Equine Veterinarians Specializing in Racehorses
Edris Abreu, DVM
Dr. Abreu was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and moved to Georgia as a teenager. He received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of Georgia, working in the radiology department of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the same time. He then also completed his veterinary degree from the University of Georgia Veterinary School in 2008. Following graduation he completed a year-long surgery internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky.
He then moved to Camden, South Carolina where he worked at Palmetto Equine Clinic for five years. The majority of the patients were show horses, and thoroughbreds in training as well as steeplechasers. In 2014, he and his family moved to South Florida and he began working for Burch and Burch, DVM . In the summer of 2016 he began working for TFB Equine.
Dr. Abreu is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Chrissy and their two kids, Alex and Izzy, watching college football, going camping, and scuba diving.
Sarah Bailey, DVM
Dr. Sarah Bailey is from Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences at Purdue University. She continued her education at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. During her summers breaks throughout college, she worked for a veterinary practice at a nearby Thoroughbred racetrack in Cleveland. She loved every minute of it, and knew that working with racehorses was her passion. Shortly after graduation, she started working for TFB Equine.
Her professional interests include lameness, diagnostic imaging, and wound management. She is currently a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
In her free time, Dr. Bailey enjoys cooking, hiking, or traveling.
Erika Jo Beck, DVM
Dr. Erika Jo Beck grew up in Northern Virginia. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with an equine emphasis from Virginia Tech. She also completed equine dentistry programs at the University of Nebraska and The American School of Equine Dentistry. Dr. Beck continued her education at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2014.
Following graduation, Dr. Beck completed a year-long internship at Ocala Equine Hospital where she rotated between surgery and ambulatory medicine.
Her professional interests include the thoroughbred industry, lameness, upper airway evaluations, neonatal medicine and dentistry. She is currently a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners, the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association.
In her spare time Dr. Beck enjoys riding her young event prospect, fox hunting and spending time at the beach.
Luis Benitez, DVM, Shareholder
Dr. Luis Benitez was born and raised in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. In 1993, he transferred from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez to UMass Amherst where he continued his education in animal science. In 1995, Dr. Benitez began his veterinary studies at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. Benitez is very thankful for his parents—Luis Benitez and Luz Cruz—and his sister, Noemi Rugel, for their support while he pursued his dream of becoming a veterinarian.
In 2001, Dr. Benitez married his childhood sweetheart, Sally. He is a proud father of four children: Erin, Kirsten, Riley and Liam. They have made his life complete. Dr. Benitez and his family enjoy family camping trips, RV road trips and beach days, among many other outdoors activities.
Dr. Benitez has enjoyed working as a race track veterinarian for 16 years. TFB Equine gave him the opportunity to work alongside a group of premiere veterinarians when he was hired in June 1999. Since then, Dr. Benitez has grown professionally. He became a practice owner in 2004, and he now cares for high-level racehorse athletes. Furthermore, Dr. Benitez has had the opportunity to learn from the top veterinarians in the racing industry.
Since he started working for TFB Equine, Dr. Benitez has worked in Hialeah Park, Calder Race Track, Gulfstream Park, Delaware Park, Palm Meadows, Parx Casino and Racing, Penn National and Fairhill Training Center. He considers it a pleasure to provide veterinary care to a wide range of racehorse athletes in the U.S.A.
Racetrack practice has been very rewarding in his efforts to become a top quality veterinarian. Dr. Benitez enjoys keeping his patients happy, healthy and free of pain. He strives to provide his clients with accurate diagnoses. He does not stop until his clients, the horse, and the owner are satisfied with his efforts.
Dr. Benitez is currently working in Palm Meadows and is eager to provide top quality veterinary care to his clients and potential new clients. He sees himself being an outstanding asset to the TFB clientele as he continues to practice veterinary medicine. Dr. Benitez also hopes to continue exploring and traveling around the world.
