Pompa-Reynolds Relationship Ends

[Kasept]

Saddened to report that Paul Pompa has re-distributed his stock from Pat Reynolds after a long, productive relationship.

Steve you're so cruel. I didn't need this kind of news on a Monday morning.

[blackthroatedwind]

Wouldn't " repeat " be a more appropriate word than report?

[Linny]

News to me. They scored a G3 win over the weekend with Backseat Rhythm.

[robfla]

Dutrow is getting some of his horses, as well as other trainers.

[Left Bank]

What gives??

[Kasept]

Pompa cuts ties with Reynolds
By David Grening

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Pat Reynolds didn't have long to celebrate Backseat Rhythm's thrilling nose victory in Saturday's Grade 3 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

On Sunday, Backseat Rhythm and eight other horses Reynolds conditioned for owner Paul Pompa Jr. were transferred to other trainers as Pompa ended his five-year relationship with Reynolds. Reynolds, who had lost his previous 20 races with Pompa-owned horses before the Hillsborough, said his stable is now down to four.

Backseat Rhythm, who won the Grade 1 Garden City last year, and two others were moved to Kiaran McLaughlin at the Palm Meadows training center while four horses, including 3-year-old maiden winners Dubinksy and Well Positioned, were transferred to Richard Dutrow Jr., who coincidentally, is stabled right across the way from Reynolds at Gulfstream Park. Bruce Brown in New York and Greg Griffin in Tampa each was given one horse.

Pompa, who lives in New Jersey, recently underwent gall bladder surgery and was unavailable for comment. Jack Brothers, who among his many hats in the racing industry works as a quasi-agent for Pompa, said Pompa didn't want just one trainer anymore.

"It was a tough decision. Paul does think a lot of [Reynolds]," Brothers said. "What it boiled down to was with young horses and with the horses coming through the program he thought he would be better served if they were spread around a little bit."

Brothers didn't rule out Pompa reuniting with Reynolds at a later date.

"I know Paul's hoping no bridges were burned and the door's open for possibilities down the road," Brothers said.

Reynolds said he was hurt by the fact that he was told of his firing by Brothers and a van driver on Sunday morning and not Pompa himself.

"After a five-year run, a face to face or at least a phone call would have been nice," Reynolds said. "Maybe there's an e-mail somewhere in cyber space that's going to arrive, I don't know."

According to Daily Racing Form statistics, Reynolds and Pompa teamed to win 74 races from 439 starters and purse money of more than $4.1 million since the beginning of 2004. Reynolds was the original trainer of Big Brown, whom he saddled to an 11 1/4-length debut score in a maiden turf race at Saratoga on Sept. 1, 2007. Pompa later sold 75 percent interest in Big Brown to other owners, and the horse was transferred to Dutrow, who guided him to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness last year. Big Brown won an Eclipse Award as the nation's top 3-year-old.

"His status has changed and the bar is a little higher," Reynolds said of Pompa. "The board of advisors I guess just didn't approve of me anymore."

Reynolds, 57, said he would most likely try to open a public stable, but didn't discount the possibility of taking a break from training.

"I'll do the best that I can do," Reynolds said. "I'm still standing. I've been through a lot worse."

[hurricanefrank]

As a side note, Mr Grening obviously isn't familar with Tampa Bay Downs referring to a "Greg Griffin" in the article when his name is Greg Griffith, a 20% winning trainer at the current meet who stables many horses for the Kinsman Stable/George Steinbrenner.

Ohhh look at all that gossip. They should contact the producers of Jockeys.

[Left Bank]

Kinda sounds like one of the reasons Larry Jones is getting out of the business .Owners.Pat is a good trainer.I would hate to see him get out of the game.