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Background Check: Schuylerville

Good or bad, stallion careers are almost always well documented with hard facts at the ready. It's no secret certain races–for instance, the GI Met Mile–have historically been known as stallion-making races, with that race in particular flaunting the lethal combination of both speed and stamina on a big stage. Fappiano (1981), Buckpasser (1967), and Native Dancer (1954) were among the Met Mile winners who later made incredible impacts at stud, whether through their sons or daughters or both. Quality Road (2010) is currently doing the same. This year's winner, Flightline (Tapit), will undoubtedly be one of the hottest stallions on the market when he retires.

But what about the mares? Are there any black-type events that stand out as key producer races? In this new series, we'll examine the past of upcoming filly/mare races and take a look at how the winners fared as broodmares.

We begin with Saratoga's traditional opening day feature, the GIII Schuylerville S. for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the dirt. Like many races dating back a century (it was first run in 1918), it's been run at different distances and occasionally even at different tracks. There were years it was run in two divisions (1959, 1965, and 1974) and one year it didn't run at all (2005). Overall, there have been 106 winners of the Schuylerville.

The Schuylerville winners are an illustrious bunch. Every single victress from 2015 to 1918 is a producer of winners, with the exception of six who died before getting their broodmare careers started and another seven (from 1941 and earlier) for whom records are sketchy. That alone is a phenomenal statistic.

There were two consecutive glory decades, a remarkable 20-year streak from 1985-2004 where every winner (except one who passed away before visiting the breeding shed) became a stakes producer.

Four future Broodmares of the Year won the Schuylerville. There are the ancestresses of future significant sires, like Exclusive Native; forebearers of blue hens like Leslie's Lady; and direct female lines leading to recent Saratoga winners like 2021's GI Flower Bowl/GII Glens Falls winner War Like Goddess (English Channel).

Who knew an early-summer race for 2-year-old fillies often making just their second career start, currently worth $175,000 and ranked as a Grade III, would weld such influence on the breed? Such is the power of Saratoga.

Following are the most significant winners of the Schuylerville in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what lasting impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Hot Dixie Chick (2007, Dixie Union–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}): From five foals to race, this Stonestreet mare has produced 2022 GI La Troienne S. winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), MSW & GSP Union Jackson (Curlin), and 2022 'TDN Rising Star' Marsalis (Curlin).

Meadow Star (1988, Meadowlake–Inreality Star, by In Reality): At first glance, this eye-catching chestnut hadn't produced much of note among her five lifetime foals. However, the six stakes winners already produced by her daughters and granddaughters include brilliant champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and MGISW Belle Gallantey (After Market).

Weekend Surprise (1980, Secretariat–Lassie Dear, by Buckpasser): The 1992 Broodmare of the Year produced Horse of the Year and leading sire A.P. Indy, MGISW Summer Squall, and GSW Welcome Surprise. Her descendants include MGISW Court Vision, GISW Happy Saver, and Canadian champion Moonlit Promise.

Mystical Mood (1979, Roberto–Mystery Mood, by Night Invader): She kicked off her broodmare career with U.S./Irish/English Grade/Group winner Fair Judgment, while her daughters and granddaughters went on to produce champions Stevie Wonderboy and Big Blue Kitten.

Talking Picture (1971, Speak John–Poster Girl, by Nasrullah): This mare produced five stakes winners, including Irish champions Easy to Copy and Trusted Partner, and is the ancestress of nearly 30 more, including Grade I/Group 1 winners Gallante (Ire), Dress To Thrill (Ire), Search For A Song (Ire), Free Eagle (Ire), Kyprios (Ire), Thunder Moon (Ire), and Vert de Grece (Ire).

Numbered Account (1969, Buckpasser–Intriguing, by Swaps): Her foals included MGISW and sire Private Account, as well as GISW Dance Number. Her female descendants have produced champion Rhythm, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and GISWs Imagining, Girolamo, Bluegrass Cat, and Frost Giant. The family remains active: Becca Taylor, winner of her second Grade II event on the 4th of July, is part of it.

Patelin (1968, Cornish Prince–Pontivy, by Battlefield): This mare is ancestor to 10 Grade I winners, including champion Pleasant Stage, plus A Phenomenon and Marsh Side. However, her pièce de ré·sis·tance has got to be 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie's Lady, dam of current breed shaper Into Mischief.

