Keen Thoroughbred Owners

Owners "Bragging Rights" Page

Roger Sofer's ENCHANTED LANDING

First time horse owner Roger Sofer was overwhelmed with joy when his Texas Bred filly ENCHANTED LANDING won at Lone Star Park this summer.  To make his day even sweeter another horse he owned in partners with Jim Jackson, POSEY JOE, also won in a later race that same day.  What a way to break your maiden!!  You Go Roger!!  ENCHANTED LANDING won again for Roger at Louisiana Downs and ran a very impressive 3rd in a $41,000 Allowance Race opening weekend at The Fairgrounds.   

Having been an avid fan for almost 40 years and being a limited partner in several horse partnerships with friends; I can assure you the first win with your own horse is beyond comprehension. I purchased Enchanted Landing, my first 2 year old filly at the Fasig Tipton sale at Lone Star Park under the watchful eye of super trainer, Dallas Keen. He liked the way she strided and her confirmation was excellent.

After a few days of getting her acclimated, she was ready for her first work. Dallas has an excellent reputation with young horses and is very cautious with their development. So after giving the jockey strict instructions to take it easy, he proceeds to take her 3 furlongs in 35.3. Naturally, two things happened; Landing shin bucked and the jockey was fired.

Rather than pin fire her, Dallas decided to put her on a very light schedule and to let her heal under his constant attention; which she did. We knew that we had a fast horse with competitive attitude, but what we did not know was that she hated the mud, would displace, and would stop if you touched her with the whip.

We started in Remington Park on a night when the jockey fell asleep missing the break, then to Louisiana Downs for the substitute Fairgrounds meet. Top purses for top horses. We ran against an offspring of Silver Charm and maidens of that breeding class.  We did reasonably well but no winner's circle. Oaklawn brought us bad weather, bad luck, bumps in the stretch, and a nose lose to a 4 year old daughter of Menifee.

Now to Lone Star Park to run against Texas Bred Maidens. First race we run against fractions of 21.4, 44.3, 57.0 and 1:10. The fastest time of the entire night. We ran 5^th, 8 lengths back. The next race we got a muddy, sloppy track and got slammed on the turn for home while racing on the lead. Dallas is concerned, the breeder is nervous, my friends are muttering but my wife and I think she will break through. I make my only training decision since the original purchase. Landing will not run in the mud again!

Last Thursday, June 22, 2006 the magic moment happened. On a dry track, in a 14 horse field, we break on top, fight off challengers and win on a very game effort. Our jockey, Larry Taylor rode a great race. As I write this, the jubilation inside of me has still not subsided. Owning race horses for me is not about winning money; it's about your team getting highly intelligent, competitive, and magnificent athletes prepared for top performance. I wanted this win for Ellie (Enchanted Landing) and for Dallas who worked so hard to try and get us in the winner's circle. It had been a very long and frustrating year up to that point but I am good to go and ready to build a successful stable and to take many, many, more pictures.

Riders up!

*As a side note, my other horse Posey Joe won the 9^th race on the same card. So in a 3 hour period I take my first 2 pictures as an owner.

Hi Dallas and Donna, we’re back. 
I was going to call but you must be so exhausted I thought better to just write.  Hey we wanted to thank you sooo much and let you know how much we appreciated everything you’ve done –   Well, aside from the heartache of parting with freetoleave, it was such a great weekend.  I know you’re as sorry as I am about his claim, but the win was rewarding on so many levels it sure helps ease the pain.  For one thing his new demeanor and the way he won revealed your genius and dedication so we’re profoundly grateful to you and him.  You are both such lovely people and I’m certain an unstoppable force of success in this business.  I can’t wait to see what kind of enormous things happen to you in the very near future.  Thank you too for hosting our visit to your beautiful farm until those late hours after such a grueling weekend.  As expected, all your stock’s superior looks, health and minds reaffirm the exceptional passion and prowess you both have as horsemen.  We’re very grateful to be part of Team Keen – even if we’re down to just little Callie Mac.  I know you’ll figure her out too so we’ll all look forward to another happy ending there too.  Until then all the best and THANK YOU!!  
Laura

Dallas Keen has been training for clients Guy and Lou Durham for over 20 years.  They have had many winners and stakes winners since sending their horses to Dallas in 1986.  Their latest success has been with two horses purchased from the Fasig Tipton Mixed Sale last December.   Guy asked Dallas to occompany him to the sale and look at two 2 year olds in the catalog.   A big bold stallion named Eye Man Who was purchase for $3500 and another gelding named Gold Squares was purchased for $2000.  Both of these horses were culls from other trainers and were thought to have no chance to become racehorses. 

After a few months of training Eye Man Who won at first asking at Lone Star Park and had 8 starts with a 3-1-1 record with earnings over $44,000.  Gold Squares won his second carreer start.