Lantern Hill Farm, LLC

By Jack Shinar (The Blood Horse)
Updated: Saturday, November 19, 2011 8:41 PM

It's a long ways down the road but Sabercat all but locked up a spot in next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with an emphatic win in the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds Nov. 19 in Vinton, La (VIDEO).

Making his graded stakes debut at odds of 8-1, Sabercat pounced on the leaders leaving the final bend and pulled away to a four-length victory under Gerard Melancon. Sabercat, a Kentucky-bred son of Bluegrass Cat , won his third consecutive race since breaking his maiden in his fourth start Sept. 5 at Monmouth Park.

This was considered the most talented field in the nine runnings of the Jackpot, with horses shipping to southwest Louisiana from California, New Jersey, Kentucky, Florida, and Canada. Sabercat banked $600,000 for the victory, which would be more than enough graded earnings to put him in the Derby starting gate next May.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, who recorded his 6,000th lifetime victory a day earlier, Sabercat is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds. The $120,000 Keeneland yearling served notice in his most previous start, a six-length triumph in the Garden State Stakes at Monmouth Oct. 2.

"It took a few starts for him to come around," owner Ron Winchell told TVG. "Our goal was to make the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile) but he got out of stride a little bit. Our back-up plan was to come to the Jackpot. I like the back-up plan now."

When asked about next year’s Kentucky Derby, Winchell said "We still have a long way to go, but this was a good start."

Asmussen won the Delta Jackpot for the first time after six previous tries.

Sabercat, 10th at the half-mile point after he was bumped hard at the start, rallied heading into the final turn. But he was forced to wait for running room breifly before restarting his charge on the outside to get the lead from Basmati at the head of the stretch. He drew off in the final furlong in a strong drive for Melancon, completing the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:46.62 over a fast track.

"We had a terrible start, we got slammed pretty good leaving there," Melancon said after his first Jackpot win in five tries. "All I could do was save some ground.

``I found me a good spot going into the last turn and he came through horses like a champ,'' added Melancon, the sixth jockey to ride Sabercat. ``I did have to steady him a little bit behind (Basmati) because it looked like he ducked out a little bit, then I got him back on and he's all business.''

Southern California invader Basmati, who rallied from sixth to overtake 2-1 choice Drill on the final turn, held second for Corey Nakatani, 2 1/2 lengths better than another California entrant, Longview Drive, ridden by Joel Rosario.

Drill, seeking to bounce back from a 10th-place finish in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) for trainer Bob Baffert, and My Adonis engaged in a furious battle for the lead, stepping a quarter-mile in :22.11 and a half-mile in :45.41. Shortly after they had completed six furlongs in 1:11.60, My Adonis was finished and Drill would soon tire as well, fading to seventh.

Bred in Kentucky by Lantern Hill Farm, William J. Punk Jr., and the Lighthouse Group, Sabertcat is a dark bay or brown colt out of the Forty Niner mare Miner's Blessing.

His career mark now stands at 3-0-1 in six races with earnings of $681,420.

Sent off as the sixth choice in the field of 10, Sabercat carried 119 pounds and paid $18, $8.20, $5.60. Zilah Reddam's Basmati, trained by Doug O'Neill, picked up a $200,000 check while returning $7.80 and $5.40. The exacta was worth $164.40. Steve Beneto's Longview Drive, coming off a stakes win at the Big Fresno Fair for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, rallied from 10th for the show spot, paying $5.80.

Then came Seven Lively Sins, Laurie's Rocket, Jake Mo, Drill, Tiz Moe, My Adonis, and Dougs Buddy.

The Delta Downs Jackpot was one of eight stakes races on the Jackpot Day card worth $2.2 million in total purses.

Photo Credit: Coady Photography

Read more:

The Handicappers' Edge: Sabercat earns Derby credentials in Delta Jackpot

Daily Racing Form: Sabercat springs $18 upset in Jackpot for Asmussen

Thoroughbred Times: Sabercat Strikes with sweeping rally in Delta Downs Jackpot

Posted by Jennie Rees - Louisville Courier Journal Horse Racing Blog October 30, 2011
My colleague J.J. Hysell’s story on Sunday’s Iroquois won by Motor City, a son of jockey Calvin Borel’s 2007 Derby winner Street Sense. Photos by Yetta Feltner.

