 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
The sweltering Florida heat proved no match for the emotions coursing through Ali Rice as she watched one of her stable's prized fillies deliver a performance that transcended mere athletic achievement at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Under Tack show.
"I'm getting goosebumps," said Rice, who operates RiceHorse Stable with her husband Brandon. "It's 100 degrees and I'm getting goosebumps."
The source of her overwhelming pride was Hip 412, a chestnut filly by Leinster currently named Elenique, who scorched the track with a quarter-mile time of 20.60 seconds to claim the fastest time at the distance during the session.
The impressive youngster, owned by Aldo De Luca, is out of the winning Cape Blanco mare Cape Trios, herself a daughter of stakes winner Trois Aureole. Having joined the RiceHorse team approximately six weeks ago, Elenique had already made a substantial impression through her exceptional temperament and physical attributes before her bullet workout.
"She arrived to us and has done everything right and came into this poised and ready for action," Rice explained. "She's so efficient in her stride that it seems effortless when she goes. You never hear her move across the track so you never expect 20 and 3 but we knew she was so efficient that she would produce the breeze on the day."
Rice praised the track conditions, noting that organisers had implemented measures to ensure optimal performance opportunities. "I think OBS has done a good job keeping the track fair and nice," she continued. "It can get hot and sticky but we're starting earlier, we're breaking often. We're doing the right things so horses can have an opportunity to perform."
The emotional significance of Elenique's performance became apparent when De Luca shared the poignant story behind her name shortly after the workout. The tale revealed a deeply personal connection that elevated the filly's achievement beyond mere commercial success.
"He told me a beautiful story today where his partner in business and his wife passed away within four months of each other," Rice revealed. "Their little boy is 11 years old, and he came to the farm for a little time away to see the horses and he particularly loved this filly. So, De Luca gave the partner in name a piece of this filly."
The naming rights were granted to the grieving child, with Elenique taking her moniker in honour of his mother who succumbed to cancer. "And the little boy asked if he could name her, so she is named Elenique after his mother who died of cancer. Sometimes these horses know that it needs to happen," Rice added.
Two colts matched each other with identical times of 20.80 seconds, demonstrating the quality throughout the session. Hip 369, a bay colt by Global Campaign consigned by Ocala Stud, showcased impressive breeding credentials as a son of the winning Harlan's Holiday mare Holiday Flare. The colt boasts family connections to multiple stakes-placed Restofthestory and stakes-placed Big Effect.
The second 20.80 performer was Hip 410, a bay colt by Twirling Candy consigned by Tom McCrocklin. This youngster carries the bloodlines of the Speightstown mare Brooke and Emory, who is out of multiple Group One winner Hard Not to Like.
McCrocklin also presented the session's sole 21.00 performer in Hip 425, Slovenia Melania, a chestnut filly by Nyquist. The daughter of the More Than Ready mare Hasnaa claims family ties to Group One winner Shagaf.
Seven horses recorded times of 9.80 seconds over the eighth-mile distance, highlighting the exceptional depth of talent on display. Notable performers included Hip 351, Let's Go Barbie, a dark bay filly by Midshipman consigned by New Hope AB. The filly is out of the winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Greek Mythology, a half-sister to Group One winner and stakes producer Devious Intent.
Hip 459, a chestnut filly by Charlatan from Top Line Sales, is out of the winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Jade d'Oro, demonstrating her class as a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Lord Nelson. The Uncle Chuck filly Hip 476, consigned by S G V Thoroughbreds, is out of the With Distinction mare Kiana Believes and represents the female family of Group One winners Point Ashley and Paola Queen.
Wildheart Thoroughbreds presented Hip 496, a Kantharos filly out of the winning Twirling Candy mare Last Resort and half-sister to stakes winner Professors' Pride, while Harris Training Center showcased Hip 503, a Maximus Mischief filly out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Drop Kitty, a full sister to multiple stakes winner and Group One placed Candy Kitty.
The session concluded with impressive performances from Hip 512, a Modernist colt from Omar Ramirez Bloodstock out of the winning Sidney's Candy mare Lila Ruth representing the family of multiple Group One winner
Win, and Hip 528, Unlimited, an Authentic colt from Wavertree Stables out of the Pulpit mare Lovely, a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Multiple Choice and connected to champion older dirt male National Treasure.
The Under Tack show continues with subsequent sessions before culminating in the main sale featuring sessions across multiple days, with each session commencing at 10am.