Tag: Vincent Viola

Thoroughbred Owners And Breeders Among 2,755 Billionaires Ranked By Forbes

As owners of the French luxury brand, Chanel, brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer are among the world's most fashionable Thoroughbred owners and breeders. According to the latest World's Billionaires List published by Forbes, they are also the richest.

According to Forbes, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer each have a net worth of $34.5 billion putting them at No. 41 on the list of 2,755 billionaires worldwide.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is atop the list with an estimated net worth of $177 billion.

Racing primarily with homebreds in Europe and the U.S. under the stable name Wertheimer et Frere, the brothers are best known for campaigning Goldikova, three-time winner of the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile. Their current stable star is Todd Pletcher-trained Happy Saver.

At least a dozen others from the Forbes Billionaires List have been identified as Thoroughbred owners or breeders. (Note: The list does not include members of Arab country ruling families, including the Maktoums of Dubai.)

Next on the list among individuals affiliated with Thoroughbred racing and breeder is financier George Soros, whose Soros Fund Management in 2008 launched SF Racing and SF Bloodstock, now operated by Gavin Murphy and Tom Ryan. Forbes estimates a net worth of $8.6 billion for the Soros, putting him at No. 288.

Cable television magnate John Malone is ranked 316th on the Forbes list with an estimated net worth of $7.8 billion. One of America's biggest landowners, Malone owns Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla., and Ballylinch Stud in Ireland.

Tamara Gustavson, daughter of the late B. Wayne Hughes, is ranked 496th on the list with an estimated net worth of $5.6 billion. With husband Eric, Tamara Gustavson now operates Spendthrift, which Forbes estimated has a $400 million value. A Forbes-produced video explains how they arrived at that estimate, based on leading stallion Into Mischief, other bloodstock holdings and the farm's property and buildings.

Wayne Hughes, who died in August, remained on the Forbes list, ranked 925th with an estimated net worth of $3.3 billion. A self-made billionaire, Hughes created Public Storage, the largest self-storage company in the U.S.

Vincent Viola is ranked 807th on the list with an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion acquired in part from his electronic trading startup, Virtu Financial. Owner of the NHL's Florida Panthers, Viola co-owned Vino Rosso, winner of the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic in 2019.

Another owner of sports teams, Gayle Benson, ranks 891st on the Forbes lislt with an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion. Benson, widow of Tom Benson, owns the NFL's New Orleans Saints and NBA's New Orleans Pelicans. Her GMB Racing campaigned Tom's d'Etat, winner of the G1 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs in 2019.

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Brad Kelley, owner of Calumet Farm, has an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion, putting him 1,205th on the list of the world's richest people. Kelley, who lives in Tennessee, made his fortune in the tobacco industry.

Gerald Ford, who races as Diamond A Racing Corporation, is 1,249th on the list with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. Ford built his wealth through acquisition of distressed banks.

Kevin Plank, who created the Under Armour sportswear brand and owns Sagamore Farm in Maryland, has an estimated net worth of $2 billion putting him at No. 1,580.

Charlotte Weber, an heir to the Campbell Soup Co., is listed as No. 1,833 with an estimated net worth of $1.7 million. Owner of Live Oak Plantation, Weber's homebreds have won a host of Grade 1 races, and she's won two editions of the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile with World Approval and Miesque's Approval.

Kenny Troutt, owner of WinStar Farm, founded long-distance company Excel Communications more than 30 years ago. Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.5 billion, putting him at No. 2,035 on their list.

Also having an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion is Seth Klarman, whose Klaravich Stables has developed into one of the industry's leading owners, winning Horse of the Year for Bricks and Mortar in 2019 and voted an outstanding owner Eclipse Award with William H. Lawrence, his partner on a number of runners. Klarman manages one of the financial market's largest hedge funds, Boston-based Baupost.

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Known Agenda Tops Field Of Five Juveniles In Saturday’s Remsen

A nine-furlong test awaits a field of five juvenile colts in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Remsen over Aqueduct Racetrack's main track.