Calvin Borel was all smiles as he leads Street Sense's son into the winner's circle

Calvin Borel was all smiles as he leads Street Sense's son into the winner's circle

Jockey Calvin Borel jubilantly exclaimed as he toured the winner’s circle with Motor City, winner of Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Iroquois Stakes on opening day at Churchill Downs.

“Just like daddy!” he shouted.

Motor City is a 2-year-old son of Street Sense, the colt who gave Borel his first Kentucky Derby win in 2007. The gelding, owned by Lantern Hill Farm, is trained by Ian Wilkes, who was an assistant to Street Sense’s trainer, Carl Nafzger.

While Street Sense’s marquee win as a juvenile came on a much larger stage – in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Borel and Wilkes said Motor City reflects a lot of tendencies of his father.

“He’s got his same personality,” Borel said. “It took us a little bit longer to get him going, but we got him on the right track now. I think he’s got a lot of potential.”

Motor City, who is now 2 of 5 with earnings of $99,183, was shuffled back at the start and broke last. Seven Lively Sins and Julien Leparoux set the pace, ticking off fractions of :22.99 and :46.27. Fine, with Jamie Theriot, and Chalybeate Springs, guided by Jon Court, battled for second as they headed into the stretch.

In typical Borel fashion, Motor City came charging up the rail and overtook Se Motor City cruises to his first stakes victory, clearly appreciating the dirt.

Motor City cruises to his first stakes victory, clearly appreciating the dirt.

ven Lively Sins in the stretch. The gelding won by 3/4ths-length and covered the mile in 1:37.18.

Mr. Bowling and Rajiv Maragh Mr. Bowling and Rajiv Maragh finished third in a field of seven. Motor City was the third betting choice and paid $8.20, 3.40 and 2.40.

Wilkes said one Street Sense early habit was particularly on display for Motor City – the inclination to stop when he’s ahead.

“He certainly was (like him) today, the way he wanted to pull up.” Wilkes said. “He made the lead and put his ears up and wanted to stop. He’s still learning this horse, he’s still getting it together, still figuring it out.”

After breaking his maiden at Ellis Park in his second start, Motor City raced twice on synthetics. He finished third in the Grade 3 Arlington Wa Suzi Shoemaker (in winner's circle by Borel) is Motor City's owner-breeder

Suzi Shoemaker (in winner's circle by Borel) is Motor City's owner-breeder

shington Futurity at Arlington Park on Sept. 10 and eighth in the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 8 – a race that included some adversity, as Wilkes said Motor City tore off part of a shoe.

“We never got a chance to run,” Wilkes said. “It showed how good a horse he was. The way the shoe was, he shouldn’t have beat a horse. He got beat 9 lengths in the futurity. He worked good on this track and I was very confident with him today.”

Wilkes said the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill on Nov. 26 is the next possible start for Motor City.

Addtional Articles:

Brisnet: Motor City the first Street 'Sense-ation' in Iroquois

The Republic: Motor City overtakes Seven Lively Sins for Iroquois win at Churchill Downs

Bloodhorse: Motor City Roars to Iroquois Victory

Thoroughbred Times: Like father, like son: Motor City rallies to win Iroquois

With a little help from strong coffee, Suzi's presentation entitled Pedigrees: A Practical Approach held attendees' rapt attention Monday morning, August 8 at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga sales pavilion during the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's annual Pedigree and Conformation Clinic. Starting with a historical perspective, the talk addressed the lack of diversity in today's bloodlines, the value of out cross stallions in pedigrees, the emergence of computer aided nicking software, and how the mating that produced Pampered Princess (G-1) was planned. Suzi ended her talk with a plea for breeders to consider conformation, temperament, and racing ability over and above computer generated scores, and a lively discussion followed.

Click HERE for entire PDF presentation.

Thoroughbred Times - July 16, 2011 - Page 32

SUZI SHOEMAKER was just launching her career when she decided to take a breather from the horse business and concentrate on restoring a recently purchased home. In the process, she did some soul searching and when the reconstruction project was completed, Shoemaker had a new outlook.

