Kaplan stakes pair moved to Mott barn

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Racing can be a tough business, full of highs and lows that can strike at any moment. Just ask trainer Bill Kaplan.

On Sunday, Kaplan sent out the steadily improving Celestine to her second straight victory, an impressive 3 1/4-length triumph over odds-on favorite Isabella Sings in the one-mile Sanibel Island Stakes. Less than 72 hours later, Kaplan learned that both Celestine and Ekati’s Phaeton, who upset the Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes this winter, were being transferred out of his barn and into the care of trainer Bill Mott.

The explanation for the switch was a simple and very logical one, according to former trainer John Dowd, now the stable manager for Phaedrus Flights LLC, the owner of both fillies.

“Bill [Kaplan] did a great job for us with these fillies,” said Dowd. “But our plan was always to keep them at the track they are racing at, hence the reason they were here at Gulfstream Park all winter. But since they are not Florida-breds, there will be far more opportunities for them as the year progresses up north.”

Both Celestine and Ekati’s Phaeton were sent to Mott’s winter headquarters at Payson Park as a prelude to being shipped to Belmont Park later this month.

Kaplan, who trained 2011 champion female sprinter and Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Musical Romance, took the news well.

“Naturally, I’m disappointed to lose two fillies of this quality, but I completely understand the reason for the change,” said Kaplan. “I believe Kelly Breen had these fillies before I did, but he stables at Palm Meadows during the winter. So, they were sent to me because I was here at Gulfstream Park, and that’s the philosophy these owners embrace: to train the horses at the track they’re racing at. I’m just grateful to have been given the opportunity to help develop and train both of them here this winter.”

Elkins dies at 91

Kaplan also had to deal with bad news the previous week with the death of his longtime friend and owner Herb Elkins, who died at age 91.

Elkins, who had served as a board member of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, and his wife, Ione, owned or co-owned numerous stakes winners, the majority of whom were trained by Kaplan. That group included Seacliff, who swept all three legs of the 1995 Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder; Fortune Pending; Calder track record holder Castlebrook; and Ravensmoor.

“He was a tremendously loyal owner who was always willing to invest in horses and the sport,” said Kaplan. “He was a one-of-a-kind owner and meant a lot to Florida racing.”