Katie Petrunyak

The Road Back: Blane Servis Returns to the Racetrack

For all the incredible experiences Blane Servis remembers from when his father John campaigned champion Smarty Jones, there were a few less-than-comfortable memories too. Take, for instance, the time during Smarty Jones's run for the Triple Crown when Servis's school hosted a pep rally and made a teenaged Servis the guest of honor. As a [...]

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Keeneland Breeder Spotlight: Generations Build Influence of Blue Heaven

Adam Corndorf isn't afraid to admit that he has never been to the Kentucky Derby, but the reason behind his skipping the iconic event–even after living in Kentucky for the past 15 years–offers some insight into the tenacious drive and determined strategy that define his leadership of Blue Heaven Farm. “I've always said I'm not [...]

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Best for Last? Zenyatta's Final Foal On Track at Mayberry Farm

There is one moment that still sticks out to April Mayberry from Zenyatta's time at her family's farm in Ocala. From the day the daughter of Street Cry (Ire) arrived at Mayberry Farm, she was straightforward but not necessarily a standout. That is, until the future superstar had her first breeze. Mayberry's mother Jeanne instructed [...]

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A Space for Digital Two-Year-Old Sales? Consignors Weigh In

When Cary Frommer was first approached by Fasig-Tipton about the concept of a digital 2-year-old in training sale, she was immediately sold. Frommer isn't necessarily known for showcasing the sharpest drills at the breeze-up sales, so when the veteran consignor learned that the horses in the sale would be presented to buyers with a gallop [...]

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What's Better Than One? Grantley Acres Has Two Fillies on the Oaks Trail

Simply Joking was failed by 17 vets at the Keeneland September Sale, but Geoff Nixon had an inside track into the filly's history. The daughter of Practical Joke had spent some time at his farm, Grantley Acres, as a yearling and Nixon had liked what he saw. Plus, he knew that her half-brother Drum Roll [...]

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Racing Newcomer Victoriam Farm Just Getting Started

It all started at the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Kelly Mahoney had the time of his life attending his very first horse race as he watched Rich Strike (Keen Ice) make one of the biggest upsets in Derby history. Afterwards, he called up his business partner Brad Kinsell and uttered that notorious phrase: 'I want to [...]

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Davis Looking for a Derby Hopeful in Withers-Bound Mo Quality

When Mo Quality (Mo Town) failed to meet his reserve as a 2-year-old, Gary Broad's Walmac Farm opted to race the colt in their own silks and send him on to trainer Chris Davis. Looking back now, Davis is just fine with how it all played out as the son of Mo Town is set [...]

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“Dual Threat Just Like His Sire,” More Than Looks New at Lane's End

It was the 2019 Keeneland November Sale and David Ingordo was busy buying mares for a Lane's End partnership. One of the prospects he landed on was Ladies' Privilege, a stakes-winning daughter of Harlan's Holiday in foal to More Than Ready, but he ended up getting outbid when Hinkle Farms went to $575,000 for the [...]

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Disco Time's $8,000 Sister a Well-Bought Purchase for Preiss

Dan Preiss had an angle going into the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. The progeny of Arrogate were just heating up, with Secret Oath, Cave Rock and And Tell Me Nolies all having claimed Grade I scores for their late sire already that year, but the market was still hesitant about committing to daughters of Arrogate [...]

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Tessa Walden Does It All with Launch of New Bloodstock Business

Tessa Walden has always had an interest in trading horses, finding the value in an equine athlete and matching them up with a program that fits their credentials. Recently, the longtime assistant trainer for Brad Cox has turned her passion into something bigger with the launch of Evergreen Equine, a bloodstock agency that focuses on [...]

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'Something Really Special': Champion Charyn Debuts at Sumbe

When champion miler Charyn (Ire) joined the lineup of stallions at Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe for 2025, he was welcomed as the fifth Group 1 victor to call the young stallion operation home, following on the heels of Golden Horde (Ire) in 2021 and the trio of Mishriff (Ire), Belbek (GB) and Angel Bleu (Fr) in 2024. [...]

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'Brilliant from Two to Eight,' Mill Ridge Makes a Case for Casa Creed

A turf horse launching his stud career at the age of nine might go against the stallion market grain in Kentucky, but Mill Ridge Farm has already shown a knack for bucking those trends and doing so successfully. After all, it was only three years ago that Oscar Performance was standing for just $12,500 and [...]

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