Kitts Fitz to run back tomorrow in maiden allowance at River Downs
4/20/2010


Kitts Fitz, a homebred filly trained by agency president Jim Cullen, will tomorrow make her second career start in a maiden special weight race at River Downs.

A three-year-old daughter of Seattle Fitz (Arg) out of Melody Prospector (Gold Case), Kitts Fitz is owned by Florence Racing Stable. She made an inauspicious debut at Turfway Park in February when she tired and finished off the board in a maiden allowance sprint. The bay filly will look to make amends tomorrow when she stretches out to contest the tenth race at 'the River', a one-mile dirt affair for older fillies and mares.

Kitts Fitz has drawn post three in a seven-horse field, and Jose Calo will ride. Post time is scheduled for 3:46 pm.

"(Kitts Fitz) didn't run well in her debut, but we figured some things out and she's had a couple good weeks of training," said Cullen. "She's doing great and will definitely appreciate the added distance. It's just a question of whether or not she's good enough.

"I think she's got a big shot in this spot, though at the end of the day I don't think dirt is going to be her best surface. She's bred for the turf and has trained great on it in the morning, so I'm pretty confident she'll move up on the grass. But hopefully she'll be good enough to win tomorrow and give us some more options when it's time to run her back."

To view the entries for tomorrow's card at River Downs click here.

It's a Yankee breezes for race at end of the month
4/12/2010


Florence Racing Stable's It's a Yankee turned in another good work this weekend as he continues to prepare for his return to the races, which should come before the end of the month.

On Sunday It's a Yankee breezed an easy half mile in 52.20 seconds. The bay three-year-old gelding (pictured) was in hand throughout and galloped out five furlongs in 1:04.60.

It's a Yankee was relaxed and responsive throughout the breeze. He stopped the clock in 26.20 seconds for the opening quarter but finished up a bit stronger.

"I already know Yankee is fast; I'm trying to get him to slow down and react to the rider," said agency president Jim Cullen, who trains the gelding. "This last work he handled things much more professionally. I think he's starting to understand what we want from him - he isn't just tearing around there as fast as he can go."

It's a Yankee has not run since last September, when he debuted in a maiden race won by subsequent Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Noble's Promise. That is likely to change before the end of April, as Cullen indicated the son of Yankee's Gentleman is being pointed for a maiden allowance on either April 26 or 27.

"I'm not afraid of running this colt anywhere," said Cullen. "There are some spots at Churchill where he'd fit, but then there are options at Indiana Downs and Mountaineer as well. He's still a work or two short, but if he handles those well he'll run before the end of the month."

Kitts Fitz works for start this Saturday at Mountaineer Park
4/6/2010


Florence Racing Stable's Kitts Fitz will make the second start of her young career when she goes postward this Saturday, April 10, at Mountaineer Park.

A homebred filly by Seattle Fitz (Arg), Kitts Fitz will contest the sixth race on the card, a one-mile maiden allowance for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. The filly has drawn post six in a 10-horse field, and Deshawn Parker will ride.

Post time is 9:05 pm Eastern and the purse is $19,600.

"She's all set to go," said agency president Jim Cullen, who trains the three-year-old filly. "She's had a couple good weeks of training since her debut and she's coming into it the right way. I think the filly is sitting on a big race - we'll just turn her loose and see if she can get it done."

Kitts Fitz turned in a good work on April 3 in preparation for her race. The filly breezed a half mile in 51 seconds flat, which was the seventh-fastest time from 21 horses to work the distance. She galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.60 and six furlongs in 1:17.1.

Kitts Fitz cooled out without incident back at the barn. To view the complete work tab from April 3 click here.

"She breezed perfectly," said Cullen. "Her first quarter was 25 (seconds) and change and she finished up strongly, which is what I wanted. I'm really pleased with her."

To view Mountaineer Park's official entries for April 10 click here.

Super Saver kicks off Triple Crown campaign with solid performance in Tampa Bay Derby (G3)
3/17/2010


WinStar Farm's Super Saver retained his place among the Kentucky Derby (G1) favorites with a very credible performance in the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on Saturday, March 13.

Making his first start since he captured the $191,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last November (pictured), Super Saver was sent postward as the 3-to-2 favorite in a contentious field of seven. The task was daunting and proved just a bit much for the handsome son of Maria's Mon - he finished third in a blanket finish at the wire.

"To me it shows how much confidence (trainer Todd) Pletcher must have in Super Saver to put him in that spot," said Cullen. "Tampa Bay Downs is a notoriously deep and tiring surface, so to bring a colt back there off a five-month layoff, against that field in a two-turn race, was a very bold move. You wouldn't ask that of a horse unless you thought he was special. Even with everything working against him the colt almost got it done."

Super Saver led to the top of the stretch when he appeared to tire and was hooked by Schoolyard Dreams. Even so he dug in under Ramon Dominguez and ran gamely down the stretch, but ultimately he settled for third, beaten a half-length for the whole thing.

"His race reminded me a lot of his performance in the Champagne (G1), when he finished fourth by a length," said Cullen. "Both times he did not get off his left lead for most of the stretch run, and he showed a ton of heart and fight in both spots. He came back from the Champagne to win the Kentucky Jockey Club in record time, so you'd have to think this race sets him up for a big Arkansas Derby (G2). Hopefully that will spur him on to good things in the Kentucky Derby and the rest of the Triple Crown season. I'm a big fan of his."

Super Saver continues to receive a great deal of support as a viable Kentucky Derby prospect. Steve Haskin of Blood-Horse currently ranks the colt sixth on his list of leading Derby contenders.

Super Saver is a half brother to a mare purchased by Cullen on behalf of former client Vincent Colbert. In 2007 Cullen purchased an unraced two-year-old filly out of Super Saver's dam, Supercharger, for $40,000 at Keeneland January. Named Quickest, the daughter of Forest Wildcat did not race and was retired to the breeding shed for the 2008 season.

Supercharger is a winning daughter of A.P. Indy from the immediate family of Bluegrass Cat. Supercharger is also a full sister to 2009 Jerome Handicap (G2) winner Girolamo.

Quickest produced a filly by Bandini in 2009 but did not get back in foal that spring. Breeding plans for 2010 are not known.

Quickest remains the only broodmare prospect Cullen has ever purchased for Colbert at public auction.

It's a Yankee, Kitts Fitz breeze for upcoming races
2/14/2010


Sunday is normally the day that horses stay in the barn, walked in the shedrow to rest after a heavy week of training.

With winter weather in Kentucky having been oppressive the past few weeks, however, trainers have to take advantage of any decent day when the track is safe. That was the case this morning when agency president Jim Cullen worked two horses in his care for upcoming races.

Florence Racing Stable's It's a Yankee and Kitts Fitz both breezed three furlongs late in the morning.

"I waited as long as I could," said Cullen. "The sun was out, and the longer I waited the better the track got. I waited more than three hours and didn't get my first horse out until 10 am, but it was worth it - the track was good and everything worked out well."

Kitts Fitz was the first to train. The three-year-old daughter of Seattle Fitz (ARG) breezed three furlongs in 39.1 seconds and galloped out a half-mile in 53.3 seconds.

"It was this filly's first official work since she came back into training in early December," said Cullen. "I was pleased with how she went - I was expecting her to get tired but she galloped out great and came back without even blowing. She needs a couple more works but she isn't that far away from running."

Kitts Fitz was a work shy of racing last summer but went to the sidelines in August to grow up and mature.

It's a Yankee (pictured) hit the track immediately after his stablemate. The son of Yankee Gentleman was making his first work since having been gelded in early January.

"We cut this colt a couple weeks ago, and I'm glad we did," said Cullen. "He wasn't a bad actor necessarily but he was very intense and did everything 'hard'. Since we gelded him (It's a Yankee) has been much more professional and manageable, and judging by today he's a bit easier on himself."

It's a Yankee was also in hand throughout and never fully extended. Even so, the impressive three-year-old stopped the clock in 38 seconds flat, and he galloped out in 1:01.1.

"The biggest thing with Yankee is getting him to slow down," said Cullen. "He was better today and should keep improving with every breeze. Barring any problems he'll be ready to run in early March. I'm excited about his prospects."

Kitts Fitz is a Cullen homebred, and It's a Yankee was purchased privately by Cullen last summer.

To view Sunday's complete worktab from The Thoroughbred Center click here.

Sweet Gladys posts sharp work in preparation for next start
2/4/2010


Sweet Gladys, fresh off a dominating allowance score at Turfway Park, showed she is still in good form yesterday when she put up a bullet work at Highpoint Training Center.

A five-year-old daughter of Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys was purchased by Cullen at public auction in 2007. The mare was purchased as an unraced prospect for $55,000 during the Adena Springs March sale of two-year-olds in training on behalf of Four-Board Stable.

Sweet Gladys seems to be improving with age, which is not unusual for offspring of her Champion sire. She turned in the most impressive race of her career in her last start when she wired a field of older distaffers to win a feature race at Turfway by nearly six lengths.

If her breeze yesterday was any indication it appears that Sweet Gladys is gearing up for another start. The attractive mare blazed five furlongs in 50 seconds flat over a surface that tends to be deep and dull. The move was the fastest of the morning from eight to work the distance.

To date Sweet Gladys has won 4-of-9 starts for $44,125.

To view yesterday's complete work tab from Highpoint Training Center click here.

It's a Yankee fires bullet work at Thoroughbred Training Center
1/6/2010


The promising three-year-old colt It's a Yankee continued to impress yesterday when he posted a bullet half-mile work at the Thoroughbred Training Center near Lexington.

Purchased and trained by agency president Jim Cullen, It's a Yankee is being pointed for a return to the races later this month. He has not run since he suffered a minor injury in his racing debut on September 5.

It's a Yankee has posted a series of sharp works over the course of the past two months, none more impressive than yesterday. Working in company with an experienced runner, It's a Yankee breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds flat, the fastest time of the morning from five to work the distance. (His workmate officially posted the same time but It's a Yankee 'won' the work by a neck.) The colt galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.60 and cooled out well.

"It was a good work, but he's not quite where I want him yet," said Cullen. "He still isn't relaxing the way he'll need to if he's going to win anything of consequence, which is a problem. He also didn't come back to the rider the way he does when he's not in company - he's still pretty green.

"That said, it's clear he can run. The rider of (his workmate) had to whip his colt a couple times to keep up, and I didn't let my rider even carry a stick. (Yankee) is simply a very fast colt who is as competitive as they come. He's got a bright future in front of him, but he's still got some work to do before he's a finished product."

Cullen indicated that he was unsure when It's a Yankee would work again, given the harsh winter conditions that have hit Central Kentucky.

"It's been cold as hell for a week, and we've got another front moving in today that supposed to dump six inches of snow on us," he said. "It's also supposed to get down in the low teens for the foreseeable future, so I'm not sure how much training we'll get to do. We'll just keep messing around with him and do what we can to keep him happy."

To view yesterday's worktab from the Training Center click here.

Stakes-placed mare Love You Crazy retired to the breeding shed
12/24/2009


Love You Crazy, a classy stakes-placed mare claimed recently by Jim Cullen for Margaux Farm, has been retired. The five-year-old mare was shipped to the Central Kentucky nursery on December 21 to be prepared for the 2010 breeding season.

By Touch Gold, Love You Crazy was originally purchased at public auction by Cullen for $35,000 in 2006. The filly - who was campaigned by Four-Board Stable - won at first asking in a maiden allowance at Woodbine, then returned to place in the $150,000 Ontario Debutante in December of that year.

After a brief freshening, Love You Crazy returned to the races in the spring of 2007 and competed with the best of her division. She won a lucrative entry allowance race at Woodbine and split the field in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, the premier race for Canadian-bred sophomore fillies.

Love You Crazy was turned out in late 2007 after suffering a minor knee injury, and unfortunately when she came back she wasn't the same runner. She did win a second-level allowance race in Ohio but struggled against quality fields.

We sold Love You Crazy at the 2008 Keeneland November sale, where she commanded a bid of $25,000 as a broodmare prospect. The handsome filly was purchased by a former Four-Board partner who tried to run her this year, but with no real success. After failing in mid-range claiming races in Canada she was ultimately dropped in for $7,500 at Keeneland in October, where Cullen claimed her.

Love You Crazy (pictured) exited the Keeneland race in good shape and was sound physically, so given the time of year the decision was made to keep her in training. She ran well in her first start for Cullen but didn't fire at all in her next start last weekend. The decision was made to retire her sound and happy and let her begin a new career.

"This mare fooled us a little bit because she was so sound and trained so forwardly that you thought she still had something in the tank," said Cullen. "I told (Margaux Farm owner) Steve Johnson before the race that if she didn't run well we should take her right to the farm, because I had her as good as she was going to get. It was clear after the race that she didn't want to be a racehorse any more, so Steve did the smart thing and sent her home.

"This mare never should have run this year - she should already be a broodmare," said Cullen. "She was winless from eight starts this year, and if you delete those races from her record you get a sense of her true ability. Because of the circumstances we took a shot to see if she could still do it, but I thought she was done as a viable racehorse in the summer of 2008.

"At the end of the day, however, Steve wanted her as a broodmare and that's what he got. Even in the current depressed market I think we got her at a huge discount - she's a gorgeous individual with a quality pedigree, and the family is young and very 'live'. Hopefully she'll be a productive broodmare for years to come."

Love You Crazy retires with a record of 19-3-1-5 for total earnings of $96,879.

"Love You Crazy will always be special to me, and not just because I named her for my wife," said Cullen. "She was a very talented racemare before she got hurt, and she has a ton of heart. But what's most impressive about her as a broodmare prospect is her physique: she's got great size, conformation and physical presense. She's just a very classy mare and I feel lucky to be associated with her again."

Johnson indicated that breeding plans have not been finalized.

Love You Crazy beaten less than four lengths in allowance at Turfway Park
12/9/2009


I've never been so proud of a horse who finished last in my life...

Margaux Farm's Love You Crazy, claimed out of her previous race by agency president Jim Cullen for $7,500, turned in a very credible performance for her new connections when she was beaten less than four lengths in a high-level allowance race at Turfway Park on Sunday, December 6.

A stakes-placed daughter of Touch Gold, Love You Crazy had run six times in 2009 with little success, her best finish having been third - beaten 10 1/4 lengths - in a $10,000 claimer at Presque Isle in September. She finished last in her previous start when beaten 23 1/4 lengths at Keeneland.

After entering her in a number of races that did not go, Cullen entered her in a very contentious allowance optional claiming race at Turfway. The race drew a field of seven, including two mares who were stakes-placed in 2009.

"I knew this was a tough spot but I didn't have much choice - she was doing so well she needed to run," said Cullen. "If I didn't go in the allowance she wouldn't have run for another 10 days, and it would have been tough to sit on her that long. It wasn't ideal but I took a shot and threw her in there."

Love You Crazy justified that confidence by turning in her best race of the year. The mare broke from the outside in the mile contest and was floated five wide through the first turn. She was forwardly placed down the backside despite being hung on the far outside, and as the field headed into the turn for home she was only three back and traveling well after a half-mile in 49.83 seconds.

Unfortunately Love You Crazy lost all chance when she was forced six wide - in a seven-horse field! - through the turn for home, a circumstance that would cost her valuable lengths down the stretch. She ran gamely to the end but could not close on the winner.

Love You Crazy finished last of seven but was beaten only 3 3/4 lengths for the win, and just a long neck for fifth. Final time was 1:39.94.

"(Love You Crazy) ran great," said Cullen. "I'm really pleased she showed up and ran as well as she did. There were some proven stakes fillies in there with good recent form, and we knew she'd need a big performance to be competitive. But that's what we got - she ran as hard as she could for as long as she could. That's all I can ask for."

Cullen indicated that Love You Crazy could run back within two weeks.

"I'm impressed with how well Love You Crazy has come out of the race," Cullen said. "She was cooled out by the time we got back to the barn, and she's been eating up everything in sight. She went back to the track today and is acting like she didn't do anything, so if that continues I'll run her right back. It's encouraging to see."

To watch a replay of Love You Crazy's allowance race click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

It's a Yankee works well at Turfway Park this morning
12/5/2009


It's a Yankee turned in a solid workout at Turfway Park this morning as he continues to ready for his next start.

Trained by agency president Jim Cullen, It's a Yankee drilled a half mile in 49.20 seconds. The time was the 13th-fastest from 35 horses to work the distance. It's a Yankee galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.80 and cooled out fine back at the barn.

"I wanted to ship (It's a Yankee) to Turfway so he could work over the track before he runs again," said Cullen. "It's PolyTrack, but it's a deep and tiring surface that usually takes some getting used to."

Journeyman jockey Sal Gonzalez Jr. - who is riding Love You Crazy tomorrow for Cullen - breezed It's a Yankee this morning. The colt opened with a quarter mile in 25.20 seconds while in hand but quickened noticeably at the quarter pole.

"The colt worked decently, but it wasn't quite as good as I had hoped for," said Cullen. "It was his first time on an artificial surface and you could tell he didn't know what to make of it. He was 'climbing' early and looking around, and generally he didn't seem that comfortable on it.

"That said, he did level off and come running late when asked, so it was good to see him respond like that. He also galloped out extremely well. Overall it was a good experience that should serve him well. He'll get a lot out of it."

Cullen indicated that It's a Yankee would likely work again in approximately seven days. Barring any unforeseen setbacks the colt should return to the races before the end of the month.

A two-year-old son of Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee was purchased privately by Cullen this summer on behalf of three attorneys who reside in Albany, New York.

To view today's worktab from Turfway Park click here.

Love You Crazy to make first start for new connections on Sunday at Turfway Park
12/4/2009


Love You Crazy, a stakes-placed mare claimed at Keeneland in October, will make her first start for new connections when she contests the feature race at Turfway Park on Sunday, December 6.

Love You Crazy will go postward in the eighth race, an allowance optional claimer for older fillies and mares going a flat mile. The five-year-old mare has drawn the outside post in a field of seven, and Sal Gonzalez Jr. will ride. Post time is 4:24 pm and the purse is $24,900.

"This wasn't my first choice for a race, but (Love You Crazy) is doing so well I've got to run her somewhere," said agency president and trainer Jim Cullen. "I entered her four times in allowance races at Beulah Park and none of them went, and I entered her in three separate spots at Turfway - they didn't go either. So it was run her here or wait another 10 days. She's training so well I decided to take a shot, so we'll see what happens."

