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Apprentice Jockey Evin Roman is In Demand PDF

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Top 10 Sire by AEI 33 GSWs Awesome Again 14 GRADE 1 Winners 4 Breeders’ Cup Champions ADENA SPRINGS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY KENTUCKY MER PHOTOGRAPHY REED PAL Cream of the Crop Apprentice Jockey Evin Roman is In Demand See page 4 IN THIS ISSUE 8 Gio Ponti Filly Tops Keeneland Session 10 Ramsey Farm Swamped by Inquiries for Kitten’s Joy 13 Champagne Room Returns in Remington Park Oaks BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE smartphone app PAGE 1 OF 28 FOUR GENERATIONS OF GRADE 1 WINNERS "Easy to sell horses that move like our two Strong Mandates. They both had the walks that every pinhooker and end user wants. They were both smart horses who loved to train. I couldn't be more pleased we have mares bred to him again this year and will be going back next year for sure.” -Jay Goodwin, Select Sales First Crop Yearling Average $126,250 (Through Book 4 with 24 Sold) BY TIZNOW Inquiries to Grant Williamson at 859.873.7053 www.threechimneys.com LGB, LLC 2017 / Photo: Louise Reinagel @ three_chimneys CONTENTS 4 From the Feature Well: Apprentice Jockey Evin Roman is In Demand 8 Gio Ponti Filly Tops Keeneland Session 9 Quality Road’s Golden Path 10 Ramsey Farm Swamped by Inquiries for Kitten’s Joy 11 The Challenge: Calm Before a Breeders’ Cup ‘Challenge’ Storm 12 Highway Star On Track for Gallant Bloom 13 Champagne Room Returns in Remington Park Oaks 14 Assimilate, Invader Carry WinStar’s Australian Hopes 15 Siblings of Tapwrit, Vertical Oak Start at Churchill 16 Industry Finding its Footing? 17 The Far Turn 18 Results 20 Entries 28 Leading Lists BLOODHORSE DAILY APP Providing updated news and analysis throughout the day. Plus view recent stakes, allowance and MSW race videos, entries and more! Download the free mobile app at BloodHorse.com/Daily BLOODHORSE DAILY Editorial Director John K. Keitt, Jr. BloodHorse Daily Editor Director of Advertising Sales Claire Novak Scott Carling Asst. Daily Editor Regional Sales Managers Mary Reeder Shirley Dievert Visuals Director Kristi Heasley Anne M. Eberhardt Ellen Lambertus Amanda Ramey Creative Services Kerry Howe Contact Us: DECrhiingri isMttaionlre gM Waenitdtmiae Gr roup EAAdsdsivtteo. rErt:di sciitnnoogrv:: a makdr@eveberldotiesored@@hboblrolsooeod.dchohomorsrsee.c.coomm COADY PHOTOGRAPHY Adulation breaks his maiden Sept. 22 in Churchill Downs’ eighth race BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 3 OF 28 smartphone app ® Dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing for more than 100 years September 23, 2017 | No. 39 FROM THE FEATURE WELL SPECIIANLS SIDEECTION APPRENTICE JOCKEY EVIN ROMAN IS IN DEMAND Helen By Tracy Gantz ‘‘PPeennnnyy’’ Chenery 11992222--22001177 ALSO INSIDE: KEENELAND SEPTEMBER SALE SOARS EVIN ROMAN WORLD APPROVAL’S WOODBINE MILE Evin Roman likes motorcycles and ice cream, "That was cool—that was a great feeling, two reasonable passions for a 19-year-old. especially since I'm a hometown kid," said These days, though, the motorcycles are off limits, Belvoir. "Growing up there, that's the race you and ice cream is reserved for celebrations because want to win. Having him come up, and it's his Roman is no ordinary kid. first big race, his first graded stakes, was pretty In just a few short months Roman has shot exciting." into prominence in Southern California in one of It wasn't a fluke. Roman, with the help of the toughest jockey colonies in the world. veteran jockey agent Tony Matos, tied with Sure, as an apprentice, Roman receives a five- Flavien Prat for the riding title at the Santa Anita pound weight allowance. But not in stakes races, spring-summer meeting. He is the first apprentice and during the summer Del Mar meeting, trainers to win a title there since Gordon Glisson in 1949. didn't hesitate to name him on stakes mounts. At the short Los Alamitos meet that followed Trainer Vann Belvoir was one of the first to in July, Roman won 13 races to capture that give Roman a chance on a few mounts at Santa title by eight. He dashed to an early lead in