After 263 days on the shelf, my Little Mike returned to the turf at Gulfstream today in an allowance optional $100,000 claimer at a mile. True to his running style, he led every step of the way against a field that included four stakes winners, two of which were graded stakes winners and included Grade 1 winner, Telling. This win was Mikey's 8th win in his last 10 starts with now just under $400,000 in lifetime earnings.
This was a great effort after his lay-off, and a great prep for the upcoming graded stakes schedule at Gulfstream. Way to go, Mikey!! Good luck in 2012!!
Here's the article on Little Mike's return to the races. His jock, Joe Bravo, had some nice things to say about him: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66700/little-mike-wins-by-nose-in-gulfstream-return
If you'd like to check out the video of the race, you can through our good friends at Blood-Horse.com at http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/12/22/7/race-7.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Ill Conceived? I Think Not!
We've all seen crazy thoroughbred names that just make us scratch our heads. My favorite of all-time is Hoof Hearted. (Say it fast four times and you'll know why its my favorite.) My least favorite name is actually one my kids, a two-year old colt name Ill Conceived. Ill Conceived? Really? From time to time, I get asked about names for my kids, but no one asked me about this one.
Of course, we know that Ill Conceived was not ill conceived because I'm no slouch and his racing career is off to a nice start. In five starts as a two-year old he has one win, two seconds, and a third. On Saturday, Ill Conceived finished third in the $75,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx Racing at 7 furlongs on dirt becoming my sixth stakes-placed horse for the year. He's won over $50,000 so far in his career. He should actually be named Smartly Conceived or Intelligentily Conceived. OK, that last one is too many letters, but you get my point.
Here's why. Ill Conceived is out of the Sir Cat mare Catsuit. Sir Cat is, of course, by all-time great Storm Cat. This particular 'nick', me over a Storm Cat line mare really works. This is an A+ nick according to the folks at Werk Thoroughbred Consultants and has produced graded-stakes winners Buddha (G1), Magnificent Song (G1), Half Ours (G2), Noonmark (G3), and Neversaidiwassweet (G3). If you look at a few of my recent winners, you'll see this nick in action with Ifoundmy Mojo out of a Crown Ambassador mare and Spanish Comedy out of a Tabasco Cat mare.
Now I know there are quite a few Crown Ambassador mares and other Storm Cat line mares running around in Indiana that need to come see me. So make sure you touch base with my main man Eddie or Gale Bess at Lake Shore Farms to book a season to me. Naming rights will be optional. (Just kidding.)
By the way, how much is it to change a name with The Jockey Club? Ill Conceived, too funny. I think not!
Of course, we know that Ill Conceived was not ill conceived because I'm no slouch and his racing career is off to a nice start. In five starts as a two-year old he has one win, two seconds, and a third. On Saturday, Ill Conceived finished third in the $75,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx Racing at 7 furlongs on dirt becoming my sixth stakes-placed horse for the year. He's won over $50,000 so far in his career. He should actually be named Smartly Conceived or Intelligentily Conceived. OK, that last one is too many letters, but you get my point.
Here's why. Ill Conceived is out of the Sir Cat mare Catsuit. Sir Cat is, of course, by all-time great Storm Cat. This particular 'nick', me over a Storm Cat line mare really works. This is an A+ nick according to the folks at Werk Thoroughbred Consultants and has produced graded-stakes winners Buddha (G1), Magnificent Song (G1), Half Ours (G2), Noonmark (G3), and Neversaidiwassweet (G3). If you look at a few of my recent winners, you'll see this nick in action with Ifoundmy Mojo out of a Crown Ambassador mare and Spanish Comedy out of a Tabasco Cat mare.
Now I know there are quite a few Crown Ambassador mares and other Storm Cat line mares running around in Indiana that need to come see me. So make sure you touch base with my main man Eddie or Gale Bess at Lake Shore Farms to book a season to me. Naming rights will be optional. (Just kidding.)
By the way, how much is it to change a name with The Jockey Club? Ill Conceived, too funny. I think not!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Open House Update
With just having moved to Lake Shore Farms, I've been seeing some strange new things. There's been a lot of construction going on, barns being built, stalls being put up, and automatic waterers being put into some the paddocks. Now, that's not the strange part. The strange part is seeing these men who are building the barns. I've got a picture below. These guys arrive and leave in a small, what looks like, a school bus, they wear funny hats and clothes, and most of them have a beards, but only under their chins. When they talk, I hear stranges names like Graber, Schwartz, and Neuenschwander. These are really good builders, but I've never seen anyone like this before. I had to sneak taking pictures of them because it seemed they were afraid of my camera. I'm a horse and I know not to be afraid of a camera. Ha!
