Ain’t no rest for the weary. After the Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky one weekend and Rocking Horse H.T. the next, Elisa Wallace headed back up north to the Finger Lakes Racetrack with her friend Rebecca Bowman to pick up a couple prospects for the 2019 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover. What happens when two horse professionals head to the track with an empty six horse trailer? Needless to say, the pair travelled back to Georgia with a full load for themselves and their clients.
Elisa herself has two new prospects, Frosty Martini and Play Big. Prior to heading up to New York, Elisa had found and purchased “Frosty” via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds online. In her latest vlog she takes us to the backside of Finger Lakes Racetrack where she picks up Frosty and to a nearby farm where another prospect, whom she’s calling “Gamble”, catches her eye. It’ll be a treat to watch her bring along these two 2019 RRP hopefuls!
Frosty Martini (left) and Play Big (right). Consider these the “before” pictures. Photos via Elisa Wallace Eventing on Facebook.
The meet at Finger Lakes will be wrapping up in a two and a half weeks so many horses who are retiring from racing are looking for new homes and careers before their trainers head south for the winter. Finger Lakes Finest volunteers saw 21 horses this past weekend who’ll be looking for new homes and they’ll be listing them on their Facebook page. If you’re ready to take a gamble on your own OTTB, now is an excellent time to do so. Here are three from Finger Lakes ready to move on to their next career:
Candy Road. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Candy Road (SOCIANO – RUNINTHEFASTLANE, BY PIKEPASS): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare
Hmm, notice any similarities between this lovely lady and Elisa Wallace’s Frosty Martini above? The resemblance is uncanny, and it makes sense considering they are half-siblings out of the same mare! Candy Road additionally has a Fappiano sire line, making for a truly covetable sporthorse pedigree.
This four-year-old is nicely put together and has beautifully clean legs. Her jog video shows a lovely floating trot with good reach. According to her trainer, she can get a little strong when she’s in full race training, but when she’s off the track and on the farm she’s a mellow sweetheart.
View Candy Road on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Bellelarama. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Bellelarama (GIROLAMO – BOCA BELLE, BY SILVER DEPUTY): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare
There is a lot to like about this solidly-built mare — her lovely shoulder, strong hindquarters, and proudly-set neck just to name a few things. With some hoof care to remedy that long toe/low heel often seen in racehorses, she could possibly be the perfect prospect!
As it is, Bellelrama has done decently for herself on the track earning just shy of $68,000 in 26 starts but that’s not quite enough for her trainer to bring her back for next season. Bellelrama trotted politely for her groom who couldn’t trot very well himself due to a recent injury, but she showed promising movement and was sound without hind shoes. In addition to having good ground manners even on a blustery chilly day, this sweet mare also enjoyed being adored and groomed in her stall.
View Bellelarama on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Funny Surprise. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.
Funny Surprise (GIANT SURPRISE – EMILY HA HA, BY BRIGHT LAUNCH): 2014 16.1-hand New York-bred mare.
Funny Surprise is described by her trainer as “a sweetheart with wonderful ground manners, a classy mare and just an all around good egg.” She also did decently for herself as a racehorse with just over $86,000 earned in 32 starts. Those 32 starts included 13 second place finishes, which meant she brought in a steady paycheck for her connections and could keep running in some of the easier conditions throughout her career. Her success also means she’s a talented athlete with a good work ethic. Now that the racing season in New York is ending, she needs to find a new home and a career where she can excel.
View Funny Surprise on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds on Facebook.