Cullen has worked Love You Crazy twice since having claimed her in October for Margaux Farm, including a solid half-mile breeze last week that went in 50.20 seconds. That time was the second-fastest from seven horses to work the distance.

Love You Crazy is by Touch Gold out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair, by Friendly Lover. To date she has compiled a record of 17-3-1-5 for total earnings of $96,691. She also collected valuable black type when she placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at two.

"She threw in a clunker in her last race at Keeneland, but she sure has trained like a mare who still wants to run," said Cullen. "She's very fit and fresh, and on her best day she fits with the others in this race. She has also run well on the PolyTrack during her career, so perhaps that will move her up too. We'll just turn her loose and see what happens. Hopefully she'll get a piece of it and get her earnings over the $100,000 mark."

To view Turfway's entries for December 6 click here.

Love You Crazy, It's a Yankee work for upcoming starts
12/1/2009


Jim Cullen sent out two runners from his racing stable yesterday to breeze for upcoming starts.

Love You Crazy, a stakes-placed mare recently claimed by Cullen on behalf of Margaux Farm, drilled four furlongs in 50.20 seconds. It was the second-fastest time from seven horses to work the distance. The daughter of Touch Gold galloped out five furlongs in 1:03 flat and cooled out fine back at the barn.

"(Love You Crazy) doesn't have much speed, but she is very powerful and eager to run," said Cullen. "She's a grinder - she pulled the boy all the way around there, and he had a tough time pulling her up. She went well enough but the important thing is that she came out of the work in good shape. Overall she couldn't be doing any better. She needs to run, so we'll find a spot for her this weekend and see how she does."

Cullen indicated Love You Crazy would run at either Beulah or Turfway Park.

An hour later, It's a Yankee turned in his first work in two months when he breezed three furlongs in a leisurely 39.00 seconds.

A two-year-old son of Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee (pictured) has made one start to date, that being a maiden special weight race at Ellis Park in early September. Unfortunately he exited the race - which was won by subsequent Grade 1 winner Noble's Promise - with a minor muscle pull in his back end that required some time off. The colt has been galloping for more than a month and was ready for his first serious bit of exercise since his debut.

"We didn't let him do too much or go too fast - he was in hand throughout," said Cullen. "He has a ton of speed, but I was really pleased he 'clicked off' and came back to the rider. You can see he really wants to go and do more, but I was very happy with what I saw. He's coming around nicely and should be ready to run in a couple weeks."

Cullen said It's a Yankee should work again this weekend in preparation for his next start, which will come before the end of the month.

To view The Thoroughbred Center's official worktab from November 29 click here.

Agency president Cullen responds to published reports of financial troubles
11/25/2009


I expect this to be my lone and definitive response to recent articles that have called into question my business practices and integrity. I do not wish to wage a war of words in the media, as the publicity and notoriety are exactly the responses I feel my antagonists were hoping to accomplish with these ridiculous and personal accusations. That said, after conferring with family, friends, clients and business associates, I feel strongly that I must defend myself in the face of what has been strongly biased coverage that grossly misrepresented actual facts.

It is true that I have had financial problems over the course of the past 18 months. This hardship has been brought on primarily by troubles with the IRS that resulted from an audit spanning 2003-05, the first three years that Cullen Bloodstock was in operation. It should be noted that during those years I was represented by a reputable accounting firm based in Frankfort, Kentucky. They prepared and submitted the agency's taxes on my behalf, as I am not an accounting expert.

Unfortunately we were the victims of an IRS audit we believe to be flawed. It stated, in part, I earned nearly $1.8 million in 2004, which is simply not accurate. If I had ever made anywhere close to that figure I sure as hell wouldn't be subjecting myself to this nonsense now!

So, while it is true the IRS currently claims I owe them almost $250,000 for those three years, as Paulick detailed, the legitimacy of that claim is very much in question. The fact of the matter is I am in the final stages of settling this situation with the IRS while working with new tax representation. These representatives have gone through the excruciating details of nearly every transaction conducted during those years to confirm our position to the IRS and show that we do not owe the money they claim.

This IRS situation has been crippling on my financial situation, in particular my line of credit with National City cited in the Paulick Report. This loan was an annual note that I paid off every year, at which point the bank decided whether or not to renew it. They had done so on two occasions after I had paid off the full amount in 2006 and 2007. It was an essential part of my business plan, as it provided much-needed capital to keep the operation liquid.

For whatever reason - be it the IRS lien on my assets or the bank's own troubled financial position that led it to be sold to PNC last year - the bank did not renew my note for 2008. This was totally unexpected, but I know of several others in the Thoroughbred industry who were similarly blindsided when their credit with this bank was also shut down.

After they called in my note the bank sued me for the full amount due ($350,000) and forced me to sell the horses that I used as collateral for my note. That horse inventory was reviewed on an annual basis by a bank representative with whom I worked closely throughout my years with the bank. Suffice to say that I didn't do anything with that bank without this person's knowledge and approval.

In essence, then, the bank's lawsuit against me was standard business practice to ensure they are repaid their money. I have no problem with that; it was part of the deal when I signed up for the loan. The horses I have sold to date have netted more than $100,000 in this depressed market, according to statements provided to me by the bank's attorney. The bank and its counsel have handled the distribution of all of these proceeds, and I have had no authority over how they are distributed. The outstanding balance represents a debt that I commit to repaying as quickly as possible.

I concede that I did screw up a season to a high-priced stallion purchased through me by Cam Horton. I take full responsibility for it, and it makes me sick to think about. I failed Mr. Horton and acknowledged the mistake - and the circumstances surrounding it - to Mr. Horton's counsel. The matter was ultimately settled through an Agreed Judgment between all parties. This judgment includes an amendment that clearly states I did nothing "unlawful", "wrongful", or that any of "...(Cullen's) actions constituted a breach of contract." Working together we also established a repayment schedule, with an initial payment of $25,000. That first payment was made, but I have not been able to fulfill the rest of my obligation because of my current financial picture. I will satisfy this obligation if it is the last thing I do.

While it is also true that Wells Fargo currently has my house in foreclosure - and I'm not sure what that has to do with any bloodstock matters - I am working with that institution to get back in good standing immediately and halt the foreclosure proceedings. This has been accomplished with the gracious help of family and friends who are familiar with, and sympathetic to, my situation.

As for the claims made by Colbert, Trumbulovich and Geiger regarding how I 'screwed them', I think a reflection of the horses I purchased for them would go a long way to dispelling any myths of impropriety. For instance, the two-year-old filly mentioned in Paulick's article - Know and Trust - is a filly I purchased on behalf of Trumbulovich for just $4,500 at the 2008 Keeneland January sale. Know and Trust finished third in her maiden allowance on November 21 in just her second start, for which she earned nearly $2,000. I think it was a very shrewd purchase for that price and expect the owners to reap the financial benefits of racing this filly for some time.

Know and Trust is the latest in a long line of successful horses that I bought for Trumbulovich, including several who would have benefited even more if he had managed them more professionally. For instance, I purchased a mare for him named Afternoon Krystal for $21,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton February sale. The foal in utero was bought back for $27,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale before selling this year for $5,500. If he had sold the baby last year - like I would have strongly urged him to do if I was still advising him - he not only would have paid for the mare but realized a profit on her in less than 10 months.

There are several more success stories for Trumbolovich that I can quantify, and the same holds true for Geiger and Colbert.

Let's start with Geiger. Each of the three racing prospects I purchased for Geiger's partnership won at least one race. Those include a Distorted Humor gelding named Astaire who I purchased for $32,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale. Winless when I bought him, the gelding won a maiden allowance in his second start for us at Turfway and came right back to win an entry allowance there three weeks later.

A second Geiger purchase was Bob and Rich, a gelding I bought privately for $35,000. This horse nearly won a tough $32,000 claimer at Woodbine in his first start for us before he finished a good third for $50,000 two starts later. Both of these geldings have earned more than I paid for them and, in my opinion, would have been far more profitable with conventional management choices.

Colbert is perhaps my favorite. I bought very few horses for him, but virtually all of them have met with remarkable success. In 2007 he gave me a budget of $20,000 to buy a yearling who would be named Sweet Re Re. When I was able to buy her for just $8,000 at Keeneland September he lauded me - verbally and in print - about how much he respected my honesty and integrity, and how a less honorable agent would have run the price up and pocketed the difference. Sweet Re Re broke her maiden in allowance company at Suffolk Downs - where he said he wanted to race - before she contested a stakes at Tampa Bay Downs this past winter.

Colbert gave me the same budget to purchase the only other racing prospect I have bought for him, a daughter of Candy Ride named Sweet Candy Ride. That filly, purchased at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale for $19,000, broke her maiden for $12,500 at Tampa Bay by more than 15 lengths, and she's since come back to win again.

I have purchased three mares for Colbert. One of those, Girls Girls Girls, he knowingly bought off me for $60,000 in late 2007. This mare was run through Keeneland November just two months later and he bought her back for $80,000, turning down a 25% profit in less than 10 weeks. A second mare, named Quickest, is a daughter of Forest Wildcat I bought as an unraced two-year-old for $40,000 at Keeneland January in 2007. This mare's family has gotten hot, and he just turned down an offer of $100,000 for her from a colleague of mine. That's pretty strong given it's less than three years since we bought her, especially when one considers the state of the commercial market.

These three have made it clear that they don't like me or approve of my business practices, and I have no use for them. That said, they have gone to extreme measures to try and inflict their version of justice on me. I have a file full of emails from these three in which they have basically insisted they will ruin my life - personally and professionally - if I don't comply with their wishes. Their demands are always ambigious or unreasonable, and even so I have tried to work through their legal counsel to come to a resolution. To date we have not been able to agree on anything.

The harassment by Trumbulovich, Geiger and Colbert got so bad that I filed charges against them with the Lexington Police Department for harassing communications on November 17. These charges were filed days before any of these articles were published, and one certainly has nothing to do with the other. The evidence speaks for itself.

These three individuals have not just harassed me, they have begun to circulate vicious and unsubstantiated lies about me to my clients and people I do business with. I have copies of emails sent to collegues that contain slanderous and defamatory accusations about me, as well as strong suggestions that they not do business with me. Geiger and Trumbulovich have both confirmed in emails to me that some of their communications about my business have been fraudulent or, worse, outright lies. When I have protested these despicable actions they both responded: "Sue me".

These three individuals continue to make loose and outlandish claims about me in various trade publications. I will not try and address every one; suffice to say there are two versions to every story. I will add, however, that several of these accusations represent convenient historic revisions of the actual events, and I have documented proof to validate my personal account.

Clarity is also needed to shed light on some of the 'unpaid bills' attributed to me. In June 2008 I received a letter from a Lexington attorney representing Geiger, Trumbulovich and some of the other partners. This letter stated that the partners were collectively nullifying the partnership's Operating Agreement - which they all signed before participating - and that they were taking control of specific racehorses. Instead of fighting the legal validity of my Operating Agreement I complied and walked away from the situation, as I was tired of the petty infighting and power struggles. Unfortunately, the partners' assumption of control did not extend to paying for the horses' care and upkeep. Many people who worked on the horses for the revised ownership structure remain unpaid for their services, including the trainer, who is owed more than $10,000, and a prominent veterinarian who is still owed nearly $3,000. These and other related expenses were assigned to me even though legally I no longer had any involvement with the horses.

The same partners have also refused to reimburse me for out-of-pocket expenses I incurred during the time the horses were campaigned with Four-Board Stables, as dictated by the Operating Agreement. They refuse to pay even though Geiger and another partner have conceded in numerous emails that I am owed these expenses. This amount exceeds $40,000, which to date is still outstanding.

As for the overall tenor of Paulick's article, my opinion as a fellow professional journalist is that it was heavily and unfairly biased to create a sensational piece. I have talked with several people in the Thoroughbred industry who told me Paulick contacted them for this article, including two who were identified in the piece. Many insisted that, while they were forthcoming about my problems, they also were very complimentary of me and appreciated the job I have done for them. None of these positive comments found their way into the article, however, in what I can only conclude was a concerted effort to make me look as bad as possible. In addition, with the exception of a brief conversation two weeks ago, I was not interviewed for the story nor given the chance to respond to my accusers. Mr. Paulick obviously knows where I work, yet if he tried to contact me he left me no messages or requests for a response. That ability to defend myself was allowed by every other journalist who has written something on my situation.

While I was disappointed by the nature of this article I must confess this isn't a total surprise, as in my opinion the author has been trying to write a salacious article about this subject for a long time in hopes of creating such a sensation. He had contacted me repeatedly over the past two years looking for information about a high-profile bloodstock agent I know well that he was trying to expose. While I didn't help in that endeavor - I didn't know that the guy had ever done anything wrong - it's ironic that Paulick has formulated such a sinister representation of me without knowing all the facts.

But of all those who commented in Paulick's article, the quotes that are most disappointing to me are those from my former best friend of 30 years, William Denzik Jr. Billy and I grew up together, and anybody who knows me knows what he meant to me, and how much I did to help the guy. Since graduating from college in 1990 I have been the gainfully employed one that was lucky enough to realize some success, professionally and financially. With the exception of the last few years Billy has struggled with his career and money, but I have always been there to support him and help him in any way I could.

When I started Four-Board Racing partnerships Denzik had just gotten fired from a Derby-winning trainer, was out of a job, was trying to get unemployment benefits and had nothing - absolutely nothing - going for him in the horse business. Because of our friendship and my loyalty to him I gave him a shot. I gave Denzik horses when nobody else would and defended this 'no-name trainer' to the clients I brought into my fold. I'm glad I did: we had a good run and many fun times - exclusively with horses that I bought and placed with him.

Denzik was on my payroll for virtually a decade, during which I paid him almost $300,000 for training expenses. I also bought a number of horses from him privately that totaled more than $100,000. For him to say I quit paying my bills is inaccurate at best and disingenuous at worst. I have an email from him which clearly states I owed him $8,700 for two months training when our relationship ended. Now, according to his quote in the Paulick piece, that number has been inflated to 'over $20,000' despite the fact that he hasn't had a horse for me since that email.

I found his character assassination of me the most ridiculous aspect of his comments. We had been best friends - like brothers - for more than 30 years, during which time he knew everything about me intimately well. For him to insinuate that he simply could not tolerate my behavior any longer is comical. He certainly had no problems embracing all aspects of my personality - including the side he labeled 'shady' - when I was there to offer financial or moral help to him. Now, when I'm struggling, he has piled on in what I can only guess is an effort to conform to the 'party lines' taken by his owners, Trumbulovic and Geiger. I'm sure he doesn't want to lose their business, which is why he was so vicious, but Denzik will have to take responsibility for all of his slanderous statements.

I find it telling about his character that Denzik would so recklessly call me 'a crook' who 'steals' from people. I guess his intent is to discredit me so he can distance himself from our history together, but he has to be accountable for his behavior as well. Many times his integrity and professionalism have been called into question because of his actions, and I have lost clients by being associated with him.

I won't go into exhaustive detail - and there are multiple episodes I could document - but Denzik has engaged in dubious behavior that has embarrassed me profoundly. For instance, a few years ago I wanted to buy a young racing prospect that Denzik owned for two new clients of mine. The clients and I decided, given my personal relationship with Denzik, that we would send an independent agent - Steve Sansone - to check out the colt. As Steve would tell me later, Denzik almost killed the entire deal by trying to "bribe" him with a commission if he approved the colt. Steve approved the colt but did not accept the commission, and when the clients found out about Denzik's actions I lost their business. (The colt, named Forza Bruta, went on to win two allowances and $100,000 in New York - pretty good for a $25,000 purchase.)

Denzik cost me other business with similar 'shady' actions, all of which I could lay open for public scrutiny if I wanted. I will not. I will say only that I believe the true character of a friend is one who stands with you through thick and thin. I think it says a lot about Denzik that he was my 'friend' who used my money, resources and entree in the horse business for his own gain but threw me under a bus at the first sign of trouble. He sold out our friendship for $8,700. Or, as a mutual friend suggested, his relationship with me ended when my money - and ability to benefit him - ran out.

As to integrity, people must realize that the easiest thing for me to have done when these problems arose was to declare bankruptcy, leave the game, and not bother myself with paying my debts to those I owe. I have not done that. I have paid off, in full, several outstanding bills, and am close to satisfying several others. For instance, Paulick cites a debt owed to Early Season Income. I have paid them $62,000 of $70,000 owed and should have the remaining balance paid in the next three months. This resulted from a mistake I made and I am doing everything in my power to make it right. That's as good as I can do.

I have always paid my bills and will continue to do so. I hope to be in the Thoroughbred industry for the rest of my life, though in the future it will be restricted to buying and training for a select group of clients that I know intimately well. I no longer trust anybody.

The reality of this situation, however, is that the orchestrated attack on me has caused irreversable damage to my reputation. There will be no coverage when my financial situation is rectified, or my debts paid. But what's done is done; if my accusers are happy they have 'exposed' me then so be it. They won. I will simply move forward with a renewed commitment to exert more checks and balances, and personal control, over all my equine affairs. This entire episode has also taught me to be very, very careful about who I do business with. I strongly suggest that everyone in this industry - owners and agents alike - give this recommendation serious consideration.

Bargain CBS purchase Know and Trust is second choice in maiden allowance on Saturday
11/19/2009


Know and Trust, a two-year-old filly bought at public auction by agency president Jim Cullen, is among the favorites to win a maiden allowance race at Mountaineer Park on November 21.

By leading freshman sire Cuvee, Know and Trust is the first foal out of the winning Forest Wildcat mare Wildcat Lady. The handsome chestnut was purchased as a 'short' yearling for the bargain-basement price of just $4,500 during the 2008 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.

Purchased originally for John Trumbulovic, Know and Trust is now owned by a partnership that includes Trumbulovic and Kevin Geiger.

"As a yearling (Know and Trust) was an athletic, correct individual that I thought would grow into herself," said Cullen. "She did have an immature throat, which is probably why I got her so cheaply, but I didn't think it would be any big deal - she figured to grow out of it. I guess she has, judging by the level of competition in which they're running her."

Know and Trust debuted in a $40,000 maiden race at Keeneland, and the handsome chestnut did not disgrace herself. Forwardly placed despite racing wide throughout, she tired late to split the field.

The filly will try to improve off that effort when she contests the second race at Mountaineer Park on Saturday. It's a maiden special weight event for juvenile fillies going five furlongs on the main track. She has drawn post four in a 10-horse field, and jockey D.W. Brinkley will ride.

