Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
September 23, 2008
www.thistledown.com
CHAMP KING OF THE ROXY'S HALF-BROTHER BEING OFFERED THROUGH SYNDICATION
Want to get a jump on your holiday shopping? Debbie Kopatz, one of Ohio's prominent thoroughbred breeders, is dangling a very unique gift idea -- for that someone special, or, perhaps, for yourself. Kopatz, who bred 2007 Ohio Horse of the Year King of the Roxy, is preparing to announce that she is syndicating 50 percent of the champion's yearling half-brother, a colt by Bright Launch, who she entered in last week's annual September sale at Keeneland but brought back home to her farm in North Canton when it didn't attract a satisfactory bid.
"The stock market is depressed and so is the horse market," said Kopatz, who owns and operates 11-acre Fox Chapel Farm. "So, I've decided to syndicate half interest in the colt. We're going to sell 20 shares in him, each valued at $2,500."
King of the Roxy overcame his humbling beginnings to win the Grade II Futurity at Saratoga and the Grade II Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park. He also finished second in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby. King of the Roxy (by Littleexpectations) and the colt that's for sale are both out of the Bold Forbes mare, Marrakesh, making them half-brothers. Those interested in joining Kopatz' syndication group can contact her at Fox Chapel Farm (330-877-4225).
HOTTER THAN HOT --- Jockeys can't get much hotter than Luis Stokes was at Thistledown this past week. Stokes, the 29-year-old native of Lafayette, Louisiana, won three races on Saturday, three more on Sunday and two on Monday's card. It means that Stokes won 10 of the last 24 races run at the North Randall oval, even though he rode in only 17 of them. Two of his seven losing mounts were runner-up finishes. "I'm really enjoying this year," said Stokes. "Winning the opening (Summit-Thistledown) meeting was good for my confidence. It was my first riding title ever. I'm riding for great outfits, and that certainly helps."
BUCKEYE ALL-STARS --- The 22nd annual Best of Ohio series, five races worth nearly $500,000, is headed for Thistledown on Oct. 4, just a week from this Saturday. The quintet of added-money races, restricted to Buckeye-breds, includes the six furlong Sprint, and the John Galbreath and Juvenile, the latter two to be contested at 1 1/16 miles. All three races carry a purse of $75,000. The main attractions are the Distaff at 1 1/8 miles, and the Endurance at 1 1/4 miles, both worth $100,000. Nominations to the Best of Ohio races close Wednesday (Sept. 24) and official entries and post positions will be drawn Monday, Sept. 29th.
THE LEADERBOARD --- The aforementioned Louis Stokes has opened a commanding lead in the Randall-Cranwood Meeting jockeys' derby with 49 winners in 47 days of the 66-day stand. Luis Gonzalez is a distant second at 38 winners, followed by Weldon Cloninger Jr. (32) and Ernesto Oro (28) . . . Jeff Radosevich continues to pace all trainers with 27 winners. Rodney Faulkner is second with 21 scores, followed by Burton Sipp and Tim Hamm, both on 18 winners.
MONDAY NIGHT FEVER --- The annual Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's dinner dance is set for Monday, Oct. 6 in Thistledown's Bistro. Tickets are available in the HBPA office ($15 for members) and include dinner, dancing and fantastic door prizes.
THISTLEDOWN ROLL CALL --- R and P Racing Stables with 16 scores continues as the winningest barn at the current Randall-Cranwood Meeting. Bridget Sipp is a close second with 13 scores, followed by Outlaws and Angels Inc. at 11 wins . . . Wanna Try Me is the meeting's winningest horse with four victories from five starts. The lone defeat was a photo-finish second. Three other horses --- Eagles Bright Eyes, Marco Regs Winnner, and Dinkers Mystery -- are next in line with three scores.
FEED BAG --- Thistledown will be open for late night simulcasting Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday this week (Sept. 23, 25 and 28th). Of course, Thistledown is open seven days a week for daytime full-card simulcasting from North America's leading tracks . . . Nobody was happier that Pull Over Please, a nine-year-old gelding, had ended his year-long victory drought by winning Saturday's second race than his jockey, Anne Sanguinetti. "He's one of my favorites," she said. "I get along well with him. We really know each other. I've ridden him my entire career, starting at Suffolk Downs (four years ago)."