Maddie Boyes, DVM
Dr. Maddie Boyes grew up in Northwest Washington State. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Washington State University. She then moved to Grenada and completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at St. George’s University, and completed her clinical rotations at Texas A&M University in 2020.
Following graduation, Dr. Boyes completed an internship at Oakridge Equine Hospital in Oklahoma and spent time rotating between surgery, sports medicine/imaging and field service. She then moved to Belmont, NY and completed a second internship focusing on sports medicine and surgery at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists with an emphasis on conditions in the Thoroughbred Racehorses. Dr. Boyes then completed a two-year fellowship in the Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania – New Bolton Center prior to joining TFB Equine.
Dr. Boyes’ professional interests include lameness, diagnostic imaging & ultrasound, upper airway endoscopy, emergency, and neonatal medicine. She is currently a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Orthopedic Research Society.
Outside of work Dr. Boyes enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Zazu. She enjoys spending time at the beach, on the boat, hiking, and traveling.
Tom Brokken, DVM
Dr. Tom Brokken was raised on a farm in Harmony, Minnesota, a community in the southeastern part of the state. He attended Augustana College, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then received his Veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 1969.
Following graduation, Dr. Brokken completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at the University of Saskatchewan College of Veterinary Medicine. In May of 1970, Dr. Brokken joined the practice of Dr. M.B Teigland in Miami, Florida, becoming a full partner in 1974 and President of the practice from 1990 to 2004.
In 2005, Dr. Brokken became the President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the third veterinarian from our practice to be elected to the most prominent office of the only national organization dedicated to the equine veterinary professional.
Before presiding over the AAEP, Dr. Brokken served on many of its committees and panels, and presented several papers that have been published in the AAEP Proceedings, and Cornell Veterinarian.
Dr. Brokken serves as an advisor on the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation Advisory Committee, as well as the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine College Advisory Committee. He also is a member of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, and the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Brokken’s special area of interest is in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness in racetrack thoroughbreds. He and his wife, Sally, have two grown sons, Todd and Matt, who are both equine veterinarians. He enjoys playing golf, fishing and other active sports.
Luis Castro, DVM, Shareholder
Dr. Luis A. Castro received his veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1988. He joined TFB Equine in 1991 after working in an ambulatory equine practice in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and has been a full partner in TFB Equine since 1996. He currently resides and practices at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York from May through October and at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida from November through April.
Dr. Castro's areas of interest include lameness, diagnostic imaging and upper respiratory disorders in thoroughbred racehorses. He has performed nearly 3,000 surgical procedures to correct the dorsal displacement of the soft palate (sternothyroideus tenotomy or Llewllyn procedure).
In 2004 Dr. Castro co-founded the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners (FAEP), served on it's Executive Committee and was elected FAEP President in 2006. He has also served on the Research Committee of the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation from 2014 to 2016. He is currently serving on the American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) On Call Program.
Dr. Castro is currently involved as part of Stablelab's serum amyloid A yearly project: The Innovators Circle. He is also a member of the FAEP, AAEP, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In addition, Dr. Castro has authored or co-authored several papers that have been published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR).
Dr. Castro was born in Venezuela and was raised in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C. He is bilingual and fluent in Spanish. His personal interests include traveling and SCUBA diving. He holds a private pilot license and enjoys flying. He also trains for, and participates in triathlons. Most importantly, Dr. Castro is the person to Koa the Australian Shepherd.
Bonnie Comerford, DVM, Shareholder
Dr. Bonnie Comerford grew up in Orchard Park, New York. She always had a strong interest in riding horses and spent the vast majority of her childhood working on a private horse farm. She got her first horse, "Turn Me on Angela," as an on off the track thoroughbred in 1994.
In 2002, Dr. Comerford received her Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo with a major in pre-veterinary medicine. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with high honors in 2006.
Following graduation, Dr. Comerford completed a year-long internship in equine surgery at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. This internship provided an intense training period in a high volume referral center under the mentorship of some of the best veterinary surgeons in the world.
