Horse Racing Women’s Summit to Host Event at Keeneland Apr. 18

The Horse Racing Women's Summit will host a panel discussion at Keeneland Apr. 18. The day will kick off with a welcome address from Gabby Gaudet, a reporter/analyst for FanDuel TV and Keeneland, who will also moderate the keynote conversation hosted by Shannon Arvin, the President and CEO of Keeneland, alongside Julie Cauthen, a bloodstock agent and member of the Keeneland Inspection Team.

“Keeneland is honored to host the Horse Racing Women's Summit, which promises to be a great day of discussion, reflection, valuable connections and fun. We look forward to celebrating the indispensable role women play in shaping our sport,” said Christa Marrillia, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Keeneland.

The morning's panel discussions include speakers: Allaire Ryan, Director of Sales at Lane's End Farm; Caroline Wilson, member of the SF Bloodstock team; Jill Gordon, owner of Highgate Sales; Dr. Kathleen Paasch, a veterinarian at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital; Kitty Day, owner of Warrendale Sales; Cherie DeVaux, a Kentucky-based trainer; and Meg Levy, owner of Bluewater Sales.

“How great is it that we get the opportunity to network and listen to all of the amazing women that comprise our industry?” said Gaudet. “I'm looking forward to discussing some key issues and also listening to how these women leaders were challenged and supported on their paths to their respective roles.”

Limited tickets to the event are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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Partnerships, Presented by Taylor Made Partnerships: Belladonna Racing

It is often espoused at business management seminars that having access to people smarter than you is a blessing and not a threat. We also know that having access to communities that share a common interest fosters social collaboration and belonging. But did you know having access to a guy affectionately nicknamed the “Italian Yoda” can lead to a graded stakes victory as a racehorse owner?

This type of access has been thoughtfully curated by the powerhouse team at Belladonna Racing Partnership, which includes Paul Manganaro (the Italian Yoda), David Ingordo, trainer Cherie DeVaux and recent addition Casey Klein. This team, along with their inaugural partners, launched Belladonna in 2019 with the purchase of over $1.5 million in 2-year-olds, who happened to all be fillies. Belladonna, which means “pretty woman” in Italian, set out in 2019 to foster a partnership approach that provides the opportunity to buy, race, and network at the highest levels of the Thoroughbred industry.

“We wanted to bring people into the industry, people who would enjoy the journey, learn, and share the experience with us,” said Manganaro.

The partnership calling card is simple.

“We want to provide action at a high level while also spreading the risk,” explained Ingordo. “We are all involved in each partnership group and thus have skin in the game. Providing hands-on concierge-level attention and opportunities is unique to Belladonna.”

David Ingordo | Keeneland photo

Creating this type of access for new owners is made easier when you already operate in the top echelon, not only in Equibase statistics but in the relationships built throughout the racing world. Paul Manganaro is one of those people. A third-generation horse owner who grew up in the New England area, Manganaro was raised in a proud Italian-American family where hard work, loyalty, and intelligence were cornerstones. View TDN profile on Paul Manganaro.

It was in the summer of 1986, when Manganaro and his college roommate decided they would spend their break in Kentucky. Reflectively, it was a trip that sealed the fate for both UMass undergrads, as Manganaro and roommate Ned Toffey, now General Manager of Spendthrift Farm, manifestly found their futures in Thoroughbred horseracing. The Manganaro family took root in Kentucky in 2007 when Paul's uncle Anthony Manganaro founded Siena Farm in Paris, Kentucky along with Ignacio Patino and David Pope. Siena Farm, in partnerships, campaigned superstars Flightline, Always Dreaming, and Catholic Boy, among others.

Though Manganaro's football days are behind him, competitiveness is something that remains in his veins today. His admiration for Coach John Wooden's pyramid of success, and his own experience being coached on the field, branded him with the knowledge that building a team of professionals who exhibit intentness, integrity, and clarity of thought was to be the foundation of his pyramid of success for Belladonna.

