Fri, 02/20/2004 - 00:00

Graded wins for statebreds rose in 2003

The recently published Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association's annual statistical review for 2003 shows it was a reasonably good year for the state. Florida-breds won 314 stakes races, 62 of them graded. The previous year, the homebreds won 312 stakes with 51 of them graded. Overall earnings for Florida-breds, however, declined more than 3 percent, from $187 million to $180 million.

Fri, 02/20/2004 - 00:00

A broodmare helps rebuild an empire

Marylou Whitney went looking for the empire's old bloodlines soon after her husband, C.V. Whitney, died in 1992. Her goal was to restore the famed Whitney stable to prominence. But she had no idea she would find its new cornerstone so close to home.

Wed, 02/18/2004 - 00:00

Summer Squall retired

Summer Squall, winner of the 1990 Preakness Stakes and sire of the 1999 Horse of the Year, Charismatic, as well as champion Storm Song, has retired from stud duty because of fertility problems. Lane's End farm, where Summer Squall had stood, announced the retirement on Wednesday.

Summer Squall, a 17-year-old Storm Bird horse, is a son of the great Lane's End matron Weekend Surprise (Secretariat), making him a half-brother to top general sire A. P. Indy.

Tue, 02/17/2004 - 00:00

Heat Haze retired to breed

Heat Haze, a finalist for outstanding turf female of 2003, has been retired and will be bred to Empire Maker this year, trainer Bobby Frankel said.

Heat Haze won her last start, the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park in November. She finished third in Eclipse Award turf female voting to Islington, the winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf last October. Heat Haze finished fourth in that race.

Owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, Heat Haze won 7 of 14 starts and $1,183,696.

Tue, 02/17/2004 - 00:00

Auditions for Derby cast

LAS VEGAS - The 3-year-olds were out in force last weekend, especially at Gulfstream Park, where nine of the 12 races on Saturday showcased 3-year-olds, including the Fountain of Youth and Hutcheson stakes. Some observations on the chances of these horses for the Kentucky Derby:

Mon, 02/16/2004 - 00:00

Sale filly shades 10 seconds

A Good and Tough filly from Robert Scanlon's consignment fired off an eighth-mile work in 9.80 seconds on Sunday, the fastest time at the first under-tack preview for Fasig-Tipton's select 2-year-old sale at Calder.

The auction, set for Feb. 24 at 11 a.m., will have its final under-tack show on Feb. 22.

The Good and Tough filly will sell as Hip No. 95 and is out of the Fair Skies mare Two Foxie. Bred in Maryland, she last sold for $60,000 at that state's Eastern fall yearling sale at Timonium. Trainer Billy Badgett signed the ticket there.

Fri, 02/13/2004 - 00:00

Big Apple Triple gets boost from OTB

The Big Apple Triple, a series of races for New York-bred 3-year-olds, received a big boost last week when it was announced that New York City Off Track Betting Corporation and the majority of regional OTBs in New York State will sponsor the three-race series, which was renamed OTB's Big Apple Triple.

The $35,000 in OTB sponsorship money will cover the insurance costs of offering a $250,000 bonus for the owner of a horse who can sweep the series and promotional considerations at the three participating tracks.

Fri, 02/13/2004 - 00:00

Man with multi-colored shirts will be missed

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Feb. 8 death from cancer of international bloodstock agent Joss Collins prompted a flood of memories about his sale-ring exploits.

Fri, 02/13/2004 - 00:00

F-T sale has three by Yes It's True

The second of Florida's five annual 2-year-olds in training sales is scheduled for Calder Race Course on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m., under the banner of Fasig-Tipton Florida, Inc.

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 301 horses for this sale. Two Sunday under-tack shows are planned for Feb. 15 and 22, both due to begin at 10 a.m.

Fri, 02/13/2004 - 00:00

Yearling sale considered for Alameda

ARCADIA, Calif. - The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association is considering relaunching a yearling sale in northern California later this year for the first time since 1993.

Discussions were held earlier this week at the organization's annual business meeting in Sacramento. Further meetings with potential consignors are expected in coming weeks, according to CTBA executive vice president Doug Burge.