Every step of the way, we want to thank the following trainers and professional horsemen who’ve used Finish Line® Horse Products. Even though they are no longer with us, their legacies live on…
LAZ BARRERA (1924 – 1991)
Remembered by all as a racing industry legend, Mr. Barrera was enshrined in The Hall of Fame in 1979. He captured the Triple Crown in 1978 with Affirmed and had the following Eclipse Awards: – Top Trainer in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979; awards with Affirmed – 2-Year-Old Colt in 1977, 3 Year Old Colt in 1978, Older Horse in 1979, Horse of The Year in both 1978 and 1979. Mr. Barrera won three derbies on the same day: Kentucky Derby, Illinois Derby and Carter Handicap – all three on May 1, 1976. He was the leading money winning trainer in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He captured the Kentucky Derby and Belmont in 1982 with Bold Forbes.Mr. Laz Barrera was the first one in California to use Original Premium Poultice™, Finish Line®’s medicated poultice.
WOODY STEPHENS (1913 – 1998)
JC Howe claimed that Woody Stephens was the best thoroughbred trainer that ever lived! Elected to The Hall of Fame in 1976, Mr. Stephens won an unprecedented 5 straight Belmont Stakes — and Finish Line® Horse Products helped him get there! Conquistador Cielo (1982), Caveat (1983), Swale (1984), Creme Fraiche (1985), and Danzig Connection (1986). He trained 9 Eclipse and/or National Champions. Named Eclipse Award Winning Trainer in 1983, Woody was using Finish Line® Horse Products at that time! And here’s what Woody Stephens had to say about Finish Line® Horse Products:”….the Finish Line® sample man introduced me to Finish Line® products. I have been using their Air Power™ Cough Medicine, Apple-A-Day™ Electrolytes, B-Oil™ liniment, Iso-Tite™ Gel, and their Poultice ever since. I believe that Finish Line® products really perform and have helped me keep my horses sound and race ready. I recommend Finish Line® to anyone horse person.
ANGEL PENNA, SR. (1923 – 1992)
The following are just a few of Mr. Penna’s many impressive achievements:Enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1988, Mr. Angel Penna, Sr. trained the first filly to win more than $1 million: Allez France.Being the Leading Trainer in England, France and Italy simultaneously in 1976, Mr. Penna, Sr. won stakes events on 3 continents!Captured The Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe twice with San San in 1972 and with Allez France in 1974.Trained Eclipse Award Winning Handicap Mare: Relaxing in 1981.Angel Penna was a dedicated user of both our Original Premium Poultice™ and Apple-A-Day™ Electrolyte.
CHARLIE WHITTINGHAM (1913 – 1999)
Hall of Fame Trainer is remembered by all as winning the Kentucky Derby twice plus being the oldest trainer to win the Derby (73 yrs. young), a three time Eclipse Award winner, held the National Earnings Title seven times, and over 20 of his horses trained had career earnings over $1 million. But Charlie is remembered by those who knew him best as an intelligent, quick witted, full of life man whose nickname was “The Bald Eagle” (stemming back to his younger days as a U.S. Marine. We were pleased that Charlie used Finish Line® on his horses, and he liked the results.
JERE SMITH, SR. (1935 – 2004)
Longtime Chicago-based trainer, is also a long time user of Finish Line®! J.R. Smith has a total of 12 Chicago-area training titles: six (6) at Sportsman’s Park, five (5) at Hawthorne Race Course, and one at Arlington Park. Second on the All-time Wins List at Arlington Park, he was inducted into the Chicago Racing Hall of Fame . During his 51 years in horse racing, his most memorable achievement was the conversion of Recoup the Cash from a modest claimer into a multi-stakes winning champion. He did this again recently, with a horse named: Chicago Six.
Mr. J.R. Smith was the first one to use Thia-Cal™ and U-7™ Gastric Aid. He also used Original Premium Poultice™, Finish Line®’s medicated poultice regularly, in addition to Ultra Fire™ concentrated vitamin and Kool-Out™ non-medicated poultice. Dedicated Employees leave their memory with us.
