How does it happen that an individual of average financial standing, managing a family-run enterprise in Albany, New York, has been a co-owner of four exceptional racehorses ever since venturing into racehorse ownership in 2011?
Indeed, it’s difficult not to acknowledge the role of favorable destiny in Lucas Stritsman’s remarkable achievements.
His association with Corms Racing Stable includes a $16,000 acquisition in 2017 that generated close to a million dollars, a $50,000 acquisition the subsequent year that led him to the Kentucky Derby and a victory in the Jim Dandy Stakes, a New York-bred champion, and a remarkably swift filly positioned to take him to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a second consecutive year.
Trainer Danny Gargan is deserving of praise for his two perceptive acquisitions. Divine Miss Grey, secured for $16,000, flourished into a Grade 2 victor that earned $934,372. Tax, acquired for $50,000 as a 2-year-old, concluded in 14th place in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve but validated his unexpected caliber by securing fourth place in the Belmont Stakes and achieving victory in the Jim Dandy.
Pandagate, previously trained by the late Christophe Clement and currently by his son, Miguel, was recognized by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders during the previous season as its champion 3-year-old male. Jorge Abreu-trained Scottish Lassie is coming off a second commanding Grade 1 triumph leading up to Saturday’s scheduled appearance in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing, a preliminary competition for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Regarding the auspicious destiny, some elaboration is warranted. Corms Racing Stable gets its name from the moniker of Matt Canfield, Stritsman’s close companion since their high school years in Troy, N.Y. Canfield’s life was tragically cut short when he fell down a set of stairs in 2011.
“He held a deep affection for the racetrack. He always cherished the horses,” Stritsman expressed. “It serves as a meaningful way to honor his memory.”
Canfield infused every excursion to their cherished Saratoga Race Course with enjoyment. He was the soul of every Kentucky Derby gathering. He frequently dealt blackjack as part of the celebrations, complete with narration. If an individual executed an unconventional maneuver by drawing on 15 and achieving blackjack, he was known to proclaim, “You just can’t impart that. It’s innate.”
Stritsman commented, “It elicits a smile to reminisce about Matt Canfield. He always had people in stitches. It was simply a delightful experience.”
Stritsman, at 49, is presently reveling in a splendid time thanks to Corms Racing Stable and his newest sensation, Scottish Lassie. He is in partnership with Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish, and trainer Abreu in the ownership of McKinzie’s offspring.
Corms Racing attained its inaugural Breeders’ Cup participation as an owner thanks to Scottish Lassie. Scottish Lassie secured third position in her initial race last September, but Abreu was so confident in her potential that he designated the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct as her second start. She validated the gamble with a nine-length victory, granting Abreu his first graded stakes triumph. Scottish Lassie then achieved a commendable fourth position to eventual 2-year-old champion Immersive in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar.
An ailment sidelined Scottish Lassie earlier this season, compelling Abreu to abandon his strategies to enter her in the esteemed Longines Kentucky Oaks. A clumsy commencement contributed to a third-place outcome in an allowance optional claiming race at Aqueduct in her delayed 3-year-old debut on May 1. She drew the innermost post position and did not respond favorably to a muddy, sealed track at Saratoga on June 6, when she once again secured third position in the DK Horse Acorn Stakes at Saratoga.
That established the setting for another Grade 1 event at Saratoga, the July 19 Coaching Club American Oaks Invitational Stakes. Scottish Lassie seized the early advantage from Immersive, with that competitor in close pursuit down the backstretch.
Scottish Lassie was advancing with remarkable ease under jockey Joel Rosario and commenced expanding her lead. Manny Franco urged Immersive for greater effort as they approached the final turn. The leader persisted in widening the gap.
Scottish Lassie intensified her pace as the crowd roared, extending her lead by five lengths, then seven, then 10, and ultimately 15 ½ lengths before Rosario eased her across the finish line. Abreu, a long-standing assistant to esteemed trainer Chad Brown, consistently recognized the filly’s aptitude for such a striking performance.
“She’s exhibiting continuous improvement with age,” he remarked. “She’s executing everything with such professionalism and composure.”
For Stritsman and the partners he integrated into Corms Racing, it represented a remarkable moment that most groups with constrained financial resources seldom experience. “I maintain a modest budget because I simply cannot allocate substantial funds to this endeavor,” the managing partner stated. “I must approach it with a degree of strategic planning.”
Stritsman is captivated by every facet of racing. He has encountered his share of setbacks, but he dedicates himself to being a diligent student of the sport and to aligning himself with capable trainers and appropriate partners.
“I’ve been fortunate to have some exceptional horses, and I’ve enjoyed some exhilarating experiences,” he conveyed. “I consistently attributed a significant portion to luck, but some of it stemmed from positive intentions.”
And favorable destiny invariably proves beneficial.