Also, having just moved, I wasn't sure about how many people would show up to see me yesterday. There were about 40 to 50 people at the My Open House. OK, maybe not "My Open House" per se, but everyone did come by to check me out. Quite a few people grabbed my main man Eddie and signed some papers. Many times I could overhear them talking about the mares I am going to get to meet in 2012.
However, the big talk that I overheard was about the breed development committee making recommendations to make the stakes program longer. Evidently, the two-year old stakes, the Indiana Futurity and the Miss Indiana, are going to be moved from six furlongs to a mile. Plus, the three-year old sprint stakes, the Snack and the Ellen's Lucky Star (I'd really like to meet her), are being moved to a mile too. What people were saying is that these longer stakes races at the younger ages would be perfect for my kids. I agree. Just check out what one of my two-year old fillies did in the $100,000 Brave Raj Stakes at a mile and 70 yards. A route of ground at two and three, no problem.
Also, having just moved, I wasn't sure about how many people would show up to see me yesterday. There were about 40 to 50 people at the My Open House. OK, maybe not "My Open House" per se, but everyone did come by to check me out. Quite a few people grabbed my main man Eddie and signed some papers. Many times I could overhear them talking about the mares I am going to get to meet in 2012.
However, the big talk that I overheard was about the breed development committee making recommendations to make the stakes program longer. Evidently, the two-year old stakes, the Indiana Futurity and the Miss Indiana, are going to be moved from six furlongs to a mile. Plus, the three-year old sprint stakes, the Snack and the Ellen's Lucky Star (I'd really like to meet her), are being moved to a mile too. What people were saying is that these longer stakes races at the younger ages would be perfect for my kids. I agree. Just check out what one of my two-year old fillies did in the $100,000 Brave Raj Stakes at a mile and 70 yards. A route of ground at two and three, no problem.
Monday, November 21, 2011
More Things Change, More They Stay The Same
So true, so true. The more things change, the more they stay the same. What hasn't changed? My kids can run. Check out the list of my top winners of the last few months at the bottom of this post. It doesn't matter where they run, over what surface, or at what distance. This makes me the perfect stallion for the Indiana restricted program.
What is changing? With the retirement of Larry & Jo Ann Ernst at Foot Fall Farm, I've moved to Lake Shore Farms in Scottburg, Indiana for the 2012 breeding season. While I'm going to miss the boss mare and that nice barn guy Larry, I'm looking forward to my time at Lake Shore. Come check me out at their open house on December 3rd.
The other change for 2012 is my stud fee going to $3,000 up from $2,000. With four stakes winners of six stakes races (three graded stakes), all in open company, my kids can perform at a very high level. While my main man Eddie is always willing to make a deal for high quality mares, an increase for my services just made sense. Give him a call to book your mares for 2012.
Here's a list of my top performers since late July:
November 14th - Three-year old gelding, Ifoundmy Mojo, out of Do I Make Ya Randi (Crown Ambassador), wins a $27,840 optional claimer at six and a half at Zia Park.
November 4th - Five-year old mare, Spanish Comedy, out of Kitty Comedy (Tabasco Cat), wins a non-winners of one allowance at six and a half at Hawthorne.
October 4th - Three-year old gelding, Joe DeNucci, out of Lemon Ice (Sovereign Dancer), wins a $19,500 maiden special weight at one mile at Suffolk Downs.
September 25th - Three-year old colt, Onesteptogo, out of Codetogo (Lost Code), wins a $31,350 non-winners of one allowance at five furlongs at Calder.
September 17th - Conway Two Step wins a stakes by taking the $100,000 Brave Raj Stakes at a mile at Calder!! This two-year old is going places! Conway Two Step was my fourth stakes winner on the year to lead all Indiana stallions.
September 13th - Two-year old filly, Slim Shady's Lady, out of Always Devilish (Devil His Due), wins a $35,000 maiden special weight at five and a half furlongs at Hoosier Park.
August 27th - Two-year old filly, Conway Two Step, out of Nancy's Glitter (Gliterman), wins a $40,000 maiden special weight at six furlongs at Calder.
August 18th - Four-year old gelding, Lydia's Last Step, out of Justin's Lydia (L'enjoleur), wins a $31,500 optional claimer at a mile on dirt at Remington Park.
August 15th - Two-year old colt, Ill Conceived, out of Catsuit (Sir Cat), wins a $39,000 maiden special weight at five furlongs at Penn National.