the Anita Park last winter and spring. standings at Del Mar, ultimately tying for second "The first five he rode for me, we won," said with Rafael Bejarano at 29 wins to Prat's 35. Belvoir. "Now it's hard to get him." And this isn't someone who rode before he Belvoir, who hails from Washington state, could walk. Roman didn't sit on a horse until he pursued a Northwest horseman's holy grail this began attending the famed Escuela Vocacional past summer, the Longacres Mile Handicap Hipica jockey school in Puerto Rico three years (G3) at Emerald Downs. Yet he didn't go to a ago. But his natural ability—coupled with journeyman for Gold Rush Dancer. Instead, the school's deserved reputation and Matos' he kept Roman aboard, even though in the experience—has made Roman one of the hottest apprentice's only other ride on the colt, they had riders on the circuit. finished third in the Bertrando Stakes at Los It isn't easy, especially considering that Roman Alamitos. doesn't yet speak much English. That is rapidly Roman repaid Belvoir with a perfect ride— changing as Roman studies the language using popping Gold Rush Dancer out of the gate the Rosetta Stone system and watching American quickly, sitting in second down the backside, and television with Matos' wife, Berta. then taking a lead that kept stretching longer "They watch movies with subtitles, and that and longer. Ultimately, Roman captured his first helps him learn," said Matos. graded victory by 4 3⁄4 lengths. (continued on page 5) BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 4 OF 28 smartphone app FROM THE FEATURE WELL APPRENTICE JOCKEY EVIN ROMAN IS IN DEMAND (continued from page 4) Roman prefers movies to television shows, and says, "I like comedies." Jorge Roman, Evin's father, first fostered his son's love of racing. oRfo rm"iAdaisnn a gi n lai ttSt Slpeaa knnitidsa,h AI, nwhiaittadh, "d M rseaaaitdmo ss MER PHOTOGRAPHY translating. "I first went to the REED PAL races in Puerto Rico when I was Evin Roman celebrates a victory in the Longacres Mile aboard Gold Rush Dancer 8 with my father. I loved the races." A year ago he represented Matos, "because I know they've Roman also enjoys fast- the school in a race in England had good riders come out of paced activities, especially for international apprentices there. They gave me a list of riding motorcycles. Matos, and won. He competed in a four or five bug boys who were feeling that motorcycles are too similar race in Dubai as well. graduating from the school." dangerous, doesn't let Roman Ocasio did well last year at Matos also conferred with on them for now. Parx Racing near Philadelphia, his friend Joe Bruno in Puerto Growing up in Puerto Rico, and initially Roman planned Rico. Bruno recommended Roman naturally gravitated to a similar trajectory. He had, Roman. the jockey school. It has turned in fact, committed to riding "I picked Evin right off the out several famous graduates, in Pennsylvania when Matos bat," Matos said. "I liked his including John Velazquez, contacted him. style; he's smooth on a horse. Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr., Matos is also from Puerto He just looked good on a and last year's Eclipse Award- Rico but has long been based in horse." winning apprentice, Luis California. He has represented Evin's father had heard of Ocasio. such Hall of Famers as Laffit Matos and recommended to his The school's two-year Pincay Jr., Angel Cordero Jr., son that if he had a chance to program gives aspiring riders Gary Stevens, Victor Espinoza, go with Matos, to do so. With a foundation that includes and Kent Desormeaux. that advice, Evin switched from cleaning stalls and grooming "I looked at the films of Pennsylvania to California. horses. Roman graduated last five or six bug boys from the December. school in Puerto Rico," said (continued on page 6) BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 5 OF 28 smartphone app FROM THE FEATURE WELL APPRENTICE JOCKEY For Hollendorfer, Roman defeated no less EVIN ROMAN IS IN DEMAND a jockey than Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who rode favored Nickname in the June 25 Southern Truce Stakes at Santa Anita. Roman piloted