By J.N. Campbell
Horse racing and bourbon intersect in so many ways, but they really form a nexus around the themes of time and patience. Without either in the breeding shed or in the rickhouse, your chances at success will be severely hampered. There is nothing quite so powerful as a statement of age in the racing form or an age statement out of the barrel.
When it comes to Thoroughbreds and specifically placing a strong emphasis on homebreds, John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable personifies what many in the industry think a great recipe should entail–breeding to race with an eye on aftercare.
To hear the Arkansas-based octogenarian tell it, there is nothing easy about flying your banner from start to finish, but ever since he lumbered through the days of Loblolly–before transitioning to Shortleaf–Anthony has understood why the homebred approach is so important.
“For us [at Shortleaf] we've seen a lot of good horses come and go,” said Anthony. “This broodmare system works, we are committed to it, we've got the aftercare farm outside of Hot Springs and we've been really fortunate to have great partners like Arthur Hancock at Stone Farm.”
The all-time winningest owner in Oaklawn Park's history is like a bourbon master distiller. He stays focused, sticks to his mash bill that is tried and true, but is willing to experiment when its required. He says patience.
John Ed Anthony with his wife Isabel | Coady Photography
“Let's put it this way, over the course of any given four years when it comes to homebreds you always have to kiss a lot of frogs,” he said. “If you are lucky enough to have a 2-year-old who can eventually compete in Classic races, flash speed, showcase some talent, then you are looking at something that's worth bottling.”
Speaking of aging, Shortleaf has one its latest expressions ready for a flight on Saturday when 2-year-old filly Quietside (Malibu Moon) returns in the GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. The race is also tabbed as a GI Kentucky Oaks prep race with 10-5-3-2-1 going to the top five finishers.
The homebred heading to the post is out of Benner Island (Speightstown), who carried the colors for Anthony to victory in the GII Eight Belles Stakes under the Twin Spires in 2017. A half-sister to current Shortleaf Arkansas sire High North (Midnight Lute) and a full-sister to MGSW Victim of Love, Benner Island's foals have not had the easiest time making the races.
“She's been what we call a spotty producer,” Anthony said of the mare, who was named by his wife Isabel for an island off the coast of Maine. “Her first foal by Bernardini never raced and then a colt by Constitution injured himself in one of those freak accidents and passed away. But we are optimistic [for Quietside] despite the fact that we know the Golden Rod is going to be a tough spot.”
With Isabel in charge of naming the fillies for Shortleaf, Quietside's name originates from a part of Mt. Desert Island where the Anthony's family summers in Maine. The filly went through Stone Farm and this past June was sent to trainer John Ortiz, who regularly sends out Shortleaf stock.
John Ortiz (center) with Quietside at the Spa | Sarah Andrew
In her unveiling at Saratoga Aug. 4, the juvenile tasted sweet success when she broke her maiden by 6 1/4 lengths. The effort earned her 'TDN Rising Star' honors and her next start pitted her against Godolphin homebred Immersive (Nyquist) over a muddy track in the GI Spinaway Stakes upstate Aug. 31. The dark bay was bested by 2 1/4 lengths.
The pair went at it again–this time trying two turns for the first time–in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes Oct. 4. Immersive scooped up that win too, while Quietside finished third.
Instead of sending the juvenile to Del Mar to face her rival for a third time, Ortiz opted to give her a break and point to the Golden Rod.
“It had been a hard campaign, including that incredible win in her debut, we just thought it was better to give her a break after the Keeneland race, which was her first time stretching out,” said Ortiz.
Quietside is going to be up against a pair of strong homebreds from the shedrow of Brad Cox–Stonestreet's Eclatant (Into Mischief) and Godolphin morning-line favorite Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro). Neither have lost a race at this point.
Seemingly always of good cheer himself, the trainer said he liked how Quietside has responded over the past month when she started to drill once again.
“This is one strong cookie,” he said. “Her body has really developed the way we want to see and she has been training lights out. And I think the checklist is all set for this intelligent filly.”
According to Ortiz, Tyler Gaffalione is Quietside's new jockey and the top rider worked his new mount recently at Churchill in preparation for the Golden Rod.
As for Shortleaf's owner, he is equally optimistic about his filly's chances in what is shaping up to be a stiff challenge.
“We've been patient with her, we are always wanting to face the best the sport has to offer and look forward to these kinds of opportunities,” he said. “Saturday's race will be a great test for her.”
Distilling down John Ed Anthony's approach to his homebred program, he is nothing if not patient and that only adds to the potential for a really great pour.
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