Three graduates of South Carolina training centers and one horse who calls Camden home, won Stakes between April 22 and May 11.

On April 22, Far Mo Power was 11th and last trailing the leader by 13 lengths after the opening quarter-mile in the Page McKenney Handicap at PARX. This 6-year-old gelding then began to launch his bid advancing on the inside in the turn, then swung to the outside, flew by the field in the stretch and won by 1 ¼ lengths. In 17 career starts, Far Mo Power has 8 wins, 3 seconds and 4 thirds raking up $450,000 in earnings. He learned his early lessons from Randy and Kala Rentz.

Five days later, on April 27, Uncorked (AUS) proved best in the Royal Herione Stakes-G3 at Santa Anita.  Uncorked sat back and saved ground during the run down the backside and around the turn for home. At the top of the stretch, she made her move taking the lead inside the eighth pole and drew clear to win by 3 lengths.  This mare spent time with Donna Freyer at her Custom Care Equine operation in Camden.

Sea Streak was much the best in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park on May 11. Developed for his racing career at the Travis Durr Training Center, Sea Streak stalked the leader during the opening half-mile.  He took command in the final turn and ran away from the field in the stretch, crossing the finish line 7 ¼ lengths in front.  In only 7 career starts, Sea Streak has 2 wins, 3 seconds and a third earning just shy of $200,000.  

Also on May 11, the 7-year old gelding, Abaan, recorded his fourth straight win in a race over hurdles, including 3 Stakes wins. At the Iroquois Steeplechase meet near Nashville, Abaan faced only two others in the Green Pastures Stakes. Abaan calls Camden home. He is trained by Kate Dalton and has been ridden in all of his starts for her by her husband, Bernie. In the Green Pastures, Dalton had Abaan relaxed for the opening 1 ½ miles of this 2 ¼ miles race. He then asked Abaan the question and the horse immediately responded. When clearing the final fence in front, Abaan was a convincing winner by 2 ¾ lengths. In a career over the flat and now jumps, Abaan has 8 wins including 5 Stakes and has earned $621,290.

Always Bet the Grey Horse

We weren’t going to go. No plans.  We were disappointed when our Arrogate colt, Seize the Grey, didn’t make the Derby lineup. But Wayne Lukas moved him from Alternate Entry status to the Pat Day Mile on Derby Day and his lovely victory there started the thought process.

My husband, Charlie Luddeke, and I spent all of our adult lives in the DC/Baltimore area and we used to take a table in the Turfside Terrace for the Preakness for many years. We live in South Carolina now, but the lure of the Triple Crown and real Maryland crab cakes was strong. Minds made up, the next question was tickets! As fractional owners, places at the owner’s box are handed out via lottery, and we hadn’t been winners, and Pimlico was sold out. But not for nothing is Aiken a horse town. We reached out and were directed to Mr. Jack Sadler. We struck a deal, found a parking pass online, and we were headed north!

Preakness day dawned chilly and rainy. We packed up our ponchos; carried my shoes and hat in a plastic bag and slogged our way through the drizzle into the grandstand. We had marvelous seats, looking right at the finish line. We were sharing our box with a group of very nice young men who are friends of Jack. We spent a pleasant afternoon watching the races, betting, eating crab cakes, and encouraging our seat partners to take our 9-1 colt seriously.

Finally, it was time for the Preakness….you could feel the excitement building. Programs were being scanned, money was being exchanged. We convinced our new friends to place some money on the Grey Horse. One young gentleman decided to do the same bet as me, and gave me his lucky $2 bill to ensure we both won. It was time for the horses to be brought to the turfside of the track to stand near their numbers. It began to rain in earnest, and there were quite a few drooping hat feathers on the ladies out with the horses. Then it was riders up and the field headed towards the starting gate. No one was sitting by this time – everyone was standing to watch them head out. And they were off! Seize the Grey took the lead! As they disappeared into the backstretch, all eyes were on our tv screens: yes! He was still in the lead!

My knees began to shake and I had to lean against Charlie to stay upright. They thundered, mud flying, around the final turn and into the stretch. Would Grey fade? Mystik Dan attempted to narrow the gap, but Grey wasn’t having any of it. Jaime Torres dropped him into gear; I burst into tears, and Grey took home the win by 2-1/4 lengths.

There were handshakes, hugs, and kisses all around. The joy of watching beautiful equine athletes do their work is a blessing beyond the money won. By the way, I still have the lucky $2 bill and I’m hoping it does its job on June 8. Go Grey!



Tina Adinolfi

Photo credit: NBC News

SC Well Represented and Midlantic Sales

South Carolina-based consignors were busy at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Timonium, This sale was held the Monday and Tuesday following the running of the Preakness Stakes, May 20 and 21.

Cary Frommer was the consignor of fillies by Honor A. P., Warrior’s Reward, Practical Joke and Candy Ride and colts by Liam’s Map and Catalina Cruiser and an Isotherm gelding. This group of seven sold for $353,000.

Wes Carter saw six sell. His group consisted of colts by Central Banker, Catholic Boy, Mendelssohn, Kantheros and Game Winner and a filly by Goldencents. This group brought a total of $235,000.

James Layden said good-bye to a Gun Runner colt and fillies by Unified, Caravaggio and Hard Spun. They brought a total of $199,000.  Marcus and Crystal Ryan sold four under their Mason Springs banner. They sold colts by Union Rags and War of Will and fillies by Practical Joke and Upstart for a total of $135,000. The Holly Hill Training Center was the consignor of filles by Yoshida and Mendelssohn and a colt by Uncle Lino. This trio sold for a total of $85,000.

From the Desk of...



---  SCTOBA Vice-President Debby McCutchen is the proud owner of Vodka With a Twist, a 2-year-old filly, who won her second career start in a Maiden Special Weight at Churchill Downs on May 17.  The filly is trained by Debby’s son, Jason.

--- Randy and Kala Rentz and Travis Durr each developed recent debut winners.  Nature’s Candy, a graduate of the Rentz’s breaking program, proved best at PARX on April 23.  The Travis Durr Training Center graduate, Gravity Hill, was a first time out winner at Monmouth Park on May 18.

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