Street (continued from page 5) Surrender to win by 1 3⁄4 lengths. Matos also credited Belvoir for putting Roman Initially, Roman had planned to wait until on several winners early. March to move to California so that he could "He worked horses for Hollendorfer and celebrate his 19th birthday, March 4, and the Belvoir, and they took a liking to him," said March 5 birthday of his girlfriend, Andrea Matos, who added that trainer Steve Miyadi is Rodriguez. Also a rider, Rodriguez is currently another who gave Roman an early chance. enrolled in the Puerto Rico jockey school herself. Roman didn't immediately soar to the top of Mickey Gonzalez, another of Matos' friends, the jockey standings. In fact, he received three was visiting Matos in California and advised the suspensions early on at Santa Anita. Matos agent not to wait until March. blames himself. "I listened to him and my wife, who said to "In the beginning I threw too much at him bring him right away," said Matos. "Evin came too quick," Matos said. "I put him down the hill Feb. 6. I promised him I would send him back to (Santa Anita's downhill turf course), and he Puerto Rico for his birthday." wasn't used to the hill. The suspensions actually Roman rode his first race at Santa Anita Feb. 9, helped because it made him focus. He got a lot of and his first victory there came aboard Sly Humor for advice from different riders, and he looked at a lot trainer Jerry Hollendorfer Feb. 18. In the first race of films. He learned from his mistakes." of the day, a maiden claiming event, he won by 6 1⁄4 Roman had almost no experience with turf lengths aboard the 3-year-old Into Mischief filly. racing when he came to the U.S. "Now I like the "I couldn't believe it," said Roman. "But I have hill," the jockey said. the picture." Trainer John Sadler recognized Roman's Several months later, when asked if he has a ability and has used him on several horses. favorite horse, Roman grinned and answered, "Sly "He's a nice young man, and he's got a lot Humor." of talent," said Sadler. "He's getting better, and "He goes and visits her and gives her carrots there's still plenty of room to improve because all the time," said Matos. he's so young." Trainer Vladimir Cerin claimed Sly Humor for Trainer Simon Callaghan has also done well $16,000 out of a race at Del Mar Aug. 25. Roman with Roman. couldn't find the filly at Hollendorfer's barn the "For a young rider he's just very calm," said next time he tried to feed her carrots. But he Callaghan. "Even if he gets to the lead, he kind tracked her down at Cerin's barn and continues to of conserves his horses. He's just got something visit her. pretty natural." "We are very grateful to Jerry Hollendorfer," Matos knows how to mold a young rider. The said Matos. "He was very influential. I'm agent emphasizes the importance of studying appreciative that Jerry had the confidence in him. videos. Jerry could get any rider he wants. He put Evin on his first winner and his first stakes winner." (continued on page 7) BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 6 OF 28 smartphone app FROM THE FEATURE WELL APPRENTICE JOCKEY the longest shot on the board in the July 22 EVIN ROMAN IS IN DEMAND TVG San Diego Handicap (G2). All eyes were on Arrogate, who famously ran fourth behind winner Accelerate. (continued from page 6) El Huerfano might not have affected the outcome had everything gone well for him. But he lost all "He studies films, either on his computer or in chance when he stumbled out of the gate almost to the jocks' room," said Matos. "He looks at every his nose, causing Roman to lose both of his irons. horse he rides and studies their performance." "I thought he was going down," said Roman. Roman has received advice from such Roman struggled to regain his irons around Southern California jockeys as Smith, Stevens, the first turn. As Accelerate led the field down the Edwin Maldonado, and Santiago Gonzalez. Matos backside, El Huerfano ranged up on his outside. also represents Gonzalez. Roman managed to regain his irons before the "Evin has a good style of riding," said Gonzalez. second turn, but by then El Huerfano had run out "There is room for