Know and Trust has been installed as the 7-to-2 second choice in the morning-line odds. The purse is $19,600.

"I'd say the filly figures to have a big chance of winning it," said Cullen. "She showed talent during her debut, and with a race under her belt she ought to improve with experience. If she runs the race she did at Keeneland she'll be tough to beat."

Know and Trust is actually named after a phrase Cullen often uses to emphasize a point.

To view the entries for Saturday's card at Mountaineer Park click here.

CBS purchase Sweet Gladys runs second in Churchill Downs allowance
11/18/2009


Sweet Gladys, who was purchased at auction in 2007 by agency president Jim Cullen, closed with a rush but fell a scant head short when second today in an allowance race at Churchill Downs.

A four-year-old filly by Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys was purchased at the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale. The handsome bay is a daughter of the good stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed, by Lite the Fuse.

Originally purchased for Four-Board Stable, Sweet Gladys was sold in January 2008 to dissolve the partnership. The filly is now owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds.

Sweet Gladys had a three-race win streak snapped in her previous start when second at Keeneland in October. The filly was one of seven distaffers to contest the seventh race at Churchill, a five-furlong sprint that was washed off the grass.

Sweet Gladys was unable to take her customary spot on the front end after she was bumped hard at the start. She recovered quickly, however, and tracked the early leaders through a solid opening quarter of 22.48 seconds.

Jockey Leandro Goncalves had Sweet Gladys in a striking position at the top of the stretch, and together they dove to the rail to launch their bid in earnest. They took off after the leader - the odds-on favorite Collar - and appeared as if they might catch that one in deep stretch. Despite a game effort and an exciting finish, Sweet Gladys ran out of room and finished just short of victory.

Final time was 58.84 seconds on a track labeled 'good'.

"I don't own this filly anymore but I'm very proud of her," said Cullen. "She showed an entirely different dimension and still ran huge. This filly has a ton of heart, and it appears safe to say she might get a crack in stakes company before too long."

Sweet Gladys - who debuted earlier this year - boosted her record to 7-3-2-0. She has now earned $29,645 after banking $7,640 for this effort.

To view an official chart of today's seventh race at Churchill click here.

Love You Crazy pointed for race at Churchill Downs on November 21
11/18/2009


Love You Crazy, a stakes-placed filly trained by agency president Jim Cullen, should make her next start at Churchill Downs this Sunday, November 21.

By Touch Gold out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover), Love You Crazy was claimed by Cullen at Keeneland on behalf of Margaux Farm. The filly has been training forwardly for her new connections since being claimed in late October, and the imposing bay filly is ready to make her next start.

"We went over Love You Crazy with a fine-toothed comb after we claimed her (pictured) and she's in great shape," said Cullen. "I was familiar with her racing style and equipment from when I owned her previously, so we've reverted to some of those proven methods and they've worked well in the morning. I'm really happy with how she's trained, so hopefully it will result in good things on Sunday."

Cullen originally bought Love You Crazy for $35,000 at the 2006 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale. Purchased on behalf of Four-Board Stable, the filly won three races and nearly $100,000 in three seasons of racing. She also placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at two, an important consideration for any potential broodmare prospect.

To that end, Love You Crazy was offered for sale at the 2008 Keeneland November sale to close the partnership. Though she was offered solely as a breeding prospect, Love You Crazy was purchased for $25,000 by one of her minority owners and put back into training. The efforts have met with poor results thus far, as her best finish from six starts this year has been third in claiming company at Presque Isle Downs last September.

"I don't know how she'll run on Sunday," said Cullen. "Maybe she's gotten smart and knows she'll get fed whether she tries hard or not. But, from what I've seen, she is still very competitive, so I'll be looking for a good effort on Sunday. We just have to hope it's good enough to win."

It's a Yankee closing in on next work
11/18/2009


Florence Racing Stable's It's a Yankee is training well and on the comeback trail following a minor injury suffered in his racing debut on September 5.

A two-year-old colt by Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee was purchased privately by agency president Jim Cullen last June. The colt made his racing debut in maiden allowance company at Ellis Park, where he contested the lead for a half-mile but faded badly down the stretch. The colt exited the race with a slightly pulled muscle in his back end, which has necessitated a couple weeks of light training.

It's a Yankee has fully recovered from that bothersome setback, however, and enjoyed three tremendous weeks of training. The colt is jogging and galloping up to two miles every morning, and he's quickly rounding into racing condition. Barring anything unforeseen the colt should post his first work back at Turfway Park in the next two weeks.

"It makes me sick that we're going to miss Keeneland and Churchill (meets), but I'm really excited about how this colt is going - he's training great," said Cullen. "He's very fast, but the most impressive thing about him is his mind: he's very smart and picks things up quickly. He's also aggressive without being impossible to handle. There's just a lot to like about him and I can't wait to run him."

It's a Yankee was flattered when the winner of his maiden race, Noble's Promise, subsequently won the $500,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland in October before he finished third in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

"It's a Yankee was running stride for stride with (Noble's Promise) before he pulled a muscle and backed up," said Cullen. "I'm not inferring that my colt is a Grade 1-type runner, but if Noble's Promise is the second-best juvenile based in America than ours can run with just about anything."

CBS purchase Astaire suffers tough beat in return race at Turfway Park
9/21/2009


Astaire, who was purchased as a racing prospect by agency president Jim Cullen, returned to the races after a 14-month layoff and finished second in the feature race at Turfway Park on September 16.

A five-year-old son of Distorted Humor, Astaire was hammered down for $32,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November breeding sale. Cullen purchased the chestnut gelding as a maiden racing prospect for 5280 Stable.

Astaire won a maiden allowance race at Turfway in just his second start for the new connections, then came back to win an entry allowance in his next start in early 2008 (pictured). After a few undistinguished starts he went to the sidelines for a freshening, but he returned from a five-month break to win a $25,000 claiming race at Presque Isle. He has not been seen on track since winning that race last July.

However, Astaire returned to the races on the 16th to contest the ninth race at Turfway, another $25,000 claiming race for older runners going 6 1/2 furlongs on the PolyTrack.

With Tony Farina riding, Astaire broke sharply and led through stout early fractions of 22.71 and 45.63 seconds. Astaire carried nearly a two-length lead to the top of the stretch, but the fast fractions and time off apparently got the best of him. He was game throughout, but he was caught in the shadow of the wire and finished second by a half length.

Final time was 1:17.29.

"(Astaire) ran too good to get beat," said Cullen. "He's a fast horse, but you had to figure he'd be really fresh running for the first time off such a long layoff. He was flying early - you don't see too many six furlong races up there go in 1:10 and change, which is what he did. It was a good return race; hopefully he came out of it in decent shape and they can build off this effort."

Astaire earned $2,800 for his runner-up finish. He now boasts a record of 8-3-1-1 for earnings of $47,401 since being purchased by Cullen.

Astaire's effort marks the second strong performance in September by a horse purchased by Cullen on behalf of 5280 Stable. The older gelding Bob and Rich - whose winnings have also exceeded his purchase price - won a claiming race at Turfway earlier this month.

To view the official chart of Astaire's return race click here.

It's a Yankee blazes through fastest work of the morning at Kentucky training center
8/29/2009


It's a Yankee signaled his readiness to run when he ripped through the fastest three-furlong work of the morning yesterday at the Kentucky thoroughbred training center.

A two-year-old colt by Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee worked from the gate in company with an older filly. The filly outbroke It's a Yankee but he quickly made up ground and passed her while traveling up the inside. By the time he hit the three-eighths pole he had opened up and beaten his workmate by some three lengths.

It's a Yankee stopped the clock in a blistering 36.1 seconds on a fast but deep track. It was the co-fastest work of the morning from six to work the distance, the other being a five-year-old gelding who did not work from the gate.

"It wasn't perfect but there was a lot to like this morning," said Jim Cullen, who bought and trains It's a Yankee for three attorneys from Albany, New York. "He didn't break as cleanly as I would have liked, and he was a little too eager to run when he saw the other horse in front of him. But he showed that he's got some legitimate talent; the other trainer was surprised we beat his filly as soundly as we did.

"I was also very pleased that he came up the rail and ran as gamely as he did while inside the other horse. To me that's the sign of a good horse - he isn't scared and doesn't mind tight quarters. He showed me that he's just about ready to run."

Cullen indicated he would likely work It's a Yankee again from the gate to get him a bit more experience.

"Once he shows he can break smoothly I'll run him," said Cullen. "He's fit enough and talented enough - we just need to get him some experience at the gate to make sure he does everything right in the afternoon. I'm excited about seeing him race."

To view yesterday's worktab from the Thoroughbred Center click here.

It's a Yankee turns in another solid work as he prepares for racing debut
8/24/2009


It's a Yankee, a two-year-old colt purchased and trained by Jim Cullen, continues to work impressively for his racing debut in September. Most recently the speedy bay colt breezed a half-mile in 50.20 seconds on August 22.

With Cullen looking on from the clocker's stand, It's a Yankee was a bit excited early and breezed the opening quarter mile in 24.40 seconds. Fortunately for us the colt relaxed in the middle of the work and came back to his rider. He finished up the second quarter in 25.40 and galloped out strongly.

The final time was seventh-fastest of 28 horses to work the distance.

"He worked a bit 'inside-out', but I was pleased he settled the way he did," said Cullen. "We breezed him right after the renovation break and there were a ton of horses on the track. We had rain last week so everybody who was sitting on a work - like we were - breezed. With all the traffic (It's a Yankee) got a bit stirred up at first, but once he got into the work he calmed down and got down to business. He's very professional and seems to handle everything that's thrown at him."

Cullen said the final time was a bit faster than he wanted, especially given the track conditions.

"The track was fast but heavy; it still had a lot of moisture in it from all the rain," he said. "I wanted him to go in 52 seconds, but the rider said he went so easily that it didn't tax him at all. I tend to believe him because the colt came back in great shape - he was hardly blowing at all. Barring any setbacks he's not that far away from a race."

By Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee was purchased by Cullen in June on behalf of a partnership. He could make his racing debut during the first week of September at either Ellis Park or Saratoga.

"The guys who own the colt are from Albany, New York and they really wanted to have something run at the (Saratoga) meet," said Cullen. "Running there wouldn't be my first choice but I want to try and accomodate them if at all possible. It's not an issue of talent - I wouldn't have any problem with running him anywhere. I'm more concerned with the effect such a long, demanding trip would have on such a young horse. It could knock him out for a while, and he's doing so well I'd hate to change too much. But we'll talk about it and see if there's something we can do to make everybody happy without compromising the colt."

To view Saturday's complete worktab from the Kentucky training center click here.

Magic Appeal places in Grade 2 stakes race at Saratoga!
8/20/2009


Our homebred filly Magic Appeal could not overcome a wide, difficult trip but ran on gamely to place in the prestigious $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on August 19!

A compact, athletic daughter of Successful Appeal, Magic Appeal had only one beaten during the early stages of the 6 1/2-furlong sprint. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez began moving Magic Appeal into contention down the backstretch and through the turn, but the duo was fanned some five wide at the top of the stretch.

The rough trip left Magic Appeal with too much to do down the lane, and she was no match for the runaway winner. However, the juvenile filly did rally gamely in deep stretch to get up for third and secure the much-coveted graded stakes placing.

Final time was a sparkling 1:16.72, which was nearly a full second faster than that of the Saratoga Special (G2) for colts run the following day.

Magic Appeal now boasts a record of 3-1-1-1 for her young career, and the $15,000 she banked in the Adirondack pushes her earnings to $56,600. The filly had broken her maiden under allowance conditions in her previous start at Saratoga.

"Magic Appeal didn't get the greatest trip in the Adirondack but she proved she belongs with the best in her division," said agency president Jim Cullen. "There's no shame in losing to that winner - who ran huge - and there were several talented and accomplished fillies who finished behind her. With her running style (Magic Appeal) figures to get better as the races get longer, and I'm not sure you can say that about every other filly in the race.

"To have a graded stakes placing at Saratoga does wonders for her residual value as a broodmare, but it looks like she's got a bright future on the track as well. Hopefully she'll be around to run for a long time and break through for some big victories of her own."

Magic Appeal is out of the good stakes winner Call Her Magic, who was purchased by Cullen for $75,000 in 2004 as part of a broodmare partnership offered through his agency. The mare sold to WinStar Farm for $95,000 in November 2007 after her sister became the dam of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up and subsequent Champion Proud Spell.

Cullen did the mating and secured the season that produced Magic Appeal, who sold for $130,000 at the 2008 Saratoga select yearling sale (pictured).

"When you do what I do for a living you are judged by the quality of horses you produce," said Cullen. "To do the work - both at the sales and in the office - and get a runner like Magic Spell is a real thrill for me. Call Her Magic was awfully good to a lot of people; every foal we got out of her sold extremely well, and then we sold her for a nice profit after Proud Spell hit. Given how well Magic Spell is running it looks like the mare continues to do good things for others as well."

Stanley Hough trains Magic Spell for Gary Biszantz' Cobra Farm.

To view the official chart of the 2009 Adirondack Stakes click here. You can read more about the race and see a video replay by clicking here.

Cullen homebred to contest Grade 2 stakes race for juvenile fillies at Saratoga!
8/18/2009


Magic Appeal, a two-year-old filly bred by a Cullen Bloodstock partnership, will make her first start against winners in the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on August 19.

By Successful Appeal, Magic Appeal is out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic. The mare was purchased by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen in 2004 for $75,000. Cullen planned the matings and bred Call Her Magic in each of the four years she was owned by the agency, including the one which produced Magic Appeal in 2007.

"It's a big thrill to have a homebred filly compete in a race of this stature," said Cullen. "It looks like (Magic Appeal) will have to improve a couple lengths to be competitive, but she figures to have a shot. She's the only filly in the race to have a win over the track, and that can be a big advantage in a race with such young, inexperienced runners. Hopefully she runs well and makes a good account of herself."

Magic Appeal finished second in her racing debut at Belmont before she won a maiden allowance at Saratoga in late July.

Magic Appeal (pictured 2008) will break from the outside post in a field of 10, and Cornelio Velasquez will ride. Post time is 5:30 pm EDT.

Call Her Magic was sold in November 2007 after her half-sister, Pacific Spell, became the dam of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up Proud Spell. The mare was purchased by WinStar Farm for $90,000.

To view entries for tomorrow's card at Saratoga please click here.

Sweet Gladys becomes newest maiden special weight winner purchased by Cullen Bloodstock
8/8/2009


Sweet Gladys dueled for the lead early before she edged clear in the stretch to win a maiden special weight race at River Downs on August 6.

A four-year-old daughter of Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $55,000 at the 2007 Adena Springs juvenile sale. The beautiful bay filly was originally purchased on behalf of Four-Board Stable, but she was sold earlier this year to dissolve a partnership. She is now owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds.

Sweet Gladys made just the third start of her young career when she contested the ninth race at "the River", a six-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares on the main track. She broke sharply under Vernon Bush and went right to the lead, only to be hooked on the outside by first-time starter Aptness. The duo sped through honest quarters of 22.40 and 46.00 seconds, but Sweet Gladys began to move away from that one near the top of the stretch. The filly extended her advantage to the wire to win by a clear length as the 7-to-10 favorite.

Final time was 1:12.60 on a fast track.

"I'm so happy that Sweet Gladys was able to break through and win a maiden race in allowance conditions," said Cullen. "I've had high hopes for her since I bought her, and though she's been a bit of a disappointment for her owners so far she got the job done on Thursday. It was a race she was supposed to win, but sometimes those are the hardest ones to win."

Out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed, by Lite the Fuse, Sweet Gladys is a half sister to one other winner from as many to start.

"(Sweet Gladys) is by a sire whose progeny tend to get better as they mature, so perhaps the best is yet to come with her. I sure hope so."

To view the official chart from Sweet Gladys' maiden victory click here.

Cullen broodmare partnership produces two-year-old maiden winner at Saratoga!
8/3/2009


Magic Appeal, a two-year-old filly and product of a Cullen Bloodstock breeding partnership, took control at the top of the stretch and drew off to win a maiden allowance race at Saratoga on August 2!

Trained by Stanley Hough for Cobra Farm, Magic Appeal broke well under Edgar Prado and tracked the early speed in the six-furlong sprint. Magic Appeal launched her bid through the turn and collared the leader at the head of the lane. From there she extended her advantage to the wire to win comfortably by two lengths.

Final time was 1:11.65 on a fast but heavy racetrack.

Among the fillies left in Magic Appeal's wake was Chimayo, the highest-priced sales yearling of 2008 who was purchased by Darley at Keeneland September for $3.1 million.

Magic Appeal won in just her second start, having finished second in her racing debut at Belmont Park last month. The filly earned $33,000 for the victory to push her career bankroll to $41,600.

By Successful Appeal, Magic Appeal is out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic, whose half-sister, Pacific Spell, is the dam of 2008 Champion Filly Proud Spell.

Now 13, Call Her Magic was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 in 2004. For each of the four years he owned the mare Cullen did the matings, selected the stallions and bred the mare. Magic Appeal was bred in partnership with Danny Bramer and Eric Gulley of Gullbram Shamrock Stables. She sold for $130,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale (pictured).

"Any time you breed a mare you hope that it goes on to perform at a high level," said Cullen. "There aren't many stages bigger than Saratoga, so to win a baby race there is a really big deal.

"I'm very proud of the fact that I found a mare for a reasonable amount of money and did the mating that produced such a talented and precocious runner. The way (Magic Appeal) won this race would lead you to believe she has bigger things on the horizon, so hopefully she'll pick up some black type for Cobra Farm and Stanley in the near future."

Call Her Magic sold for $90,000 to WinStar Farm during the 2007 Keeneland November sale.

To read more about Magic Appeal's maiden score, a story which includes a video replay of the race, please click here.

To view the official chart of Magic Appeal's victory click here.

It's a Yankee posts bullet work at Thoroughbred Training Center
7/30/2009


It's a Yankee, a two-year-old colt purchased and trained by agency president Jim Cullen, turned in a scintillating work this morning when he drilled three furlongs in 37.20 seconds.

The time was the fastest of the morning from seven horses to work the distance.

A handsome bay colt by Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee was purchased by Cullen in late May on behalf of a partnership. The colt has been working steadily toward his racing debut, with today being the first time he's been asked to run in earnest.