Pocahontas (1955, Roman–How, by Princequillo): The 1965 Broodmare of the Year left champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, as well as four more stakes winners (including sire Chieftain), and a long list of accomplished runners tracing to her.

Striking (1947, War Admiral–Baby League, by Bubbling Over): This Phipps family mare might be the most influential of all the Schuylerville winners. Named Broodmare of the Year in 1961, she produced five stakes winners, including Test S. winners Glamour. The sheer number of thriving families that trace to her boggles the mind. They include Numbered Account, whose own accomplishments are listed above, as well as the families of important sire Woodman, Horse of the Year Mineshaft, champion Smarty Jones, and so many more.

Red Shoes (1943, Easton {Fr}–Mistress Grier, by John P. Grier): This mare produced Ballerina (yes, the one who has the Grade I event at the Spa named after her) and champion Nasrina.

Ace Card (1942, Case Ace–Furlough, by Man o' War): Horse of the Year One Count was one of four stakes winners for this mare, who was named Broodmare of the Year in 1952. Among her best descendants were 1979-80 English champion Mrs. Penny.

Parade Girl (1933, Display–Panoply, by Peter Pan): A number of high-caliber runners trace to this mare, but she only needed one to cement her name in pedigrees: her great-grandson Exclusive Native. The dual stakes winner was the leading sire in the U.S. in 1978-79. Another two-time leading sire, Deputy Minister, also traces to this grand girl.

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As Saratoga Meeting Looms, Trainers Pletcher and Brown Are Ready to Fight for the Title

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY–For the last dozen or so years, the competition for the training title at Saratoga Race Course has become the Todd and Chad Show.

The next round of the now-annual summer showdown of heavyweights in upstate New York between Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown begins Thursday, the opening day of the 154th season of racing at Saratoga. Pletcher, 55, the all-time leader, will seek his 15th championship, named to honor the late great H. Allen Jerkens. Brown, 43, who just completed a record-smashing Belmont spring/summer season, is seeking his fifth, all since he ended a six-year run by Pletcher in 2016.

Winning the training and riding titles at Saratoga has always been a big deal and great sport at America's most important meet. Finishing atop the standings at the Spa has often helped make careers and provided credentials for Eclipse Awards and later the Hall of Fame.

Pletcher served notice that he was a budding superstar when he won the Saratoga crown in 1998 as a 31-year-old in his third full season as a head trainer. Brown grew up in nearby Mechanicville and embraced racing at the Spa, earned the first of his four-consecutive Eclipse Awards a few months after securing his title at the age of 37.

According to stats provided by Equibase, Pletcher and Brown have finished either first or second in the Saratoga standings since 2011. During that stretch, Pletcher won seven times, but Brown has won four of the last six, including a record 46 in 2018.

Starting in 2008, Brown's first full season as a trainer, Pletcher has won 416 of 1,950 Saratoga starts. He has won 103 stakes, 60 of them graded. Brown has produced some big numbers in recent years, four times finishing with 40 or more. He has 392 victories from 1,600 starts, with a total of 90 stakes wins, 48 of them graded.

Pletcher has found the bulk of his success on the dirt, winning 292 of 1,197 starts. He has 124 wins in 753 races on grass. Brown's stats are in sharp contrast: he has 128 wins from 542 dirt starts while securing 264 victories from 1,058 starts on the turf courses. In stakes, Pletcher has 76 wins on dirt and 27 on turf. Brown has 25 stakes win on dirt and 65 on grass.

Pletcher said that Brown might have the upper hand entering the season and said that he checks the standings that the New York Racing Association publishes during the 40-day meet.

“Oh, yeah. You've got to watch the scoreboard,” he said. “That's part of the fun. If you didn't do that you wouldn't care at all. Chad has built a very, very powerful stable. Saratoga is his hometown and he loves to win there. Looking at the situation right now, he's going to be very difficult to beat, for sure.”

Brown has always acknowledged that his success at Saratoga has been vitally important for his career and has said that winning GI Travers S. would be more personally satisfying for him than a victory in the GI Kentucky Derby. After initially being turned down for stalls in 2008, he won with the first horse he saddled at Saratoga in the first race on opening day. He said the six wins from 18 starts that summer gave him credibility and brought him new clients.