The Remsen, which offers 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers, is one of four graded stakes on Saturday's card which is headlined by the Grade 1, $250,000 Cigar Mile for 3-year-olds and up. The lucrative program also features the Remsen's juvenile fillies nine-furlong counterpart, the Grade 2, $150,000 Demoiselle, as well as the Grade 3, $100,000 Go for Wand for fillies and mares going a one-turn mile over the main track.

Already a winner at the nine-furlong distance, Known Agenda will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher a third Remsen triumph, joining subsequent Grade 1-winners Bluegrass Cat (2005) and Overanalyze (2012).

Owned and bred by Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable, Known Agenda rose to the occasion at second asking, breaking his maiden on Nov. 8 at Aqueduct over a fast main track. He sat just 1 1/2 lengths off the pace in the nine-furlong maiden special weight and battled down the stretch with Greatest Honour before winning by a head, garnering a 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

The chestnut son of Curlin and second foal out of Grade 1-winner Byrama finished second to eventual stakes-winner Highly Motivated in his career debut on Sept. 27, going 6 ½ furlongs at Belmont Park.

“I was actually surprised he ran as well as he did sprinting, but it helped him a lot for his maiden win,” Pletcher said. “He's designed to run longer. He's had two good efforts so far.”

Since breaking his maiden, Known Agenda has recorded two breezes over the Belmont training track, most recently a half-mile going 48.52 seconds on Nov. 28.

Pletcher said he was encouraged by the maiden victory on a track he considered to be deep on opening weekend of the Big A fall meet.

“We always felt that he was always a two-turn horse and is bred to be one,” Pletcher said. “Especially that opening week, it seemed like the track was extra demanding. The fact that he was able to handle it on that deep of a surface is encouraging. He's come back and trained well so we're looking forward to running him.”

John Velazquez, currently tied with fellow Hall of Famer Eddie Maple with four Remsen triumphs, will attempt to become the race's standalone winningest jockey, piloting Known Agenda from post 2.

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is the winningest conditioner in Remsen history with four previous scores and will attempt to extend his advantage when sending out Ten for Ten following a runner-up finish to Remsen-rival Pickin' Time in the Grade 3 Nashua on Nov. 7 at the Big A.

Owned by Donald and Donna Adam's Courtlandt Farms, the son of first crop sire Frosted was second in his debut on Sept. 7 going six furlongs at Saratoga, then won at second asking in front-running fashion by eight-lengths while registering a 78 Beyer. Ten for Ten replicated that figure in the Nashua when finishing 2 ¼ lengths back to Pickin' Time.

Ten for Ten worked a quick half-mile in 48.25 seconds Sunday on Big Sandy and McGaughey said the colt is coming into the Remsen in good order.

“He worked in 48 and change and went fine,” McGaughey said. “We're on the right track. He acts like he's a pretty nice horse. It will be interesting seeing him go a mile and an eighth. He's quick so we'll see how he does on Saturday. He should be able to place himself well.”

Bred in Kentucky by George Krikorian, Ten for Ten is the second offspring out of the Eskendereya mare Summer Vacation, who is a half-sibling to Grade 1-winners Creative Cause and Vexatious, as well as multiple graded stakes winner Destin.

Jockey Jose Ortiz will ride Ten for Ten from post 5.

John Bowers, Jr.'s New Jersey homebred Pickin' Time, trained by Kelly Breen, will attempt to become the first horse since Mohaymen in 2015 to score the Nashua-Remsen double.

The son of Stay Thirsty triumphed in the six-furlong Smoke Glacken on Sept. 27 at Monmouth Park and stretched out to one mile in style in the Nashua, where he made a three-wide move at the top of the stretch and took command just outside the eighth-pole to draw off to victory.

Pickin' Time boasts the highest earnings in the field with $184,025 through a consistent 5-3-1-0 lifetime record.

