Wynn Dot Comma

© 2004 Rae Parodi Wynn Dot Comma

No More Lemon Drops - by Rae Parodi

Back in November, I was lucky enough to see one of the most eagerly anticipated up and coming Florida-bred 2 year olds, the undefeated Wynn Dot Comma. 4: 4-0-0 at the time, he came head to head with another undefeated Florida bred 2 year old, Sir Oscar (5: 5-0-0). Unfortunately, someone had to loose that day and the beautiful boy with the white face took home his first loss.

But this week, we were the ones who lost. It is tough when a horse with such talent is taken from us in such an unfortunate way. I will never forget the handsome red colt with the blaze that curved under his eye like a comma.

Wynn Dot Comma was purchased privately by Marty Wolfson for Martin Cherry from breeder T. Wynn Jolley after the 2-year-old captured his career debut at Tampa Bay back in April 2003. He went on to win his first three starts, including the Bird on the Wire Stakes during the Festival of the Sun in October, by four lengths under Jerry Bailey.

He had problems with his feet: prior to his win in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on January 10, 2004, he had missed 3 weeks of training due to a foot abscess. Yet this talented horse still came away with a 1 1/2 length victory, defeating Saratoga County.

He trained well up to his next race, the Hutchenson Stakes on February 14th, but fell flat, finishing a distant fourth behind Limehouse, Deputy Storm and Saratoga County. Even though he was unimpressive that day, it was still believed by most that he was one of the best sprinters in the country with only a bright future ahead of him.

Then came Florida Derby Day and Wynn Dot Comma took on 3 year olds that are still working towards the Kentucky Derby, using the Swale Stakes as a prep. He was not nominated for the Derby, and everyone was talking about Eurosilver and Chapel Royal, but it would be Wynn Dot Comma who would hold on to win by a head and give jockey Edgar Prado his 5,000th career victory.

What a nice way to end a career, if your plans were to retire. Sadly, that would not be an option. During a routine work in the early morning hours on Tuesday at Calder Race Course, Wynn Dot Comma broke down. He suffered fatal fractures and had to be euthanized.

No more lemon drops.

Wynn Dot Comma will be buried at Marty Wolfson’s Precious Acres Farm in Ocala, FL. A lemon tree will be planted on his grave because lemon drops, not peppermint were his favorite. He finished his career winning 6 of 8 starts and never finished less than 4th.