Entering this meet he is second to Steve Asmussen in 2022 earnings with $14.9 million, has GI Preakness S. winner Early Voting (Gun Runner) in his career-best group of 3-year-old colts, a slew of graded stakes winners and comes in from the impressive Belmont Park performance. Long the pursuer of Pletcher at the meet, Brown smiled and agreed that he is now the one being pursued, but said it will be a challenge to repeat after claiming his seventh-straight Belmont crown.

“It's hard to sustain,” he said. “I think you'll see last year we had a big Belmont meet, might not have broke the record, but a big Belmont meet. And then we started off Saratoga a little slow, we won some races, we had some stakes and stuff, but, really, we picked up the second half of the meet and we had a couple of huge days in that last third of the meet. Then we really ended up being strong and in front. I could see similar. I have some nice races marked early in the meet, but it's so hard to sustain this because you have to keep the horses in good form, you have to keep them healthy. When you win this many races, you're moving out of conditions, right? So you're moving up in class. Every horse, that won is going to go up now and the races are going to get harder. When you move up a class, move into a more difficult meet and moving up in class for the first time those races can be difficult for those horses.”

Brown said that while he aims for Saratoga, he did not pump the brakes at Belmont.

“I went all in at Belmont because, the old saying is 'you make hay when the sun shining,'” he said. “And when you're on the turf, and it's firm, and the races are going and the horses are healthy you run because the purses are very good at Belmont. They're not as high as these record purses that are going to be offered at Saratoga in all these conditions. This is amazing. And it's great for all the horsemen and our clients that pay all the bills.”

Since his initial championship 24 years ago, Pletcher has never been worse than third at Saratoga. He has been the runner-up seven times. He arrives at this meet ranked third in the national standings for earnings at $14.4 million. Like Brown, he saddled a Triple Crown series winner, Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo), the GI Belmont S. champ, who is injured and won't run at Saratoga. The Hall of Famer, who is the sport's leading career money winner, said he is still interested in winning the Spa meet.

“It's always fun to compete at Saratoga. It certainly means something,” he said. “I wouldn't say it means quite the same as the first one did. That one was extra special and unexpected in a lot of ways. Wouldn't have anticipated that could happen the third year there.

“I've always said, I have a great appreciation for how difficult it is to win at Saratoga. And we don't take anything for granted. As always, a lot of our success will depend on how our 2-year-olds run. I feel like we have a nice group, but I'm not positive that a lot of them are July types, probably more like mid- to late-August or even September, October types. We'll just have to see how they pan out.”

Even with Mo Donegal on the sidelines, Pletcher has a strong bench of stakes runners. In the last two weeks at Belmont he won the GII Suburban with Dynamic One (Union Rags), the GIII Dwyer S. with Charge It (Tapit) the GII John Nerud S. with Life is Good (Into Mischief), the Manila S. with Annapolis (War Front) and the Perfect Sting S. with Jouster (Noble Mission). In addition, he now trains Corniche, last year's 2-year-old champion, who is expected to make his first start for Pletcher at Saratoga.

“I obviously love the way July started out for us,” he said. “It's always good when you have the quality of horses that we ran and we've got some big targets of Saratoga so that that's exciting.”

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Q&A with Riley Mott

Riley Mott, a longtime assistant to his Hall of Fame father, Bill Mott, recently announced he was going out on his own. The 30-year-old will hang his own shingle after taking out his training license. Jen Roytz sat down with the younger Mott for this Q&A.

JR: What has it been like coming up under your father?
RM: To be honest, it's been like going to Harvard for horse training. Not only learning from him but from everyone involved in our operation, all the way up and down the ladder. I've gained knowledge from everyone in our barn at one point or another in my life. I have a great blueprint on how to run my business and feel very equipped for what lies ahead.

JR: Describe the type of horseman you are?
RM: I try to be patient and understanding towards the horses first and foremost. It's quite amazing what they allow us to do with them when you take a step back and think about it. They're such amazing animals. All horses learn and adapt at their own pace and I find it helpful to be cognizant of that while training.

