Of Rombauer, N.J.-breds, and Secretariat
At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much of a back story behind Preakness winner Rombauer, but in actuality it is a story that is rich in history and now can finally be told thanks to the heroics of the son of Twirling Candy.~ Steve Haskin
Of Rombauer, N.J.-breds, and Secretariat
By Steve Haskin
It was the late 1980s, William A. Purdey, owner of Greenfields, a Thoroughbred breeding farm on the outskirts of Colt’s Neck, New Jersey, was still beaming with pride over the accomplishments of his homebred filly Spruce Fir, who had won the Matchmaker Stakes at Atlantic City, one of 12 stakes the daughter of Big Spruce would win.
Purdey, a former sports reporter with the Red Bank Register, had inherited his mother’s farm in 1967 along with few broodmares. In 1972, with his racehorses trained in Maryland, Purdey got tired of the long drive to see them race, so he moved them all to New Jersey and hired Harry Wells to train them. His first starter with Wells was a 2-year-old filly named Jostling Queen, who won first time out. Purdey kidded with Wells after the race, saying, “It’s strictly downhill from here.”
Although he was kidding, his words would prove to be prophetic. Jostling Queen would win only two more races in 19 starts before retiring as a broodmare at Greenfields, and Purdey would have little success over the next 15 years.
But one’s impact on the sport often does not manifest itself until generations later and in Purdey’s case it was Jostling Queen’s great-great-grandson Rombauer winning the 2021 Preakness Stakes. Looking at the colt’s immediate pedigree no one could have known that his story not only goes back through generations of New Jersey-breds, but to Secretariat and the birth of the Meadow Stud empire.
In 1987, Purdey was in Kentucky to accept the New Jersey state breeders’ award from the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association thanks to the success of Spruce Fir. That gave him an excuse to visit Claiborne Farm to see the great Secretariat. “That was such a great thrill,” Purdey said years later. “I had seen him on TV, but never in person.”
Any small-time breeder would be in awe of seeing Big Red in the flesh, but Purdey’s admiration of the stallion and the pride he felt just being in his presence went far deeper than that. As he watched Secretariat romping about in his paddock, his thoughts must have drifted back to the summer of 1947.
Following the death of his grandfather, William H. LaBoyteaux, earlier that year, all of LaBoyteaux’s racing and breeding stock were sold at separate auctions at Saratoga to settle his estate. Among the 26 broodmares sold was the 9-year-old Imperatrice, who was by LaBoyteaux’s stallion Caruso. Imperatrice, trained by George M. Odom, showed her versatility on the racetrack defeating the boys in the six-furlong Fall Highweight Handicap and winning the seven-furlong Test Stakes at Saratoga. Stretching out in distance she was second in the mile and an eighth Beldame Stakes.
Purchasing the New Jersey-bred Imperatrice for $30,000, in foal to another of LaBoyteaux’s stallions, Piping Rock was Christopher Chenery. After being sent to Chenery’s farm The Meadow, near Doswell, Virginia, it was discovered that Imperatrice was barren. After notifying the executors of the estate, Chenery was given a refund of $5,000.
At the time of the sale, Imperatrice had a 2-year-old in training named Scattered, a daughter of Whirlaway who would go on to win the Coaching Club American Oaks and Pimlico Oaks for King Ranch, making the purchase of his dam by Chenery all the more promising. Imperatrice also had a yearling at the time, later to be named Imperium, by Piping Rock, who would go on to win the Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar and set a six-furlong track record at Santa Anita in 1:09 2/5, and a weanling by Piping Rock later to be named Squared Away, who won eight stakes in her 103-race career, including the Bay Shore, Paumonok, Roseben, Sport Page Autumn Days, and Interbrough Handicaps.
Imperatrice would produce 12 foals for Chenery, including stakes winners Speedwell, Imperial Hill, and Temen along with four other winners. Of the rest of her foals to race, only two retired winless with zero earnings. One of them was a daughter of Princequillo named Somethingroyal. Although her racing career proved fruitless, the 13th of Somethingroyal’s 18 foals was that that big red stallion that Purdey was looking at with such pride at Claiborne Farm, knowing the Triple Crown winner’s granddam was bred in New Jersey by his grandfather.
LaBoyteaux had been a major supporter of Thorughbred racing in New Jersey. His original farm, called Hop Creek Farms, was comprised of a 650-acre horse and cattle farm and a 120-acre dairy farm. In addition to Imperatrice, he bred several other stakes winners before his death at age 74. In 1945, he and a group of associates had purchased the Fasig-Tipton Company in Saratoga. After he died the horse and cattle farm was sold to a construction man from North Jersey. The remaining dairy farm was to go to LaBoyteaux’s two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary (Purdey’s mother). Elizabeth already had a home in Freehold, New Jersey and had no desire to move, so Mary took over the 120 acres and named it Greenfields, while maintaining the racing and breeding operation that eventually went to her son.
Like all owners and breeders, Purdey’s dream at the time was to one day breed a Kentucky Derby winner, but “winning any kind of a race would be a thrill, whether it be stakes, allowance or even claiming,” he said back in 1987, five years before his homebred Dance Floor finished third in the Run for the Roses for trainer D. Wayne Lukas and MC Hammer’s Oaktown Stable.
Purdey never did get his Derby winner, but little did he know that he had built the foundation of a Preakness winner three years earlier when he bred his first starter, the aforementioned Jostling Queen, to Vigors and a got a filly named Social Conduct, who placed in four stakes in New Jersey. He then bred Social Conduct to Afleet and got a filly who he sold at the 1993 Keeneland September yearling sale for $10,500 to John and Diane Fradkin.
That summer Fradkin had claimed a horse named Ruff Hombre for $25,000 at Hollywood Park. Unfortunately for him Ruff Hombre finished last in the race and was off for two months, but returned at Del Mar to win what would be the final race of his career. The Fradkins took the earnings from Ruff Hombre’s victory and purchased Purdey’s skinny New Jersey-bred Afleet filly, who they named Ultrafleet. But in four career starts she failed to hit the board, so they retired her as a broodmare, despite everyone telling them it was a “stupid move.”
Ulltrafleet produced 14 foals before her death in 2012. Among them were California Flag, who won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and graded stakes winner Cambiocorsa, who is the granddam of 2018 European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion. The Fradkins decided to keep Ultrafleet’s next-to-last foal, by Cowboy Cal, who was not a fashionable sire and later was sent to South Korea, and named her Cashmere, who never made it to the races.
