by FarmVet Racehorse Salesperson Brandi Goode

The racing world is buzzing with the excitement of the Triple Crown series. The 2012 Preakness stakes was won by I’ll Have Another in a thrilling chase down the stretch. The beautiful front running colt, Bodemeister tried to steal the race on the lead, but the Kentucky Derby winner would not be denied the second jewel in the Triple Crown. FarmVet customer, Mike Harrington sent out Creative Cause early in the race to push Bodemeister. The plan backfired as Creative Cause was run off his feet and ended up finishing a weakening third.

I was in the winners circle to watch the race at Pimlico Racetrack on Saturday and I could feel the electricity of the build up the entire day. I’ll Have Another, the unassuming, small, levelheaded colt did not disappoint. The record crowd of 122,000 people on hand at Pimlico rocked the place with screams and applause; I myself lost my voice and I must admit there were tears.

As if the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes were not exciting enough…….. Now Team O’neil is off to Belmont Park to attempt to be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. By the looks of I’ll Have Another’s weight, coat, pedigree, training style, running style, confident entourage and talented jockey, a win in the Belmont Stakes is very possible. However, statistics are hard to be denied. In the last 16 years there have been 9 horses to have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes only to be beat in the grueling 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes.

Moving forward to Belmont there are plenty of fresh colts that will be in the race to challenge I’ll Have Another. FarmVet customer Michael Matz has had his champion colt Union Rags at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland since the Kentucky Derby. He is training forwardly and is poised for a win. The connections decided to take off jockey Julien Leparoux and put on John Valasquez. Union Rags has already won a Grade One race at Belmont Park but that was going a one-turn mile which is very different than the challenging 1 ½ mile distance.

Another FarmVet customer will try to dethrone the Triple Crown bidder. Young training sensation, Chad Brown is planning on entering Street Life. This is a fresh horse on the three year old campaign with a win in the Broad Brush and a third in the Peter Pan Stakes. This closing styled runner by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense should appreciate the distance and is stabled at Belmont in preparation.

Stay tuned for more Triple Crown updates!!!

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER……AND MAKE IT A TRIPLE!!!!!!!

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by Dragon Media Group,  May 20th 2012

Calgary, Alberta – Goby’s Grill, with an incredible sport’s bar feeling, played host as spectators grabbed a look at one of the eight huge High Definition monitors for the start of the Preakness yesterday afternoon at Anderson Ranch. Onlookers were treated to an amazing race as I’ll Have Another galloped to victory and one step closer to the coveted Triple Crown. Outside the field of 20 competitors was getting set to do battle on the turf to crown the champion of the $32,000 FarmVet CSI2* Grand Prix, and not even the folks in Hollywood could have written a better ending to a great week of show jumping in the Canadian Rockies as the crowd’s shifted attention saw Kyle King race to victory in a thrilling jump off.

Hot off a Wednesday Welcome victory, Kyle King will cash an $8,000 check for his win aboard his horse, fittingly named Cash, owned by Desiree Peterson of Calgary. A field of 20 horses, with riders decked out in the FarmVet silks, were challenged as Kenny Krome of Maryland, again worked his magic, designing a course that tested both horse and rider, and yielded seven combinations mastering the first round to challenge the jump off.

Kyle’s mount was spectacular in both rounds, which left the California rider very happy with the horse he has had under his guidance for the past year. The impressive gelding was jumping amazing with his hind end and was well over the standards in the first round and proved unbeatable in the jump off. “Coming into the double in the jump off, he slipped a little as I cut hard into the turn to put pressure on, but Cash didn’t hesitate and jumped even better”, said Kyle of his horse.

It was a strong field in the jump off, with some young blood in the remaining 6 who qualified behind him. But “going first in the jump off, with a field of younger riders behind, was kind of an advantage, as I tried to put some pressure on them, which worked out”, noted the Californian. He is not the elder statesman, but certainly feels the heat from the young talented riders looking to take on the King.

Finishing a close second was local rider from Strathmore, Alberta, Tamie Phillips, who like Kyle, has had great success Internationally.  She was picture perfect with both her mounts in the first round, using her skills to guide both to clean performances.

A new mount for Phillips, acquired just two months ago, was her gelding Simba. The a nine year old Danish Warmblood  was up to the challenge with just one down in the jump off ending up 7th in this, his first Grand Prix.  Tamie’s first horse to qualify for the jump was her great partner Lerche 37, a 10 year old Holsteiner mare. “LuLu, as we call her, was so fired up today.  Normally she is calm and quiet, but today she was wild which made it difficult to catch Kyle, but we tried”, laughed Tamie.  It is always tough to go as fast as Kyle in a galloping race, but Tamie and Lerche 37 pushed him down to the wire.

