South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
The first stride to the finish line begins in South Carolina
Racing Across the Nation
Between July 23 and August 13, four horses who underwent the breaking process at South Carolina train centers found their way to the winner's circle following Stakes races.
On July 23, Dream Shake, a graduate of Cary Frommer's program in Aiken, proved best in the Connaught Cup Staes-G2 at Woodbine. Dream Shake stalked the leader down the backside and around the turn. While between rivals, he gained the advantage at the top fo the stretch and hit the finish line a length in front. This was Dream Shake's second win in a row at Woodbine. During his 12 race career, Dream Shake has 4 wins and $469,426 in earnings.
Maldives Model, a Pennsylvania homebred owned by Tom Coulter and his Arrowood Farm, proved best in the Princess of Sylmar Stakes at Presque Isle Downs on July 24. Coulter has been sending his yearlings to Randy and Kala Rentz in Erhardt, SC for several years. Maldives Model, third for much of the race, rallied in the stretch to catch the favorite in the shadow of the finish line winning by a 1/2 length. This was the second Stakes win for the 5-year-old mare. She has finished in the top 3 in 12 of 19 career starts earning $251,340.
King Ice captured his second Stakes win in a row rallying from the last to win the Governor's Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis on August 2. King Ice also won the Sank Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 8. A former student at Franklin "Goree" Smith's Elloree Training Center, this 3-year-old colt came out of the gate in a tangle, righted himself but trailed the field for the first 1/2 mile dropping over 14 lengths behind the leader. He kicked into gear around the three-eights pole coming 5 wide around the field and proved much the best crossing the finish line 31/4 lengths in front. In 9 career starts, King Ice has 4 wins and 2 seconds earning $306,391.
Dataman, who was developed by Travis Durr at his Travis Durr Trining center in St. Matthews, won his second race in a row proving best in the Bald Eagle Derby at Laurel Park on August 13. Dataman, while fourth, stalked the leader into the stretch. He made the lead around the one-sixteenth pole and was beginning to draw away at the wire winning by 3/4's of a length.