New York Breeder Seidman Elated With Weekend's Results

Dec. 18 marked a monumental day for the New York breeding program. For the first time, two $500,000 races were offered to Empire State-bred juveniles, and their breeders certainly reaped the benefits.

New York breeder Maggie Seidman expressed a sense of pride when Dream Maker Racing's Yo Cuz  captured Saturday's New York Stallion Stakes Series Fifth Avenue division in wire-to-wire fashion at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the daughter of Laoban asserted command down the backstretch, fending off a late rally from two-time winner Morning Matcha  to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

Seidman said the victory was a sentimental one as she named the dam of Yo Cuz, Steve's Philly, after her late husband.

"When my husband passed, I named her Steve's Philly because my husband grew up in Philadelphia and went to school there. Because she was in memory of my husband, she meant a lot to me." Seidman said. "Yo Cuz was born on the farm and that was the second foal. They said she got up right away and was looking around. She has a nice personality, and I was so excited to see her win convincingly.

"As a youngster, the mare was pretty feisty and this one was just as feisty," Seidman added. "She'd be in the field and no one bumped her. She was bossy."

Yo Cuz sold for $125,000 last May to Tom Gallo of Dream Maker Racing out of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Seidman credited consignor Hidden Brook Farm for doing a professional job with the filly during the sale.

"I kept her and this is the second foal," Seidman said. "I put her in the 2-year-old sale and only galloped her, she did not breeze. Mark Roberts at Hidden Brook, who had her, is all for that and he did a great job with her. The mare has a good pedigree. She comes from the same family as Wonder Again. I was one of the partners in Laoban, so I bred her to Laoban."

Seidman said she was happy Yo Cuz was purchased by well-respected connections.

"I was so excited because I really loved the connections. They're a good group," Seidman said. "They supported the fact that she galloped, which is important to me as a breeder. I am very involved with aftercare. You take care of the horse first, that's how I am. They know Mark Roberts and Hidden Brook is a quality organization.

"I wanted to buy back into her, and I was with a group of people. I think we went up to about half of what she went for and bowed out," Seidman added. "I felt that she was an excellent horse. She's a New York-bred and the New York program is amazing. If you're an owner, you get points and if you're an owner-breeder and have a horse that wins, it helps because it's an expensive sport."

One race prior to the NYSSS Fifth Avenue, Seidman enjoyed success as an owner when Bold Journey  aired a field of New York-bred maidens by 6 3/4 lengths. A 2-year-old half brother to recent Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner Americanrevolution , Bold Journey was purchased by McMahon and Hill Bloodstock on behalf of Seidman for $80,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

After a runner-up effort in his debut Nov. 19 for trainer Carlos Martin, Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, and Team Penney Racing bought into Bold Journey following his debut performance. The Hard Spun   colt was then transferred to Mott's barn.

"It's really exciting. I bought his horse in April before Americanrevolution started doing well," Seidman said. "They took their time with (Americanrevolution) and we're going to do the same thing with this guy. I don't like to rush my 2-year-olds. I got a call from the three other partners, very good people. We'll see how he does going forward. There are some nice races at Aqueduct."

In the $500,000 NYSSS Great White Way, the top two finishers Geno  and Un Ojo  exited the race in good form.

Making his first start on the dirt after three efforts, including a Sept. 19 maiden victory at Belmont Park  on the grass, Mendham Racing Stable's Geno outdueled the one-eyed Un Ojo in the NYSSS Great White Way.

Trainer David Donk indicated that the son of Big Brown   will remain in state-bred stakes company and point towards the Feb. 12 $100,000 Gander Stakes for 3-year-olds at the Big A.

"I'm not going to shorten him up. I'd rather go longer than shorter," Donk said. "He'll get a little spacing and we'll go from there. We'll see how he runs there, I could always come back on the dirt or back to the grass in April. It will give me a lot of options.

Trainer Tony Dutrow said Cypress Creek Equine's Un Ojo will also target longer races following his game runner-up effort Saturday.

"I think the horse is crying to go a mile or a mile and an eighth," said Dutrow. "I don't think there's a question about that being out of an A.P. Indy mare. I believe strongly that he can't wait for that. We've got no plans for him to be a six or seven furlong horse. I did learn that he's a decent enough horse to overcome a distance he does not prefer."

Dutrow said he does not have a specific race circled on the calendar yet for the Laoban gelding.

"We aren't going to make the Jerome (on Jan. 1) and I haven't really looked into it yet or talked to the client," said Dutrow. "We would have to consider something at a mile and an eighth in February next."

Happy Medium Turns Heads With Allowance Romp

Jay Em Ess Stable's Happy Medium  equaled his career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure when he coasted home the seven-length winner of a non-winners of two optional claimer going 6 1/2 furlongs Saturday at Aqueduct.

RUNHAPPY’s Happy Medium puts them away for fun in the 4th @TheNYRA Aqueduct, geared down to win his 2X in style for Jay Em Ess Stable & Michelle Nevin with @jockeyfranco up! pic.twitter.com/uCQD7ce7gU

— Claiborne Farm (@claibornefarm) December 18, 2021

A 3-year-old son of Runhappy  , Happy Medium has gone 3-for-4 this year, his only loss coming in his debut where he finished third going seven furlongs at Aqueduct in March.

Michelle Nevin, who trains the Kentucky-bred gelding, said that she was pleased with Happy Medium's effort.

"He's doing all the right things," said Nevin. "We're very happy with him and we are taking each logical step as he's gone along and he's really shown up."

Happy Medium earned his first 103 Beyer with a 9 1/4-length maiden special weight win at Belmont in his second start. He followed with a five-length victory over a sloppy and sealed main track at Aqueduct Nov. 13.

Nevin said Happy Medium's effort Saturday was the best of his career.

"Yesterday, he looked more in control of the race every step of the way," Nevin said. "When he broke his maiden, he did it easily but it maybe didn't look as impressive as yesterday."

Nevin said she is content to take her time with Happy Medium, who finished the 6 1/2 furlongs in a final time of 1:15.88, :1.53 off the track record of 1:14.35.

"We'll just get past this, get back to training, and see how we are and then we'll make our decisions down the road a little bit," Nevin said. "We're going to have to see how he comes out of this race. It was a huge effort, so I'm not in a rush to pick a spot. Once I feel like he's back on his feet again, we'll see what's available to us."