What is changing? With the retirement of Larry & Jo Ann Ernst at Foot Fall Farm, I've moved to Lake Shore Farms in Scottburg, Indiana for the 2012 breeding season. While I'm going to miss the boss mare and that nice barn guy Larry, I'm looking forward to my time at Lake Shore. Come check me out at their open house on December 3rd.
The other change for 2012 is my stud fee going to $3,000 up from $2,000. With four stakes winners of six stakes races (three graded stakes), all in open company, my kids can perform at a very high level. While my main man Eddie is always willing to make a deal for high quality mares, an increase for my services just made sense. Give him a call to book your mares for 2012.
Here's a list of my top performers since late July:
November 14th - Three-year old gelding, Ifoundmy Mojo, out of Do I Make Ya Randi (Crown Ambassador), wins a $27,840 optional claimer at six and a half at Zia Park.
November 4th - Five-year old mare, Spanish Comedy, out of Kitty Comedy (Tabasco Cat), wins a non-winners of one allowance at six and a half at Hawthorne.
October 4th - Three-year old gelding, Joe DeNucci, out of Lemon Ice (Sovereign Dancer), wins a $19,500 maiden special weight at one mile at Suffolk Downs.
September 25th - Three-year old colt, Onesteptogo, out of Codetogo (Lost Code), wins a $31,350 non-winners of one allowance at five furlongs at Calder.
September 17th - Conway Two Step wins a stakes by taking the $100,000 Brave Raj Stakes at a mile at Calder!! This two-year old is going places! Conway Two Step was my fourth stakes winner on the year to lead all Indiana stallions.
September 13th - Two-year old filly, Slim Shady's Lady, out of Always Devilish (Devil His Due), wins a $35,000 maiden special weight at five and a half furlongs at Hoosier Park.
August 27th - Two-year old filly, Conway Two Step, out of Nancy's Glitter (Gliterman), wins a $40,000 maiden special weight at six furlongs at Calder.
August 18th - Four-year old gelding, Lydia's Last Step, out of Justin's Lydia (L'enjoleur), wins a $31,500 optional claimer at a mile on dirt at Remington Park.
August 15th - Two-year old colt, Ill Conceived, out of Catsuit (Sir Cat), wins a $39,000 maiden special weight at five furlongs at Penn National.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I'm Tired But I Didn't Run 1 1/4 Miles
It's late July, and I'm still trying to recover from the 2011 breeding season after breeding 32 mares. (Some of those mares actually came back multiple times!!) I've been taking the summer off, working on my tan, rolling in the grass, you know, horse stuff. Yeah, I'm still pretty tired.
However, it's not the kinda tired from running a mile and a quarter in a Grade 1. That's what one of my four-year old son's did today, El Suri (out of Victoria's Wedding by Summer Squall). El Suri finished 3rd today at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico in the Grade 1 Clasico Jose Celso Barbosa S. According to Zman (Zavata), that name actually translates to English to Jose Celso's Classic Barber Shop. What a joker. Hello, I know Spanish!
What was even more interesting was that also competing in this Grade 1 was two of my other son's; five-year old Gato Paso (out of Darn That Cat by Darn That Alarm) who finished 4th and three-year old Spanish Ridge (out of D's Secret Code by Lost Code) who finished 8th. These three have really made me proud. In fact, in one of the stakes prep races for this Grade 1 back in June, these three swept the top three positions with Spanish Ridge winning, El Suri second, and Gato Paso 3rd. The date of this Spanish Step sweep, June 19, 2011 which was Father's Day! What a present that was!!!
Anyway, my blog is going to take a few months off. Check back in the fall to see more from your favorite stallion, and the only Indiana stallion with his own blog.
Until then, check out one of my goofy 2011 sons pretending that he is the horse on the Breeder's Cup Trophies:
My kids are talented off the track too!
However, it's not the kinda tired from running a mile and a quarter in a Grade 1. That's what one of my four-year old son's did today, El Suri (out of Victoria's Wedding by Summer Squall). El Suri finished 3rd today at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico in the Grade 1 Clasico Jose Celso Barbosa S. According to Zman (Zavata), that name actually translates to English to Jose Celso's Classic Barber Shop. What a joker. Hello, I know Spanish!
What was even more interesting was that also competing in this Grade 1 was two of my other son's; five-year old Gato Paso (out of Darn That Cat by Darn That Alarm) who finished 4th and three-year old Spanish Ridge (out of D's Secret Code by Lost Code) who finished 8th. These three have really made me proud. In fact, in one of the stakes prep races for this Grade 1 back in June, these three swept the top three positions with Spanish Ridge winning, El Suri second, and Gato Paso 3rd. The date of this Spanish Step sweep, June 19, 2011 which was Father's Day! What a present that was!!!
