’t work in the horse quarter pole home. That’s a feeling that you can’t get any- industry? Real estate development. I went to school for it where else in the world. at the University of Wisconsin business school’s real es- tate program. I like the idea of building something – a big What gives you hope for project, to try and make it successful. I thought I had an the future of ? interest in real estate until I got involved in horses. There’s a lot that gives me hope. We have a product You’ve just been named the all-powerful horse racing that wealthy people love. czar. What are the first things you’d do? The first thing Not many wealthy people I would do is try to clean up the sport; establish uniform can afford to buy their medication policies for every racetrack. The second thing own sports teams. But a I would do is try to create bigger racing days. Less racing lot of them can afford to overall but bigger days. I think bigger days, lots of stakes buy racehorses. So at the races and attendance helps sell the sport and should af- ownership level, I think rac- fect gambling handle. ing has something other sports don’t have. They can What’s your favorite part of the business? The people. capture somebody’s brain I love the morning chatter. I love dealing with owners or and heart that other things in life can’t do. When you turn clients. I love winning races. The thrill of winning a big race on your boat or fly your airplane I don’t think that gives as and being there. And it’s not after the wire, it’s from the much excitement as winning a horse race. From an owner- ship standpoint, that is crucial. Fans love to gamble on a product that is interesting, that creates large payouts. It’s not a football game, it’s not red-black, it’s not rolling dice. You have to have some intelligence and you have to study.

Favorite racetrack? Saratoga. The history, the old grand- stand. Sitting in those boxes and winning at probably one of the hardest meets in the world to win at, especially a baby race.

Best racetrack food? None.

What is your best characteristic? Enthusiasm. Some- NEW DATE OCT. 4th, 2015 times it’s a negative. I don’t like to lose, but I’m an enthusi- astic positive person.

What do you appreciate the most in friends? Honesty.

Favorite sports team? Philadelphia Eagles.

Last concert you went to? Jay-Z, with Graham and Anita Mixed Sale – Motion. Horses of all Ages FEATURED Do you have a go-to app on your smartphone? Uber. YEARLING If it comes down to the University of Kentucky and Wis- SESSION consin in the NCAA basketball tournament, who do you like? Wisconsin. Last year I had to watch Aaron Harrison hit that prayer three-pointer (to beat Wisconsin) sitting at 2829 South MacArthur Blvd., Dudley’s in Lexington wearing a Wisconsin jersey. Oklahoma City OK 73128 There’s no worse feeling than getting beat at the buzzer 405.682.4551 in Lexington rooting for the Badgers. This year we’d play www.heritageplace.com email: [email protected] in the semi-finals. I hope Wisconsin beats UK to get to the finals. PRS www.PaulickReport.com Page 5

