Issue link: http://nytbreeders.epubxp.com/i/609330
34 New York Breeder | nytbreeders.org | December 2015 Mike Repole's freshman stallion Giant Surprise takes off courtesy rockridge stud Giant Surprise Mike Repole seeMs to like pretty much everything about Thoroughbred racing. Growing up in Queens, N.Y., and hanging out at Aqueduct Racetrack, he absorbed the favor of the track, reveling in its grittiness and its beauty, its excitement, and its chal - lenges. Now an owner and a breeder, Repole's enthusiasm is undiminished, perhaps height - ened by his success at all levels of the sport, undaunted by the setbacks and the chal- lenges. He's known for the dozens of family members and close friends he herds into the winner's circle, and a Repole horse can often be easily identifed by its name—those "Nonna" horses, the namesakes of his cherished grandmother, and the ones named for his wife, Maria—and by his distinctive blue and orange silks which represents his favor - ite team, the New York Mets. Over the last six months, a new name has emerged as a Repole trademark, surprising no one more than the owner himself. On July 30, 2011, Repole was at Saratoga Race Course primarily to see his Stay Thirsty run in the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II), the colt's frst start since a close second to Ruler On Ice in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). But before the Jim Dandy—which Stay Thirsty won— Repole had a 2-year-old running in a maiden special weight race, the second race on the day's program. A $130,000 yearling purchase at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale, the son of Giant's Causeway out of the A.P. Indy mare Twisted Sis had been purchased, like many Repole horses, in consultation with his team: "conformation guy" J.J. Crupi, "pedigree guy" Ed Rosen, racing manager Jim Martin, and trainer Todd Pletcher. A bay bred by George and Charles Bolton, the colt did not immediately impress. "He was working OK, not great," said Repole, recalling that summer. "And then one morning Todd worked him out of the gate and said, 'Mike, he worked incredible. You have to name him because we've got a race for him in two weeks.' Pleasant Surprise B y T e r e s a G e n a r o