Inside the Owner’s Box with Centofanti, McCauley and Sharp

Thoroughbred owners Raffaele Centofanti, Nathan McCauley and Kathryn Sharp take readers inside the owner’s box in 2016. Centofanti, McCauley and Sharp will give readers insight into race-day habits, their favorite racetracks and their biggest accomplishments, plus interesting tidbits like what kind of music, fashion and vacations they prefer. 
In this edition get to know this year's owners, including the number of horses they have, books they enjoy and their Super Bowl Sunday traditions.

Profession/what I do: CENTOFANTI: Self-employed; Golden Standard Thoroughbreds
McCAULEY: I own a socially minded car dealership in Nashville, Tenn. called Providence Auto Group that exists to provide a safe and easy place to buy a car while giving back to the community by donating cars to families in need.
SHARP: Co-founder and chief operating officer, Ninety North Racing Stable
How many horses do you currently have in your stable? CENTOFANTI: 60
McCAULEY: It feels like it changes every week, but we currently have four racehorses and about three dozen mares and foals on the farm.
SHARP: Currently, we have 10 racehorses in training. Most years we have had anywhere from eight to 25 horses in training. Right now, we are trying to focus more on quality over quantity, and we’re hoping to have a barn of six to 10 stakes and allowance horses.
Horses owned currently and which are racing? CENTOFANTI: Fear the Cowboy, Look Into My Eyes, El Clasico, Sexy Hanna, Salt and Pepper, Lei It On Me, Brilliant by Design, Kodiak Moon, Di Natalie, Zambrotta, Natalie La Rose
McCAULEY: As of Jan. 1, we’re down to four horses in training: Sylven Park, Free Rose, Amarachi, and Angela Gail (all homebreds). We’ll add to the stable as opportunities come our way throughout the year.
SHARP: Between our two racing stables, Ninety North Racing Stable and AJ Suited Racing Stable, we currently own 10 racehorses, eight broodmares, four yearlings, and four babies on the way! We actually retired six or seven racehorses in 2015 for some reason or another, which is close to half our stable, so we’re in a bit of a rebuilding phase. That brings our contingent of retirees to around eight.
SHARP WITH ONE OF HER HORSES

What’s the most embarrassing song on your iTunes? CENTOFANTI: Probably all the Taylor Swift songs.
McCAULEY: Scrubs, by TLC.
SHARP: I’m not embarrassed in the least, but maybe some people (grinches) might question my library of over 300 Christmas songs stored on my iTunes year round.
What are you reading now (book, magazine, etc.)?  Would you recommend it?
CENTOFANTI: I personally don’t read many books. I do, however, enjoy reading magazines about horses, such as Blood-Horse. I also like to read articles on Twitter from reputable sites. One book that I really enjoyed reading back in college and would recommend is “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t,” by Jim Collins.
McCAULEY: The most recent book I finished was “Scary Close,” by Donald Miller. It was really good. I love all of his books – my favorite is “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.”
SHARP: “Golden Son,” the second installment of the Red Rising Trilogy. It’s a great action/adventure story set on a terraformed Mars. For any fan of sci-fi or fantasy it’s a fun read for sure.
Fashion trend that you hope never to see again: CENTOFANTI: Baggy pants.
CENTOFANTI (left)

McCAULEY: JNCO jeans!
SHARP: Why were perms ever a thing????
If you could attend only one of the following events, which one and why: Oscars, ESPYs or Cannes Film Festival? CENTOFANTI: The ESPYs would be an amazing event to attend because I would be able to see all the athletes I admire.
SHARP: Cannes definitely. We have an apartment in Tribeca and the Tribeca Film Festival has become an annual tradition for Justin and me as well as for a lot of our friends.
For me, Super Bowl Sunday always means … CENTOFANTI: … turning on the BBQ, throwing some hamburgers, hot dogs, and churrasco on the grill and enjoying the game with my family and closest friends.
McCAULEY: … pizza.
SHARP: I don’t think I’ve ever been in one place twice to watch the Super Bowl. I’ve watched with friends in other cities, sitting at home in the living room, and with strangers at the airport. I’ve never gone, but next time the Giants are in, I’ll be there.
I think this will be the year I finally … CENTOFANTI: … attend the Kentucky Derby.
McCAULEY: …win another Grade 1.
MCCAULEY INSPECTING ONE OF HIS HORSES

SHARP: … go to the Caribbean! I’m an avid beachgoer and I’ve traveled all over the world but I’ve never actually gone to the Caribbean. We have a late anniversary trip to Puerto Rico scheduled for February!
My top three DVR shows are … CENTOFANTI: … “Entourage,” “Sportscenter,” and HRTV.
McCAULEY: I don’t watch much TV, but recently got hooked on the show “Alone” on History Channel.
SHARP: … “The Walking Dead,” “Homeland,” “Game of Thrones.”
My ideal playlist on my iPod would have these five songs: CENTOFANTI: “City of Blinding Lights,” by U2, “Blank Space,” by Taylor Swift, “Blame,” by Calvin Harris, “How You Love Me,” by 3LAU, “Lose Yourself,” by Eminem
McCAULEY: “Diamonds (Multiplied),” by Needtobreathe,  “Brother,” by Needtobreathe, “A Place Only You Can Go,” by Needtobreathe, “Juicy,” by Notorious BIG and “Awake My Soul,” by Mumford and Sons
SHARP: “Having a Party,” by Sam Cooke, “Loro,” by Pinback, “Bust a Move,” by Young MC, “Johnnie Can’t Dance,” by Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, “Gin and Juice” (the Phish cover)
If you had to choose, would you rather attend Fashion Week in New York City or Art Basel in Miami? CENTOFANTI: I guess since I live in Miami and have already been to Art Basel, I would pick to attend Fashion Week in New York City.
McCAULEY: Fashion Week
SHARP: We live part time in the city and I’ve never been to Fashion Week. It’s on my list!