drone video by Aaron Re
Tactical Landing granted exemption from Stallion Restriction Rules
January 7, 2019
Toledo, OH--- On Jan. 7, 2019, Jeff Gural granted Tactical Landing an exemption from the Stallion Restriction Rule due to an injury he suffered while racing.
The exemption means that Tactical Landing’s first crop of foals and those thereafter will be eligible to compete in all stakes at The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs that include the Stallion Restriction Condition.
Tactical Landing stands at Southwind Farms and his book for 2019 is full and closed.
Southwind Amazon
Southwind Amazon Reclaims Win Lead
December 18, 2018
Southwind Amazon posted his 21st win of the season at Northfield Park on Monday (Dec. 17) capturing the evening’s 13th race.
His win tally ranks Southwind Amazon as the winningest horse in North America so far in 2018.
Tactical Landing retired to stud at Southwind Farms
December 3, 2018
Toledo, OH--- The ownership group of Tactical Landing (Muscle Hill-Southwind Serena-Varenne) 2,Q1:56; 3,1:50.2 ($812,300) has made the bittersweet decision to retire him to stud duty as a result of an injury he sustained while racing.
From the day he was born, through the time he sold as the second highest priced yearling for $800,0000 and throughout his racing career, the full brother to world champion Mission Brief 2,1:50.3; 3,1:50.2f ($1,599,587) has created a buzz within the industry. His unmatched regal pedigree, conformation, size, speed and appearance set him apart from all others.
Fifty Cent Piece was acquired for $500,000 by Lennart Agren’s SRF Stables.
USTA/Mark Hall photo.
Fifty Cent Piece tops opening session of Standardbred Horse Sale with $500,000 bid
November 6, 2018
Harrisburg, PA--- Bidders were active at Monday’s (Nov. 5) opening session of the Standardbred Horse Sale from beginning to end, resulting in a 24.2 percent increase in the average purchase price compared to the first day in 2017. A total of 170 yearlings sold for a gross of $15.9 million and average of $93,541, up from $75,305 last year.
Eight horses sold for at least $300,000 led by Muscle Hill-sired trotting filly Fifty Cent Piece, who was acquired for $500,000 by Lennart Agren’s SRF Stables.
$500,000 Breeders Crown to Tactical Landing
October 28, 2018
Wilkes-Barre, PA--- The track at Mohegan Sun Pocono may have been sloppy but the effort from Tactical Landing was pretty neat as he took the $500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Trot in a speedy 1:52.1.
Green Manalishi S a green machine in Wellwood romp
September 15, 2018
Milton, ON--- Trainer Marcus Melander admitted he was a bit nervous before the start of the C$400,000 William Wellwood Memorial on Saturday night (Sept. 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. As it turned out, he didn’t need to be. In the seconds leading up to Canada’s richest race for 2-year-old trotters, Melander, who conditions top flight trotter Green Manalishi S, admitted he was battling butterflies before the field of 10 got underway. A three length triumph, timed in a career best 1:53.4, changed that trepidation to pure elation.
The Ice Dutchess captures Peaceful Way final
September 15, 2018
Milton, ON--- Even money betting favorite The Ice Dutchess made every step a sure one on her way to victory in the C$385,000 Peaceful Way final on Saturday evening (Sept. 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The Jimmy Takter trainee won in 1:54.2, three open lengths ahead of her nearest rival, Evident Beauty (David Miller, 4/1). Angies Luckeylady (Trevor Henry), a 51/1 longshot, was a distant third.
Manchego defeats Atlanta in Casual Breeze showdown
August 24, 2018
Milton, ON--- Hambletonian Oaks champion Manchego delivered a stunning 1:51.4 stakes record performance to defeat Hambletonian champion Atlanta in Friday’s $136,000 Casual Breeze at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The superstar fillies were squaring off for the first time in 2018 and went off as co-favourites at odds of 4/5 in a field of 10.
Muscle Hill filly SWEEPS PA STALLION SERIES PRELIMS!
