With only a few pages left on the calendar for 2008 it’s time to reflect back on the year and take a look at some of the highlights and impacting elements for the stable.  With the global economy taking a rather nasty turn we sometimes need to look elsewhere for our pleasures.  A few of our runners gave us that escape in 2008 and perhaps a little more.

Our 4-year-old filly, about to turn 5 and officially become classified as a mare, and the first horse that we ever syndicated, is our adored Salt Water Reign.  Doris Ann likes to call her Salty.  Salty is a daughter of Salt Lake and G1-placed mare named Top Ruhl.  We purchased Salty at OBS with Steve Klesaris in 2006.  Salty made eight starts for us in 2008 and, although only winning once, she posted two seconds and one third and earned over $62,000 for her partners. She also ran in three stakes races finishing a close fourth in two of the three.  She competed at four different racetracks including running in a stake at the prestigious Saratoga meet.  She wrapped up her New York state-bred conditions in 2008 and has now graduated to open company.  She’s scheduled to make her next start on January 4^th in an open N1X where we expect her to be very competitive.

Another horse that really made some noise in 2008 for Hibiscus is Iron Curtain.  Doris Ann calls him Irony and he’s a son of Boundary and a Hennessy mare named Still Secret.  We bought him at Timonium, also with Steve Klesaris, in 2007.  Iron Curtain is a turf horse and, as such, only competes for half the year when the turf is open in New York.  That doesn’t matter much as Irony has for his partners two wins, one second, and two thirds in seven starts in 2008 and over $86,000 in purse earnings.  Included in those stats is a draw off win at Saratoga in a $61,000 allowance race and a first-time trip to the Spa winners circle for many of the partners.  It was such an enjoyable win for all that we even have one partner who after the race reportedly is re-painting the lawn jockey in front of his house with Hibiscus colors!  Because Irony is a turf horse he’s taking the winter off resting up at Bruce Jackson’s farm in Maryland for a productive turf campaign in 2009.  He’s only 3-years-old (about to turn 4) and remarkably still has one more New York-bred condition ahead of him.  His partners are eagerly awaiting his return in the spring.

We don’t know which members of our roster will be our heroes of 2009; who will be the first winner of the new year, who will post the most wins, who will earn the most money.  One thing we do know is that we’ve got a stable of very capable runners and we’re sure each and every one will do us proud in their own way.  The only way to find out is to stay tuned, watch, and join us for the ride.

                                                                                   - Mike Oliveto, CEO Hibiscus Stables

A Horse for All Seasons Steve Klesaris called him "The Little Guy."  We simply call him Porty.  Portuguesemano’war has turned into a quite a scrappy component of our barn.  Who would have guessed that he’d end the year on top of our roster with the most wins (three).  After all, he was syndicated in 2007 for what is by far the lowest share price.

Porty began his racing career at Aqueduct but after earning a bit over $5000 in 5 starts we made the strategic decision to move him to Finger Lakes.  He immediately took to his new surroundings with a debut win.  He went on to race a total of 9 times at Finger Lakes and posted one more win, more than a few top-three finishes and a few near misses.  He provided great fun and entertainment for his partners along with a few nice photos for their walls.  When Finger Lakes closed for the winter we moved Porty to Charles Town where, again, he treated us to a debut victory and a career high Beyer Speed Figure.

Porty has turned out to be quite the road warrior with 2 debut wins at two different tracks, on-the-board finishes at all 3 tracks at which he’s raced, and a total of 14 starts in 2008 for his owners.

We’re eagerly awaiting Porty’s next start at Charles Town which should be sometime in the first week of January or so.  We can’t say for sure that the little guy is going to win but we do know that he’s going to give it everything he has.  It’s just the way that he does business.  It’s the only way that he knows how.

                                                                                   - Mike Oliveto, CEO Hibiscus Stables

Happy New Year!

With all the hard times that have been raining down on all of us lately, it’s hard to put in perspective the entire year, which by the way, had many bright spots and special moments!  We have made so many new friend this year, especially on the west coast with our partners in Kat Scratch Fever, and some here in our own neighborhood, Dawn and Tony Lanza especially. We’ve done good things for charity (Cooley’s Anemia), and had many trips to the paddock and some to the winner’s circle this year. I’m still awestruck at the fact that we made it to the winner’s circle on the very last day of ‘toga after two other tries.

Yes, it’s been a good year. Let’s count our blessings which include great partners.  Speaking of which, we would like to congratulate one of our partners, Bing Wilson, who has just published her first book “Success and Happiness Now”.  This book discusses the power of the mind and positive thoughts and takes a look at attitudes that can drive success.  Bing presents life-changing, empowering concepts that can help us find happiness and achieve success.  The timing couldn't be better.

Here’s to a happy, successful and healthy New Year!!

                                                                                     - Doris Ann Hayes, Hibiscus Stables

D.A.'s Trivia Corner - Every December We Look Forward to Santa (Anita that is)

Every December 26th, Santa Anita Racetrack opens for winter racing-it’s the oldest track in California. Initially opened on the site in 1907-1909 (when the state outlawed gambling they were forced to close), the current Art Deco clubhouse and grandstand were built and re-opened Christmas Day in 1934. The winter meet is notable for the Santa Anita Handicap (the Big ‘Cap) held in February a well as several Derby preps. The outer oval consists of a 1 mile cushion track surrounding a 9/10 mile Turf. The 1984 Equestrian games for the Olympics were held here as well as several Breeder’s Cup competitions

See below for answers.
                                                                                      - Doris Ann Hayes, Hibiscus Stables

Answers to Trivia: 

1.   Answer: C.  In 1941,  the great horse unveiled the statue himself. A copy resides at the Racing Hall of Fame Museum in Saratoga.

2.   Answer: C.  At 1:20 and 1:57 and 4/5 respectively. Both times he was ridden by  Willie Shoemaker.

3.   Answer:   A.  The 1977 Triple Crown winner ran 1 ¼ miles under Laffit Pincay, Jr. in 1:58.60 in 1979. All the other choices also broke the 2 minute mark.

4.   Answer:  B.  He was two time Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984.

5.   Answer:  B. The third time was the charm-he won under Red Pollard.

6.   Answer:  D. Including the obvious, Seabiscuit, there’s A Day At The Races with the Marx Brothers. It’s really 9, if you count National Lampoon’s Vacation, but they only used the parking lot.

April 2007    May 2007     June 2007   July 2007    Sept 2007    Oct 2007    Nov 2007    Dec 2007 

Jan 2008     Feb 2008    Mar 2008      Apr 2008     May 2008    June 2008   July 2008   Aug 2008

Sept 2008   Nov 2008