"It was raining all morning and for a while I was afraid we'd have to push the work back a couple days," said Cullen. "But we breezed him right after the break and the track was okay. We didn't turn him completely loose because of the conditions, but we wanted him to step up and do a little something. He responded just like I hoped he would."

It's a Yankee started his work in the turn, which led to an opening furlong in 13 seconds. But once he exited the turn he switched leads, flattened out and took off. The bay colt finished up with a quarter in 24.1 seconds and galloped out the half mile in 50 seconds flat.

"He worked great," said Cullen. "The rider didn't 'stick' him or go crazy; he just sat chilly and hand rode him around there. (It's a Yankee) was getting over the ground well and galloped out really impressively. I liked what I saw. He should get a lot out of this and move forward considerably.

"If nothing else I now know he can run on an off track!"

It's a Yankee cooled out fine back at the barn. After a couple days of walking the colt will resume training for his racing debut next month.

"He's ahead of schedule and coming along fine," said Cullen. "Barring injury or sickness he should be ready to run in a couple weeks, so I'm hopeful he'll make the Ellis Park meet."

To view today's worktab from the Thoroughbred Training Center click here.

Yankee Gentleman colt drills three furlongs at training center
7/21/2009


It's a Yankee, a two-year-old colt purchased and trained by agency president Jim Cullen, turned in a sharp work this morning when he breezed three furlongs in 38.2 seconds.

A handsome son of Yankee Gentleman, It's a Yankee turned in his first three-furlong work for Cullen since being purchased last month. The bay colt (pictured) responded with an impressive drill that should move him closer to his racing debut.

It's a Yankee got through his first furlong in 13.2 seconds but then picked it up and went 12.3 and 12.2 seconds for his next two furlongs, respectively. He galloped out a half mile in 51 seconds flat and cooled out fine back at the barn.

The time was the fourth-fastest from eight horses to work the distance.

"I'm happy with how everything went today," said Cullen. "(It's a Yankee) was well in hand throughout but still did things the right way. He's got a nice way of going and seems to have some speed, but he also responded to what the rider asked of him. It was really good.

"The work didn't seem to take too much out of him; he came back in great shape. Barring anything bad happening the colt will work back in another week or so and then we'll see where we are. But he's rounding into shape, and with any luck he'll get to the races before the end of August."

Cullen homebred Kitts Fitz works for racing debut
7/20/2009


Kitts Fitz, a two-year-old homebred filly owned by Florence Racing Stable, turned in a solid work this morning as she continues to ready for her racing debut this summer.

By Seattle Fitz out of Melody Prospector (Gold Case), Kitts Fitz has been in training since January. The powerfully-built filly (pictured) joined Jim Cullen in Kentucky last month and since then has been training forwardly for her debut.

Kitts Fitz was most impressive this morning when she drilled a half mile in 48.1 seconds at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. The bay filly got through the first quarter in 25 seconds flat but picked it up midway through and finished up the second quarter in just over 23 seconds.

Kitts Fitz galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.1.

The time was the fastest of the morning from just three horses to work the distance.

"Today was the first time I've breezed (Kitts Fitz) and I really liked what I saw," said Cullen. "She was broken and legged up by the Asmussen family in Texas and it's obvious they did a great job with her. She's very fit and very professional. Today she went about her business like she's been doing it her whole life. She's ready to run and hopefully we can find a spot where she can be successful right off the bat."

Cullen indicated that Kitts Fitz would most likely debut at Ellis Park in western Kentucky later this month.

To view yesterday's complete worktab from the Thoroughbred Training Center please click here.

Juvenile filly mated, bred by Cullen Bloodstock runs second in maiden allowance at Belmont Park
7/1/2009


Magic Appeal, a two-year-old filly mated and bred by Cullen Bloodstock and partner, rallied down the stretch but could not overcome a troubled start and finished second in her racing debut today at Belmont Park.

A bay daughter of Successful Appeal, Magic Appeal is out of the stakes-placed mare Call Her Magic. The mare was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 during the 2004 Keeneland November bloodstock sale.

Call Her Magic was purchased in foal to Smart Strike. That foal in utero proved to be a handsome filly born in 2005, now named Striking Kathy. Call Her Magic produced a filly by Congaree in 2006, then was bred to Successful Appeal later that spring.

"I had seen some of Successful Appeal's foals from his first crop and liked them a lot," said Cullen. "They were really athletic and racy, and physically he matched up well with Call Her Magic. (The mating) seemed to make a lot of sense to me.

"We actually had tried to breed the mare to Successful Appeal in 2005, but he got sick midway through the breeding season and was sidelined. We went with Congaree but came back to him the following year."

That mating produced Magic Appeal, who subsequently sold for $135,000 at the 2008 Saratoga selected yearling sale after being bought back from auction in 2007 (pictured). The filly was purchased by Cobra Farm, who turned her over to the capable hands of trainer Stanley Hough.

Magic Appeal made her debut today in the fourth race, a maiden special weight contest going 5 1/2 furlongs. Dismissed at odds of 12-to-1, the filly got off to a rough start when she broke in a tangle and was well back early.

Magic Appeal began to close down the backstretch while inside, then swung out at the top of the stretch to launch her bid. Her poor start left her with too much to do, but she did rally impressively to finish a clear second. She finished three lengths behind the winner but two lengths clear of the field.

"It's so tough for a two-year-old to win after they break badly because the races are so short," said Cullen. "Two-year-olds also tend to get really excited when they get behind other horses because it's such a new experience. But (Magic Appeal) handled the adversity like a pro, and she showed her class by coming inside then outside of horses. She was getting to the winner, and it looks like she'll be tough in her next race with this start under her belt."

The winner, That's How I Roll, was the only runner in the field who had made a start prior to today's race.

Magic Appeal banked $8,600 for her efforts.

To view the official chart of Magic Appeal's racing debut click here.

Flatterwithglitter seeks third victory when she goes postward today at Presque Isle Downs
6/4/2009


Florence Racing Stable's Flatterwithglitter will attempt to win the third race of her young career when she contests the fifth race today at Presque Isle.

A three-year-old filly trained by agency president Jim Cullen, Flatterwithglitter has won 2-of-7 starts to date for earnings of $17,000. In her most recent, the speedy filly led to deep stretch in a mile race at Arlington Park only to be caught late.

Flatterwithglitter turns back to sprinting today. The bay filly figures to go postward as one of the favorites when she runs in the fifth race, a six-furlong dash for fillies and mares three and up. Flatterwithglitter will break from post three in a seven-horse field, and veteran rider Kerwin John has been tabbed to ride.

Post time is scheduled for 7:10 pm EDT.

"It's a good spot for her," said Cullen. "She's coming into the race in good form and I think they'll have to run well to catch her.

Flatterwithglitter posted a strong work on May 30 in preparation for the race. The filly drilled a half-mile in 46.40 seconds, the fastest work of the morning from 35 to work the distance.

"She worked faster than I would have liked, but that's just her," said Cullen. "We were looking for something in the 48-second range, but the boy got off her and said she was comfortable throughout so it's not that big of a deal. The important thing is she came out of (the work) in good shape, so I expect her to be really sharp today. Hopefully that will be good enough to get it done."

By Flatter out of the Glitterman mare Glitter Bond, Flatterwithglitter was purchased by Cullen for $14,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton mixed sale.

To view the entries for today's card at Presque Isle click here.

Two-year-old filly bred and sold by Cullen Bloodstock working well at Saratoga
5/9/2009


Magic Appeal, a two-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal bred and sold by Jim Cullen, turned in a solid work this morning as she continues to prepare for her racing debut at Saratoga.

Magic Appeal is the first foal out of the good stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic (Caller I.D.), who was purchased by Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. Bought in foal to Smart Strike, Call Her Magic was a nice mare whose residual value grew when a sister named Pacific Spell produced the 2008 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Proud Spell.

Cullen devised the mating for Call Her Magic in 2006 and bred the mare to Successful Appeal. The mare foaled out a beautiful chestnut filly in 2007 (pictured) and was bred back to Successful Appeal.

After Proud Spell 'hit' with a runner-up finish in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Call Her Magic was subsequently sold by Cullen and partner Gullbram Shamrock Stables at that year's Keeneland November sale. There she was purchased for $90,000 by WinStar Farm.

Magic Appeal was sold the following year at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, where she was purchased for $135,000 by Cobra Farm.

Magic Appeal has turned in a succession of impressive works to date, including her nice breeze this morning. The chestnut filly stopped the clock in 38.63 for three furlongs on a fast track, which was the 24th fastest time from 35 horses to work the distance.

"There's no better feeling in racing than to see a horse you bred and sold go on to do good things on the track," said Cullen. "She's still a long way from a race, but Magic Appeal looks like she has some legitimate ability. She was a handsome weanling and a beautiful yearling, and I hope she goes on to win some nice races for Cobra Farm."

To view today's complete work tab from Saratoga click here.

Flatterwithglitter looks to make it two in a row this afternoon at Arlington Park
5/7/2009


Florence Racing Stable's Flatterwithglitter will try for her second consecutive victory this afternoon when she contests the fifth race at Arlington Park.

A three-year-old filly by Flatter, Flatterwithglitter was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen at public auction last spring. Cullen trained the filly for her first four races before she was sent to Mike Reavis in Chicago in April.

"I wanted to take advantage of the relatively softer competition in Chicago during this time of the year," said Cullen. "All the top horses were at Keeneland in April, and though (Flatterwithglitter) would have been competitive there we thought we had a big advantage up north."

Flatterwithglitter won her last start handily when she captured a sprint race against fellow three-year-olds by two lengths. She returns today to face a similar field in the fifth race, a $15,000 claiming event going a flat mile on the PolyTrack.

Flatterwithglitter has drawn the rail in a 10-horse field, and Matthew Straight will ride.

"We're looking forward to another strong effort; hopefully that will be good enough to get it done," said Cullen. "The distance is our biggest concern, especially since she doesn't relax as well as we want. But if she runs the way she did in her last she should be right there (at the wire)."

Purchased for $14,000, Flatterwithglitter has won two of six career starts and earned more than $16,000 to date.

To view the entries for today's card at Arlington Park click here.

Flatterwithglitter fires bullet work in preparation for next start
3/11/2009


Florence Racing Stable's Flatterwithglitter, who has turned in two disappointing races after having won in January, posted a brilliantly fast work this morning as she readies for her next start.

A three-year-old filly by Flatter, Flatterwithglitter was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen at public auction last spring. Cullen currently conditions the filly at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington.

Flatterwithglitter broke her maiden at Turfway Park in just her second career start (pictured), but she's been off the board in her two subsequent races.

"Flatterwithglitter hasn't run her race in her last two starts, but I think we've figured out a little something on her," said Cullen. "We've been running her on Lasix, which is a common race-day medication that acts as a diuretic. A lot of horses run on it with no problem, but it seems to have a really dramatic impact on Flatterwithglitter. She's come out of her races really fatigued and dehydrated, which didn't make any sense because she's very fit. But we didn't give her Lasix for her work today and she responded like her old self. I'm expecting her to run much better when she comes back."

Flatterwithglitter blazed through a half-mile breeze in 47.60 on a good track, which was the fastest time by a full second from nine horses to work the distance.

Flatterwithglitter galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80 and cooled out fine back at the barn.

"We got lucky to get the work in before the bad weather rolled in, and I'm happy she went as well as she did," said Cullen. "(Flatterwithglitter) was really impressive today - she worked like a good horse. She's got a lot of talent, and if she stays healthy I think she has a bright, bright future."

Cullen indicated that Flatterwithglitter could run next in an allowance race at Turfway Park on March 21.

To view the Thoroughbred Training Center's official worktab click here.

Half sister to Flatterwithglitter wins allowance race in Louisiana!
2/5/2009


The Difference, a four-year-old sister to Florence Racing Stable's Flatterwithglitter, rallied strongly from off the pace to win a one-mile allowance race at Delta Downs on February 4.

By Changeintheweather, The Difference broke her maiden in a one-mile allowance race on the turf at Lone Star Park last summer. She closed well to win this two-turn dirt event by two lengths in a good time of 1:40.50.

The victory was the filly's second and improved her overall record to 17-2-5-1. The Difference banked $16,200 for her efforts to push her total earnings to $60,000.

To view the official chart of The Difference victory click here.

"It's always great when you have a promising young horse and his or her siblings perform at a high level," said agency president Jim Cullen, who trains Flatterwithglitter. "That's especially true with a filly; every victory improves the pedigree and increases her residual value. Hopefully (The Difference) will continue to do good things and help Flatterwithglitter in that respect."

Both Flatterwithglitter and The Difference are out of the fast racemare Glitter Bond (Glitterman). She has now foaled three winners from as many to start, the other being a five-year-old filly named Bond Forum who's won twice at Oaklawn Park.

Flatterwithglitter (pictured) was purchased by Cullen for just $14,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton February mixed sale. The daughter of Flatter is being pointed for an allowance race at Turfway Park on February 12.

Cullen Bloodstock purchases profitable mare at Fasig-Tipton Texas sale
12/15/2008


Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock Services, purchased a well-bred, stakes-producing broodmare during the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Texas mixed sale on Sunday that turned an immediate profit for his client.

Like most Thoroughbred auctions held this year, the Fasig-Tipton sale was characterized by modest prices and a high buy-back rate. This year's sale did offer a unique opportunity for buyers, as it featured a complete disersal of the remaining horses owned by Stonerside Stable.

In September, it was announced that Darley had purchased Stonerside Stable's entire operation from owners Robert and Janice McNair, with the exception of a few Texas-based mares and foals. Those horses were offered at the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale, many without reserve.

Cullen was able to take advantage of the circumstances to purchase hip #77 for just $1,500. Named Blossum, the mare is a nine-year-old daughter of the highly regarded broodmare sire Saint Ballado out of the blue hen mare Single Flower (Nodouble).

Blossum is a half sister to three stakes horses, most notably the Grade 2 stakes winner Single Dawn. It's a huge family that boasts no less than 21 stakes horses under the first two dams, including Grade 1 winners Slewpy, Top Corsage and Lily's Affair, as well as 2008 Matron Stakes (G2) winner Doremifasollatido.

Blossum is dam of two winners from as many to race, the first of which is the stakes-placed colt Summer Ballad. She was not in foal at the time she was purchased.

Cullen purchased the mare on behalf of Steppingstone Farm. Those connections realized an immediate profit when the mare was sold privately soon after she arrived at the Lexington-area farm.

"Apparently one of the farm's clients saw the mare, heard about the sale price and made an offer exponentially higher than what they paid for her," said Cullen. "It wasn't a lot more money, but it allowed the owners to turn a profit, which in this market is always good. Plus, the final price was still lower than what I think the mare is really worth in a normal market - $15,000-to-$20,000. It was good for all parties involved because everybody got what they wanted.

"You know, it's not often you can get a nice mare from an outfit like Stonerside for $1,500. But, as soft as the market is, there are going to be opportunities like that if you're paying attention and have some money to spend.

"The commercial market is going to be rough for a while, but people who are in it for the long haul have the chance to increase the quality of their bloodstock in a way that hasn't been available since the late 1980s."

To view complete results of the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Texas sale click here.

Congratulations to Cullen friends and clients on their Breeders' Cup successes!
11/1/2008


The staff of Cullen Bloodstock Services would like to congratulate the connections of Maram and Sky Diva on their respective successes in the two Breeders' Cup Juvenile fillies races on October 24.

Maram (pictured, #3) turned in an unbelievably stirring performance when she prevailed in a photo finish to win the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Karen Woods' homebred daughter of Sahm rallied inside the eighth pole to win by a desperate nose over a determined Heart Shaped.

Out of the Quest for Fame (GB) mare American Dreamer, Maram now has three wins from as many starts, including a victory in the Miss Grillo Stakes (G3) at Belmont in early October. The bay filly has earned $733,320.

Woods bred Maram - which means "wish" or "destiny" in Arabic - in partnership with Paladies Investments Inc. N.V., both of which employ Kristine Cullen as the office manager of their Chanteclair Farm in Midway, Kentucky.

"We're all extremly happy for Karen and Mr. Khaled (of Paladies Investments), as well as for (trainer) Chad Brown. He's a good guy and a hell of a trainer who's just gone out on his own this year. A win like this will get him the attention he deserves. I'm sure we'll all be hearing a lot more from him in the future."

To view the official chart of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf click here.

A race later, Sky Diva - the product of a Cullen Bloodstock mating - ran well but had to settle for third in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Winner of the Frizette Stakes (G1) in her previous start, Sky Diva was in contention throughout but had no answer for the powerful stretch run of Stardom Bound. Sky Diva ultimately finished third in the 1 1/16-mile classic, beaten three lengths for the win.

By Sky Mesa out of the Unbridled mare Swift Girl, Sky Diva was bred by John D. "Jack" Murphy of Boston. The filly is the result of a mating generated by Cullen Bloodstock President Jim Cullen, who owned some horses in partnership with Murphy in 2005.

To view the complete chart of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies click here.

"It's so hard to realize any kind of success in this business, and it's especially tough when you're trying to win races - any kind of races," said Cullen. "But I'd have to think running well and winning a Breeders' Cup race is about as good as it gets.

"I'm extremely happy for all the connections of Maram and Sky Diva and wish them nothing but continued success in the future. It's particularly exciting with Maram - she's the first foal to live out of American Dreamer, so at some point they'll have them both on the farm that my wife helps run. To think we'll be able to walk outside and visit those kind of mares every day is pretty awesome, and it will be especially neat to watch the foals that come in future years. It's what we're all striving to accomplish."

Love You Crazy to run at Kentucky Downs on September 16
9/15/2008


Four-Board Stable's Love You Crazy, fresh off a thrilling allowance win at River Downs, will look to continue her good form when she contests the sixth race at Kentucky Downs on Tuesday, September 16.

Love You Crazy wired a field of older fillies to win her last race in late August. The four-year-old daughter of Touch Gold will need a similar effort if she is going to be a factor in tomorrow's race, an allowance optional claimer going a flat mile on the turf. The bay filly has drawn post 10 in an 11-horse field, and Tracy Hebert will ride.

Post time is scheduled for 4:00 pm Central, and the purse is $29,000.

"There aren't many more turf opportunities left this year, so we're going to take a shot at Kentucky Downs instead of something else at Turfway (Park)," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She fits in well with most in the field tomorrow, and on her best day she's as good as anything in there. We just need her best - if we get it, she'll be tough to beat."

