You Can Go Home Again

The mare now known as Comida Comida was born on April 13, 2020, in Maryland. Nicknamed “Chivas” (It was whiskey year for foal nicknames), she spent her first two years at St. Omers Farm in Maryland. (Click here to see foal photos of her.) Chivas was a late bloomer, so rather than put her in a sale, Wasabi Ventures Stables offered her to their yearling trainer, Zoe Valvo.

“Chivas” arrived at Zoe’s farm in February of 2022, and Zoe put her out in a field for several months to acclimate and just be a horse. After this, the Campaign Vows filly headed to Zoe’s barn in Middleburg to start training to become a racehorse.

When it was time to give her an official Jockey Club name, it became a family endeavor. Zoe’s husband, jockey Denis Araujo, would say “Comida, comida” to their infant daughter, Daphne. Every time he said it, Daphne would break into hysterics. Zoe knew she couldn’t pass on that opportunity.

After months of training, Comida Comida was ready to make her racing debut in the spring of her three year old season. Zoe debated whether she should run her long or short. When it was time to enter her for her first race, she opted to enter her in a $5,000 maiden at Charles Town that went four and a half furlongs. She won this race easily. However, unexpectedly, she also was claimed away in that race in May 2023.

We continued to follow Comida Comida’s racing career over the past three years and 22 additional races. She had a decent career as a racehorse, finishing with a record of 5-3-5. When she began to show signs that she might be less interested in racing, we reached out to her trainer to let her know that when her owner was ready to retire Comida Comida, we would be there to assist.

You can go home again

Last week, we received an email from the owner, Jahveaire, asking for assistance in retiring Comida Comida. Before beginning the search for an aftercare program to house Comida Comida, I reached out to Zoe, who also followed her career. Without hesitation, she readily agreed to have Comida Comida at her farm again.

What makes this story even better is that much like Zoe following Comida Comida throughout her racing career, Jahveaire plans to follow Comida Comida in her post-racing adventures. This mare has endeared so many people throughout her life.

Wasabi Aftercare also will continue to follow Comida Comida in her post-racing journey. We look forward to following her in all of her future adventures!

Read an update on another off-track Thoroughbred that we follow: Dill.