Jockeys race the horses down the track.

On the first Saturday of May each year, all attention in the thoroughbred world turns from Central Florida’s horse country to Churchill Downs, home of the world’s most legendary (and arguably best dressed) horse race.

Two ladies in hats ready for the race.Everyone knows the Kentucky Derby. You don’t even have to be a horse person to know this is a big deal in the Equestrian world; it’s one of the few sports that dominates TV coverage that isn’t oriented around men chasing a ball. The spectator stands are packed with celebrities, artists, athletes, politicians, and business moguls – mingling with horse owners, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians and farriers while revelers cavort in the famous Infield. It’s a concentrated mix of hopeful anxiety with big hats, a long day of color and pomp, ceremony, tradition, and mint juleps in a prelude to The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.

The Kentucky Derby is the annual coming-out event of equestrians and is the first leg of the American Triple Crown stakes. And they’re big stakes; bets at the Derby alone have topped out at over $209 million, while online wagers generate up to $32 million. The horse who wins the top prize canters off with a purse of $3 million and is generally an odds-on favorite for the subsequent Preakness Stakes two weeks later – and then the Belmont Stakes in early June. After that, winning horses like American Pharoah, Justify, Secretariat, and Citation can retire comfortably on a stud farm and bring in millions more by fruitfully multiplying their bloodline.

Although Ocala might defer to attention to Louisville when on this day, it doesn’t mean Marion County sits quietly in the wings. Out of the 20 horses riding in Saturday’s race, no less than thirteen – count ‘em, thirteen – horses, plus an alternate from the Ocala region are headed to Kentucky this weekend, reaffirming the area’s formidable history and legacy with Churchill Downs.

White Abarrio
Mo Donegal
Simplification
Bred in Florida

Color Sex: Bay colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 74
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Owner: Tami Bobo
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Breeder: France and Irwin Weiner (Florida)
Breeding: Not This Time – Simply Confection, by Candy Ride (Arg)
Auction History: 2019 Keeneland November, $50,000 RNA from Taylor Made Sales Agency.
Last Race: Third behind winner White Abarrio in Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (Grade 1) at Gulfstream Park on April 2.
Record: 7-3-1-2
Earnings: $515,350
Ocala/Florida Notes: Owner Tami Bobo resides in Ocala. Purchased by and received early training from Tristan and Valery de Meric, Ocala, Florida