Jockey Jose Lezcano, who piloted 2009 Remsen victor Buddy's Saint, will return to the saddle from the inside post.

Mark Schwartz's Brooklyn Strong will attempt to parlay his stakes-winning form into graded stakes company for trainer Daniel Velazquez.

The son of Wicked Strong, bred in the Empire State by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan, was a winner at first asking in a maiden claiming mile on Sept. 12 at Delaware Park. Following a third in his stakes debut in the Bertram F. Bongard for state-breds on Oct. 2 at Belmont Park, Brooklyn Strong bested fellow state-breds in the one-mile Sleepy Hollow on Oct. 24 at Belmont Park by 2 1/4-lengths over Eagle Orb, who exited that race to win the Notebook on Nov. 14 at the Big A.

“It shows we're beating legitimate horses,” said Velazquez of the Sleepy Hollow score. “Physically, he's really maturing. We're coming into December now and he's growing more into his body and he's more physically stout.”

A $5,000 purchase at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training from the Coastal Equine consignment, Brooklyn Strong has already banked $112,500.

“The owner went down to Ocala and he called me and sent me a few pictures,” said Velazquez. “It was $5,000 and we decided to take a shot. We didn't think he'd end up winning stakes races. Of course, we're doing a little Derby dreaming, but we want to take it just one day at a time and stay healthy.”

Jockey Joel Rosario will climb aboard Brooklyn Strong for the first time from post 3.

Rounding out the field is Erawan, for trainer and owner Jose Corrales.

The Florida bred son of Rock Hampton was a 23-1 upset winner of his career debut on November 8 at Laurel Park before facing winners going 1 1/16 miles at the Maryland oval, where he was elevated to third after rallying from last-of-9 to come within a half-length of victory.

Jockey Manny Franco will be in the irons from post 4.

The Remsen is slated as Race 4 on Aqueduct's 10-race program, which offers a first post of 11:30 a.m. Eastern. America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the Aqueduct fall meet with coverage to air on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

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Pletcher ‘Very Happy’ With Dr Post’s Friday Work At Saratoga

Grade 1 Belmont Stakes runner-up Dr Post resumed serious preparations for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on Friday morning at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Under mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, the 3-year-old son of Quality Road went to the track following the renovation break, and completed his five-eighths work in company with stablemate Money Moves in 1:00.75 over a fast main track.

“It was a good work for him today. He galloped out well and I was very happy with what I saw out of him,” said Pletcher, who won the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017).

Pletcher said that Dr Post would work once more next Friday, August 28 over the Saratoga main track before shipping to Churchill Downs.

Owned by Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable, Dr Post will arrive at the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 16 at Monmouth Park after running second to likely Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law in the Belmont Stakes. His lone stakes victory to date took place in the Unbridled on April 26 at Gulfstream Park, where he was a 1 ½-length winner.

Pletcher holds the record for the most Kentucky Derby contestants, having saddled 54 contenders dating back to 2000, where he sent out Impeachment (third), More Than Ready (fourth) and Trippi (11th). He has finished second twice and third on four occasions, and his total number of starts is five more than the next-closest competitor in Hall of Famer and Pletcher mentor D. Wayne Lukas, who has sent out 49 starters.

Also on Friday, Pletcher sent out Robert and Lawana Low's Sweet Melania for a breeze over the Oklahoma training turf course, where she completed a half-mile move in 48.72 seconds in preparation for an attempt at a third graded stakes win in the Grade 3, $100,000 Lake George on Friday, August 28.

The daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner and second crop sire American Pharoah was an easy gate-to-wire winner of the last out Grade 3 Wonder Again over the Widener turf at Belmont Park. As a 2-year-old, she won the Grade 2 Jessamine at Keeneland en route to a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

“She worked well and finished up nicely,” Pletcher said.

Bred in Kentucky by St Elias Stables, Sweet Melania is out of the Discreet Cat mare Sweet N Discreet and is a direct descendant of prolific broodmare Lassie Dear. She was bought for $600,000 from the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where she was consigned by Gainesway.

