WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION
 
Gate-to-Wire Newsletter
News from the WTBOA
January 25, 2012

 

Calendar

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

THE JOCKEY CLUB DEADLINE TO NAME FOALS OF 2010

Lexington, KY

(859) 224-2700 or 1 (800) 444-8521

 

Monday, February 6, 2012

PEGASUS THOROUGHBREDS TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE PREVIEW

Redmond, WA

(425) 898-1060; pegasushorsesale.com

 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

PEGASUS THOROUGHBREDS TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE

Redmond, WA

(425) 898-1060; pegasushorsesale.com

 

Friday, February 10, 2012

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers

25 W. Main St., Auburn, WA

(360) 459-6462

 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

NORTHWEST RACE SERIES LATE EXTENTION PAYMENT DEADLINE

(253) 288-7878; [email protected]

 

Saturday, February 18, 2012

WASHINGTON ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET & PRESENTATIONS

Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA

WTBOA (253) 288-7878; [email protected]

 

Tuesday, Febraury 28, 2012

WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP (RACE FOR EDUCATION)

Lexington, KY

(859) 252-8648; [email protected]

 

Friday, March 9, 2012

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers

25 W. Main St., Auburn, WA

(360) 459-6462

 

Monday, March 5, 2012

BARRETTS SELECTED TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE

Pomona, CA 
(909) 629-3099; barretts.com

 

Monday, April 9, 2012

KEENELAND APRIL TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE

Lexington, KY (800) 456-3412; keeneland.com

 

Friday, April 13, 2012

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers

25 W. Main St., Auburn, WA

(360) 459-6462

 

 

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NTRA Advantage

This week's NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook:

Q&A with Luck creator David Milch

A very special collection of Happy Birthday wishes to Mrs. Penny Chenery from a few of her friends

Videos

Photos

Triple Crown Watch

News

Tweets and Voices from the Grandstand

Racing Calendar and more

 

Click HERE to view the
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
for January 25, 2012

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WTBOA Mission Statement
The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association seeks to unite and represent those who are interested in breeding, owning, racing and improving Thoroughbreds in the state of Washington and the Northwest. To generate positive growth, interest and appreciation of Washington Thoroughbreds, the WTBOA is dedicated and committed to education, communication and collaboration, as well as marketing and promoting the nobility, history and benefits of Thoroughbreds.

 

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2012 Pegasus Thoroughbreds 2YO in Training Sale
Visit pegasushorsesale.com for more information
 
Stallion Season Auction
BID DEADLINE CLOSING SOON!!

  What do Abraaj, Beefchopper, Courageous Cat, Delineator, Don Gato, Flying With Eagles, Free At Last, Gold Aly, Gotham City, Harbor the Gold, Houseofroyalhearts, Kentucky Lucky, Liberty Gold, Magna Graduate, Matty G, Millennium Wind, Nationhood, Private Gold, Raise the Bluff, Run Away And Hide, Sixthirteen, Sun King, Supah Blitz, Trickey Trevor, Under Caution and Vitesse have in common?

  ANSWER: They all have seasons offered at a FRACTION of their advertised stud fees! Don't miss out!

  Click here for more information! WRITTEN BIDS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 27. Phone bids will be accepted on Monday and Tuesday, January 30 and 31.

Washington Champion Nominees for 2011 Announced

  We invite you to join us at the Washington Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 18, when we will honor and celebrate all of the Washington champions nominees and their achievements. The banquet, which is presented by the WTBOA, with support from Emerald Downs, the WHBPA and the WTF, will be held at Emerald Downs, in Auburn, Washington.

  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with a Silent Auction and no-host cocktails. Dinner and dessert buffet will begin at 6:45 p.m. In addition to the awards presentations and silent auction, the evening will also include exciting video features, raffle and door prizes.

  Click here for a list of the equine nominees who will be honored. Click here for more information or to make reservations; or you may call (253) 288-7878 for more information.

