General Banker (Susie Reischer) wins the $500,000 NYSSS Great White Way
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, NY — The relationship between New England Seacoast Thoroughbred owner John Forma and prominent New York breeder and owner Joe McMahon came full circle Saturday . general bankerHe is the son of Saratoga Thoroughbred stallion Central Bunker McMahon.
The Great White Way was the final stakes before the 10-day holiday break from December 19th to December 28th. Live racing returns to the Big A for his last three cards of the fall competition on Thursday, December 29, with a 2022 schedule for Saturday, December 31.
Forma, who owns shares in Central Banker and grew up racing at Aqueduct, said winning the $500,000 stake with a longtime friend was particularly special.
“Joe McMahon is a forever friend and I’ve known him since the mid-’70s,” Forma said. “I was born in Brooklyn, and when I was 14, my mother would often take me to Aqueduct. I’m in the oil business, and I’m a wildcat, so I’ve been drilling for oil and gas all over the country, and gambling is something I’m used to.”
Coming into the Great White Way from two runners-up finishes at trainer Jimmy Ferraro’s maiden level, General Bunker showed his third turn signal and graduated in style under returning rider Eric Cancel . The main line covered in mud and sealed. Dark Bay his colt has had several therapeutic massages since his last effort at the Big A on November 26th. According to Forma, that made all the difference on Saturday.
“For one thing, he loved off-track and the riders knew him, so there was a way for him to win,” Foma said. “Cancellation told Jimmy, ‘He might be a little off in the back.’ I told Jimmy to find a masseuse I knew.” She gave him four massages. I really believe that and the blinkers made the difference. He flipped out on Jimmy. “
Forma lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and bred in McMahon, Saratoga for several years and moved to Westchester, New York in 1996 after several years. His current residence is his business name, New England’s Sea Coast, which inspired his Thoroughbreds.
Forma said breeding horses in New York was a smart decision.
“Let me tell you, New York’s breeding program is phenomenal. If you’re racing and you’re not breeding horses in New York, you’re out of your mind,” Forma said with a laugh. “The extra income is great. I own part of Central Banker, so that’s even better. I’ve found a unique way in this business.”
Of the Johannesburg mare Elusive Jozi, owned by Forma at Belmont Park in 2013, General Banker is the offspring of two horses owned wholly or partly by Forma, which he is proud of. thinking.
“When I was looking for a broodmare, I saw his mother, who made over $200,000 in a pretty good breeding, was in a $20,000 requestor, so he’s self-bred,” Forma said. “I said, ‘Oh, I’m going to take this horse and make it a broodmare.’ That’s how this horse got to where it is today.”
While Forma dreams of a trip to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, the General Banker has his sights set on bigger goals this spring.
“Give him a month or two off and then look for an open stakes race,” Forma said. “Let’s see how good he really is. He’s already made $345,000 and he’s only two years old. If he can win an open stakes race, chances are he’ll be in the Kentucky Derby. You must have a pipe dream There are no limits unless he tells me something different I will listen to him Many people are me I think I’m crazy, but when I went with Otome yesterday, they even thought I was crazy.
