“Twenty Questions” for Jerry Crawford:

Iowa Horseman Dennis Bracewell: Interviews Jerry Crawford:,
Breeders’ Cup Board member and an owner of Paddy O’ Prado

Bracewell: Jerry, congratulations on being voted on to the Board of Directors for the Breeders’ Cup. What was your primary reason for getting on the Board?

Crawford: I want to leave horse racing better than I found it and the Breeders’ Cup Board is the most influential Board in horse racing. We have our hands full but we are working on some very exciting projects for our sport!

Bracewell: What do you feel we need to do to get horse racing back on a strong footing both nationally and here in Iowa?

Crawford: First, we need to increase purses as that drives the health of the breeding industry. Second, we need to create a new, technology driven wagering platform that appeals to younger fans. Third, we need to reduce takeout to encourage our existing base. And finally, we need new kinds of wagers and that is coming soon!

Bracewell: Paddy O’Prado gave all Iowan’s a chance to cheer for a horse and horse racing in 2010. Thanks for bringing him back for 2011 and what are his plans for this year?

Crawford: We hope to bring Paddy back on Derby Day to run in the Grade I Woodford Reserve and then we will take it from there. The Arlington Million and the Breeders’ Cup Classic are two strong possibilities.

Bracewell: What was your biggest Paddy highlight of 2010? Was it competing in the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders’ Cup or something else?

Crawford: We had over 400 people at the Derby, and nearly 200 at several other races. Sharing such a special animal with so many friends was terrific.

Bracewell: You are currently in the process of putting the syndication together for Derby Dreams III (DDIII). Are there any spots still available and, if so, what are the financial requirements if any of our members were interested in getting some “Derby Dreams?”

Crawford: Yes, there are a few spots left in DDIII. A 5% interest costs $70,000. We have some amazing two year olds and have already had offers to purchase one of our colts. Call me at 515-778-5420, if interested!

Bracewell: One of the Derby Dreams III two-year olds, Midnight Arch, is also owned by Terry Finley’s West Point Thoroughbreds. Can you tell us a little bit about how he came to be owned by both of you?

Crawford: We thought he was the best colt in the Saratoga sale and Terry and I were two of the three bidders and we are good friends so we stood down and agreed to buy half when the bidding ended. I am thrilled with this partnership and so is West Point. His name is now Midnight Arch and he has folks drooling in Ocala!

Bracewell: I find it interesting that your syndicates involve ownership of multiple horses versus the ownership of a single horse like other syndicates (West Point Thoroughbreds, Team Valor, etc). Do you think this strategy gives the individual a better chance of hitting that home-run and minimize potential losses because all of your eggs are not in one basket?

Crawford: If we have a big horse (like Paddy) we want ALL of our partners to see their Derby Dreams come true. So everyone owns a piece of all of our horses for the year.

Bracewell: I see that you have quite the “system” working for you and Derby Dreams. I see that you work with Sid Fernando of workhorse and that you work with the EQB team. What importance do you place on EQB’s heart scan when considering the purchase of a young horse?

Crawford: We have a helluva a team. We also have Julie Cauthen (sister in law of jockey great Steve), Frank Smith of Elloree Training Center and Dale Romans. Dr. John Garrity does our sales vet work. As for the heart scans, we will rule a horse out because of the scan but we don’t buy one just because of the scan.

Bracewell: Your babies are started at Elloree Training Center in South Carolina. How did you choose that training facility versus others in South Carolina, Florida or elsewhere?

Crawford: Frank Smith at Elloree is old school. He lets them be horses and turns them out and toughens them up. I am tickled he is on our team.

Bracewell: Should we keep an eye out for any of the Derby Dreams II runners this year? If so, who?

Crawford: We have a Dynaformer and a First Samurai in which we are still holding out hope for, but they are too slow developing for this year’s Triple Crown.

Bracewell: Did you ever entertain any thoughts of running Paddy in the Dubai World Cup, and would you consider running him anywhere outside of the US like the (Prix de l’) Arc de Triomphe or the Japan Cup?

Crawford: We will give Paddy a shot overseas if we can work it out schedule-wise. We also want to give him a chance to win a Grade I on dirt because of the impact on his stallion value. Dubai came up too quick and we want to be conservative with Paddy in bringing him back.

Bracewell: Vow to Wager ran in the Grade III Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows in 2010. Could any of the Donegal prospects be making it to the Prairie Meadows oval in 2011?

Crawford: Too soon to know about this year at the Meadows. We had over one hundred friends at Vow to Wager’s race and it was a blast.

Bracewell: I noticed that you have a web site for Donegal Racing and a Facebook page. How important do you think social media sites are for horse owners and do you think they are helping to get attention back to the sport and its athletes?

Crawford: DonegalRacing.com. The electronic media has been very good to us. Marty Tirrell was right about that one.

Bracewell: What’s your favorite movie about horse racing?

Crawford: Let it Ride (a movie starring Richard Dreyfess as an erstwhile horse player).

Bracewell: If you were breeding in the $15,000 and under range (where most Iowan’s breed), who would be your top five $15,000 and under stallions and why?

Crawford: Well, we are always looking for horses that can get a classic distance. So in that price range, I would have First Samurai, Harlan’s Holiday, Broken Vow, Pleasant Tap, and Summer Bird. For a more versatile horse distance-wise I would look at Bernstein.

Bracewell: Have you ever thought about putting together a syndicate that breeds, raises and races superior Iowa-bred horses?

Crawford: I’m content to cheer for Sandra Rasmussen, Maggi Moss, Rick and Brenda Olson, Scott and Allison Pope. They do it better than I would!

Bracewell: What books or periodicals should every horse owner/breeder read?

Crawford: Great question: Anything by Carl Nafzger or Cot Campbell is a great place to start.

Bracewell: Who are your racing heroes?

Crawford: Trainer Dale Romans because he got us to the Kentucky Derby. Maggi Moss because she has done things no woman has ever done. Rick Olson because he inspired me early on. Cot Campbell because he created racing partnerships. My wife, Linda, because she has put up with this insane hobby!

Bracewell: How did you get started in horse racing?

Crawford: I loved it from day one. My grandfather loved horses. I think it’s an Irish thing. Claimed my first horse 36 years ago.

Bracewell: What advice can you give to a small-time Iowan owner/breeder such as me about owning and breeding thoroughbred race horses?

Crawford: Shoot for the moon…we did and we got there!

Bracewell: Thanks for your time, Jerry, and continued good luck to you, Paddy O’Prado and Donegal Racing!