Rocketry’s late season surge, capped by a victory in the G2 Marathon presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, led the way during a terrific 2018 season for Centennial Farms and our loyal partners. The hard work by Paula Parsons and Dr. Carr in diligently selecting world-class athletes to prepare and oversee resulted in a whopping fourteen victories once in the hands of Jimmy Jerkens. Nearly 30% of our starters were winners over the course of the year, with over 50% finishing in the top three. We were absolutely thrilled to bring our partners to the winner’s circle at some of the nation’s most prestigious meetings, including a trio of victories at unrivaled Saratoga and a victory during the first of two Breeders’ Cup cards. Here’s to more success in 2019!
Mihos, third in his debut at Belmont Park in September, put the lessons learned that day to good use at The Big A, drawing rave reviews with a maiden victory! The two-year-old was geared down in a 1 1/4-length score. He earned the “Rising Star” designation from Thoroughbred Daily News for his effort. Fellow Centennial Farms runners Unified and Rocketry both earned that status in recent years before going on to stakes glory.
New surface, new heights! After becoming a stakes winner in his last start, and setting a Belmont Park track record, Rocketry upped the ante at Churchill Downs. Not only did he break a second consecutive track record at one of the nation’s most prestigious venues, but he became a graded stakes winner! His victory in the G2 Marathon, the final race on the Friday Breeders’ Cup card, was made all the more special due to its presenting sponsor – the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The TAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. It is the only body of its kind responsible for the accreditation of monitoring of aftercare organizations.
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BloodHorse: “Rocketry Soars Home in Final Moments to Win Marathon”
DRF: “Rocketry does it again in Marathon Stakes“
Good things come with time and maturity! Illudere delivered on his early promise with an easy maiden victory at Belmont Park. Jimmy Jerkens and his team have done a phenomenal job with this quirky guy, who was memorably scratched after getting loose on the way to the starting gate in his intended first start.
WOW! Rocketry made the most of his dirt debut, becoming a stakes winner and a track record holder in one fell swoop. The four-year-old could not have been more impressive in the Temperence Hill at Belmont Park, beating a nice field by 1 1/2-lengths and lowering a track record held by none other than Man o’ War. His victory marked the sixth consecutive year that Centennial Farms’ partners have enjoyed a stakes victory and/or graded stakes placing.
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BloodHorse: “Rocketry Blasts to Track Record in Temperance Hill”
DRF Recap: “Rocketry shows love of dirt in Temperence Hill Stakes“
Weather Wiz provided an outstanding exclamation point to the prestigious Saratoga meet with a closing weekend allowance victory! The colt’s win was the third for Centennial Farms at the nation’s most cherished venue. No other partnership brought their partners to the winner’s circle on more occasions over the course of the meet.
There’s no meet like it in North America – owners from all over the country covet a victory at beloved and historic Saratoga Race Course like no other. To win a race is an achievement. To win two in a day? Unbelievable. Securitiz and Adulator provided an incredibly memorable double, each rolling to victory at The Spa. The wins were somewhat bittersweet as both horses, favorites of partners and the Jerkens barn, were claimed out of their victories. Placing horses where they belong is an important part of managing their careers for their partners. We’ll be keeping an eye on where they go from here!
After knocking on the door in each of his four prior starts, consistent Weather Wiz rewarded his partners with a resounding maiden victory. The personable four-year-old romped to a 4 3/4-length victory at Belmont Park!
Candygram’s fourth lifetime start proved to be a sweet one, as the sophomore broke out of the maiden ranks with a confident score at Belmont Park. It was a particularly special one, as it allowed some partners new to thoroughbred ownership to take their first trip to the winner’s circle!
Pirate’s Treasure broke out of the maiden ranks with a front-running score at Aqueduct! As a New York-bred facing open company, his victory also earned more than $2,400 in owners awards for his partners.
