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Veteran New York-Bred Mr. Buff Seeking Graded Status In Excelsior

Coming off a pair of stakes wins on the local strip, the venerable New York-bred Mr. Buff will look to finally break through in a graded stakes race on Saturday on Aqueduct Racetrack's main track when he lines up against six rivals in the nine-furlong Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior for 4-year-olds and up.

Off as Race 8 on the 11-race card, the Excelsior is part of an action-packed day at the Big A that features the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, the final local prep for the Kentucky Derby offering 100-40-20-10 qualifying points to the top-four finishers, as well as the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter Handicap, the Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore and the Grade 3, $250,000 Gazelle, offering 100-40-20-10 qualifying points to the Kentucky Oaks.

Mr. Buff, who has already secured millionaire status, still stands out as a leading attraction. The Chester and Mary Broman homebred has 17 wins to his credit, 11 of them in stakes races, but has been unable to seal the deal in a graded race in five attempts.

Despite his graded woes, the 7-year-old son of Friend Or Foe has compiled an imposing resume. His ledger at Aqueduct features 10 wins and earnings in excess of $600,000.

After a distant fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap to begin the Big A winter meet on December 5, Mr. Buff rebounded with an encouraging runner-up performance in the Alex M. Robb for New York-breds just seven days later and has since rattled off wins in the Stymie and Jazil, the latter of which he accomplished by seven lengths at the Excelsior distance.

With his affinity for Aqueduct well established, his trainer John Kimmel hopes at long last the Excelsior will mark his first graded triumph.

“He's doing terrific,” Kimmel said of the chestnut gelding. “He's been acting great, breezing great, and he certainly has a good record at Aqueduct. He's been so consistent on this track that I have to think he's going to give another good performance. He's beaten a lot of graded winners, so we'll see what happens.”

Kendrick Carmouche, who was aboard for his runaway score in the Jazil when he came from just off the pace, will have the call from the outermost post.

“If he's ridden the right way I think he's going to win,” said Kimmel. “Kendrick understands the kind of horse he is; he knows he doesn't need to be committed to the lead. He can find his rhythm with that big stride of his and high cruising speed and hopefully he can make a comfortable lead, but if not Kendrick knows to be patient.”

An eclectic group of challengers will enter the starting gate to face Mr. Buff, with small barns being well represented in the Excelsior.

Limonite has been a revelation since being claimed by trainer Amira Chichakly three starts ago for $40,000. While Limonite began his career as a highly promising 2-year-old and a potential Kentucky Derby prospect in 2019, his development had plateaued by 2020 as he bounced around the claiming ranks in the latter half of the year.

His fortunes changed suddenly when haltered by Chichakly and owners Brian and Kerry Novak on January 30 at the Big A, and in his first start for his new connections, which came little more than a week later, Limonite exploded to a five-length win over optional claiming company.

Last out he proved that performance was no fluke with a game runner-up finish in the Stymie behind Mr. Buff, missing by just a half-length to that one in the end.

Fresh off his first NYRA jockey title at the Aqueduct winter meet, Eric Cancel will be aboard Limonite from post 4.

Backsideofthemoon, another popular older claimer, will rejoin the stakes ranks in the Excelsior after being taken back by trainer Robert Klesaris in his last start for $62,500. Like Mr. Buff, Backsideofthemoon has a history of running his best races at Aqueduct, and the 9-year-old even ran a career best race here on December 19 in the Queens County, which he won by six lengths with a 106 Beyer Speed Figure.

He will break from post 3 with jockey Trevor McCarthy in the irons.

Representing the bigger stables will be trainer Todd Pletcher, who looks to saddle a horse-for-course with Haikal. Formerly under the care of now-retired trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, the Shadwell homebred made a name for himself over this track in early 2019, when he won the Grade 3 Gotham and looked like a legitimate Derby prospect before being forced to hit the sidelines following a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial that same year.

Haikal nearly returned a winner at the Big A to begin his 2020 campaign, but three subsequent tries, all at Gulfstream Park, have produced underwhelming results.

“He didn't seem to like Gulfstream at all,” said Pletcher, who took over Haikal's training duties when McLaughlin retired early last year. “His form is good at Aqueduct. Hopefully by getting him back to Aqueduct, we'll get him back on course.”

Haikal will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. from the inside post.

