Angels, 2014 ~ In Memoriam

[my miss storm cat]

Uncle Smokey.

David Grening @DRFGrening

Uncle Smokey, 6yo gelding who was making 3rd start since Dec.18 for Jacobson/Drawing Away, has been euthanized.
http://www1.drf.com/drfPDFChartRaces...=20140102&RN=7

[my miss storm cat]

Shand, at Santa Anita...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...010214USA8.pdf

Caixa Eletronica and Six Drivers.

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52804

Side Street, in the Old Hat.

[OldDog]

Patton, a stakes-winning son of Lord at War and a retiree at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, was euthanized at Hagyard's Equine Medical Institute January 5th.

Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement today.

The 23 year-old-stallion had been at the clinic for several days undergoing diagnostic and medical care. He was beset with a variety of medical issues that severely impacted his present and future quality of life.

"We're extremely grateful to Dr. Kathy MacGillivray and to Dr. Gina Tranquillo for their kind concern for Patton's welfare," said Blowen in a statement.

Patton (Lord at War (ARG) - Slew Me Down, by Seattle Slew) was campaigned by Skip Away trainer Sonny Hine and won six of his 18 starts, including the GR 2 Breeders' Cup Handicap at Gulfstream Park in 1996. His track earnings totaled $237,462.

Entering stud in 1997, Patton sired Precisionist Stakes winner Patton's Victory, bred by Brereton Jones, and millionaire Kelly's Landing.

"Patton should have been named Gandhi," added Blowen. "He was one of the kindest stallions we've ever had at Old Friends. Like so many of his predecessors, he is irreplaceable. We are just grateful that he let us take care of him in his later years."

~Old Friends

[my miss storm cat]

Tough couple of days for Old Friends...

Sunshine Forever, champion turf horse, dies at Old Friends

http://www.drf.com/news/sunshine-for...es-old-friends

[Arletta]

Laughing

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...UA8YOQ.twitter

[OldDog]

Rough month continues for Old Friends with the loss of Dancin' Renee.

GEORGETOWN, KY - JANUARY 13, 2014 - Dancin' Renee, a graded-stakes-winner and 1997's New York Horse of the Year, has died.

The 22-year-old mare lost a long battle with laminitis and was euthanized on January 11 by Dr. Brian Fraley at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, where she had been pensioned.

"It's been a tough month," said Old Friends president and founder, Michael Blowen. "We lost Patton and Sunshine Forever in the last week, and now Renee. I mourn the losses but thank all of their fans for their support-particularly the thoughtfulness of Jeanne Mirabito of Our Mims for sending a colorful bouquet of flowers in memory of Sunshine Forever.

A homebred for owner Sanford Bacon, Dancin' Renee was the New York-bred daughter of Distinctive Pro out of three-time New York Broodmare of the Year Lolli Lucka Lolli.

For three seasons, Dancin' Renee had a stellar career on the track earning 14 wins from 21 starts. In her banner year, 1997, she claimed seven consecutive victories, including the GR3 Honorable Miss at Saratoga, the Broadway Handicap at Aqueduct, and the Monmouth Park Regret Stakes, which was her final start. Her earnings totaled $490,258.

For her efforts she was crowned 1997's New York Horse of the Year as well as Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Female by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

As a broodmare Dancin' Renee was well represented by numerous winners, including her first foal to earn black-type, the Limehouse daughter Risky Rachel who, on Saturday, won the Minaret Stakes a Tampa Bay Downs.

"I don't know what to say," said a heart-broken Sanford Bacon. "Dancin' Renee, who was named after my mother-in-law, a Ziegfeld girl, meant everything to us." A few hours later, Bacon was in the winner's circle at Tampa Bay accepting a trophy in celebration of Risky Rachel's impressive performance.