BY BROCK SHERIDAN

A Florida-bred filly by Simplification canters happily around her lush paddock. The filly’s ears are pricked, and the white blaze on her face shines in the Florida sun. More wooden fenced pastures frame the backdrop of the scene, lined by shady trees. (Photo: ©Judit Seipert)

2026 f. Simplification – Russian River (©Judit Seipert)

This Florida-bred filly celebrates her independence sprinting around the pasture at Tom McCrocklin’s farm in Ocala. Bred by McCrocklin and Frank Mermenstein of Richmond Hill, Ontario, this filly foaled on March 15 is by Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Simplification and is the ninth foal out of the winning Florida-bred mare Russian River, by Stravinsky.

An earner of $124,010 during her racing career, Russian River has produced six winners from seven starters including Marckie’s Water, by Tribal Rule. An earner of $543,634, Marckie’s Water in 2019 won the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita, was second in the Grade 2 Eddie Read at Del Mar and third in the Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita. He also won the $201,035 Snow Chief in 2017 at Santa Anita.

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