OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The significance of the thoroughbred breeding industry in Florida can’t be understated.
This past Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, two Florida-breds won both stakes races in open company, as Rouki captured the $125,000 5-furlong Turf Dash Stakes and Great Venezuela took the $125,000 5-furlong Lightning City Stakes. It was the first stakes victory for both Rouki and Great Venezuela, who have strong ties to Levy and Marion Counties. Each stakes race included $25,000 in purse money from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Stakes Fund.
Deep Family Roots
Rouki was bred by Williston’s Ed Seltzer in partnership with Bonnie Thompson. He is trained by nine-time leading Tampa Bay Downs trainer Gerald Bennett and was ridden to victory by five-time leading jockey Samy Camacho. The gray gelding is owned by Tropic Lightning Racing.
Camacho guided Rouki, a son of Rogueish, with patience and skill, bringing home the longshot at 20-1 odds. Rouki stalked the early pace before making his move in the stretch, kicking clear to win by half a length.
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“I really didn’t do much,” said Camacho. “The other thing that I did that was very important for me in this race is when I asked my horse after the half-mile pole because I felt like somebody was coming on the inside. I waited two or three seconds, and when I was waiting, it was already at the quarter pole, so after that, I asked, and the horse gave me a kick and he won very nice.”
Rouki’s owner, Bonnie Thompson, has been deeply involved in the sport, and his success is a testament to the breeding program established by the Seltzer family. Dr. Krista Seltzer expressed her excitement for both Thompson and trainer Bennett.
“Bonnie is such a nice lady and she loves the sport,” said Seltzer. “I’m so thrilled for her, and I’m so thrilled for Mr. Bennett. He’s had his hardships lately, and he’s a good horseman.”
Rouki is by the Seltzer’s stallion Rogueish, who also sired another Bennett trainee, Naughty Rascal, winner of the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs last month. Rouki, Naughty Rascal, and Rogueish are all products of the Seltzer breeding program, a legacy Krista Seltzer proudly acknowledges.
“Rouki is kind of interesting because, if you look at his pedigree and we did it knowing this but being okay with it because it was far enough back,” said Seltzer. “Harbour Club, then there’s Kizuna, Espanola Way, Family Honor and Harbour Club is his fourth dam (mother), and Harbour Club is Rogueish’s third dam. It’s a little bit of inbreeding on Harbour Club. It goes back to the same female family.”
The Solera Farm homebred carries the Seltzers’ influence deeply in his lineage. Several generations of their breeding stock contributed to Rouki’s pedigree, showcasing their commitment to breeding for success on the racetrack.
Viva Venezuela
Great Venezuela, bred by Morriston’s Orlyana Farm, claimed her first stakes victory in the Lightning City Stakes. The 4-year-old filly is by Pleasant Acres’ stallion Neolithic and is trained by Victor Barboza Jr. for Orlyana Farm. Jockey Leonel Reyes guided the Venezuelan-flag-bearing filly to a two-length victory.
Great Venezuela had finished second in her previous start, the one-mile Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 11. Cutting back to five furlongs proved beneficial.
“She’s improved every race. The last time she tired, Victor tried to stretch her out, but I think the shorter distances are better for her,” said Reyes.
Global Impact
Florida’s thoroughbred industry extends its influence worldwide. Williston’s Paul Sharp Stables played a crucial role in the early training of Straight No Chaser, who won the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (Gr. 2) in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 22. The Eclipse Award-winning male sprinter, now a four-time stakes winner, has maintained a professional and composed demeanor throughout his career.
“He’s great,” said Sharp. “He always took everything in stride. When we shipped him to Maryland for the sale, nothing ever got to him. He was at home wherever we went with him.”
Straight No Chaser has won five of his last six starts, including the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Gr. 1) at Del Mar last fall. His success highlights the quality of Florida’s breaking and training programs.
“To me, personally, it’s just a testament to our program,” said Sharp. “We love it when these horses go and perform at the highest level, and now he’s on the world stage. It seems like we’re constantly having high-class horses, and we’re very proud of that.”
A graduate of the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Straight No Chaser was purchased for $110,000 by Myracehorse.com from Sharp’s consignment. His success reinforces the value of the juvenile sales market in developing elite racehorses.
“The caliber of horse you can buy at a 2-year-old sale is incredible,” said Sharp. “You can buy Breeders’ Cup winners and Grade One Stakes winners. Some of the best horsemen in the country are preparing these horses for the sales, and what we do is not to be overlooked.”
The continued success of Florida-breds at home and on the global stage underscores the strength of the state’s thoroughbred breeding industry, a legacy that remains as vibrant as ever.