Twisted Wit

From AlexBrownRacing

Twisted Wit

Twisted Wit is a 9 year old gelding that was born March 2, 2001. He is by Distorted Humor of Winstar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, and out of Sandhill Charm owned by Ron Clarkson, his breeder, of Ontario, Canada. As a yearling, Twisted Wit was sold at the 2002 Woodbine Yearling Sale for $32,202 to Rolph Davis with his trainer Robert Tiller, both in Canada and racing at Woodbine.

Twisted Wit ran his first race, and broke his maiden on 7/27/03, by winning a $60,600 race at Woodbine. He went on to win the 2003 Vandal Stakes on 8/17/03. Two weeks later Tiller entered Twisted Wit in the $139,750 Simcoe Stakes turf race, a seven-furlong dash for 2-year-old colts and geldings,on 9/1/03 and he won. Tiller was attempting to orchestrate a championship campaign for Twisted Wit. Twisted Wit was nominated to the Swynford, an open race at seven furlongs, but Tiller elected to wait for other opportunities. Tiller's ultimate goal for Twisted Wit was the $250,000 Coronation Futurity, a 1 1/8-mile stakes for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds in Nov. 1. On October 5th, Twisted Wit was entered in the $277,250 Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes. This Grade 2 race is the richest and most important stakes for 2-year-olds at Woodbine. Twisted Wit finished fourth for the first time as he tried a route of ground. In the Coronation Futurity in November, he was a fading sixth after breaking awkwardly. By the end of Twisted Wit’s first year in racing, he had earned $234,855.

2004 brought Twisted Wit’s best year, beginning on 5/8/04, with Twisted Wit winning the Queenstown Stakes. Then it was on to the Plate Trial in June. For reasons unknown at this time, Twisted Wit did not finish the Plate Trial race. July 1, 2004 Twisted Wit was entered in the Achievement Handicap Stakes. He went on that day to win and set a stakes track record at 1:08.99. Eleven days later he came in second in the Bold Venture Handicap. On October 15, 2004, Twisted Wit was entered in a $76,000 allowance race and beat Wake At Noon by a neck. Twisted Wit ran 8 races by the end of 2004 and brought his earnings to $540,088.

As of November 9, 2005, Twisted Wit had run 6 races in 2005 and had not won a race that year. He had also not run since July. That all changed on 12/3/05 when he went on to win his final race of the year. At the end of 2005, Twisted Wit had earned $67,932 that year with a racing career total of $608,020.

During 2006, Twisted Wit competed in 9 nine races, winning 2, including the Kenora Stakes on September 9, 2006. He was nominated for the Kennedy Road, but was sent home for the season. Total earnings for 2006 were $165,172 with a total earnings of $755,591.

In 2007, Twisted Wit saw nine more races in lower levels, never saw first place and saw second place twice. Twisted Wit was entered in his first Claiming race on November 7, 2007 for $50,000. His earnings for 2007 were only $37,458, with career earnings of $792,155.

The year 2008 brought many changes to Twisted Wit’s racing career. After his normal winter rest, he was entered in 12 races in 2008, all of them being claiming races. In April he was entered into a $50,000 claimer and ended the season with a $16,000 claimer. Somewhere in November, 2008, Twisted Wit was sold by Rolph Davis in a private sale to Jack Armstrong. Twisted Wit saw one more race at Woodbine after that and was moved to Philadelphia Park. He did not see a layup that winter as he was used to. His earnings were now at $865,809.

Twisted Wit was now on a downhill swing. The year 2009 saw Twisted Wit jumping owners and tracks beginning with a private sale to Robert Mosco at Philadelphia Park. Jennifer Morrison, who was concerned about Twisted Wit, started writing about him on April 7th on her blog for Horse-Canada: "TWISTED WIT, a multiple Canadian stakes winner, is now toiling in the bottom claiming ranks, but he was a winner at Philadelphia Park yesterday, at a new low level of $7,500 claiming. Owned by Jack Armstrong, the 8yo gelding led all the way for his 13th win."

