The summer was both spectacular and somber, much like my tour of Pin Oak Stud. Horse Country Tours allowed free visits for their annual Meet The Neighbors sessions. In mid- June, I toured Pin Oak Stud in Versailles, KY. Right after parking on the gorgeous horse farm I found myself in their small thoroughbred cemetery. The site was both beautiful and sad. One participant cried at the side of Geaux Rocket Ride’s grave stone. Most patrons marveled at the historical and honorable horse graves, both old and new. Pin Oak Stud was established in 1952 by Josephine Abercrombie. The farm is under the more current ownership of Dana and Jim Bernhard. The safety of the horses comes first for the Bernhard’s. They keep their pet Friesian horses there with a sweet barn cat and many thoroughbreds in training. They have a nursery farm nearby and a retirement and re-purposing farm in Louisiana. While at Pin Oak Stud, I saw many of their 22 two year-old thoroughbreds in training. Pin Oak Stud has it all. Wonderful barns, their own racetrack and therapy facility. The tour was top notch and so is the care that is provided for their animals. Maria’s Mon, who’s final resting place is at Pin Oak Stud, was the sire of both Kentucky Derby winning Monarchos and Super Saver. Perhaps, 2025/2026 will feature a Pin Oak Stud horse on The Road To The Kentucky Derby?
Looking towards the Kentucky Derby, it all starts with the highly anticipated first race of the long prep series, the Iroquois Stakes. Ten two year-olds have been selected to compete in Churchill Down’s race in Louisville, KY. The Iroquois Stakes is the eighth race, on a card of eleven. 9/13/25 at 4:26 PM ET watch the $300,000 1mile dirt race. FanDuel TV will air the race live. Here is the first group of Kentucky Derby hopefuls by post/horse/jockey/trainer/owner/and morning-line odds:
- Nothing Personal/Jaime Rodriquez/Greg Compton/Mag Racing, LLC./8-1
- Sometime/Luan Machado/Mark Simms, Jr./Calumet Farm/15-1
- No More Cents/Irad Ortiz, Jr./Kenny McPeek/Shamrock Stables, LLC./10-1
- So Special/Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr./Kenny mcPeek/Shamrock Stables, LLC. and MJM Racing/10-1
- Spice Runner/Jose Ortiz/Steven Asmussen/Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC./7-2
- Shake and Rattle/James Graham/J. Keith Desormeaux/Rocker O Ranch, LLC./20-1
- Comport/Tyler Gaffalione/Eddie Kenneally/Joseph W. Sutton/6-5
- Vost/Florent Geroux/William Walden/OXO Equine, LLC./12-1
- Nine Ball/Jaime Torres/Riley Mott/Bourbon Boss Farm/12-1
- Maximus Prime/Luis Saez/Anthony Mitchell/Gary Bizzack and Tiffany Bizzack/12-1
Finally, The Road To The Kentucky Derby starts with these ten horses in this first race, the Iroquois Stakes. Eight months from now, after multiple prep races in Japan, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S.A., twenty thoroughbreds will race in the 152nd Kentucky Derby! Stay with Thoroughbred U as we navigate through each month of the prep races.
This post is dedicated in loving memory of Thoroughbred Crue member, Nacho.