In 2018, they bred Cashmere, one of their two broodmares, to Twirling Candy and got a colt they named Rombauer, who was raised at Machmer Hall near Lexington, Kentucky.
“The best thing about him is that he never had anything wrong with him,” said Machmer Hall’s Carrie Brogden. “He foaled easily and was correct and well-balanced. The mare can be a little tough and funny, and when she came to us originally to board, John warned us that she can be really ‘opinionated.’ The Fradkins have been good friends and they are very loyal and wonderful people. Rombauer like many of the Twirling Candys, was such an efficient mover and he had a great mind. He literally had no issues.”
But the question for the Fradkins was what to do with him. As small-time commercial breeders their main priority is to sell their horses. The only horses they kept were the ones they couldn’t sell. But in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the April Ocala Breeders 2-year-old sale was delayed a couple of months.
Since Cashmere typically produced precocious babies that won early on, consigner Eddie Woods who gave the colt his early training, advised the Fradkins to wait and sell him privately under the assumption he would win early on and have more value as a proven racehorse than as an unraced 2-year-old.
“He was a quiet laid-back sort,” Woods recalled. “He was a bit long and short-legged but a very good mover. He just didn’t have enough speed to be a fancy 2-year-old sales horse. You just never know where the good ones will come from”
So the Fradkins sent Rombauer to their trainer Mike McCarthy at Santa Anita and he did prove his worth right off the bat, winning his first career start at a mile on turf at Del Mar. They thought for sure the offers would come pouring in, but because the time of the race, his 48 Beyer speed figure, and 20 Thoro-Graph number were extremely slow they received no worthwhile offers, so their only recourse was to keep him.
Their other good fortune came after he tried the dirt and finished second in the grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes and a fast-closing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The plan was to start off 2021 in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, but when horses like Medina Spirit, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Hot Rod Charlie, and the promising Roman Centurian showed up, Fradkin decided the race was too tough, and two weeks later there was a much easier spot in the El Camino Real Derby on Golden Gate’s Tapeta surface, in which the winner would receive an automatic invitation to the Preakness Stakes. Rombauer just got up to win the El Camino Real and the rest as they say is history.
And so we have come full circle, from William LaBoyteaux to Imperatrice to Somethingroyal to Secretariat, and paralleling that from LaBoyteaux’s grandson William Purdey to his first starter Jostling Queen all the way to the Fradkins, Ultrafleet, Cashmere, and finally to Rombauer. It is a story of the underdog, the birth of a legend, generations of New Jersey breeding, and finally to a Preakness victory nearly half a century after the spectacular record-breaking performance by Secretariat in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. People don’t last forever, but their dreams often do. They just can take a long time to come true. For Wiilliam LaBoyteaux and William Purdey, who passed away in 2002, they would never know the impact they had on the sport.
Rombauer Photos courtesy of Associated Press, Carrie Brogden and Eclipse Sportswire
Love your work. Another great column. Looks like an exciting Belmont Stakes then onto Saratoga!!
Wow. Another fascinating story
Wow Another fascinating story
Bravo!
I think we can do better than simpleton and dingbat, right?
I doubt simpleton and dingbat are in the same group. To say the race is over, because a horse will get the lead, in a mile and a half race, is being way too simple……….every horse can go 46…….why dont they?……there is a reason.
These reasons people give for horses winning are funny….
I keep reading my post and can’t seem to find the part that says RYW will win or that I’m picking him. I asked a question about who would contest the pace, with one speed type (HRC) withdrawn. As always, you see what you want to see.
Probably. If not, it’s all over
Can anyone read this?……..yes….you can……….it’s over……..no need to watch…..
Name the last horse that had won a G1 and had a distance pedigree, got an uncontested early lead in the Belmont…and DIDN’T win. But I think that RYW will be pressured early. Trainers know how dangerous it is to let a horse like RYW dictate the pace.
Steve, it was sad to read that Barney Curley has just passed away. I’ll never forget his vocal onslaught with John McCririck which can be viewed on YouTube under the title “Barney Curley rant full version.”
Truly sad seeing all the characters in racing leaving the stage.
I saw that. Curley was a real character. My favorite was McCririck vs. Matt Chapman on the use of the whip. That was an all out brawl. you gotta love the Brrits.
Yes, Steve, I’ve seen the McCririck vs Matt Chapman whip debate as well. In the end, the reduction of whip use won the debate and for the good of racing.
What baffert used……doesnt effect performance……..Mcnally?…….what he used actually can…………..
Another wrong assumption in this wacky crazy s show of a sport.
Using CBD can help athletes to suppress the amount of anxiety they feel, which may indirectly improve overall performance. Studies have discovered that CBD is effective for reducing pain, including stiff joints, as well as musculoskeletal pain from exercise.
Everyone gets everything wrong in this sport.
This positive is way way way worse…
No on uses scope…..no one uses lido race day……these wouldnt help……….cbd WOULD HELP………ABSOLUTE INSURER TRAINER RULE ………… is clear…………
The rule is unfair, like i said with bob……but we need this rule…….life is not fair……
dingbat……
lol
Good news for Rock Your World fans. Midnight Bourbon won’t be entered in the Belmont Stakes. Who’s gonna run with RYW?
Hot Rod Charlie?
Probably. If not, it’s all over (assuming RYW doesn’t have another disastrous start).
If EQ is entered,thinking between these 2.
So you’re off Known Agenda? (figuratively, I know you’re not a jockey—or are you?)
The Derby is the Derby and the Belmont is the Belmont. (I’ll give you a few seconds to copy and paste that gem into your book of wisdom.) I’ll wait for entries next week.
simpleton………
No. Simpleton is a plodder.
He illustrates zero respect.
To say a horse will win…..because he will get the lead…..is funny…..”it’s over”? Because he gets lead?…..
Probably over if he gets an uncontested lead (i.e., better than a 50% chance to win in that case). I don’t know yet who will be in the race, so I’m not making a pick at this time. How about you? Or will you weasel out like in the Preakness? And do you not understand the pace factor when you have a horse with class and pedigree?
You shouldn’t put yourself down.
Hey Steve…I see Ron MacAnally is under suspicion for a positive from last November—a substance that is not even classified, which makes it a class 1 violation, and that’s very bad for the 88 year old trainer—it was from a hand cream used by the jockey—not in any way an enhancer for the horse—mewonders if the witch hunt is going to cloud the sport more than it was meant to—also—mewonders if the lasix ban is part of the reason for drug positives, I don’t know if lasix helps rid the body of medications, I know it rids the body of fluids….
