Werner feeling at home in Florida
Trainer Ronny Werner has made a circuit change this year, moving from Kentucky to Gulfstream Park, and he has been embracing his time in south Florida.
“I got the tan going,” he joked.
Werner has a 20-horse stable at the Gulfstream meet. It’s his first time setting up a base in south Florida since 2005. Werner said that winter he brought 50 horses to the Palm Meadows Training Center.
“I had a home in Kentucky, in Louisville, for the last 15 years and sold the place,” Werner, 55, said. “I decided to make a change, come down here and give this a shot. I’ve enjoyed it. I’m enjoying it right now.”
Through Tuesday, Werner had won five races from 43 starters this year at Gulfstream. Werner’s stable includes Opposite Day, who won back-to-back races over the Gulfstream turf in May and June and was recently retired, and Anyriderill Do, a stakes-placed turf sprinter. There’s also Bay Runner, who won a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds in his most recent start July 19.
“He got one of those non-Lasix pots the other day,” Werner said of Bay Runner, whom he co-owns with Philip Stathatos. “It was real nice. We didn’t give but $5,000 for him. The pot was $65,000.”
Bay Runner is one of a number of 2-year-olds Werner is developing at Gulfstream. He said he trains several for the Red Tail Ridge Racing Stables operation of Steve Howard.
Werner began his career in Texas and transitioned to Kentucky after making a splash with his 2-year-old runners at Keeneland. He went on to win stakes for young horses, including the Grade 2 Saratoga Special with Run Away and Hide.
Other top runners Werner has trained include Ermine, the winner of the Grade 1 Apple Blossom; Badge of Silver, with whom he won the Risen Star; and Secret Gypsy, a multiple stakes winner and earner of $596,926.
One of Werner’s recent stakes winners, Guadalupe High, has been retired and bred to champion Shanghai Bobby. She won four stakes for a partnership of Werner’s family and friends and earned $403,098. Werner said she will sell at Keeneland in November.
◗ Tiger of Wales makes his first start since June 5 in Friday’s third race. The optional $16,000 claiming race carries first-level allowance conditions. It will be run over seven furlongs. Tiger of Wales is seeking his third straight win after winning back-to-back one-mile races at Gulfstream in May and June. Apprentice Tyler Gaffalione again has the mount for trainer Mike Maker.