BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Stakes-winning owner Billy Ham has called Florida home since 1980.

“I moved around a lot as a child because my father was a soldier. Every six to eight months we were moving to Europe or somewhere within the U.S. Dad finally retired from the service and, at the time, was stationed at Fort Gordon, Ga., near Augusta. I was a senior in high school and attended public school for the first time at Evans High School. Some of my best friends I have today are some of those high school buddies. After high school and college, I decided to move to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.”

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Stonehedge LLC homebred Dean Delivers returned to the winner’s circle with a stylish victory in the $104,000 Mr. Prospector at Monmouth Park Monday, winning by eight lengths over a sloppy six furlongs against seven other 3-year-olds and older. The 5-year-old gelding topped a Florida-bred exacta in 1:10.43 as Gonzalez Racing’s Hollywood Jet was second, two lengths ahead of Little Vic in third.

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who had Spirit Wind entered in both the Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs and the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint at Lone Star Park Monday, made the right choice in running the Florida-bred mare in Texas as she lived up to her 1-5 odds to win the six-furlong test.

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Jockey Scott Speith won his 5,000th career race as a Thoroughbred jockey Monday at Presque Isle Downs, guiding Florida-bred Wheelingndealing to victory in the seventh race. Trained by Speith’s wife, Aldana Speith, for owner Bruno Schickedanz, Wheelingndealing won the $32,000 allowance race by a length as the 5-2 favorite.

COURTESY NTRA PRESS OFFICE

On May 3, 2024, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the Regulation Advancement for Capital Enhancement Act of 2024. This legislation aims to simplify the registration process mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, thereby enhancing the ability of innovative companies to securitize Thoroughbred racehorses. This will allow everyday Americans to invest in the industry.