Response to our newest partnership has been extremely strong with more than half of the available (10) shares for this exciting racing opportunity already committed.

However, there is still time to join the group and the opportunity to own a share in a “Breeders Cup and Triple Crown” nominated potential contender. Download the detailed proposal. It describes our offering in the limited partnership (10% ownership is only $17,400, and includes all first-year expenses) for the athletic, well-bred 2 Year-Old thoroughbred that we plan to debut at Saratoga Race Course this summer. The first step to, hopefully, graded stakes competition.

Working with our blood stock agent, Steve Venosa, we have made a preliminary review of the 362 horses cataloged in the March 13/14 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Select Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. In reviewing pedigree, family history and breeding background we selected 38 two year-olds that we want to inspect further. Steve plans to be on hand for their quarter-mile breezes on March 8 and 9 for a first-hand look at running style, conformation and athleticism. From there we will further reduce our target list and conduct full veterinarian examinations. This should leave us with about a dozen quality candidates from which we will make a final strategy determination on our pricing estimates and rank the horses in terms of priority. Once the sale begins on March 13, Steve will be our final eye in carrying out our bidding strategy.

We believe we can be competitive for a quality runner in the $75,000 to $100,000 price range. Should we decide not to purchase at this sale, we will follow a similar pursuit at the second Ocala sale in April or Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic Sale in Maryland in May.

Among those horses that the pedigree and breeding background indicate the type of quality and performance we are seeking, we have our eyes on hip # 44, a Bluegrass Cat colt bred in Kentucky. Bluegrass Cat is a fairly young sire, who won more than $1.7 million in his racing career and captured the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. Also, hip #79, a filly by Midnight Lute. The filly is from the second crop of his off spring. Midnight Lute won more than $2 million in his racing career, including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (grade 1) and Forego Stakes at Saratoga. We also are looking at colts and fillies by Stormy Atlantic, Street Boss, Corinthian, Giant’s Causeway and Pure Prize, along with others.

You can find a complete catalog listing at www.obssales.com. You also can watch videos of all the horse breezes after March 8/9 and the auction itself will be broadcast live from a link that can be accessed at the sale catalog link above.

Not interested in a full share, consider a 5% ownership or forming a group and together purchasing a share. Don’t miss out on this unique Bona Venture Stables’ investment opportunity for partial ownership of a world-class thoroughbred race horse.

Please contact Bona Venture Stables if you want more information or have any questions. See you at Saratoga this summer!

http://bonaventurestables.com/media/photo-gallery/breeders-cup/

Royal Bonnie, trained by George Weaver, will have Cornelio Velasquez in the saddle for this Grade 1 race. She is a 2 year-old, New York bred. Royal Bonnie won her debut race at Saratoga Race Course in early September and followed this with a 2nd place finish in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park in early October. However, she was dq’d to 4th for interference.

http://www.nytbreeders.org/racing/ny-bred-winners.cfm?date=9/2/2011

Scroll down to the 4th race at Saratoga and the Royal Bonnie video replay.

Our 2 year-old Yankee Gentleman filly, with Javier Castellano in the irons, broke quickly from the gate, ranged up tugging at the bit in the first 1/4 mile. Castellano had a heavy hold on him as the field rounded the clubhouse turn and he guided our girl a bit outside to settle in 4th. However she clearly was on the bit early and ranged up along the early leaders. Castellano gave her a bit of lead and she loomed just outside the leader as they entered the stretch turn.

Royal Bonnie pulled along side and quickly gained the lead as the field straightened out. She was quickly headed by another and actually slipped into 2nd. Castellano reminded her of jer racing and she burst to the lead and drew away from the field to win by nearly 2 widening lengths. Castellano rode her out further from the wire, indicating she’ll love even more distance.

Afterward, George Weaver, trainer, was very pleased with the result, noting that another horse causing a distrubance in the paddock momentarily distracted her, but she quickly regained her composure and became all business. “She has a long, impressive stride and scored first time out. This is very unusual (although someone has to win each maiden race). We will check on her tomorrow to be sure she came out of the race well and begin plotting her next run.