Florida

by Jessica Martini & Christie DeBernardis OCALA, FL - With a pair of seven-figure colts leading the way, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds produced a day of strong bidding Wednesday in Florida. During the session, 177 juveniles grossed $25,829,000 for an average of $145,927 and a median of $80,000. Through two sessions, 347 horses have sold for $48,388,000. The two-day average of $139,447 jumped 36% from last year's corresponding figure, while the median of $75,000 soared up 50%. The cumulative buy-back rate is 19.5%. With the...

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. California Track: Santa Anita Date: 02/25/2022 Licensee: Desiderio Orantes, groom Penalty: Suspension Violation: Failure to appear for hearing on disorderly conduct and animal welfare charges Explainer: Groom Desiderio Orantes, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of...

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program has opened a satellite facility near Ocala, Florida as it continues to expand its aftercare efforts. The nation's oldest and largest racehorse adoption charity now has nine facilities in six states. "Part of our long-term plan has been to open a facility near Ocala," said New Vocations' Program Director Anna Ford. "Three years ago, we were looking into it but then we got the call to open a facility in Louisiana. We put Florida on pause because the need was greater in Louisiana at that...

Trainer Harry Benson, former president of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBPA) and a multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, passed away Friday morning at age 88. Funeral services are pending. Benson saddled more than 500 winners over his six-decade career, including MGSW Proud Man. As president of the FHBPA, Benson was passionate regarding winter race dates between Gulfstream and Hialeah Park and led several caravans to Tallahassee to protest bills regarding Thoroughbred issues.

Pleasant Acres Stallions in Florida has announced their 2022 stud fees. The roster is headed by hard-knocking MGSW & MGISP Gunnevera (Dialed In), who will stand for $6,000. Graded winners Bucchero (Kantharos), Leinster (Majestic Warrior) and Breaking Lucky (Lookin at Lucky), as well as MGISP Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday) are next, each at $5,000. The rest of the roster: Amira's Prince (Teofilo {Ire}), Bellavia (Honor Code), Curlin's Honor (Curlin), Gone Astray (Dixie Union), Handsome Mike (Scat Daddy), Long On Value (Value Plus), No Never No More (Scat Daddy) and Sweetontheladies (Twirling Candy)...

Bellavia (Honor Code--Glacken's Gal, by Smoke Glacken) will stand at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Florida for the 2022 breeding season for a $2,500 fee. Raced in partnership by Bella Inizio Farm, Fred Rosen, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Randy Bradshaw, the 4-year-old retires with a record of 3-1-1-0 and earnings of $59,7000. The Jena Antonucci trainee's lone win was in a maiden special at Belmont in October of 2019. "At Pleasant Acres Stallions, we are always searching for the most impressive sire lines to bring to our Florida breeders," said...

Gilbert G. Campbell, who owned Stonehedge Farm South near Williston, FL with his wife Marilyn, died Thursday at Lowell General Hospital in Massachusetts following a brief illness. He was 91. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Gary and daughter Susan. Longtime Stonehedge Farm South manager, Larry King, said "He loved his horses and we inspected them all every time they came down, and he would say, 'I can't wait to see these run.' Marilyn is very involved and loves the horses and his wishes, which...

Tampa Bay Downs announced its third purse increase this season, which will go into effect with Saturday's card. Ongoing gains in simulcast revenue have led to another 10% boost, with an additional $2,500 for all allowance races and maiden special weights and $1,250 claiming and starter races. The increase amounts to approximately $15,000 more per day in total purse money. Tampa Bay Downs previously increased purses by 10% Dec. 16 and again on Feb. 3. Officials further postponed the track's annual Turf Sprint Showcase Day from Sunday to next Wednesday,...

GSW & MGISP Breaking Lucky (Lookin at Lucky--Shooting Party, Sky Classic) was represented by his first foal Jan. 29, a colt born at Blue Star Racing in Louisiana. Bred by 4M Ranch and Blue Star Racing, the colt is out of Anea (Unbridled's Song). "If there is one word that I can use to describe this colt, it would be strong," said Blue Star Racing Owner Dex Comardelle. "He is nicely put together, has all the right angles, has good bone, conformation, and lots of leg! If this first colt...

Danielle Dougherty's Stormborne Stallions has opened a new, 65-acre facility near Citra, Fla. The Marion County property will stand five stallions for the upcoming breeding season: Backtalk (Smarty Jones), Finale (Scat Daddy), Matanzas Inlet (Kitalpha), Rogueish (Into Mischief), and Young Brian (Hard Spun). All five stand for a fee of $2,500 each. "I am very excited about our new location and opening up the stallion shed in 2021," said Dougherty. "Our facilities are ideal for the upcoming season with a 24-stall barn for the stallions and a separate wing set...

Stud fees for Khozan (Distorted Humor), St. Patrick's Day (Pioneerof the Nile) and Fury Kapcori (Tiznow) well remain unchanged for 2021, Journeyman Stud announced Wednesday. Khozan will stand for $10,000, St. Patrick's Day for $5,000 and Fury Kapcori for $2,500. "We had so many requests for Khozan in 2020 that we were forced to turn away a lot of mares," Journeyman's Brent Fernung said. "Khozan certainly has accomplished enough to justify raising his fee for 2021 under normal circumstances, but with the current uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Crystal and...

Shivaree (Awesome of Course), who belied odds of 80-1 to complete the exacta behind future GI Belmont S. hero Tiz the Law (Constitution) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 28, worked five furlongs in 1:01.65 Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park in advance of the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland July 11. A homebred for Fred Brei's Jacks Or Better Farm, Shivaree required five starts to break his maiden, but has since proved he belongs in the 3-year-old discussion with a pair of stakes scores prior to his...