On May 31, 2009 he was claimed by Survivor Stables, trainer Patrock Marrotta for $7,500 at Monmoth Park. Jen wrote on June 2: "Multiple stakes winner TWISTED WIT, with earnings of $917,000 in his career and 15 wins from 58 races, won on May 31 at Monmouth Park for $7,500 claiming for owner and trainer Robert Mosco and he was claimed. The Distorted Humor Canadian-bred, previously raced by Rolph Davis and trained by Robert Tiller at Woodbine, is now owned by SURVIVOR STABLE and trained by Patrock Marrotta." After looking at his race records, it seems that this is when Twisted Wit’s racing career was in jeopardy. He was no longer winning and was being placed in claiming races consistently. Five weeks later, July 9, 2009, he was claimed by Kasey K Racing Stable, trainer Bruce Brown for $10,000. July 12, 2009 Jen Morrison wrote: "Stakes winner, $900,000 earner and 15-time winner TWISTED WIT, now racing for $10,000 claiming, finsihed 2nd in such a race at Monmouth Park on Thursday and was claimed. Bred by Ron Clarkson and raced for most of his life by Rolph Davis and trainer Robert Tiller, the gelding was claimed away and has been racing in the United States for numerous different barns for low claiming amounts. The son of Distorted Humor is now trained by Bruce Brown."

Two weeks later he was claimed by Mat Stables. Jen Morrison’s blog said: "Old timer, stakes winner, nearing $1 million in earnings - TWISTED WIT was 2nd for $12,500 claiming yesterday at Monmouth Park and was claimed by MAT STABLES and PATRICIA FARRO (Trainer)." In October 2009 he was moved to Meadowlands and claimed by Leo-Sag Stable and Philip DiCosmo, trainer Bobby Dibona for $7,500 and moved to Gulfstream Park in Florida. There he was claimed by R V Stable in January, 2010, trainer Monte Brinsley for $6,200. He ran two races for them before being placed on a rest period in February.

A little over four months later, Twisted Wit showed up at Calder Race Course and was entered to race on July 11, 2010 in a $5,000 claiming race. He was now owned by P F Quadrato and trained by Herman Wilensky. He placed second in this race. August 5, 2010 Twisted Wit was entered in another $5,000 at Calder. He ran a hard race and was up in front for most of the race, but place 3rd and was once again claimed.

For most of Twisted Wit’s career, he ran at Woodbine in Canada, from July 2003 until November 2008. In the last year and a half, he has raced at Philadelphia Park, Monmouth, Delaware, Meadowlands, Gulfstream Park and Calder in Florida. At Woodbine, his jockeys included E. Wilson, J. McAleney, T. Pizzaro, D. Clark, Bahen Sr., M. Moore and P. Husbands. Twisted Wit has had ten different owners since his purchase at Woodbine by Rolph Davis, nine of those since November, 2008. His average racing distance is 6 to 7 furlongs. Only in 2 of his 72 starts, did he NOT make any money. His total earnings to date are $944,699.

Race Record

Complete Winnings History:

Year	Age	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings (US$)
2003	2	5	3	0	0	$234,855
2004	3	8	3	2	0	$305,223
2005	4	7	1	1	1	$67.932
2006	5	9	2	2	0	$147,571
2007	6	9	0	2	0	$36,564
2008	7	12	2	2	3	$73,654
2009	8	18	4	5	0	$74,460
2010	9	3	0	1	2	$4,440
2008	11	7	2	2	2	$21,325
Totals		72	15	15	6	$944,699

Blacktype (Stakes) Winnings:

Year	Age	Placed	Race	Track	Winnings
2003	2	1st	Vandal Stakes	Woodbine	$98,010
		1st	Simcoe Stakes	Woodbine	$83,850
2004	3	1st	Queenston Stakes	Woodbine	$99,810
		1st	Achievement Handicap	Woodbine	$100,737
		2nd	Bold Venture Handicap	Woodbine	$28,250
		2nd	Mt. Sassafras Stakes	Woodbine	$20,600
2006	5	1st	Kenora Stakes	Woodbine	$75,000