continued from Page 1 as the sire of Grade 1 winners K.J.’s Ap- peal, Proud Appeal, The Perfect Trip and Southern Ap- peal, as well as stal- lions Valid Expecta- * Depart USA 12th June tions, Valid Wager, Seacliff, and Mister Jolie. * Arrive in Paris-Charles de Gaulle. His experience as an Visit Chantilly training center. owner on the court taught Mangurian to Keeneland Library/John C. Wyatt Prix de Diane 14th June appreciate his suc- Visit Le Havre, Siyouni, cess on the racetrack. Kendargent etc. “In basketball, if you sign a Larry Bird or an M.L. Carr or the right coach, you can turn a team around pretty quick if you set your mind to it,” he told the Louisville Courier- * Arrive in London. Journal in 1979. “But to win the Kentucky Derby, you have to be very, very fortunate.” Royal Ascot meeting 16th-20th June He also learned what can be the bitter lesson of the com- mercial breeder when he sold eventual Visit Frankel, Dubawi, winner Gilded Time at auction for $80,000. Dansili, New Approach etc. “It was a business decision pure and simple,” he said at the end of the horse’s Breeders’ Cup-winning season in 1992. “I get a kick out of breeding a good horse, and I * Arrive in Düsseldorf. am really pleased when buyers do well with my home- Visit Dabirsim, Lord of England, breds.” Maxios, Soldier Hollow etc. All the time, Mangurian was expanding Mockingbird— the property went from 300 acres to 1,100 during his ownership, and it was a prolific enterprise with 300 * Arrive in Dublin. broodmares by 1990 and four stallions. At some point, Mangurian decided he’d rather not send his horses Visit Galileo, Lope de Vega, Mastercraftsman, through someone else’s sale and helped found the Ocala Sea The Stars, Invincible Spirit etc. Breeders’ Sales Company. By his death in 2008, Man- gurian had left his mark on the business that he loved; Irish Derby Festival he served on the Florida Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for 30 years, garnered an Eclipse 26th-28th June Award of Merit in 2002, and was inducted into the Calder Race Course Hall of Fame in 1995. Mangurian was twice named Breeder of the Year by the Thorough- bred Owners and Breeders Association and received numerous regional awards for his work in Florida. He also left the sport with one of today’s top trainers: Mark Casse managed Mockingbird Farm early in his ca- reer and looked back on the time as a great learning experience. Contact Alix Choppin with any questions and to organise your trip. Tel +33 624 331 189 “Besides my father, he was the most influential person in [email protected] my life,” Casse told the Ocala Star-Banner upon Mangu- rian’s death. “And the older I got, the wiser he became. www.destinationeuroperacing.com Many of the things I’ve done in my life are because of the things he’s told me. The world has lost a great man, but I lost a great friend.” PRS www.PaulickReport.com Page 6

Five to Watch A look at some of the sale’s top hips By Frank Mitchell

Hip 308 gray colt by Congrats x Night Edition, by Ascot (Saint Ballado). Sire is known for quality of his fillies, includ- Knight: This colt in the stylish gray outfit is a half-brother to ing Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. G1 winner Jaycito (by Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gal- lop), winner of the Norfolk Stakes at 2, as well as being Hip 510 dark bay colt by Congrats x Turko’s Turn, by second in the Del Mar Futurity and Strub. Colt is by the Turkoman: This February foal is by leading freshman sire A.P. Indy stallion Congrats, already the sire of G1 winners Congrats (A.P. Indy) and is a half-brother to Horse of the Turbulent Descent, Wickedly Perfect, and Emma’s Encore. Year Point Given (Thunder Gulch). Turko’s Turn has also produced three stakes-placed runners and the dam of G3 Hip 351 bay filly by Bernardini x Pure Clan, by Pure Prize: stakes winner Street Story (Street Cry). As the sires indi- This January 10 foal is out of the very talented racemare cate, this family has responded well with matings to classic Pure Clan, twice a winner at the G1 level and an earner of stallions. nearly $2 million. In addition to winning the American Oaks and Flower Bowl, Pure Clan was second in the Breeders’ Hip 585 bay colt by Tiznow x Baffled, by Distorted Humor: Cup Filly & Mare Turf, third in the Beverly D and Kentucky This bay blazed a furlong work in :10 flat, which made a lot Oaks. Filly is by Preakness winner Bernardini, a leading son of heads turn because he is a half-brother to a pair of stakes of A.P. Indy. winners, all out of a young Distorted Humor mare. The colt’s most famous sibling is last season’s G1 Florida Derby and Hip 360 gray filly by Medaglia d’Oro x Quiet Dance, by this year’s G1 Donn winner Constitution (Tapit), and the oth- Quiet American: This filly went a furlong in :10 2/5, which er stakes winner is G3 winner Jacaranda (Congrats). This didn’t separate her from dozens of other sharp works progressive colt is by Horse of the Year Tiznow, twice a win- that day, but her pedigree does. She is a half-sister to four ner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The dam is a half-sister to stakes winners, including Horse of the Year Saint Liam G1 winner Emcee. PRS

TDN RISING STARS In As Many 2 Weeks

3yo colt DONWORTH (pictured) overcame traffic trouble to break his maiden at first asking Saturday at Gulfstream, becoming a new .

3yo colt KENTUCKIAN also won his debut the prior Saturday, rolling to an 11-length victory in 1:08 4/5 at Golden Gate to become a .