Suffolk Showcase is Sunday, great T’breds

Apache Prayer, who some say bears a passing resemblance to California Chrome, will be among the horses for sale at the Suffolk Showcase this Sunday, Sept. 7.

Dozens of fine Thoroughbreds will be paraded before prospective buyers at the 9th annual Suffolk Showcase by CANTER New England this coming Sunday, Sept. 7.

The annual sale is being held a month early due to a shortened race meet at the East Boston racetrack, says CANTER board member Dawn Carey Kirlin, organizer of this year’s show.

“Some people have told me that they’ll come by in October. And I have to remind people that the meet is closing early this year, and that’s why the Showcase is early,” says Kirlin, who notes that this year’s bounty of beauties is definitely worth the rearranging of schedules.

Kirlin notes, “I’ve done several track visits and we have an amazing array of horses available, from 3-year-olds to 11-year-olds. I think there’s a huge misconception out there that when a horse winds up at Suffolk Downs, that they’re at the bottom of the barrel. That’s not the case! These are really nice horses that were either too slow to race at other tracks, or have run out of conditions to keep going at other tracks, or are just ready to move on and the trainers and owners want what is their best interests.”

Everyotherdayhero is said to possess a great presence, and loads of potential as a sport horse.

Suffolk T-breds are selling quickly, and at a good price, she says, noting that early shoppers, including a group of New Hampshire Eventers, have already been to the track to pick their next sport horse. Noting that a constant stream of horses is selling at a good clip via the CANTER New England Trainer Listings, there’s a lot of eye- candy to see Sunday.

Standouts include Everyotherdayhero, a New York bred with 24 starts, and a bold, flashy demeanor.

“He’s big, tall, with long legs and a big blaze. He’s just striking,” she says.

Another knockout is Apache Prayer, a flashy chestnut with 39 starts and more than $100,000 in earnings. “I first met him in May, when everybody was going crazy for California Chrome. And Apache is also a big, flashy chestnut with a lot of chrome,” she says. “Someone said at the time, ‘Hey look, we’ve got our own California Chrome!’ His trainer just loves him and wants to find a good home for him. They’ve had him since he was a 2-year-old.”

Rich Hero is another great catch! The Kentucky bred has earned more than $200,000 in his lifetime.

Another standout is Rich Hero, a 15.3 hand chestnut gelding. Rich Hero is a Kentucky bred with 63 starts and more than $200,000 in earnings.

Kirlin, who has run her hands down the legs of most Showcase horses, says she has seen great Hunter/Jumper prospects as well as prospective Eventers.

And she is encouraged by the growing interest in T-bred sport horses taking place in the horse world.

“I think the Thoroughbreds are becoming more popular in the Hunter world again. I think part of the reason is the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) by the Jockey Club” which sponsors T-bred only shows “and I also think it’s a fad.

“People think it’s cool to have a Thoroughbred again, which is great news for these horses.”

The Showcase takes place Sept. 7 on the backside of Suffolk Downs, from 9 a.m. to noon. Please visit the CANTER New England website for more details. ♥

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