Anyway, my blog is going to take a few months off. Check back in the fall to see more from your favorite stallion, and the only Indiana stallion with his own blog.
Until then, check out one of my goofy 2011 sons pretending that he is the horse on the Breeder's Cup Trophies:
My kids are talented off the track too!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day!!
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Father's Day can be a big day for a stallion. Actually, it SHOULD be a big day for a stallion. Think about it. I have a lot of kids out there, and just getting through the phone calls, emails, and cards takes some time. According to the Jockey Club numbers, I have 175 registered foals in my four racing crops and that number doesn't include my yearlings and the 2011 foals in my first Indiana crop.
I'm proud of my kids. Here's how they are stacking up so far. Out the 175 registered foals in my four racing crops, 103 have made it to the track. That's 59% which is a great number especially when you take into consideration that only 1 of my 33 two-year olds has started so far in 2011. Of the 103 starters, 54 are winners. (They're all winners in my book!) My 103 starters have earned over $2.8 million with an average per starter of $27,323. Not too shabby at all.
The sales averages are pretty impressive too, especially the two-year olds. So far in 2011 I've had three two-year olds sell at major sales. Their sales average is $27,167 with a median of $27,000. This week I've got four going through the sales ring at the Ocala including an Indiana-bred, Hip 159, a full brother to Rock 'N Roll Gal, one of my fillies that set a track record at Indiana Downs.
So, I'll give you an update later this week. Until then, remember breeding season is not over. I'm tired, sometimes I have three 'dates' in one day, but I'm still ready to meet your mares.
I'm proud of my kids. Here's how they are stacking up so far. Out the 175 registered foals in my four racing crops, 103 have made it to the track. That's 59% which is a great number especially when you take into consideration that only 1 of my 33 two-year olds has started so far in 2011. Of the 103 starters, 54 are winners. (They're all winners in my book!) My 103 starters have earned over $2.8 million with an average per starter of $27,323. Not too shabby at all.
The sales averages are pretty impressive too, especially the two-year olds. So far in 2011 I've had three two-year olds sell at major sales. Their sales average is $27,167 with a median of $27,000. This week I've got four going through the sales ring at the Ocala including an Indiana-bred, Hip 159, a full brother to Rock 'N Roll Gal, one of my fillies that set a track record at Indiana Downs.
So, I'll give you an update later this week. Until then, remember breeding season is not over. I'm tired, sometimes I have three 'dates' in one day, but I'm still ready to meet your mares.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Taxing Times Indeed
OK, I'm struggling to get my taxes completed for 2010. If there is an accountant out there that understands how stallions are taxed, please give me a call here at Foot Fall Farm. Calculators and hooves just don't mix well. Thankfully, the deadline this year is April 18th instead of the 15th so I have a few more days. I'm also not sure where I'm going to come up with the money to pay what I appear to owe. According to The Blood-Horse General Sire List for 2010, I earned $1,143,803, and to be honest, I cannot remember ever receiving a dime of this money. (However, when I do get some coin, I usually lose it since I don't have any pockets.) Now, Little Mike is listed as my Chief Earner with $145,350 so I sent him a 1099. Let the kid pay the tax on that amount. Sorry, Mikey. This still leaves me with $1 million in earnings. Once I take the normal deductions for a great-looking stallion, do some cyphering, carry the naught, I have calculated out that I owe about $1,500 in federal taxes.
At the same time, evidently, I have to pay my first quarterly estimate according to the IRS notice that I just received. I've heard they are cracking down on million dollar earners. As I look at The Blood-Horse General Sire List for 2011, I've already earned $445,417 this year!! OK, another 1099 to Little Mike helps, but still another payment of around $500. My total cash need is $2,000! With my first crop here in Indiana just hitting the ground, and they are beautiful, I won't have any potential for stallion awards until late 2013. The IRS is not going to wait that long, and I can't have them garnishing my earnings.
Hmmm....what do I have that I could sell?.......Well, other than being great looking and having a great pedigree, the only other asset that I have is, well, you know. So, how about a few of you call my main man Eddie for a no guarantee contract or two? Help me pay my taxes! I know there are some mares out there that haven't made breeding plans for this season just yet. You know I'd be the perfect stallion as I'm producing winners on any surface and at any distance.
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm going to need more than a couple no guarantee seasons for my tax account as my earnings keep growing. Lydia's Last Step, one of my four year old geldings, led every step of the way today to win the Premiere Stakes at Lone Star Park which had a $50,000 purse. Way to go LLS!! This was his third win in a row with all of them coming at a mile on dirt. In fifteen starts, LLS now has six wins, three places and two shows. In each of the last three races, LLS was in front at every point of the call. Prior to today's race, LLS was claimed for $25,000 by Richard W Penn at Sunland Park. Nice claim Mr. Penn!!
