Category: Events

Bill Parcells’ colt wins Albany Stakes at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Prepped and Sold by Kirkwood Stables

Bill Parcells stood in Saratoga’s winner’s circle, looking as happy as you’ve ever seen him, except after playoff and Super Bowl victories.

The Hall of Fame coach had just watched his colt Hit It Once More dominate Friday’s $250,000 Albany Stakes for New York-breds, leading throughout a 3 3⁄4-length runaway the way a 4-5 favorite is supposed to. Congratulating him were Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a longtime friend, and people chanting “Let’s go, Giants!”

“Lots of Giants fans here,” Parcells said.

He grinned and shook his fist at Kendrick Carmouche, whom he hugged after the jockey dismounted. Carmouche minimized stress by taking the lead entering the first turn and setting slow fractions before drawing off at the eighth pole.

Trainer Gary Sciacca loved the looks of the son of Hard Spun, who cost Parcells $90,000 at an auction in May 2015. “Gary went over budget, but he told me to keep bidding,” Parcells said. “He kept saying, ‘Hit it once more,’ and that’s how the horse got his name.”

Hit It Once More paid $3.90 after running 1 1⁄8 miles in 1:50.38 on a track rated good after overnight rain. He earned $150,000 for his fourth win in 10 starts, raising his career total to $355,202. Stablemate Jet Black finished fourth, which was worth $12,500 to Parcells.

Sciacca said he’s leaning toward the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 24 for Hit It Once More’s next race. “He’s a big, good-looking horse, and he’s for real,” said Sciacca, who ended an 0-for-32 slump at the meeting.

Parcells said his August Dawn Farm owns 15 horses, including “seven or eight” New York-breds. He was asked to compare coaching football with running thoroughbreds.

“Football is easier because you can do something that can affect the game,” Parcells told Newsday. “Here, once they get into the gate, you can’t do anything.”

Sporting Clays Charity Shoot 2015

Annual Sporting Clays Tournament benefiting retired racehorses of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation of South Carolina. Thanks to all of our sponsors and participants for another successful event!

Sporting Clays Charity Shoot 2015

Kip visits Goshen, NY after the Belmont Stakes

June 5-6, 2015 were amazing days of racing at Belmont Park, topped off by American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown. Sunday, June 7th, Kip visited Goshen, NY where he attended an Announcer Workshop with the great Tom Durkin himself. Afterwards, harness racing was on the menu at the Goshen Historic Track. Below are photos from the trip to Goshen. What a great experience!

Goshen, NY - June 7, 2015

Kip Elser honored as part of SCTOBA Dinner

Kip Elser was honored at the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association Awards Dinner by receiving the Thoroughbred Charities of America’s Award of Merit for his work with repurposing Thoroughbred race horses and for his efforts as the former president of the South Carolina Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and its Second Chances program at the Wateree River Correctional Institution in Rembert, SC.

CC Jan16.2015

“Shoot for Second Chances” Sporting Clays Charity Tournament

Over 50 shooters participated in the “Shoot for Second Chances” Sporting Clays Charity Tournament at former classic winning trainer Joe Cantey’s Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports on Friday, November 14 in Camden, South Carolina. The event was sponsored by Kip Elser’s Kirkwood Stables and West Point Thoroughbreds and benefitted retired racehorses of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation of South Carolina.

“This event more than doubled in size from last year and we look forward to continuing the tradition of shooting the day before the Colonial Cup,” said South Carolina TRF president William Cox Jr. “Through our Second Chances program at the Wateree River Correctional Institute, we offer a place of hope and renewal for retired Thoroughbred horses and prison inmates. Currently 45 horses are cared for through the program, and we hope to expand in the years to come.”

“Thank you to everyone who worked together to make this event a success,” said Kip Elser. “We had a fun afternoon all in support of retired horses here in South Carolina. I appreciate the support not only from the folks here in Camden, but the Lexington horse community as well.”

Thoroughbred industry sponsors for the event include: Taylor Made Sales, Fasig-Tipton, Niall Brennan Stables, Select Sales, Bluewater Sales, Paramount Sales, Mike Ryan Bloodstock, Summerfield Sales, Darby Dan Farm, CFP Thoroughbreds, Gainesway, and Legacy Bloodstock.

Check out the photos.