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Inside the WINNER'S CIRCLE
with Kevin Latta
 A popular feature of The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients. Business owner Kevin Latta has been with Hidden Brook since 2007, and is a member of the partnership that races 2012 Belmont Stakes contender Street Life. Here are a few of his thoughts on the Thoroughbred industry, the music industry, the fashion industry, and anything else that came to mind.
Born: Oklahoma City, OK in 1955
Raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Residence: Irving, Texas
Moved to the Dallas area in 2001
Family: Wife: Kelly; Children: Piper, Cassie, Kolby & Lindsey; Grandchildren: 5
Education: University of Arkansas
Masters in Social Stimulation (partying, so my father said)
Primary business: Latta Construction, Irving, TX;
Latta Distribution & KL Land Holdings
So Kevin...George Strait, George Jones, or George Foreman - all native Texans; who's the pick? I pick two: George Jones (Opossum) and George Strait. I love all kinds of music (except Rap), but I really like country.
I understand you were part of the group who went to the Belmont Stakes. Did you wear a cowboy hat? No, although I have several cowboy hats, I didn't want to get reprimanded. "Dapper" Dan Hall has a strict dress code on Stakes Day...minimum, sports coat and tie. Prior to my Hidden Brook association, I had more cowboy hats than sports coats. That is not the case anymore.
Tell us about the Belmont. The Belmont experience was great, and to own a piece of a horse running in it was part of a childhood dream. The Hidden Brook guys made it especially great. Somehow, they managed to get seating, paddock passes and boxes to watch the actual race for all the partners and our friends. It was unbelievable, and not a small task as we were a large group. It was one of the best experiences of mine and Kelly's lives. Check another off the "Bucket List."
Is the Thoroughbred world something you and your wife share? Yes, I think she likes it as much as I do. Partially because of the horses, but she mainly likes the hats, fashion, travel and the new friends we have made. We are empty nesters, and before we got into racing, all we did was work. It's been great fun, and it gives us something we both enjoy.
As I mentioned, I've been able to check several things off my "Bucket List." Among these were the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Breeders' Cup. Since my partnership with Hidden Brook, I have now been to all of them. Not Bad! The rest of the story is, other than at the Derby, I have had a horse competing in a stakes each day of those events, and as you know, STREET LIFE was in the BIG DANCE on Belmont Day.
What got you started in the Thoroughbred industry? I've been interested in racing since my early teens. I used to skip school and drive with friends two hours to Oaklawn Park. We would have to leave after the 6th race and drive back so we wouldn't be missed. I'm one of nine kids, and my mother did a head count at supper time. (My mother had her hands full).
What is the first race you can remember watching? It was 1970 at Oaklawn Park. The horse's name was El Carlo. He was named after my girlfriend's Dad. His name was Dr. Carl Udouj. He won by a neck. It was really exciting.
Tell us about your most exciting personal moment in racing. As an owner, Street Life's maiden victory. You couldn't even see him for 3/4 of the race, he was so far back. He split the horses and won going away. I was giddy to have a colt with that much potential and at that point, Roger Sofer and I started driving everybody crazy in anticipation of what his future might be. We're both a little high strung.
Who are some of the favorite horses you have owned? My four favorite horses which I've been a part of, in no particular order, are:
- Quiet Meadow - Stakes winner and graded stakes placed
- Kenza - Broodmare (purchased the day we sold Quiet Meadow as a broodmare). She was in foal to More Than Ready. We sold both her 2010 and 2011 yearlings privately. She is currently in foal to Big Brown.
- Street Life - Stakes winner, Graded stakes placed, and 4th in the Belmont.
- Pianist - Lost maiden race at Saratoga by a nose. The horse that beat her came right back and ran second in a Grade 1. Watch out!
How many horses do you currently have? I have a piece of nine horses: Two that are currently racing; One that's about a month away; Four 2-year-olds that should be racing soon (knock on wood); One broodmare in foal; One yearling.
What drew you to Hidden Brook? My younger brother, Brant - who was in the racing business for 20 years and held several key positions in the industry, including GM of Santa Anita - had worked with Dan Hall, Mark Roberts and Jack Brothers, and knew of the other Hidden Brook partners and their reputations. He told me if I was going to get in the racing business that this was the group I wanted to be involved with. Was he ever right!
How has the Hidden Brook experience been different? Not only are they my partners, they have became really good friends. My wife and I both enjoy all the guys and their wives and girlfriends. They are all extremely honest and tell you the facts whether good or bad. Dan, Jack, Mark, Sergio, Danny and Mike have decades of experience together and have forgotten more about horse racing than I'll ever know.
Even though I've only met Danny Vella once, and don't know him as well as the other guys, he must be one helluva horseman. Out of four starts on Sunday, June 25th at Woodbine, he had two winners, one of which was the coveted Queen's Plate. He also finished second in a $250,000 stakes [Ed note: see story above].
Dan Hall does a great job of keeping the partners informed. He always returns your call promptly and works with the trainers to make sure your horses are properly placed. When we are in Kentucky and visit the farm, Sergio is always glad to see you and make sure you get to see all your horses. Coy and Joy are very helpful and accommodating. What can I say; they are a top notch, first-class operation.
What advice would you have for others who want to get in the game? In the horse business, you want quality, not quantity. It takes just as much money to train and manage a $5,000 claimer as it does a stakes horse. Therefore, it is important that you use an expert in the field with a proven track record. I told you earlier that Hidden Brook purchased and manages all the horses I own or have owned a part of. That being said, I will let my record speak for itself. I have been with Hidden Brook since late 2007. Since then, Kelly and I have owned parts of 15 horses. Of those 15, none were given away, two were stakes winners and graded stakes placed, four will start racing this year, one yearling. All the others either broke their maiden, were claimed, sold or we still own. My advice is "call Dan Hall 859-621-0526." My expertise is "wood."
Favorite racetrack? Oaklawn Park (childhood memories), but, I love Saratoga.
Magazines on your nightstand? Thoroughbred Times, Sports Illustrated, Architectural Digest
First thing you read in the morning? Usually, business E-mails. Thank goodness for the horse business. My job is very demanding and I can be having a terrible day and all the sudden an e-mail pops up regarding horses or just BS from one of my partners, family or friends, new and old, who love horse racing. It is an escape from the daily grind. It keeps me sane.
Favorite sports teams? Oklahoma Sooners, Dallas Cowboys. Oh yeah, and the Houston Texans.
Favorite place to eat? Bob's Steak and Chop House - Dallas, Texas. Any steak.
Favorite quote or credo? 1. Popeye's "I am what I am, and I ain't what I ain't." 2. Can't never could, won't never will, and shouldn't never shall.
Best advice you ever got? I have two: 1. The day you are born you start dying. So stop and smell the roses. (Hopefully, Kentucky Derby roses one day). 2. Don't take a knife to a gun fight.
Final word for our readers? AND THEY'RE OFF!!!! Have a great day!
Thank you Kevin Latta, for making us laugh out loud, and for giving us a few minutes of your time Inside the Winner's Circle.
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