There was some serious horse trading going on this past weekend between New Orleans Saints star quarterback Drew Brees and LA Lakers stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Brees, as part of the ownership group Donkey Island Racing, claimed the horse Siempre Mio, owned by Byrant and Gasol, out of a race at Hollywood Park on Sunday.
Siempre Mio had been purchased with great fanfare by the two NBA stars at a charity auction earlier this year. Trained by Kentucky Derby winner Doug O'Neill, Siempre Mio was making his second start for the NBA stars, who shared ownership with Santa Anita General manager Mark Verge. Despite a good trip, the 4-year-old colt by Dixie Union could only hold on for second place in the $12,500 claiming race.
Brees' group was the recipient of great luck at the claim box as well - four others had put in claims for the horse. When this happens, there is a random draw, or "shake" for the horse. Brees' group won a five-way shake and is now the new owner of Siempre Mio. The horse will be trained by Mark Glatt at Santa Anita.
Brees is also part owner of Holy Candy, a stakes-placed three-year-old colt trained by John Sadler.
No word on whether Gasol and Bryant plan to continue their horse ownership adventures.