In July 2008, Dr. Comerford joined TFB Equine and she later became a shareholder of the practice in 2014.
Dr. Comerford is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners, and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners.
In her free time, Dr. Comerford enjoys hiking with her dog, running, reading, and relaxing at the beach.
Timothy M. DeLatte, DVM, Shareholder
Dr. Tim DeLatte was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Dr. DeLatte's love and respect for the equine athlete started through personal experience with his own thoroughbred jumper and has continued to grow throughout his veterinary career.
Dr. DeLatte received his Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University in 1995. In 1999, he completed his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University. Dr. DeLatte's career began at Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, FL, where he was involved in lameness, sports medicine and emergency and elective surgery. After completing his internship, he stayed on at the practice for the next three years, continuing to work on some of the top sport horses in the world.
In June 2004, Dr. DeLatte was given the opportunity to work in the racing industry at Louisiana Downs and The Fair Grounds. He joined TFB Equine in April 2005. In 2007, Dr. DeLatte went on to work at a referral hospital in North Central New Jersey where he refined his skills in lameness and sports medicine. His specific professional interests are in lameness evaluation and diagnostic ultrasound.
In October 2010, Dr. DeLatte returned to TFB Equine. He is currently heading up Tampa Bay Downs in our Florida division during the winter season and spends the summer in our New York division at Belmont and Aqueduct.
Outside of work Dr. DeLatte enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. His hobbies include sailing, exercising and landscaping.
April Downey, VMD, Shareholder
Dr. April Downey grew up outside of Saratoga Springs, New York. She always had an interest in horses, going to the races and riding show horses while she was growing up, and she rode for the Boston University equestrian team while an undergraduate there. Dr. Downey also had a strong interest in marine life, and decided to pursue that field in her college studies, receiving her undergraduate degree in marine biology from Boston University in 1996. During her junior year, she decided to go to vet school and attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine where her love of horses changed the direction of her vet school program toward equine sports medicine and surgery. She spent the four summers of her vet school years riding with a racetrack veterinarian at Saratoga, and she received her veterinary medical degree in 2000.
Since graduating veterinary school, Dr. Downey has spent her entire veterinary career working with racehorses at the racetrack. Initially in Maryland practicing at Laurel, Bowie, and Pimlico racetracks. Then for four years she practiced at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Saratoga, and Palm Meadows Training Center. In April 2005, she joined Teigland, Franklin & Brokken, and enjoyed practicing at Saratoga Race Track in the summer and Palm Meadows Training Center during the winter. In 2014, she decided to stay in Saratoga exclusively and practices there from April thru November.
Dr. Downey's primary areas of interest are lameness, upper airway problems, and diagnostics, including the use of digital radiographs and ultrasonography. She is licensed in Florida, New York, Delaware, and Maryland and is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners.
Outside of work, she enjoys international travel, SCUBA diving, swimming, skiing, hiking and spending time with her daughter Isabelle, her German Shepherd Roxie, and two cats.
Sooichiro James Fukuda, DVM
Dr. James Fukuda was born in the United States and raised in the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan. His interest in horses first began to grow as he spent many weekends at a local racetrack in Tokyo with his father. He moved back to the United States in 2003 and attained a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Virginia. He was also a member of the UVA equestrian team where he learned to appreciate the joy of riding.
After earning his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2011, Dr. James completed an internship at Equine Medical Center of Ocala, where he was trained in both ambulatory and hospital settings. Dr. James practiced in Saratoga Springs, NY and Palm City, FL prior to joining TFB Equine in the summer of 2015.
Dr. James' veterinary interests include acupuncture and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, upper airway evaluation, lameness evaluation and diagnostic imaging. In his spare time, Dr. James enjoys playing basketball and golf, fishing, playing the guitar, cooking out and watching college sports with friends.
Mari Good, DVM
Dr. Mari Good was born in Pennsylvania and raised in England where she competed her pony in local gymkhana games and went foxhunting.
