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On the Horizon
Upcoming dates to be announced
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Invite someone to a race. Photo Credit: Times-Union.com |
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It is HOT in South Carolina! It is hot most everywhere but just remember, the college football season will be here before you know it.
Our farms and training centers are not as populated now. That will soon change as the yearling auctions kickoff next week with Fasig-Tipton's July Sale in Lexington, KY. July, August and September are the "restocking" months and here's wishing all great success buying.
Jack Sadler, President
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Racing Across the Country
The month of time between May 21 and June 20 was a banner period for graduates of South Carolina farms and training centers. Twelve stakes winners occupied the winner's circle.
On May 25,
Dreamcall trailed the field for the opening ½ mile in the Jack Bishop S. at Prairie Meadows before launching her bid three wide in the turn. In a determined effort, she got up to win by a neck.
Dreamcall received her early training from Brad Stauffer and Ron Stevens' Legacy Stable in Aiken.
The next day, May 26,
Are You Kidding Me put forth a very serious effort in the Grade 2 Eclipse S. at Woodbine. Stalking the leader for the first ¾'s of a mile, this 8 year-old split horses with just over a ¼ mile to go and fought bravely through the lane to prevail by ¾'s of a length. He went through the breaking process under the watchful eye of Franklin "Goree" Smith at his Elloree Training Center.
Pinson, a graduate of Travis Durr's Webb Carroll Training Center in St. Matthews, SC, ran like he was in a match race with the favorite in the Jim Rasmussan Memorial S. at Suffolk Downs on May 28. It took all of the 1 1/16 mile distance to get his nose in front on the wire.
While June 9 was a special day for
Justify, it also was a special day for Travis Durr, owner of the Webb Carroll Training Center. His program produced four stakes winners over a two day period. On June 8, the two-year-old
Our Braintrust remained undefeated in two starts capturing the Tremont S. at Belmont Park. Outfooted early on,
Our Braintrust changed course inside the 1/8'th pole and went by the leader edging away to a ¾ length victory.
On Belmont Day, Webb Carroll Training Center grads proved best in two Grade I stakes in New York.
Abel Tasman, Champion Three-Year-Old Filly last year, showed she still has it taking the lead after a ¼ mile and extending her advantage throughout and romped home a 7 ½ lengths winner in the Ogden Phipps S. Later in the card,
Spring Quality stayed in the back of the pack for the opening mile. He had to be steered eight wide turning for home. In a race in which 4 ¾ lengths covered the whole 13 horse field,
Spring Quality made the lead in the shadow of the wire winning by a neck.
That same day on the New Jersey shore,
Lift Up completed Durr's day finishing first in the Miss Liberty S. at Monmouth Park.
Lift Up had only one beat while racing near the rail the opening ¾'s of a mile. She was able to get to the outside inside the 1/8'th pole and surged to the wire 1 ¼ lengths in front.
The Cary Frommer grad,
Still Having Fun, was doing just that at Belmont Park on June 9. Tenth, a dozen lengths back early on in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens S., this colt gained momentum while six wide into the
stretch. He took the lead seventy yards before the wire and came home 1 ¼ lengths in front.
Dr. Blarney notched his second stakes win in a row in the Rise Jim S. at Suffolk Downs on June 10.
Dr. Blarney quickly took the lead and increased his advantage at every pole being much the best. He won by 12 ½ lengths! This gelding learned his early lessons from Travis Durr. Two more Durr graduates won stakes on June 17. In the Grade 3 Trillium S. at Woodbine,
Gamble's Ghost had no horses behind her after ¾'s of a mile. She then kicked into gear during the turn for home, rallying by all the others and arrived at the finish line ½ length in front.
Six-year-old
Irish Strait has not slowed down a step proving best in the Dan Horn S. at Monmouth Park. Sitting right behind the leader,
Irish Strait took control before reaching the quarter pole and proved best in the race to the wire winning by a 1/2 length.
