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Mark Lapidus is the frst one admit that he has a soft spot for his racehorse Frisky Spider, a 2001 multi stakes stallion. While Mark calls it a “weakness,” horse lovers everywhere will call it something far different – a man who cares about his horse and is determined to do the right thing. Mark claimed him in a race at Gulfstream in 2007, and then took him to Maryland. “I raced him only once,” Mark said. “He won a race at Delaware, and won handily by eight lengths. He ran so smoothly and effortlessly that he appeared to be runni slow, but when you looked at the stop w you couldn’t believe how fast he ran.” Following that race, Frisky Spider fractured his sesamoid, which ultimately ended his racing career. While many racehorses face a tragic future when injured, Mark stood by his horse and decided to stall rest Frisky Spider in hopes that he would heal and go on

to have another career. “He is very intelligent and has a great disposition,” Mark said. “I want him to fnd a great home in which he can be happy.”

Frisky Spider spent two years enjoying being turned out, and in the summer of 2010 Mark sent him to Kimberly Clark at Leighton Farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Kimberly’s passion for retraining racehorses and helping them fnd new careers is well known. Mark knew that Frisky Spider would be in good hands with Kimberly and that she would guide the stallion as he looked for a new home and a new career.

ot on Frisky Spider the day after he arrived he was wonderful to ride, especially hen you consider that he hadn’t been idden since leaving the track two years before,” Kimberly said. “Frisky Spider is an amazing mover. Elizabeth Madlener, my grand prix dressage coach, feels he displays international level movement. Although he is all boy, \he is a complete gentleman to work with on the ground. I’ve often invited Mark to come out to the farm and see Frisky but he has declined because he says he’ll fall further in love with him and never let him go. This is probably true because it’s asy to fall in love with Frisky.”

berly believes Frisky Spider will make a wonderful sport horse stallion, thanks to his looks, movement and temperament. Her goal is to match the former racehorse with the right rider and help the stallion blossom. “I wish all owners were as loyal to their horses as Mark is,” Kimberly said, adding that Leighton Farm will only charge a $150 adoption fee for the stallion.

At this point Frisky Spider’s story is unfnished, but everyone involved with him hopes that he will get the second chance he deserves. With any luck, this time next year we will be reading about a successful sport horse stallion who has not only achieved success in his new career, but is also happy and very well loved. After all, it only takes a quick look at Frisky Spider’s handsome face to develop a soft spot for the stallion.

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