She developed a passion for Veterinary Medicine while working as an anesthesia tech at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala and did her undergraduate work at College of Central Florida and College of Charleston. During her undergraduate work she galloped Thoroughbreds and polo ponies. She went to vet school at University of Georgia and graduated in 2003. She completed an internship at Surgicare Center for Horses, now known as Brandon Equine Medical Center, in 2004.
After her internship, Dr. Good worked in private practice on the Space Coast of Florida at Newman Equine where she focused on lameness and emergency medicine.
Before joining TFB Equine in the summer of 2018, she and her husband owned and ran a large corn and citrus farm in Belize in Central America, where Dr Good also started a small equine practice serving the thoroughbred farms in country as well as helping the local "bamboo" horse population.
She currently resides on Long Island with her husband and teenager. In her off time, she likes to go hiking, camping, kayaking, and paddleboarding with her family. She also enjoys listening to her kid play guitar, crafting, and taking care of her two cats and much-loved Bassett Hound.
Scott Hay, DVM, President, Managing Shareholder
Dr. Scott Hay, a 1988 graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has been with TFB Equine his entire veterinary career. Growing up in Kansas, Dr. Hay spent much of his youth working for his father who was also a veterinarian. He is currently the president and managing partner of TFB Equine. Dr. Hay's clinical focus is on lameness, performance evaluations and purchase examinations. When not in South Florida attending to racehorses, Dr. Hay travels to many thoroughbred sales where he consults with clients on potential purchases. Dr. Hay is active in the American Association of Equine Practitioners and is currently the chairperson of its racing committee. He also serves as the co-chair of the Racing Medication Testing Consortium's Scientific Advisory Committee.
Sara Langsam, VMD, Shareholder
Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised on Long Island, Dr. Langsam was brought up in the Thoroughbred industry, visiting many racetracks around the country and spending most weekends at either Belmont, Aqueduct, or Saratoga rooting her family's horses across the wire. It was no stretch of the imagination when she decided to become an equine veterinarian.
Dr. Langsam received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University in 1998. In 2002, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. While in veterinary school, Dr. Langsam worked in the sports medicine department at New Bolton Center, assisting with both lameness and treadmill exams and doing research involving upper airway conditions in horses. Following graduation, she completed a yearlong internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY, where she gained invaluable experience working alongside many top specialists in a high-caseload setting.
Dr. Langsam joined TFB Equine in July 2003 and became a partner in 2009. After working in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida divisions, she moved home to New York in 2012 and started the Long Island division of TFB Equine, servicing Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack year-round. Her main professional interests are in lameness evaluations, radiology, ultrasound, upper airway problems and pre-purchase exams.
Active in the American Association of Equine Practitioners(AAEP), Dr. Langsam is currently serving on AAEP’s Board of Directors as well as the Chair of AAEP’s Racing Committee. In addition, she also serves on HISA’s Horseman's Advisory Group.
When not working, Sara is an amateur photographer and enjoys exploring and traveling the world.
Ariana Ramos, VMD
Dr. Ariana Ramos, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, joined TFB Equine in the summer of 2023 and is currently based in South Florida. Dr. Ramos was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to Philadelphia in 2019 to attend PennVet. During her time in vet school, Dr. Ramos had the opportunity to work at an equine practice and assist with various matters, including attending several Thoroughbred sales. Dr. Ramos is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association Equine Practitioners. Dr. Ramos’ veterinary interests include lameness evaluation and diagnostic imaging.
In her free time, Dr. Ramos enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog Adela, spending time with her family and traveling to new places.
Charles Thomas Reid, VMD, Shareholder
A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Charles Reid has worked at TFB Equine since May of 2004. He attended the University of Delaware for his undergraduate degree in Animal Science and the University of Pennsylvania for his Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Reid's professional interests include lameness, diagnostic imaging and upper airway disorders.