Yeah I saw that. Sounds like the rider screwed up by using it for himself and having it on his hands. I can assure you McAnally did not use that the on the horse. I dont ever recall him having a positive in like 60 years.
They are trying to classify it as a level 3 violation, but rules are rules, and as of now it’s class 1—here’s a shout out to the PRO VET—does the lasix ban make it take longer to expel legal meds from a race horse?
To say it does or doesn’t would be inaccurate. Many factors are in play. It would simplistic…..like saying a horse will win because he had the lead.
We’re just talking horse racing, vet…front runners win lots of Belmonts, I like speed in longer races, but just cuz I like a horse doesn’t mean you have to say “its over”, tell you what…I won’t ask you about lasix anymore, by the way asking you was out of respect, I expected better than a backhanded chide as an answer!
Agreed! I’ve posted for years Mr. McAnally is class act all the way.
lasix doesn’t mask anything….the testing is obviously unreal now…..where are the rule is a rule people now?
If you’re a proponent of medication, why aren’t you taking your own?
Bravo!
I “get” it…….you joke because you can’t debate anything…..or make a comment that is about anything….”hey clown!….do something funny”…..
What would you like to debate?
No I wasn’t saying it can MASK, was thinking it could help to EXPEL, and I don’t know if it can do that…was thinking perhaps lasix might have helped in that regard, that’s my question…
We’re going to get a good Belmont Stakes! Reminds me of 2012, with I’ll Have Another absent—race turned out to be pretty good, with many contenders, this one has five or so, which makes for a good race–they never ran this route and they probably never again will—
Yes, the 2012 race had many contenders which made for good betting opportunities. BUT…it was a dreadful field for a TC race.
I thought 2012 was a good year….
What an effort by the master trainer, Jim Bolger, Mac Swiney and Poetic Flare run first and second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Hats off to Poetic Flare, he’s run in the English, French, and Irish Guineas, all within three weeks, while almost winning two of them. Genius, trumps ‘all the money in the world’ a tour de force.
Great trainer and great accomplishment.
Breeder, trainer, owner all in the family. Amazing.
Laura, I have run out of space to reply to you. Im not sure what you mean by they keep getting close (to Secretariat’s record). No horse has cracked 2:26 in the almost 50 years since and only one horse has cracked 2:27 in the last 20 years.
Despite finishing 31 lengths behind Big Red, Twice a Prince’s final time would beat every Belmont Stakes winner from 2010 to 2013. 🙂
taking nothing away from the great Secrtetariat, but that year they were trying for fast tracks, and they got fast tracks–Belmont was blazing fast for the Belmont Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby also was run over a lightening fast surface.
Why am i the only one that knows it wasnt 31 lengths?……eye test fails…..time test fails….count to 4 seconds fails……..
BUT YOU READ IT…….. so it must be true…………just like his heart weight…….if someone writes it…..it is true
“Why am i the only one that knows it wasnt 31 lengths?”
Oh boy, that’s a tough one. But I’ll give it a shot. First guess: You’re INSANE?
Hey Steve, you were right about NBC’s ratings for the Preakness. They got over 7,000,000 viewers which was a 29% increase over the May 2019 race. It was the most watched Preakness since Justify’s 2018 win.
When am I going to learn not to bet against Steve Haskins? You’re on a roll this year, Steve, whether it’s picking winners or forecasting viewship. lol Keep it rolling!
Thanks, but I havent picked many winners. I did bet the Preakness exacta several times, but Rombauer was a late pick after watching his last workout.
The 2019 event was the lowest-rated Preakness broadcast since NBC began televising the TC races in 2001 (and it was the 2nd lowest of all TC events). Neither MaxSec or Country House were in the ’19 Preakness. So the increase from ’19 to ’21 isn’t very significant. 2013 had 9.7 million viewers, 2014 had 9.6mil, 2015 had 8.9mil, and 2016 had 9.4mil.
When I predicted the ratings would be huge I wasnt thinking since 2018. That means nothing especially since last year doesnt count. By announcing the ratings in that manor it was nothing but a spin by NBC.
Steve – Fascinating story as only you can tell it! I can’t resist pointing out that Rombauer has an astounding number of pedigree connections to Man o’ War – 33 in all, including 19 on his sire Twirling Candy’s side, and 14 on his dam Cashmere’s side! Those formidable genes just keep appearing in modern thoroughbred stars.
There is a reason Man O War still regarded as an asset to the breed.
Thank you. John Nerud always looked for Man o’ War when planning his pedigrees
Charlatan……i have been telling everyone all year……he is not very sound…..he won’t be around long……he is now out after his work…….
Yey, when it happens…..it goes from “how do you know?” “do you know more than the trainer”….to…….”we all knew he wasnt very sound”…..
If you give me your address, I’ll send you some cookies.
lmao!!!!!!!!
Oh me too, that’s just too funny!! Eddie you’re humor is appreciated!
….”your” humor.
Eddie, you’re our Court Jester in the honorable House of Haskin!
Ironic that Joel Rosario rode those two and now lands in the saddle of France Go de Ina. The racing gods doth have a sense of humor.
Rumor has it Flavien Prat will opt for Hot Rod Charlie, and John Velazquez will ride Rombauer in the Belmont Stakes.
If true, this should bode will for HRC’s chances of winning the last leg of the Triple Crown. However, I’ll remain true blue to Rock Your World, and key him on top in my exotic wagers.
Hmmm…
Last time a Preakness winner had a jockey change in the Belmont? In anyone’s lifetime?
Last time a horse skipped the Derby, and then won the Preakness and the Belmont? In anyone’s lifetime?
(In 1997, Touch Gold skipped the Derby, finished 4th in the Preakness, and won the Belmont)
No I can’t recall a jockey change. Derby to Preakness yes but not Preakness to Belmont. As for jockey changes now between the jockeys, their agents and what other horses they plan or have commited to that day.
Dig a little digging into your other question about the horses that skipped the Derby and then won the other 2 legs. Not in our life times I could find. Man O War skipped the Derby, won the other 2. Granted didn’t spend hours on it either. Most of the others either tried all 3, or skipped in between or ran but didn’t win. Capot 1949 did win the Preakness and the Belmont barely. No mention of him in the Derby and was listed as an undefeated horse. The trainer was not going to enter the horse, leg issues but the owner over ruled him. Not ideal race day, rainy, foggy and the jockey misjudged the finish wire. Had started to ease him back. When the jockey realized the mistake started urging him and Capot won by a short head. They did send him to Europe but the leg issues came back and was retired to stud. His stud career was dismal. Not very fertile and few foals. Said the trainer wanted on his gravestone trained the undefeated Capot.
