BackTrack: In Finale, Bold 'n Determined Wins Bewitch

Bewitch Stakes winner Bold 'n Determined is one of three stakes winners bred by Dr. Gordon E. Layton. A Central Kentucky equine veterinarian, Dr. Layton also owns 85-acre Loch Lea Farm near Paris, Ky. The veterinarian purchased 40 undeveloped acres for his farm some 15 years ago and 10 years later, he purchased an additional 45 acre parcel.

The farm is now home to some 20 broodmares that belong to Dr. Layton or his clients, which include R. B. Moller's White Lodge Stud and Maylands Stud (managed by Owen Helman). Dr. Layton's other added-money winners are Incredible Ease (bred in partnership with Dr. John Trevey) and Timeforaturn.

The 121-pound topweight in a field of five for the 20th Bewitch April 24 at Keeneland, Bold 'n Determined conceded from five to 11 pounds to her rivals. Favored at odds of 3-10, Bold 'n Determined rushed to the lead soon after the start. The leader at each successive call, the Bold and Brave filly withstood a late challenge by Likely Exchange to win by a neck. The winner's time was 2 3/5 seconds slower than the track mark.

Dr. Layton sold the Bewitch winner to Jack Van Berg for $12,000 at the 1978 Keeneland fall yearling sale. The next year Bold 'n Determined was resold by Rancho de Esperanza, agent, at a 1979 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association sale of horses of racing age. She was purchased by George Blackwell for $70,000 on behalf of the filly's current owner, Corbin J. Robertson's Saron Stable.

Bold 'n Determined is from the Determine mare Pidi, which is the dam of six other reported foals, including Timeforaturn, stakes-placed Playful Lt., and $88,189 earner Burd's So Good. Pidi was produced from the South American stakes winner Perillante, she the dam of major winner Mario, stakes-placed Portogallo, and five other foals. Pidi was sold to Fred Sahadi prior to Bold 'n Determined's first race.

A stakes winner and earner of $122,939, deceased Bold and Brave is the sire of Bold 'n Determined and 13 other added-money winners. The stallion's other North American stakes winners include Point in Time, Bold Roll, and Maribold. He also sired Sweet Candy, which has earned more than $1 million racing in Venezuela. Bold and Brave stood at L. P. Doherty's The Stallion Station near Lexington prior to his death in 1977.

Bold 'n Determined would be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1997.