Purchased by Cullen at public auction for $35,000, Love You Crazy has won 3-of-11 starts to date and $92,000. She also placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassies Stakes in 2006.

To view Kentucky Downs' complete racecard for September 16 click here.

Half brother to Four-Board Stable runner brings $250,000 at Keeneland September
9/12/2008


A half brother to current Four-Board Stable colorbearer Love You Crazy sold yesterday for $250,000 during the final 'select' session of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

By leading sire Awesome Again, the colt is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover). The powerful bay - catalogued as hip 1293 - was one of the last four horses through the ring. Even so, there were a number of suitors bidding on the impressive colt.

In the end, Ben Glass purchased the yearling on behalf of Gary and Mary West, the high-profile owners who have campaigned the likes of Buddha, High Limit and others.

"I saw this colt a couple times at the sale and was very impressed each time I inspected him," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stables. "He's very typical of most Awesome Agains: good sized, powerful and athletic, though probably not real precocious. But he reminded me a lot of Love You Crazy - they both have a lot of substance to them, and they do things in a classy manner.

"I think Bennie bought the Wests a good colt - I know I'd love to own him."

Love You Crazy (pictured) is the first foal out of Moonlight Affair. To date she has three wins from 11 starts and nearly $100,000 in earnings, along with a placing in a $150,000 stakes at two.

"The sale of this Awesome Again colt speaks to the quality and market demand for members of (Love You Crazy's) family," said Cullen. "We plan to sell Love You Crazy as a broodmare prospect this January, and this sale should provide a 'live' update to our filly's credentials. Hopefully that will result in a great sale for the partners."

To view complete sale results of the Keeneland September sale click here.

Client sells two yearlings for $735,000 during opening week of Keeneland September
9/11/2008


Despite a slow economy that caused declines in many important sales indices, agency client Palides Investments N.V., Inc. enjoyed a fantastic opening week during the Keeneland September sale when it sold two yearlings for $735,000.

Based in Lexington, Palides Investments has entered some 10 yearlings for Keeneland September, all of which will be sold with Lane's End Farm. The first offering was an exceptional colt by Awesome Again out of the blue hen mare Fitnah (Fit to Fight). Catalogued as hip 430, the powerful dark bay colt (pictured) was purchased for $475,000 by Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Stud on September 9.

The unnamed colt is a half brother to four stakes horses, three of whom have won graded stakes events including Grade 1 winner Dreams Gallore (Silver Ghost). According to a Live Oak spokesperson, the colt will be trained by Bobby Frankel.

"This colt really is 'awesome'," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "He's a big, strong individual with a lot of class and substance. Really, he's what anyone could possibly want in a racing prospect - he's the type of colt you dream about breeding."

On September 10, Palides realized another tremendous success when the first foal out of the multiple graded stakes winner Delta Princess sold for $260,000. The yearling, a colt by Seeking the Gold, was purchased by Meadowlands Stud.

A nine-year-old daughter of leading sire A.P. Indy, Delta Princess won 11 races and $740,918 during five seasons of racing, including victories in the Locust Grove (G3), Beaugay (G3), and Early Times Mint Julep (G3) Handicaps.

"This was a nice colt but one very typical of a first foal," said Cullen. "He wasn't the biggest, most robust individual, but he was athletic and very keen of mind. I think he'll make somebody a hell of a horse when he grows into himself."

To view complete sales results from the Keeneland September yearling sale click here.

Love You Crazy wins second-level allowance race!
8/14/2008


Four-Board Stable's Love You Crazy showed her class with a determined victory in a second-level allowance race at River Downs on August 12.

With Perry Ouzts riding for trainer Larry Lay, Love You Crazy broke sharply in the one-mile turf race, the eighth on the Tuesday afternoon card. Our stakes-placed filly led through opening fractions of 24.00 and 48.20 seconds while being pressed throughout by race favorite Normandy Queen.

Love You Crazy put that one away at the head of the stretch and spurted clear, but she then had to dig in to hold off a strong late charge of Break Sixty, who was coming off a winning effort at Churchill Downs. In the end, Love You Crazy (right) prevailed by a scant nose in a truly thrilling race - and she didn't even let the other filly pass her while they galloped out!

Final time for the mile was 1:36.60.

"It might not have been the fastest race, and I'm not sure she beat a bunch of superstars, but Love You Crazy ran great to win a much-needed race," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "This filly is so game - she held on despite the fact she never got a breather and had to run hard the whole way. I thought we were in trouble at the end, but she showed what amazing heart and competitiveness she has. She actually ran her last quarter faster than any of her first three (23.60) seconds. That's the mark of a good horse.

"I'm her biggest fan."

The victory was the third for Love You Crazy from 11 starts, all of which have come in allowance conditions. The daughter of Touch Gold banked $4,920 for the victory to push her career earnings to $93,000.

"This was a big win for the partners because it continues to add to the mare's residual value," said Cullen. "Love You Crazy has now won at (ages) two, three and four, and she's stakes-placed in a $150,000 race at two. That is a very unique and desirable accomplishment that most breeders will appreciate, so when she sells it should make her that much more attractive to potential buyers."

Cullen indicated that Love You Crazy is scheduled to race through the Turfway Park holiday meet in December before she sells at the Keeneland bloodstock sale in January.

To view the official chart of Love You Crazy's allowance victory click here".

Solid sale of Successful Appeal yearling closes outstanding Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership
8/10/2008


The 'Successful' sale of hip 119 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton select yearling sale closed the books on a very productive Cullen Bloodstock breeding partnership.

The subject yearling was a robust daughter of Successful Appeal out of the good stakes-winning and producing mare Call Her Magic (Caller I.D.). Consigned by Long Branch Farm, the filly sold for $130,000 to Gary Biszantz's Cobra Farm during the sale's second session on August 5.

Call Her Magic was originally purchased by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. The mare was purchased in foal to Smart Strike, who at the time had just two crops of foals racing.

Purchased for a Cullen Bloodstock partnership that included the late Dan Mallory, the Smat Strike foal in utero subsequently sold for $90,000 at the 2005 Keeneland sale. The mare was bred to Congaree ($15,000 stud fee) in 2005, which produced a nice filly who sold as a weanling for $54,000 at public auction.

In 2006, Call Her Magic was bred to Successful Appeal when the stallion stood for $25,000. The mare and resulting foal were both catalogued to sell at the 2007 Keeneland November sale, primarily to take advantage of two tremendous updates to the pedigree. First, Call Her Magic's second foal - a Lemon Drop Kid filly named Kid Majic - placed in the $50,000 Lone Star Oaks. More importantly, a sister to Call Her Magic named Pacific Spell produced one of the top juvenile fillies of the year in Proud Spell, who capped off an outstanding campaign with a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Sold back in foal to Successful Appeal, Call Her Magic was purchased for $90,000 on the winning bid of WinStar Farm. The weanling filly (pictured) was also led through the ring, where she was purchased for $85,000 by one of the existing partners.

The new sole owner, Danny Bramer and Eric Gulley's Gullbram Shamrock Stable, had their gamble pay off handsomely at Saratoga - no doubt helped by the fact that Proud Spell won the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1)!

"Call Her Magic was the type of mare all owners wish they had," said Cullen. "Every one of her foals sold for more than three times their stud fees, and we ultimately sold the mare for more than we bought her. That's truly amazing, and I feel blessed to have been associated with a mare of such high quality.

"Hopefully one of her foals we bred will do great things on the track for their new connections."

To view complete results of the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sales click here.

Filly bred by Cullen Bloodstock client registers impressive stakes score at Lone Star Park
7/29/2008


Seacrettina, a two-year-old filly bred by Cullen Bloodstock client Palides Investments N.V. Inc., kept her race record perfect from two starts with a dominating victory in the $75,000 Silver Spur Stakes at Lone Star Park on July 26.

By Sea of Secrets out of the Dehere mare Sha Hearah, Seacrettina simply ran her six rivals off their collective feet in the six-furlong Silver Spur. The filly broke sharply under Ken Tohill and led through contested early fractions of 22.47 and 45.67. The powerful bay began to pull clear through the turn, and she burst down the lane to win going away by a widening 6 1/4 lengths.

Final time was a dazzling 1:10.49.

"I actually got to put her to sleep on the lead," said Tohill. "She's so much horse. It was fairly effortless for her today. She's a very impressive filly. She was so relaxed, just galloping out there. All I had to do was kick her in gear. She's the real deal."

Joseph Petalino trains the winner for Baccari Racing. She was purchased as a yearling for $65,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale.

Seacrettina is the fourth foal and third winner out of Sha Hearah. The filly is a half sister to the talented five-year-old sprinter Ramsgate, a Grade 2 stakes-placed winner trained by Bobby Frankel.

To view the official chart of the 2008 Silver Spur Stakes click here.

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock foals first winner by Perfect Soul
7/28/2008


Classiest Gem, a mare purchased at public auction by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, has produced the first winner by highly regarded freshman sire Perfect Soul.

Classy Gem, the second foal out of Classiest Gem, won at first asking when she annexed a maiden allowance race at Assiniboia Downs on July 26. The two-year-old filly rallied to win the five-furlong sprint by 3 1/4 lengths. Final time was 1:01 flat.

Classy Gem becomes the second winner for her dam from as many to start.

To view the official chart of Classy Gem's victory click here.

By Dehere, Classiest Gem is an unraced half-sister to the good colt Seeking the Carat (Quiet American). The eight-year-old mare was purchased by Cullen for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale on behalf of John Trumbulovic of Chicago.

Classiest Gem was purchased in foal to Whywhywhy, though that pregnancy was later lost. (The foal in utero was insured.) The mare had a beautiful filly by Bandini earlier this year, and she is back in foal to the 2005 Bluegrass Stakes winner (G1).

"Classiest Gem is a nice mare, and it's fun to be associated with such a unique achievement," said Cullen. "It's hard to be the first of anything in this sport, so to get a sire's first winner is pretty neat. Hopefully the filly will go on to bigger and better things and help boost the depth of the family.

"John's Bandini filly out of the mare is extraordinary. She should sell extremely well when they lead her into the sales ring later this year or next, depending on what John wants to do. I wish him all the best with her."

To read more about Perfect Soul's first winner click here.

Mare purchased, mated by Cullen Bloodstock produces two-year-old winner at Delaware Park
6/23/2008


I've Been a Gem, a stakes-winning mare by Saint Ballado purchased and mated by Cullen Bloodstock, was represented by a two-year-old winner yesterday at Delaware Park.

Out of the Valid Appeal mare Appealing High, I've Been a Gem was purchased by Cullen in 2004 on behalf of Dr. Robert and Leslie Schmidt of Ft. Worth, Texas. The mare was purchased in foal to Tiznow, at the time a first-crop sire. The Schmidts realized more than a 100% return on their investment when the resulting foal sold as a 'short' yearling for $115,000 at the 2006 Keeneland January sale.

On the advice of Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, I've Been a Gem was then bred to Dixie Union in 2005. That mating produced a bay colt who was ultimately sold privately after being 'bought back' at public auction for $72,000.

Now named Raging Ron, the colt was unplaced in his debut but dropped into a $25,000 maiden claimer for his second start. The R N R Stable colorbearer looked like a winner throughout the five-furlong sprint, and he took charge in mid-stretch to win going away by 2 1/4 lengths.

"Whether you're a trainer, owner or breeder, the hardest thing to do in (the Thoroughbred industry) is win races - any races," said Cullen. "It's especially tough to win with a two-year-old because everything has to go right. It did in this case, so we can take a lot of pride in the fact we bought and bred a mare who was able to produce a sound, capable juvenile.

"Some might dismiss it because it was 'just' a maiden claimer, but (Raging Ron) is a May foal, and he looked good doing it. For the Schmidts sake I hope he goes on to do bigger and better things and help increase the residual value of the mare."

Valora Testerman trains the winner, who banked $12,000 for the victory.

To view the official chart of Raging Ron's maiden victory click here.

Cullen broodmare purchase closely related to Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner
5/2/2008


On behalf of friend and client Danny Bramer, Cullen Bloodstock Services would like to congratulate the connections of Proud Spell, emphatic winner of the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Bramer's Gullbram Shamrock Stable owns a yearling filly who is very closely related to Proud Spell. By Successful Appeal, the attractive filly is out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic (pictured). Call Her Magic in turn is a half sister to Pacific Spell, the dam of Proud Spell.

Call Her Magic was originally purchased by Cullen Bloodstock at the 2004 Keeneland November bloodstock sale. The bay mare was bought in foal to Smart Strike for $75,000 on behalf of two-time Eclipse Award winner Richard Englander. The resulting foal subsequently sold as a weanling for $90,000, at which time Englander made the decision to sell the mare.

Agency president Jim Cullen brokered the private sale of Call Her Magic to a partnership headed by Bramer. The mare was sold in foal to Congaree, and the resulting colt sold as a weanling for more than the purchase price of the mare.

Call Her Magic was bred to Successful Appeal in 2006, which produced the lovely yearling filly still owned by Bramer. The mare sold in foal to the same stallion at last year's Keeneland November sale, where she was purchased by WinStar Farm for $95,000.

"Call Her Magic has been good to everybody who's owned her," said Cullen. "She's an attractive, well-bred mare who throws pretty foals, and that's what people want in the marketplace.

"To have a filly like Proud Spell pop up so close to (Call Her Magic) in the pedigree is amazing. She obviously stamped herself as the best filly of her generation, and she might be one of the best in recent times. She's a little filly, but she's a tremendous racehorse."

To read more about the 2008 Kentucky Oaks click here.

Love You Crazy fifth in allowance race at Churchill Downs
5/1/2008


Love You Crazy, making her first start of the year, finished fifth in the eighth race at Churchill Downs yesterday.

A stakes-placed daughter of Touch Gold, Love You Crazy had not raced since having won an allowance race at Woodbine last August. The four-year-old filly came back to the races in a 6 1/2 furlong allowance race for older fillies and mares. The field featured a short but talented field of six that included five stakes performers.

Unfortunately for the Four-Board Stable partners, Love You Crazy did not turn in her best performance. She missed the break by a bit and soon found herself well off a blistering early pace of 22.40 and 44.94.

Though she never quit trying in her first attempt on dirt, Love You Crazy finished a well-beaten fifth.

"There's not much to say - she was beaten by fillies who were faster than she was," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "They outfooted her early, and when (the leaders) go 44 and change you hope they come back to the field. They didn't, so you just give them all the credit and go on.

"The important thing is she got a race under her belt, and she came out of it in good shape. She should move forward off of this effort, and hopefully she'll recapture the form she displayed last year. Love You Crazy can run - there's no shame in getting beaten in a top allowance race at Churchill during Derby week."

Love You Crazy banked $1,290 to push her career earnings over the $85,000 mark.

To view the official chart of Love You Crazy's allowance effort click here.

Four-Board Stable has favorite running in race on Kentucky Derby Day!
5/1/2008


It might be 250 miles away from Churchill Downs, but Four-Board Stable will send out a post time favorite on Derby Day when Our Boy Blue runs in the first race at Beulah Park on Saturday, May 3.

In all candor, Our Boy Blue has been a disappointment thus far in his career. His best finish to date has been a third from seven career starts, and most recently he finished fifth in a modest maiden race at Mountaineer Park. But trainer Paula Bacon hopes a change in venue will help the gelding break through for his maiden win.

Our Boy Blue will contest the first race on the card, a five-furlong maiden race for older colts and geldings. The four-year-old will break from the rail under Marco Ccamaque, the meet's leading rider with 49 wins. Post time is scheduled for 12:55 pm EDT, and the purse is $3,400.

"Our Boy Blue should be awfully tough to beat in this spot," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "That said, it's hard to be too confident because we've always thought he was a nicer horse than this race would indicate. He trains like a beast in the morning, but for whatever reason he's never put it together in the afternoon. Hopefully that will change on Saturday and he'll go on to bigger things."

By Sir Cat out of the Peteski mare Mia Petra, Our Boy Blue is a half brother to the Grade 1 stakes performer Coppertone Kid ($250,000) - a Cullen Bloodstock pinhooking graduate - and another multiple allowance winner.

"I have to admit, this colt (Our Boy Blue) has confounded me," said Cullen. "I was around his brother for six months when we were pinhooking him, and there's no way you would have picked him over Blue. But, that's horseracing - there are no guarantees."

To view Beulah's official entries for May 3 click here.

Sweet Gladys arrives back in Kentucky to finish preparing for race at Keeneland
4/14/2008


Four-Board Stable's Sweet Gladys vanned back to Louisville on Saturday as she continues to train for her racing debut, which should come later this month at Keeneland.

A three-year-old filly by Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys was shipped to Ocala in January. The filly has enjoyed 90 days of uninterupted training and is just about ready to run. As such, she was moved back to Bill Denzik at High Point Training Center on Saturday.

According to Denzik, Sweet Gladys arrived in good shape. She'll be given a couple days off to recuperate from the trip, but she should go back to the track before the end of the week. Barring any setbacks, Sweet Gladys should make her debut at Keeneland before the end of the month.

"We're getting close," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "Sweet Gladys has trained like a monster in Florida, and we're really excited about her future. We'll campaign her here in Kentucky, and hopefully she'll run in the afternoon the way she does in the morning."

Out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys was purchased by Cullen for $55,000 at public auction last spring.

First foal out of mare purchased by Cullen wins allowance to top quarter-million mark in earnings
3/10/2008


Southern Prince, the first foal out of a mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock, won the feature race at Aqueduct on March 9 to push his career earnings over the $250,000 mark.

A five-year-old gelding by Hennessy, Southern Prince is the first foal out of the Distant View mare Distant Breeze (Chi). The speedy dark bay or brown runner manhandled a field of five runners to win Aqueduct's eighth race yesterday by a half-length. The victory was Southern Prince's seventh from 17 starts, and the $30,000 he banked put his total earnings to $263,220.

Out of the Known Fact mare Li Law, Distant Breeze is a half sister to the graded stakes performer War Plan and from the immediately family of Champion racemare Banshee Breeze. The mare was purchased privately by Cullen in 2005 on behalf of Texas-based clients Dr. Robert and Leslie Schmidt.

Distant Breeze has two winners from as many foals to race, the other being the Saratoga allowance winner My Golden Opinion ($111,560). She is also represented by a two-year-old filly by Chapel Royal that the Schmidts are keeping to race, as well as a yearling colt by Quiet American.