a good apprentice in Southern of gas. Attention focused on Accelerate's upset of California. Tony showed me the videos of Evin, Arrogate, but Roman deserves credit for staying and I told him to bring him here right away. Evin is on El Huerfano. very humble and is willing to take advice." While Roman didn't win the San Diego, he is The Ortiz brothers have also helped Roman. approaching 100 victories and has purse earnings The New York-based riders frequently speak at of more than $3 million. the Puerto Rico jockey school, where Roman first Tracy Gantz is the Southern California met them. He has become good friends with Irad. correspondent for BloodHorse. "Irad told me to be patient," said Roman. "He The full version of this story first appeared in gave me a lot of pointers on how to ride on the the Sept. 23 edition of BloodHorse Magazine. To grass." purchase a copy, please visit BloodHorse.com/ One of Roman's most dramatic performances Tablet or Shop.BloodHorse.com. BH s came when he finished last. He rode El Huerfano, Share this story Dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing for more than 100 years September 23, 2017 | No. 39® THE SEPTEMBER 23RD ISSUE OF BLOODHORSE IS NOW AVAILABLE SPECIIANLS SIDEECTION RACING ROYALTY CREAM OF THE CROP A tribute to Penny Chenery, Apprentice jockey Evin Roman’s owner of Secretariat and Riva natural ability has made him Ridge, who died at age 95 one of the hottest riders on the California circuit Helen ‘‘PPeennnnyy’’ Chenery Dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing for more than 100 years September 23, 2017 | No. 39® 11992222--22001177 SKSAEEALPELENTS OESE MIOLNAABSNIREDDRES: SPECIIANLS SIDEECTION THE ENERGY IS BACK MARKETWATCH WORWLODOE AVDPIBNPIR NROEOV MMAIALL’NSE The vigor for Keeneland’s Books 1 Sire success by graded status/ and 2 powered a strong opening progeny performance statistics by Helen week for the marathon yearling sire; prospective sires of 2018 ‘‘PPeennnnyy’’ auction Chenery INACSTCAENSST11992222 --22001177 WORWLODOE ASKSVDAPEEIBANPLPELIERN TNSR OEOSEEO MOILV NMMAAABSNIIALREDL’NDRESSE: Subscribe or Renew Now ANNE M. EBERHARDT (CHENERY, KEENELAND, EL PRADO), BENOIT PHOTO (ROMAN). BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 7 OF 28 smartphone app KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING GIO PONTI FILLY grade 1 winner and sire Greenwood Lake, and a half TOPS KEENELAND SESSION sister to Canadian grass champion Charlie Barley, Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and sire Success By Ron Mitchell Express, and stakes winner Royal Hudson. t @BH_RMitchell "She just happened to be a standout physical with A filly by Gio Ponti sold for $115,000 to John Brock- a beautiful walk, and she had a good pedigree on the lebank, agent for R 3 Stable, to top the Sept. 22 bottom side," John Penn said. "My brothers have penultimate session of Keeneland's September yearling raised that entire group of horses from the second sale. dam on." Keeneland reported 159 yearlings changed "She made my heart flutter," Brocklebank said of hands Friday for a total of $2,111,900, an average the filly. "She's an absolute star. She's what you want of $13,282, and a median of $7,500. The 18 horses in a horse." bought back represented an RNA rate of 10.2%. The sale grounds and pavilion were heavily Cumulatively through the sale, which began populated, primarily by pinhookers looking to fill Sept. 11, 2,420 horses grossed $306,377,600 for an orders, as well as a healthy mix of domestic and average of $126,602 and a median of $65,000. The foreign buyers. cumulative RNA rate is 26%. Brocklebank, the session's leading buyer with two The Gio Ponti filly was bred in Kentucky by Frank horses purchased for $136,000, said it was still a Penn and consigned as Hip 3667 by Penn Sales. The very competitive environment late in the marathon Jan. 19, 2016, foal is a half sister to grade 3 Canadian auction. Derby third-place finisher The Accuser and to "I feel like a fox in the hen house, and I go to pick stakes-placed Toulouse Lautrec. up the eggs and they are rocks," the gregarious agent The session-topper was produced from the said. "It's tough but it's