The popular 9-year-old gelding Truly a Judge, twice a graded stakes winner after being claimed for $20,000 in 2001, has been retired, Southern California trainer David Bernstein said.
Truly a Judge's last victory came in the San Gabriel Handicap (gr. III) on Jan. 1, 2005, at Santa Anita Park when the race was transferred from the grass to the main track. He also won the Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park in 2004. Truly a Judge earned seven other black-type placings for owners Alan Aidekman, Gaylord Ailshie, and Tom Harris from 2003 to '05.
The Kentucky-bred dark bay son of Judge T C amassed earnings of $764,342 while winning 12 of 53 starts with eight seconds and 11 thirds. He was winless in four starts in 2007. The key to success for Truly a Judge, Bernstein said, was to allow him to run on the front end.
“We had him for six years and he leaves a big hole in the barn, because he was the favorite,” said Bernstein. “He was honest and genuine and he was a character to be around. We’re certainly going to miss him. It’s hard to replace one like that because we got him so cheaply and he became a graded stakes winner. He was a poor man’s Lava Man.”
Truly a Judge, bred by Robert and Bea Roberts, was retired to the California Equine Retirement Farm in Winchester.
Multiple graded winner Truly a Judge