“I learned that I never wanted to be away from horses again,” Shoemaker said.

Since that turning point, Shoemaker has been immersed in horses as the owner and operator of Lantern Hill Farm in Midway, Kentucky. She lives on the historic property and is actively involved in daily operations, from doing horse chores to updating the farm’s comprehensive website. She especially enjoys ponying the yearlings aboard her Quarter Horse Cutter.

Shoemaker’s life always has revolved around horses. She grew up in upstate New York showing American Saddlebreds and ventured to Lexington in 1976 for that breed’s famed Junior League Horse Show.

“I did not want to leave,” she said. “I just fell in love with Lexington.”

She returned to the Empire State and completed her animal science degree from Cornell University in 1978 before packing her belongings into a pickup truck and with her horse in tow headed to Lexington. Through a connection from the horse show world, Shoemaker secured a job at a farm with American Saddlebreds and Thoroughbreds. Although originally hired to help in the office, Shoemaker soon was assigned to the barn where her salesprepping duties included riding a few Thoroughbred yearlings.

During that time, Shoemaker made a bold gamble that would shape her destiny. With a $20,000 bank loan, she purchased a mare named No Crime, in foal to Bailjumper, at the 1982 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. Within the year, two of the mare’s offspring

became stakes horses and Shoemaker sold the mare that same year for $45,000 and her subsequent Bailjumper foal as a short yearling in January 1983 for $32,000. Recognizing the calculated risks as beginner’s luck, Shoemaker channeled the windfall into what she considered a safe investment in home restoration before returning to her passion for horses.

By the mid-1980s, she and her mother, Audrey Daniels, acquired more mares and began consigning under the Lantern Hill banner. In 1989, Shoemaker purchased a 75-acre farm in the Bluegrass that she later sold. In 1995, she purchased 144 acres of the former Parrishwood Farm, birthplace of Racing Hall of Fame racemare Princess Rooney, and has since expanded to 185 acres. Lantern Hill, named for a fictional lighthouse in the novel Jane of Lantern Hill, is home to more than 60 horses including recently sidelined Grade 1 winner Capt. Candyman Can, whom Shoemaker bred in a partnership with Joseph Rauch and David Zell.

Practical passion

Shoemaker credits her longevity in the often unpredictable Thoroughbred industry to a

number of factors that include her loyal client base and ability to adjust to changing markets. Instead of lamenting the reduced prices for sales horses in recent years, Shoemaker embraced the down market as an opportunity to race the horses she breeds. She has a few horses in training with Ian Wilkes and said the experience has given her a better understanding of the horses themselves and the industry in general.

“The recession has encouraged breeders to have racetrack relationships,” she said. “It allows me to be a better breeder because I have a chance to see what the mares are actually producing.”

While she runs her operation as a business, her passion for animals does not waver, as with a filly delivered prematurely in January. Although the tiny newborn weighed just 40 pounds—about 75 pounds less than a normal foal— she was otherwise relatively healthy. Shoemaker opted for minimal veterinary care instead of euthanasia in part because the youngster traces to one of her foundation broodmares and the undersized filly has thrived.

“I have to be practical, but I have to do what is right for my soul,” she said. “If [a decision] is going to haunt me for years, I won’t do it.”

The pint-sized preemie typifies Shoemaker’s balanced respect for all animals. She has about a half-dozen well-fed and affectionate barn cats that she relies on for rodent control. A dog merrily mingling with the barn crew was a stray Shoemaker had picked up the previous day and was in the process of finding her owner. Horses well past their prime are given new roles as pasture companions under the right circumstances. (See sidebar.)

Shoemaker also did right by her soul when she placed her land into a conservation easement, which means the property cannot be developed. She went green in 2006 with the detailed process of composting the farm’s manure instead of spreading it in the fields, which can spread pathogens and seeds and can contaminate groundwater.

“No one is as amazed as I am that I can keep doing what I love, keep my bills paid, and keep raising good horses like Capt. Candyman Can and [champion] Dreaming of Anna,” she said. “What makes it so rewarding is the relationships with people who buy horses from me. Some have become lifelong friends.”

