Tiny Woods First Thoroughbred Legends Winner

The Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable, one of the biggest spenders at the 2008 yearling auctions, got its first winner July 25 when Tiny Woods defeated Sidney's Candy by a head in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race (VIDEO) at Del Mar in California. It was Tiny Woods’ career debut.

Olin Gentry and Thomas Gaines of Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds developed the idea for Legends Racing in partnership with investment banker Tripp Hardy. They announced their plans for the venture, known officially as the Thoroughbred Legends Racing Fund, in June of last year and began recruiting investors.

Gentry has declined to disclose how much money Thoroughbred Legends raised, but the operation paid $15,285,000 for 38 horses to rank second on the leading buyers’ list for North American yearling sales based on gross expenditures. Thoroughbred Legends also acquired another horse privately after it had been bought back for $140,000 by its consignor at the Keeneland September yearling auction.

Thoroughbred Legends’ three trainers are racing Hall of Fame members Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Nick Zito. Baffert conditions Tiny Woods, a 2-year-old son of Roman Ruler  . The colt is out of the Aggressive Chief mare Brooklynsangel, who is a half-sister to grade I winner Toccet   (by Awesome Again  ).

Thoroughbred Legends purchased Tiny Woods for $180,000 at the Keeneland September sale from Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent. Destiny Oaks bred the dark bay or brown colt in Florida.