After 32 yrs, FL Sire Stakes leaves Calder for GS
Sept 5, 2013 21:32:38 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Sept 5, 2013 21:32:38 GMT -5
More trouble for Calder? Purses will increase $300K at GS - Stronach really knows $ talks
Gulfstream to Host Florida Sire Stakes Beginning in 2014
Paulick Report
Gulfstream Park and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) announced today Gulfstream will host the 2014 Florida Sire Stakes.
The Florida Sire Stakes, formerly the Florida Stallion Stakes, is a popular summer series of six races for 2-year-olds sired by nominated Florida stallions. The event was run the previous 32 years at Calder.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the FTBOA to bring the Florida Sire Stakes to Gulfstream Park,” said Gulfstream President Tim Ritvo. “Hosting the Sire Stakes once again shows Gulfstream’s commitment to building a strong summer Thoroughbred program and strengthening Florida racing and breeding. We are committed to increase purses and market and publicize the Florida Sire Stakes to bring it back to its rightful status as a major Thoroughbred event, one that produces stakes winners and champions. We believe we can help build the Sire Stakes as we have the Claiming Crown.”
The Florida Stallion Stakes, created by Ocala breeder and owner Dan Lasater, produced six Eclipse Award winners: Awesome Feather, the 2010 Juvenile Filly champion; Big Drama, the 2010 Sprint Champion; Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year and 3-year-old champion; Smile, the 1986 Sprint champion; Brave Raj, the 1986 Juvenile Filly champion; Not Surprising, the 1995 Sprint champion.
“FTBOA is excited to award our new and enhanced Florida Sire Stakes series to Gulfstream in 2014,” said Lonny Powell, CEO of the FTBOA. “Frank Stronach’s team, led by track president Tim Ritvo, really did a masterful job in putting together a presentation that packaged both economic and marketing related considerations into a very comprehensive and forward-looking plan that really put the best interests of the Florida Thoroughbred breeder and owner on the national center stage. Those elements, combined with their outstanding facility and proven big-event experience as well as solid support from the horsemen, should make our program a first-class event in every sense.
“As we look forward with great anticipation to working with Gulfstream as our new host, we also salute long-time Florida Sire Stakes home Calder for their laudable past efforts and thank them for the historic role they have played in helping make Florida 2-year-old racing some of the top racing of its kind in North America. We look forward to our continued working with both tracks and our friends at the FHBPA in making Florida-bred racing at all ages and levels even more competitive and lucrative as a leader on the national breeding and racing scene.”
Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said, “The purses of the former Florida Stallion Stakes Series have grown stagnant over the last thirty some years. By moving the event to Gulfstream the total purses will increase $300,000 and become more relevant again, and, of course, we are all aware of Gulfstream’s ability to promote and market an event that was struggling, much as they did for the Claiming Crown.”
Gulfstream to Host Florida Sire Stakes Beginning in 2014
Paulick Report
Gulfstream Park and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) announced today Gulfstream will host the 2014 Florida Sire Stakes.
The Florida Sire Stakes, formerly the Florida Stallion Stakes, is a popular summer series of six races for 2-year-olds sired by nominated Florida stallions. The event was run the previous 32 years at Calder.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the FTBOA to bring the Florida Sire Stakes to Gulfstream Park,” said Gulfstream President Tim Ritvo. “Hosting the Sire Stakes once again shows Gulfstream’s commitment to building a strong summer Thoroughbred program and strengthening Florida racing and breeding. We are committed to increase purses and market and publicize the Florida Sire Stakes to bring it back to its rightful status as a major Thoroughbred event, one that produces stakes winners and champions. We believe we can help build the Sire Stakes as we have the Claiming Crown.”
The Florida Stallion Stakes, created by Ocala breeder and owner Dan Lasater, produced six Eclipse Award winners: Awesome Feather, the 2010 Juvenile Filly champion; Big Drama, the 2010 Sprint Champion; Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year and 3-year-old champion; Smile, the 1986 Sprint champion; Brave Raj, the 1986 Juvenile Filly champion; Not Surprising, the 1995 Sprint champion.
“FTBOA is excited to award our new and enhanced Florida Sire Stakes series to Gulfstream in 2014,” said Lonny Powell, CEO of the FTBOA. “Frank Stronach’s team, led by track president Tim Ritvo, really did a masterful job in putting together a presentation that packaged both economic and marketing related considerations into a very comprehensive and forward-looking plan that really put the best interests of the Florida Thoroughbred breeder and owner on the national center stage. Those elements, combined with their outstanding facility and proven big-event experience as well as solid support from the horsemen, should make our program a first-class event in every sense.
“As we look forward with great anticipation to working with Gulfstream as our new host, we also salute long-time Florida Sire Stakes home Calder for their laudable past efforts and thank them for the historic role they have played in helping make Florida 2-year-old racing some of the top racing of its kind in North America. We look forward to our continued working with both tracks and our friends at the FHBPA in making Florida-bred racing at all ages and levels even more competitive and lucrative as a leader on the national breeding and racing scene.”
Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said, “The purses of the former Florida Stallion Stakes Series have grown stagnant over the last thirty some years. By moving the event to Gulfstream the total purses will increase $300,000 and become more relevant again, and, of course, we are all aware of Gulfstream’s ability to promote and market an event that was struggling, much as they did for the Claiming Crown.”
