Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Little
Mike welcomed 50 of his fans Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park as part of a
raffle to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and Thoroughbred
aftercare.
The 50 raffle winners were taken on an escorted tour of the
barn area before stopping at the barn of Dale Romans, trainer of Little Mike.
Romans, along with Little Mike’s breeder and owner, Carlo Vaccarezza, answered
questions from the fans before leading Little Mike out of his stall so fans
could take pictures with him.
Romans, honored recently with the Turf Publicists
of America’s Big Sport of Turfdom Award, then led the crowd down his shedrow
explaining the care that goes into each Thoroughbred.
Romans, Vaccarezza and their staff offered guests cold
drinks and snacks throughout the tour.
“This is
extremely gracious of Mr. Romans and Mr. Vaccarezza to allow us to come back
here and meet them and Little Mike,” said Daryl LaRouche, one of the raffle
winners. “I think it’s wonderful for fans to see
something like this. Gulfstream, Mr. Romans and everyone have been extremely
kind.”
Romans was asked questions about Little Mike, retired
Preakness winner Shackleford, turf racing and how much it costs to own and race
a horse. Romans praised his help several times throughout the morning.
When asked what his biggest achievement was so far, Romans said it was being
able to work with many of the same people he started his career with. He also
joked, “Surviving 25 years.”
Little Mike gained fame this year by winning three Grade 1 contests — the
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, Grade 1 Arlington Million at
Arlington Park and Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in his last start. Along
the way, the five-year-old son of Spanish Steps also captured the Florida
Sunshine Millions Turf, ran third in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile and finished
fourth in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf.
Little Mike is currently
being prepared by Romans for a trip to Dubai in March for a possible start in
the Group 1, $5 million Golden Sheema. Romans told his guests the gelding may run first
in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf on February 9, a race that is also expected
to include 2011 Kentucky Derby winner and champion Animal Kingdom.
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