-- Liane Crossley

What does Lyle Lovett have in common with Lantern Hill Farm?

Well, we both love his music. But it turns out we are fellow supporters of the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ECLR), a national non-profit whose mission is to advance the conservation of land for horse related activity.

While trail riding last fall Cutter and I got to meet ECLR Chief Executive Officer Deb Balliet, who was riding her AQHA gelding Taz at the Life Adventure Center in Versailles, KY

Deb’s job at ELCR is all about raising awareness of disappearing agricultural land, which we are losing at the rate of 6,000 acres a day. Equine Land Conservation Resource poses this important question to horse lovers:

“In the future, where will you ride, drive, compete, race, raise foals, and grow hay? Where will your grandchildren ride drive, compete, race, raise foals and grow hay? “

Lantern Hill Farm was protected with a conservation easement in December 2009 through the Lexington based Bluegrass Conservancy, so these are goals near to our heart.

Take a minute to read through the March 2011 issue of The Resource, which also just happens to have a good picture of Cutter earning his keep.

Yet once the November breeding stock sales are over, the new year’s ritual begins with a look at the new boys, then running home to pore over race records, pedigrees and nicking software; hoping to distill a billion intangible qualities into that one magic, perfect race horse.

The progress of our Keeneland November weanlings tells me October is disappearing as fast as leaves from the sweet gums and door fans from stalls. We took our first weanling sales photos yesterday, and the babies’ newfound poise says our grooming and hand-walking are paying dividends. I love this time between September yearling sales and the hustle of November mares and foals; when I can slip over to Keeneland in the morning for workouts, trail ride a bit on Cutter and still catch a few races in the afternoon. I am lucky to have such a great crew, and so grateful for their daily diligence in feeding, grooming, and medicating, as well as the added fall tasks of steaming barns, cleaning sheds and fixing fences.

Click Here to view our Keeneland November Consignment.

We came through our Book Three sales in good order, with most of the yearlings selling to end users. The word among consignors after Book Two finished was “one bid over the reserve,” but we found most of ours going well past their reserves as the session progressed Sunday. There is plenty of activity back at the barn for horses listed as “RNA,” and it was quite a relief to be back in the familiar format of week two at Keeneland September. Today we were back at the farm, clipping, pulling manes and putting on shoes, and we will ship Book Five yearlings into Barn 15 this afternoon. I am looking forward to buyer reactions to this group…I hope they like the quality of the yearlings we saved for later in the sale.

Is it irrational to be so optimistic about this year’s Keeneland yearling sales? Probably, but I am looking forward to Saturday’s first show day, and especially to our Book Three and Five horses, when we have some great value to offer our customers.

As a group, these 19 are the most solid youngsters we’ve had in a long time—and virtually all of them have been with us since foaling. Our sales prep started in June with fundamentals of confidence training and round pen work (in a surcingle or roller), and moved on to hand walking, the EquiGym and walking out with the (long-suffering) pony horse.

The result of this variety of handling is a calmness and flexibility in attitude not often seen in yearling thoroughbreds; plus fitness and the added bonus of the best vet reports we’ve ever had.

If the market is truly seeking affordable athletes, a high percentage of our horses will be exactly what they are looking for. See you at the sales!

Our Hard Spun filly and Street Sense colt have made great progress in confidence and body condition since I got back from Saratoga. Their days now are crowded with presale shoes, scopes and buyer inspections, plus the usual exercise and grooming schedule. This pair should be right on target when they step off the van September 10, and both have cultivated the teenager's cool to all the attention. They are vastly different body types; with the filly leggy and elegant and the colt blocky and built for speed. It's exciting to see two years of work and planning come together, and even more fun to see them daily transform into future race horses.

Thoroughbred Daily News - July 30, 2010 - Pages 11 & 12

Lantern Hill Farm heads into this year’s edition of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling sale with only two yearlings. However, the size of this year’s consignment is by no means indicative of the quality. Both yearlings offer plenty of draw from an international perspective, including hip 195, a colt by Cape Cross(Ire), whose top progeny include a pair of Horses of the Year—Sea the Stars (Ire) and OuijaBoard (GB). Out of the stakes-winning mare Two Clubs (GB) (First Trump {GB}), the Highfield Farm-bred colt is a half brother to G1 Sprint Cup hero Red Clubs (Ire) (Red Ransom). Hip 195 Cape Cross (IRE) - Two Clubs (GB), c.