Southwind Storm sweeps PA Stallion Series prelims
August 15, 2018
Wilkes-Barre, PA --- Southwind Storm thundered through her Pennsylvania Stallion Series’ four preliminary legs undefeated, as the Muscle Hill–Say What filly won one of the seven 2-year-old trotting filly divisions over sloppy going Tuesday (Aug. 14) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Crystal Fashion, Tactical Landing win Hambo elims
Crystal Fashion, Tactical Landing win Hambo elims
August 4, 2018
Filly Atlanta set the fractions, but it was Crystal Fashion and Tim Tetrick that reached the wire first in the initial $100,000 Hambletonian elimination Saturday, August 4 at the Meadowlands. The Cantab Hall-Window Willow gelding stopped the timer in a world record 1:50.1, getting up in the final strides over the tiring filly. Met’s Hall rounded out the trifecta, and Evaluate and Hat Trick Habit finished fourth and fifth to advance to the $1,000,000 final. Favorite Wolfgang finished sixth.
muscle hill son wins the $286,650 John Cashman Memorial
Marion Marauder closes late for Cashman win
August 4, 2018
Hambletonian champ Marion Marauder swung from the pylons and overtook Will Take Charge and favorite Hannelore Hanover late in the lane to capture the $286,650 John Cashman Memorial for free-for-all trotters Saturday, August 4 at the Meadowlands. The five-year-old son of Muscle Hill used a late burst of speed to hit the wire first in the 1 1/8 miles contest, tripping the timer in 2:06. Will Take Charge was second and Hannelore Hanover third.
Muscle Hill filly trotted to a 1:53.4 victory!
The Ice Dutchess crowned in James Doherty
August 4, 2018
The team of Jimmy and Johnny Takter connected for their second win on the Hambletonian Day card, capturing the $357,450 James Doherty Memorial for freshman trotting fillies with The Ice Dutchess Saturday, August 4 at the Meadowlands. The Muscle Hill-The Ice Queen filly trotted to a 1:53.4 victory. Favored Beautiful Sin raced second and Hanna Dreamgirl was third.
.....read the complete story
Muscle Hill
Son sets a new track and stakes record
Don't Let'Em takes Haughton in record time
August 4, 2018
Don’t Let’Em and Yannick Gingras set a new track and stakes record on their way to handily winning the $422,350 Peter Haughton Memorial for freshman colt and gelding trotters at the Meadowlands Saturday, August 4. Trained by Jimmy Takter, the Muscle Hill-Passageway colt took control early and stopped the clock in the day’s fourth race in a time of 1:51.4. Green Manalishi S trotted second while Mass Fortune K finished third.
Muscle Hill
Son winner in Vincennes
Muscle Diamond barefoot winner in Vincennes
August 4, 2018
Racing at the Meadowlands got off to a fast start Saturday, August 4 when Muscle Diamond opened the Hambletonian Day card with a 1:51 victory in the $30,000 Vincennes for open trotters. The six-year-old son of Muscle Hill, racing without shoes, moved three-wide in the stretch for driver Andrew McCarthy and reached the wire first over a quickly-improving track rated sloppy to begin the day. Satin Dancer surged up the inside to narrowly nab second over a fast-closing Lagerfeld.
.....read the complete story
Muscle Hill Mare upsets in Steele Memorial
50-1 Dream Together upsets in Steele Memorial
August 4, 2018
Dream Together provided the biggest upset of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. Driven by Bob McClure, the Muscle Hill mare, sent off at 50-1, came flying late to pass Broadway Donna in the $154,800 Dr. John R. Steele Memorial for free-for-all mare trotters, stopping the clock in 1:51.3. She paid $105.60, $49.60 and $25.20.
.....read the complete story
Manchego
wins Hambo Oaks in 1:50!
Manchego wins Hambo Oaks in 1:50!
August 4, 2018
Dan Patch Award winner Manchego took command early in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks Saturday, August 4 and held off a challenge in the lane by slight favorite Phaetosive to win in a stakes record 1:50. It was yet another record performance for the team of Yannick Gingras and Jimmy Takter, who have won the last five Hambletonian Oaks. Plunge Blue Chip trotted third.
.....read the complete story
USTA/Mark Hall photos
Oct. 5 2017 Beautiful Sin at $480,000 becomes new sales-topper at Lexington Selected Sale
Lexington, KY --- As only 20 more of her colleagues prepared to enter the ring for the second session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale on Wednesday (Oct. 4), the majority of the crowd had already availed themselves of the exit while firmly gripping their catalogues. Those that remained were obviously paying attention to the price Beautiful Sin was demanding, but all conversation ceased once the toteboard hit $300,000.
From there on in, all the observers held their breath while waiting to discover the sum the daughter of Muscle Hill-Sina would command. The answer supplied was $480,000 and when the next hip number flashed on the screen, those in attendance collectively released their breath while clapping in honor of the new sales-topper.