I am no Steve so best I could do.
Thanks for the research, Laura. I had a feeling that history would be against Rombauer. As for Capot, he did run in the 1949 Derby, finishing second to Ponder.
Well sorry about the mistake. Like I said no Steve H here. As for history, well you never know. History was against Secretariat as well. No son of Bold Ruler was thought to be able to go the distance in the Belmont. Justify not that long ago beat the odds as well being so lightly raced. Go all the way back to the great match race of War Admiral and Seabiscuit. The odds were against Seabiscuit that day. If you read the book they did pretty much have to retrain him and lost his regular rider to boot.
At the time. no Bold Ruler was supposed top be able to go a mile an a quarter. That belief escalated when Secretariat lost the Wood
Very true Steve about the Derby distance but he still had to do the mile and a half yet as well. All the TC winners have been blessed to watch Secretariat’s Belmont has to be the top one for me. The movie DVD I used to have had all those extra features with interviews from the people around the horse. Really enjoyed hearing that after he lost a race he would go to a back corner of his stall and sulk. Then go out and break another track record.
Records are made to be broken but far as I know his time and length of finish still stands to this day. It was a small field but I really don’t think it would have mattered the way he broke from the gate that day.
I think Secretariat’s record time of 2:24 in the Belmont will stand forever. His son, Risen Star, ran the 4th fastest Belmont and his grandson, AP Indy ran the 3rd fastest Belmont.
They keep getting closer to the time and on the right day, perfect conditions, some horse will shave it a bit. What we won’t see though is the winning margin! I mean Sham really tried to take him but ended up frying himself. It wasn’t until the race was over and they recounted the poles watching the film they knew it was 31 lengths. The fractions he set that day not sure any other horse has come close to but I could be wrong there. If I recall correctly Bill Nack said he ran every quarter faster then the one before.
Kind of appropriate his nickname was Big Red. They called Man O War red as well. There were differences of course. Man O War could be cranky. He also carried a lot more weight. They really don’t handicap horses here like they used to. Then again not sure they do anywhere any more. Never going to see another Phar Lap again either. They had to pile about 150 lbs on him before he lost.
Im not sure what you mean by they keep getting close. No horse has cracked 2:26 in the almost 50 years since and only one horse has cracked 2:27 in the last 20 years.
Not speaking for Laura, but I’d imagine it’s simply the amazing run. And that MOW wasn’t just cranky but would take your arm off at the elbow, if you tried to pet him. 🙂 MOW was amazing. Secretariat created something else. It’s almost like a mythology. It’s the wishing to see that, again, which keeps many of us coming back.
Mr. Haskin, I think you meant to say 2:24 in the Belmont. AP Indy and Risen Star cracked 2:26.
People were so focused on Bold Ruler’s inability to get the distance; they obviously overlooked the fact that his dam, Somethingroyal was by one of the greatest long distance runner’s of all time, Princequillo. The life and times of Princequillo is truly an amazing story and would make a fantastic movie set against the backdrop of WWII. It is just short of a miracle that Somethingroyal was ever born.
A Preakness winner who had a jockey change for the Belmont? No, I can’t think of one, either. But in 1961 the Belmont winner Sherluck had a different jockey in each of the Triple Crown races. Eddie Arcaro rode him to a fifth-place finish in the Derby; then Sam Boulmetis rode him to another fifth place finish in the Preakness. Neither jockey had much interest in riding him in the Belmont, but Braulio Baeza did, and they won with a payoff of $132.10. For several decades he was the longest shot ever to win the Belmont. I think he’s still second.
Interesting! A young Baeza no doubt.
Indeed. He was 21 and had only been in this country for a year. He had ridden Crozier in the Derby and Preakness (second and third behind Carry Back), but Crozier didn’t go in the Belmont. Baeza had never ridden in a Belmont and wanted to so he took what he could get. It worked out well.
Did you ever watch that 1997 Preakness? Great race! Touch Gold should’ve won for fun!
I just watched it. The last horse in, a longshot, took several minutes to load. Then Touch Gold was the only horse to have trouble out of the gate. What a finish!
Touch Gold was behind Free House down the lane, kept stopping….outside entrant took forever to load, they were in there for a long time, alright—-terrific race!
I believe Prat has a commitment through the Triple Crown.
Get Mike Smith, he was the king of New York.
I understand that Mike Smith accepted a call from Charlie Appleby to ride Rebel Romance. Watch his works… he could be a live one in the Belmont.
right now he looks to be my pick. He got a huge Thoro-Graph fig in the UAE Derby and looked great crushing a pretty good international field. And he is bred to run all day. A definite live horse.
I sure would have loved to see Mandaloun in the Belmont. But the connections know what’s best for the horse. He’s being pointed to the Haskell, so I would think he’ll race somewhere next month.
“People don’t last forever, but their dreams often do” – Steve Haskin
That’s a beautiful sentence, Steve. The passing of the legendary Joe Mercer brought back so many happy memories of the great Brigadier Gerard with Mercer piloting the champion. I’ve never seen a horse/jockey partnership more idolized than Smokin’ Joe and “The Brigadier.” Racing never had a better time.
Another wonderful back story, conceived through your exceptional talent and warmth. Thanks, Steve.
On to the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas this weekend. Pretty Gorgeous in the latter and Poetic Flare to bounce back in the former.
Thank you very much David. Let’s also not forget Bustino who was a classic winner and a top-class horse but best remembered for his loss to Grundy in the “Race of the Century.”
That’s true Steve, and Kris as well, a great miler.
Say…. Rombauer wins the Belmont by 15…….110 Beyer…..Beyer would up his original Ptreakness 102, which I thought was lite….
I hope Belmont let’s it all hang out for Belmont Day! Looks like one of the best Belmonts in a long while! Loved little Rombauer’s Preakness, wonder about that bounce factor, I was impressed with his Blue Grass. Also t he Preakness field was not strong. So that’s a case for Rombauer, maybe there’s more!
without a true star I’m not sure what kind off crowd theyre going to get even with the limited number. But in their favor is the fact that so many racing fans just want to get to a track. NYRA has like 8 grade 1 stakes that day but the other Saturday cards are putrid. I dont believe that benefits the meet as a whole. Looking at the Thoro-Graph numbers it suggests at Rombauer could bounce off that.