Kyle Frey Named 2011 Eclipse Apprentice Jockey

  Kyle Frey, grandson of two-time Longacres jockey champion Paul Frey (see In Memoriam below) was named the Eclipse Award winning apprentice jockey for 2011. Born January 3, 1992, the young Frey had 153 wins, 132 seconds and 128 thirds from 884 mounts which earned $4,052,449. During the January 14 Eclipse inductions ceremonies Kyle paid tribute to his grandfather in his acceptance speech.

  Born in Tracy, California, to Jay and Mary Frey, his father is a former trainer and current exercise rider and valet for leading jockey Russell Baze. The future Eclipse winner grew up going to the track and started riding at age eight. While in his late teens Kyle furthered his horsemanship skills at a ranch in Washington and later worked for Northern California trainer Steve Miyadi.

Kyle began his race riding career at Golden Gate Fields on November 26, 2010. Though he finished ninth in that race, his first win would come just nine days later when he rode Terina to victory on December 5 at the Albany track. The apprentice rider moved to Pennsylvania's Parx Racing last March and was that track's leading apprentice rider with 123 wins from 661 starts through December 31.
Jim Fergason Saddles 1,000th Winner

  Pacific Northwest horseman Jim Fergason saddled his 1,000th winner in the seventh race at Portland Meadows on January 18. The win came with Mo's Flashy Date, a four-year-old Washington-bred gelding sired by Munger Farm's Nacheezmo. A trainer since 1977, Fergason also stood the successful sire Cisco Road at his Fergason Thoroughbred Farm in Brush Prairie. He has conditioned 62 stakes winners, including recent Lethal Grande Sprint Championship winner He's a Goblin, who he co-bred and co-owns with Gerildyn Johnson. All but two of his stakes winners have been at Portland Meadows.

Pacific Northwesterners Faring Well at Turf Paradise

  Several trainers and jockeys with Pacific Northwest connections are doing well at the Turf Paradise meet which began on October 1, 2011. Cody Axmaker, son of Pete Axmaker, began his training career when the meet started and has so far saddled 11 winners to co-rank ninth on the trainers' list. The young trainer saddled a trio of winners on January 19-20 and also has had three seconds and five thirds from 47 starters. Former leading trainer Mike Chambers currently ranks third with 39 wins. Former jockey Sandi Gann has saddled ten winners during the Arizona meet and Jonathan Nance and Jared Brown have tacked up seven winners each.

Washington Hall of Famer Vicky Baze currently ranks fifth in the jockeys standings with 35 wins from 278 mounts. All figures are through January 24.
Grindstone Sires Grade 2 Palos Verdes Winner

  Frumious became the 19th stakes winner and ninth graded stakes victor for his sire, Oakhurst Thoroughbreds' classic winner Grindstone, when the six-year-old gelding came home nearly six lengths the better of second place Gallentos in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (G2) run at Santa Anita Park on January 21. The Kentucky-bred out of Eternal Legend, by Gold Legend, had taken a six-furlong allowance at the California track on New Year's Eve in his previous outing. Trained by Jeff Bonde for George Schmitt and Mary Clare, Frumious improved his record to 6-0-4 from 15 starts and has now earned $259,192. Frumious's victory topped the weekly BRIS Stakes Speed Ratings with 111.

  Grindstone, the 1996 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, moved to the Newberg, Oregon, nursery from Overbrook Farm in Kentucky for the 2010 breeding season.

WTBOA Sales Graduates in the News

  2010 WTBOA sales alumni Bahati Gold, who had finished a close second in the Bill Wineberg Stakes in his previous outing, won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race by two lengths for owner-trainer Neil Knapp on January 16 at Portland Meadows. Bred in Oregon by Bar C Racing Stables and Desert Rose Racing, the new winner is a son of former Bar C Racing stallion Soft Gold (Brz) and is out of the Horse Chestnut (SAf) matron Bahati. A photo of the Bill Wineberg Stakes was featured on the cover of the January 2012 The Racing Journal.