Rounding out the field are Modernist [post 5, Junior Alvarado], a former graded winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott who finished second in his 2021 bow in the Grade 3 Challenger; the Tom Albertrani-trained Tintoretto [post 6, Jose Ortiz] looking to improve off a fourth in the Stymie; and Grumps Little Tots [post 2, Manny Franco], who steps up in class for conditioner Rob Atras following a nose win in a $50,000 claimer traveling nine furlongs on February 26 at Aqueduct.

First post on Saturday's 11-race program is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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New York Claiming Championship Series Returns Saturday At Aqueduct

The New York Claiming Championship series returns for the sixth year on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack with 10 stakes worth $620,000. The New York Claiming Championship is open to horses which have started for a prescribed claiming price in 2020-21. The 10-race series, each named after some of the most popular claiming horses to run at the Big A, features distances ranging from six furlongs to 1 3/8 miles.

Rob Atras will saddle three starters on the card, led by American Power in the $80,000 Caixa Eletronica, a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up that drew a field of six in Race 2.

“It's a really strong program. I think it's good to have the spotlight on these types of horses, too,” said Atras. “I was hoping to have more horses in there, but we got out-shook on a few. It's competitive out there right now.”

Atras credits a diverse stable of stakes winners, claimers and improving young horses for his strong Big A winter meet where he is currently third in the trainer standings with 20 wins.

“We have a nice mix of horses right now,” said Atras. “We've won a few optional-allowance races this winter and a few open claiming races, but we also have some decent young horses that are starting to come around. It's exciting heading into the spring to have a diverse barn like that.”

Sanford and Irwin Goldfarb and the Estate of Ira Davis' American Power, who was claimed for $40,000 last summer at Saratoga, extended his win streak to three last out by outkicking returning rival Pete's Play Call for a half-length win in the seven-furlong Grade 3 Toboggan on January 30 at Aqueduct.

The 6-year-old Power Broker chestnut worked a half mile in company in 48.95 seconds Saturday on the Belmont dirt training track.

“It wasn't fast, but he did it the right way,” said Atras. “He worked outside of an unraced maiden and they went head-and-head and we let him gallop out a little bit after.”

Kendrick Carmouche, who leads the Big A winter meet with 72 wins, retains the mount. Steep opposition is provided by Mad Munnys, True Palace, Home Run Maker, Pete's Play Call and American Rule.

The $55,000 Videogenic for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up at six furlongs kicks off the card in Race 1 featuring a field of five, headlined by multiple stakes placed New York-bred Fair Regis.

Trained and co-owned by Jeffrey Englehart with Randy Rentz, the 7-year-old Bustin Stones bay romped to an 11-length win last out in a state-bred $25,000 claiming sprint on February 26 at Aqueduct. Pablo Morales will ride.

Opposition will be provided by Lem Me Have It, Rude Awakening, Ruvies in Time and Malibu Mischief.

Madam Meena has won two consecutive starts, posting scores at Parx and Laurel, and will look to go 3-for-3 at three different tracks for conditioner Jamie Ness in the $75,000 Xtra Heat in a 6 1/2-furlong contest for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up in Race 3.

The Michelle Nevin-trained Sweet Mia enters off a 10-length romp on March 7 at the Big A, while Letmetakethiscall has compiled a 7-2-1 record in 15 starts racing in Ozone Park. Dovey Lovey and Lady by Choice also have wins at the track in their careers.

The sixth running of the $55,000 Kelly Kip in Race 4 for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs will feature a field of six led by the Atras-trained multiple graded stakes placed Storm Advisory. Storm Advisory won the 2017 King Cotton at Oaklawn Park for Atras' former boss Robertino Diodoro.

The 9-year-old Weigelia gelding, who was claimed for $12,500 from an off-the-board effort on January 30, earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure in a two-length win on March 13 in a $16,000 claiming sprint in his first start for new connections.

“It's a little quick back but he fits,” said Atras.

Carmouche has the call from the outside post. Also contesting the Kelly Kip are Pennsylvania Steel, Summer Bourbon, Square Shooter, Bears Mafia and Spikes Shirl.

Aqueduct mainstays will once again return to familiar surroundings, with a field of seven in fillies and mares 4-years-old and up in a seven-furlong sprint in the $45,000 Belle Gallantey in Race 5.

Movie Score, trained by Oscar Barrera, bested claimers at the Big A on February 8 and ran second last out in a six-furlong sprint on February 25, while the Carlos Soto-trained Caramel Cream was a last-out winner on February 23 at Parx before shipping into New York. Lovely Lady Lexi, Whyisshesoolucky, Dirty Bird and Dublinornothin have also registered Aqueduct wins in their respective careers.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez will saddle Gustavo Rodriguez and Andrew Gurdon's Ryan's Cat for the $70,000 Peeping Tom in Race 6 going 6 1/2 furlongs for 4-year-olds and upward.

