GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 16, 2016 – Multiple stakes-placed Judge’s Case passed away May 15 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm based in Georgetown, KY. The 20-year-old gelding was euthanized due to chronic orthopedic disease. Bred in Florida by J. C. and Phyllis Dudley, Judge’s Case (Montbrook – Extra Case, by Upper Case) earned $707,618 in his racing career and he earned it the hard way. In 104 races the game gelding hit the board 62 times, 16 of them were wins. His claim to fame came when, at the age of 6, he came third to Horse of the Year Mineshaft in the 2003 Pimlico Special (GR1). He also placed in the Fort Marcy Handicap (GR3) at Aqueduct. Judge raced until he was 11, retiring in May of 2008. He made an attempt at a second career as a show jumper, and showed great promise, but a torn suspensory ligament ended his training. While he had many trainers and several owners throughout his career, he was most recently campaigned by partners Daniel Zamborsky, Jason Phillips, and owner-trainers Tom and Lisa Schell, who visited him often at Old Friends and helped to provide for him over the years. “While saddened by the news, my heart is full of joy with the memories of the last 10 years,” said co-owner Zamborsky. “I can never thank Old Friends and [Old Friends founder] Michael Blowen enough for everything they did for Judge. While he was lucky to have found Old Friends, I feel we were the fortunate ones. Making the trips to visit him, going to the track, and taking evening rides around the farm with Michael are memories I will always treasure. “Judge may be gone, but his spirit will always live on,” Zamborsky added. “I look forward to many more years visiting Old Friends and making new memories with all the horses that are so fortunate.” “He was a true warrior,” said Old Friends’s Michael Blowen. “He always kept his game face on no matter what, and was such a fan favorite and a favorite around the barn. We will certainly miss him.” History:
Judge’s Case earned $707,618 in his racing career and he earned it the hard way. In 104 races the outstandingly game gelding hit the board a whopping 62 times. 16 of them were wins, but his best claim to fame came when at the age of 6 he scored a 3rd to the great Mineshaft in the 2003 Pimlico Special (G1). “Casey” raced on until he was 11 years old, retiring in May of 2008.

With new owner Melissa Smith, the tall gray began preparing for a fresh adventure, a second career as a show horse. His progress looked promising until a torn suspensory ligament halted his training. So Casey’s found himself the best career of all, greeting the friends who drop by to visit, being tall, handsome and silver-gray, and nibbling his favorite treats. Who’s the luckiest guy in town now, Mineshaft? Share sheet info – click here. Donate to sponsor Judges Case. Receive a certificate and 8×10 photo