exciting. The quality is really Meadowlake mare Lac Du Printemps, a full sister to good. I think the physicals are better than they were three days ago." Penn agreed that the atmosphere was rare for this point in the sale and was reminiscent of the sale scene prior to the recession. "It's as good as it's been since 2008," Penn said. "There are a lot of people here, and considering the state of racing, I don't understand the demand, but I'm glad it's here." Lane's End, agent, was the session's leading consignor, with 15 horses sold for $276,500. The final day of the September sale is Sept. 23, with the session scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET. BH PHOTOS BY Z s Share this story John and Frank Penn of Penn Sales BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 8 OF 28 smartphone app KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING QUALITY ROAD'S GOLDEN PATH By Eric Mitchell t @BH_EMitchell Quality Road has been judged a good stallion since his first runners put him atop the 2014 freshman sire list, but this year his stature has risen to a new level that the commercial market has rewarded accordingly. Lane's End's 11-year-old son of Elusive Quality—Kobla, by Strawberry Road, was represented at the Keeneland September yearling sale by his first seven-figure yearling, aM $in1 smtriellli aonnd c oal ftu olul bt roof tthheer S ttoo mrmu lCtiaptl es tgarkaedse w 2i nwninern Serto rm M. EBERHARDT Blofeld. Peter Brant's White Birch Farm and M.V. Magnier ANNE with Coolmore bought the colt. Quality Road’s first million-dollar yearling, Hip 804, a colt out of "(Quality Road) is having such an exceptional year. Storm Minstrel sold Sept. 13 at the Keeneland September sale It is great to see that manifested in his yearling prices," said Bill Farish with Lane's End. With such strong commercial results and a higher- A significant driver in Quality Road's value has been than-ever demand for seasons, breeders can expect to Abel Tasman, winner of this year's Longines Kentucky see a higher stud fee for Quality Road for 2018. He has Oaks (G1) and two other grade 1 races—the Acorn stood for $35,000 since 2015. Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks. The filly "His fee will go up," said Farish, adding by how raced by China Horse Club and her breeder Clearsky much is not yet determined. "He has had a break-out Farm is entered in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) year and the demand for him has been incredible, but Sept. 23 at Parx Racing. when a horse's fee goes up you have to justify that with "It is one thing to have a steady stream of good horses, the commercial market. We've seen that." but it is another thing to have a great horse," Farish said. The commercial success aside, Farish said Quality "Winning the Kentucky Oaks and running in the number Road's burgeoning success as a stallion has been of grade 1s she has this year—when a horse can do that, rewarding to see on behalf of his longtime business it makes a big difference. Quality Road has taken it to associate and friend, the late Edward "Ned" Evans, another level with Abel Tasman and with Salty." who bred and raced Quality Road. He won four grade Salty, a filly raced by Baccari Racing, Gary Barber, 1 stakes with him and earned more than $2.2 million. and Chester Prince, finished second in the Acorn and Evans bred and raced top-shelf Thoroughbreds for third in both the Coaching Club American Oaks and more than 40 years. He died Dec. 31, 2010. Alabama Stakes (G1). Earlier in the year, she won the "Shel and I often talk about how much satisfaction Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). Ned would have gotten watching what Quality Road Quality Road is the leader this year among sires whose has done," said Farish, referring to Evans' brother, first crops arrived in 2012. He has 12 black-type stakes owner/breeder Robert "Shel" Evans, who owns 2014 winners, seven graded stakes winners, and progeny Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tonalist. "It was a such a earnings of more than $7.03 million for 2017 so far. big deal to Ned, producing this horse and watching him At the Keeneland September