Ryan's Cat arrives off a superb effort last out for a $25,000 tag on March 7, where he recorded a 100 Beyer Speed Figure with a 15 3/4-length victory in the seven-furlong race. The son of Kitten's Joy boasts a consistent 20-4-6-0 record and earnings of $143,185.

Ryan's Cat will be ridden by Luis Cardenas. Rounding out the field are Rejected Again, Twelfth Labour, Cause for Action, Family Biz, The Great Dansky, Latin Love Bug, Zaevion, and Clench.

A veteran field of nine 4-year-olds and up competing at a one-turn mile in Race 7 comprise the $60,000 More To Tell.

Supreme Aura has found a comfort zone since Rudy Rodriguez picked up the training duties, running second in each her first two starts this year at Aqueduct, posting an 89 Beyer for her runner-up effort at a one-turn mile on February 20. Dark Storm, also a winner at one mile over the track, returns for trainer George Weaver, along with fellow competitors Eagle Pass, Chief Know It All, Durkin's Call, Control Group, Tivano, Dark Storm and second Rodriguez trainee Malibu Pro.

Mia Bella Rossa has started her 7-year-old campaign 3-for-3 with a trio of consecutive allowance scores at Parx and will return to Aqueduct for the first time since 2019 in the $60,000 Sis City going a one-turn mile for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up in Race 8.

Trained by Scott Lake, Mia Bella Rossa will face a full field that includes Miss Mi Mi, third last out in a seven-furlong allowance tilt on March 5 in her first start for trainer Michael Miceli. Flat Awesome Jenny, a winner at Aqueduct in a claiming tilt on January 31, will also go for trainer John Toscano, Jr.

Bringing a three-race win streak into the $75,000 Stud Muffin in Race 9, a 1 3/8-mile endurance test for 4-year-olds an upward is Doubly Blessed for trainer Mike Maker.

Owned by Kirk Wycoff's Three Diamonds Farm, the Empire Maker gelding has done no wrong since switching from turf to dirt while taking gradual steps up the condition ladder. After a successful dirt debut on January 2 over a muddy track for a $16,000 tag, Doubly Blessed took things up a notch against starter allowance company on January 24 before winning a first level allowance tilt on February 21. All three races took place at Aqueduct going a one-turn mile.

“Mike had his mother [Via Villaggio] and she was thought to be a turf horse and ended up being a better dirt horse,” said Three Diamonds Farm racing manager Jordan Wycoff. “He always worked well on dirt, but he had shown some promise on the grass. He had some tendency to lug in on the grass and the change in surface woke him up.”

Atras will try to keep his highly prosperous meet rolling when he sends out Michael Dubb's Musical Heart. The son of Maclean's Music was third beaten one length in the Stymie last out and was a distant second to Backsideofthemoon in the Queens County on December 19. Manny Franco has the call aboard Musical Heart.

Rounding out the field are Villainous, Heirloom Kitten, Lost in Rome, Shooger Ray Too, Forest Fire, Flowers for Lisa, Ekhtibaar, American Lincoln, Super Dude, and Air Attack.

The $45,000 Dads Caps, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses, closes out the card in Race 10.

Skyler's Scramjet will look to build off a February 27 triumph going the Dads Caps distance over a sloppy track at the Big A. Trained by A.C. Avila, the 7-year-old Creative Cause gray or roan gelding won the Grade 3 Tom Fool in 2018 and boasts the highest bankroll in the field with more than a half-million in lifetime earnings.

Skyler's Scramjet will leave from post 3 under Pablo Morales.

Also arriving off a win is Town Jak, who ships from Parx Racing for trainer Alan Bedard. The six-time winner has finished in the money in his last dozen starts, the most recent of which was a half-length victory on March 16 at Parx, where he defeated starter allowance company.

Completing the field are Vicar's Legend, Fox Red, Fleet Warrior, Real Dan, Direct Order, Swiping Dan, The Queens Jules, My Train, Seven Lilies, and Honorable Service.

First post time for Saturday at Aqueduct is 1:20 p.m.

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Enhanced Purses Attract New Trainers To Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet

Trainers Jim Chapman, Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Brittany Russell are among a number of conditioners that will have a presence at Belmont Park for the first time at the upcoming 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet that runs from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, July 11.

