TOBA North Carolina 2024 State Breeder of the Year:: ART BAUER

The pride and joy of Bauer Farm, located near Waxhaw, N.C., is current 4-year-old mare Hartful Hope by Central Banker —She's Stylish, by Posse. Before she raced, she was sold privately to a close friend of Bauer's, Gerard Eckhardt, for the price of $1.50—Bauer still has the quarters!

In earning the 2023 North Carolina Breeder of the Year award, Bauer now credits this filly he sold for less than the typical minimum win bet.

In 2023 the then 3-year-old had four wins for Eckhardt. She broke her maiden May 22 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The next two victories were registered at Belterra Park in Cincinnati. On Sept. 7, the daughter of Central Banker won a five-furlong allowance race at Belterra to earn $10,680. Later that same month at Belterra, she fought her way to the wire to win in a six-furlong allowance and earn $11,700. 

Moving to Mahoning Valley Race Course, Hartful Hope secured her biggest win yet Dec. 18 and became the shining star of Bauer's breeding program. The filly won a $27,500 allowance race. Bauer marks this race where Hartful Hope earned $16,500 as the highlight of his career.

THE PADDOCK PASTOR (Get Stormy) won his 2nd this time at a mile on the Laurel turf course. He raced very wide on both turns but cleared in the stretch to win by 3 lengths for trainer  Brittany T. Russell and owner The Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant).
Breeder: Stone Bridge Farm, LLC.
Also trained by Brittany Russell for the Elkstone Group is WISH ME HOME (Midshipman). She vied for the lead right out of the gate and grabbed it quickly to lead all the way to a 1 1/2 length victory racing 1 1/16 on the turf.  This was her 5th win.
Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Charles McGinnes

Elkstone homebred ONCOURTCOMMENTATOR  (Uncle Mo) raced a mile 1/16 on the turf at Laurel to spurt to an easy win first time out. She settled off the pace then accelerated under a hand ride 5 or 6 wide to clear tiring foes for the victory by 2 lengths. This exciting filly is trained by Brittany Russell. 
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,430.

Proud of EFF THIRTY FIVE(Yoshida (JPN)) - he graduated by 2 1/4 lengths going gate to wire in a MSW at Pimlico on Black-Eyed Susan day. Selected as a yearling and started by Custom Care Equine, he is owned by The Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant) and trained by Brittany Russell. 

Accimated at Custom Care,

Beginning the North American phase of her career with Brittany Russell on the mid-Atlantic circuit, Uncorked immediately showed improved form. Beaten just a neck in an allowance at Delaware Park on her United States debut last May, Uncorked captured a pair of allowances at Monmouth Park and took second and third in similar events at Laurel Park and Delaware Park in her next four starts. Fading to sixth after pressing the pace in the nine-furlong Athenia Stakes, Uncorked gained her first black type after closing well to take third in the Forever Together Stakes at Aqueduct in November. Switched to the West Coast and the barn of Phil D'Amato, Uncorked was making her first start of the year in the Royal Heroine. Reserved off the pace early by Frankie Dettori, she slipped through on the rail turning for home and powered clear to score by two lengths.

UNCORKED was received  out of quarantine by Donna Freyer and was acclimated at Custom Care Equine over some time before going to the track,

 MUDVILLE NINE (Hard Spun) got a short break after being claimed by trainer Rob Atras and came back to reward his new connections with a win racing 6 furlongs at Aqueduct. He was hustled out of the gate and moved to the outside to close and win by 2 1/4. He is now owned by 
Robert A. Derr.

SW MARKET ALERT (D'Funnybone) has brought many happy connections to the winner's circle. The 6 year old  made it 2 in a row winning this time going 6 1/2 furlongs at Aqueduct for a $25,000 tag. Gunned at the start for his common wire-to-wire style, he was cut off and willingly switched to rally up the inside  and immediately rewarded his new connections with a win. He was haltered again and once more we hope he brings still another set of connections to the winner's circle.

