George Isaacs | Horse Racing Free Tips

FTBOA Reelects George Isaacs as President

George Isaacs, general manager of Ocala's Bridlewood Farm, has been reelected as the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) president, according to a release put out by the organization Wednesday. Following the annual member meeting, the FTBOA held a board meeting and also named Rustlewood Farm's George Russell the first vice president, Summerfield's Francis Vanlangendonck the second vice president, Ocala Stud's Joseph M. O'Farrell as treasurer, and Nick de Meric, who operates de Meric Stables and Sales, as secretary.

“I have been fortunate to lead FTBOA at a time of legislative success that has been decades in the making, and at a time of innovation for the media division,” said Isaacs, who has served six terms on the FTBOA board with intermissions as required by bylaws. “I am proud of these accomplishments and thrilled the board has elected me again to continue my service as president for the Association and its members.”

Isaacs also chairs the Equine Studies Program at the College of Central Florida and the FTBOA Ocala Downtown Thoroughbred Walk of Fame committee, serves on the FTBOA Farmland Preservation Work Group, and serves on other boards.

In addition to the officers, the FTBOA updated board members. Milan Kosanovich and Vanlangendonck extended their terms on the board while Beckie Cantrell was named to the board for the first time. After an absence from the board due to term limits, past presidents Valerie Dailey and Brent Fernung rejoined the board. They will each serve a three-year term that will run through October 2026.

Leaving the board because of term limits were Bobby Jones and Dr. Fred Yutani, who served on the FTBOA board from October 2017 through October 2023; and Richard Kent, who served briefly, taking the seat left with the passing of board member and past president Fred Brei in March. Past president and director Dailey, as immediate past president, also serves as an executive committee member.

Other returning FTBOA board members include T. Paul Bulmahn, Jerry Campbell, Marilyn Campbell, Laurine Fuller-Vargas, Mike Hall, and Mary Lightner. Lonny Powell will continue as CEO and executive vice president.

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Registration Open for TOBA Clinic in Ocala

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is hosting a Pedigree & Conformation Clinic Sunday and Monday, Mar. 19-20 in Ocala. The clinic will be held at the Ocala Breeders' Sales and Ocala Stud and will be held in conjunction with the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Speakers at the clinic include: Tammy Gantt and George Isaacs; Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, DVM; Marette Farrell (bloodstock agent); Tod Wojciechowski, director of sales for Ocala Breeders' Sales Company; David O'Farrell from Ocala Stud.

To register, visit toba.memberclicks.net/seminars-clinics.

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Florida Sire Stakes Moved As FL-Bred 2YO Incentives Announced

In an effort to further enhance the 2-year-old program in the state of Florida, 1/ST RACING, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA) have announced that $1.75 million in Florida-bred racing incentives will be offered at Gulfstream Park in 2023. The renewed Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF) will pay out a total of $450,000 in bonus money to 2-year-old maiden winners.

The FBIF program offers Florida-bred two-year-old open maiden winners a minimum bonus of $2,500 for maiden-claiming races and up to $10,000 for a Florida-bred two-year-old winning an open maiden special weight race at Gulfstream.

The FTBOA will offer an additional $100,000 in win bonuses for eligible Florida-sired winners of open maiden special weights, paying $5,000 for up to 10 races for males and females.

“It's imperative that we all work together to promote and build a robust breeding and racing industry in the state of Florida,” Billy Badgett, 1/ST RACING's Executive Director of Florida Racing Operations, said. “To that end, it's important to attract new owners to our sport throughout Florida and the industry. These incentives, and the change in dates of the popular Florida Sire Stakes program, gives us a great opportunity to fulfill these goals.”

Additionally, the Florida Sire Stakes series, to be run at Gulfstream for the 10th straight season, offers $1.2 million in purses and have been pushed back on the annual racing calendar to give owners and trainers more time to prepare their Florida-bred juveniles for the lucrative series. The dates for the 2023 FSS are as follows:

Sept. 9–$100,000 FSS Desert Vixen S. and $100,000 FSS Dr. Fager S. at six furlongs;
Oct. 21–$200,000 FSS Susan's Girl S. and $200,000 FSS Affirmed S. at seven furlongs;
Dec. 2–$300,000 FSS My Dear Girl S. and $300,000 In Reality S. at 1 1/6 miles

“Florida's stakeholders are aligned with one focus–what can we do to help our breeding and racing industries?” said FTHA President Joe Orseno. “We need to find ways to make it worthwhile for breeders and owners to invest in our state. We believe that the new Bonus Program will encourage greater interest in buying and breeding Florida-breds. By moving the dates of the FSS races, late-developing 2-year-olds will have a better chance of participating. We are excited about the future of the Florida Thoroughbred industry.”

“FTBOA is pleased to work with Gulfstream and FTHA on a program for 2023 featuring our priority Florida Sire Stakes program while enhancing our Florida Breeders Incentive Fund for the benefit of our highly regarded Florida-bred 2-year-olds at Gulfstream on a summer through winter basis,” commented FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell.

FTBOA President George Isaacs added, “We are pleased with the continued FSS races as our industry centerpiece promoting Florida stallions and farms. I also consider it a plus anytime we can offer purse incentives for our bread and butter two-year-olds competing at all levels at Gulfstream. We anticipate this will be one of many cooperative efforts improving the industry economics and stability.”

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Bridlewood Stallion Manager Saul Rosas Passes Away

Saul Rosas, the stallion manager at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Florida, passed away as a result of a car accident on Dec. 11, his 65th birthday, according to a Tweet from the farm. He had worked on the farm for 42 years.

“Bridlewood has lost its favorite son today,” said Bridlewood General Manager George Isaacs. “The farm vista and complexion will never be the same without him and a good chunk of the Bridlewood heart will forever be broken.”

Isaacs said that Rosas had gone to help a friend in need and was returning home to his family when the accident occurred.

Rosas went to work at Bridlewood November 10, 1980 after stints at Mereworth Farm and Calumet Farm in Kentucky, starting as a stallion groom before being promoted to manager. He took care of Florida greats like My Gallant, Buckaroo, Silver Buck, Siberian Express, Frosty the Snowman, Jules, Wild Event, Forbidden Apple, Stormy Atlantic, Halo's Image, Put it Back, and others. At the time of his passing, he was caring for the Baoma stallions Chitu, Valiant Minister and Tunwoo.

“Saul always had a smile on his face and was there first to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it on and off the farm,” said Isaacs. “He epitomized the Good Samaritan. As a Christian, the consolation is knowing that he is now already working for Almighty God, the creator of the horse, helping take care of the mighty herd in Heaven. My dear friend Saul, I will look forward to seeing you again someday.”

There will be a visitation and celebration of life for friends and family from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 17 at Roberts Funeral Home Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Ave., Ocala, FL.

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