The spring/summer meet will offer its highest ever overnight purse schedule supported by significant monetary increases across most race categories, including maiden special weight races featuring a purse of $90,000, while horsemen participating in the claiming ranks will compete for purse money ranging up to $100,000.

A total of 59 stakes races worth $16.95 million in purses will highlight the meet, including the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes set for June 5.

The 49-year-old Chapman, currently based in Kentucky, said he will have 12 stalls at Belmont and will focus on 2-year-old maiden races.

“If I can take down one of those $90,000 purses with one of my $10,000 horses, that's a homerun to me,” said Chapman. “I'm going up there to sell horses, too. I'm taking my best horses to New York.”

A multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, Chapman sports a ledger of 1,960-294-268-239 with more than $8.8 million in purse earnings. A former rider, Chapman is best known as the trainer of Caller One, who took back-to-back editions of the Group 1 Golden Shaheen in 2001-02 in Dubai.

An astute judge of young racing stock, Chapman's best sales success came at the 2002 March Barretts Equine Limited Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale with the eventual multiple graded stakes winner Atlantic Ocean, a Stormy Atlantic mare campaigned by Bob Baffert.

“I bought Atlantic Ocean for $31,000 at Keeneland and she brought $1.9 million at the sale,” said Chapman.

Chapman said he will look to capitalize on a bumper crop of yearling sale purchases now gearing up in Kentucky for their juvenile debuts this spring.

“I have 56 juveniles. I buy everything at Keeneland. Whether I buy in November and keep some and then flip some back in September as yearlings, I just try to keep the wheel turning,” said Chapman. “I have some Frosted 2-year-olds that are really nice. I have a Fast Anna colt that will come to New York. There are some by Gun Runner and Empire Maker that will be ready later on.”

The Fast Anna colt, Actualize, has already posted a pair of works at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Out of the Hard Spun mare Beijos Do Brasil, Actualize was purchased for $12,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

“You never know when they're that big and good looking if they're going to be big and slow or big and fast. But he is big and fast,” said Chapman.

Chapman said he has the right stock to be competitive in the New York market and looks forward to the opportunity.

“This year I've bought a different caliber of horse and I have a lot of them,” said Chapman. “I have horses that will fit up there and the money is a little bit better, so I'll bring my better horses. I love being up there in New York.”

Chapman said he will look to win early at the Belmont meet and get the jump on some of the higher-priced yearling sale purchases who tend to debut later in the summer, at Belmont or Saratoga.

“It's not always the best horse that wins those early races. It's often the well-schooled ones,” said Chapman. “I have enough 2-year-olds that I can see who does and doesn't want to do it. It may be a different story at Saratoga when the bigger horses start popping up, but maybe I can stir up some dust before those ones start going. And maybe I have some that will keep up and can go to Saratoga.”

Chapman said he will ship to New York following opening weekend at Keeneland, which kicks off April 2.

“It's a different surface up there and you want to get a couple works over it,” said Chapman. “The starting gate is a little roomier than the gates they'll have used in Kentucky. When I go up there, I want to make it count when we run.”

The veteran conditioner said owners Stuart Tsujimoto, along with Vanessa Camperlengo, co-founder of Classic Legacy Thoroughbred Aftercare, made the New York venture possible.

“They've really helped me this year. Stuart has been the backbone of my deal since I stopped riding and started training in California,” said Chapman. “Vanessa has got more involved and has 25 horses with me. They trust me with their horses and it makes it easier. They're the reason that I'm able to do this.”

Joseph, Jr. attracted national attention when Math Wizard scored an upset victory in the 2019 Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. A native of Barbados who began training in south Florida in 2011, Joseph, Jr. enjoyed success in his home country, conditioning 2009 Barbados Triple Crown-champion Areyoutalkintome.

The veteran conditioner will have a notable presence on the Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino card on April 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack, with four possible starters, led by Mischevious Alex in the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter for older sprinters and Drain the Clock in the Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore for sophomore sprinters.

Joseph, Jr. said Grade 1-placed New York-bred Ny Traffic and New York-bred maiden claimer Michael's Bad Boy are in line for a return on the Wood Memorial card, while he will also saddle Gibberish in the Grade 3, $150,000 Distaff Handicap for older filly and mare sprinters on April 2.

“He's at his best at one turn,” said Joseph, Jr. of Mischevious Alex, who won the 2020 Grade 3 Gotham at the Big A. “At six furlongs he's really lethal because he has speed and stays strongly. But he's won at seven furlongs and I don't think that will be a problem for him.”

