Old Friends news [alexbrown 63765.509]

Msg 509 of 582 to Derby132Derby132

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From: gerchgo

10/30/20

.Awesome Again (Photo: Laura Battles)

Milwaukee Brew (Photo: Laura Battles)

GEORGETOWN, KY – OCTOBER 30, 2020 --Today, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, announced the arrival of two new stallions: Multiple graded stakes winners Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew.

Both were pensioned from stud duty in 2019 at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs, near Paris, KY., and have now been donated to the non-profit organization.

Awesome Again, now 27, boasts an exemplary resume as both a racehorse and a stallion. He broke his maiden at Hollywood Park in just his second start as a 3-year-old in 1997. He returned a few weeks later to capture that year’s Queen's Plate Stakes at Woodbine. Back in the U.S. that summer the son of Deputy Minister went on to win the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and was third to Deputy Commander in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

At 4, he completed an undefeated season that included five graded stakes victories, among them The Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), The Whitney Handicap (G1), and one of the most memorable editions of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), where, looking defeated, he rallied in the stretch to defeat grade 1 winners Coronado's Quest and Swain and that year’s Kentucky Derby-Preakness hero, Silver Charm.

As significant in the breeding shed as he was on the track, Awesome again sired three champions: Ghostzapper, 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older horse; Ginger Punch, 2007 champion older mare; and Nominee, a multiple champion in Trinidad and Tobago. His other elite runners include: Old Friends re

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Msg 510 of 582 to gerchgogerchgo

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From: Flurry84

10/30/20

At the age of 27, Awesome Again should remain at the place he has known for who knows how long. Those stallions who have been shipped from one location to another during their stud careers and are not so old, fine, let them live out their years at Old Friends. The advanced age of Awesome Again should have guaranteed him a place at Adena Springs. Don't know how long he lived there.

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Msg 511 of 582 to Flurry84Flurry84

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From: cigarello

10/30/20

You make a good point!

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Msg 512 of 582 to cigarellocigarello

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From: Flurry84

10/30/20

Thank you. I just feel that a horse who has served people in all the ways Awesome Again did is owed their very best if they are aged. With any move a horse makes there can be issues; I worry about colic for one.

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Msg 513 of 582 to Flurry84Flurry84

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From: gerchgo

11/24/20

Silver Max is at Old Friends, he’s a cool horse!!

https://mobile.twitter.com/home

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Msg 514 of 582 to gerchgogerchgo

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From: Flurry84

11/24/20

When I saw mention of Silver Max recently I seemed to recall that he beat one of the boys somewhere along the way. I know he beat Wise Dan at some point. Hope he has a wonderful retirement at Old Friends!

Evening edit: searched and discovered my error. Margano actually was first to the second of Silver Max in a MSW at Gulfstream Park in 2011. Sure didn't get that right. Hope Margano is doing well these days.

Edited November 24, 2020 9:44 pm by Flurry84

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Msg 515 of 582 to gerchgogerchgo

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From: DenWikk

11/27/20

gerchgo said:
Silver Max is at Old Friends, he’s a cool horse!! https://mobile.twitter.com/horsezz

He's adorable!

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Msg 516 of 582 to Derby132Derby132

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From: gerchgo

12/15/20

GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 15, 2020 -

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm based in Georgetown, KY., announced today the arrival of multiple graded stakes winner War Story.

After a six-year career, the Kentucky-bred son Northern Afleet, now 8, has been pensioned by owners Imaginary Stables and Glenn Ellis. The gelding's last start was the GR2 Charles Town Classic in August.

War Story broke his maiden first time out in 2014 in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. He has earned seven victories in all, including the GR2 Brooklyn Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park, the GR3 Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park, and the GR3 Harlan’s Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream.

The game chestnut never shied from top competition, however, facing eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby and again in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, California Chrome in the 2016 PacificClassic, and Arrogate in the 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes.

War Story has raced coast-to-coast, from Saratoga to Santa Anita, making 40 starts in all earning eight wins, seven seconds and six thirds for total career earnings of $3,271,996.

“He is such a special horse,” said co-owner Ellis. “He could run any distance, he just never gave up, and he could do anything. I’m so happy now,” he added, “because he can just live a happy life and he’s earned it.”

“I love War Story,” said Old Friends’s founder and President Michael Blowen. “He always tried. I even loved him as a handicapper because he often filled out my trifectas and superfectas at a nice price. But nothing compares to feeding him mints and carrots every day. He's absolutely adorable.”

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Msg 517 of 582 to gerchgogerchgo

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