Distant Breeze is currently in foal to Borrego.

"I think it's so neat to see Southern Prince running at such a high level, because he's the reason I bought the mare for the Schmidts," said Cullen. "I had seen him as a two-year-old at the OBS sale in Ocala and loved him, and we were able to buy the mare for a pretty modest price. I know the Schmidts are really happy with the mare, so things have worked out about as well as we could have hoped."

To view the official chart of Southern Prince's allowance victory click here.

Cullen Bloodstock purchase Astaire wins second in a row for 5280 Stable
1/22/2008


Astaire, who was purchased as a racing prospect by Jim Cullen during the 2007 Keeneland November sale, won his second consecutive race when he ran off with an allowance race at Turfway Park on January 18.

A four-year-old son of Distorted Humor, Astaire was purchased by Cullen for $32,000 on behalf of the Denver-based 5280 Stables. The gelding finished fourth in his first race with new trainer Bill Denzik, but then returned to win a maiden special weight race at Turfway in late December.

Astaire returned to contest the tenth race at Turfway on January 18, an allowance race for older horses going 1 1/16 miles. The chestnut runner drew post six in a seven-horse field, and he went postward at odds of 8-to-1 in the field of talented performers.

Astaire broke sharply and immediately pulled jockey James Lopez to the front. The gelding led the field through an opening quarter mile in 24.25 seconds, and he maintained that advantage after a half in 47.65.

Lopez gave Astaire his head leaving the quarter pole, and he responded by opening up five lengths on the field heading into the turn. Astaire put his rivals away through the turn and powered home to win by 3 3/4 lengths (pictured).

"What an impressive race," said Cullen. "He pulled Lopez all the way around there, and he never backed up - he just ran them all off their feet. What a powerful horse.

"Bill's done a great job with Astaire, and it's amazing how much he's improved during the past two months. We changed his shoes from conventional to glue-ons, and it's apparent he's really taken to the PolyTrack surfaces. Other than that, it just seems like the light switch has gone off and he's figured out he's a Distorted Humor. I'm happy for the guys at 5280 and hope Astaire continues to do good things for them."

Final time was a very solid 1:45.96 over the PolyTrack. The victory was worth $14,975 to boost his earnings to $29,805 since being purchased for 5280 Stable.

To view the official chart of Astaire's allowance victory click here.

Love You Crazy, Sweet Gladys headed to Ocala to continue training for 2008 campaigns
1/6/2008


Two fillies owned by Four-Board Stables have been shipped to Ocala, Florida to continue training for their respective 2008 campaigns.

Sweet Gladys, our unraced daughter of Awesome Again, and Love You Crazy, our stakes-placed filly by Touch Gold, have both been shipped south to train this winter.

Sweet Gladys (pictured) has been galloping for 90 days and is ready to begin working in earnest for her racing debut this spring. The filly will breeze every 7-to-10 days through the end of March, at which time she will be returned to trainer Bill Denzik in Kentucky. Barring any setbacks we hope the filly will debut at Keeneland in April or at Churchill Downs in May.

"The weather here in Kentucky is starting to get dicey, and we were worried that (Sweet Gladys) would miss some training because of poor track conditions," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She hasn't done anything wrong since her first day under tack, and we want to continue on with her and let her train consistently every week. She's handled everything beautifully and we're really excited about seeing what she can do when we ask her to run for real."

Love You Crazy has not raced since she won an allowance race at Woodbine in early August. The filly went to the sidelines soon thereafter with general body soreness, and given that Woodbine closes in December we decided to keep her turned out for the balance of 2007.

Love You Crazy will go back into training once she arrives in Ocala. The filly has been boarded at our farm in Kentucky, and she has flourished in her time on the sidelines.

"Love You Crazy started to get a little 'crabby' on us after her allowance win, and she just wasn't herself around the barn," said Cullen. "As nice as she is we wanted to play it safe, because she's still relatively young - she just turned four this year. We'll get her cranked up and point her for a big campaign this year. She's shown she fits with the best Canadian-bred fillies of her generation, and hopefully she'll return to that form and give us some new thrills this year."

Purchased by Cullen for $35,000 at the 2006 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale, Love You Crazy has won 2-of-6 starts for total earnings of nearly $100,000.

New Cullen Bloodstock purchase breaks maiden at Turfway Park
12/29/2007


Astaire, purchased as a racing prospect by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen just six weeks ago, ran seven rivals off their feet today to win a nice maiden allowance contest at Turfway Park.

A three-year-old gelding by Distorted Humor (pictured), Astaire was purchased by Cullen for $32,000 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale. The gelding was bought on behalf of 5280 Stable, a group of Denver-area businessmen who are relatively new to racing.

Astaire paid almost immediate dividends with a very impressive run today for trainer Billy Denzik. The chestnut runner broke well in the mile event and led through solid opening fractions of 24.15 and 47.80 seconds. Astaire stretched his early advantage to three lengths after six furlongs, and he still maintained that advantage at the top of the stretch.

Things got interesting at that point, as jockey James Lopez dropped his stick while switching hands at the eighth pole. With little urging Astaire started to pull himself up and cruise home, which allowed race favorite Costalegre to close markedly. Fortunately for us, Astaire did enough running to hit the wire first by a short head.

Astaire apparently had more to give - after Costalegre passed our gelding just past the wire, Astaire rebroke and galloped out well past the field.

Final time was a sharp 1:38.97.

"Well, that was exciting," said Cullen. "I'm very happy for the members of 5280 Stable; they're good guys who love the game and want to do things the right way. For this horse to run like this so soon after we bought him is fantastic.

"I signed the ticket for Astaire, but really all the credit goes to Billy. He watched the horse train every day - he's stabled right next to WinStar, who sold the horse - and he contacted me when he found out the horse was in the Keeneland sale. I just happened to have a group of guys who wanted a nice horse, and after I checked him out at Keeneland we decided to buy him. That was it.

"Bill has obviously done a great job with (Astaire) in the short time he's had him, and hopefully this is the start of big things for the horse."

Astaire banked $13,730 to boost his earnings to $14,720 in two starts for 5280 Stable.

To view the official chart of Astaire's maiden victory click here.

Two-year-old filly Sweet Hennessy breaks maiden at Fair Grounds
12/24/2007


Sweet Hennessy, a two-year-old filly purchased as a yearling by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, drew off convincingly to break her maiden in the first race at Fair Grounds on December 23.

By Hennessy out of a Salt Lake mare, Sweet Hennessy was purchased by Cullen for $70,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale in Lexington. The attractive chestnut was bought on behalf of HH Prince Saud bin Khaled of Saudi Arabia, who subsequently sent the filly to trainer Bill Mott.

Sweet Hennessy did not distinguish herself in three prior starts on the PolyTrack and turf, but a switch to the conventional dirt surface at Fair Grounds proved to her liking. With Robby Albarado riding, Sweet Hennessy was kept off a solid early pace in the six-furlong sprint before she moved into contention through the turn. The filly moved inside the pacesetter to take command at the top of the stretch and held sway down the lane to win convincingly by 3 1/2 lengths.

Sweet Hennessy - who went postward as the 3-to-2 favorite - stopped the clock in 1:13.72.

"I'm very happy for Mr. Khaled that Sweet Hennessy broke through with this kind of performance yesterday," said Cullen. "(Bill) Mott told him that she was a nice filly, but her previous starts on the PolyTrack were a disaster - she didn't take to it at all. She's always trained well on the dirt, though, and now that she's won first time on it I would expect that's where she'll stay for the immediate future. There looks like there's a lot more in the tank, so hopefully she'll continue on to bigger and brighter things."

Sweet Hennessy banked $12,600 for her winning efforts.

To view the official chart of Sweet Hennessy's maiden victory click here.

Sweet Sugaree retired to breeding shed
12/14/2007


Dark Star Thoroughbred's Sweet Sugaree, a stakes-placed filly purchased as an unraced two-year-old by Jim Cullen, has been retired from racing. The four-year-old daughter of Tiznow has been shipped to Nuchols Farm near Lexington.

Breeding plans for Sweet Sugaree have not been finalized.

Out of the Clever Trick mare Clever Tide, Sweet Sugaree was purchased by Cullen for $100,000 at the 2005 OBS March two-year-olds in training sale on behalf of Gabe Grossberg. The filly broke her maiden as a two-year-old in her second career start, having won a maiden allowance race at Fair Grounds over a field that included 2006 Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Ermine (pictured). The filly then ran second in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn over a field that included six stakes winners. After that effort, the filly was named to the Kentucky Oaks future wager, at one time being as low as 18-to-1.

Unfortunately, Sweet Sugaree's Oaks plans went by the wayside when she exited a fifth-place finish in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland with a slight fracture in an ankle. The filly returned to the races in late 2006, but after her career was again interupted by injury the decision was made to retire her.

"It's a bittersweet day," said Cullen. "I appreciate everything (Sweet Sugaree) did on the track, but with her talent you can't help but think 'what if' - she was that good. She beat Ermine in a hand ride, and she almost won the Martha Washington in her first start around two turns. She was a fast, fast filly who will make a fantastic broodmare. I'm excited for Gabe and can't wait to see her foals in coming years."

According to Cullen, Sweet Sugaree is being considered for a number of oustanding stallions, including Forestry, Elusive Quality and Grand Slam.

Cullen Bloodstock mare Call Her Magic sells for $95,000 at Keeneland November
11/13/2007


Call Her Magic, a Cullen Bloodstock mare owned in partnership with Gullbram Shamrock Stable, realized a healthy return on original investment when she sold for $95,000 during the Keeneland November sale on November 10.

A multiple stakes winner by Caller I.D., Call Her Magic was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 in November of 2004. The mare was purchased in foal to Smart Strike, a mating that produced a filly who sold at auction for $90,000 the following year. Bred back to Congaree on a $15,000 stud fee, the resulting foal was a filly who brought $54,000 at auction last year.

Call Her Magic had another lovely filly this spring, this one by Successful Appeal (pictured). The mare was bred back to that same sire earlier this year, and both she and her foal were offered at Keeneland November.

The two sale horses realized a tremendous update this fall when Proud Spell - a two-year-old filly out of a half-sister to Call Her Magic - won the Matron Stakes (G2) at Belmont before she finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Selling as hip 1892, Call Her Magic was the subject of a fierce bidding duel before she was eventually purchased by WinStar Farm for $95,000. Her weanling filly was led in the ring next, but she was brought home after receiving a final bid of 'just' $85,000.

"We're sorry to see Call Her Magic go, but she was awful good to us," said Cullen. "When we bought her we got more for the foal in utero than what we paid for her, and we sold her for more than we bought her. We made money on the Congaree filly and still have an exceptional filly out of her. We'll probably try to sell her next year, but we might also race her ourselves. I'll talk it over with (Gullbram Shamrock owners Danny Bramer and Eric Gulley) and see what they want to do."

To view the complete results of the 2007 Keeneland November sale click here.

Cullen Bloodstock purchases broodmare for Chicago-based client
11/12/2007


If there's anything that Thoroughbred racing teaches us is that timing is everything...

After waiting the entire session - and being the underbidder on several offerings - Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen was able to purchase a lovely broodmare by Forestry (pictured) on behalf of Chicago-based client John Trumbulovich. The mare, named Summer Forest, was purchased in foal to Champion colt Afleet Alex for $47,000.

Selling just six hips from the end of the session, Summer Forest was sold by Warrendale Sales on behalf of Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables. The four-year-old mare was originally purchased by Jackson as a yearling for $375,000, though she did not race and was bred this spring.

Summer Forest is out of the winning Boston Harbor mare Summerwood, who in turn is a sister to the multiple graded stakes winner Firm Pledge and the good Italian stakes performer Omnia. In addition, Summer Forest's half brother by Forest Camp sold as a weanling for $160,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale.

"I'm very happy that we were able to purchase this mare for that price," said Cullen. "John was standing right next to me while I was bidding on her, and we didn't think we'd get the mare for that. She's a beautiful mare from a nice family, and she's in foal to a hot sire. Afleet Alex's first crop are weanlings this year and they've sold great - they've averaged $200,000. If John gets anywhere close to that with the foal in utero it's going to be a home run."

Summer Forest is scheduled to be bred to Bandini in 2008.

To view the complete results from the 2007 Keeneland November sale click here.

Make Mine Minnie sells for $90,000 at Fasig-Tipton November
11/9/2007


Make Mine Minnie, a stakes-winning mare who was purchased at auction by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, sold as a broodmare prospect for $90,000 during the Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale on Sunday, November 4.

By Honour and Glory out of the stakes-placed mare Boundless Beauty (Copelan), Make Mine Minnie was purchased by Cullen for $150,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Calder two-year-olds in training sale. The filly broke her maiden at two for owner Gayle Fogelson, then placed in the Anoakia Stakes later that year. She returned to win the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita at three, but she then went to the sidelines following her next start with a small chip in a knee.

Make Mine Minnie came back to the races at four and finished second in three consecutive starts behind graded stakes winners, all in allowance company in Southern California. However, she suffered another minor injury in early March, and the decision was made to retire her for the 2007 breeding season.

Make Mine Minnie retired with earnings of $147,995.

Bred to the top freshman sire Vindication, Make Mine Minnie got in foal on one cover but lost the pregnancy at 60 days. Thus, she entered the Fasig-Tipton November sale open and ready for breeding.

After a spirited bidding duel, Make Mine Minnie was purchased for $90,000 by Leonard Riggio's My MeadowView Farm. Riggio, who is chairman of Barnes & Noble, bought 11 mares at the sale for a combined $2,345,000.

"I thought the (sale) price was fair and we're generally pleased with the results," said Cullen. "Obviously I wish she would have stayed in foal to Vindication; her sale price probably would have increased exponentially. But you can't control those things, and overall we're happy that she's going to such a good outfit.

"Gayle had a lot of fun with Minnie during the three years he owned her. She was a solid filly who might not have been good as some others, but she made up for it with a ton of heart. Hopefully her foals will have that same spirit and determination.

"I'm sure Minnie will be a good addition to Mr. Riggio's farm. She's a neat mare who is bred on the same cross as (2005 Broodmare of the Year) Baby Zip, dam of Ghostzapper and City Zip - a Relaunch sire over a Tri Jet mare. Hopefully Minnie will prove to be half as good as that one and produce some nice horses for them." "

Make Mine Minnie was the first horse purchased by Cullen for Fogelson, whose father, E.E. "Buddy" Fogelson, campaigned Racing Hall of Fame member and 1971 Horse of the Year Ack Ack.

To view the complete results of the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale click here.

Cullen Bloodstock client is breeder of $3 million mare at Fasig-Tipton mixed sale
11/5/2007


Indy Five Hundred, a Grade 1 stakes winner in foal to Kingmambo, got the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale kick-started when she sold for $3 million to agent John Ferguson on November 4.

By A.P. Indy, Indy Five Hundred is a seven-year-old mare out of the Group 2 stakes winner Lyphard's Delta (Lyphard). The mare won three races and $244,510 during three seasons of racing, topped by a four-length victory in the 2003 Garden City Breeders' Cup Handicap (G1).

"She's a beautiful mare and a Grade 1 winner," said Ferguson, who bought the mare on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. "Her mother won the Nassau [Stakes in England] and her mother was a champion, so you've got three generations of real high performance. Therefore, we feel this mare has a huge opportunity to continue the excellent record that the family has set so far...It's the mare we wanted."

Indy Five Hundred (pictured) was bred by Cullen Bloodstock client HH Prince Saud bin Khaled, who still owns Lyphard's Delta. Prince Khaled sold Indy Five Hundred as a yearling but kept her full sister, a multiple graded stakes winner named Delta Princess. That mare had her first foal this spring when she bore a colt by Seeking the Gold, and she's back in foal to Empire Maker.

Lyphard's Delta had her tenth foal earlier this year when she foaled a filly by Mineshaft. The 17-year-old mare is back in foal to Empire Maker.

"This is one of Mr. Khaled's dearest family, and the success of all (Lyphard's Delta's) progeny is very important to him," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "He's very pleased by the results of the sale yesterday and wishes Sheikh Mohammed all the best."

Cullen Bloodstock has represented Prince Khaled in several transactions, among them selling A.P. Delta - a full brother to Indy Five Hundred and Delta Princess - as a stallion prospect. A.P. Delta is the leading freshman sire in Louisiana for 2007 and is the subject of negotiations to bring him to Kentucky for 2008.

To view the complete results of the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November sale click here.

Cullen Bloodstock yearling purchase wins second consecutive race in New York
10/29/2007


Forza Bruta, who was purchased privately as a yearling by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, won his second consecutive race when he ran off with the ninth race at Aqueduct on October 28.

By Military out of the Flying Chevron mare Royal Favor, Forza Bruta was purchased privately by Cullen on behalf of Grey Ledge Stable. The colt didn't get to the races at two, but he's made 10 starts this year at three for trainer James Bond.

After coming close and placing in five maiden races in New York this summer, Forza Bruta broke through for his first win at Belmont in September. The gelding returned to win the final race on yesterday's card at Aqueduct, a $35,000 claiming race for older horses going a flat mile.

Forza Bruta made quick work of the field when he wired eight rivals to win by a length. Final time was a sharp 1:38.40.

"It might not be the biggest race to win, but I'm very happy for the Grey Ledge owners," said Cullen. "The winner's purse yesterday was more than we had to pay for the colt, so he's paid for himself. That's a big deal when you're playing at that level.

"Forza Bruta might not be a Breeders' Cup horse, but he's a solid runner who has allowed them to have some fun - and get their picture taken! To be able to provide that service for a couple of good guys who like the business means a lot to me. I'm very proud of finding a colt like him for that price, but more than that I'm proud of what he's accomplished. I hope he wins 10 more races!

Forza Bruta now boasts a record of 10-2-4-1 for total earnings of $58,215.

To view the official chart of Forza Bruta's winning effort yesterday click here.

Cullen Bloodstock pinhooking graduate Court the King places in stakes at Bay Meadows
10/21/2007


Court the King, who was purchased as a yearling by Jim Cullen and resold at two, closed determinedly but ran out of ground and finished second in the $75,000 Bay Meadows Speed Handicap on October 20.

By Doneraile Court out of the Rare Performer mare Smart'n Rare, Court the King was on the Triple Crown trail this spring, but he went to the sidelines after he split the field in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 7. The colt returned to the races in September and won an allowance sprint at Bay Meadows in 1:08.40!.