  Ready to Unleash, a three-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of More Than Ready, improved her record to 2-2-1 from five starts after she won an about 5 1/2-furlong turf allowance at Fair Grounds on January 22 to increase her earnings to $60,640. She is a full sister to $149,502 stakes winner Hype and half-sister to $291,528 stakes winner Modern Cowboy and stakes-placed Tis a Man. All are out of 1998 Washington champion two-year-old and 1997 WTBOA summer sale graduate Western Woman, a stakes-winning daughter of West by West.

  Todd and Shawn Hansen's homebred Skinny Genes, a four-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Pleasant Tap, won a mile starter allowance race over Santa Anita's turf course on January 20. It was the third win in seven starts for the filly out of $116,444 winner Maytown Misstree, a 1997 WTBOA Winter Sale yearling. Maytown Misstree is a daughter of Country Light out of a half-sister to Washington champion and Longacres Mile winner Red Wind.
Other News

  Let's Get Crackin, a Kentucky-bred son of Eddington, added stakes placement number four after he finished third in the $82,500 San Pedro Stakes run at Santa Anita Park on January 22. The $87,310 earner is out of Playfair stakes winner I'maknightschoice, a Washington-bred daughter of Knights Choice bred by Jerry and Carol Many.

  Gordon Jarnig and Billie Klokstad'sUpstairs Maid, a five-year-old California-bred daughter of Trapper-Alternate Verse, by Benchmark, took her third consecutive allowance race (and fifth win in her last six starts, the other being a second place finish), after she went gate-to-win to win a six-furlong allowance test at Golden Gate Fields on January 12. The Bud Klokstad trainee improved her record to 8-4-3 from 18 starts and has earned $213,546.

  Honors for the first Washington-sired stakes horse of the new year goes to three-year-old Cahill Chrome, a California-bred son of the late Cahill Road who finished second by one length to Russian Greek in the $100,520 California Derby held at Golden Gate Fields on January 14. The gelding out of Takes Two to Mango, by Bold Badget, races for Kjell Qvale and has earned $76,182 from his 3-3-1 record in ten starts.

  Gary Hughes' 2010 Emerald Downs Derby winner Saratoga Boots took the $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap run over Turf Paradise's grass course on January 14. The five-year-old Arkansas-bred gelding hails from Mike Chambers' barn and was ridden to his nose victory over Leroy's Dynameaux by Anne Von Rosen. A son of Storm Boot-Saratoga Sparkle, by Saratoga Six, Saratoga Boot improved his record to 4-2-4 and the full brother to $124,845 stakes winner Sexy Boots has earned $147,182.

  Dr. George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's Lady of Fifty earned her third stakes win when the three-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of After Market-K. D.'s Shady Lady, by Maria's Mon, took the $100,000 California Oaks by 3 1/4 lengths on January 21 at Golden Gate Fields. Ridden by Russell Baze, she improved her record to 4-0-1 from five starts and has now earned $154,170.

  Billie Klokstad and Helen Sherry's homebred I'm Tops made in two in a row after the Washington-bred half-sister to 2011stakes-placed Windy Sails won an allowance/$32,000 optional claiming race at Golden Gate after a three month layoff. Trained by Bud Klokstad, the three-year-old daughter of Woodstead Farm stallion He's Tops-Summer Sails, by In Excess (Ire), has won half of her six starts and earned $42,460.

  Ken and Jan Heidt's homebred Summer Hit won his first start by nine lengths on January 21 in a $12,500 maiden claiming race at Golden Gate Fields. Claimed out of the race, the now former Tim McCanna-trained Summer Hit is a California-bred son of recently retired stallion Bertrando out of the Tough Knight mare Mia F Eighteen, who is also the dam of $198,697 four-time Emerald Downs stakes winner Starbird Road, a Washington-bred son of Count the Time.

