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Jun 17
0

Winning Experience Despite Results

By | Adulator, Latest News, Preservationist, Securitiz

On-track victories aren’t the only way to win in thoroughbred racing. We sent forth a trio of horses in the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and although none won, everyone who attended had a phenomenal time.

Debuting Preservationist got the ball rolling, as his first race kicked off the Friday card at Belmont Park. The big colt finished a closing second to the more experienced Bombs Away, who was making his second career start. Preservationist’s massive gallop-out drew quite a bit of attention from those watching.

The form of highly regarded Bombs Away would go on to be further franked. Connect, another touted three-year-old who had defeated Bombs Away in their respective debuts, was an impressive allowance winner on the Belmont Stakes card.

Later on Friday, Adulator made his first start since breaking his maiden at Aqueduct Racetrack in the spring. Unfortunately, the handsome bay stumbled repeatedly exiting the starting gate. While many horses would throw in the towel after such an inauspicious beginning, Adulator demonstrated quite a bit of heart, and ability, to rejoin contention before flattening out to fourth.

Our final starter of the prestigious week’s racing was Securitiz, who made his graded stakes debut in the G2 Brooklyn. A disadvantageous draw in the far outside post meant plenty of lost ground. In fact, Trakus data shows he covered more distance than all but one other horse in the field at a whopping 57 feet more than the winner. Despite that, the big step up on class, and the fairly quick turnaround, Securitiz put up a big performance. He missed second by less than 1 3/4 lengths while finishing fifth to his champion stablemate, the runaway winner Shaman Ghost.

Three big on-track efforts left us plenty to be proud of as we enjoyed one of the year’s biggest cards of racing. Based out of the exquisite Champagne Room, which offered exclusive access to the Clubhouse apron, family, friends, and partners came together to watch a world-class day. Check out some of the scenes of the day and get in touch if you want to make sure you’re there for the next go-around!

  • Preservationist
  • Centennial Farms
  • Preservationist
  • Preservationist
  • Champagne Room
  • Adulator
  • Adulator.
  • Centennial Farms
  • Adulator
  • Centennial Farms
  • Securitiz
  • Securitiz
  • Centennial Farms
May 17
0

Brilliance at Belmont

By | Latest News, Securitiz, Unified

Three-for-three. Sprinting. Routing. Fast. Muddy. Gulfstream. Aqueduct. Belmont. Is there a more exciting three-year-old, with more upwards potential, than Unified? The undefeated colt was dazzling again this weekend, stretching out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time in the G2 Peter Pan.

Unified, exiting a victory going 7 furlongs in the G3 Bay Shore, sat off the pace in his first attempt going long. “I thought he rated as good as you could expect for only having two races,” said Jimmy Jerkens after the race. “I was happy to see that. Jose [Ortiz] did a good job of keeping his hands down and keeping him out off the fence,” he added.

It was an impressive display of professionalism for a lightly raced colt, who kicked clear down the stretch and held stakes winner, and possible Belmont Stakes contender, Governor Malibu at bay under the wire. The victory earned him a spot on the NTRA’s Top Three-Year-Old Poll and opened up a world of possibilities for the future. “He’s a talented horse, he always tries. I think he’s got the competitive spirit you want to see,” said Centennial President Don Little, Jr. after the victory.

The Centennial Farms team was back in force the following afternoon as hard-trying Securitiz made his stakes debut. Exiting a February win at Gulfstream Park, Securitiz stretched out to 1 3/8 miles in the Flat Out Stakes. Facing a tough field, the four-year-old took over the lead, got passed, and re-rallied to narrow the gap on the winner under the line. His second place finish earned him lucrative black-type, designating a top three finish in an elite-level race. In fact, his effort means at least one member of the last three Centennial Farms crops to hit the races has earned that distinction.

Plans for both Unified and Securitiz will be made in coming days as trainer Jimmy Jerkens and racing manager Dr. Stephen Carr evaluate their options. One thing is for certain – their futures look bright!

May 13
0

Busy Weekend at Belmont Park

By | Latest News, Securitiz, Unified

Just four and a half months in to 2016, Centennial Farms has already exceeded last year’s total wins. We’ll look to keep the success coming with a potentially big weekend coming up at Belmont Park where Unified and Securitiz tackle stakes company on Saturday and Sunday.

Undefeated Unified, brilliant in two starts sprinting, has been installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite in the G2 Peter Pan Stakes. The 1 1/8 mile fixture represents his first attempt at a route distance. Stretching out from 7-furlongs is a big step for a lightly raced horse, but as Don Little, Jr. noted, “Every step that he’s taken has been a big step.” Unified has taken each one thus far with style. “He’s off to a good start, hopefully we can keep the train rolling a little bit,” Little said.

Leading rider Jose Ortiz retains the mount following the duo’s successful partnership in the G3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct.

Securitiz makes his stakes debut in the inaugural edition of the Flat Out Stakes. A marathon at 1 3/8 miles, the race drew a small but tough group. Grade 1-placed stakes winner Elnaawi has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite. Securitiz, coming off a game victory at Gulfstream Park in February, is 8-1 with Joel Rosario board.

“He’s been a nice horse. He’s been a very consistent horse for us. He’s only won two but he’s been right in it,” said Little, adding “He tries hard every time.”

The G2 Peter Pan goes as the ninth race of an eleven race card on Saturday at Belmont Park with a scheduled post time of 5:45. Sunday’s Flat Out is the featured eighth race on a nine race card to close out the racing week. Post time is 5:13. Both races can be streamed live on NYRA.com.

Securitiz and Unified breeze at Belmont.