Off that effort, Court the King was installed as the 2-to-1 favorite in the six-furlong Speed 'Cap. The colt broke well under Russell Baze but was allowed to trail the field of eight through the first quarter mile. The powerful bay began to find his stride approaching the turn, and at the top of the stretch was poised to launch his bid.

Court the King closed like a freight train, especially inside the sixteenth pole, but he was left with too much to do. The colt could not catch Wind Water, who wired the field with a front-running effort.

Final time was 1:09.23.

Court the King earned $12,000 for his efforts. He now boasts a record of 6-3-1-0 for total earnings of $94,200.

Court the King becames the latest stakes performer to have been purchased and pinhooked by Cullen Bloodstock, joining the likes of Eishin Sullivan, Coppertone Kid, and The Case Queen. The colt was purchased privately by Cullen as a yearling and resold at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale for $37,000.

"It's always a nice thing to have a horse you bought go on and run well," said Cullen. "(Court the King) is a particular favorite of mine because I bought him out of a field on a farm near Louisville. He doesn't have much pedigree, but this colt has always been an awesome physical specimen. He wasn't quite Triple Crown material, but he's a very fast colt who looks like he's going to be a force in the sprint division on the West Coast."

To view the official chart of the Bay Meadows Speed Handicap click here.

First foal out of mare mated, sold by Cullen Bloodstock wins allowance at Keeneland
10/8/2007


Ben and the Twin, a two-year-old colt and first foal out of Bewitch Bewild, pressed the early pace but took over late to win an allowance race at Keeneland on October 6.

Trained by Cody Autrey for a partnership, Ben and the Twin finished third in his debut but broke his maiden at second asking last month at Remington Park. He returned off that effort to contest the second race at Keeneland on Saturday, a six-furlong allowance race for juvenile runners.

Ben and the Twin was third down the backstretch but moved up to take the lead through the turn. The son of Storm Boot led by a quarter-length at the eighth pole and extended his advantage to the wire to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Ben and the Twin stopped the clock in a sharp 1:10.61 and returned a healthy $44.80 for the upset victory. He banked $26,412 for the effort to push his earnings to $43,800.

The colt is the first foal out of the good winner Bewitch Bewild. By Once Wild, Bewitch Bewild won 11 races and $134,260 during a lengthy racing career. The mare is a half sister to the stakes performer and stakes producer Charming Susan (Crozier), and her second dam is the multiple champion and Racing Hall of Fame member Susan's Girl (Quadrangle).

Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen mated Bewitch Bewild on behalf of client Richard Englander, for whom the mare last raced. Bewitch Bewild was subsequently sold by Cullen in foal to Storm Boot to John "Jack" Murphy, the breeder of record for Ben and the Twin.

Ben and the Twin sold for $35,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September sale.

"She wasn't a superstar, but I always liked Bewitch Bewild," said Cullen. "She was kind of cheap, but she's what I call 'good cheap' - she ran hard every time they led her over, and she won a bunch of races. Those type of mares often prove to be very useful in the breeding shed, and with (Bewitch Bewild's) pedigree she had a license to produce a runner like Ben and the Twin. I'm really happy for her connections and am pleased it's worked out."

To view the official chart of Ben and the Twin's allowance victory at Keeneland click here.

Colt purchased as yearling by Cullen Bloodstock breaks maiden at Belmont Park
9/26/2007


Forza Bruta, a three-year-old colt purchased as a yearling by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, posted a strong performance today to break his maiden at Belmont Park.

By Military out of the Flying Chevron mare Royal Favor, Forza Bruta (pictured) was purchased privately by Cullen on behalf of Grey Ledge Stable. The colt had run well in his eight starts to date for trainer James Bond - having posted four seconds and a third - but he had yet to gain that elusive first win.

That all changed with an explosive run today. Sent off as the 9-to-5 favorite, Forza Bruta broke well under John Velazquez and tracked the early pacesetters through opening fractions of 23.54 and 46.96 seconds.

Forza Bruta ranged up to challenge for the lead at the top of the stretch, and he drew off smartly down the lane to win going away by 2 3/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:38.42 on a fast track.

"I'm so pleased for (Grey Ledge) that Forza Bruta got it done today," said Cullen. "He's got no pedigree, but Forza Bruta was always a very good physical specimen that you would expect to be a runner. For him to put it together and break his maiden in New York is great, especially given his modest purchase price. It's terrific fun and I couldn't be happier for his owners."

The victory boosted Forza Bruta's career record to 9-1-4-1 for total earnings of $35,175.

To view the official chart of Forza Bruta's maiden victory click here.

Cullen Bloodstock pinhooking graduate wins allowance race at Bay Meadows
9/24/2007


Court the King, who was purchased as a yearling by Cullen Bloodstock and pinhooked into a two-year-old sale, blew past four older rivals late to win an allowance optional claiming race at Bay Meadows on September 22.

By Doneraile Court out of the talented racemare Smart'n Rare (Rare Performer), Court the King had not raced since he split the field in the 2007 Santa Anita Derby (G1). The handsome bay returned to register an impressive display in the fifth race of the day.

Sent off as third choice, Court the King was last early in the six-furlong sprint but rallied impressively down the stretch to win going away by three-quarters of a race. The colt stopped the timer in a dazzling 1:08.53!.

Court the King won for the third time from five starts, and the $20,400 he banked pushed his career earnings to $82,200.

To view the official chart of Bay Meadow's fifth race from Saturday click here.

Court the King was purchased privately as a yearling by Jim Cullen. The colt was subsequently resold with Paul Sharp at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic two-year-olds in training sale, where he was purchased for $37,000 by Michael Stidham.

Interestingly enough, Court the King's half brother by Vision and Verse is scheduled to be sold tomorrow - September 25 - at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale as hip #5466.

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock is half to dam of Spinaway Stakes (G1) winner
9/4/2007


Lochrea, an eight-year-old mare purchased last year by Cullen Bloodstock, received a huge update to her pedigree on Sunday when Irish Smoke won the $250,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

By Lord at War (Arg), Lochrea is an unraced mare out of the Grade 3 stakes winner Added Elegance. Lochrea in turn is a full or half sister to the Grade 2 stakes winner Added Gold ($222,000) and Added Asset ($330,022), as well as the $100,000 earner Added Time.

Added Time has just two foals to race, but one of them emerged as one of the best two-year-old fillies in the U.S. when Irish Smoke won the Spinaway on September 3. The filly rallied to win the seven-furlong classic impressively as the 6-to-5 favorite for West Point Thoroughbreds and Lewis Lakin.

According to trainer Patrick Biancone, the daughter of Smoke Glacken is being pointed for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Monmouth Park in October.

Jim Cullen purchased Lochrea in early 2006 for John Roven of Texas. The mare, who produced a Touch Gold filly earlier this year, is catalogued into the upcoming Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

"I have always loved this family and am not surprised it's produced a filly like Irish Smoke," said Cullen. "I used to work for Wimborne Farm when I was in college and this is one of their best families - they're a very classy group of horses. Added Time was as good as any of them, and Irish Smoke looks just like her.

"I'm very happy for John and hope he realizes a nice profit on the mare when he sells her in November."

Cullen weanling purchase wins maiden allowance race at Hoosier Park
9/4/2007


Decadent Storm, a four-year-old filly by Storm Boot, rallied from mid-pack to get up and win a maiden special weight race at Hoosier Park on September 2.

Out of the Nasty and Bold mare Cato Lady, Decadent Storm was purchased as a weanling by Cullen Bloodstock for $15,000 at the 2003 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Cullen purchased the filly on behalf of Gabe Grossberg's Dark Star Thoroughbreds.

Decadent Storm ran second in her racing debut at Hawthorne last year but then was sidelined with a minor injury. The chestnut filly returned this spring but failed to win in four subsequent starts with Frank Springer in Chicago. She was then sent to trainer Jerry Hammonds, for whom she ran third in a July race before breaking through for her maiden win.

Decadent Storm broke cleanly and was well off the early pace in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint under Thomas Pompell. She moved to the inside through the turn and then powered up the rail to get up and prevail by a clear head.

Final time was 1:08.47 on a fast but deep racetrack.

Decadent Storm banked $8,400 for the victory to boost her total earnings to $15,660.

"I'm really happy Decadent Storm was able to get it done Saturday," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "We always thought she was a nice filly, and though she got a little sidetracked it's good to see she's back on track."

Decadent Storm becomes the latest winner purchased by Cullen for Grossberg. Those include Sweet Sugaree, who broke her maiden over a field that included Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Ermine before she placed in the $50,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn. Sweet Sugaree herself was on the Oaks trail but suffered a hock injury when fifth in the 2006 Ashland Stakes (G1).

"It's funny, but whenever Gabe would call about Sweet Sugaree Bobby (Springer) always wanted to talk about how good Decadent Storm was," said Cullen. "She's not there yet, but hopefully (Decadent Storm) will be able to duplicate or exceed the other's stakes success."

To view the official chart of Decadent Storm's maiden victory click here.

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock represented by two Saratoga winners in 11 days
8/13/2007


Distant Breeze (Chi), a daughter of Distant View purchased privately by Cullen Bloodstock Services in 2005, was represented by two impressive winners at Saratoga during the first 13 days of August.

Out of the Known Fact mare Li Law, Distant Breeze is a half sister to the graded stakes performer War Plan and from the immediately family of Champion racemare Banshee Breeze. The mare was purchased privately by Cullen on behalf of Texas-based clients Dr. Robert and Leslie Schmidt.

Distant Breeze enjoyed a great start to August when her first two foals both won races at Saratoga. On August 2, the four-year-old gelding Southern Prince ran nine rivals off their feet when he won a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for $50,000 claimers. The son of Hennessy shot out to a five-length lead after an opening quarter mile, extended the lead to seven at the top of the stretch and cruised home to win by 3 1/4 lengths.

Final time was a dazzling 1:01.60, which was less than a fifth of a second off the course record.

Nine days later, Distant Breeze's three-year-old colt My Golden Opinion rallied after a rough start to win a seven-furlong allowance contest by a neck. The son of High Yield - who was unlucky not to place in the 2006 Champaigne Stakes (G1) when fourth - was steadied early but rallied on the outside to win under jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Eoin Harty trains My Golden Opinion for Ping W. Tam.

Both Southern Prince and My Golden Opinion have now earned more than $100,000 each.

"Two wins at Saratoga is a great accomplishment for any mare, and I'm excited for the Schmidts," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "Distant Breeze is a small but powerful mare, and everything out of her has displayed an amazing turn of foot. The mare has a yearling filly by Chapel Royal who looks fast, and she has a really good Quiet American colt on the ground. It looks like the mare will be a nice producer for them for the foreseeable future."

Stallion sold as prospect by Cullen Bloodstock is leading first-crop sire in Louisiana!
8/10/2007


A.P. Delta, who was sold as a stallion prospect by Cullen Bloodstock Services, is currently the leading freshman sire in Louisiana!

A son of A.P. Indy out of the Group 2 stakes winner Lyphard's Delta (Lyphard), A.P. Delta was a winner of more than $100,000 during two seasons of racing. The colt won three consecutive allowances at Keeneland and Gulfstream Park for Bill Mott, but he was injured just prior to making his first start in stakes company and retired.

Sold by Cullen Bloodstock to a breeding partnership and syndicated, A.P. Delta currently sits atop the first-crop sire list in Louisiana and ranks 17th among all U.S.-based freshman sires. The stallion's four runners to date include two stakes horses, most notably Delta Vixen, who won the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes at Evangeline Downs on August 4.

According to agency president Jim Cullen, A.P. Delta is the subject of early negotiations to be relocated to Kentucky.

"Whenever you have horses bred and built as lovely as A.P. Delta it's no surprise they produce quality runners," said Cullen. "He was a tremendous athlete who was unfortunately hurt before he could prove himself against top-class company, but (Mott) always thought he was a graded stakes horse. I guess his class is coming through his babies, because for a regional stallion to have two stakes horses this early in the year is pretty impressive.

"The surprising thing about A.P. Delta is that any of his two-year-olds would run well. He's a big strong horse who did his best running around two turns, so it stands to reason his offspring will get better with age and distance. To see him get the results he has thus far is really exciting."

Bred by Palides Investments N.V., Inc., A.P. Delta is a full brother to the Grade 1 stakes winner Indy Five Hundred and multiple graded stakes winner Delta Princess. His second dam is the Champion mare Proud Delta.

A.P. Delta stood the 2007 breeding season at Moon Lake Equine Center near Elm Grove.

Love You Crazy breaks through with allowance victory at Woodbine
8/8/2007


After running second and third in her two previous attempts in allowance company, Four-Board Stable's Love You Crazy prevailed to win an allowance race at Woodbine on Monday, August 6.

Ridden by Eurico Da Silva for trainer Reade Baker, Love You Crazy was making her first start since she finished seventh in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks in early June. The filly responded with a professional effort to post her second victory as the 7-to-5 favorite.

Love You Crazy broke a bit tardily but soon moved into contention down the backstretch of the six-furlong sprint. She bided her time behind quick fractions of 22.26 and 45.10 seconds, then launched her bid in earnest at the top of the stretch.

Love You Crazy was shifted off the rail into the clear and responded when roused. The powerful bay filly wore down her rivals to get up for the victory by a clear neck.

Final time was 1:11.18.

"Love You Crazy ran great - I'm very happy for everybody involved because it's been a while in coming," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She always runs her race, and today it was just good enough to win. She's a nice filly that we hope has bigger and brighter things in her future."

Love You Crazy now boasts a record of 6-2-1-2 for earnings of nearly $90,000 following the $36,000 payday.

By Touch Gold out of the stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover), Love You Crazy was purchased by Cullen for $35,000 at the 2006 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale.

To view the official chart of Love You Crazy's allowance victory click here.

Foal out of Cullen Bloodstock partnership mare places in Lone Star Oaks
7/2/2007


Kid Majic, the second foal out of the Cullen Bloodstock mare Call Her Magic, ran gamely but lost a contentious finish and finished third in the $50,000 Lone Star Oaks on June 30.

A multiple stakes winner by Caller I.D., Call Her Magic was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 during the 2004 Keeneland November sale. The mare was purchased in foal to Smart Strike on behalf of a broodmare partnership. That acquisition paid immediate dividends when the resulting foal sold for $90,000 at Keeneland November the following year.

Call Her Magic has two foals to race, Kid Majic being the second. The filly is a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid trained by Allen Milligan

A two-time winner, Kid Majic entered the 1 1/16-mile Oaks off two solid prep races over the Lone Star Park turf. The filly broke cleanly and was settled just off the early pace before she and jockey Monte Berry launched their bid at the three-eighths pole.

Kid Majic moved up into contention at the head of the stretch and appeared poised to take command. She ran well but was ultimately outfinished by two others. The three-year-old filly did hold well for the show, however, in a blanket finish that saw the top five runners seperated by a length.

Kid Majic earned $5,500 for the effort to push her total earnings to $47,910.

"What an exciting race," said Cullen. "First it looked like (Kid Majic) was going to win, then it looked like she was going to be fifth and beaten a length. But she got the stakes placing, which is a huge benefit for the mare. That should help us a lot when Call Her Magic sells later this year."

Owned in partnership with Gullbram Shamrock Stable, Call Her Magic had a beautiful daughter of Successful Appeal in March (pictured), and the mare will sell in foal to that same stallion later this year.

Call Her Magic is the second broodmare purchased by Cullen to be represented by a new stakes runner in the past month. In early June, Girls Pearls - who is the first foal to run out of the Colonial Affair mare Girls Girls Girls - won the $50,000 Panther Stakes at Prairie Meadows. Girls Girls Girls was purchased by Cullen for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland January sale.

To view the official chart of the 2007 Lone Star Oaks click here.

Love You Crazy splits the field in $500,000 Labatts Woodbine Oaks
6/11/2007


Love You Crazy tried her best but never really looked like a winner and finished seventh in the $500,000 Labatts Woodbine Oaks on June 10.

Breaking from post seven in a field of 10, Love You Crazy was mid-pack for the first six furlongs of the 1 1/8-mile race. Jockey Jono Jones asked her in earnest for her run leaving the three-eighths pole, and the filly responded with a noticeable move into fifth position. However, she could not sustain any sort of meaningful rally and tired down the stretch.

Final time for the Oaks was 1:50.68, just a tick off the Woodbine track record (1:50.49).

"(Love You Crazy) ran her race, but all credit to the other fillies - they were just better than us yesterday," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "Whenever you take a swing for glory you always risk looking poorly, and I guess that's the case here. But (trainer Reade Baker) won the Oaks two years ago and knows the type of performance it takes to win. He obviously thought our filly was capable of turning in that type of performance, and I give him a lot of credit for standing by his convictions. But in hindsight it might have been a too ambitious, so we'll regroup and find a spot where she's the horse to beat."

"Despite not getting the results we were hoping for it was a great day regardless. Almost all of the owners came in for the race, and it was an exciting event to participate in. We just need to come with a better filly next year."

Cullen indicated that Love You Crazy would get a brief break and run back in approximately 30 days.

To view the official chart of the Oaks click here.

First foal out of mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock wins stakes at Prairie Meadows!
6/10/2007


Girls Pearls, the first foal out of a mare purchased at public auction by Jim Cullen, overcame a rough trip to win the $50,000 Panthers Stakes at Prairie Meadows on June 9. In the process, the filly became the first stakes winner for her sire - Talk Is Money - from three crops.

Owned and trained by Ken and Sue McPeek, Girls Pearls broke well but was immediately shuffled back under jockey Glenn Corbett. The filly experienced more trouble when she was bounced around in the opening turn of the mile race, which left her some 12 lengths behind the pacesetters after opening quarters in 23.71 and 46.88.

Girls Pearls responded with a determined rally that propeled her into contention at the top of the stretch. Though wide, the powerful chestnut filly continued her momentum down the lane and past the helpless leader. Girls Pearls won as much the best by a widening 1 1/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:39.31.

Girls Pearls banked $30,000 for her fourth victory in a row to push her career earnings mark to $95,130.

To view a video of the race, visit click here and go to the eighth race on June 9.

Girls Pearls is the first foal out of the good winning mare Girls Girls Girls (Colonial Affair). That mare was purchased by Cullen for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland January sale on behalf of Texax-based client Deborah Wilson.