White Abarrio
Color Sex: Grey or Roan Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 112
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Owner: C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable, LLC
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm LLC (Kentucky)
Breeding: Race Day – Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief
Auction History: 2021 OBS March, Purchased for $40,000 by Carlos L. Perez from Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds consignment; 2020 OBS Winter Mixed, Purchased for $7,500 by Jose Ordonez from Summerfield consignment.
Last Race: Won Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa (Grade 1) at Gulfstream on April 2.
Record: 5-4-0-1
Earnings: $823,650
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training and consigned by Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds in Ocala, Florida. Early training and consigned by Summerfield in Morriston, Florida
Mo Donegal
Color Sex: Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 112
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Donegal Racing
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Breeder: Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables (Kentucky)
Breeding: Uncle Mo – Callingmissbrown, by Pulpit
Auction History: 2020 Keeneland September, Purchased by Donegal Racing for $250,000 from Ashview Farm consignment
Last Race: Won Wood Memorial presented by Resort World Casino (Grade 2) at Aqueduct on April 9.
Record: 5-3-0-2
Earnings: $621,800
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training at AbraCadabra Farms in Ocala, Florida
Tiz the Bomb
Cyberknife
Taiba
Tiz the Bomb
Color Sex: Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 110
Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
Owner: Magdalena Racing, Lessee
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm LLC
Breeding: Hit It a Bomb – Tiz the Key, by Tiznow (Kentucky)
Auction History: 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select, Purchased by Kenneth McPeek as agent for $330,000 from Eaton Sales consignment
Last Race: Won Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade 3) at Turfway Park on April 2
Record: 8-5-1-0
Earnings: $1,044,401
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training at Silverleaf Training Center, Summerfield, Florida.
Cyberknife
Color Sex: Chestnut Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 100
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Gold Square LLC
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Breeder: Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey (Kentucky)
Breeding: Gun Runner – Awesome Flower, by Flower Alley
Auction History: 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select, Purchased by Joe Hardoon as agent for $400,000 from Ramsey Farm consignment.
Last Races: Won Arkansas Derby (Grade 1) at Oaklawn on April 2.
Record: 6-3-2-0
Earnings: $860,000
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training at Susan Montayne’s SBM Training and Sales LLC, Ocala, Florida
Taiba
Color Sex: Chestnut Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 100
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables Inc.
Jockey: Mike Smith
Breeder: Bruce C. Ryan (Kentucky)
Breeding: Gun Runner – Needmore Flattery, by Flatter
Auction History: 2020 Fasig-Tipton October, Purchased by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds for $140,000 from the Buckland Sales consignment. 2021 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream, Purchased by Gary C. Young as agent for $1.7 million from Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds
Last Races: Won Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1) at Santa Anita on April 9.
Record: 2-2-0-0
Earnings: $490,200
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training and consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds in Ocala.
Smile Happy
Classic Causeway
Tawny Port
Smile Happy
Color Sex: Dark Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 70
Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
Owner: Lucky Seven Stable (Mackin)
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
Breeder: Moreau Bloodstock International Inc. and White Bloodstock LLC
Breeding: Runhappy – Pleasant Smile, by Pleasant Tap
Auction History: 2019 Keeneland November, Purchase by Cooper Bloodstock for $175,000 from Moreau Bloodstock Int’l consignment. 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select, Purchased by Lucky Seven for $185,000 from Hunter Valley Farm consignment.
Last Race: Second to Zandon in the Toyota Blue Grass (Grade 1) April 9 at Keeneland
Record: 4-2-2-0
Earnings: $549,810
Ocala/Florida Notes: Trained at Silverleaf Hills Training Center, Summerfield, Florida
Classic Causeway
Color Sex: Chestnut Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 66
Trainer: Brian A. Lynch
Owner: Kentucky West Racing LLC and Clarke M. Cooper
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Breeder: Kentucky West Racing LLC and Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust
Breeding: Giant’s Causeway – Private World, by Thunder Gulch (Kentucky)
Auction History: None
Last Races: 11th in Curlin Florida Derby (G1) won by White Abarrio
Record: 6-3-1-1
Earnings: $521,100
Ocala/Florida Notes: Won Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs
Tawny Port
Color Sex: Dark Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 60
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Owner: Peachtree Stable
Jockey: TBD
Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC
Breeding: Pioneerof The Nile – Livi Makenzie, by Macho Uno
Auction History: 2020 Keeneland September, Purchased by John P. Port for $430,000 from Machmer Hall Consignment.
Last Races: Second to Tiz the Bomb in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park on April 2.
Record: 4-2-1-0
Earnings: $197,600
Ocala/Florida Notes: Trained at Barry Eisaman’s Eisaman Equine in Williston, Florida
Early Voting
Charge It
Messier
Early Voting
Color Sex: Dark Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 50
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owner: Klaravich Stables Inc. (Seth Klarman)
Jockey: TBD
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm LLC (Kentucky)
Breeding: Gun Runner – Amour d’Ete, by Tiznow
Auction History: 2020 Keeneland September, purchased by Triphammer Farm for $200,000 from Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency consignment
Last Race: Second to Mo Donegal in the Wood Memorial present by Resorts World Casino (Grade 2) at Aqueduct on April 9.
Record: 3-2-1-0
Earnings: $321,500
Ocala/Florida Notes: Trained at Niall Brennan Stables in Ocala, Florida
Charge It
Color Sex: Grey or Roan Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 40
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm LLC (Mandy Pope)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Breeder: Whisper Hill Farm LLC (Kentucky)
Breeding: Tapit – I’ll Take Charge, by Indian Charlie
Auction History:
Last Races: Second to White Abarrio in Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa (Grade 1) at Gulfstream Park on April 2.
Record: 3-1-2-0
Earnings: $230,400
Ocala/Florida Notes: Trained at Whisper Hill Training Center, Citra, Florida.
Messier
Color Sex: Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 40
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine M. Donovan, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm LLC
Jockey: John Velazquez
Breeder: Sam-Son Farm (Ontario)
Breeding: Empire Maker – Checkered Past, by Smart Strike
Auction History: 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Showcase, Purchased by SF/Starlight/Madaket for $470,000 from Sam-Son Consignment.
Last Races: Second to Taiba in Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1) at Santa Anita on April 9.
Record: 6-3-3-0
Earnings: $435,600
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training at Eddie Woods Stables

Derby Contender photos courtesy of FTBOA

Horses on the Also Eligible List*

Pioneer of Medina

Color Sex: Bay Colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 25
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Sumaya U.S. Stable
Jockey: TBD
Breeder: International Equities Holding Inc.
Breeding: Pioneerof the Nile-Lights of Medina by Eskendereya
Auction History: $485,000 RNA at 2020 Keeneland September. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency
Last Races: Third in Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) won by Epicenter
Record: 6-2-1-2
Earnings: $181,350
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training by J.J. Pletcher at Payton Training Center, Ocala, Fla.