Dr. Reid credits his father with his interest in veterinary medicine. "Helping owners and trainers maximize performance of their horses and advancing welfare of horses in the racing industry are the most satisfying things about being a veterinarian," he says.
Dr. Reid and his wife, Alysia, who is a small animal veterinarian, share their home with Dexter, a Swiss mountain dog; Finely, a golden poodle; Bruno and Griswald, cats; Sully, a Clydesdale; and Opie, and Vic, thoroughbreds. He enjoys skiing, fishing, car racing, karate and poker in his free time.
Martine Rodgers, DVM, Shareholder
Dr. Martine Rodgers is a 2008 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She grew up in a small town in Maine and was an avid member of the United States Pony Club, competing in rallies and local jumper shows. She also enjoyed fox hunting and snowboarding.
After moving to South Florida in 1995, Dr. Rodgers completed her undergraduate studies in biology and chemistry and her masters studies in microbiology at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. While in school, she worked at a small animal veterinary practice that solidified her career choice of becoming a veterinarian. Once she began her vet school program, she was bitten by the horse bug once again, and she joined the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She was elected as the President of the chapter during her second year.
Dr. Rodgers is interested in lameness, endoscopy, digital imaging and acupuncture. She is currently a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners.
Outside of work, Dr. Rodgers likes spending time with her husband, John, their two horses, Sugar and Charm, and their five dogs named Bosco, Sasha, Maggie, Diesel and Sally. She also enjoys riding, fishing, diving, snowboarding and spending time with her two children.
Brooke Schultz, DVM
Dr. Brooke Schultz was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She obtained her bachelor's in animal sciences from The Ohio State University prior to attending Cornell University for veterinary school.
Her professional interests include lameness evaluation, disorders of the upper respiratory tract, and emergency medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Schultz enjoys yoga, snowboarding, and doting on her dog, Pickles, and horse, Faith.
Katie Stone, DVM
Dr. Katie Stone was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. Her grandma's horses inspired her from a young age and are the stem of her passion in the equine industry. She earned a Bachelor's of Science from the University of Arizona with a degree in Veterinary Sciences and Natural Resources. Dr. Stone continued her education at Colorado State University where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2021.
Following graduation, Dr. Stone completed a year long ambulatory internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY. She enjoyed working with broodmares, foals, and yearlings.
Her professional interests include lameness evaluations and diagnostic imaging.
In her free time, you'll often find Dr. Stone baking, walking her dog, or finding a new trail to run.
Drew Upright, DVM
Dr. Drew Upright was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She was interested in horses at a young age and began competing in Wellington, FL in the Equitation and Jumper divisions. In 2009, Drew moved to Upstate New York to attend Hamilton College, where she would continue to ride on the College's Equestrian Team. During her summer breaks, when back in Miami, she worked as a veterinary assistant. She received a Bachelor of Arts in 2013.
Drew graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with Highest Honors in 2017. Following graduation, she joined the practice of TFB Equine in October of 2017 and is currently based in South Florida.
Dr. Upright is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association Equine Practitioners. In her free time, she enjoys riding, traveling, and spending time on the water.
Elizabeth “Libby” Wyman, DVM
Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Wyman, a 2021 graduation of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, joined TFB Equine in the summer if 2022. Dr. Wyman was raised in Tallahassee, FL and attended Florida State University, where she received a degree in History in 2010. After a brief career in public education, Dr. Wyman changed her course, and returned to FSU to complete her prerequisites for veterinary school.
During vet school, Dr. Wyman was involved as a school representative, took part in veterinary outreach events, and was an active board member of the Student Chapter of the AAEP. Her interest in racetrack practice came after a summer spent with TFB Equine in Saratoga Springs, NY, as an assistant. After veterinary school, Dr. Wyman completed a yearlong internship at Ocala Equine Hospital in Ocala, FL. There she developed an interest in emergency field medicine, diagnostic imaging, and airway disease.
Dr. Wyman shares her life with her husband, Daniel, their dog Niles and two birds, Lana and Toribio.