Nothing but speed from Nothingbutflowers in Ellen's Lucky Star Stakes

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 5, 2020) – Nothingbutflowers ended up on the turf by chance. Now, the three-year-old filly by Violence is two for two over the grass, including her latest win in the 12th running of the $75,000 Ellen’s Lucky Star Stakes Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Indiana Grand.

Ridden by the track’s current leading jockey DeShawn Parker, Nothingbutflowers left the gate from post eight with intentions of being on or near the lead. Before the field of 10 had reached the first turn, she was on the front leading the way. Mintchocolatechip and Tommy Pompell sat to the outside of Misty Express and Fernando De La Cruz to track the progress of Nothingbutflowers.

In the final turn, the fillies began to make their bid to the lead. However, Nothingbutflowers had a good jump on the field and was untouchable, crossing the finish line as the winner in 1:44.96. Mintchocolatechip finished a length back in second followed by Dontyouremember and Emmanuel Esquivel, who closed well late to finish third.

“She (Nothingbutflowers) got out of the gate well and did it so easy,” said Parker. “I didn’t think we could get the lead. Jeff (Greenhill) said to stalk the five (Copper Nickel) but Jose (Cazares, assistant trainer to Greenhill) said I would be in front of the five and he was right. I had to get after her to get up to the lead, but once we crossed over, she really relaxed. I actually think she was waiting on horses. She is such a nice filly. I’ve liked her for a long time. I got lucky and got back on her.”

Trained by Greenhill, Nothingbutflowers is now three for six in her career. She more than doubled her bankroll with the win to the $89,000 mark for owner-breeder Dennis Farkas. Nothingbutflowers paid $7.80 to win as the second favorite of the field.

“We weren’t looking for a turf race, we were just looking for a race,” said Greenhill about her last start over the turf. “She was ready to run, and it wasn’t like we were shopping for a turf race. It’s just what was in the book. Now, she’s won both on the turf wire to wire.”

Reuniting with Parker was a process. The rider with more than 5,700 career wins identified her as having a lot of potential before her first start. It was a filly he wanted to be associated with.

“This is the first time DeShawn has been back on her in over a year,” added Greenhill. “He was the first jockey to get on her last year, and he breezed her and came back to the barn and told me he wanted to ride her. But he got hurt after that and was out for quite a while. He’s been trying to work it out to get back on her, but it just didn’t work out. We finally got back together. He really fits her like a glove.”

It was one of four wins on the afternoon for Parker. It was also an important win for owner-breeder Dennis Farkas, and one he is likely not to forget for the rest of his career in racing.

“We actually bought her mother (Sky Mystic) out of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in foal to Violence,” explained Farkas. “We brought her back here and foaled her and this is my first Indiana bred. She also marks my first stakes win on my own. I’ve had stakes wins before in partnerships, but this is my first stakes win where I’ve been down as owner by myself.”

A native of the Bloomington, Ind. area, Farkas has been involved in Thoroughbred racing for nearly 30 years. He is in survey and mapping by trade, but his passion is racing. He recently purchased a 32-acre farm just east of Franklin, Ind. There, he has an 18-stall barn and 10 brood mares with plans to expand in the very near future.

“We live here, and we are trying to breed the best to the best we can for the Indiana program,” added Farkas. “We had eight babies this year, five of which are Indiana sired or bred. We can’t keep all of them and race them, so some will go to the sale. The breeders’ program is so good we want to contribute. We hope to sell some and get some returns back on them as the breeder.”

Farkas relies on Amber Rizzo for assistance at the farm, which is called Northwinds Thoroughbreds. She has studied nutrition programs and has foaled almost all the horses at their farm. Although Farkas has been involved with trainer Ian Wilkes in the past, he says he’s at the point where he wants to start placing the focus closer to home. They previously claimed Neck ‘n Neck in 2018 and brought him to Breakaway Farm in Dillsboro, Ind. He began stud service in 2019 on the advice of Wilkes, who trained the Flower Alley horse to more than $1 million in earnings, including a win in the 2012 Indiana Derby. Unfortunately, near the end of the breeding season last year, Neck ‘n Neck was involved in an unfortunate incident leading to injury and the 10-year-old horse had to be put down.

“We currently have five babies by Neck ‘n Neck this year,” added Farkas. “They are all really good-looking babies. We were really hoping he (Neck ‘n Neck) would be a good boost to the breeding program in Indiana. We are doing our best to support the Indiana sired and Indiana bred program.”

Photos by Coady Photography