plus star , a purebred Argentinian who had Earle I. Mack bought him, brought him to the United States to race, and then determined to retire him, died at Old Friends on January 28 due to a boating accident. The reason for his death is unknown at this time. Autopsy results are pending to determine the exact cause of death.
Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement on January 30. Star Plus is 20 years old and has been on the ranch for 11 years.
Bred by Claudio Javier Valle and Marc Valle, the Star Plus, by Alpha Plus, was bred on 18 July 2003 from the Big Play mare, Nannar.
The Gulf stallion started racing at the age of 3 in Argentina in 2006. However, his biggest win came in 2007 when he caught Joaquin S. de Anchorena (G1) in San Isidro.
After that race season, Star Plus was purchased by Mack and brought to the United States. He then raced with him from 2008 to 2010. He was first coached in the United States by Kenneth McPeek, and then by Angel Penna, Jr.
Star Plus’ best achievement is winning the allowance race at Keenelandand a second in Race Park Fall champion stake (G3). Then, after his last win, belongs in a race that requires the allowance option at Gulfstream Park In March 2010, Star Plus left the race with a severe ankle injury and had to retire with a 6-8-1 record and $176,503 earnings after 26 career starts.
With his last race in the books, Mack’s plan is to retire Star Plus so he can enjoy the rest of his life. However, the horse’s path to retirement is a long and arduous road to achieve.
It all started when Mack was informed that there were some people interested in Star Plus by a small ranch and he agreed to let them take him. However, he made a key stipulation that he wrote in the contract that stipulates that Star Plus will never be able to race again. And, if they no longer want the horse, Mack must be notified immediately so a suitable nursing home can be found for him.
However, in 2011, Mack discovered that his horse’s new owner/trainer, George Iacovacci, Sr., had brought Star Plus back to training and planned to race with him. And so Mack set out to find a way to get his old horse back before it got injured, or worse, while racing again.
In total, Star Plus raced four times for Iacovacci at three different tracks, Mt. Pleasant, Mountaineer Casino Resort & Racetrackand The Parx . Raceand finished last in all four races.
In the meantime, every time Mack saw Star Plus getting ready to race, he contacted racing officials in those states and racetracks to let them know about the horse’s health and asked not to let the horse race. allow that horse to race. In addition, with the help of several people, including Maggie Moss, a well-known lawyer and respected Purebred owner, letters were also sent to officials saying the same thing and asking not to let them. allow the horse to race. However, all three songs declined the requests.
Ultimately, Mack settled the matter on his own, and after the horse’s fourth race, an optional claim race at Parx Racing on January 28, 2012, negotiations were held and With the help of several others, Mack acquired Star Plus.
Later, when his horse was safely back in possession, Mack made arrangements with Blowen and gave his horse to Old Friends to enjoy his well-earned retirement. long wait. Star Plus arrived at the ranch in late 2012, along with Mack’s generous donation to Old Friends to ensure the care of his horse.
“Star Plus is fun,” Blowen said. “We ran together (he always won, of course) and he seemed overjoyed with himself. Smart. Volatile. Carefree. In short, a great role model.”
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
