Crossed Sabres Farm

Carolyn Vogel, an experienced equestrian who races in the name of Crossed Sabres Farm, has teamed with a fellow New Englander, trainer Marcus Vitali, to become a power in South Florida. Crossed Sabres was the second leading owner of the 2013 Calder Summer Meet with 14 victories from 50 starts. The stable is doing even better this year. Through early February, Crossed Sabres is the leading owner of the 2014 Calder Winter Meet with five wins from 14 starters. And Vitali is the leading trainer.

Winning the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap with 39-1 longshot Lochte was a major coup. “She encouraged me to start him,” Vitali said. “She said, `Go for it.’ She’s a wonderful lady and she’s good for the industry. She’s put me in a great position.”

Crossed Sabres also has horses with Dale Romans, who trains Pick of the Litter, a four-year-old colt who was a $150,000 yearling purchase at the 2011 Keeneland September. Following a 7 ½-length maiden victory in his second career start, Pick of the Litter became Crossed Sabres’ first starter in a Grade I stakes when he finished sixth to Orb in the 2013 Florida Derby. Pick of the Litter then finished third to Winning Cause in the Grade III Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and fifth in the Grade I Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park to Verrazano.

On Feb. 9 at Gulfstream, Pick of the Litter won an allowance race by 2 ¼ lengths, boosting his career earnings to $175,530.

Earlier this year, Crossed Sabres Farm’s Jay Eye See, who is trained by Vitali, finished third in the $65,000 Thrillin Discovery Handicap at Calder, Jan. 25.