Lone Rock waiting for spot at Old Friends

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Lone Rock, the top-class marathon runner who was retired over the summer, is on a waiting list to join his fellow retirees at Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky., according to his longtime trainer, Robertino Diodoro.

Lone Rock, a multiple Grade 2 winner of $1.4 million, raced some at Oaklawn during his career and in December 2021 captured the local Tinsel Stakes. He now lives on a farm not far from the track.

Old Friends admits approved horses as space permits, said Barbara Fossum, who is the organization’s horse intake manager.

“We have a lengthy waiting list,” Fossum said. “We have accepted him for entry. I can’t tell you when. It will probably be late spring or early summer. It’s not an exact science.”

Old Friends recently received some new horses, with Noble Indy arriving from Puerto Rico in what was a “long-term project,” Fossum said. Alpha has come from Brazil, and Jack a Rose has just arrived after being on the waiting list since last spring, she said.

As for Lone Rock, he’s enjoying his time in Arkansas.

“He’s doing quite well,” Diodoro said. “He still loves peppermints. When you pull up, he knows it’s peppermint time.”

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