In Due Time
Color Sex: Chestnut colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points:
Trainer: Kelly J. Breen
Owner: Edge Racing, Medalion Racing and Parkland Thoroughbreds
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Breeder: Gary and Mary West Stables Inc. (Kentucky)
Breeding: Not This Time – Sweet Sweet Annie, by Curlin
Auction History: $9,500 purchase by Fountain Spring Farm from Paramount Sales consignment at 2019 Keeneland November. $35,000 purchased by Marc Tacher Taylor Made Sales consignment at 2020 Keeneland September. $95,000 purchase by Edge Racing from de Meric Sales consignment at 2021 OBS April.
Last Races: Third in Lexington Stakes (Grade 3) won by Tawny Port
Record: 5-2-1-2
Earnings: $187,180
Ocala/Florida Notes: Consigned at OBS April by de Meric Sales. Early training by Tristan and Valery de Meric.
Ethereal Road
Color Sex: Bay colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points:
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: Aaron Sones
Jockey: Luis Contreras
Breeder: Paul Pompa Jr. (Kentucky)
Breeding: Quality Road – Sustained, by War Front
Auction History: 2020 Keeneland September, purchased by Wingardium Leviosoa for $90,000, Consigned by Lanes End
Last Races: Fourth in Lexington Stakes (Grade 3) won by Tawny Port
Record: 7-1-1-1
Earnings: $294,545
Ocala/Florida Notes: Early training by Randy Bradshaw, Morriston, Florida.

The Derby is, interestingly, not just the beginning of the road to the Triple Crown; it’s the end of an even longer journey to get there.

“Typically more than around half of the horses who compete in the Derby annually come were bred, raised, or trained here in Marion County. In recent years, as much as three-quarters of the field has passed through here,” explains Brock Sheridan, Editor-in-Chief of Florida Equine Communications. “There are a lot of horses on the Derby trail that started their training in Ocala, which is the premier training ground probably anywhere in the world.”

A beautiful Ocala pasture.There are a lot of reasons why Ocala is considered the undisputed locale for breeding, raising, and training horses, and why it’s renowned as a mecca for thoroughbreds. For starters, it’s literally in the foundation. Marion County has some of the richest deposits of limestone in the soil, full of minerals that give horses the nutrition most other breeders have to add as supplements in feed – plus there’s a layer of clay that holds onto moisture and creates incredibly fertile ground. The grass is, strictly speaking, actually greener. And healthier. There are plenty of trees for shade, lots of good water to drink.

“Typically more than around half of the horses who compete in the Derby annually come were bred, raised, or trained here in Marion County. In recent years, as much as three-quarters of the field has passed through here.”

— Brock Sheridan, Editor-in-Chief of Florida Equine Communications

It’s why so many iconic horse farms have flourished here for decades, building on experience and creating a reputation for Ocala as a hub of unrivaled expertise in breeding, raising, and training horses. They all seem to almost constantly win races and go on to produce equally impressive offspring. Many of these amazing farms have their own race tracks so horses can train and condition. It’s reflective of the commitment and massive investment of what is often a generational family business, like Shade Tree Farm and Cashel Stud. Bridlewood Farm, built by Arthur Appleton and now owned by the Malone family, is still one of the most famous in the racing industry, having raised and trained over 100 stakes winners. Unquestionably, Ocala’s climate, conditions, and arable land have proven to be unique and integral to its equestrian successes, which led to more horse farms being built, which led to an entire infrastructure that evolved exclusively around the horse industry.

“It’s very hard to compete with horses who have been wintered here,” says Nick de Meric, owner of de Meric Thoroughbred Sales. “Not only because of the ideal conditions, but because we have such incredible resources and range of facilities, from blacksmiths and farriers, feed companies, veterinary care, training and rehabilitation facilities, feed, saddle, and tack – it’s all been created and is very sharply focused.”
The interior of a beautiful Marion County horse barn.In turn, that focus enables a concentration on the horses and keenly-honed expertise from experience in respective niches of the industry. De Meric has sold thoroughbreds and trained them at Eclipse Training Center for over 25 years, starting out from showing ponies and racing in his native England and then Australia. He became curious at what he’d heard about the horse industry and came to Ocala when he was about 26. Now he’s one of the most sought-after experts in the region whose judgment and discernment are trusted and highly respected, and his horses prove the mettle: In Due Time, a chestnut colt on the Derby “Also Eligible” list, was bought from de Meric as a consignment sale.