Hip 195 Cape Cross (IRE) - Two Clubs (GB), c.

“He has the most amazing walk of any yearling I have prepped in a very long time,” said Lantern Hill Farm’s Suzi Shoemaker. He's very smooth, very confident, has a huge overstep and very relaxed and loose way of walking through his hip and shoulder.”

Highfield Farm principal Dr. John Fike, who is based just outside Cleveland, Ohio, has had a presence in the horse racing industry for over a quarter of a century. A client of Lantern Hill through most of the last decade, Dr. Fike currently boards seven mares at the Midway area farm and has one sole representative, Two Clubs, boarded at Islanmore Stud in Ireland.

“Dr. Fike decided to keep him here, partially because of financial reasons, and also because he felt he would be showcased better at Saratoga,” explained Shoemaker. "There are far more Cape Cross yearlings in Europe, so to bring a really nice horse by the Darley sire over here, we thought this horse had a really good chance to be successful in the [United States]. No matter what side of the Atlantic you're on, a yearling like that is very compelling. I think it figures to be a good showcase for the stallion's progeny, as well as for the sale of this particular horse.”

Also enjoying recent overseas updates is hip 164, a bay filly by Distorted Humor out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Sand Pebbles (Ire). The Apr. 2 foal is owned and bred by Russell L. Reineman Stable Inc. Out of the Secretariat mare Clandestina, the filly’s 13-year-old dam is a full-sister to G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Desert Secret (Ire); Bineyah (Ire), runner-up in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks; and Group 3 placed In Camera (Ire). Hip 164 Distorted Humor - Sand Pebbles (IRE), f.

Hip 164 Distorted Humor - Sand Pebbles (IRE), f.

“She takes a bit more from the Sadler's Wells side of the family,” Shoemaker pointed out. She has a bit more scope than Distorted Humor and a very big walk. Also, she is bred along a similar cross to a very impressive maiden winner [Pathfork, out of the Sadler's Wells mare Visions of Clarity {Ire}] at the Curragh [July 18]. There is also a Group 3 winning filly--Radharcnafarraige (Ire) (out of the Storm Bird mare Extraterrestrial)--that is bred along a similar pattern.”

Adding further luster to the filly’s bottom side is her third dam--My Charmer (Poker)--who is responsible for Triple Crown hero Seattle Slew (Bold Reasoning), G1 2000 Guineas winner Lomond (Northern Dancer) and $13.1-million yearling purchase Seattle Dancer (Nijinsky II), a Group 2 winner in Ireland and Group 1 placed in France. “This filly comes from a very big female family that has a lot of quality,” remarked Shoemaker. Distorted Humor hasn't had a lot of notable success in Europe before this year, but he has two really top runners there this season and who are bred very similarly to this filly.”

Beacon of Light...

After graduating from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 1978, Shoemaker leased a small tract of land and christened the new operation Lantern Hill, which was named in honor of Prince Edward Island's fictional lighthouse in the 1937 Lucy Maud Montgomery novel, Jane of Lantern Hill. Steadily building a successful operation through the 1980s and >90s, Shoemaker was able to secure a 75-acre farm in Scott County in 1989, before purchasing 144 acres of the former Parrishwood Farm in Woodford County in 1995. Already of historic significance as the birthplace of the 1984 Eclipse Award-winning older mare Princess Rooney (Verbatim), the latter property would become the launching pad for a recent champion; 2006 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Dreaming of Anna (Rahy), who was also foaled and raised at the nursery. Lantern Hill, which expanded to 185 acres following the purchase of an adjacent 40-acre tract of land in November in 2005, is now comprised of six barns with 62 stalls, and a late Victorian home which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Cooper House. Other notable Lantern Hill pupils who got their early start with the operation are Grade I winners Ordway (Salt Lake), Pampered Princess (Indian Charlie) and Capt. Candyman Can (Candy Ride {Arg}), a Keeneland September yearling grad who collected last year’s GI King’s Bishop S. at Saratoga.

