Sez Who Thoroughbreds tops earnings list

With Sez Who Thoroughbreds leading the way, six state breeders topped the $1 million mark in progeny earnings for 2008.

With earnings of $3,808,152, Sez Who Thoroughbreds topped the state list for the fourth consecutive year.

Its leading earner was Ahvee's Destiny at $139,010. The daughter of Sez Who Thoroughbred stallion Rizzi captured the Mechanicville Stakes at Saratoga last summer. She is out of Love Destiny, a daughter of Silver Deputy, who also produced New York Stallion Stakes winner Accurate.

Flying Zee Stable was next at $2,444,154, topped by graded stakes winner I Lost My Choo. Winner of the Grade 2 Virginia Oaks, she earned $274,550 last season and is by the Flying Zee stallion Western Expression. I Lost My Choo is out of Fairy Queen, by Tom Rolfe.

Carl Lizza's Flying Zee Stable campaigned both the sire and dam of I Lost My Choo, whose family traces back to champion Riva Ridge. I Lost My Choo also hit the board in the Sands Point and Appalachian, both graded events.

Becky Thomas and Lewis Lakin came in at $2,115,381, with Under Serviced their leading earner at $199,280. The daughter of state sire Hook and Ladder won the Staten Island division of the New York Stallion Stakes and the Schenectady Handicap.

Under Serviced is out of the Thirty Six Red mare Gaye's Blossom, who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Gallant Step.

Chester and Mary Broman were fourth at $1,895,806. Their top earner was Japan turf winner Cosmo Pirate at $128,179. The Smarty Jones colt is out of the Storm Cat mare Confidently, who is a daughter of Grade 1 winner Key Phrase.

Michael Martinez was next at $1,083,125, with nearly all of that total earned by Whitney Handicap winner Commentator.

Completing the group is Gallagher's Stud at $1,013,647, with Icabad Crane its leading earner at $232,810. Icabad Crane won the Tesio Stakes and finished third in the Preakness. He is out of Adorahy, by Rahy, making him a member of the distinguished family of Adcat and Rutherienne.

N.Y. Thoroughbred Breeders' elects officers

Barry Ostrager, principal owner of Questroyal Farm and a partner in Simpson, Thacher, and Bartlett, was elected president of New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc. at the organization's first meeting of 2009.

Lois Engel and John McMahon were elected as new members to the board.

Engel owns Pucker Ridge Farm in Warrensburg, N.Y., and is the manager of Pucker Ridge Racing,

McMahon owns Old Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which operates in conjunction with McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds. He has served as farm manager of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds and is a member of the New York Farm Bureau.

Thomas J. Gallo III was elected vice president. He owns and operates Blue Stone Farm in Cambridge, N.Y., as well as the Thomas J. Gallo Sales Agency. Gallo also is the owner and manager of Parting Glass Racing.

Vivian Malloy was reelected as secretary-treasurer. Malloy owns Edition Farm near Waccabuc, N.Y.

NYTB, West Point Thoroughbreds form alliance

New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. and West Point Thoroughbreds have announced a strategic alliance dedicated to several initiatives, including promotional and marketing opportunities for each.

Terry Finley, president of West Point Thoroughbreds, noted his organization's long support of NYTB.

"For us, entering into a relationship with a company that is devoted to the best interests of the sport of horse racing and the future of the sport in the state of New York was really a no-brainer," Finley said.

NYTB executive director Jeffrey Cannizzo pointed to the importance of racehorse partnerships such as those organized by West Point Thoroughbreds.

Both individuals pledged to work on increasing participation in New York breeding and racing.

"Working with organizations who value New York breeding and racing, such as West Point Thoroughbreds will help continue the New York program's growth," Cannizzo said.

NYTB was founded in 1974, with the goal of improving state breeding and racing, while West Point Thoroughbreds dates to 1991 and has campaigned several Grade 1 winners among its more than 250 racehorses to date.