South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
The first stride to the finish line begins in South Carolina
Between December 21 and January 19, four times South Carolina training center graduates crossed the finish line first in Stakes races. Simply Joking did it twice!
On December 21, Simply Joking, the only first time starter in the Letellier Stakes at Fair Grounds, proved best in this 2-year-old Stakes race. Last out of the gate she stayed behind horses until she began her rally turning for home. While 5 wide, she caught up to the leader with a furlong to go and outdueled that one to the wire winning by a neck.
Simply Joking came back on January 18 and remained unbeaten capturing the Silverbulletday Stakes also at Fair Grounds. Simply Joking broke on top and never looked back drawing clear in the stretch crossing the finish line 2 ½ lengths in front. This filly by Practical Joke was developed for her racing career at the Travis
Durr Training Center. Kentucky Oaks dreams are on the minds of owners Grantley Acres, Ryan Connor and Berkles0813 and trainer Whit Beckman.
Also on December 21, the Travis Durr graduate, Her Laugh, was a wire-to-wire winner of the Untappable Stakes at Fair Grounds. She won her debut race at Churchill Downs on November 17. In the Untappable Stakes, Her Laugh was in complete control throughout being 2 ½ lengths in front at the finish. She also is a 3- year-old filly by Practical Joke and is owned by Grantley Acres and trained by Whit Beckman as is Simply Joking. More Kentucky Oaks dreams!!
One more former student of the Travis Durr Training Center, Toupie, recorded her fourth Stakes victory, winning the Las Cienegas Stakes-G3 at Santa Anita on January 19. This was her first Graded Stakes victory. She also broke on top and led the field to the finish line being 2 ½ lengths clear at the wire. In 11 career starts, Toupie has recorded 5 wins, 3 second place finishes and a third accumulating $371,775 in earnings.