GMB Racing looking for more prospects like War Tom, Lone Sailor

The plan Gayle Benson’s GMB Racing Stable hatched in 2014 still is active.

Benson is the wife of Tom Benson, the highly successful New Orleans businessman who owns the NFL’s Saints and the NBA’s Pelicans, and three years ago, the Bensons sent three New Orleans trainers – Tom Amoss, Al Stall, and Dallas Stewart – out to yearling sales to buy horses they would train. That first group of purchases included Mo Tom, Tom’s Ready, and Tom’s d’Etat, all of whom panned out nicely.

GMB’s nine 2-year-olds of 2017 have gotten off to an encouraging start, too. One of them, War Tom, makes his second start Sept. 20 at Indiana Grand after a promising debut there, Amoss said this week. Amoss also trains Lone Sailor, who is headed for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 7 after an 11-length maiden win at Saratoga on Sept. 3.

Both horses were purchased a year ago at Keeneland’s September yearling auction. Lone Sailor, who is by Majestic Warrior, was bought for $120,000 and War Tom, by Declaration of War, for $130,000. This September’s sale is ongoing, and GMB is back buying.

“They’re looking again right now,” Amoss said.

War Tom debuted Aug. 23 and closed with a flourish in a turf sprint to finish second. He was scratched from a Kentucky Downs maiden race last week because Amoss thought he needed more time, and War Tom will stretch out to two turns later this month.

Lone Sailor finished fifth Aug. 12 at Saratoga in his debut but moved far forward in his second start, which came going seven furlongs in the slop.