Heath Taylor goes on the record about the 2008 All American Futurity

Posted: 08/18/2009 05:37:52 PM MDT

Last race season at Ruidoso Downs, trainer Heath Taylor realized his boyhood dreams when his Jerry Windham-owned gelding, Stolis Winner, left the fourth post position to face a stiff challenge from the Louisiana-bred stallion, Jet Black Patriot coming out of the 3-hole.

Both horses broke side-by-side and went to the front. In the final 200 yards of the 440-yard race, Taylor's 3-2 favorite overcame the 5-2 black Bayou contender by a half length in :21.17.

"Other than family events, marriage and the kids being born - this is what I've worked for every day of my life since I was 9 years old," Taylor said after the race.

Dream realized. Time to savor the moment and look forward to No. 2.

Then a dark cloud of uncertainty fell upon the Futurity conclusion when it was confirmed to the Ruidoso News on Nov. 5, by the New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC), that Stolis Winner had tested positive for caffeine.

The NMRC has a zero tolerance level for the stimulating alkaloid substance and as such, carries a Class 2 penalty of six months to a year trainer suspension, a fine of $1,500 to $2,500 and loss of purse.

At that time, Windham, a past president of the American Quarter Horse Association, maintained, "It had to be a contaminant."

A hearing was set for Nov. 15, 2008, but was subsequently continued until Dec. 5.

The December hearing was then postponed until Jan. 8, 2009, and it was at that hearing a panel of stewards declared Jet Black Patriot to be

the winner of the 2008 All American Futurity.

Houston-based attorney, Rob Fritz, represented Jet Black Patriot owners, Richard and Janelle Simon of Louisiana, and announced the Simon's would "pursue their lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas to recover from the owners and trainers of Stolis Winner, the economic damages caused by their lack of compliance with the rules of racing."

The Jan. 8 verdict was appealed by Taylor's attorney of record, Billy Black-burn of Albuquerque.

It's been a long, legal road for the parties involved but it could finally be adjudicated Dec. 1, more than a year after it began.

In the meantime, and until then, an air of uncertainty hangs over last year's running of Ruidoso Downs' All American Futurity, one of the country's premier horseraces.

"I've had 6,000 career starts and have never had a prohibitive test until last year's All American," Taylor said. "Stolis Winner won that race as clean as a horse could possibly win it. It had to be an environmental contaminant.

"I've had 10 horses run in the All American, including the 2008 third place finisher, Jess Zoomin, and every one of them tested clean.

"A culmination of a life's dream (winning the All American) has turned into a nightmare, both mentally and economically.

"I've spent more defending the issue than I received from my share of the purse. It was never about the money. It was about the prestige of winning (the All American)."

As Taylor speaks to the issue, a resolve becomes apparent in his eyes.

"Jet Black Patriot is a great horse, but I felt I had the best horse before the race, during it and afterward," he said. "And I will feel that way until the day I die."

Taylor's faith and respect for the horse are overtly evident.

"Stolis Winner is, without question, one of the greatest 2-year-old racehorses to ever put a bridle on and to have his name questioned is heartbreaking," Taylor said with emotion. "He had the fastest time in the trials to the All American Futurity and tested clean.

"We didn't need to cheat.

"When you have the best horse, you don't have to.

"After the All American he went to the $1 million Texas Classic Futurity in Dallas (Lone Star) and had the fastest time there. It's very tough when you haven't done anything wrong and this happens.

"I don't hunt, golf, gamble or anything else. This is all I do, and I have pride in my profession. I can't control the environment (contaminants). So, now, we'll just have to wait for the hearing in Albuquerque, Dec. 1, and let science speak."

Prior to that, Taylor will have his hands full. He has three entrants in Thurs-day's trials to Labor Day's All American Futurity.

Be My Corona will race in the 10th trial, Teller IM Speedy in the 19th and Obsessed With Corona in the 20th.

Another runner Taylor was high on and had expectations was the filly Endlesss Delight who sustained a minor injury in a workout Saturday and will not run.

"I thought she had a good chance to win it all," Taylor said. It's very disheartening but we'll go to the fight with the guns we have."

For the All American Derby trials Friday, Taylor has three more competitors - Jo N Jessie in the 7th trial out of the 2-hole, Rollingintheclover in the 8th from the 1-hole ... and the inimitable Stolis Winner who will run his first race this year against some tough customers in the 5th trial from the 1-hole.

"We'll be running with some stiff competition like Brenda Beautiful, Fantastic Corona Jr. (a $40,000 supplement), and the second and third place finishers in the Texas Classic, Mighty Corona and King Brimmerton in that heat," Taylor said.

"I've entered Stolis Winner in four races this meet at Ruidoso Downs but the races didn't fill. So, we'll see what happens come Friday."

The Stoli-sired gelding still competes and takes on all comers.

In February it was announced by the Simons that Jet Black Patriot would stand for stud and would not race this season.

When asked about a hypothetical second race with Jet Black Patriot, Taylor said,

"We would welcome a rematch with Jet Black Patriot.

"The Louisiana runner and Stolis Winner are both very talented horses."

Photo: Trainer, Heath Taylor, looks forward to the All American trials. (Mike Curran/Ruidoso News)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

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