While Shoemaker confirmed that the majority of her current yearling crop is slated for Keeneland’s September sale, she is confident that her current consignment has what it takes to make a splash at the Spa.

“Keeneland September tends to fit a wider range of our yearlings,” explained Shoemaker. “Any of our earlier maturing yearlings, like the ones we have this year, have always done well at Saratoga. The nice thing is that these yearlings fit a market that encompasses European trainers and end users that might not be present at some of the more regional sales. We think these are two very special horses and think they should do well here.”

--Christina Bossinakis

Harissa as a yearling at the 2008 Keeneland September Sale

Every trainer loved the bay Afleet Alex-Dynasty filly at our consignment to the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She wasn’t the flashiest yearling in the shed row, but she almost never left the walking ring during two show days, and when the hammer fell Steve Bajer and partners bought her for $95,000.

Now named Harissa, the sophomore won the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks Sunday afternoon under jockey Tyler Baze by 3 ½ widening lengths over Hayley’s Halo and Queen Greeley. In her first start on dirt, Harissa prompted the early pace, contested through the stretch to pull even with Hayley’s Halo, and then shook free to finish the mile and 1/16 in 1:42:90 for trainer David Hofmans.

When asked by the El Paso Times if Harissa’s win would make him consider taking the filly to Kentucky for the first Friday in May, Hofmans said, "Probably, she seems to be a little better on dirt. She seems a little better than on synthetics."

"This was really good. This has been a blast," he added.

Jockey Tyler Baze said "I was loaded. I had so much horse. I just had to wait and make my move. She's a really nice filly. Now maybe on to the Kentucky Oaks."

Harissa broke her maiden in her final start at two on Nov 19 at Hollywood Park, and most recently ran second to G3 placed Baffert trained rival Ellafitz after stumbling at the start. Harissa’s career line now stands at 7-2-2-1, $174,520.

Click here to watch the race
Click here to read more about Harissa's win

Teriffic Challenge (yellow right) wins the Jebel Ali Sprint (Credit: Oliver Clarke/Gulf News)

Eight year old Terrific Challenge (G-3) earned his second win in two weeks, beating 16 ace sprinters to win the Jebel Ali Sprint (L) by a length yesterday for trainer Satish Seemar and jockey Ted Durcan in Dubai.
“He was really smooth,” said Durcan. “There was a lot of speed around us which was a help. (Former jockey) Richie [Mullen] told me to just leave him alone because he knows what to do and he did it well.”
The field for the 2010 Jebel Ali Sprint, regarded as one of the most competitive in years, included last year’s winner Hammadi and Dubai Racing Carnival winner Frosty Secret.

"He didn't just win, he won well, beating a top class field," said Seemar, a former United Arab Emirates champion trainer.
The victory may have earned the son of Royal Academy an invitation to compete in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night March 27.
The old trouper is held together with his trainer’s skill and his own back class.
"He's a veteran and like most veterans there's a bit of wear and tear, but he's a very nice horse to have in the stable,” Seemar commented.
From a Lantern Hill foundation family, the chestnut horse is the first foal from the Crafty Prospector mare Clever Empress. Sold for us by Eisaman Equine at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale to trainer Stan Hough and partners, Terrific Challenge had seven US wins on dirt and turf, including three consecutive sprint stakes victories at Monmouth.

In 2007, in his first year racing in the UAE Terrific Challenge beat Eclipse Champion Thor’s Echo in the Marju Mahab Al Shimaal (G3); and with his two 2010 wins his career line now stands at 34-11-7-3, $550,684.

Click Here to Watch the Race

Photo Credit: Oliver Clarke/Gulf News

When I-64 cut through Midway’s deep loamy soils in the early 1960s it created a pizza slice piece of land with the new exit 65, where today Lantern Hill’s acres are bound by the interstate to the north and US 421 on the south.

While both heavily travelled roads make access to vet clinics, Keeneland, Churchill Downs and more exotic locales an easier reach, they ultimately leave the storied agricultural countryside more attractive for hotels, houses and mini-marts than raising crops or livestock.

