New Boss takes on TVG Limestone Turf Sprint

New Boss, who is entered in Friday’s $100,000 Limestone Turf Sprint, became the first stakes winner for owners Barry and Carol Conrad of Dallas on March 6 when she won the $75,000 Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Memorial at Fair Grounds. The Conrads plan to be at Keeneland for the stakes along with their son and daughter-in-law, who both work at the University of Kentucky, and their two grandchildren.

“That gives us a reason to come (to Lexington) in addition to coming to Keeneland,” Barry Conrad said about his connections to the area.

Bret Calhoun trains New Boss, a daughter of Street Boss who won her career debut in August at Lone Star Park at 5½ furlongs on dirt. After two disappointing races on the dirt at Indiana Downs as the favorite, Calhoun switched her to the turf. She responded to the new surface in two
5½-furlong allowance races in December at Fair Grounds, recording a runner-up finish and a victory by 4½ lengths. In her 2021 debut, New Boss won the 1-mile LaCombe Memorial by 2¾ lengths.

“(Racing at Keeneland) definitely was on our radar when she started running well on grass,” said Calhoun, who said the 1-mile Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association on April 3 also was an option for New Boss. “This was the next logical spot to come. And we were coming up here anyway (with a stable of horses).”

Conrad purchased New Boss for $45,000 at Keeneland’s 2019 September Yearling Sale. He said he works with Eddie Milligan Jr. of Twin Oaks Training Center in Texas in selecting two to four horses each year at the auction.

New Boss, whose second dam is a full sister to two-time sprint champion Housebuster, was consigned by Hinkle Farms.

“We always take a look at Hinkle Farms,” Conrad said of his strategy at the sale. “They’ve become friends and are honorable, good people. (New Boss) had a couple of little baby issues, which I think turned some people off. I liked her. She caught our eye.”

Conrad, a small funds manager for banks, said he has been involved in Thoroughbred racing for almost 20 years.

“Many years ago,” he said, “I told my wife when all the kids were off the payroll, I was going to buy a racehorse. She laughed at me and said, ‘OK, I’m going to get you a subscription to BloodHorse every year for Christmas.’

“She said, ‘I don’t think it’ll get any further than that,’ but by golly it did.”

The Conrads’ first racehorse was a filly who ran on the Texas circuit, and they later purchased a small farm. They now have four horses in training with Calhoun.

Adam Beschizza is named to ride New Boss for the fourth consecutive race. She will start from post six in the field of 13 for the TVG Limestone Turf Sprint and is 6-1 on the morning line.

Conrad is confident in his filly, who will be facing several runners who competed in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland and represent some of the most prominent owners and trainers in the sport.

“If you go to Keeneland,” he said, “that’s what you have to expect. Everybody wants to send their best.”