By Katie Petrunyak
West Point Thoroughbreds partner Lisa Bell has been nervous for plenty of horse races, having owned dozens of horse through the syndicate over the years including 2017 GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), but the butterflies in her stomach were at an all-time high on Sunday at Saratoga as Phantom Smoke (Ghostzapper) looked to give West Point its 1,000th win.
“We were all on pins and needles and when Phantom Smoke broke out of the gate before the race, it was obviously not the start that we wanted,” Bell said.
Despite the nerve-wracking beginning, the 4-year-old Christophe Clement trainee pulled through to get his third career win and give Bell her first trip to the winner's circle at Saratoga.
“It took me a while to shop shaking even as we were in the winner's circle,” Bell said with a laugh. “I've had horses win when I wasn't here and I've been to the winner's circle at other tracks, but this was my first time winning at Saratoga with my own horse.”
Phantom Smoke's victory also gave West Point Thoroughbreds its 1,000 win in 5,687 starts. Founded by Terry and Debbie Finley, the company is in its 32nd racing season.
“To have it happen in Saratoga is the most special thing,” said Bell, who noted that she first got involved with the accomplished partnership group only a few years after its inception in 1991. “Of course now West Point is all over the country, but way back in the early days, this is where Terry and Debbie started the operation. The success they have had with the organization is just amazing and I'm so happy for them.”
West Point's Founder, President and CEO Terry Finley was anxiously awaiting this milestone victory for weeks as the win count grew steadily throughout the summer. The organization achieved its 999th win with Kodama (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) at Delaware Park on Aug. 13, but they just missed with half-a-dozen starters afterwards until the stars aligned for Phantom Smoke in Saratoga.
“I think that just drives home the fact that you can't be in a rush in this game no matter what,” Finley said. “[The 1000th win] exceeded my expectations. I think the best thing was just seeing the pride and gratitude of our team. Sure it's about the horses, but it's also about people. When you surround yourself with great people, win, lose or draw, they're the ones that help you make the memories that we all try to acquire in this business.”
The West Point Thoroughbreds team celebrates 1,000 wins | Sarah Andrew
Phantom Smoke's winner's circle photo included a host of West Point Thoroughbreds team members, many of whom have been associated with the company for over a decade including CFO Lindsey Heumann, Executive Vice Presidents Tom Bellhouse and Jeff Lifson, and Chief Marketing Officer Dawn Lenert.
Finley said his only regret on Sunday was that his daughter, Erin Birkenhauer, was not able to attend. The company's Chief Operating Officer lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with her husband and two children, but was celebrating the achievement from afar.
“It's just amazing how it worked out that it was all at Saratoga,” Birkenhauer said before reflecting on the evolution of the business her parents founded. “I really think that Mom and Dad are the definition of the American dream. They started this from the very, very beginning. They've shown up every day and worked hard, treated people the right way and done things honestly. I think if you're going to play the long game in this business, you have to stand by those pillars. It's easy to forget back in 1991 when they had one $5,000 claimer. They were trying to make a go at this and everybody thought they were crazy. I'm really proud of them.”
Some of Birkenhauer's favorite memories involve West Point's top earners like GISWs Macho Again (Macho Uno) and Twilight Eclipse (Purim), who she picked out as a 3-year-old before he went on to win over $2 million. Birkenhauer said her respect for what her parents have accomplished together has grown since she joined the family business in 2010.
“I think one thing about my dad is that he's nice to everyone,” she shared. “Whether it's someone working on the backstretch or a billionaire, he takes the time to say hello. I give my mom credit too because for them to be able to build this business, Dad was on the road a lot growing up. I know now from having two kids, that is not easy. They really stuck together to make this work. It's really like building a house. Little by little they just kept building it up.”
Birkenhauer said that one of her favorite aspects of West Point–and one that she believes sets their partnership apart– is their focus on relationships with their partners.
“People like Tom, Jeff and Jason [Blewitt, Partner Account Representative] are the cultivators that make this a lifestyle investment,” she explained. “It's not just about going to the races; it's about the comradery. We have partners who are literally best friends because they met through West Point. We call it the West Point family and we try to make everyone a part of it, whether you own one horse with us or 20.”
In the interviews following West Point's 1,000th win, Finley said that one of the most significant accompanying accomplishments is that they have never had a horse come up with a positive drug test.
“I'm very proud of that and I don't downplay it,” he explained. “That's really the first thing when we talk to trainers. I know mistakes happen, that's one thing, but you look at our roster and you'll see people who have a history of doing the right thing.”
On the sales side of the industry, West Point's footprint has exploded over the past five years as they have teamed up to form powerhouse partnerships with the likes of owners like Woodford Racing, Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Bobby Flay and Summer Wind Equine. Their purchases include, among others, MGSW First Captain (Curlin), a $1.5 million yearling, and talented GISW Flightline (Tapit), a $1 million yearling. At this year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, they formed similar partnerships to purchase the full-sister to First Captain for $2 million and an Uncle Mo colt for $1.5 million.
A busy winner's circle for Flightline's GI Metropolitan H. victory | Coglianese
Finley credits West Point's bloodstock agent David Ingordo for their success with these high-profile purchases.
“[David] has opened up relationships and alliances that frankly I never would have been availed to,” Finley said. “It has been really impactful. In 2018 we bought our first couple of big horses and everything just fell into place. A lot of money gets thrown around, but not everyone comes up with a Flightline. We definitely realize how fortunate we are to be in his midst.”
The success of these ultra-talented horses has placed partners like Lisa Bell in a dilemma. Bell has an ownership share in Flightline, who is preparing for the GI Pacific Classic S. on Sept 3. at Del Mar, and in First Captain, who is slated to make his next start in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at Saratoga on the same day.
“I had to decide where I'm going Labor Day weekend,” Bell said with a laugh. “It's a testament to Terry and his vision. He's made it grow as an avenue of business to include people like me, who don't have an exorbitant amount of money and can't just plop down a million dollars on a horse. It does a lot for the sport because it draws in regular folks.”
Getting to know partners, like Bell, who join the syndicate from all walks of life is one of the highlights of the vocation for Finley.
“One of the coolest parts of my job is the kaleidoscope of partners that I get to interact with and learn from,” he said. “To top it all off, I get to work with my family. I'm really lucky.”
Now with 138 stakes wins, 60 graded stakes wins, 15 Grade I wins and over $63 million in purse earnings, West Point Thoroughbreds—and Terry Finley–show no signs of slowing down any time soon.
“This game could never get ride of me,” Finley said. “This is all I've ever wanted to do is be in the horse business. When you're fortunate enough to work with very passionate people who are consistently looking to do the right thing and make good decisions, that helps when you go through the tough times that we all experience. I'm proud of the horses we've had and the memories we've made for people. I'm proud of our team. I'm proud that I truly believe we've done it the right way and have tried our best to set a good example.”
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