The graded stakes schedule for Belmont Stakes weekend is absolutely bloated.
Thurs. 6/3….. 2 Gr. III
Fri. 6/4……… 3 Gr. II, 1 Gr. III
Sat, 6/5…….. 8 Gr. I, 1 Gr. II
That’s a total of 15 graded stakes in 3 days. As you said Steve, this heavy concentration of graded stakes does not do the rest of the meet’s schedule any favors. As a horseplayer, I like to see every weekend at a major track offer attractive feature graded stakes.
Correction of a poorly constructed last sentence.
As a horseplayer, I’d like to see every weekend at a major track feature attractive graded stakes.
Great and historical races like the Met Mile get totally lost.
Exactly Steve, 4 Grade 1 races are enough for a spectacular day surely. Then you have another Grade 1s for another day. Two year old races have an appeal of their own, why not intertwine these with Grade 1 races.
The Met Mile is not subservient to the Belmont Stakes, ever.
Met Mile used to be the Memorial Day feature, it had it’s OWN DAY, and deserved it! Never again could a three year old pull a Met Mile/ Belmont double, as Conquistador Cielo did–winning the Belmont by 13, after winning the Met Mile by open lengths vs older….in the Belmont he beat the Derby winner, the Preakness winner…and the race fave with Shoe, I think was Linkage….
There’s a really cute photo of Rombauer “showing some love” to McCarthy the morning after the Preakness.
twitter[dot]com/PreaknessStakes/status/1393938695095529479/photo/1
Replace [dot] with a dot.
Wow, that took me right to DRF. Must be another alien plot.
Hmmm…..Just go to Preakness Stakes on Twitter.
Dear Steve,
Second time writing you-forever appreciating your “Story Skills—-no Gift is far more appropriate.
Please keep “telling ‘em” & I’ll keep reading and enjoying ‘em!
Thank you from deep down!!
Thank you so much, Clarence. I really appreciate that. There is nothing I enjoy more than finding the back story and telling it as if we are sitting by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa. Lol. I normally dont do this but I thought I would share this Facebook comment from Diane Fradkin, the owner of Rombauer: “What a wonderful story and history of the family……I have not been emotional about the win until I read this…..what a fabulous outcome for all!!! Thank you for your beautiful literary work and research!!”
That was very special and so kind of her to comment.
Bravo, Steve!
Thank you.
Well deserved Steve. You spend as much time on the people of the sport as well as the horses
I appreciate it, Laura. Thank you.
Flightline looked like a potential superstar…..no works since……i hope it is not what it looks like…
What does it look like?
Like the rest of the country, he’s probably realized that you make more on unemployment…
Wow! SMH!
We’ll never know, at least not from pro vet (bad signs).
We must demand FULL disclosure!
Incredible story! What a delight! Love the picture of the little fellow, cuuute! Thanks again Steve, your awesome
Thank you Jeff
Sad news regarding passing of Malibu Moon.
Indeed. Malibu Moon will be missed. The son of A. P. Indy was a potent producer at stud and played an important role in the resurgence of Spendthrfit Farm. His stud fee, after only two racing starts, began at $5000 and rose to a high of $95000. His pedigree was strong and his quick success at stud made him a popular choice to breed to. Malibu Moon’s legacy will continue on through his many successful proteges. RIP mighty stallion.
His stud fee actually began at $3000. It increased by 30 fold plus. Just an amazing stallion.
Disgrace he covered 123 mares last yr @ 22.
Wow, I didn’t know that. It does sound like a heavy booking for a 22 yo stallion. Forgive my ignorance, but at what age are most stallions retired from stud? Or, is it a judgement call based on the individual?
Some breed longer than MM. Too long! Seattle Slew bred nearly until the end. Visited his last foal-Maggie Slew several times @ Swifty Farms.
Why is it a disgrace?…..this is cruel now?…..it is that hard to breed?…..it hurts them so much? How about feeding them? can we feed them twice a day? Or is it bad for their Jaw muscles?…..”i can’t believe he can still chew!”………
This narrative that covering alot of mare is horrendous, is really silly…….where do you guys come up with this stuff?….
DISGRACE?……this?
You and horse welfare have never met.
Do you have any idea of the financial burden of taking that many mares to dinner before mating?
Not to mention how much mares hate one night stands. Most of these mares are looking for long-term relationships, but for the stallions it’s love ’em and leave ’em.
Cads!
Should have save some $ paid out on dinners.
Agreed, While he was no spring chicken, he was still young to pass.
Yes sad news ito read that Malibu Moon had passed. On a positive note though, Gormley could be the son you have been hoping for. Ransom the Moon also, another possibility.
Common sense is dead…….
Everyone now believes we have aliens flying all over….the famous TIc tac video?….the oblect that the jet’s video locked on to?…….it moved in impossible ways, Eluded RADAR, no sonic boom…..you can’t refute it huh?……..except no one in the world brings this up…….guess what tech. is used to lock on to objects?………..RADAR!………..RADAR CANT PICK THEM UP ?………..but the whole reason we have vid?……..is because radar locked on it……..not one expert figured this out…..
Common sense is dead…….
Wow! You are on a ROLL!
I read the whole post because I was waiting to see where you were going. But you fooled me. You didnt go anywhere. Maybe there are aliens living among us. Lol. Please refrain from sharing posts that do not exist in our (racing) universe. Thank you
lol Aliens maybe in his head Mr. Haskin.
I’m shocked that you have dismissed PV’s comment. The “famous TIc tac video” of which he speaks clearly shows that the aliens disguised their crafts as breath mints. This deception is linked to the practices of certain racing authorities who suffer from oral health problems. I just haven’t figured out the precise connection.
No…you got it wrong. It was infrared radar coming from American technology that locked on and detected the UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) which then subsequently broke free and escaped our trace…..
It’s a bit of another old story. Not meant as encouragement to pursue this line of thought. Just noting. 🙂
Estimado Steve, que gran historia as contado..! un abrazo..!
Gracias, Fernando!
Estimado Steve, que gran historia as contado..!! magnifico tu conocimiento y gracias por transmitirlos. un abrazo.
Gracias de nuevo. Eres muy amable
I’m a trifle confused. “After being sent to Chenery’s farm The Meadow, near Doswell, Virginia, it was discovered that Imperatrice was barren.” And Mr. Chenery was reimbursed 5K. She had a 2 year old, a yearling and a weanling at the time of purchase. Imperatrice goes on to produce 12 foals, including Somethingroyal. That doesn’t sound barren to me. Do you know more of the backstory?