  In Spokane native and racing analyst Jon White's XpressBet.com column on January 18, 2012, titled "A Question to Ponder?", he asks "Who is the fastest horse alive?" He then recaps the late Washington Eclipse Award winner and horse of the year Chinook Pass's brilliant career, before listing his six current finalists: unbeaten Australian super mare Black Caviar, 2011 English champion Frankel and retired runners Cigar (1995 and 1996 Horse of the Year), Commentator, Formal Gold and Ghostzapper (2004 Horse of the Year).

  Among the 2011 Sovereign Award finalists are the partnership of Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella, who among the many stakes winners they raced last year, was multiple stakes winner Castinette Dancer, a now four-year-old Washington-bred daughter of Ministers Wild Cat.

  The British Columbia Premier's Handicap, which is featured at Hastings Racecourse and was taken by Washington-bred Jebrica last year, has been upgraded to Canadian Grade 3 for 2012.

  Dr. Mark Dedomenico will bred his 2010 champion filly Blind Luck, who was one of the few distaffers to defeat 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace last year, to 2011 leading second year sire Bernardini. The now five-year-old daughter of Pollard's Vision earned over $3.2-million with a 12-7-2 record in 22 starts. "She brought a lot of joy to my life," said Dedomenico, who raced Blind Luck in partnership before purchasing her completely for $2.5-million at last year's Keeneland November sale. "I just thought, 'I'm going to take care of what was good to me.' And she sure was good to me."

  Correction: The phone number for Lawler Ranch listed on the Patriot Noise stallion register page in the December issue should be (509) 930-4679. We apologize for the error.

In Memoriam

Paul Frey

  Two-time Longacres leading rider Paul Frey, 73, died of pneumonia on January 14, 2012, in Palo Alto, California, just two days before his grandson Kyle Frey was named 2011 Eclipse Award winning apprentice jockey.

  Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in 1938, he rode 2,478 winners in a career that spanned from 1953 to 1972. He became only second rider in Longacres' history to ride 100 winners after he guided 103 mounts to the winner's circle during the 63-day meet in 1964. He won a Longacres record 115 races in 1966, a mark that stood for five years. In the history of Longacres, Frey finished in the number four spot in both wins (810) and stakes victories (41). Twice, during the 1956 and 1969 meets, he rode six winners from nine mounts, and he scored with five winners on at least four other Longacres' cards.

  Among the many stakes winners he rode at Longacres were Washington champions Sparrow Castle, Grey Papa, Tenino Ville, Gold Afloat and Dr. John H. He also rode the popular stakes star Lak Nak to six stakes victories. Frey, who was a Washington Racing Hall of Fame finalist in both 2010 and 2011, counted two victories in the Longacres Derby (Sparrow Castle and Ahead Tiger) and Washington Futurity (Te Amo Weep and Dr. John H), as well as in three consecutive runnings of the British Columbia Handicap from 1966 to 1968. He rode in 11 Longacres Miles with his best efforts being a second with three-year-old Dr. John H. in 1962 and third place finishes with Cold Steele in 1959 and Lak Nak in 1966.

  He was also a leading rider in Northern California, where he won the California Derby aboard On My Honor, who he would later guide to a fourth-place finish in the 1963 Kentucky Derby. In addition, he rode Diamond Lou, Most Host and Poona Downs to Northern California stakes wins.

  After retiring from race riding, Frey worked in the jockey's room at Bay Meadows, Golden Gate Fields and on the fair circuit. He was Hall of Famer Russell Baze's valet for several years, including during the time Baze eclipsed Lafitt Pincay Jr.'s win record.

  Paul is survived by his wife, Diane; daughters, Danae and Debbie; son, Jay; stepsons, Jim and John; and many grandchildren.

