Shake You Down Hits Millionaire Mark Winning the Padua Stables Sprint
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
2004 – Florida-bred Shake You Down became a millionaire in his 37th career start with a three-length victory in the $300,000 Padua Stables Sprint at Gulfstream Park as the winning check of $165,000 increased his earnings to $1,163,560 for owner Robert L. Cole Jr.
The then 6-year-old son of Ocala Stud’s Montbrook started 2004 where he left off in 2003 when he won the Grade 2 True North Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Grade 3 Smile Sprint, Grade 3 Bold Ruler and Grade 3 Gravesend Handicap—all at six furlongs. Despite those credentials, Shake You Down was not among the finalists for the 2003 Eclipse Award Sprint Champion—prompting trainer Scott Lake to express to the media his disappointment following the Padua Stables Sprint victory.
The 2003 Eclipse Award Sprint finalists were Aldebaran, Cajun Beat and Congaree with Aldebaran being named the champion.
Sent to the post in Padua Stables Sprint as the 3-5 favorite, Shake You Down and jockey Michael Luzzi had a short advantage on 100-1 longshot Love My Mountain through the first quarter mile in :21.93 before extending his lead around the far turn and drawing off in the stretch to finish in 1:09.18 on the fast track. Green Team was second with Florida-bred Valid Video third.
Bred by Ocala Stud Farm, Shake You Down was out of the Rajab mare Mauvin Gay and retired in 2007 with career earnings of $1,442,014 from 22 wins, nine seconds and eight thirds in 65 starts.
Shake You Down spent 15 years of his retirement at the Second Chances Farm at the Lowell Correctional Institute for Women in Ocala before passing away at the age of 25 in January of 2023.
Florida-bred Holy Bull winning the 1994 Woodward – NYRA Photo
Happy Birthday Holy Bull
Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old, was born on Jan. 24, 1991 at Bonnie Heath Farms in Ocala, Fla. Bred by Pelican Stables, Holy Bull won eight of 10 starts in 1994, all in graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, Grade 1 Travers and Grade 1 Woodward.