Barren for that season, I would assume.
That’s what barren means. The mare comes in heat, is bred to a stallion and does not get in foal…THAT YEAR. In simpler terms, it didn’t click.
Thanks Steve and EddieF. I didn’t know that. I always heard barren used to describe a permanent condition as in “after the one child, the queen was barren.” I love the feel good backstories of Medina Spirit and Rombauer you’ve written, Steve.
Thank you. Queens were considered “barren” after they suffered several miscarriages and stillbirths.
Steve, just to confirm, the good looking chestnut foal beside Imperatrice is Scattered, by Whirlaway?
I wonder if its lost on others that Imperatrice had an amazing influence on not just the thoroughbred but also the quarter horse through Scattered. Amazing that this mare contributed to not only what I consider to be the greatest of all in Secretariat but also what I understand many believe is quarter horse racing’s greatest in Dash For Cash.
Yes, Vicki, that is Scattered. That is fascinating about her. Dash For Cash is the Secretariat of QH Racing
If my recollection is correct, because of Dash For Cash, D. Wayne Lukas tested the waters to switch to thoroughbreds and of course chose Terlingua, a daughter of his two favorite race horses, Secretariat and Crimson Saint. It’s been said that without her success, D. Wayne possibly would have reverted back to quarter horses. So you could also say that because of Imperatrice, thoroughbred racing and quarter horse racing brought two of the greatest racehorses in their respective sport but also started the career of possibly the most influential trainer of all time branching into multiple assistants who then went on to venture out on their own including the trainer of Rombauer through D. Wayne Lukas protege Todd Pletcher.
Yep….Dash For Cash was arguably the greatest QHOT then Kaweah Bar, then perhaps Tolltac. Tolltac had an entourage of about a half dozen people all decked out in white suits and brooms clearing the way for this champion wherever he walked. But Dash For Cash was the father of many champions….Dashingly, First Down Dash, Corona Dash, Cash Rate, Dashs Dream etc….
Easy Jet should probably be in the conversation.
Rombauer earned a 103 Brisnet speed rating for the Preakness. His Blue Grass number was 96 and his El Camino Real (first 3yo start) was 91. There’s no reason to expect a bounce in the Belmont. All he really needs to do is maintain his form to beat a relatively slow group of 3 year olds.
Looks like he might “bounce” right back into the winners circle.
And breaking news…He won’t need to deal with the filly, who is going to the CCA Oaks.
Wasnt he just a slow 3 yr old?
They all were. But his Blue Grass was right there with the rest. He continues to improve. Not saying he’ll win the Belmont…just saying I don’t expect him to regress.
Unless my memory is totally shot, didn’t Secretariat win the Preakness in 1:53 flat.
Rombauer comes home in 1:53.62.
I would say that was pretty impressive. Regarding Secretariat’s Preakness I believe that they lowered the actual race from the original clocking.
I guess my point is Rombauer could be really special, we will see.
Doesn’t matter how slow,only matters who crosses line first.
Indeed.
Just 2 quick opinions:
NYRA has no business ever using the word “integrity” – and the SNL sketch on Baffert was painfully unfunny…
SNL is so unfunny ALL THE TIME. ……
When I watch Korean racing, Cowboy Cal seems to have sired every other horse.
Korean racing? You are HARDCORE! 🙂
My friend sold his horse over there so I try to follow him. He’s Modern Cowboy, a son of Tiznow.
Fascinating (and somewhat obscure) backstory, as usual. Thanks, Steve. One question: Do you know where the name “Rombauer” comes from?
It is a brand of wine. If you Google Rombauer wine you can go to their website. I assume thats where the name comes from.
“The Joy Of Cooking” by Irma Rombauer
Same family. Must try the wine!
Maybe thats it. Sounds good to me.
Amy: Rombauer is a winery in Napa Valley. It sits along the Silverado Trail. Their Chardonnay & Zinfandel are legendary. My wife & I go to the Napa area for tastings a couple times a year. At least until the pandemic hit. Some of the wineries are reopening now.
If you love wine (I am a fledging wino) then I would recommend Rombauer’s Reserve Zinfandel. The two that I love are labeled Fiddletown & El Dorado….
I hope you know how many bottles are enough for one evening.
I forgot how to count after 3 bottles. 🙂
OK, thanks, Deacon. I’m showing my ignorance, I guess, but I’m a teetotaler and had never heard of the brand.
Unfortunately I am an old pro with wines. It has always been one of my hobbies. My wife calls me a wine snob (imagine that).
If anyone is interested and loves wine I can help in recommending a few different varietals.
The Napa region is a diversified collection of different grapes for different wines. Many folks love only white wines, others like myself drink only red wines. The climate is perfect for grapes.
I can elaborate further if anyone is interested.
Deacon, perhaps you are a wine CONNOISSEUR. Me, I’m a wino with a connoisseur’s knowledge. At least as far as CellarTracker.com takes me.
Yes a connoisseur and a wine snob. I am working my way up to the wino level, I am getting closer.
Wine is best with food, otherwise there are many better drinks, if you enjoy alcohol. It can improve a simple meal a lot, however, like no other drink.
Wine with food. Who knew?!?!
Thank you for another great story and how dreams can and do come true with time and maybe a twist of fate or two. Being a Jersey boy it brought back memories of Atlantic City Racecourse and how beautiful parts of Jersey are and were.
Thanks, Derek, Atlantic City was such a fun track, especially when it went to night racing and the young crowd that showed up. United Nations night in particular was special and a great date place. I remember when they professional boxing matches on the apron. I love Jersey between the shore, the pine barrens, the mountains in North Jersey, the farmland and rolling hills of Central Jersey, Cape May, and all the historical sites from the American Revolution
Pine Barrens might be the best Sopranos episode
right up there although it looked nothing like the Pine Barrens. People dont realize that the Pine Barrens is uninhabited, made up of scrub pines and bogs and is a quarter of the size of the entire state of NJ, and also is the home of the famed Jersey Devil. On thing is true, if you go in there you will never find your way out.
So Steve just curious. Any books in the works or are you just focusing on these types of stories for now? I did come across an interesting article the other day about the story of the three horses they have pictured at Pimlico up high somewhere. Supposed to be from a painting depicting part of a race they held way back in the 1800’s I believe. The old east/west/blueblood rival thing.
