News and Announcements


South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
The first stride to the finish line begins in South Carolina
Racing Across 
the Nation
During the period between July 27 and August 23, five South Carolina training center graduates found the winner’s circle following Stakes in Texas, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and New York.


At Lone Star Park at Grande Prairie on July 27, Little J P captured his fourth lifetime Stakes victory, winning the Sprint Series Stakes. Little J P broke on top and never looked back. In a closely fought battle throughout, he prevailed by a head. Little J P was prepared for his racing career at Randy and Kala Rentz’s training center in Erhardt, SC. He is currently owned by Rick, Cory, and Laura Wiest, Barb Depew, and Jeff Van Nistlerooy, and trained by Laurie Fergusen.


Air Recruit, now a two-time Stakes winner, proved best in the Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park on August 10. Air Recruit stalked the leader from the start. He wore that one down in the shadow of the wire, getting there first by a nose. Air Recruit is a graduate of Brad Stauffer and Ron Stevens’ Legacy Stable breaking program in Aiken, SC. He is owned by Mark Grier and trained by Arnaud Delacour. Air Recruit has won 4 of his six career starts.


The 2-year-old colt Magic Wallet won his first two starts, breaking his maiden at Colonial Downs on July 25 and winning the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park on August 14. On the pace early on, he dropped back before moving to the outside putting in a strong rally in the stretch reaching the finish line 2 ¾ lengths in front. Owned by William Bayne and Super C Racing, he is trained by Claudio Gonzales. Magic Wallet went through the breaking process at the Travis Durr Training Center in St. Matthews, SC.


Lifelovenlaughter won her second Stakes in a row, the All Brandy Stakes, at Colonial Downs on August 16. This was also her third win this year. Lifelovenlaughter sat right behind the leader before taking the lead inside the 1/8 th pole. She held off a late charger to win by a neck. This mare was bred and is owned by SCTOBA member Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group and trained by Mike Trombetta. Grant is also the owner of the Camden Training Center. Custom Care Equine’s Donna Freyer prepares his horses for their racing careers there.


The amazing Book’em Danno notched his third Stakes win in a row, proving best in the Forego Stakes-G1 at Saratoga on Travers Day, August 23. Fourth early on, was within striking distance before gaining the lead with a 1/8 th of a mile to go. He crossed the finish line a length in front. Owned by Atlantic Six Racing LLC and trained by Derek Ryan, this 4-year-old gelding has captured nine Stakes wins in only 16 lifetime starts. Prepared for his racing career by Randy and Kala Rentz, he has accumulated $1,855,425 in career earnings.