sale, Quality Road was become what he always set out to do. If he were still represented by 35 yearlings that grossed $7,070,000 with us, he'd probably still own 100% of Quality Road and averaged $202,000. Twenty-seven of those and really be laughing." BH s yearlings sold for $100,000 or more. Share this story BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 9 OF 28 smartphone app RAMSEY FARM SWAMPED BY INQUIRIES FOR KITTEN'S JOY By Eric Mitchell t @BH_EMitchell Owner/breeder Ken Ramsey worked the phone all day Sept. 22, fielding calls from multiple stud farms in England, plus other inquiries from Ireland, Cbraenda dleaa,d ainndg Qsiareta Kr,i titnetne'rse Jsoteyd. in standing his home- M/JOY GILBERT Ram"Is'mey n soawid .9 "8I% th siunrke I w'me 'roen gtoo isnogm teot gheint ga tdheaatl ids ognoein,"g MSEY FAR worAkf toeurt s weeeilnl gfo dri tshaep pfaominitliyn agn sda lheos rrsees.u"lts throughout COURTESY OF RA the Keeneland September yearling sale, Ramsey Kitten’s Joy at Ramsey Farm, where he has stood for a fee of concluded his star turf horse was never going to get $100,000 since 2014 the respect from North American buyers that he deserved. He said he had not planned on relocating his the stallion. He is also seeking provisions in a contract stallion, but during a conversation with Bill Finley of that would prohibit Kitten's Joy from shuttling, and Thoroughbred Daily News, Ramsey said he realized require the stallion return to Ramsey Farm upon the stallion had to leave Kentucky. retirement from stud duty. "I was emotionally upset, because I felt we had Kitten's Joy currently leads the North American turf realistic reserves and no one was interested in buying sire list for the fifth consecutive year and is third on the them," Ramsey said, noting the 28 Kitten's Joy BloodHorse's general leading sire list, which he topped yearlings sold during the September sale averaged in 2013. Kitten's Joy also has 22 black-type stakes $114,464. "I'm a shoot-from-the-hip guy, and I decided winners and 10 grade/group winners for 2017, which we needed to move the horse someplace else. If he makes him the co-leading active sire by grade/group stayed around here, we would probably have to drop winners with Gainesway's Tapit. He ranks second by his stud fee to $50,000." number of stakes winners to Tapit. Farm owners in England have told Ramsey they This summer Kitten's Joy has been represented by could get 100 mares to the stallion at an anticipated grade/group winners in England (Hawkbill), France fee of £40,000 (US$54,100). Kitten's Joy has stood for (Taareef), and Japan (Dashing Blade). $100,000 at Ramsey Farm since 2014, when he bred 209 Ramsey said it is frustrating to see Kitten's Joy mares. The stallion bred 187 in 2015 and 201 in 2016. outrank another popular turf sire—Claiborne Farm's Even though a significant number of those mares either War Front—on the leading sire lists, yet have Kitten's belong to Ramsey or were bred on foal-share agreements, Joy's September yearlings average 15% of War Front's Ramsey acknowledged that moving the horse could leave $770,000 average. money on the table. But in the long run, he sees more "We've sent Kitten's Joy horses over to England upside in moving Kitten's Joy overseas. and we've gotten three-times the ones we sent to "Money is not the driving issue in this case," Keeneland. We've made money," Ramsey said. "If we Ramsey said. "I want to see this horse become continue down the same path we're on, we'll be facing a Galileoin Europe, and right now he's Rodney the same thing for the next couple of years. I'm ready Dangerfield. He is underappreciated here, and I don't to change it up. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, at least we think things will get any better." tried." BH s Ramsey is committed to retaining 49% ownership in Share this story BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 PAGE 10 OF 28 smartphone app

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Evin Roman likes motorcycles and ice cream, two reasonable These days, though, the motorcycles are off limits, and ice Bertram F. Bongard S.
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