Multiple stakes placed CLICK TO CONFIRM ( Tonalist) raced 1 1/16 at Laurel to a win. She started inside and then eased out to clear her field for her 4th win. She was claimed out of this AOC and we wish her new connections the best.racing luck. B: The Elkstone Group LLC (MD)

SW MARKET ALERT (D'Funnybone) is still winning at 6. He wired the field to win his 7th race - this time at a mile at Aqueduct for a $32,000 tag. He won by 1 1/2 lengths for his next set of new connections trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci and owner Diane Balsamo. 

Two-year-old GOTTS GOT  IT (Kantharos)  broke his maiden in a MSW at Presque Isle and followed that with an allowance win and a stakes placing in the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at the same track. Today he endured bumper cars at the start but persevered and dueled up the inside to gain and hold the lead to win for the 3rd time. This time was at 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt at Tampa Bay in an AOC. GOTTS GOT IT is an Elkstone homebred trained by Ron Potts.

The tenacious gelding Eye Luv Lulu, a regular on the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit from 2013-20 and started at CUSTOM CARE EQUINE, is readying for the next chapter of his career at Second Chance Thoroughbreds in Spencer, N.Y. thanks to his breeder Donald Newman's son, Richard Newman, and the hard work of the non-profit retraining facility.  CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE

The world id=s getting smaller. MOUNT  ATHOS(GB)(Dark Angel(ire) ran  2nd in the PRIX LUTHIER-Listed  going 7 1/2f (AWT)at Deauville.
O-Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum
 B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB)
T-James Tate

SENATOR KELLY (Bourbon Courage) has been on the board in all 6 previous starts but completed the job today breaking his maiden racing 6 furlongs at Laurel. He broke slowly and made his way through traffic to find the wire in front by a nose. SENATOR KELLY is a homebred for The Elkstone Group LLC.
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell
 

Courtesy of the Paulick Report

In Race 6, a late surge by the Jose Ortiz-piloted AMANDA'S FOLLY  was enough to secure victory over the game pacesetter Silver Skillet in an off-the-turf edition of the $200,000 Ticonderoga originally scheduled at 1 1/16-miles over the inner turf for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE

LIFESPAN (Animal Kingdom) is a real warrior with 60 starts. He has been paying his way by hitting the board, but today he added a win going a mile on the dirt at Delaware Park. He made his way to the rail, cut the corner and slipped through as the leader drifted out and won by 1 1/2 lengths for trainer Jose A. Ramirez and owner Francisco G. Ramirez

The Elkstone Group's homebred Kantharos gelding GOTTS GOT IT made it 2 in a row after breaking his maiden. Stepping up into stakes company in the itz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Preque Isle Downs, he closed well on the outside to gain the place and his r first black-type. GOTTS GOT IT is trained by Ron Potts. 

On the same day, BENCH WALK (Bernardini) won his 3rd - this one for owner/trainer Nirka Huertas at Finger Lakes.

"(Get Smokin is) an absolute dream to own. He just lays it out for you every single time," Malter, the managing partner of Ironhorse Racing Stable, said after the Turf Cup. "I think he was just screaming for the humans to come up with a plan for him. We made a plan. I said I wanted to run in this race, and (trainer) Mark (Casse) said to me, 'You're one of my crazier owners. This idea, I don't think is that crazy.' So I'm glad I have a trainer who is willing to listen to some of my crazy ideas."  CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE

THE RAGE OF ART (Take of the Cat) was purchased by Elkstone as a yearling but was claimed soon after her maiden win. She added win #2 today for new connections owner  L and G Racing Stables and trainer Cesar Govea. Sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf at Louisiana Downs she came 2 wde for the win.  Breeder: Parrish Hill Farm & Ashford Stud

Elkstone's MUDVILLE NINE stalked and then cleared to the outside to win and break his maiden by a head - racing 6 furlongs on the dirt. He was claimed out of this race and we wish his new connections the best of racing luck.

