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Star Plus Dies at Old Friends

Argentinian Group 1 winner Star Plus (Arg) (Alpha Plus–Nannar {Arg}), by Big Play) died Saturday following a paddock accident at Old Friends retirement facility in Georgetown. The 20-year-old had been at Old Friends for 11 years.

Following a win in the 2007 G1 Joaquin S. deAnchorena, Star Plus was purchased by Earle Mack to race in the United States, where his best finishes were a runner-up effort in the 2008 GIII Turfway Park Fall Championship S. and an allowance victory at Keeneland.

Star Plus suffered a major ankle injury and Mack's intention was to retire the bay in 2010 when he sold him to a small breeding operation with the stipulation he would not race again. However, the new owner returned the Group 1 winner to the track where he raced four times at three different tracks, Mt. Pleasant, Mountaineer, and Parx Racing, and finished last in all four races, despite Mack's letters informing the track's of the horse's condition.

Mack took matters into his own hands, and after the horse's fourth race, an allowance optional claiming race at Parx Racing on Jan. 28, 2012, negotiations were held, and with the help of some others, Mack purchased Star Plus back.

Mack then made arrangements with Blowen and donated his horse to Old Friends to enjoy his well-earned retirement. Star Plus arrived at the farm later in 2012, along with a generous donation by Mack to Old Friends to ensure the care of his horse.

“Star Plus was so much fun,” said Old Friends founder Michael Blowen. “We ran together (he always won, of course) and he seemed overjoyed with himself. Smart. Whimsical. Carefree. In short, a great role model.”

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MSW Kudos Passes Away at Old Friends

Kudos, a MSW gelding, died on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., announced president and founder Michael Blowen.

The 26-year-old bay Thoroughbred (Kris S.–Souq, by Damascus) was found dead in his paddock during late-afternoon feeding. A reason for his death is unknown at this time. Necropsy results are pending to get an accurate cause of death. Bred and owned by longtime Old Friends supporters, Jerry and Ann Moss, Kudos was foaled in Kentucky on Apr. 17, 1997.

Trained by Richard Mandella his entire career, Kudos began racing in 1999, but did not win his first race until his eighth career start as a 4-year-old in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on Mar. 17, 2001. He then won his next three consecutive races, two allowance races and the Jim Murray Memorial H. at Hollywood Park for his first stakes victory.

In 2002, he won two more stakes races–the San Marino H. at Santa Anita, and the GI Oaklawn H., which was his first-graded stakes win and the biggest win of his career. In that race, he came back from 15 lengths to win by 4 3/4 lengths.

As a 6-year-old in 2003, he won the GII Californian S., while finishing second in the GII San Pasqual H., and third in the GI Santa Anita H., the GI Oaklawn H., the race he won the previous year, and the GI Hollywood Gold Cup, his final race.

Kudos retired with seven wins, five seconds, four thirds, and $1,238,935 in earnings in 24 career starts. In 2006, the Mosses donated Kudos to Old Friends for his retirement. He was the second horse they retired to Old Friends; the first was Ruhlmann.

“Kudos was one of our first stars and enchanted us for nearly 17 years,” said Blowen. “He was a great symbol of our growth. I can't thank Jerry and Ann and (racing manager) Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs enough for allowing us to spend all this time with their treasure.”

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Old Friends To Host Open House Welcoming Lava Man Nov. 26

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, will host an Open House Saturday, Nov. 26 from noon until 2pm for fans to meet new retiree Lava Man (Slew City Slew). The event is free and open to the public. Pizza and lava crunch cakes will be served.

The now 21-year old posted an impressive resume during a racing career that spanned seven years including victories in the GI Pacific Classic, GI Hollywood Gold Cup, and the GII Goodwood H., now called the Awesome Again. Lava Man retired as a 9-year-old with over $5.2 million in earnings.

Upon his retirement from racing, he became a lead pony in Doug O'Neill Stables, a position he held until Nov. 5 when he made his final appearance on the track leading Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbox) to the gate for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Lava Man, aka “Coach”, arrived at Old Friends where he will enjoy his well-earned retirement.

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Dave Litfin, Former Handicapper for the Form, Dies at 64

Dave Litfin, the widely respected former handicapper for the Daily Racing Form, died Thursday night in Saratoga Springs after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.

The news was announced by his wife of 39 years, Robin, on her Facebook page.

Litfin was a call-taker with the Form and joined the New York Racing Association's publicity staff as the press box manager in 1984. He went to work for the DRF in 1990 where he wrote the “Handicapper's Corner” column. He was the author of two books, “Dave Litfin's Expert Handicapping” and “Real-Life Handicapping” and contributed chapters to “Champions” and both volumes of “Bet With the Best.” He most recently worked for Equibase and wrote handicapping columns for the Blood-Horse.

His friend John Scheinman wrote on Facebook, “I and my racing friends and racing as a whole have lost the nicest of guys, David Litfin. As the New York handicapper for years at the Daily Racing Form, you could argue that for a long time he was the most important public handicapper in the country–maybe just behind Beyer–because he was on the top beat for the top publication. You would be crazy to bet New York without seeing who he liked. I always considered Dave's press box presence as one of diligent work but also bemusement. He saw the humor in the whole insane parade of horse racing, it's characters, including up in that room and yet thankfully never seemed to be a lightning rod for any friction. He was gentle, intelligent, caring, inquisitive and fun.”

Litfin is survived by his wife; two daughters, Addy and Marne; a son, Sam, and a daughter-in-law, Maggie. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Liftin's name to Old Friends, which has equine retirement facilities in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Lexington, Ky.

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