After a long and successful racing career, one of Ocala’s own has returned home as Shake You Down, Florida champion sprinter, multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire, retires to the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s farm in Lowell.
The 9-year-old gelding was bred by Ocala Stud Farm and had career earnings of just under $1.5 million. In 2003, the son of Ocala Stud stallion Montbrook had his breakout season.
The horse won five straight races, including three graded stakes, on his way to a run at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint championship where a bad start led to a third-place finish.
“It is gratifying to see a race horse like Shake You Down retire sound and return to Ocala. That he retired sound is a testament to the care that was given to him by Scott Lake and his current owner Robert Cole,” said Richard E. Hancock, executive vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, which facilitated the transfer of the horse.
John Evans of the TRF is also impressed with his new charge.
“He’s a grand looking son of a gun. He looks like you could run him tomorrow. His ankles look like he’s a yearling,” Evans said. “He is quite a specimen.”
The Florida Division of the TRF has its farm in Lowell, and works with inmates from both the Marion Correctional Institution and the Florida Correctional Institution. The farm and the programs are funded by the FTBOA, the Florida Thoroughbred Charities, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co., Calder Race Course, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and by farms and individuals.
The programs teach inmates how to care for horses. The farm is expanding and will open a new wing at Florida Correctional Institution in the fall. It will be the first facility of its kind at a women’s prison in the country.
“It’s a great program for horses and people. I’m an instructor for 14 of the women prisoners and I know it makes a big difference in them. I can see it on their faces,” Evans said.
The farm currently has 53 horses, some of which are available for adoption.
The farm also is home to Val’s Prince and Carterista, both Florida-bred graded stakes winners on the turf. Val's Prince is a three-time Grade 1 stakes winner.
Shake You Down is out of Mauvin Gway, by Rajab. His first graded stakes win was the $100,000 Bold Ruler (G3) at Belmont Park in May of 2003. Less than a month later, the horse won the $250,000 True North Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) also at Belmont. Shake You Down then traveled to Florida where he won the $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G3) in July, 2003 at Calder Race Course. He closed out the storybook-year by winning the $100,000 Gravesend Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct.
“He showed what Florida-breds can do on the track during his racing career. Now he can relax and enjoy a long retirement,” Hancock said.