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Vincent Viola: ‘The Belmont Is Absolutely The Race That I Covet The Most’

As a horse racing enthusiast, owner, and a native New Yorker, Vincent Viola holds the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes in the highest of regards. When asked by friends and family which race he most wants to win, he said he holds the American Classic at Belmont Park in the same regard as the Kentucky Derby.

Viola was able to cross the “Run for the Roses” off the checklist when Always Dreaming took him and numerous other owners, including wife Teresa Viola and fellow Brooklynite Anthony Bonomo, on a memorable ride in winning the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Two years later, the successful businessman again found himself heading to the winner's circle on one of the racing's biggest days when Vino Rosso, whom he co-owned with Repole Stable, captured the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita en route to earning the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Dirt Male.

But when Dr Post goes into the starting gate for Saturday's 152nd edition of the Belmont Stakes, he'll be attempting to give his owner a victory in the race that he holds the nearest and dearest to his heart.

“The Belmont is absolutely the race that I covet the most,” Viola said. “The race has a fantastic tradition. It's a different race this year given the circumstances at hand, but it still carries the history and memories of fantastic editions in the past. I've always put the Belmont right up there with the Kentucky Derby.”

Owned by Viola's St. Elias Stable, which is a nod to his father's middle name, Dr Post will be a second Belmont Stakes contender for Viola, who launched the electronic market making company Virtu Financial in 2008, five years before becoming owner of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers.

Frequent visits to Belmont Park and Aqueduct as a child with his father piqued Viola's interest in the sport of kings.

“I went to the racetrack as a young man with my dad regularly,” Viola recalled. “My dad taught me how to calculate odds, watch odds and figure out the impact of money in the mutuel pools, so from a mathematics and handicapping standpoint he taught me a lot about the game. I've been a real fan of the sport, but I never imagined that I would own a horse or help manage horses at this level. I would say it was a childhood romance. It's a heart and soul sport, I just wish more people would be blessed with opportunity to be introduced to it.”

Viola got his first taste of being a part of the Belmont Stakes when Vino Rosso ran fourth to Triple Crown-winner Justify in 2018.

Though light on experience, Dr Post gives his connections reason to believe a celebration could be imminent as he enters this year's Belmont Stakes – his graded stakes debut – having demonstrated noticeable progression in each of his three career starts.

Highly regarded early on, the dark bay son of Quality Road was fourth as the favorite on debut at Belmont Park in July, where he finished behind subsequent stakes winners Green Light Go and Another Miracle.

“We were very excited about Dr Post's maiden opportunity. He didn't run to his form and was training a lot better than he ran that day,” Viola said. “He may have hung a little bit but when we did work on him. We saw he was a little banged up. He's always been mature, easy to train, very professional. He's almost so talented that he measures up to the challenge at hand and taking our time with him proved to be the right thing to do.”

Since returning off the bench, the lightly raced Dr Post has rewarded that patience by scoring two victories this year at Gulfstream Park. After breaking his maiden on March 29 following a nearly nine-month layoff, he handled his first two-turn test with aplomb, capturing the Unbridled Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on April 25.

“If you watch his maiden win, he was really perfectly mature in the race,” Viola said. “If you watch the Unbridled Stakes, which was a decent field, he did not have an easy time and he displayed a tenacity and a real champion's heart that I hope carries him forward. People are down on the quality of the field this year, but I think these are some good horses. It's a well-stocked race. I'd love to run against [Grade 1 winners] Maxfield and Charlatan for sure, but it wasn't meant to be.”

Dr Post is named after Viola's family doctor, for whom his father was a patient, and has become close to Viola's family over the years.

“He really was a saving grace in my father's life. He had heart disease and he kept him healthy for 20 years. He became my doctor and he's really become more than just a doctor for me,” Viola said.

Dr Post , listed at 5-1 on the morning line, will attempt to make Viola's dream a reality when breaking from post 9 under Irad Ortiz, Jr.

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