Daniel J. Lopez's Geeky Gorgeous, a winner of three stakes races last year, has been named New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for 2013.
Geeky Gorgeous also was named champion handicap mare and champion sprinter.
The consistent daughter of Devil His Due posted three wins and a second from five starts in 2013 and earned $169,200 for Lopez, who also trains her. She strung together a three-stakes win streak, beginning with a 2 1/2-length triumph against open company in the Regret Stakes and followed with a convincing two-length victory over males in the New Jersey Breeder's Handicap Sept. 21, both at Monmouth Park. She capped the trio of wins when closing from midpack in the Cornucopia Stakes at Parx Racing to finish the six-furlong contest in a swift 1:08.90.
Geeky Gorgeous was bred in New Jersey by Joe-Dan Farm out of the Pure Prize mare Thatholeinmypocket.
Laurie Plesa's homebred Flay Mignon was named champion 2-year-old filly after winning three of her four starts, including the Colleen Stakes against open company and the Jersey Juvenile Stakes against males. Trained by Ed Plesa the daugher of Yesbyjimminy is out of of Forest Retreat, by Forest Camp.
Mark DeDomenico and Jerry Hollendorfer's Exit Stage Left was named champion 2-year-old male after winning both of his starts in stakes races at Golden Gate Fields. The son of Noomark won the Golden Nugget Stakes followed by an impressive win in the Gold Rush Stakes. Bred by Bright View Farm out of Hana J, by Peaks and Valleys. he is trained by Hollendorfer.
New Farm homebred Rainbow Heir is the champion 3-year-old after winning four of his seven starts, including the Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park. Rainbow Heir entered the Jersey Shore Stakes on a three-race win streak and ran to his post-time favorite status in a front-running score by five lengths. Trained by Ben Perkins Jr. the son of Wildcat Heir out of the Prospectors Gamble mare Rainbow Pride has career earnings of $173,460.
Smith Farm and Stable's Javerre, the 2012 New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year, had another successful campaign in 2013 and has been named champion handicap horse. Javerre won the General George Handicap (gr. III) at Laurel Park. The son of Outflanker also finished second in the Native Dancer Stakes and Teddy Drone Stakes in 2013. Bred by Gunsmith Stables out of Our Fantene, by Touch Gold, he has career earnings of $366,604.
Joel Kligman's Richiefromshoprite was named champion turf runner after winning the Dan Horn Handicap at Monmouth Park. Bred by Joel Kligman and Karen Jenningsout of the Indian Charlie mare Indian Boot's, Richiefromshoprite was a five-time winner, with three seconds and five thirds before passing away last summer. Trained by Stacy Machiz, the son of Iron Deputy had career earnings of $208,038.
Rainbow Pride is the Broodmare of the Year for 2013. New Farm owns the 17-year-old mare by Prospectors Gamble who has produced five winners from five starters, including 2013 New Jersey-bred champion 3-year-old, Rainbow Heir. Rainbow Pride, who is out of Our Lady Tingle, by Pursuit, has a 2014 New Jersey-bred colt by Henny Hughes at her side.
Defrere is the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey's Stallion of the Year for the sixth consecutive year. A full brother to Eclipse Award winner and leading sire Dehere, the son of Deputy Minister had three stakes horses in 2013 and progeny earnings of $1,403,445. The 22-year-old stallion, who is out of Sister Dot, by Secretariat, is owned by a syndicate and stands at Walnford Stud in Allentown.