JR: Describe the responsibility that comes with being a trainer.
RM: As a trainer you are the absolute insurer, so you have all of the responsibility. I've learned that you have to follow your gut and be confident in the decisions you make. Attention to detail and surrounding yourself with good staff can't be overstated.

JR: What is your favorite aspect of horse racing?
RM: I would say the lead up and anticipation of a race is my favorite aspect. It's basically a crescendo of blood, sweat and tears from the breeders, sellers, breaking farms and trainers (and many more parties in between) to get a horse in the starting gate for a race. And if you win, even more thrilling.

JR: What horses have had the biggest impact on your life?
RM: My dad has always said Theatrical (Ire) probably had the biggest impact on his life. The horse paid for my parents' first house in New York and they were able to start our family from there. Maybe if it weren't for Theatrical I wouldn't exist, so for that reason, Theatrical.

JR: Talk about some of the horses that have taught you the most?
RM: We've had a number of horses who I would consider “projects,” whether it be for soundness or temperamental reasons. There have been times where I've only seen a dead end with them, but we've given them the time required to get right and it's worked out well. I've learned that if they can go on and win a race down the line, it's worth giving the horse a fair chance, even if the end goal is well in the future.

JR: What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?
RM: I've been involved in a number of champions, classic winners, Grade I winners, etc. I would consider all of those team accomplishments rather than my own accomplishments. There's no one person who is responsible for any of those successes, but I take a lot of pride in the horses our team has been able to develop.

JR: What are some ways trainers and their staff can improve the racehorse ownership experience?
RM: It depends on the ownership group. Some owners are happy to let you do your thing and see you over in the paddock for the race. Others enjoy being more involved in the day-to-day happenings. I believe in flexibility and having an open door for your clients. We're not just in the horse training business, but the service business as well. My goal is to get creative and introduce some new ways to involve our clients.

JR: In what ways do you think HISA will change racing in the coming years?
RM: I think it will ultimately create a more level playing field, which I would say most people are in favor of. In theory, horsemanship and skill will be rewarded. Some of the bookkeeping requirements appear to be rather tedious, but I'm confident the rules will evolve over time and the record-keeping system will be a bit more realistic. It would be nice to see uniformity without getting too radical.

JR: What (so far) has been your most memorable moment in racing?
RM: Country House's [Kentucky] Derby was quite wild. Not because that's how we wanted to win the race, but the roller coaster of emotion it took us on was pretty unique. From one extreme to another and everything in between. Experiencing it with my wife Megan was also very special. Both the positives and the negatives of the situation are something I'll never forget.

JR: What do you think horse racing is doing right?
RM: One thing that appears to be regularly overlooked is the amount of jobs our industry provides. Between the backstretch workers, administrative workers, frontside workers, maintenance teams and so on, it takes armies to operate a race meet. That's something I've been so proud of in regard to my parents' business over the years. Providing work for families is very honorable and something I hope to do in the same capacity going forward.

Mott with MGISW Yoshida (Jpn) | Emma Berry

JR: Do you ride, and if so, what is your riding background?
RM: I ride the pony every day, that's the extent of it. His name is Round, a Claiborne homebred who we raced. By Arch, out of Enth, half to multiple stakes winners. He catches the eye.

Think Fast…
JR: Most used app on your phone
RM: Dark Sky

JR: What is a good book you've read lately
RM: More of a past performance guy

JR: Favorite racing movie
RM: Seabiscuit

JR: What do you enjoy doing outside of work
RM: Golf and family time

JR: What is the last thing you Googled
RM: Best brand of electric scooter

JR: What do you wish you learned sooner
RM: I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was about nine

JR: What skill are you still honing
RM: Everything. You're never a finished product.

JR: What trait most defines who you are
RM: Positive

JR: Favorite quote or motto
RM: Hindsight is everything in the game of horse racing

JR: What food (or drink) can you not live without
RM: Erma Scott's shepherd's pie

JR: What is a nickname that people call/have called you?
RM: Riles

JR: Go-to breakfast
RM: Coffee

JR: Go-to cocktail
RM: Casamigos margarita

JR: Go-to karaoke song
RM: Whatever song my 10-month-old daughter has been listening to

JR: What sports teams do you follow
RM: Kentucky Wildcats basketball/football. Cam Smith is my favorite golfer.