Also hoping you open up another opinion piece on the ongoing Baffert debacle. I just honestly don’t know what to think about it anymore. It might just be got too big an operation to oversee everything. Have read already losing owners and now banned pretty much in NY. Not even going to let Jimmy run the horses. Even if he just goes back to Cali how long will it be before they do the same thing there? This is not going away anytime soon. This is more then just punishing a trainer for something showing up in a screen. This is going to put him out of racing. The public seems to think he wins so much because he cheats all the time! He wins because he gets a lot of top horses sent to him.
My book writing days are over after six books. I think the Baffert story has become more about racing especially with the Linda Rice ban and the bogus positive from a Ron McAnally horse that was all about the jockey and had nothing to with McAnally. The port is under microscopic scrutiny and is lost right now trying to figure out how to get out from under all this mess. That is because of a lack of uniformity when t comes to rules, a lack of governing body and trainers attempting to take advantage of all the holes that are now trying to be filled in with great vigor.
Steve,
…”lack of uniformity when it comes to the rules” and from your previous column… “One can only hope that the decisions made by racing so-called ‘leaders’ result from carefully thought out plans rather than simply appeasing the mistrusting public led by some of the more radical animal activist groups that want to see racing abolished”
Hours ago the New York Racing Association has banned anything Baffert from its three tracks after Pimilco allowed Baffert to run his horses in Maryland. The NYRA cites ‘the integrity of the sport for our fans’ as one reason. So, far I have Churchill and the New York tracks in one corner and California and Maryland in another corner.
So much for ‘uniformity’ as you have correctly said, and could these actions from Churchill and New York fall in the category of ‘simply appeasing the mistrusting public….”
Exactly what I was saying. you hit it right on the head, which is why we need a commissioner like other sports or a governing body to make uniform rules. As long as the tracks make their own rules racing will be a splintered sport and always under scrutiny.
Steve, you are a wise man. I wish more folks in racing would listen to you. As for who will be put out of the the training business, Linda Rice is a lot more vulnerable than Baffert. The tennis player Maria Sharapova was a shadow of herself after her 18 month ban from the sport.
Very well said. Wait until Rock Dutrow gets back in a year and a half.
What if you get a bad leader?………people in charge know nothing in this sport…….i have been telling you this for years……people think it was being a troll……..it is absolutely true. Have you seen what has been going on?…..it is crazy!
You get an anti med guy in? Then what?…..hire who? Barry Irwin?……he is looney tunes…..a lawyer?…..a business guy?….owner of horses?……..who?……..be careful what you wish for……….people make rules on how thinks look? Instead or reALITY?….WHIP RULE when jocks are risking their lives?……im telling you….almost no one understands horses, or horse racing…..this is not like other sports
If only you could be the high commissioner of racing. You would make racing great again.
Eddie F, you made me totally lose it again!
FYI, Mr. Irwin isn’t “looney tunes”. You should only be so smart.
I am glad to read you mention that “bogus positive…” I am horrified that the sport I have loved for over 65 years has become a rudderless boat about to smash itself on the rocks.
People have been posting A RULE IS A RULE…….ABSOLUTE INSURER……..everything is the trainers responsibilty……now, its obvious?…….one week, a rule is a rule?…..the next week we can use common sense?……..so, if we respect someone ……a rule is not a rule?
Common sense didnt matter when the horse ate the weed…….or the fact NO ONE IN THE GAME RACES ON LIDO……it wouldnt work…..
Common sense SHOULD MAYTTER………but it didnt……
Sigh! I think you have more then enough material on hand right now for a book on horse racing history but your call.
As for the ongoing mess this is a multi million dollar sport. Sure plenty of small operations that produced the current Preakness winner or one of my favorites from the past Princess of Slymar. Even Chrome was not a blueblood breeding per say. Where are they going to race if this keeps up? I would hope at least some of these breeders would band together and push for a governing body to be created. The larger farms will survive selling overseas for a time but not forever if nobody has faith in the racing results. The tracks themselves will fade into the sunset if the public has no confidence. This can’t wait much longer.
Even Penny Chenery took a huge risk with Secretariat. She stood her ground and did something unheard of getting her colt syndicated right after his 2 year old season. Sure even Sam Riddle, known for being a fox hunter at the time had lady luck drop Man O War his way. No TC for the first Red but he got it with his son. What would they think right now?
Hello Steve,
Thank you very much for co-hosting with Secretariat.com the Steve Cannon Preakness Picks Contest. When I got the call telling me that I finished on the board, I believe I yelled more than I ever have at a horse track. Hearing and seeing me carry on so on the phone, my wife went from being greatly alarmed to greatly amused. She said she hadn’t seen me so excited in years. I certainly cannot remember another third place finish that excited me more.
Thank you also for once again taking us on a trip with this article, allowing us to meet the people and horses and learn of the events that bring us to today. You again allow us to see that everything in racing has such a rich history, including Rombauer’s victory.
All the best,
Larry C., Lincoln, NE
Hi Larry, thank you very much for your kind words, and congratulations. I cant imagine your excitement if you had won a Neil Leifer or Tony Leonard photo (first and second prizes) rather than my photo. But the fact that it did excite you makes me very happy and appreciative. If my daughter still lived in Lincoln I would have added to your prize by taking you and your wife out for brunch at The Green Gateau or burgers at Honest Abe’s. Or perhaps some drunken noodles and Pad Thai at The Blue Orchid.
Hello Steve,
Shhh…don’t tell anyone but I was so excited because I won the prize I most wanted (with the possible exception of a certain halter). You listed three of my favorite places to eat here in town; it would have been a fun meal. As part of my celebratory victory lap, I think I will pick up Honest Abe’s tonight and we will raise a burger to salute you.
Take care,
Larry C., Lincoln, NE
Hey that sounds great. Have some parmesan truffle fries on me.
Oh, that we did. Tasty, tasty.
I’m just a horse racing fan been to Oaklawn twice but love racing thanks for the history it’s very interesting about thoroughbreds, appreciate your work !
Thanks John. We’re all just racing fans
You are most impressive with your encyclopedic knowledge of the history behind almost any horse. What a great article!
I appreciate it Doug. Thank you very much.
Finally a great TC race! I, for one, was blown away by Rombauer the way he flew down the final stretch, passing those tiring speed horses and he got up for an excellent time to boot. It was great. I didn’t bet him but I should have, if only for him being named after my favorite Chardonnay. Thanks for this excellent story!