Peach of a Gal was just that in the Christiana S. at Delaware Park on June 20. Mid-pack early on, she put in a determined drive to get up late finishing a length in front at 16-1 odds.
Peach of a Gal is a product of Cary Frommer's operation in Aiken.
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South Carolina and Saratoga
The Saratoga meet beginning July 20 and running through Labor Day is a much anticipated event each year. It is an exciting time to watch two-year-olds who learned their early lessons on South Carolina farms and training centers have an opportunity to shine in the spotlight.
Many yearlings purchased at the prestigious Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale of yearlings will head to our state to begin the breaking process this fall. The Dogwood Stable-campaigned Palace Malice will be represented by his first crop of yearlings at this sale.
 Another highlight will be the induction of Aiken-resident Cot Campbell in to the Pillars of the Turf at the Hall of Fame ceremony on August 3. Being as he is the only living member of the twelve inductees, Cot will not have to rush through his acceptance speech!
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South Carolina Connected Abel Tasman and Monomoy Girl Post Grade I Wins
Abel Tasman, the Eclipse Award 2017 Campion Three-Year-Old Filly, recorded her fourth Grade I Stakes victory in the Ogden Phipps S. on Belmont Day. She has finished first or second in 11 of 13 lifetime starts.
Abel Tasman was prepared for her racing career by Travis Durr at his Webb Carroll Training Center.
Monomoy Girl captured her third Grade I Stakes in a row winning the Acorn S. on the same day. She has won 7 of 8 starts finishing second once.
Monomoy Girl's dam,
Drumette, was purchased and campaigned by Aiken resident Cot Campbell's Dogwood Stable. She was a winner before being sold as a broodmare prospect.
The ownership group of
Monomoy Girl includes Stuart Grant's The Elkstone Stable and he is the owner of the Camden Training Center.
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A South Carolina Racing Commission?
Forming a South Carolina Racing Commission is the first step for horsemen to control racing, rather than leaving it to lawmakers.
The commission should be composed of professional horsemen. Ideally it includes a flat trainer, flat owner, jump trainer, jump owner, veterinarian, attorney, and others.
One of the functions of a racing commission is to write regulations governing ADW. It would determine what percentage of ADW money would be used for breeders' incentives, purses, facilities improvement, marketing, and other areas to help the racing industry. Another function is to license trainers, riders, owners, and workers, which professionalizes the industry.
Several SCTOBA members are interested in being part of this effort. Some key people plan to meet Saturday, July 14 to discuss it further.
Ideas, suggestions, questions welcome! For more information please contact
Marsha Hewitt at
803-727-6420.
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Fenwick Equestrian Launches New Venture
Wilhelmina and Fred McEwan's Fenwick Equestrian has launched a campaign to increase awareness about their therapeutic Liquid Titanium® products. With all the drug issues in the equine industry, their LT® head gear helps settled horses naturally. With the funds they raise they are going to launch a new informational website, do more research and hire a marketing person.
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From the Editor's Desk
- SCTOBA member Debi Tucker reports
Monte Cristo, a filly she owns in partnership with Country Life Farm, recorded her second straight victory.
Monte Cristo won an Allowance race at Monmouth Park on June 10.
- Aiken residents Jim and Debbie Miller's
Lovely Bernadette won the Grade 3 Mint Julep H. at Churchill Downs on June 9.
Lovely Bernadette was purchased at the 2016 OBS June Two-Year-Old in Training Sale for $28,000. She now has career earnings of $568,479. When in Aiken, she stays with Brad Stauffer and Ron Stevens at Legacy Stable.
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Gloria's Gal, a winner in her career debut at Laurel Park on June 17, was sold to her owner's Taste of Victory Stables LLC and Rashid's Thoroughbred Racing by South Carolina's Travis McCutchen in a private transaction. These are first time winners winning their first race! Congratulations!
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Future Meeting
It has been suggested to hold a summer/fall meeting/get together. With many members' busy schedules, this has been easier said than done in the past. We are open to suggestions and I am glad to help arrange.
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