Girls Girls Girls is a multiple allowance winner whose second dam is a full sister to Sauce Boat and a half to the historic sire Raja Baba (pictured). The mare is currently in foal to Yankee Gentleman on a May cover day.

"It's quite a thrill to buy a mare you like and see the first foal perform so well," said Cullen. "To have any foal become a stakes horse is unusual, but to have the first one win a stakes is extraordinary. Girls Girls Girls has her entire (breeding) career in front of her, so it's really exciting to think about the possibilities down the road."

To view the official chart of the 2007 Panthers Stakes click here.

Love You Crazy draws post seven for $500,000 Woodbine Oaks
6/8/2007


Four-Board Stable's Love You Crazy has drawn post seven in the $500,000 Labatts Woodbine Oaks on Sunday, June 10.

A field of 11 will contest the nine-furlong race, which is one of the most lucrative restricted races on the continent. The connections of Love You Crazy drew post seven during a festive luncheon in Toronto on June 7. The powerful bay filly will break just to the outside of Sealy Hill, the morning-line favorite in the race at 5-to-2.

Trainer Reade Baker has tabbed Jono Jones to ride Love You Crazy. Jones was aboard the daughter of Touch Gold when she worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:02 on Monday, June 4.

"Everything is all set - we're anticipating a big day on Sunday," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "Reade has done a tremendous job bringing this filly along, and she's coming into the race in peak form. (The Oaks) will obviously be a big class test for her, but Reade knows what it takes to win the race and he's confident she's good enough. Hopefully she'll run her best race; if she does we're confident she'll be right there."

Reade expounded on Love You Crazy's chances during an article published in today's Daily Racing Form. To read the article click here.

A stakes-placed runner at two, Love You Crazy has never been off the board in four career starts. She has earned just under $50,000 to date.

For more insight into the 2007 Woodbine Oaks click here. To view the official entries for the Oaks Day card click here.

Love You Crazy turns in final workout in preparation for $500,000 Woodbine Oaks
6/4/2007


Trainer Reade Baker saddled Love You Crazy this morning for her final work before a start in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks on June 10. The filly responded with a sharp drill that should set her up perfectly for the nine-furlong Canadian classic.

Working by herself, Love You Crazy breezed five furlongs in 1:02 flat and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15 and change. The powerful bay filly cooled out quickly back at the barn and exited the drill in very good form.

Love You Crazy's time was the 12th fastest time from 32 horses to work the distance.

To view Woodbine's complete worktab from this morning click here.

The field for the Oaks will be drawn during a luncheon on Thursday, June 7. Love You Crazy will be ridden in the race by Jono Jones, who was aboard for the work this morning.

Baker gave some insights into his preparation for Love You Crazy in a press release distributed by Woodbine Racecourse today. To reade Baker's comments click here.

"We're all pretty excited about the race this weekend," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "Reade said Love You Crazy was an Oaks filly after she broke her maiden last November, and he's been pointing her for the race all spring. Everything has gone according to plan, and hopefully she'll step up and make us all look smart with a big race on Sunday."

Love You Crazy is a three-year-old filly by Touch Gold out of the multiple stakes winner Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover). The filly was purchased by Cullen for $35,000 during the 2006 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale. To date she has not been off the board in four career starts - including a good third in the $125,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes last December - for earnings of $49,404.

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock represented by graded stakes performer
5/31/2007


Girls Pearls, the first foal out of a mare purchased at public auction by Cullen Bloodstock, will look to keep her three-race winning streak intact when she goes postward in the $150,000 Dogwood Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on June 2.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Girls Pearls won three races in a 25-day period beginning with a maiden victory at Keeneland in April. Most recently the filly won an allowance race at Churchill Downs on May 10 - a race contested at the Dogwood distance of one mile.

Saturday's contests will be a big class test for the three-year-old daughter of Talk is Money. The filly will break from post eight in a nine-horse field, and veteran jockey Larry Melancon will ride.

Post time is slated for 5:21 pm EDT.

Girls Pearls is the first foal out of the good racemare Girls Girls Girls (Colonial Affair). Girls Girls Girls was purchased by Jim Cullen for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland January sale on behalf of Texas businesswoman Deborah Wilson.

"This is an exciting time to be associated with Girls Girls Girls," said Cullen. "Girls Pearls has a big shot on Saturday, and if she gets a piece of it the value of her dam will increase exponentially. Given this filly is the first foal out of (Girls Girls Girls) is huge - it gives us confidence that the best is yet to come.

"It doesn't get much better than buying a mare whose first foal becomes a graded stakes runner."

Girls Girls Girls is currently in foal to the exciting first-year sire Yankee Gentleman.

Girls Girls Girls was one of two mares purchased by Cullen for Wilson during the spring of 2006. The other was Smart'n Rare, who was purchased in foal to Doneraile Court. The resulting foal was a colt who would ultimately be named Court the King, who was purchased privately by trainer John Sadler after he broke his maiden at the Fair Grounds last December.

Court the Kind subsequently won an allowance race at Santa Anita before he finished fourth in the 2007 El Camino Real Derby (G3) and split the field in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

To view the official entries for Churchill's June 2 racecard click here.

Love You Crazy runs bang-up second in final prep before $500,000 Woodbine Oaks
5/24/2007


Love You Crazy stamped her ticket to the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks with an impressive runner-up finish in an allowance prep at Woodbine on May 23.

Making just the second start of her 2007 campaign, Love You Crazy contested the sixth race yesterday, a seven-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies.

Love You Crazy broke well but was allowed to lope along at the back of the field through an opening half-mile in 46.21 seconds. Jockey Justin Stein moved the bay filly into the clear as they headed into the turn, and she responded with a devastating turn of foot that propelled her into contention.

Love You Crazy circled the field and moved into third at the top of the stretch, at which point she took aim on the leader. Trailing by three lengths at the eighth pole, the filly closed resolutely but unfortunately ran out of ground.

Love You Crazy finished second by a length, though she galloped out impressively over her rivals. Final time was a solid 1:24.80.

"Though she didn't win we're very pleased; Love You Crazy ran exceptionally well," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "(Trainer) Reade (Baker) has been teaching her how to relax in her races, and she handled everything perfectly. When Justin asked her to go she really took off.

To read more about Love You Crazy's allowance effort click here.

"Love You Crazy is bred and built like a filly who'll appreciate longer distances, and if this race was a mile I think she wins. But overall it was a great prep and should set her up perfectly for the Oaks."

A daughter of Touch Gold, Love You Crazy was purchased by Cullen as a two-year-old in training for $35,000. The filly has never been off the board in four career starts, including a placing in the $125,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes around two turns last year. She earned $12,560 for her most recent efforts to push her career bankroll to $49,404.

To view the official chart of Woodbine's sixth race from yesterday click here.

Daily Racing Form takes note of Love You Crazy's nomination to $500,000 Woodbine Oaks
5/14/2007


The Daily Racing Form today singled out Four-Board Stable's Love You Crazy as one of the fillies nominated to the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks on June 10.

Trained by Reade Baker, Love You Crazy was a late nomination to the Oaks, which is restricted for three-year-old fillies foaled in Canada. The daughter of Touch Gold is set to make her final prep race for the Canadian classic on May 23 when she contests an allowance race at Woodbine.

A story in the May 15 issue of the Racing Form indicated that 44 fillies have been nominated to the Oaks. Love You Crazy was one of four fillies highlighted in the news item. To read the article click here.

"Love You Crazy has proven that she belongs among the best fillies in her division," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She's giving up quite a bit in terms of experience, but she's a very talented filly that has a legitimate chance to win it. We'll know more after the race on the 23rd, but right now we're excited about her prospects."

Purchased by Cullen for $35,000, Love You Crazy won her racing debut at two before she placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes in her second start. The powerful bay filly was turned out for a brief freshening following that effort, but she returned to run third in her first start of 2007, which came in an allowance sprint in April.

To see the complete list of fillies nominated to the Oaks click here.

Santa Anita stakes winner Make Mine Minnie retired from racing
5/2/2007


Make Mine Minnie, a stakes-winning filly purchased by agency president Jim Cullen, has been retired from racing, and the four-year-year-old will be bred this spring to the exciting freshman sire Vindication.

By Honour and Glory out of the good stakes mare Boundless Beauty (Copelan), Make Mine Minnie was hammered down for $150,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Calder two-year-olds in training sale. Purchased on behalf of Texas oilman Gayle Fogelson - whose father Buddy campaigned Hall of Fame runner Ack Ack - the filly was sent to trainer Jeff Mullins in Southern California.

Make Mine Minnie broke her maiden at Santa Anita as a two-year-old, and she placed in the Anoakia Stakes there later that year. The handsome filly posted her biggest victory when she won the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita on New Year's Day of 2006.

After suffering a knee injury when odds-on in the Burlingame Handicap three weeks later, Make Mine Minnie was sidelined for some nine months. She returned to run second or third in five consecutive starts in top allowance company in Southern California. In three of those contests she was bested by graded stakes winners, including Forest Code in March.

Unfortunately 'Minnie' reinjured the knee in that race, and the decision was made to retire her to the breeding shed.

Make Mine Minnie retires with two wins and 10 placings for total earnings of $147,995.

"'Minnie' was an honest and game filly who on her best day could run with anybody," said Cullen. "It's too bad she got hurt, because when she came back she just didn't seem to be the same filly. But she is a stakes winner of nearly $150,000, and with her pedigree she'll be an attractive broodmare prospect for any and all breeders."

Make Mine Minnie descends from the immediate family of Champion race filly Lakeville Miss and Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Mogambo. In addition, her dam is a half to two stakes winners and the good stakes producer Oedy's Appeal, whose daughter Eyes on Eddy was purchased for $400,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale.

"What I like about 'Minnie' is she's bred exactly like (Broodmare of the Year) Baby Zip, who's the dam of Ghostzapper and City Zip," said Cullen. "Baby Zip is by Relaunch out of a Tri Jet mare, and Minnie is by a son of Relaunch out of a mare by Copelan, who's by Tri Jet. In fact, the pedigrees of the two mares look very similar on paper; hopefully she'll have even half of the success that Baby Zip has had."

Cullen indicated the mare would likely be cataloged and sold at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale.

Former Four-Board runner Harangue earning his place in new career
4/24/2007


Harangue, a son of Theatrical formerly campaigned by Four-Board Stable, has been meeting with great success in his new career as a show horse in New York.

Purchased privately as a two-year-old, Harangue won a maiden special weight race for Four-Board and placed in two allowances in Kentucky before his career was ended at three with a tendon injury. After he was retired Harangue was given to partners Joe and Renee Lane, who rehabilitated the handsome bay gelding on a farm in upstate New York.

The Lanes subsequently turned Harangue over to a show-horse trainer, who is currently schooling him in the new discipline. Harangue has proven to be a quick study, as he has won multiple ribbons and awards in the novice division of various show competitions. In one show last year he won a class and finished second in two others from some 25 horses, and he recently placed fifth in a graded Hunter class from 30 horses.

"I know we never got to see the best of Harangue because of the tendon injury, but the fact that he's doing so well now is very rewarding," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "We try hard to be responsible owners and make sure all the Four-Board horses get good homes when their racing careers are over. It's more than a little satisfying to know Harangue is well cared for, he's flourishing in his new career, and he's making several people happy on a daily basis. The Lanes deserve all the credit, especially Renee (left in picture). I'm very thankful they're being rewarded for taking Harangue on."

Bred in Kentucky, Harangue is out of the stakes-winner and stakes producer Art's Prospector (Mr. Prospector).

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock represented by maiden winner at Keeneland
4/16/2007


Girls Pearls, a three-year-old filly trained by Kenny McPeek, rallied to win a maiden race at Keeneland on April 15 and become the first winner for her dam, who was purchased by Cullen Bloodstock during the 2006 Keeneland January sale.

By Talk is Money, Girls Pearls had finished off the board in her first two career starts at two. The filly returned to make her 2007 debut in the first race at Keeneland yesterday, a $40,000 maiden claimer going seven furlongs.

Bet down to the 3-to-1 favorite, Girls Pearls sat off the early pace but moved up through the turn, split horses at the eighth pole and dashed down the stretch to win by a widening two lengths.

Final time was a very sharp 1:22.76.

Girls Pearls is the first foal to race out of the Colonial Affair mare Girls Girls Girls, who was purchased by Jim Cullen for $20,000 on behalf of Texas-based client Debbie Wilson. The mare was purchased in foal to Sunday Break, and though she wasn't bred last year because of a late breeding date, she was bred to the exciting freshman sire Yankee Gentleman earlier this year.

A winner of four races and $79,180 during two seasons of racing, Girls Girls Girls is a half sister to five other races, including the stakes-placed mare Behind the Bluff. The mare's second dam (Pennyworth) is a full or half sister to historic sires Raja Baba and Sauce Boat, and it is the immediate family of graded stakes winners Wortheroatsingold and Daylight Savings. It is also the immediate family of the multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Riskaverse, who sold for $5 million at the 2005 Keeneland November bloodstock sale.

"It's always nice to have a good young mare throw a maiden winner, but it's especially meaningful when it's a maiden race at Keeneland," said Cullen. "Hopefully (Girls Pearls) will continue her winning ways and keep elevating the value of her dam."

To view the official chart of Keeneland's first race yesterday click here.

Skiptothegoodpart named the 2006 Horse of the Year by South Carolina breeders association!
1/17/2007


Four-Board Stable's Skiptothegoodpart was lauded with his home state's top award when the South Carolina Breeders' Association (SCTOBA) today named him their Horse of the Year for 2006.

A six-year-old son of Skip Away out of the Salt Lake mare Cally, Skiptothegoodpart was bred in South Carolina by Kitty Mackey and Hopewell Farm. The chestnut gelding won allowance races at four different racetracks last year from nine starts, and in the process set three course or track records.

Skiptothegoodpart banked $29,350 in 2006 to boost his career earnings mark to $51,517.

Bill Denzik - along with a big assist from his wife, Carla - trains Skiptothegoodpart and has done so for the gelding's entire four years of racing.

"This is a very nice award for a really neat little horse," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "Skiptothegoodpart might not be a superstar, but he's been a joy to race, and I bet a lot of people would like to have a barn full of horses just like him. He runs hard every time, and he's won going short and long, on turf and PolyTrack, and he won races for us at places like Keeneland and Turfway. Not too many people can say that about their horses.

"I think the person I'm most happy for is Carla (Denzik). He's kind of a quirky horse, but she's loved on and cared for him his entire life, and she treats him like he's King of the World. When you see Carla around Skippy you kind of know - or should know - what racing's really about. Good for her, and good for the partners who own him."

Cullen purchased Skiptothegoodpart for $27,000 during the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Texas two-year-olds in training sale.

To read more about the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association divisional winners for 2006 click here.

Love You Crazy places third in $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes
12/4/2006


Despite giving away loads of racing experience to her more seasoned rivals, Love You Crazy finished third in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday, December 2.

Trained by Reade Baker for Four-Board Stable, Love You Crazy entered the 1 1/16-mile Ontario Lassie off a single race, that being an impressive victory in a six-furlong maiden allowance on November 12. The two-year-old daughter of Touch Gold obviously made a strong impression with local handicappers, as she went postward as third choice in the seven-horse field despite the presence of two Sovereign Award finalists.

Love You Crazy broke cleanly under James McAleney and pressed the early pace set by Palace Pier as that one led through quarters in 24.01 and 47.62 seconds. Love You Crazy closed to within a length of the lead through the turn for home, but she could not get past the leader and began to tire down the lane. Love You Crazy was ultimately passed by odds-on favorite Catch the Thrill inside the sixteenth pole, but she dug in to hold off Runway Love by a head for the show.

Final time was 1:46.69, which was nearly two full seconds faster than two-year-old colts ran (1:48.35) in the Frost King Stakes two races earlier.

"I'm very proud of Love You Crazy and the way she ran on Saturday," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "We threw her in awfully deep for her first start against winners, but she came through with a solid performance against the best of her division. We've always held her in high regard, but after a race like this it's clear she fits with the best in her division. Reade is going to plot out a campaign next spring that will wind up with the Canadian Oaks, so hopefully nothing will happen to derail that before then."

Cullen indicated that Love You Crazy would be turned out in Kentucky for the balance of December before she returns to training in January. Love You Crazy won't run again until the 2007 Woodbine meet starts in early April.

Purchased by Cullen as a two-year-old in training for $35,000, Love You Crazy banked $14,411 for her stakes effort to push her total earnings to $30,692.

To view the official chart of the 2006 Ontario Lassie Stakes click here.

Cullen Bloodstock brokers sale of Dubai Millennium stallion to Buck Pond in Kentucky
11/16/2006


Ten Centuries, a son of racing superstar Dubai Millennium and half-brother to Grade 1 stakes winner Dreams Gallore, will enter stud at Buck Pond Farm near Lexington in a deal brokered by Cullen Bloodstock.

Out of the blue hen mare Fitnah, by Fit to Fight, Ten Centuries is a four-year-old prospect by Dubai Millennium, who won 9-of-10 starts for Godolphin including a record-setting victory in the 2000 Dubai World Cup. The multiple Group 1 winner died in April 2001 after siring just one crop of runners, but from 56 foals he’s represented by seven stakes horses and five stakes winners, among them the 2005 Champion miler Dubawi and Group winners Belenus and Echo of Light.

Ten Centuries (pictured) was a $1.6 million Keeneland September yearling trained throughout his career by Bobby Frankel. Though unraced because of a minor tendon injury, Ten Centuries has the looks and pedigree to warrant a place at stud in Kentucky. He's a half-brother to three graded stakes winners - 1999 Mother Goose Stakes winner Dreams Gallore, Fateful Dream (G3) and Absent Friend (G3).

In addition, Ten Centuries is a half-brother to Giant Chieftan, a two-year-old colt who placed in both the 2006 Pilgrim and With Anticipation Stakes in New York.

"Ten Centuries is a tremendous individual with the looks and bloodlines that all breeders will appreciate," said Doug Arnold, owner of Buck Pond Farm. "He showed brilliant talent before he was hurt, and there is little doubt he had all the tools to be a serious runner. His sire was one of the greatest horses of recent times, and his female family is one of the deepest and most proven in the Stud Book.

"We’re proud to stand the only son of Dubai Millennium in the United States and are excited about his prospects."

Arnold said Ten Centuries would stand for a fee of $2,000.

To read more about Ten Centuries' retirement to Buck Pond click here.