Little Mike
Little Mike | |
---|---|
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (2013)
Breeders' Cup wins: | |
Awards | |
Florida-bred Horse of the Year (2012) | |
Last updated on August 3, 2016 |
Little Mike (foaled May 24, 2007 in Florida) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf.
Background
Little Mike is a bay gelding bred by Carlo Vaccarezza, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in the 1960s. One of Vaccarezza's first jobs in America was as a groom at Aqueduct racetrack. He subsequently became involved in the restaurant industry and became the owner of two restaurants near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the mid 2000s, he obtained the mare Hay Jude from a friend, Pat Greco. Hay Jude's first foal, Little Nick by Tiger Ridge, became a multiple stakes winner for Vaccarezza. Hay Jude's second foal was Little Mike, sired by Spanish Steps, an unraced son of Unbridled with a modest stud fee of $5,000.[2]
Little Mike was named after Vaccarezza's youngest son and owned by Carlo's wife Priscilla Vaccarezza. He was originally trained by William White, then Allen Iwinski in 2010, before being transferred to the barn of Dale Romans.[1]
Racing career
On July 11, 2009, Little Mike finished second in his racing debut in a 5-furlong
On January 9, 2011 at the age of four, Little Mike made his
On April 3, Little Mike repeated his front-running tactics in the Appleton Stakes and won by 1+1⁄2 lengths, despite carrying the high-weight of 123 pounds. "I've never seen him get tired," Romans said. "Even though he didn't win the [Gulfstream Turf Handicap], he only got beat two lengths and that was a grade I. He has been just super. He came to me in great condition. It's pretty special for him to win three graded stakes at the meet."[9]
Unfortunately, Little Mike then suffered a
Little Mike began 2012 with another wire to wire win at Gulfstream Park, this time in the Florida
Little Mike then traveled to
Little Mike next traveled to Chicago to win the 10-furlong Arlington Million on August 18 with another front-running performance. Vaccarezza credited the win to Little Mike's tactical speed and stamina. "If you try to go with him on the lead, you can't stay with him and you're going to lose. And if you let him go like they did [in the Arlington Million], you're going to lose." Vaccarezza said. "Can you believe this? I'm just a backyard kind of guy and we took a Florida-bred horse that was out of an Illinois-bred mare and we took on the Europeans in one of the biggest races in the world and we beat them"[3]
Little Mike's next start was on September 29 in the
Little Mike's final race of the year was the 1+1⁄2-mile
Little Mike was named the 2012 Florida-bred Horse of the Year by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association. His dam Hay Jude was also named the Florida broodmare of the year.
Little Mike began 2013 by shipping to
Little Mike's sole victory of 2013 came in the Grade 1
In 2014, Vaccarezza took over the training of Little Mike, and conditioned him to a win in the Flying Pidgeon Stakes at Gulfstream Park on May 17.[21] Little Mike then was given a long layoff to deal with tendonitis, undergoing hyperbaric treatments and a swimming regimen. He finally returned to racing on July 10, 2016, but finished fifth.[22] It would be his last race after accumulating 14 wins from 30 starts, with earnings of $3,543,392.[1]
Retirement
Little Mike was retired at the end of July 2016 to Old Friends Equine, a thoroughbred retirement home. "He came out of his race fine, but the last few days he just didn't seem to have the same energy level he has had when training these past weeks and months. He came back blowing yesterday after a routine gallop. He wasn't his usual rambunctious self, and kind of looked at me and told me it was over. The one thing I can say is that he retired 100 percent sound," said Vaccarezza. "He was everything to me and my family. To have a horse that won all those Grade 1's, who took me and my family around the world to meet so many people, it's like a dream come true."[21]
"It's so thrilling to have him here," said Michael Blowen, the president of Old Friends. "I'm star-struck around all these horses and he fits right in with the best we have here."[23]
Pedigree
Sire Spanish Steps 2001 |
Unbridled 1987 |
Fappiano | Mr. Prospector |
---|---|---|---|
Killaloe | |||
Gana Facil | Le Fabuleux | ||
Charedi | |||
Trolley Song 1983 |
Caro | Fortino | |
Chambord | |||
Lucky Spell | Lucky Mel | ||
Incantation | |||
Dam Hay Jude 1995 |
Wavering Monarch 1979 |
Majestic Light | Majestic Prince |
Irradiate | |||
Uncomitted | Buckpasser | ||
Lady Be Good | |||
Double Norm 1986 |
Relaunch | In Reality | |
Foggy Note | |||
T.V. Spot | Explodent | ||
Rate Card (family: 8-f)[24] |
Little Mike is inbred 5S x 5D to Raise a Native, meaning Raise A Native appears in the fifth generation of the sire's side of the pedigree and in the fifth generation of the dam's side of the pedigree. Little Mike is also inbred 5S x 4D to In Reality.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Horse Profile Little Mike". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ Milbert, Neil. "Arlington Million: Little Mike could take owner to pinnacle of success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Vaccarezza savors Little Mike's Million". www.twinspires.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ "Chart for Monmouth Race 6 - August 28, 2010". equibase.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ a b Shandler, Jason. "Little Mike, 12-1, Hangs on in Ft. Lauderdale". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Shandler, Jason. "Pace May Favor Battle of Hastings in GP Turf". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Chart for the Gulfstream Park Handicap". equibase.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Shinar, Jack. "Little Mike Sneaks Away in Canadian Turf". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Shinar, Jack. "Little Mike Runs Big Again to Win Appleton". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Little Mike scorches the Turf in 2:22 4/5". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Shulman, Lenny. "Awesome Feather Basks In Sunshine". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Shinar, Jack. "Doubles Partner Nets Comeback Win in Canadian". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ LaMarra, Tom. "Little Mike Takes Turf Classic in Big Effort". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Novak, Claire. "Joe Hirsch: Point of Entry Solidifies Status". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Little Mike Runs Big in Breeders' Cup Turf". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Angst, Frank. "Outstanding Trainer: Dale Romans". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ a b Medina, Carlos E. "Little Mike named Florida-bred horse of the year". Ocala StarBanner. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ Privman, Jay. "Wise Dan named Horse of the Year, wins turf male, older male titles at Eclipse Awards". drf.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Turf: Little Mike". Courier-Journal. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ LaMarra, Tom. "Little Mike Finds Form in Hirsch Turf Classic". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ a b Welsch, Mike. "Four-time Grade 1 winner Little Mike retired to Old Friends". drf.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ "Little Mike Fifth After Lengthy Layoff". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ Balan, Jeremy. "Little Mike Retired to Old Friends". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ "Little Mike pedigree". Equineline. Retrieved 2016-08-05.