Securitiz (inside) and Unified (outside) breeze together on May 8 in preparation for their stakes engagements.

 

Don Little, Jr. discusses the weekend’s races, Juba, and more, beginning at the 1:27 mark.

May 09
3

Jubalation for Jubanation

By | Juba, Latest News

What a performance! Performances, really, as ultra-popular Juba delivered in a big way on the track and online. It was the latter that came first. The bidding on “Jubacasso”‘s Moneigh closed at a whopping $1,283.88. The price tag ranks Juba among the Top 5 most expensive artists in ReRun‘s history. His company in the upper echelon includes some of racing’s finest – American Pharoah and Zenyatta. The proceeds for Juba’s art, which he made with After the Finish Line, will be split between the two charities. ReRun’s portion has already directly funded the rescue of two mares from a kill pen.

Just four days later, Juba was at the center of a very different kind of eye-popping result. On Thursday afternoon, Juba found himself facing a tough field off the January layoff. Dismissed at 7-1, by far the longest odds he’s been since his career debut, Juba put forth the biggest performance of his career. The handsome gray received a textbook ride from Hall of Famer John Velazquez and turned it in to a powerhouse effort, drawing off to a 6 1/4 length victory. The Beyer speed figure of 100 marked a new lifetime top and is a mere six points off 2016’s highest number going up to a mile.

Miss the race or just want to relive it? Catch the replay!

  • Juba in the Belmont Park paddock
  • Juba in the Belmont Park winner's circle
  • Trainer Jimmy Jerkens and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez celebrate Juba's Belmont Park win.
Apr 27
0

“Jubacasso” Raises Money for Aftercare

By | Juba, Latest News

The result of Juba’s foray in to the arts is now available on eBay! The ever-popular horse was invited to create a Moneigh®, the result of which is currently being auctioned off. Dawn Mellen of After the Finish Line visited Juba at Jimmy Jerkens’ Belmont Park barn. Using non-toxic, washable paint in Centennial Farms colors and a gray reminiscent of his own coat color, Juba used his lips and muzzle to create a unique design, which he then “signed” with a hoof-print. The resulting work of art was matted, along with a lock of his mane, by ReRun, Inc.

Bidding opened at $25.00 for the painting, but it quickly skyrocketed in price. The first bid came in at an even $100, and it has only continued to rise. Proceeds from the sale of Moneighs® goes to thoroughbred aftercare. Please visit After the Finish Line® and ReRun, Inc. to learn more about each organization, including how to donate. Bidding remains open on Juba’s artwork until 6:45pm EDT on Sunday, May 1.

Juba painting
Apr 20
0

Adulator Awes at Aqueduct

By | Adulator, Latest News

One week after Unified blitzed the G3 Bay Shore field, Centennial Farms was back in the Aqueduct winner’s circle! Adulator clearly benefited from the experience of his troubled-trip Gulfstream Park debut. New York Racing Association paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale noted the colt’s “Big, strong, and professional,” appearance before the race. He did not disappoint. Adulator relaxed off of the front runners, loomed three-wide around the turn, and drew off to an authoritative 3 1/2-length victory. The classy colt gave every indication he will enjoy more distance of ground and we look forward to giving him that opportunity in the future.

Apr 11
0

Unbeaten, Ultra-Impressive Unified Scores

By | Latest News, Unified

One minute, twenty-two and four-fifths seconds. That’s how long it took Unified to answer a boatload of questions. Will his form transfer from Gulfstream? Can he handle the slop? How about the big step up in class? And what if he breaks slowly?

Yes. Yes. No problem. Ditto.

Unified was sensational for a second time, taking the G3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct and drawing overflowing praise from racing professionals and fans alike. He attracted words like, “Special,” and “Freaky,” while NYRA racing analysts Andy Serling and Jason Blewitt described him as, “The horse of the day,” and “Oozing with raw talent and athleticism.”

Jockey Jose Ortiz, who leads all riders in New York thus far in 2016, was similarly impressed, saying, “I waited until the quarter pole and when I asked him to go he flew. When I asked him to go at the quarter pole, I knew if he kept going at that pace he was going to win. I think he is really, really nice. Now he’s got two races that prove that.”

The undefeated colt’s speed and talent is quantifiable. His 102 Beyer is just one point off the top of his generation at any distance and makes him the only three-year-old colt to crack the Daily Racing Form’s all-ages leaderboard up to a mile. Unified also received a 107 Brisnet Speed Rating for the effort, the highest of any three-year-old this year.

It was an absolutely thrilling performance and everyone is eager to see what’s in store for this exceptional colt!

Mar 16
0

Two-Year-Olds in Action

By | Crescent, Czech Rate, Empire, Holy Grail, Latest News, Metallic, Pirate's Treasure, Rocketry, Weather Wiz

Check in with the Centennial two-year-olds as they progress in their training at the farm in Middleburg, Virginia.    All six colts are galloping daily and doing some early gate work at the Training Center.  Ownership interests are still available in the 2015 Empire, LLC as well as the 2015 Crescent, LLC.   Learn the excitement of thoroughbred ownership first-hand and #getinthegame.

Mar 09
0

Middleburg Renovation

By | Latest News

The Centennial Farms commitment to excellence extends beyond the racetrack. The lower barn at our beautiful farm in Middleburg, Virginia recently underwent renovations and now looks better than ever!

The lower barn is one of two barns on the spacious property, which also includes round pens, paddocks, and access to the historic training track built by Paul Mellon. Each generation of Centennial stars receives their early training in Middleburg and they may return during their racing careers for a brief respite from track life.

Centennial Farms lower barn in Middleburg