As the latest recession made local government desperate for funds, land near Lantern Hill was rezoned for residential development and more intense commercial uses. A proposed agricultural marketing center at Midway Station was roundly defeated by adjoining property owners who preferred raising roof tops over supporting local crop and livestock farmers.

We all know this disdain for farming is a national trend, and family farms have been in decline for at least four generations.

I admit there are days when I wonder why anyone would want to live on the land in the 21^st century. Without offering any guarantees of sustenance, a horse farm makes leisure time a faint memory, takes muck wagons of cash and requires nearly relentless physical labor.

But this fact remains: most of the time I can’t imagine being anywhere else or having a better lifestyle, and I know how lucky I am to raise race horses and keep our bills paid.

At least if the farm land is still here, not under asphalt, someone else can pursue that dream in 25 or 50 years, and maybe raise another Eclipse Award winner.

So it is with great relief and hope for the future that Lantern Hill Farm announces the donation of a conservation easement on our 184 acres to the Bluegrass Conservancy

Founded in 1995, the Conservancy is a private, nonprofit regional land trust committed to the preservation and conservaion of the unique rural and cultural resources of the Bluegrass Region. Like all nonprofits, they can use your support: http://www.bluegrassconservancy.org/.

Click Here to read a recent article in the Lexington Herald-Leader featuring Lantern Hill's conservation easement.

Dr. Joe at Lantern Hill before last year's Iroquois Stakes (G-3) win

News of Dr. Joe’s sudden death Saturday morning hit like a fist to the jaw. Racing lost one of its most ardent fans, and those of us who went racing or to the sales with Joe know he was one of the warmest, most generous men ever to love a thoroughbred.

Anytime Capt. Candyman Can raced, Joe included everyone he knew in the excitement, and no one could be around him and not be caught up in the joy he and Dave Zell were having with this gutsy gelding.

To Rosemary Rauch, the Rauch children, grandchildren and all friends and relatives go our sincerest condolences on the loss of this great guy who lived his entire life to serve and help others.

Click here for a touching Post-Breeders' Cup tribute to Dr. Joe

Capt. Candyman Can, Dr. Joe Rauch & Ian Wilkes at Saratoga

Fatal Bullet may have earned the “Win and Your In” spot afforded by winning the Phoenix S. (G3) on opening day at Keeneland, but Lantern Hill graduate CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN also stamped his ticket for the $1,000,000 Sentient Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on November 7 at Santa Anita.

“You've got to love him, don't you?” said trainer Ian Wilkes, who added the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is likely if all continues well with Capt. Candyman Can.

“You've got to commend the winner; he's a nice horse. But I'm proud of my little monster,” Wilkes continued.

Capt. Candyman Can uncorked a “terrific late run” (DRF’s Marty McGee) and “came flying from eighth at the top of the stretch to just miss while carrying four more pounds than the winner” (Louisville Courier-Journal’s Jennie Rees).

Fatal Bullet -- who was 2008 Canadian champion sprinter, Horse of the Year and second in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Sprint -- “held off hard-charging Grade I winner Capt. Candyman Can by a half-length to win” (Thoroughbred Times, Steve Bailey), and the Equibase chart noted Capt. Candyman Can “closed strongly and was getting to the winner with every stride.”

A day earlier, another Lantern Hill offspring, CONCHACER, missed second by a nose in the $150,000 Perryville S. (G3) on Keeneland’s main track. Winner of the Forward Pass S. at Arlington Park in August, Conchacer (Congaree-Eliot Chacer, by Clever Trick) took on a number of graded stakes winners and was beaten less than a length and a half for the win, after contesting the pace throughout and a prolonged battle through the stretch. He was bred by Lantern Hill Farm and Lighthouse Group. A 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase for Brent Fernung, he races for Savoy Stable and is trained by Dale Bennett.

Thank you to our loyal customers who made the Keeneland September Yearling Sale so successful.

Lantern Hill sold 16 of the 18 yearlings sent through the ring during our four sales days. On three of those days the yearlings' averages ranged from 35% to 97% more than the average of the other yearlings selling that day.

(Photo at right: LHF sales topper, Tapit-On the Town, sold to Bob Baffert, Agent)