In a day and age when retiring graded stakes winners as 3-and 4-year-olds is the now the norm, the Thoroughbred racing industry is in desperate need of older superstars. Gutsy horses that fans can get attached to and follow for the better part of a decade.
Prominent New York owner and breeder Michael Watral, whose Dixie Brass won the 1992 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) as a 3-year-old, died Sept. 17 at 87.
James F. Edwards' Princess Dixie controlled the pace with a gate to wire victory in Sunday's $114,300 Mount Vernon Handicap for New York-bred fillies and mares at Belmont Park.
Chester and Mary Broman's Beautiful America overcame a troubled start, then came wide in the lane to overtake favored Combanchera and win the $100,000 Maid of the Mist for New York-bred, 2-year-old fillies by a half-length Saturday afternoon.
Trainer Ramon "Mike" Hernandez could have the post-time favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Maid of the Mist for juvenile fillies in Beautiful America.
Jockey Heberto Castillo Jr. was taken to North Shore University Hospital after his mount, A Moment in Dixie, ducked into the rail during the stretch run of the ninth and final race Friday afternoon at Belmont Park.
The initial findings from an autopsy on Dixie Brass, the leading sire standing in New York in 2001, were unable to determine a cause for his death.
Karen Murphy, an attorney representing owner Michael Watral, said she is coordinating an investigation into the unexpected death Jan. 28 of leading New York stallion Dixie Brass.
New York stallion Dixie Brass, who was represented by the earners of $4 million in 2001, died Jan. 28 at James Edwards' The Stallion Park in Millbrook, N.Y.
New York stallion Dixie Brass, who was represented by the earners of $4 million in 2001, died Jan. 28 at James Edwards' The Stallion Park in Millbrook, N.Y.
Prominent New York stallion Dixie Brass, who was taken last week to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine because of a swollen throat, got a clean bill of health on Feb. 15.
Prominent New York stallion Dixie Brass will stand the 2001 breeding season at James F. Edwards' The Stallion Park in Millbrook, N.Y.
Sent off at nearly 12-1, I'm Brassy led at every pole in Monday's $150,000 Prioress Stakes.
