Allen's Prospect led the region's sire ranks by every measure. His progeny earnings in 2000 topped $4 million. He earned his third consecutive title, and fourth overall, as the nation's leading sire by winners, with 125 in 2000. Through early February 2001, he was the nation's leading sire by earnings. Among his eight 2000 stakes winners were Maryland-bred Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly Gin Talking and champion 2-year-old filly Your Out.
Citidancer, who stood alongside Allen's Prospect at Country Life Farm in Bel Air, was also represented by two Maryland-bred champions: 3-year-old male Disco Rico and older female Hookedonthefeelin.
In more news from Country Life, the first foal for first-year sire Malibu Moon arrived Feb. 3.
Bred by B. Wayne Hughes, the Malibu Moon colt out of the unplaced Wild Again mare Tova's Princess was Point Dume, who raced seven years, placed in multiple stakes and earned $240,128. If the name sounds familiar, a modern-day Point Dume (foaled in 2021), opened 2026 with back-to-back wins at Laurel Park, including the
General George Stakes Feb. 14. His dam, Maya Malibu, is by Malibu Moon. The Point Dumes are named for a spot in Malibu, Calif., that forms the northern end of Santa Monica Bay.
An Animal Planet series was set to debut in April, filmed to capture "the very real day-to-day drama of life at the Boniface family's Bonita Farm." The weekly half-hour program Thoroughbred would air 13 weeks. Each show was an independent tale, but together the pieces provided a rare look at an important part of the Thoroughbred world with the Darlington, Md., farm as the backdrop. Said executive producer Nancy LeBrun about working with the family: "Each one seemed more gregarious, charming and competent than the last. They look good, they talk well, they're very at ease and spontaneous in front of the camera and very compassionate about their animals."
Vinnie Perrone examined the challenge of improving the racing product for bettors, as horseplayers were abandoning Laurel and Pimlico for more enticing simulcasts. Changes at the Maryland tracks included the recent hire of longtime track executive Lou Raffetto Jr. from Suffolk Downs as the new chief operating officer at Laurel/Pimlico, "with the explicit mandate to improve the quality of racing, to make it a tastier betting product."
