b'2019 STATE BREEDERS OF THE YEAR IndianaMichael and Penny LauerMichael and Penny Lauer are nohomebreds into his stable along with client horses. strangers to having their names on theA full-time trainer, Lauer can typically be found Indiana Thoroughbred honor roll. Forat the track before the sun rises. While his training the seventh year in a row, the couple operations are based at Churchill Downs, he stables who own and operate Michael E. Lauerhorses throughout the year in Indiana, Illinois, Racing Stableswill take home theKentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Carolina, and award for Indiana Breeders of the Year.Arkansas. Its a great thrill and an honor, andThe Lauers race their horses primarily in Indiana it means were doing something right,and Kentucky and earned more than $1.6 million in said Mike Lauer, who has been trainingpurse money in 2019 alone. Lauer racked up a 47-55-60 Thoroughbred horses since he was anrecord from 459 starts in 2019. undergrad.We didnt win any stakes last year (with our The Lauer family farm is located in Finchville, Ky.,homebreds), which was disappointing, but it does and the operation is a family affair. Penny manages thehappen, said Lauer. But overall we had a really solid daily operations of both the racing and breeding sideyear, and everything went really good. We had lot of of their business and is a board member of the Indianababies and older horses going through their conditions,Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association.so there is a lot to look forward to. Mike also serves on the Indiana HBPA board as aWith another successful year under their belt, Lauer trainer representative. Their daughters, Elizabeth, Sara,hopes the stable will be able to surpass the $2 million and Abby, were all raised on the farm.mark in earnings in 2020. With a hardy band of 18 broodmares, the Lauers foalI think Indiana is on the upward swing, said Lauer, the majority of their mares out each year in Indianaciting the recent change in ownership of Indiana Grand before returning them to the Bluegrass State a few daysRace Course and Hoosier Parkwhich were purchased after birth. While they sell some weanlings, yearlings,by Eldorado Resorts in 2019as a positive for his and even broodmares, Mike Lauer often folds theiroperation going forward.Meredith DaughertyIowaH. Allen PoindexterH. Allen Poindexter again dominated Iowa breedingare boarded at the Wynnstay Farm of Tim and Nancy and racing in 2019 as the horseman was honored asHamlin, who also assist the breeder with his matings the leading Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders & Ownersand help raise the mares offspring.Association owner with $583,652 in earnings andI have about 60 mares, with about 25-30 of those the states top breeder with $663,361 in earnings.being really good, and the rest I foal out in regional Poindexters stables earnings overall, including non- areas, the breeder said in an interview with BloodHorse Iowa-breds, totaled $877,251 with a 28-25-22 recordMarketWatch. I have 15-20 in Iowa, I had nine this from 173 starters. year in Indiana, six in Minnesota, three in Pennsylvania, Leading the way is Poindexters homebred Kauai,five in Oklahoma, and then the rest I have in Kentucky. who was honored as the ITBOA champion 3-year-oldIm a member of the Iowa Horsemens Benevolent and colt/gelding of the season and ITBOA Horse of theProtective Association, so I really promote Iowa the Year. The gelded son of Girolamo was in the money inmost. Last year I foaled out 25 mares in Iowa.all six starts at Prairie Meadows in 2019, with his threePoindexter entered Thoroughbred racing in 1990 and victories including the Iowa Breeders Derby. Flat Outgravitated to the breeding side in 2005, beginning with Speed, bred by Poindexter and Wynnstay, emerged ashis own farm in Kentucky that he operated for three the ITBOA champion 2-year-old filly of 2019, compilingyears before selling it.a perfect three-for-three record and earning $134,654 inDespite the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions in the her debut season. racing calendar in 2020, Poindexters stable is picking up Poindexters mare Gizzy, the dam of Kauai, garneredwhere it left off last year. His successes already this year recognition as the ITBOA leading broodmare of 2019,include Flat Out Speeds victory in the Iowa Oaks (G3), with offspring earnings of $230,059. and on Feb. 1 three Poindexter-bredsPosit, Clivetty, Poindexter, whose two farms in Missouri compriseand Aubergewon the first three races on the Santa 140 acres, has about 60 mares that are bred each year toAnita Park card.By Ron MitchellKentucky stallions. When sent to Kentucky, the mares 34 TOBA NATIONAL AWARDS DINNER/2020'