Manganaro couldn't find a more professional and experienced first partner than David Ingordo (Read Taking Stock–David Ingordo) who has become integral to the success of Belladonna's selection of 2-year-olds.

The son of jockey agent Jerry Ingordo, who managed Hall of Fame riders Laffit Pincay Jr., Sandy Hawley, and Patrick Valenzuela, and mother Dottie, who was the racing manager for Jerry Moss, young David always knew he wanted to be around horses. He started out in none other than Bobby Frankel's barn at age 14 and within four years was one of his assistant trainers.

As a bloodstock agent, Ingordo is well known for his selection of the Horse of the Year Zenyatta in the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling sale for $60,000. Zenyatta went on to win over $7.3 million for Jerry and Ann Moss. He added to his resume with the purchase of a second GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner in Accelerate for $380,000 for the Hronis Family at the 2014 Keeneland September Sale. Ingordo scored a Breeders' Cup Classic hattrick and Horse of the Year double when Flightline crossed the finish line first at Keeneland in 2022.      Ingordo was an instrumental part of the purchasing team that bought Flightline for $1,000,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale for Hronis, West Point, Woodford Racing, et.al.

Ingordo's top draft picks for Belladonna include standouts Bayerness, Coastana, and Grade II winner Vahva. Belladonna partner and professional physician recruiter Kelly Bownes understands what it takes to find talent.

“Seeking out talent isn't just using your gut instinct,” said Bownes. “It takes experience and deep research, something Ingordo and the Belladonna team employs.”

The University of Kentucky graduate's resume reads like a who's who of top-tier bloodstock professionals and his eye for exceptional individuals extends beyond the sale ring. In 2018, he selected trainer Cherie DeVaux to be his wife, or as his “David DeVaux” embroidered vest implies, maybe she selected him.

Cherie DeVaux | Adam Coglianese

Regardless of who made the final bid, the team at Belladonna added another hard-working, experienced, and talented professional to their team in trainer DeVaux. DeVaux, who has amassed over $12 million in purse earnings since graduating from the Chad Brown barn in 2018, has already conditioned a Grade I winner in She Feels Pretty. She also has trained multiple graded stakes runners for Belladonna, including the 3-year-old filly Vahva who won the GII Lexus Raven Run S. back in October and Legalize who recently scored a black-type victory in the Sugar Bowl S. at the Fair Grounds.

Looking toward the future is always top of mind as the Belladonna team looks to ascend its Racing Program Goal Pyramid. Recent addition, Casey Klein, who brings a master's degree in Sports Management from the University of Michigan and has worked alongside Ingordo for the last year, brings a fresh prospective to the group. Though young, Klein's roots run deep in Kentucky horse racing. The Klein family, led by Casey's father Richard, have amassed over 110 stakes victories since 1998. When you are in the business of bloodlines, Klein brings profound pedigree to Belladonna.

How does someone looking to get into Thoroughbred racehorse ownership get access to a team such as what Belladonna has assembled? Easier than you might think, and surprisingly without any of the mark-ups you see in similar operations.

Belladonna partner Bruce Fenimore, who met Ingordo at Saratoga, knew this was a well-run team and wanted to be a part of it immediately.

“It became obvious that joining a group with more buying power would give me more ability to be successful at the races. I also wanted to win the big races,” he said.

Each year Belladonna puts together a group that raises the capital needed for what is their equivalent to any professional sports team's draft. By purchasing multiple top tier horses/yearlings, the entire group, which now stands at over 60 individuals, can attain diversity, opportunity, and the dream of finding another Zenyatta.

“The structure itself is partner-friendly and we have created a family with our partners,” said Manganaro. “We go to the races together, we have dinner together, and partners become part of a tight-knit group, just like a family.”

Partner Kelly Bownes agrees.

“Paul Manganaro and the entire team are so down-to-earth and are happy to spend time with you. They have an open-door policy and have an admirable appreciation for the horse,” he said.

