BY TAMMY A GANTT

Breeders Brent and Crystal Fernung have another live one on their hands with Florida-bred Wildwood Bye by four-time Florida Stallion of the Year Khozan in Saturday's $200,000 Dig A Diamond Stakes for older fillies and mares at one mile at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

OAKLAWN PARK PRESS RELEASE

Favored Skippylongstocking gave trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. his breakthrough victory in Saturday's $1.25 million G2-Oaklawn Handicap for older horses at 1 1/8 miles.

BY TAMMY A GANTT

A son of Florida's leading freshman sire St. Patrick's Day, Drewmania will go postward in the $200,000 Bachelor Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park facing a field of six contenders going six furlongs. The Florida-bred breaks from the outside post for Robbie Norman of Norman Stables.

According to industry press reports, Stephen Brunetti passed away at home in Delray Beach, Fla following a long battle with cancer at the age of 56 on April 22.

KENTUCKY DERBY PRESS RELEASE

Susumu Fujita's undefeated Forever Young (JPN) worked six furlongs in 1:19.60 over a fast track Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. With jockey Ryusei Sakai aboard, Forever Young posted fractions of :14.80, :28.80, :42.60, :55.20, 1:19.60 and out seven furlongs in 1:33,60.

Florida Connections: 

Joe Pickerrell and Courtney Roberts’ Pick View was responsible for the short yearling purchase. They have been plying their trade out of the old Cashel Stud south of Ocala since 2011. The couple met at the College of Central Florida while working towards degrees in Equine Business Management. Pickerrell, the son of breeder and trainer Bill Pickerrell, grew up on his family’s farm in Ohio before moving to Ocala in 2007 to attend school and work for Joanne Crowe at Crowes Nest Farm Inc. Roberts, a Miami native, has a background in barrel racing.

The horse is also a Colin Brennan Bloodstock graduate. He has grown up working as his father Niall Brennan’s right-hand before branching out to bloodstock work in 2022. He earned degrees in Equine Business Management and Equine Anatomy and Exercise Physiology from the College of Central Florida, and completed the prestigious Darley Flying Start program.

Florida Connections: 

As reported in the popular column ‘Tales from the Crib’ by Kelie Reilly for Brisnet.com, Dornoch had his early education with Raul Reyes at his famed Kings Equine in Ocala. At the academy that he operates with his wife, Martha, Reyes has tutored such stars as Hall of Famer Beholder. At one point Reyes noticed Dornoch was not moving as well in the behind. With his experienced eye, Reyes figured out the cause of the juvenile’s discomfort, a testicular issue. As a developing youngster one testicle did not descend. The simple solution was to remove it and horse still could have a future stud career, like Hall of Famer and leading sire A.P. Indy.