Joseph, Jr. will look to fill 12 stalls at the Belmont spring/summer meet. The multiple graded stakes-winning conditioner said he is also hoping to take advantage of a “Ship & Win” program for horses based at Oaklawn Park who ship to compete at Aqueduct and Belmont Park.

Horses that made their previous start at Oaklawn may be able to take advantage of the program, which includes a 30 percent purse bonus for their first start for horses who last ran at Oaklawn in 2021 before shipping to New York. NYRA will also provide a $1,500 stipend for a start during either the Aqueduct spring or Belmont spring/summer meets, excluding stakes races, for eligible horses.

“We'll bring a variety of horses from claimers to stakes horses. We want to be active in all the divisions there,” said Joseph, Jr. “We'll be much more active in New York this year from Belmont on through Saratoga. The [ship and win] incentive for Oaklawn is enticing. Our claiming owners are interested in that. We're looking for horses to bring back to New York. In general, we're going to hopefully run a lot of horses starting from the Wood.”

Joseph, Jr. won a pair of races last summer at Saratoga and said he is planning on bringing stronger stock to the Spa this year in search of a first NYRA circuit stakes win. The 40-day Saratoga summer meet, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses, runs from July 15 through September 6.

“Saratoga is a perfect place to have a horse. The weather is brilliant,” said Joseph, Jr. “Last year, we just got our feet wet and learned what type of horses we need to bring. It was good to get off the mark. I think this year we'll have a pretty good Saratoga all being well.”

Joseph, Jr. said maintaining a New York presence is important as he looks to build his stable and attract new owners.

“The spring and summer meets in New York have the best outfits,” said Joseph, Jr. “You have Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher and all the biggest names. To win among them and do well will attract a different kind of clientele. Plus, the owners we have now already want to race their horses in New York.”

The Maryland-based Russell is currently fifth in the Laurel Park trainer standings with a record of 32-11-8-5 and purse earnings of $422,259.

Russell, who will have 10 Belmont stalls, earned her first win with her first career starter – Oh My – in February 2018 at Laurel Park. She previously worked for trainers Ron Moquett, Jimmy Jerkens, and Brad Cox before going out on her own.

“We're hoping to improve the quality of the horses coming in at the beginning of the year here and it seemed like a good time to take a shot,” said Russell. “We ran a few in New York last year but always shipped, so maybe this will be a better way to do it.”

Russell enjoyed stakes success at the Big A in January when Maryland-bred Hello Hot Rod shipped to win the Jimmy Winkfield. The up-and-coming conditioner, who has worked hard to grow her stable to 40 horses, also notched a pair of wins last summer at Saratoga, including an allowance score with So Gracious.

“That's why we do this – to win at the bigger race tracks and especially in New York,” said Russell. “That's where the owners want to be racing, with the bigger purses and at the big meets. Just shipping up and having some luck in the small portions that we have so far, people notice that. It's big for my career.”

Russell said upgrades to the top-class facilities at both Belmont and Saratoga made the decision for her to bring stock full time to New York easier. Her Belmont barn will be overseen by assistant Amanda Olds, while Russell said she will shuttle back and forth between Maryland and New York.

“I spent time in New York when I worked for Brad Cox and I really enjoyed training there,” said Russell. “It's a nice place to train horses and my assistant is really familiar with New York as well. The whole thing just works for the plans we have right now.”

Belmont provides numerous options for trainers to exercise their horses. In addition to the historic main track, the 430-acre facility boasts a one-mile training track, two covered jogging barns featuring a synthetic surface and a quarter-mile pony track.

Russell said if all goes well at the Belmont spring/summer meet, she will look to extend her stay in the Empire State to Saratoga.

“We'll take it one step at a time and hopefully we can win a few races at Belmont. I'd love to go to Saratoga but I want to make sure we have the right horses to go,” said Russell. “I got some better younger horses last year. Laurel is a great place for a lot of these horses, but it's also really nice to have the New York option because it's not far from Maryland. If the horses don't fit up there, we still have Maryland and hopefully, we'll have another one to take its place in New York.”

NYRA made a significant capital investment at Saratoga ahead of last year's summer meet to enhance safety and upgrade the heavily-trafficked main track, including the addition of a rider safety rail, and a modernized drainage system creating a more consistent surface for horses and riders.

Capital improvements are continuing at Saratoga in advance of the 2021 summer meet with work taking place at the Oklahoma Training Track to renovate the track base layer and cushion, and add modernized drainage and a rider safety rail.

Russell said the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in August could also provide an opportunity to look for horses outside of her current Maryland focus.