JR: What was the last show you binge watched
RM: Too embarrassed to say

JR: If you could have one super power, what would it be?
RM: Teleport

JR: What is the worst fashion (or hair) decision you've ever made?
RM: Middle school: surfer hair. Polo shirt with gym shorts.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @Riley_Mott

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Open Letter to the Industry From the Fayette Alliance

In 1958, Lexington became the first community in the U.S. to institute an Urban Service Boundary to protect the farmland that is our identity. Last week, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Board of Adjustment approved a 12-field soccer complex and 750 parking spaces in the Agricultural-Rural zone. This decision threatens the historic precedent set by those who had the foresight and determination to safeguard this community's most important resource with potential consequences that would negatively impact generations to come. The land in question is immediately adjacent to equine and agricultural operations that are the pillars of both our local economy and Lexington's proud identity as the Horse Capital of the World. In approving the proposal, the Board of Adjustment also took the highly unusual step of removing the most critical of the 19 conditions recommended by the City of Lexington's professional planning staff to preserve the integrity of the Agricultural-Rural zone should the project move forward.

This decision was just the first step in Lexington Sporting Club's multi-faceted plan that would disrupt Lexington's Bluegrass farmland as we know it. The next two steps are proposals to amend existing zoning ordinances to permit lights, concessions, and retail sales at that same complex in the rural area–an area that has been protected from this exact type of development for decades–in addition to a 10,000-person stadium and thousands of surface parking spaces in the nearby Economic Development zone.

Fayette Alliance supports bringing professional and youth soccer and the corresponding infrastructure to Lexington. However, we must do so in a responsible manner that protects our trademark industries and the productive farmland that makes Lexington unique. We already find ourselves on a slippery slope: together, these proposals would allow intense commercial uses in the rural area. They represent a major change from Lexington's nearly 70 years of thoughtful growth policies and the consequences, if approved, will long outlive us all.

At the Board of Adjustment hearings, dozens of community members voiced their opposition to the development, highlighting the adverse impacts it would have on their livelihoods, the agricultural and equine industries, and the surrounding environment. The approval of the soccer fields and parking lot was a disappointing dismissal of the valid concerns of the citizens of Lexington and its city planners. The result, including the Board of Adjustment's unprecedented move to gut the most important of the planning staff's recommendations, all but ignores this community's longstanding support for the balance between urban and rural uses of the land that we have worked tirelessly to maintain.

This decision, and those that will come before the Planning Commission later this month, could set a dangerous precedent for our community. They put our rural area at risk by opening it up to similar intense development throughout Lexington-Fayette County. Where will we draw the line if the physical Agricultural-Rural zone boundaries and conditions outlined by our own city planning staff are so readily ignored from the start? Fayette Alliance isn't waiting around to find out; our founding mission is to advocate to protect the finite resource that is our Bluegrass farmland for generations to come. To this end, we are appealing the Board of Adjustment's decision and filing an Open Records request to understand how last Tuesday's vote resulted in not only the approval of a proposal that saw near-universal opposition throughout the meeting, but also the inexplicable decision to eliminate the most protective of the 19 recommendations made by planning staff.

On Thursday, July 28, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the next phases of the project, which threaten both our rural area and the job creation for which our economic development land is explicitly designated. Aside from the obvious concerns voiced by the community about these proposals–from light and noise pollution to storm water runoff and safety issues–the farmland that is under threat features finite, prime soil for agricultural uses that can never be replaced. The economic development land is zoned as such because it is critical to our community's economic success; acres upon acres of parking lots certainly are not. If these proposals are approved, there is no going back. No do-over.

The decisions we make about land-use today have a far greater impact on our children's futures than a worthy soccer program located on the prime soils that form the foundation of our unique community and its signature industry. While soccer can be played at other existing facilities, our farmland is irreplaceable. If you share our fundamental belief in the need to protect our hallowed Bluegrass land, please join us in attending the Planning Commission meeting on July 28th at 1:30pm at City Hall and make your voice heard in opposition to these proposals. We must stay engaged and demand transparency from Lexington Sporting Club around this project; our community has too much at stake to let this pass.

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