The day could not have been better, the courses were amazing, the grass field green and lush and the sun was shining down on Anderson Ranch, with the views of the Rockies breathtaking.  It has been a great two weeks of competition and the FarmVet Grand Prix capped off an amazing Saturday.  “The FEI competitions have really added a flare to our tournaments.  I am so happy how all the horses have jumping for all the competitors.  Having them happy is the reason why we do this”, said John Anderson, president of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping.

Great competition, fantastic facilities, pleasant people and a lush location is what keeps people coming back to compete in these tournaments at this venue, a real jewel in the Alberta foothills, just overlooking the Rocky Mountains.  Tournaments continue again in a few weeks with the June Classics.

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The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has received reports of suspected cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) infection in horses that participated in a recent trail ride in Tennessee.
Six to eight suspected cases of the neurological form of EHV-1 have been reported to the state veterinarian’s office. Horses are being treated, isolated and monitored by their attending veterinarian.
The horses may have been exposed to EHV-1 during the Bucksnort Trail Ride held April 23–30 in Humphreys County. The event drew approximately 100 horses from multiple states. The movement of horses that attended the event is being restricted on a case by case basis.
TDA animal health officials are working with event organizers, neighboring state veterinarians and private veterinarians to identify other horses that may have been exposed or are exhibiting symptoms.
As a precaution, Tenn. State Veterinarian Charles Hatcher recommends that horse owners who participated in the Bucksnort event work with their veterinarian to restrict movement and to monitor their horses. Hatcher also recommends that isolation and monitoring continue for 28 days if any clinical signs of disease are observed. Veterinarians should report suspected neurological cases of EHV-1 to the State Veterinarian’s office at 615-837-5120.

Call us at 888.837.3626 to find the best way to prevent your horse from contracting EHV-1 and EHM.

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No Smoke and Mirrors: Joe Fargis on the Value of Simplicity and Consistency

by Pam Whitfield   American National Riding Commission

FarmVet Sponsored Rider, Joe Fargis, of Middleburg, Va. is best known for winning the 1984 Olympic individual gold medal aboard Touch of Class, but the veteran jumper rider has spent the past five decades in the horse industry putting in the long hours needed to find and develop horses with talent.

Joe began his education with Jane Dillon at the Junior Equitation School in Vienna, Va. He then rode with Frances Rowe at her Foxwood Farm in Crozier, Va. for 12 years before studying under Bert de Nemethy and riding on the US Equestrian Team. He and fellow Olympic medalist Conrad Homfeld ran the partnership Sandron for over a decade until Homfeld retired from competition. Joe currently competes Grand Prix jumpers in both the United States and Canada, and makes frequent trips to Europe in search of talented prospects.

The former Olympian finds himself sticking to his roots: the forward riding system as he learned it under Mrs. Dillon. “I couldn’t have gotten a better start,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of having met her.”

Joe rode with Mrs. Dillon “until my last junior moment in 1966, and I haven’t changed my mind since then,” he said. “Mrs. Dillon kept telling us the same things over and over, and I keep doing the same things over and over.”

According to Joe, the principles of forward riding are an indispensable part of a jumper’s education. “It’s the first step in making the jumper a complete horse,” he explained. “You keep the horse straight, ride him forward, stay off his back, get him to the point that he’s nicely stabilized, and then he’s a good student and can go on to collected work.”

Joe emphasizes stabilization because “it’s an early step in the training of a horse to let him be on his own for awhile and find his own balance and rhythm,” he stated. “Once he is stabilized, then you begin to collect him and give him more experience in the show ring. I don’t like to collect a horse until he’s a little older, perhaps six or seven.”

It sounds deceptively simple, “but it is,” Joe continued. “There’s no smoke and mirrors, no swirling cape. It has to be kept simple and I think it’s getting too complicated these days. I think people over analyze and over-do. One needs a calm, straight, well-trained horse, and if the horse has talent, then there’s not much else to do but ride it well.”

When the trainer runs into challenges with a young horse or a new one, he goes back to the basics and lets the system sort it out for him. “I just go back to the beginning and walk-trot-canter both directions, and see if the horse can do that,” he explained. “If so, then we do cavaletti, and if he can do that, then some low jumps.”

