Vinnie Viola

While it remains too early to acclaim a masterpiece in the making, even these first, bold brushstrokes have plainly been mixed from an unusually vivid genetic palette. And if Cezanne (Curlin) can complete the canvas the way he has started, with a confident new flourish in the GIII Kona Gold S. last weekend, then he could become an exhibit for one of the principal galleries of the modern breed. Happily it has the most discerning of curators in John Sikura, who has been devotedly cultivating this family--Cezanne's third dam is...

You have to hand it to Liam's Map. Besides all his other merits, as a racehorse and now as a stallion, he has an unerring instinct for publicity. As a freshman, in 2019, the son of Unbridled's Song mustered only two stakes winners. Nothing wrong with that, from 46 starters. Champion American Pharoah had four, from 72. But when he struck the target at all, Liam's Map made sure he hit the bull's-eye. Both those stakes scores came in Grade I races, Basin taking the Hopeful and Wicked Whisper the...

Breeders on both sides of the Atlantic have become so childishly dogmatic about sealing off their respective bloodlines--as dirt or turf, and "never the twain shall meet"--that even a GI Kentucky Derby might not suffice to open some eyes. It is almost as though they have forgotten the mutual transformations achieved by the likes of Nasrullah and Northern Dancer. To those who remain a little more open-minded, however, Known Agenda (Curlin) has already rebuked some lazy assumptions with his breakout score in the GI Florida Derby last Saturday. Plenty thought...

Monique Delk has been hired by St. Elias Stables to the newly created position of Executive Director of Racehorse Development, where she will be responsible for, among other things, identifying yearlings and horses of racing age for purchase and monitoring and advising on their development and race plans. Delk previously worked with the late Jimmy Crupi at Crupi's New Castle Farm for 10 years. Crupi was a long-time, trusted advisor for St. Elias Stables and Delk worked closely with Vinnie Viola's operation during that time. Delk received her trainer's license...

The bar is set high for the 11th annual New Vocations Breeders' Cup pledge drive. Last year's fundraiser for the nation's largest retired racehorse rehabilitation and placement program netted $130,000 from owners and trainers of Breeders' Cup entrants. The exclamation point on that record amount was provided by Vino Rosso (Curlin) winning the GI Classic, because the colt's two ownership partners--St. Elias Stable and Repole Stable--plus trainer Todd Pletcher, all pledged their support. Over the last decade New Vocations has raised $650,000 with its annual Breeders' Cup funding drive, which...

He's like the clean-cut, wide-eyed rookie sent into the lines, trying to read the expressions of the relieved troops. What might the likes of Charlatan (Speightstown) and Nadal (Blame) tell this star cadet, as they hand over the trenches, to steel him for the challenges ahead? Cezanne (Curlin) probably thinks they could do with a shave, and shouldn't be smoking on duty. But then he will notice the medals on their chests, and start to ask himself whether he too will step up; whether he will live up to everything...

Vinnie and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stables will sponsor a research project to help develop alternate methods for detection of bisphosphonates in Thoroughbreds, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today. This gift was made following an appeal by Grayson, the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC), and the American Association of Equine Practitioners in June 2019 for research proposals to investigate bisphosphonate administration in racehorses and in young racing prospects intended for sale at public auction. This research will be based at the University of California-Davis K.L. Maddy Equine Pharmacology...

3rd-Gulfstream, $43,000, Msw, 2-22, 3yo, 7f, 1:24.21, gd. LIAM'S POINT (c, 3, Liam's Map--Kittery Point, by Include) entered his Saturday unveiling with about as much buzz as a firster can garner, and while he had to work harder than his 3-5 off odds suggested he might, he got the job done while giving the impression of one who should improve with experience and maturity. Scrubbed along by Irad Ortiz, Jr. as he struggled some to find his stride early, the bay settled into a three-deep stalking spot down the backside...

Repole and St. Elias Stable's Vino Rosso had his share of ups and downs throughout the 2019 racing season, however, he rounded out the year, as well as his racing career, in rousing fashion with an authoritative 4 1/4-length victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2. After launching 2019 with a score in the one-mile Stymie S. last March, the chestnut was fourth in the seven-panel GI Carter H., but showed his obvious affinity for the added yardage with a 3/4-length win over Gift Box...

Vinnie Viola has been elected to the board of stewards of The Jockey Club, filling the expired position of William S. Farish, Jr. Viola and his wife, Teresa, have campaigned the likes of GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile victor Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song), GI Carter H. winner Army Mule (Friesian Fire) and more. He is also the owner of the Florida Panthers of the NHL and a governor on the NHL's board of governors. In addition to Viola, the board of stewards consists...