Oct. 24 2016 Southwind Farms Drone Video #2
Videographer Aaron Re who does all of the Southwind Farms yearling videos has another stunning drone video of Southwind Farms from the skies. While videoing our yearlings for the Harrisburg Sale Aaron put together the 1 minute 30 seconds long video.
Muscle Hill yearling sells for $800,000
Hip 70 Tuesday’s opening session of the Lexington Select Yearling Sale saw harness racing bloodstock agent Martinez Equine put up a final bid of $800,000 for a Muscle Hill colt out of the Varenne mare Southwind Serena. It was lot 70 in the Lexington Selected Sale and his name is Tactical Landing.
The colt was sold by Hunterton Sales Agency.
Mike Lizzi photo
USTA/Mark Hall photos
Marion Marauder was a 1:51.4 winner in the Hambletonian.
All The Time in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Muscle Hill wins BIG at the Big M
Champion trotting sire Muscle Hill had a red-letter day on Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands last Saturday.
The winner of the Hambo in 2009, Muscle Hill sired the winners of seven big trotting classics including the $1-million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Muscle Hill produced the winners of both $70,000 Hambo eliminations in Marion Marauder (1:51.6) and Bar Hopping (1:51.8) with Marion Marauder returning to win the Final in 1:51.8 beating Southwind Frank (by Muscle Hill) by a nose.
Marion Marauder, who is out of a Donerail mare, is now the richest trotter in North America this year with $729,905. He is the second Hambo winner sired by Muscle Hill, the other being Trixton who took out the 2014 edition.
All The Time, last year’s Breeders Crown champion, added the Hambletonian Oaks to her list of major race successes, scoring in 1:52.2.
Muscle Hill sired the winners of both two-year-old classics on the Hambo undercard.
What The Hill (ex Angus Hall mare) captured the $294,450 Peter Haughton Memorial in 1:54.8, while Ariana G won the $306,500 Jim Doherty Memorial in a season’s record 1:53.2. Ariana G, out of a mare by Cantab Hall, is the richest two-year-old trotter in America with a $215,587 bankroll.
To cap off a brilliant day Resolve, a five-year-old entire son of Muscle Hill, hoisted a season’s record 1:50.4 in winning the $273,600 John Cashman Memorial. The performance follows his close second in the prestigious Elitlopp in Sweden two starts earlier.
Barry Skolnick CEO
As President of BLS Asset Managment (formerly Solgar Vitamin & Herb company), Barry has been involved with the family business since 1979, spearheading a subsidiary in Real Estate- investing, acquiring and developing in residential, commercial and industrial real estate and now a privately-held family office, investing in a variety of diverse investment opportunities.
Barry is Trustee of the Skolnick Family Charitable Trust. He has a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Oneonta. He is currently single with two grown sons. Barry also enjoys racing and is a founding member of the Monticello Motor Club. He enjoys sports and actively participates in tennis, yoga and working out at the gym.
Read the recent Hoof Beats article on Barry .....click here
August 25 2010
Farm Manager Laura Young is profiled in Hoof Beats Way of Life, written by Nicole Kraft.
Aug. 8 2009
Southwind Farms owner, and Muscle Hill co-owner Allen Skolnick raises the Hambletonian trophy with Southwind Farm manager Laura Young.
Muscle Hill - wins Hambletonian
With an absolutely dominant world record 1:50.1 performance in today’s $1,520,333 Hambletonian Final, Muscle Hill made the dreams of many come true.
The win, his fifth in a row this year and 13th of 14 lifetime, puts Muscle Hill’s ’09 earnings at $1,015,241. Lifetime he now has $1.8 million banked for owners Jerry Silva, the TLP Stable, Southwind Farm and Muscle Hill Racing.
“It’s something we’ve waited for a long, long time and something that we’ll cherish for a long time. I can’t give enough credit to the whole team that made this possible. It’s been quite a ride all season long, the horse has been perfect,” said co-owner Allen Skolnick of Southwind.
August 2006 Feature article in The Harness Edge
Click here to read (pdf format)
Southwind Farms is in the business of breeding, foaling and marketing standardbred horses.
Farm Manager: Laura Young
29 Burd Rd. Pennington, NJ 08534
Gilbertsville, N.Y. 13825
Phone: (609) 737-9067 Fax: (609) 737-2481