By sticking to the same progression of skills, Joe can pinpoint gaps in a horse’s education—and ensure consistency in his training. “You have to gain their trust,” said the rider. “You have to tell them the same thing every day.”

by FarmVet Racehorse Sales Manager Brandi Goode

1.)  Creative Cause. This consistent, handsome, California grey has really impressed me with his Churchill gallop and workout. All systems go. He should sit the perfect stalking trip. Back to #1.

2.)  Alpha. This royally bred and royally owned colt has taken a move down my list. If he had one more workout I would feel more comfortable making him my top wagering choice. But there should be allot of value in the odds come Derby day.

3.)  Union Rags. This masterfully trained colt is coming into the Derby in tip top shape. He has some of the prettiest breezes I have ever seen. But pretty is as pretty does. He will be up against some gritty colts Saturday.

4.)  Gemologist. Undefeated. 2 wins at Churchill. Son of Tiznow. Owned by Winstar. Trained by Todd Pletcher. Need I say more? If he is in the mix turning for home, good luck getting by him.

5.)  Bodemeister. This colt has taken a move up my list with his stellar appearance and solid, fast breezes over the Churchill Downs surface. But can he run another race as strong as the Arkansas Derby? His odds will be too short for me but we may have a superstar on our hands.

6.)  Daddy Nose Best. With 3 solid breezes over the Churchill Downs surface and a visually impressive, routing body type, this experienced colt jumped up the list. He will be closing in from the back of the group with power closing jockey Go Go Gomez up.

7.)  I’ll Have Another. This compact, energetic colt will have plenty of people saying “I’ll Have Another” Derby week. His California entourage likes to party and they will be hoping he can bring his California form with him and step up to the big leagues to give them a celebration of a lifetime.

8.)  Went The Day Well. With the addition of blinkers this colt is expected to mature quick. He has the pedigree, confirmation and connections to be a classic winner. But, is it unthinkable for all those connections to win the Derby two years in a row?

9.)  Hansen. Eclipse Award Champion Two Year Old and Breeder’s Cup Juvenile winner is up against it this year with a lot of speed upfront and an extra furlong to deal with. I’ll pass.

10.) Dullahan. Mine That Birds half brother is doing nothing wrong at Churchill and may give Dale Romans that Derby win that he has been so close to the last couple years. His action, confirmation and style scream turf and synthetic specialist rather than a fast dirt track preference.

**Tune into NBC Sports May 5^th at 11am-7pm to watch coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Post time 6:24 pm et. **

For more Racehorse and Kentucky Derby news, call/email Brandi Goode at 760-809-5679, brandi@farmvet.com.

by FarmVet Racehorse Sales Manager Brandi Goode

The first Saturday in May is quickly approaching and the KY Derby field is materializing more everyday. The final prep race ran over the weekend and the list below is the top 20 graded earners and KY Derby probables.

The last weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby are always filled with drama as these three year olds either jump in or jump out of the picture.

Secret Circle for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was taken out of contention due to plaguing sesamoiditis that requires time off to recover.

Trinniberg, the speedy son of Tufflesburg has never raced past 7 furlongs and was not on the KY derby trail despite his high ranking on the graded earnings list, until this week when trainer Bisnath Parboo confirmed that he will in fact run. Bisnath has been training the colt in Florida’s Calder Racecourse in company of other horses and says despite his lack of two turn racing, he is confident the colt will relax and handle the mile and quarter challenge.

Alpha, my personal KY Derby selection, was forced to miss 4 days of training due to an infection that developed from cuts on his left front shin that were received in the first turn of the Wood Memorial. He is now back on track and scheduled to fly to KY April 30th.

The jockey’s continue to jockey for their position as Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith secured the mount on Bodemeister and Garret Gomez is now up on Daddy Nose Best. All of us are anxiously waiting to hear if top jock Ramon Dominguez chooses Champion two year old colt and Breeder’s Cup Juvenile winner, Hansen or Goldophin’s royally bred and peaking Alpha. The rider on European invader Daddy Long Legs is also yet to be decided.

This next week of Derby preparations will be done with morning workouts and paddock and gate schooling. We will also see most of the KY Derby contenders ship to Churchill for a final breeze over the surface. Fingers crossed for a sunny and safe Kentucky Derby prep week!

For more Racehorse and Kentucky Derby news, call/email Brandi Goode at 760-809-5679, brandi@farmvet.com.