Say Florida Sandy named top NY-bred

JAMAICA, N.Y. - Say Florida Sandy, the all-time leading New York-bred in earnings, has been named New York-bred Horse of the Year for 2001.

That award and other championships were announced at a dinner hosted by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders on Tuesday in Albany, N.Y.

Owned by John Rotella and bred by Sanford Bacon, Say Florida Sandy, a son of Personal Flag, also was selected as champion sprinter and co-champion older male with Gander by a panel of racing writers and racing secretaries. Racing as a 7-year-old last year, Say Florida Sandy won six starts, including the Grade 2 True North, Grade 3 Bold Ruler, and Grade 3 Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup.

The late Lolli Lucka Lolli, Say Florida Sandy's dam, was recognized as broodmare of the year by the NYTB board of directors, who also selected the top breeder and trainer. Jerry Nielsen, the NYTB's president, and his wife, Joanne, were named top breeders. M. Anthony Ferraro, the trainer of champion 2-year-old filly Shesastonecoldfox, was named trainer of the year.

The other divisional winners were White Ibis (2-year-old male); Personal Pro (3-year-old male); Ransom's Pride (3-year-old filly and turf female); Critical Eye (older female); I'm All Yours (turf male); and Thor Thors (steeplechase).