 

David Louis Martin

  David L. Martin, 69, passed away on January 11, 2012, after an 11-month battle with kidney cancer. Born on May 13, 1942, in Ogallala, Nebraska, he was the youngest of three children born to Theodore and Mary Jane Martin. When he was five years old, the Martins moved to Quincy where his father ran a dairy farm. On the dairy farm, Dave learned the meaning of unrelenting and hard work; an ethic he perfected over his long career.

  In 1960 he graduated from Quincy High School, where he was a star athlete and valedictorian of his senior class. Dave graduated from Washington State University in 1964. That fall, he began law school at the University of Washington and passed the bar in 1967. He worked briefly at the Washington State Attorney General's office before being drafted into the United States Army in 1968. While posted to Ft. Myer, Virginia, as a member of the U.S. Army Military Police, Dave attended George Washington University Law School and obtained a master's degree in labor law. He also met his future wife, Janet Kudela. In late 1970, after marrying Janet, Dave returned to the Seattle area. After a brief stint as a partner in a personal-injury plaintiff's firm, Dave joined the firm of Lee Smart in 1972 and over the next few years, Dave's drive, vision and accomplishments in the courtroom pushed Lee Smart to the forefront of the insurance-defense practice in the Pacific Northwest. Dave remained the driving force and defining personality of the firm for the rest of his life. During his tenure at Lee Smart the prominent trial lawyer tried more than 100 cases to verdict against the best lawyers in the Northwest. Dave was listed in America's Best Lawyers from its first edition to the present. Early in his career, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory awarded him its highest "AV" rating. Dave has been listed as a "superlawyer" since the inception of that ranking in Washington State.

  Dave originally got into the racehorse business in 1989 when he became part owner of Playfair Race Course in Spokane (1989-1997) where he also served on the track's board of directors. He purchased his first racehorses in 1994 and among the successful runners who raced in his Jack Rabbit Stable colors were Sherlock Scott, Stitch 'n Weave, Benevolent Queen, Shahmeka, Prince Otto and Capable Lad. Also a breeder, Dave raced in Washington, Oregon and California.

  His brother Ted Martin, who passed away in 2001, was a longtime industry leader and horseman who had served as general manager of both Playfair Race Course and Portland Meadows, as well as the racing secretary at Yakima Meadows.

  Dave also enjoyed time spent at the family cabin on Camano Island and was always up for a game of blackjack. Dave was deeply loved and respected by family, friends, his partners, associates and colleagues because of his integrity and humanity.

  Dave was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Theodore; and his first wife, Janet. He is survived by son, Andrew; daughter, Jennifer; sister Genevieve; second wife, Leigh Ann; and an extended family, work family and friends.

 

Les L. Stehr

  Les Stehr, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2012, at age 78 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after experiencing a stroke.

  Les was born on May 14, 1933, in Odessa, Washington, the oldest of four children of Fred and Helen Stehr. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Odessa High School. He then went on to Washington State University where he earned a degree in hotel and restaurant administration. In 1955 Les entered the U. S. Air Force where he went on to become an aircraft commander on the then new C-123 aircraft. Before leaving the Air Force, Les received a position as club officer where he substantially increased the profitability of the officers' club.

  Les left the Air Force in April 1960 and soon found himself managing the Elks Club in Auburn. During his tenure at the Elks he was able to bring in national billings, including the Lennon Sisters and Bob Newhart, in what was his first ever private club appearance.

  In 1974 Les bought into the Lee Restaurant in Enumclaw as a minority owner. Les eventually bought out the remaining owners and ran it until he sold it in March 2011 to his stepdaughter, for whom he continued to manage the books until his death.

  Les was involved in the Washington racing scene for many years. Among the good horses he raced, either alone or in partnership, were stakes winners Last Phone Call and Unyielding.

  Les was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Meridian Valley Golf Club and was also an active member of many social circles. He was also a longtime Elks member.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Ron. He is survived by his daughter, Laurie (Dave) Krone; grandchildren, Tanner and Bradey; brother, Tom (Julie) Stehr; sister, Peggy (Arch) Burk; along with many stepchildren, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews.