Georgie Boy Update

On March 31, 2008, just five days prior to the Santa Anita Derby (G1), trainer Kathy Walsh announced that Georgie Boy had unfortunately pulled a muscle in back and would not be able to run in the race.

“It’s high on his backend and we don’t know how long it will take, but we’re not going to take a chance,” said Walsh. “The vet examined him today and was very happy with what he saw, other than the pulled muscle. He will not require surgery.”

As far as future racing, Walsh stated,” I don’t know how long he’ll be out, but Mr. Schwary (owner-breeder George Schwary) is very patient, and we’ll give the horse all the time he needs and let him tell us when to come back. Obviously, the Santa Anita Derby is out, and I wouldn’t want to run him in the Kentucky Derby without a prep race. Maybe we’ll see him in the Pacific Classic.”

Georgie Boy Takes
Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes

Three-year-old Georgie Boy proved he was more than a sprinter with his three-quarter length win in the $200,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita on March 15. It is the third graded stakes victory and fourth win in seven starts for the gelded son of Tribal Rule, who had earlier annexed the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and San Vicente Stakes (G2). Bred by owner George Schwary in California, the $496,806 earner is conditioned by four-time leading Longacres trainer Kathy Walsh and was ridden to victory in the 1 1/16 mile race by Michael C. Baze. San Pedro Stakes winner Gayego finished second with Sunshine Million Dash victor Bob Black Jack running third.

“He’s matured dramatically since the last time I rode him,” said Baze, referring to the runner’s debut last June. “Around the far turn I just had to wait, wait and at the top of the lane, I was able to swing out and say ‘goodbye.’ He really impressed me after we hit the wire. I had a harder time pulling him up that I did during the race,” added the rider, who had replaced the injured Rafael Bejarano.

Georgie Boy is out of Ippodamia, a Washington-bred stakes winner of $79,593. His second dam, Timely Bet, by Just the Time, and third dam, Missa Bet, by Captain Courageous, were also stakes winners and his fourth dam, Fool’s Miss – dam also of Washington horse of the year and multiple stakes producer Delicate Vine – was Washington’s broodmare of the year in 1986. Ippodamia was bred by and won the 2003 Northwest Stallion Knights Choice Stakes for Rick and Sharon Pasko before being claimed by Schwary from Tim and Sue Spooner.

Jack Hes Tops, a four-year-old son of Woodstead Farm’s He’s Tops bred in California by Ray and Charlotte Holmes and their daughter Jurene Stuart, finished second in the $100,000 Bay Meadows Sprint Handicap (G3) on March 15. The runner, who sports a record of 2 - 3 -1 from seven starts and who has earned $110,030, is a half-brother to stakes winner Castle d’Oro. Their winning dam, Castle Bet, by Peterhof, is a full sister to stakes winner Ippodamia, dam of Georgie Boy.

It was later announced that Kent Desormeaux will ride Georgie Boy in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1) as he continues down the trail to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yums (G1).