At the same time, evidently, I have to pay my first quarterly estimate according to the IRS notice that I just received. I've heard they are cracking down on million dollar earners. As I look at The Blood-Horse General Sire List for 2011, I've already earned $445,417 this year!! OK, another 1099 to Little Mike helps, but still another payment of around $500. My total cash need is $2,000! With my first crop here in Indiana just hitting the ground, and they are beautiful, I won't have any potential for stallion awards until late 2013. The IRS is not going to wait that long, and I can't have them garnishing my earnings.
Hmmm....what do I have that I could sell?.......Well, other than being great looking and having a great pedigree, the only other asset that I have is, well, you know. So, how about a few of you call my main man Eddie for a no guarantee contract or two? Help me pay my taxes! I know there are some mares out there that haven't made breeding plans for this season just yet. You know I'd be the perfect stallion as I'm producing winners on any surface and at any distance.
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm going to need more than a couple no guarantee seasons for my tax account as my earnings keep growing. Lydia's Last Step, one of my four year old geldings, led every step of the way today to win the Premiere Stakes at Lone Star Park which had a $50,000 purse. Way to go LLS!! This was his third win in a row with all of them coming at a mile on dirt. In fifteen starts, LLS now has six wins, three places and two shows. In each of the last three races, LLS was in front at every point of the call. Prior to today's race, LLS was claimed for $25,000 by Richard W Penn at Sunland Park. Nice claim Mr. Penn!!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Grade 3 Number 3 For Little Mike!
My main man Eddie got a call this week from Carlo Vaccarezza who is the breeder and part-owner of Little Mike. Mr. V was inquiring about sending a mare my way this season. (I'm hoping for two or three of those speed ball mares from Florida.) With the success of Little Mike, can you blame him?
What more can I say about Mikey? Three starts in Grade 3's at Gulfstream this meet with three wins after his latest wire-to-wire victory in the $100,000 Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream. Once again, an impressive 'catch-me-if-you-can' sub-1:33.00 mile performance. (By the way, Mikey kicked Barbaro's litte brother's butt, again.) In 9 turf starts, Little Mike now has 7 wins and a second with lifetime earnings of over $365,000. Mr. V, can you say Breeders Cup Mile?
While I'm at it, I also have to give some props to one of my five-year old daughters, Spanish Ambassador. On Saturday, March 26th, at Tampa Bay Downs, she took an allowance optional claiming field wire-to-wire in a 7 furlong dirt sprint. She had been knocking on the door of this allowance condition for the last few races, so it was good to see her set the fractions in getting this victory in 1:23.4. She's got 14 in the money finishes in her 26 starts.
Spanish Ambassador has a real Indiana feel to her pedigree. Bred by my main man Eddie, she is out of the mare Do I Make Ya Randi who is by Crown Ambassador. Now, I know there has to be quite a few Crown Ambassador mares out here in Indiana that I would be perfect for. The nick is fantastic with me and Storm Cat-line mares!!! The phone lines are now open!
Get your hypo mating by following this link:
http://www.equineline.com/extendedcontent/tt_content.cfm?StallionRef=6224898&rtype=hypo
What more can I say about Mikey? Three starts in Grade 3's at Gulfstream this meet with three wins after his latest wire-to-wire victory in the $100,000 Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream. Once again, an impressive 'catch-me-if-you-can' sub-1:33.00 mile performance. (By the way, Mikey kicked Barbaro's litte brother's butt, again.) In 9 turf starts, Little Mike now has 7 wins and a second with lifetime earnings of over $365,000. Mr. V, can you say Breeders Cup Mile?
While I'm at it, I also have to give some props to one of my five-year old daughters, Spanish Ambassador. On Saturday, March 26th, at Tampa Bay Downs, she took an allowance optional claiming field wire-to-wire in a 7 furlong dirt sprint. She had been knocking on the door of this allowance condition for the last few races, so it was good to see her set the fractions in getting this victory in 1:23.4. She's got 14 in the money finishes in her 26 starts.
Spanish Ambassador has a real Indiana feel to her pedigree. Bred by my main man Eddie, she is out of the mare Do I Make Ya Randi who is by Crown Ambassador. Now, I know there has to be quite a few Crown Ambassador mares out here in Indiana that I would be perfect for. The nick is fantastic with me and Storm Cat-line mares!!! The phone lines are now open!
Get your hypo mating by following this link:
http://www.equineline.com/extendedcontent/tt_content.cfm?StallionRef=6224898&rtype=hypo
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