Names of the horses in the black and white photo? Imperatrice? …. and….?
That indeed is Scattered
Thanks!
Steve as far as horse breeders and owners…this win by Rombauer is life changing for the Fradkins! They are playing on the center stage, so to speak, with a colt they bred! The late Len Ragozin would shout from the rafters “BOUNCE”, as he coined the everyday term in his legendary “Sheets”….3 weeks after a 14 point Beyer rise….
For those of us not “in the business” this is a great post on how horses end up where they end
up and the possible feel good story that goes along with it. It also makes the great point that so many of the smaller time breeders and owners never have a major winner. That is what makes Robauer’s win so special. It certainly gladdened my heart and I did not see that coming at all. I was so happy for his trainer and his owner’s with only two mares. No one
else is ever going to own another Secretariat, but it is nice to see a smaller barn and owners win a TC race.
One other thing, as I was reading this, it made me realize that you have a computer-like mind where equine genealogy is concerned, Steve. I have never seen anyone put these lines together like you can. It’s like reading a road map of New York. Very impressive.
Thank you, Paula. With 50 years of racing programmed into the “computer” you never know when and how a story is going to show up in there. Sometimes it takes only one name in a pedigree to trigger off an entire column
WOW!!! Steve, I honestly do not know how you do it, the full and fascinating history of horses and humans! As a side thought, I wonder what the equivalent to dog being “(wo)man’s best friend” is with regards to the horse ..
I will re-read this many times to put all together ~ and I will savor/keep/pass along your message in the last 5 lines. Simply beautiful!!! ( and give credit to you, each and every)
Thats very kind of you, Kara. Thank you so much
Hi Steve
Great back story on Rombauer. Horses who’s sire line lead directly to Mr. Prospector, and who’s broodmare sire line lead directly to Norther Dancer, have been very successful in winning Triple Crown races. Prior to this year’s Preakness, 19 winners of Triple Crown races were bred from that cross. Rombauer was bred from that cross, so you can make it 20 winners from the breeding cross. In addition, Rombauer could carry the X-Factor large-heart gene, tracking back to Buckpasser, Busanda and War Admiral.
In the Preakness I boxed Rombauer with Medina Spirit in a $50.00 exacta bet, unfortunately Medina Spirit finished 3rd, and I didn’t cash. In my trifecta bet, I swung for the fences and keyed Rombauer on top with Medina Spirt and France Go de Ina, and once again I was close, but no cigar. Now it’s on to the Belmont, where Rombauer will lock horns with RYW.
I remain convinced RYW is one of the top 3yr. olds in the country and will hit the wire first in the Belmont.
Hey Bill.
Well I hope Mr. LaBoyteaux and Mr. Purdey were both looking down Saturday. Wonder if any butterflies were flying around Pimlico (butterflies are thought to be sent by our loved ones letting us know they are doing OK on the other side 🙂 )
Great back story, Steve! I was just reviewing Rombauer’s female line last night. Both Ultrafleet and Cushion are immensely successful broodmares in terms of the runners they’ve produced, despite the modesty of their pedigrees. I was shocked when I saw that Jostling Queen is the fourth dam of Cartier Horse of the Year Roaring Lion. Unfortunately, he died before he had a chance to go to stud, but Rombauer comes from a champion-caliber family. His prospects are bright!
Thanks. Ultrafleet indeed was a terrific producer. As Eddie Wwoods said, they can come from anywhere.
Fortunately, Roaring Lion did sire one crop before he lost his life in the shuttle to the Southern Hemisphere.
Great history about one of my favorite aspects of racing– a home-bred from a small outfit beating all the biggies in a big race.
Steve, your stories are a joy to read. They flow seamlessly from one sentence to the next. As others have said, it’s reassuring to see smaller outfits produce classic winners. Hopefully the performances of the $1k purchase Medina Spirit and the homebred Rombauer will inspire others to persevere.
I’m amazed that no “worthwhile” offers came after the debut win. Were prospective buyers only looking at final time and figures? I just watched his first race. Not only did Rombauer rally after a slow start and off of a slow pace, but he was impeded in the stretch. It was an impressive run for a debuting first-time starter. Do you know if offers came in after the American Pharoah Stakes? Or had they decided to hold on to him by that time?
Thanks Eddie. I’m not sure about the American Pharoah but I would think there were offers. For whateever reason it’s nice to see small-time owners keep their horse and not selling to the big-name syndicates. We need to have feel-good and/or historical stories behind these horses.
As they say, and that’s the rest of the story. Thanks for the background on this colt!
Steve, I don’t know how you do it, but you put together two back to back great stories of underdogs who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Great stuff. The rich detail of Rombauer’s story going back to 1947 is a fascinating read.
I didn’t fare well in my wagers in the classics so far (should have listened to you in the Preakness) but reading about Rombauer’s journey to his crowning achievement in Baltimore was like a soothing ointment (no pun intended) to my lost wager wounds.
By writing these stories, you give us hope that our beloved sport will survive as long as there are resilient breeders and horsemen who persevere at all levels of horse racing. Thanks for a great read with a feel good effect.
Thank you Dewey I’m just grateful we had two stories with substance in a year when we needed it badly.
A win by Brooklyn Strong in the Belmont would make it three “stories with substance.” 🙂
That it would
Love this Steve! Thank you. No one tells these “backstories” like you do.
Thanks Lynda
“Scattered, a son of Whirlaway” … I’m guessing this is a typo because the Coaching Club American Oaks is for fillies?
That was already changed
Very interesting history you have described, thank you. A couple months back I posted about Rombauer and the origin of his name and how it connected to my father who passed away in 2009. He loved Rombauer Zinfandel so I took an interest in the horse when becoming aware of him and have rooted for him ever since. Sure enough he’s is now a Preakness winner and maybe my father was rooting him on as well. You were correct he needed to be closer up and how he ran well in the Bluegrass made me think he was dangerous this past Saturday. What do you think of his chances in the Belmont?
The Belmont will be tougher than the Preakness with Essential Quality, Rock Your World, and Malathaat, but he is really good now and definitely has a big shot. How about a son of Candy Ride and grandson of Candy Ride exacta, Lol
That is a great story about Rombauer’s ancestry. About the Belmont, is Rebel’s Romance still targeting the June 5 race?
Thanks, last I heard he was.
Mr. Haskin, intrigued by possibility of the filly in Belmont.
Could be Rags again.
That exacta would be marvelous. I’ve always had a thing for Candy Ride