Multiple stakes-placed Judge's Case died May 15 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm near Georgetown, Ky. The 20-year-old gelding was euthanized due to chronic orthopedic disease.
Bred in Florida by J. C. and Phyliss Dudley, Judge's Case (Montbrook—Extra Case, by Upper Case) earned $707,618 in his racing career, and he earned it the hard way. In 104 starts the game gelding hit the board 62 times, 16 of them were wins. His claim to fame came at the age 6 when he finished third to Horse of the Year Mineshaft in the 2003 Pimlico Special Handicap (G1). He also placed in the Fort Marcy Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack. Judge's Case raced until he was 11, retiring in May of 2008.
While he had many trainers and several owners throughout his career, he was most recently owned by partners Daniel Zamborsky, Jason Phillips, and owner-trainers Tom and Lisa Schell, who visited him often at Old Friends and helped to provide for him over the years.
"While saddened by the news, my heart is full of joy with the memories of the last 10 years," Zamborsky said. "I can never thank Old Friends and (Old Friends founder) Michael Blowen enough for everything they did for 'Judge.' While he was lucky to have found Old Friends, I feel we were the fortunate ones. Making the trips to visit him, going to the track, and taking evening rides around the farm with Michael are memories I will always treasure.
"Judge may be gone, but his spirit will always live on," Zamborsky added. "I look forward to many more years visiting Old Friends and making new memories with all the horses that are so fortunate."
"He was a true warrior," said Blowen. "He always kept his game face on no matter what, and was such a fan favorite and a favorite around the barn. We were honored to have him with us all these years, and we will certainly miss him."