CARRY ON TEE

Louisiana Quarter Horse breeder Gerald Vidrine lost a prized broodmare on January 18, when Carry On Tee was euthanized due to a respiratory illness. Bred in Louisiana by Donna Jackson, Carry On Tee, a daughter of Streakin La Jolla out of the Rocket's Magic mare Tees Heart was born on April 1, 1990.

There was no "April Fools" joke with this mare, whose 25-year life began on the racetrack and continued with a significant impact in the breeding shed.

Racing Career
Landris "Chop" and Harold Saucier owned Carry On Tee when she made her racing debut at Delta Downs on April 16, 1992 in trials for the Lassie Futurity. Trained by Mike Lyles and ridden by Darrell Constantin, she finished fourth to Miss Go Avenger.

She had a good career, winning five of her 12 starts, including a victory in a starter allowance on August 23, 1993. Philip Calais was her conditioner and gave a leg up to Charles "Dink" McMahon in her final race. She earned $17,488 before embarking on her second career as a broodmare.

"Things were different back then," said Vidrine. "She was a good racehorse, but proved to be a superior broodmare."

Sold To Vidrine
Vidrine, who resides in Ville Platte, bought her in 1994 when she was in foal to Some Kind of Dash.

"I bred her to a lot of young stallions," explained Vidrine. "She was a very good mama; always had a lot of milk and had a pleasant disposition."

Her foals were always born in April or May and each of her babies, according to Vidrine, had tremendous heart.

Top Producing Progeny
Burrs Warrior was one of the most successful of her 15 foals. Campaigned from 2001 - 2005, the son of Burrs First Down had his best year in 2002, when he was the 8th-ranked Quarter Horse by wins. He captured both the Delta Downs Louisiana Derby (G3) and the East Derby Challenge (G3). He represented Louisiana in the 2002 AQHA Derby Challenge at Lone Star Park, running third with Gilbert Ortiz in the irons.

"If he hadn't been a bleeder, he would have won twice as many stakes races," said Vidrine.

The career record of Burrs Warrior stood at 34-11-5-6 with $181,645 in purses. He made his final start on October 30, 2005 at Evangeline Downs.

Vidrine bred Carry On Tee to Osceola Warrior and Warrior Lee was foaled on April 19, 1997. He was a juvenile standout winning the 1999 Laddie Futurity in April, 1999 and the Grade 2 Speedhorse Gold Cup Futurity four months later at Fair Meadows at Tulsa. The sorrel gelding completed his 2-year-old campaign in the Louisiana Champions Quarter Horse Juvenile (G2) at Fair Grounds, finishing third.

The daughters of Carry On Tee continue her legacy and have produced some noted champions.

First Down Tee made nine starts, winning just one before she was retired. One of her most accomplished foals is Tee Chic, who was the fastest qualifier to the 2015 Oklahoma Futurity at Remington Park. She won the richest edition of the stakes, with a purse of $410,000 on March 21, 2015. Safe to say, it was a very proud moment for Vidrine.

"She had some foot problems which is why she didn't have more success on the racetrack," Vidrine said of First Down Tee.

He also has fond memories of Miss Laveaux, a Carry On Tee filly by Streakin La Jolla.

"She was another filly with foot issues," recalled Vidrine. "But she caught a sloppy track at Evangeline (on December 4, 2009) and broke her maiden. "It was a very cold night, and there were big snowflakes falling."

Vidrine lost a great broodmare when Carry On Tee passed earlier this year, but he rejoices in the knowledge that her line carries on.

"What's really fascinating is that her daughters have continued her legacy," noted Vidrine. "They are winning big races, not just in Louisiana, but in Oklahoma and New Mexico."

Success This Meet at Delta Downs
Vidrine bred Heasablackmagic, who won the $29,000 Par-A-Dice Stakes on June 30, covering 300-yards in a impressive :15.005 seconds. Juan Carillo owns the 5-year-old son of Jet Black Patriot, out of the Toast to Dash mare Toast of Magic. It was the seventh career win for Heasablackmagic, which boosted his bankroll to $145,020.

On closing night of the 2016 Delta Downs Quarter Horse meet, Vidrine will be in Vinton to cheer on Carry On Game in the 350-yard $50,000 Flashy Hemp. She by Game Patriot and is the last daughter of Carry On Tee. Vidrine co-owns the chestnut filly with Dr. Tommy Fontonot. She was an impressive trial winner last year in three Louisiana futurities last year, but did not win a final. Alfonso Lujan will ride for trainer William McIntosh in the eighth race on July 9.

LQHBA Supporter
Vidrine is a lifetime member of LQHBA and served on the board of directors from 2008 through 2010. He has also supported the annual LQHBA Yearling Sale for over 35 years and has two yearlings consigned to the 2016 sale.

"I've got a Heza Fast Dash filly in partnership with Bob Gaston as well as a Spit Curl Jess filly out of a Carry on Dash mare," said Vidrine. "Every year our sale produces superior runners, more than equal to the Oklahoma and Ruidoso sales."

Tony Patterson, LQHBA executive director is preparing for the 2016 LQHBA Yearling Sale, which is set for August 12 and 13 at the Coushatta Casino Resort Pavilion in Kinder, Louisiana.

"We greatly appreciate the support of Gerald Vidrine to our association," said Patterson. "Carry on Tee was an exceptional broodmare and has gifted the Louisiana state-bred program with many stakes caliber racehorses "

It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman. You can easily say that Gerald Vidrine has been just that and more regarding Carry On Tee and her daughters!

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The LQHBA Insider is a monthly feature written by Martha Claussen for www.lqhba.com. She served as publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park for ten years. She continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana and other regions in North America.