Earlier in 2022, ONEROLLOFTHEDICE (Dialed In) added her first black type with a willing late surge to be 3rd in the Orleans Stakes at Delta Downs and followed that with a  win in an AOC sprint at  Evangeline  Downs for win #6! Given a year off, she is back with an allowance win (her 7th) sprinting at Evangeline Downs, She closed to get her head in front where it counted,
Breeder: Morris B. Floyd & Gary Layman. Record: 14 76 0 3  $130,80

UNCORKED(AUS) (Pierro (AUS)) was racing in Australia last year and broke her maiden there. Making her first start in the US, she was 2nd in allowance company at Delaware Park. Last month racing 1 1/16 on the turf at Monmouth, she bid between horses on the far turn and kicked clear for the win - her 2nd - by 2 1/4 lengths. Today she won again in allowance company at Monmpit going 1 1/16 on the turf. She raced off the pace and closed to  win my a head.  She is trained by Trainer: Brittany T. Russell for The Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant).

AMANDA'S FOLLY (f, 3, Mendelssohn) was claimed by owner/trainer Linda Rice in April of this year and  immediately proved the value of the claim by winning right back and in allowance company. She has followed that with 2 on the board finishes and today wired the field to win in allowance company at Saratoga.
Lifetime Record: 14- 4-3-1, $189,650.
B-Lambholm (NY)

Courtesy of the TDN
3rd-Saratoga, $106,950, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 7-14, 3yo, f, 1m (off turf), 1:38.78, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
LIFELOVENLAUGHTER (f, 3, Lemon Drop Kid--Too Foofoo for You, by Freud) broke her maiden over the turf at second asking at Pimlico last fall before finishing off the board in the Chelsea Flower S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet and in the Tepin S. in Ozone Park. After a break, she was fifth against allowance company in Baltimore May 20, but she just missed by a neck June 22 at Belmont. Trying dirt for the first time in this off-turf affair, the 8-5 shot led up the backstretch before trading blows with even-money favorite Quarrel (Speightstown) into the far turn. Edging away at the quarter pole, the bay filly increased her margin down the lane and went on to graduate by 2 3/4 lengths over Modern Love (Curlin). The first of her dam's offspring, the winner has only one other sibling--a 2-year-old colt by Include. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-1, $137,930.
O/B-The Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant) (MD); T-Michael J. Trombetta. 

Off the favorite, RATIONALMILLENNIAL (Orb) raced a mile on the dirt at Laurel to her 2nd win. She ranged up the outside and kicked clear for a 5 length victory. She is owned and trained by Corrales Racing, LLC / Jose Corrales and was bred by The Elkstone Group LLC.

UNCORKED(AUS) (Pierro (AUS)) was racing in Australia last year and broke her maiden there. Making her first start in the US, she was 2nd in allowance company at Delaware Park. Today racing 1 1/16 on the turf at Monmouth, she bid between horses on the far turn and kicked clear for the win - her 2nd - by 2 1/4 lengths. She is trained by Trainer: Brittany T. Russell for The Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant).

Now owned at trained by Chelsey E. Moysey, ALVY (Accelerate) pressed the pace, cleared early then drew off to win by  6 lengths racing a mile on the dirt at Delaware Park. Breeder: The Elkstone Group LLC

Elkstone homebred VAX A NATION (Liam's Map) has been on the board in his last 7 starts and is already approaching $100,000 in earnings. He was favored to win today and he did - despite his jockey's loss of his whip. VAX A NATION  surged under a hand ride to clear his rivals and win by a neck. Trained by Michael Trombetta, the 3 year old gelding raced 1 1/16 on the Laurel turf.

Two year old colt CAP COM  (Lookin at Lucky) began his career sprinting 4 1/2 furlongs at Pimlico. He chased the pace, came between horses and was bumped and herded, but still managed to win by a neck He is trained by Michael J. Trombetta and is an Elkstone homebred. A first out win is always exciting.
 

 S. MUFFIN (Into Mischief) broke his maiden easily mid May sprinting in a MSW on the turf at Pimlico. He settled on the lead until asked and then extended his  lead to graduate by 3 3/4 lengths. Racing back at Delaware Park in his first allowance condition, he repeated the scenario and won for the second time in a row.  S. Muffin is trained by  Brittany T. Russell for the Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant). He was bred by R. S. Evans. Keep an eye on this one!