Belladonna partner Scott Runnels reflects on his experience with Belladonna.

“The best part I would say is the fellowship I've experienced with other partners. We are all like-minded people who all love horses. When we get together it is an absolute blast,” Runnels said.

The partnership does set aside funds for general administration and professional services to provide for the needed contracts, tax filings, and licensing support. Ingordo collects the standard 5% bloodstock agent fee on horses purchased, but directs 20% of those proceeds back into partner retention and social events for the partners. All expenses related to the training and racing of the partnership are billed at cost.

There are no commissions taken on purse earnings aside from the standard trainer and jockey commissions. Due to the amount of business a group like this brings to the industry, they also benefit their partners by accessing elite services at competitive prices. Belladonna proudly provides aftercare of all their horses via a network of people and farms who also possess the same commitment to the horse as the Belladonna team does while the horses are racing.

“Frequently, partnerships are forced to choose either quantity or quality. We have built a partnership that delivers a quantity of quality,” Ingordo said, with evident pride. “I'm a believer in the process that Paul has developed.”

Belladonna partner Fenimore said he was also confident in what Belladonna could deliver. “We are going to be making a lot of noise over the next few years.”

Making an investment in Belladonna is more sizable than an average punter's bankroll on a Saturday at Keeneland.

“Our partners invest five, six, and even seven figures into our partnerships,” said Ingordo.

Yet Manganaro quickly retorts, “There are ways to gain this type of access to the biggest races and biggest names and that is accomplished by creating a smaller partnership on your own that buys into a 2.5% or 5% stake in one of our offerings. We treat everyone the same, regardless of their investment.”

When you have a partnership that delivers not only access to the best in the Thoroughbred racing industry, but also fellow partners that are doctors, recruiters, and C-suite executives, you are part of a network few can achieve on their own.

Manganaro explains that Belladonna is a partnership not of just horse owners but of good people who have become family.

“We want to grow the industry and get more people involved in the sport we love. Let's have a conversation. We can find a way to get just about anyone involved.”

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Jan. 21 Insights: From Florida to California, Big Pedigrees Galore

2nd-GP, $89k, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 12:39p.m. ET
RABDAH (Constitution), a half-sister to GSW-Eng Toro Strike (Toronado {Ire}), debuts here for Todd Pletcher and Al Shaqab Racing. Hailing from the immediate female line of Scarlet Tango (French Deputy), who tallies GISW Tara's Tango (Unbridled's Song), herself dam of GSW Capensis (Tapit); GISW Visionaire (Grand Slam); and the dam of SP Ignitis (Nyquist), among others, Rabdah has been given an 8-1 morning line appraisal with jose Ortiz in the irons.

To her outside is Segesta (Ghostzapper), a homebred for Juddmonte, who is out of GI Just A Game victress Antonoe (First Defense). Hailing from a busy European family, and trained by Chad Brown, the filly picks up the riding talents of Irad Ortiz Jr.. TJCIS PPs.

10th-GP, $89k, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 4:36p.m. ET
Racing in the colors of John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock, TIME STONE (American Pharoah) debuts for the Cherie DeVaux barn in the second of two turf maidens on the card. Out of an unplaced daughter of G1SW-Eng Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar), she's been working steadily at Palm Meadows and before that at Keeneland, albeit over the main track. Time Stone will break from the rail and is 12-1 on the morning line. This is the female family of European champion Twice Over (GB).

On the other end of the gate will go Investment Process (English Channel) for the powerhouse Klaravich-Chad Brown combination. A full-sister to SW Malleymoo, she was a $210,000 FTKOCT yearling purchase in 2022, and her two other siblings to start on the turf have also been winners. This is the family of two-time European champion, and multiple Highweight New Approach (Ire) through his unraced half-sister Park Heiress (Ire). TJCIS PPs.

