Farma Way

Farma Way (1987–1999) was an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse foaled in Kentucky. He was sired by Santa Anita Derby winner Marfa out of the Diplomat Way mare, Fine Tribute, a descendant of the very important sire, Nearco.

Trained by Neil Boyce, initially Farma Way was a late bloomer, losing his first four starts. After running second in the Hollywood Futurity, Boyce put him in the turf Baldwin Stakes for a change of surface and a win.

It wasn't until his fourth year, though, that the headstrong colt would come into his own. He won the Santa Anita Handicap and set a new 1 3/16 mile track record for Pimlico Race Course in winning the Pimlico Special. His winning time of 1:52 2/5 also equalled the North American record for 1 3/16 miles on dirt set by Riva Ridge in 1973 at Aqueduct Racetrack. As of January 2008, their record still stands. [1]

His headstrong ways, however, were his undoing and the cause of a 2-year dispute between jockey Gary Stevens and Farma Way's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. Farma Way got into a dual with Jolie's Halo and Stevens could not rate him, allowing Festin to win a race Farma Way was favored. When Lukas berated Stevens in public after the race, Stevens instructed his agent to refuse any Lukas mounts. It was two years before Stevens rode for Lukas again.

Retirement

Retired to Balla Vista Farm, in California, Farma Way was a successful sire. Some of his progeny include graded stakes race winners Birr, Cobra King, Dontbotherknocking, Rob N Gin, and Ruby Surprise.

Farma Way had to be put down on November 18, 1999, after fracturing his hind leg in a paddock accident.

References

• Pedigree & Partial Stats

External links

• Masters of the Saddle Gary Stevens