CROSSTALK set the pace then kept the lead to win by 1 3/4 sprinting at Finger Lakes. She is owned by her trainer Jeremiah C. Englehart and 
Sheila Englehart and was bred by Berkshire Stud, Indy Stables & B.D. Gibbs Farm.

Making his second start lifetime and her first this year, ALVY (Accelerate), an Elkstone homebred, raced a mile to graduation at Laurel. At Pimlico going 1 1/16 on the dirt, ALVY split horses to reach the lead and win by 2 lengths = win #2.He is trained by Brittany T. Russell.

THE CUSTOM POUR (Tonalist) wins at Laurel.   The Elkstone Group LLC homebred raced 1 1/8 on the turf to win by 5 1/4 lengths. He os trained by  Brittany T. Russell. He stalked and then cleared for his 3rd win.

AMANDA'S FOLLY (f, 3, Mendelssohn) makes it 2 in a row. She was claimed by owner/trainer Linda Rice out of her last start and has immediately proven the value of the claim by winning right back and in allowance company. She came 5 wide, cleared, and won by 3 3/4 eased up, and much the best.
Lifetime Record: 11-3-2-0, $109,250.
O/T-Linda Rice
B-Lambholm (NY)

CROSSTALK ( Temple City) got the ball rolling wiring the field to break her maiden racing 6 furlongs on the dirt for trainer David P. Duggan and owner Standard Racing. The 3-year-old filly was bred by Berkshire Stud, Indy Stables & B.D. Gibbs Farm. She was claimed out of her race by trainer Jeremiah C. Englehart for owners Jesse  Englehart and Sheila Englehart. She gave them 3 on the board finishes and now a wire to wire  win sprinting 4 1/2 furlongs at Finger Lakes.

 DOMITIA LUCILLA (Carpe Diem)  graduated at Keeneland wiring the field to win  by 3 1/2. She was claimed out of the race and won today for her current connections trainer Richard Estvanko and owner Shawn O'Brien. She stalked the pace in third and then 2nd and surged in deep stretch for the win. This one in alowance company  at Mahoning Valley Race Course.  She was bred by Monticule

Elkstone Bred KITCHEN FIRE (First Defence)  might have a record for bringing more connections into the winner's circle than any other horse running. He is now owned and trained by Kerri Raven and won his 16th and second race in a row for her.  Sprinting on the dirt at Tampa Bay again, this time he wired the field. KITCHEN FIRE has started at 12 different race tracks from Woodbine to Gulfstream and has won on most of them

SW of Belmont'ss Saginaw Stakes, MARKET ALERT was 2nd recently in the Say Florida Sandy Stakes and today wired the field to win his 6th race - this time at a flat mile in an AOC at Aqueduct. He won by 4 1/2 lengths. MARKET ALERT was claimed out of his race and goes to trainer Orlando Noda and Final Turn Racing. 

The ultra-consistent gelding TORCH OF TRUTH (Not for Love) is BACK at 8. He added win #7 at Laurel going a mile and won off by 5 lengths in allowance company. It was his 2nd win in a row this year!  He is trained by Michael J. Trombetta for Marie Trombetta and was bred by The Elkstone Group LLC. 

Lifetime: 33   7  8    5    $352,710

FULL DINNER JACKET (Tapizar) got his start at Laurel and now at Sam Houston he won racing 1 mile and 70 on the dirt. He was forwardly placed and sustained a long drive to the wire. The five-year-old gelding is now owned by Zachary Roush and trained by  Karl Broberg. He was bred by the Elkstone Group.
 

Elkstone homebred IT'S VIPER ( Super Saver) broke his maiden in the late fall, ran back in allowance company and hit the board. Today won in a starter optional claimer ($50K) at a mile at Aqueduct. He raced forwardly and was on the lead by the 3/4 pole and went on to win by 5 3/4. He is trained by Brittany T. Russell.