Mind Your Biscuits New York-Bred Horse of the Year

Mind Your Biscuits, grade 1 winner and hero of the group 1 $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse two weeks ago, was awarded 2016 New York-bred Horse of the Year honors April 3 by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB).

The chestnut son of former New York sire Posse also took home the honors for champion 3-year-old male and champion male sprinter. 

Trained by Robert Falcone Jr. last year, Mind Your Biscuits now races from the barn of newly minted conditioner Chad Summers, who is also a part-owner of the colt and whose first victory as a trainer came with Mind Your Biscuits in Dubai. The ownership group is headed by J Stables, Sol Kumin's Head of Plains Partners, and Michael E. Kisber.

Mind Your Biscuits was bred by Samantha Will Baccari of Jumping Jack Racing and foaled at Gary and Sue Lundy's Cedar Ridge Farm in Pine Plains. The champion's dam, the Toccet mare Jazzmane, was named New York's 2016 Broodmare of the Year. 

The New York-bred horse of the year and divisional champions were announced at the annual NYTB awards banquet at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event, sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, was emceed by retired jockey Richard Migliore.

The New York-bred divisional champions and horse of the year were chosen by a ballot of New York turf writers, handicappers, chart callers, and racing analysts conducted by NYTB.

The other equine multiple honoree of the night was grade 1 Ballerina Stakes winner Haveyougoneaway. Voted New York's champion female sprinter and champion older dirt female, the mare was bred by Andy and Susan Beadnell and trained by Tom Morley for owners Gary Barber and Sequel Racing.

For the fourth time Chester and Mary Broman were named New York's top breeders. The couple, whose names are synonymous with New York breeding success, also won the award in 2004, 2011, and 2014. The Bromans' standouts in 2016 included Highway Star and Bar of Gold.

Rudy Rodriguez emerged as the top-earning trainer of New York-breds last year. The hot-handed Irad Ortiz, Jr. was atop the state-bred earnings by a jockey. Ortiz, who won the award in 2013, was displaced by younger brother Jose in 2014 and 2015. 

A complete list of New York's 2016 equine and human honorees:

Horse of the Year, Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Champion Male Sprinter: Mind Your Biscuits

CH, C, foaled March 15, 2013 (Posse—Jazzmane, by Toccet)

Breeder: Jumping Jack Racing LLC

Owner: J Stables LLC, Head of Plains Partners, Summers et al

Trainer: Chad Summers (2017), Robert Falcone Jr. (2016)



Champion Female Sprinter, Champion Older Dirt Female: Haveyougoneaway

CH, M, foaled February 8, 2011 (Congrats—One Wise Cowgirl, by Wiseman's Ferry)

Breeder: Andy Beadnell & Susan Beadnell

Owner: Gary Barber and Sequel Racing

Trainer: Thomas Morley



Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Syndergaard

CH, C, foaled March 14, 2014 (Majesticperfection—Magic Belle, by Gold Case)

Breeder: Burleson Farms

Owner: Eric Fein, Christopher McKenna, Harris Fein, Guri Singh, and Jerry Walia

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher



Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Bonita Bianca

CH, F, foaled February 5, 2014 (Curlin  —Friendly Michelle, by Artax)

Breeder: Dormellito Stud

Owner: Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables LLC, and Michael Imperio

Trainer: Rudy R. Rodriguez



Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Highway Star 

CH, F, foaled March 14, 2013 (Girolamo  —Stolen Star, by Cat Thief)

Breeder/Owner: Chester and Mary Broman 

Trainer: Rodrigo A. Ubillo



Champion Older Dirt Male: Effinex  

DK B/, H, foaled April 15, 2011 (Mineshaft  —What a Pear, by E Dubai)

Breeder: Dr. Russell S. Cohen

Owner: Tri-Bone Stables

Trainer: James A. Jerkens



Champion Turf Male: King Kreesa

DK B/, G, foaled May 26, 2009 (King Cugat—Storm's Advance, by Storm Creek)

Breeder: Horse Partners

Owner: Gerald Kresa and Susan Kresa

Trainer: David G. Donk



Champion Turf Female: Ancient Secret

CH, F, foaled May 20, 2013 (Kantharos  —Privacy, by Notebook)

Breeder: Lambholm

Owner: Alpha Delta Stables

Trainer: Chad C. Brown



Champion Steeplechase Horse: Willow U 

B, M, foaled April 21, 2011 (Utopia—Overextended (FR), by Entrepreneur (GB))

Breeder: Andy Beadnell

Owner: Check Mark Stables LLC

Trainer: Richard L. Valentine



Broodmare of the Year: Jazzmane (Toccet—Alljazz, by Stop the Music), dam of Mind Your Biscuits



Breeder of the Year: Chester and Mary Broman 



Trainer of the Year: Rudy R. Rodriguez



Jockey of the Year: Irad Ortiz Jr.