Sunday afternoon in Maryland

I don’t own a broodmare, but I might be in the market now. And if I did, I know what I’d do with her.

Call Tom Bowman. The Northview Stallion Station veterinarian and managing partner hosted the Chesapeake City farm’s annual open house Sunday afternoon. The day featured a glimpse of history – Northern Dancer’s stall; a great lunch spread – Andy Nelson’s Barbecue; a parade by Maryland’s best stallion lineup – led by distinguished gentlemen Not For Love and Two Punch (that’s him in the photo by Lydia Williams); and a much-needed and timely pep talk on Thoroughbred racing from Bowman.

I left wondering about investing in a stallion or a mare. Not that I have the disposable income but yes, really.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the news around Maryland’s racing industry hasn’t been good. The breeding program has lost ground to neighbors in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and even Delaware. The 2001 racing schedule nearly didn’t happen. All of the chief indicators – purses, sales prices, stallion fees, foal crops – are down. Even venerable Northview, on the site of the famed Windfields Farm stallion division, opened a Pennsylvania operation in 2010.

But, as Bowman said Sunday, “the future is much brighter than it was a year or two years ago.” The state’s first slots facilities are open and contributing to purse accounts. Horsemen are united in making their case that the industry is more than the Preakness and 140-odd racing days at Laurel and Pimlico. Bowman and other leaders are proceeding with plans to reshape Maryland’s breeding fund, aiming to reward breeders more in line with Pennsylvania, New York and other states.

Sunday, Bowman challenged the horsemen in attendance to support Maryland’s resurgence and come along for the hopeful ride back to prominence.

“Everybody acknowledges the fact that we need to breed more horses in Maryland, but more and more people say they’re going to breed to Kentucky stallions,” Bowman said. “If we don’t maintain the agriculture part of the horse industry, what do you think will happen to the slots revenue?”

Bowman skipped the answer, but it went without saying. If the Thoroughbred industry can’t support the farms, then the slots revenue assigned to support racing will be sent elsewhere – to boost schools, roads, public services and other state budget items.

Racing needs to prove worthy of the help. Bowman, president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, knows it and finished his rally with a challenge: “Do your part and support the breeding industry in this state – take a leap of faith with me.”

Jump.

Stallions sparkle in the snow
With a foot of snow on the ground, it seemed fitting that the nearly white Two Punch led the stallion parade. Crazily, he was born the year I graduated from high school (1983). The 28-year-old walked a few laps, even jogged on his toes a bit and let everyone know he’s still got it. Two Punch has sired 53 stakes winners with lifetime progeny earnings of more than $48 million. Of his foals, 82 percent have started and 78 percent of his starters have won. Bowman said the son of Mr. Prospector covered 50 mares last year and should reach that total again this season. Long may it last.

Dance With Ravens came next, and hinted at the progress Bowman suggests. His female family – Dance Smartly, Classy ‘n Smart, No Class, Classy Quillo – might be the deepest in history. I used to groom a relative, Money By Orleans, back in the 1980s. He was out of Classy Quillo, Dance With Ravens’ great-great grandmother.

Great Notion (the rammiest of the bunch) followed. I remember Great Notion from Saratoga a few years ago. Fast, really fast, he finished second in the King’s Bishop (and in front of Ghostzapper). Bowman said the son of Elusive Quality has changed considerably since he arrived in Maryland: “His first year here you could lead him to the breeding shed with a piece of baling twine.”  That’s no longer the case.

Lion Hearted continued the show, flexing his muscles and his Storm Cat-Cadillacing pedigree. His daughter Aspenglow has won 14 of 19 lifetime starts. That would do.

Leader of the pack Not For Love entered the ring like a heavyweight champion. Now 21, the son of Mr. Prospector is the top sire in north America not based in Kentucky and has been for years. He’s done it the old-fashioned way, piling up wins, earnings and quality sons and daughters without siring a Grade I winner or a millionaire. All of the stallions walked in a circle for the people on hand. Only one looked at the people – Not For Love. He stands for $20,000, comparatively a bargain. Northview has turned down a number of offers to move their top sire, but he’s not going anywhere. As Bowman put it, “he’s a Maryland sire, he belongs here, he’ll stay here.”

The new boys closed the show.

The flashy Deputy Storm would turn heads at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. He’s got four white socks and a big blaze. Sunday, he walked out of the barn snorting and jogging, just to make sure everyone saw him. He’s by Forestry and hails from the Deputy Minister line on his female side. His first crop to race (just 28 foals and 11 runners) included Twelve Pack Shelly, who won two stakes last year. Bowman hopes higher numbers will translate to even more success. “He’s a cool horse with a bright future.”

Street Magician is by the same sire as Zenyatta and Street Sense, and carries the added distinction of being “the fastest horse Northview has ever stood,” Bowman said. He’s a first-year stallion with a deep Mid-Atlantic family and a track record at Presque Isle Downs. He’s also survived three colic surgeries so you know he’s a fighter.

Bullsbay closed the show, pausing like a statue at the door to stare at the visitors, then taking the first of what could be many annual open-house strolls. He won the Whitney in Saratoga in 2009 for Fair Hill trainer Graham Motion, who dropped by The Saratoga Special office to celebrate. We were finishing a newspaper. Graham and his family were smiling – broadly. A beautiful moment for all. As a stallion, who knows? He’s big and rangy, he was determined on the racetrack, he won almost $1 million. And we all know what Tiznow has done as a sire.

Eight stallions live in the historic barn. Northview used to be Windfields, home of Northern Dancer, The Minstrel, T.V. Commercial, Deputy Minister, Assert and the other greats. The stalls are huge and drip with Thoroughbred heritage. Visiting Northview feels a little like going church.

Complete with the message of hope.