Ransom the Moon Has Partners' Hope for First BC Win

Mark Martinez of San Antonio, Texas, and Jeffry Wilke of Omaha, Neb., first met through their respective information technology business interests. After they discovered their mutual love of Thoroughbred racing, Wilke bought into one of Martinez's horses and they now are headed to the Breeders' Cup with Ransom the Moon in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).

"Jeff grew up going to Ak-Sar-Ben but never owned a horse," Martinez said. "I presented him with an opportunity to buy 25% of a 2-year-old filly, Tink's Twirl."

A 3-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Twirling Candy , Tink's Twirl didn't start until May of this year. She won in her debut, but because she had gotten a late start, Martinez suggested to Wilke that he buy into Ransom the Moon, an older horse Martinez was acquiring from Canada. 

"He (Ransom the Moon) is more race ready and proven," Martinez said to Wilke. "He will pay the bills for her (Tink's Twirl)."

Bloodstock agent Mark Cornett brought Ransom the Moon to Martinez's attention. Sam-Son Farm bred the son of Malibu Moon —Count to Three, by Red Ransom, in Canada. While racing primarily at Woodbine for Sam-Son, Ransom the Moon ran consistently, picking up two wins and six placings during that time mostly in allowance company.

"At Woodbine, they run on synthetic or turf—they don't have a dirt track," Martinez said. "I did my analysis, which is watching a lot of video and looking at pedigrees, and I felt that the angle with him was dirt."

Martinez, who races in the name of Agave Racing Stable, bought the horse, with Wilke coming aboard for 25%. Martinez's thought about the switch to dirt proved more accurate than he realized. 

He put Ransom the Moon in training with Phil D'Amato, who conditions most of Martinez's horses. In five California starts thus far, all on dirt, Ransom the Moon has won three times, including in the July 29 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1). That victory came with a "Win & You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Sprint, a cost savings that Martinez appreciates because he had interests in Breeders' Cup starters Bowies Hero and Gloryzapper last year.

"I guess you don't know how important it is until you get the benefit of not having to send a check for pre-entries and then for entries," said Martinez. "It helps for owners to populate those 'Win & You're In' races. I think it's a good return on investment."

Martinez currently has about 15 horses in training. He won his first graded race when Street Fancy captured the 2015 Starlet Stakes (G1) at Los Alamitos Race Course.

"I don't have a lot of rules in buying horses," said Martinez, "but one of the rules I do have is I will not buy a non-Breeders' Cup-nominated horse. My agents know that."

Martinez began with small partnership interests in horses owned by groups. His first horse was Goodwillambassador with Bob Feld's Bongo Racing Stable. Goodwillambassador broke his maiden at Golden Gate Fields in 2005, and Martinez has been waiting for the right horse to come along to re-use the name. 

The new Goodwillambassador is an as-yet unraced 2-year-old colt by Midnight Lute —Cautionary Tale, by Yes It's True, bred in Kentucky by a partnership including Martha Jane Mulholland, Roger Pardieck, Mary A. Pardieck, and Candyland Farm. Wilke is in for 25% of him also.

"Phil has him, and I think he'll be debuting Nov. 11 at Del Mar," said Martinez. "I've been holding out for the horse that looked the part. He's a big, good-looking colt. I went to Bob Feld and his brothers and asked if they would mind if I named a colt after him. They all agreed."

Meanwhile, Ransom the Moon will give Martinez and Wilke a major rooting interest in the Breeders' Cup. Both men are looking forward to the opportunity.

"Jeff loves horses and loves the game," said Martinez. "He's enthusiastic and a great partner to have. You like to partner with people you enjoy and have fun with."