Retired

During February, 2010, a long time secret admirer of Twisted Wit, by the name of Joanne, called her friend, Judy, in California stating her concern for Twisted Wit. Judy started a thread on Alex Brown Racing (ABR) asking if anyone had any information on the gelding. On February 21, 2010 the following was posted: From:JudithinCA, To: All, Is anyone familiar w/ a 9yo Gelding, named Twisted Wit, who has been running at Gulfstream, earned lots of money, was runner up Sprint Champion at Woodbine his 3yo year? He got claimed recently for $6,250 and just ran for $10,000. Seems like he's no longer competitive. Can we keep tabs on this guy?” With Twisted Wit currently not being entered into any races, it was hard to track him down. It was asked on the thread if Twisted Wit could be placed on the Top Bunk List on ABR. Being Twisted Wit had just run a race for $10,000, he did not qualify. At that time Florida Thoroughbred Rehab and Placement (FTRP) was contacted and the current owner was asked if he would retire this horse. He stated that he was in “love” with this horse and that the horse was on a rest because of “legit” causes and would be back when he was ready to race. A little over four months later, Twisted Wit showed up at Calder Race Course and was entered to race on July 11, 2010 in a $5,000 claiming race. He was now owned by a different owner and had a new trainer. On July 10, Judy contacted Gail knowing that she had just helped to get a horse off of Pinnacle Race Course that was going to Old Friends Equine Retirement in Kentucky. Gail belongs to CANTER MI (an ex-racehorse rescue), and also adopted Top Bunk, who inspired the Top Bunk List, and helped to get him off of Hawthorne Race Course a little over two years ago. Twisted Wit was immediately placed on the Top Bunk List. Michael Blowen of Old Friends was contacted and asked if he would take Twisted Wit in if he was able to be gotten. Michael agreed to place him on his list to take him in when his gelding paddock was finished. Wendy from Canada was also concerned for Twisted Wit’s welfare and jumped in to help. Contact was made with FTRP and she began checking on him and talking to the trainer regarding retiring the horse. It was said that the horse “loved” to run and until Twisted Wit told them different, he was going to run. On July 17, 2010, a new thread was started on ABR to raise money to possibly purchase Twisted Wit from the present owner. The thread read: I am writing to you because 2 ½ years ago you helped us retire Top Bunk... And because you helped retire Dashboard Drummer, Cayman, Tour of the Cat and so many others... And because I know you care deeply about racehorse welfare… A new horse has been added to the Top Bunk List. His name is Twisted Wit. He is an Ontario-bred stakes winner by Distorted Humor, out of Sandhill Charm, foaled March 2, 2001… After the first thread was posted…seven days and 253 posts later…$3,000 had been raised to make an offer to the owner. In the mean time, contact was being made by FTRP, with the owner, to purchase Twisted Wit to retire him to Old Friends. The offer was turned down. Everyone involved with the fundraiser was very concerned for Twisted Wit’s welfare. Many questions were asked. When was he to race again and for how much? After 71 races, how long could he keep racing? Could the money be raised in enough time to claim him? Rolph Davis, TW’s old owner, was contacted and asked if he could help by donating. He agreed to donate and two other anonymous donor’s also donated a generous amount to help. On July 28, 2010, Twisted Wit was entered to race on August 5th . The money was wired to a trainer and the race was on. Twisted Wit ran a hard race and placed third. He was claimed by a trainer. Immediately after the race, Twisted Wit was taken to another track barn where he was cooled down and attended to. Shipment was arranged with Creech Transport and C&W Transport, who both supplied discounted transportation, and a few days later, Twisted Wit made his journey north to retirement. Originally Twisted Wit was to be retired to Old Friends Retirement in Georgetown, KY. When he arrived in Michigan, his feet were full of abscesses and white line disease. He needed much care and stall time before being able to be out in a pasture. It took over one year for him to recover. Because of the care and cost of his recovery needed, it was agreed upon between Michael Blowen of Old Friends and Gail, that he would be retired in Michigan where he currently resides with Top Bunk and Ebben Estoora (a son of Black Tie Affair.

We would like to personally thank all the FOB’s from ABR, everyone from Woodbine, Rolph Davis, our two Anonymous donors and all our other supporters, including Long Run Thoroughbred Retirement and Florida Thoroughbred Rehab and Placement, Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred Rescue, Jennifer Morrison of Horse Canada Thoroughblog, and Keith McCalmont, that helped to get this fine warrior into a well deserved retirement. And Twisted Wit LOVES retirement !!!!

Thank You Everyone!!!!! Gail, Judy, Joanne, Wendy, Mary O.

And Twisted Wit…