I Just Can't Take the Smell

Below is an email version of three invitations I’ve received for this Lunsford fundraiser. Now I don’t usually get invitations to a horse farm party, actually I’ve never got an invitation for anything at any horse farm before.

I believe all those invitations from Mary Lou Whitney Derby Parties that didn’t show up over the years are collecting dust in some remote corner of the post office and will arrive soon with apologies from the postal service.

Now this party must be in the cheap seats because they are selling tickets and didn’t ask for a $1,000.00 up front. But who is the host of this shindig?

The owner of Hill’N’Dale Farm is John G. Sikura. If you go to the farm website you can see a pretty picture of Sikura and a link to a puff piece in Keeneland Magazine. He is also on the Board of Directors for KEEP.

What you won’t see are stories on Sikura denying he committed fraud.

The motion, filed April 4 (2007) in a Texas federal court, includes a separate declaration from John G. Sikura, in which the Hill ‘n' Dale owner, while denying participation in any fraudulent activity, claims commissions were paid to original defendants J.B. McKathan and Kevin McKathan on two horses the Florida-based agents allegedly purchased on behalf of McIngvale.

Or a link to this site:

Two of the biggest names in the thoroughbred bloodstock business are accused in a California lawsuit of paying undisclosed commissions to agents working for winemaker Jess Jackson. Because of those and other commissions, Jackson was defrauded of millions of dollars, he alleges in the suit.

Tom Van Meter of Eaton Sales and John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency are accused of paying commissions behind Jackson's back to his agents to get him to buy their horses, sometimes at inflated prices.

I have to admit that Sikura seems like a natural fit in supporting Lunsford.

And by the way, I think I have a prior commitment that morning. I have to clean up the dog poop in my yard; the surroundings won’t be as fancy, but the smells will a lot better.

Ponies & Politics

Join Bruce Lunsford

For a fundraising brunch

Prior to The Keeneland Races

Saturday, April 21, 2007 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

Hill’N’Dale Farm 4252 Spurr Road, Lexington, KY

RSVP to Kate Wood at (859) 425-1121 or by email at Kate@LunsfordStumbo2007.com.

Tickets: $500 Perfecta • $250 Trifecta • $150 Win • $100 Place • $50 Show

Advance tickets available online at www.LunsfordStumbo2007.com or by mail.
Please make checks payable to: Lunsford-Stumbo for Change PO Box 4966, Louisville, KY 40204

Tickets are also available at the door.

If you are unable to attend, please make a contribution online at www.LunsfordStumbo2007.com.

Thank you.
Paid for by Lunsford-Stumbo for Change If you are an employee of Kentucky State Government or if there is any other reason that makes this general solicitation inappropriate, please disregard this invitation.