BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE (Edited)
When the Florida-bred Wayne’s Law steps into the starting gate Saturday for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (Grade 1), he will be carrying the legacy of his breeders, Margaret and Wayne McFarland.
Margaret, who passed away in September of 2024, and Wayne, the retired District Chief of the Hialeah Fire Department who passed away in October of 2022, were small Thoroughbred breeders in Ocala who fell in love with the community and their horses. Before passing away they purchased the mare Mollie Merisa out of the 2018 Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale for $27,000.
Six foals, five starters and four winners later—including the stakes winner Sea Art—Mollie Merisa, a daughter of 2022 Florida Derby-winner Harlan’s Holiday, will deliver McFarland Farm to its first Derby in the form of Wayne’s Law.
Jim McFarland, Margaret’s son-in-law, is thrilled and surprised at Wayne’s Law’s success.
“I’m surprised about getting calls about Wayne’s Law running and thrilled he will be racing Saturday,” McFarland said. “You bet your ass I’ll put a bet down.”
Florida-bred Wayne’s Law – ©Lauren King
Wayne’s Law, a son of 2020 Florida Derby-winner Tiz the Law who sold for $25,000 last year to Baalbek Corp., may be a 15-1 longshot but the colt hasn’t run a bad race. After breaking his maiden in his second start at Gulfstream by nearly seven lengths, Wayne’s Law won Gulfstream’s $75,000 Aventura in September by seven-and-a-quarter lengths. After ending his 2-year-old year with a third-place finish at Delta Downs in the $100,000 Jean Lafitte, Wayne’s Law enters Saturday’s Derby off a second-place finish on February 7 in the $210,000 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs behind the highly regarded Renegade.
There have been some tough times for the McFarland family. Along with losing her husband, Margaret lost both of her children before she passed away.
“She lost her husband, daughter and son,” McFarland said. “It was such a tragedy and I don’t think she really recovered. So, there’s not really much family.”
The family that remains will be watching Saturday as Wayne’s Law represents small Florida breeders Wayne and Margaret McFarland.
Return to the March 27 issue of Wire to Wire