“I have a few New York-breds in the barn and I think being there will make it more attractive for us to look,” said Russell. “I'm still programmed to look for Maryland-breds but when we go to the sale now, it will give us a reason to look outside that and see what New York-breds are there.”

Her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, sits second in the Laurel jockey standings with a record of 122-30-26-11.

“Sheldon will be based in Maryland but hopefully as COVID restrictions lift there will be a few that he can come up and ride,” said Russell.

On Sunday at Laurel Park, the Russell family trainer/jockey combo combined to win an open maiden special weight with Cash is King and LC Racing's Dream Big Dreams. The colt was named by Cash is King's managing partner Chuck Zacney.

“Chuck said he wanted to use that name for one that we liked,” said Russell. “It's fitting that it was that colt that won because we think he has a future ahead of him. Maybe that's one that Sheldon can come up to New York and ride.”

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NYTB Awards To Honor Generazios, Ellen Bongard, Jeffrey Cannizzo

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) is pleased to announce Thoroughbred breeders and owners Patricia Generazio and her late husband Frank Generazio, in addition to the recently deceased Ellen Bongard, will each receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the New York-bred program.

Former NYTB executive director Jeffrey Cannizzo will also receive a special award for his exemplary service.

The honorees will be recognized at the NYTB's Annual Awards event, held in a special virtual format on Monday, April 5 at NYTBAwards.com. The 2020 New York-bred divisional champions and New York-bred Horse of the Year will also be unveiled during the event sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund.

“On behalf of our board of directors we are proud to honor each of these noteworthy individuals for their contributions and service to the New York racing and breeding industry,” said NYTB president Tom Gallo. “Each one of them has made significant efforts as owners, breeders and administratively helping to make New York the best and most lucrative state-bred program in the country.”

Patricia Generazio and her husband Frank Generazio, Jr., who passed last November at the age of 91, campaigned a number of homebred multiple graded stakes winners. Mr. Generazio, who owned New England Sand and Gravel company, first got his start in the Thoroughbred industry in his native New England and was a trainer at Rockingham Park and Suffolk Downs before he and his wife built a successful breeding operation that notably made an impact in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Outstanding New York homebreds campaigned by the Generazios include multiple graded stakes winners Discreet Marq and Disco Partner. Subsequent homebred standouts include multiple graded stakes winner Pure Sensation, Precious Passion, Dowse's Beach and Saratoga Treasure.

“We've always been big supporters of the New York-bred program and will continue to breed in New York year-round,” said Patricia Generazio. “Frank always selected our breedings, and he loved the New York-bred program. I'm very thankful and appreciative to receive this award on behalf of both of us. His loss still hurts and our stable will be reduced substantially, but we already have many Disco Partner babies and we will continue to have a presence in New York.”

Ellen Bongard, who passed away at the age of 77 last December, was a pioneer in the New York Thoroughbred industry and her family owned one of the oldest active breeding farms in the state.

The daughter of the late attorney Bertram F. Bongard, who played a key role in the formation of the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., Ellen and her sister Barbara Bongard owned Rojan Farm in Pine Plains, a flagship New York farm and a staple to the New York breeding industry for many years before moving to the Town of Northumberland near Saratoga Springs.

The Bongards stood many successful stallions at their Rojan Farm including Santa Anita Derby winner An Act, Northern Dancer's son Kick, Rare Earth, Back Bay Barrister and many others. Ellen was also credited with the creation of The Bongard Room at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The room is used for conferences and honors pioneers and legends of the state's breeding industry.

“She would definitely appreciate this,” said Barbara Bongard. “She's certainly done a lot for the New York-bred program. I like to say our father started our family's influential success in the industry and Ellen took the reins and continued on. We're thankful she's receiving this recognition.”

Jeffrey Cannizzo served as executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. for nearly 13 years before leaving to join the New York Racing Association, Inc. as senior director of government affairs in January. During his tenure, the New York-bred program gained significant exposure, stability and continued development and success. He elevated the position of executive director to one of leadership and national recognition for the New York Thoroughbred breeding program.

“New York's breeding industry has flourished in recent times and I feel very fortunate to have played a small role in that success story,” said Cannizzo. “I'd like to thank the NYTB board of directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York. The success of the state-bred program comes with the tireless efforts of so many stakeholders. Being able to represent so many wonderful people and speak on their behalf for over a decade is something I will always cherish. The many relationships formed during my time with NYTB will always be important to me. The New York-bred program will always hold a special place.”

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