Popular New York-bred Say Florida Sandy dies at 24

Say Florida Sandy, whose long and consistent career on the New York circuit made him a fan favorite and an honored New York-bred, died on Wednesday of an apparent heart attack at a farm in Central Kentucky, according to the owner of the retirement facility Old Friends, which managed his post-breeding career. Say Florida Sandy, retired since 2003, was 24.

Say Florida Sandy had 33 wins, including 17 stakes, from 98 career starts, mostly on the New York circuit, with earnings of $2.1 million. Bred in New York by Sanford Bacon, the horse raced for eight years, with his most successful season being 2001, when he earned $615,420 and won three graded stakes, including the Grade 2 True North Handicap.

Often gritty in defeat and seemingly overmatched in most of his graded stakes starts, Say Florida Sandy had a hard-earned reputation on the tough New York circuit, finishing in the money in 62 of his 98 starts. He was named New York-bred Horse of the Year in 2001, and was also named New York-bred champion sprinter three times.

Say Florida Sandy entered stud in 2004 at Buckridge Farm in Kinderhook, N.Y., where he covered mares for 10 years. He was a son of Personal Flag out of the Sweet Candy mare Lolli Luck Lolli. He was pensioned in 2014 and sent to Old Friends, which sent the horse to Hurstland Farm.