“There’s a lot of instinct and intuition that goes with this career,” he observes. “When we look at the horses – and we look at thousands each year – we’re always evaluating based on our experience, our knowledge of pedigree, and at the end of the day, a gut feeling – which I’ve learned not to ignore.”

“The economic impact of the industry in Marion County cannot be overstated. It’s huge, and it’s still growing.”

—Nick de Meric, owner of de Meric Thoroughbred Sales
It is a business, and a very robust one. According to a study by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (FTBOA), the equine industry in Ocala generates $2.6 billion-with-a-B in economic impact each year, partially from thoroughbred breeding and training from the more than 750 farms in Marion County. There are more than 80,000 of these horses here; thoroughbreds alone account for more than $1.3 billion of annual revenue. It’s an employment juggernaut, too, with 21,000 full and part-time employees.

“The economic impact of the industry in Marion County cannot be overstated,” de Meric emphasizes. “It’s huge, and it’s still growing.”

A mare and a foal play together.Just the thoroughbred industry by itself generates $400 million in wages and about 12,000 of those jobs. Add to that the events, the auctions, the venues built for equine stabling and shows, like the World Equestrian Center, and it’s a complex powerhouse with constantly moving parts.

So yes, there’s a lot of money. But that’s not the only thing that drives the business.

Remember when we said the Kentucky Derby is the end of a longer road? That’s true, and it starts here. With the foals and fillies, the training and conditioning. It’s a painstaking science and art raising champions, who are not simply moneybags on four legs to the people in this industry – because the people in this industry got into it because they love horses. They get to know the willful or bashful personalities, the imperious to the impudent, the sly and the shy ones, and the bonds that are formed while readying a horse for the Derby are very real and substantive.

The track at Winding Oaks“There are a lot of risks in this business – financial, risk of injury, vagaries of the marketplace. There’s a risk of a horse not having the talent you wish he did. But there’s an emotional risk, too,” de Meric smiles wistfully. He’s sold horses at auction that he’s helped train and condition, and sometimes it’s not easy to watch them walk away.

“When they leave us, they take a little bit of us with them,” he says. “It can be a rollercoaster sometimes. But you’re proud of what they achieve.”

That emotional connection and a sense of the horses’ personalities is what also helps him and others develop a knack for choosing winning horses.

“Oh yeah, absolutely.” Sheridan agrees. “You get horses that are running in the lower ranks, and one trainer gets hold of them and sees something, finds something in them – and boom – suddenly they’re running two million dollar races. Seabiscuit was like that.”

“There’s just an indefinable quality that comes with your own instincts,” de Meric explains. “You’re only as good as your own judgment, and that’s enormously rewarding at times.”

At the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, there will be a lot of noise, a lot of colorful hats, and a lot of money hopping around as the 20 hopeful horses and jockeys take the starting gate at Riders Up. Thirteen of them are connected to Ocala, with bay colt Simplification, who won the $400,000 Fisig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes touted as one to watch. He’s owned by Ocala resident Tami Bobo and had early training from none other than Tristan de Meric, Nick’s son, and Tristan’s wife Valery, both of whom will be in Kentucky for their first time at the race.

Mint Juleps at the Kentucky DerbyShowcase is sponsoring Horse Talk Show’s coverage of the weekend’s activities, with agent Louisa Barton’s live from Churchill Downs interviewing owners, winners, and spectators, as well as watching the morning workouts.

“We leave Wednesday, will check into the hotel, and then we’re right into coverage,” she laughs. “People keep saying to me, ‘You must be so excited!’ and I am, but there’s not going to be a lot of downtime. There’s too much going on. But we’ll get some great stuff, so people back home can watch everything as it happens live.”

“We love watching and rooting for all the horses with Florida connections, and I’m certainly looking forward to Louisa’s coverage. It’s one of the most exciting times in racing, and we wish everyone a safe trip.” says Showcase Owner-Broker Valerie Dailey.

Some Derby coverage airs at 7 a.m. this Saturday on 97.3 The Sky in the Horse Capital, and on Audacy.com worldwide. Starting Wednesday May 4 through Derby day, the special additional show coverage will air daily on the Horse Talk Show on Facebook. If you’d like to watch and cheer on the Thirteen, you can find coverage at these links:

 

https://www.facebook.com/thehorsetalkshow/
(Special coverage 10 am Wed-Fri and 2pm Sat)

https://www.thehorsetalkshownetwork.com/

https://equustelevision.com/

*Pioneer of Medina and Ethereal Road have been bumped up to racing status as of 05.04.2022. 

Vintage Photo Courtesy of https://www.floridamemory.com/.