4th-SA, $65k, Msw, 4-5yo, 6f, 5:05p.m. ET
Late for his debut, but on the cusp of finally getting his career started here, PROSPER (City of Light) will go to post for John Sadler and the ownership group of Talla Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing. A $1.7-million KEESEP pick up three years ago, the 4-year-old has a hefty worktab to his credit and all of them at this track. A half-brother to GSW Abaan (Will Take Charge) and GSP Chip Leader (Giant's Causeway), Prosper is 5-2 on the morning line. This is the family of MGSW & GISP Broken Vow, a leading broodmare sire in Korea since his export, and champion grass mare MGISW Forever Together (Belong to Me). TJCIS PPs.

7th-SA, $65k, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 6:41p.m. ET
Carrying the colors of Natalie Baffert and trained by Bob Baffert, BONAQUA (Tonalist) will open her career in this main track dash. A $250,000 KEESEP buy, the filly has been putting up noteworthy efforts in the morning with her most recent being a 4 panel work from the gate in :48 flat (4/91) with the notes describing it as 'handily'. Her dam Ma Mo (Uncle Mo) is a half-sister to MSW Swag Daddy (Scat Daddy) as well as GSP What a Tale (Tale fo the Cat) and SP Anjorie (A. P Jet), herself the dam of SW Fierce Lady (Competitive Edge) and SP Bluegrass Jamboree (Bluegrass Cat).

To the outside of that one will be Show Card (Into Mischief), the Juddmonte homebred hailing from the extended 'TDN Rising Star' family of two-time champion MGISW Malathaat (Curlin) and her full-sister GSW & GISP Julia Shining. The second dam SP Dream Sweeper is a half-sister to Dream Rush, the start of that remarkable line, and Show Card's winning dam is herself a half-sister to MSP Dreams to Reality (Lookin at Lucky). Book-ending the field is MyRacehorse or Platts's runner Simply Enchanting (Byquist), a $475,000 KEESEP buy who is a half to MGSW & MGISP Envoutante (Uncle Mo). TJCIS PPs.

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Constitution’s Legalize Too Much for Sugar Bowl Rivals

Taking home his first black-type win this Saturday at Fair Grounds, Legalize (Constitution) broke his maiden at second asking in gate-to-wire fashion by 1 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs Nov. 25.

Sent on his way as the 8-5 second choice here, the chestnut raced to the outside of two others up the backstretch and clung to that spot around the far turn. At the top of the lane, the 2-year-old colt geared up, grabbed the lead at the eighth pole and never looked back to win by 2 3/4 lengths over 'TDN Rising Star' American Rascal (Curlin).

The winner's dam produced a yearling filly by Gun Runner and visited Munnings for 2024. Second dam Summerly (Summer Squall) won the GI Kentucky Oaks, was the runner-up in the GI CCA Oaks and was third in the GI Mother Goose S.

SUGAR BOWL S., $97,000, Fair Grounds, 12-23, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.56, ft.
1–LEGALIZE, 117, c, 2, by Constitution
                1st Dam: Allez Marie (GSP-Brz), by Unbridled's Song
                2nd Dam: Summerly, by Summer Squall
                3rd Dam: Here I Go, by Mr. Prospector
($250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $500,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Twin Brook Stables, Belladonna Racing, LLC, Nice Guys Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, Iapetus Racing, Hornstock, S., Runnels Racing, Perrine Time Thoroughbreds, R T R Stables, LLC, Peppermint Stables, LLC and Manganaro Bloodstock; B-Stud TNT, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $131,775. *1/2 to Tomato Bill (More Than Ready), GSP, $152,575; Fouette (Nyquist), MSP, $303,845; and Workaholic (Sky Mesa), SW, $144,828.
2–American Rascal, 120, c, 2, Curlin–Lady Aurelia, by Scat Daddy. 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $20,000.
3–Agoo, 116, c, 2, Munnings–Grandacious, by Grand Slam. ($72,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Graham Grace Stable; B-Forging Oaks LLC (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. $10,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.70, 1.60, 1.90.
Also Ran: The Donegal Clan, Triple Trea, Malibu Rain.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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