DeBerdt, Delguidice Team for Pinhooking Venture

California bloodstock agent Bruno DeBerdt and Florida pinhooker and former jockey Rudy Delguidice Jr. have formed a new venture, Excel Bloodstock. They are buying yearlings to resell as 2-year-olds in 2005 at auctions at major select sales in California, Florida, and Kentucky.

"We've got a few, select clientele involved, and we want to focus on quality," said DeBerdt at the recent Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling auction. "It depends on the purchase prices, but we'll probably buy between 15 to 20 yearlings this year. We don't want to go over 20 because if you get too big, you can't have proper quality control. The horses will be taken to Florida, and Rudy will prepare them. I will travel to Florida on a regular basis. It will be a team effort."

Delguidice previously worked as the right-hand man to Florida pinhooker Becky Thomas of Sequel Bloodstock. The two parted ways earlier this year.