Fri, 05/09/2008 - 00:00

Derby winner has solid family ties

LEXINGTON, Ky. - One of the striking elements of the pedigree of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown is the influence of Claiborne Farm, one of Thoroughbred racing's most important breeding operations.

The famous farm outside Paris, Ky., either bred, raced, or stood many of the stallions and mares in Big Brown's pedigree, including his sire, Boundary.

Now a pensioner at Claiborne Farm, where he was born and stood his entire stud career, Boundary has one of the distinctively Claiborne pedigrees.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 00:00

Northern Netti's Bouwerie win may lead to open stakes

In the wake of her impressive victory in last Sunday's Bouwerie Stakes at Belmont Park, Northern Netti appears headed for open stakes competition.

She won the restricted Bouwerie Stakes, at seven furlongs, by 9 1/4 lengths in the terrific time of 1:21.24 to remain unbeaten in three starts. Her earnings are $139,303.

A 3-year-old daughter of City Zip owned by Jim and Susan Hill, Northern Netti is based at Woodbine in Canada with trainer Reade Baker.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 00:00

Cat Dreamer wins race for his sale preview

Conventional previews for Tuesday's Barretts May Sale of 2-year-olds in training were held at Fairplex Park in Pomona on Thursday and Friday. Many of the 329 horses that are being offered at the sale breezed before prospective buyers.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 00:00

Alke, Roar of the Tiger off to fast starts

Alke became the first of 21 Florida stallions whose initial crops will be racing this year to produce a winner when Tipsy Saint captured a maiden race at Delaware Park on April 16.

Alke, part of Vinery's stallion roster, was followed by the Hartley/DeRenzo stallion Roar of the Tiger. His daughter Roarin Tigress zipped a quarter-mile in maiden special company to win her debut at Puerto Rico's Camarero Racetrack on April 26.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 00:00

One look hooked Rice on Dicey D J

Maryland breeders Cynthia and Charles McGinnes were "overwhelmed with joy" when their homebred filly by Milwaukee Brew brought $70,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale at Timonium.

It was not just the price that set their heads spinning - but also the apparent show of faith in the filly by the buyer, top New York trainer Linda Rice.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 00:00

Dickinson seeks buyer for farm

Trainer Michael Dickinson has put his custom-designed Tapeta Farm in Maryland on the market for an undisclosed price, he confirmed Wednesday.

Dickinson, a Breeders' Cup-winning trainer and the developer of the Tapeta synthetic surface that is named for his farm, said he has decided to downsize to a smaller property now that he is no longer training. Dickinson stopped training in 2007 to devote himself to his Tapeta Footings business.

Thu, 05/08/2008 - 00:00

Martin Stables sells Florida facility

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Rob and Caroline Webster, longtime operators of a breaking and training business in the Ocala, Fla., area, have purchased the training facilities at Martin Stables South in Reddick, Fla., the farm announced.

Thu, 05/08/2008 - 00:00

Death of Terlingua marks end of an era

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Thirty years ago, Terlingua started the hearts of Secretariat's legion of fans beating with the hope that their champion was breeding on as he had raced. Terlingua - fierce and fast daughter of His Chestnut Perfection and Crimson Saint - died this week at age 32 and was buried at Overbrook Farm, where she spent almost the entirety of her broodmare career.

Fri, 05/02/2008 - 00:00

Carry Back put Florida in the spotlight

It was about this time 50 years ago when a former Cleveland rust belt businessman and sometime bookmaker received word that his mare Joppy had foaled a colt at Ocala Stud. In a few years time the racing world would never be quite the same.

That breeder was Jack Price, and the colt was Carry Back.

Fri, 05/02/2008 - 00:00

Business is booming at Fox Tale Stud

Vince Tucciarone and Dawn Newman, co-owners of Fox Tale Stud, one of Pennsylvania's newest Thoroughbred breeding establishments, are extremely busy people.

During this breeding and foaling season, Tucciarone and Newman have been on the go from the crack of dawn until late in the evening - and many times are up in the middle of the night. They are in the midst of their busiest year since moving to Fox Tale Stud, a 48-acre farm in Coopersburg, Pa., established three years ago from scratch.