Part One: 2012 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale grad Awesome Gem

Despite showcasing less than two hundred yearlings, the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale displays – in my opinion – the deepest quality catalog of any sale I have covered to date. It was hard to narrow my sale selections down to my normal twenty, which is why I decided to feature twenty-five. It is understandable why it was so difficult to slim down my top selections, as this is the same auction that has produced the grade one winners A Shin Forward, Awesome Gem, Blue Bunting, Dialed In, Hot Dixie Chick, Plum Pretty, and Union Rags.

Listed below in numerical order are my top fifteen selections in the sale, as well as ten honorable mentions, based on pedigree, though I was able to evaluate the conformation of a few of these horses through the Fasig-Tipton website:

Hip #5: Just a quick glance at this colt’s pedigree is enough to be impressed. His sire is Distorted Humor, last year’s leading sire in North America and sire of such grade one winners as Commentator, Don Dandy, Drosselmeyer, Flower Alley, Funny Cide, Hystericalady, and Pathfork.

This colt’s dam has not yet produced a runner, but is a half-sister to a champion, a stakes winner, and two black-typed-placed horses. Not only is this colt a direct descendant of three Reine De Course mares through his dam, but his dam’s sire is the great A.P. Indy. That son of Seattle Slew is the broodmare sire of numerous grade one winners, including the champions Royal Delta and Wait a While.

Hip five is bred on the successful Distorted Humor/A.P. Indy cross, which is the same one on which the grade one-winning Any Given Saturday was bred, as well as the graded stakes winners Brethren, Endorsement, and Z Humor, in addition to impressive Saratoga maiden winner Fortify.

A well-balanced individual, this colt has long, thin neck that ties in beautifully to his shoulder. His topline is short in relation to his underline and though I would like to see him stand a slightly straighter column of bone in the front legs, he is very correct through the hocks.

Hip five, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent LXII, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Foundation (KTDF).

Hip #11: Very closely bred to Rachel Alexandra, this colt shares the same sire as the great champion in Medaglia d’Oro. Including Rachel Alexandra, Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of seven grade one winners.

Interestingly, the dam of hip eleven is Kim’s Blues, Rachel Alexandra’s second dam. Kim’s Blues is of course the dam of Rachel Alexandra’s stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed dam, Lotta Kim. In addition, Kim’s Blues has produced the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Lotta Rhythm and the stakes-winning High Blues.

Obviously, hip eleven is bred similarly to Rachel Alexandra, but is also bred on the same El Prado/Cure the Blues cross as the graded stakes winners Golden Century and Holiday for Kitten.

Hip eleven, consigned by Dromoland Farm, Inc., agent III, is Breeders’ Cup and European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) nominated, as well as registered with the KTDF. He is my second top selection in the sale.

Hip #26: Giant’s Causeway – this filly’s sire – has been among the top five leading sires on the continent for the past six years, peaking at the top in 2009 and 2010. He is the sire of nineteen grade one winners, including the brilliant Eskendereya.

Lofty Lizzy – the dam of this filly – has produced just one runner so far, but that runner is a winner. Lofty Lizzy’s dam is also the dam of the multiple grade one-winning Affirmed Success, the graded stakes-placed Truman’s Raider, and the multiple black-type-placed Rapunzell. With Lofty Lizzy as her dam, hip twenty-six has Unbridled’s Song as her broodmare sire, allowing her to share the same damsire as the group one winner Better Than Ever, as well as the graded stakes winners Etched, Hold Me Back, and Out of Bounds.

Hip twenty-six, consigned by Willow Oaks Stable, Sweezey & Partners, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #46: Sharing the same sire as seven grade one winners in Medaglia d’Oro, this colt is out of a stakes-placed sibling to the champion Hold That Tiger, the multiple grade one-winning Editor’s Note, the black-type winners Catfriend and Catnip, and the black-type-placed Forty Nine Hearts.

Notably, this colt’s third dam is the Reine De Course mare T.C. Kitten, the dam of one grade one winner, one group stakes winner, one stakes winner, and one multiple graded stakes-placed runner. Hip forty-six’s damsire is the incredible Deputy Minister, the broodmare sire of such champions as Curlin, Halfbridled, and Rags to Riches.

Hip forty-six, consigned by Lane’s End, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF. He is my third top auction pick.

Hip #48: War Pass passed away at much too young of an age and this colt is one of his limited offspring. War Pass is a son of the champion Cherokee Run, the sire of nearly fifty black-type winners.

The dam of this colt, Pennant Champion, has not only produced the graded stakes-winning Animal Spirits, but the dams of a multiple graded stakes winner, a stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed runner, a graded stakes-placed runner, and a black-type-placed runner. Notably, this colt’s dam is out of the great racehorse and broodmare Personal Ensign, making Pennant Champion a full sister to two grade one winners, a multiple grade one-placed runner, and a graded stakes-placed runner. Pennant Champion is also a half-sister to the multiple grade one-winning and champion-producing My Flag.

This colt has one of the best broodmare sires ever as his damsire in Mr. Prospector, the broodmare sire of the champions Lailani, Mineshaft, and War Pass himself. He is bred on the very successful Cherokee Run/Mr. Prospector cross, which not only has a winning percentage of about 75%, but has produced the champion War Pass, as well as the stakes winners Cherokee Artist and Cherokee Girl.

Hip forty-eight, property of Graves et al, Gainesway, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #52: This chestnut colt is sired by the outstanding leading sire Giant’s Causeway, a son of the great sire Storm Cat. His dam is a mare who has produced two runners to date, both of which are winners and one of which is graded stakes-placed.

This colt’s second dam is the grade one-winning Glitter Woman, who produced the grade one-winning Political Force. Notably, hip fifty-two’s third dam is the black-type-winning dam of the grade one-winning Unbridled Elaine, who has produced two grade one winners.

The broodmare sire of this chestnut is Seeking the Gold, the damsire of such grade one winners as Blame, Dancing Forever, Excellent Art, Pine Island, Point of Entry, Riskaverse, and She Be Wild. Hip fifty-two was mated on the effective Giant’s Causeway/Seeking the Gold cross that has produced the grade one winners Carriage Trail, Internallyflawless, and Swift Temper.

Hip fifty-two, property of AGS Thoroughbreds Ltd, Gainesway, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #58: Street Cry, the sire of this colt, has been a spectacular stallion, siring not only the great champion Zenyatta, but the champion Street Sense and an additional eleven grade one winners.

Out of a full sister to a group one winner and a group two winner in Brazil, this colt is a half-brother to 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor. Not only is this colt’s damsire, Interprete, the broodmare sire of Invasor, but is also the damsire of the group stakes-winning Gran Punto, as well as the black-type-winning horses More Than Regal and Ready Ruler.

Hip fifty-eight, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and eligible for KTDF registration.

Hip #80: This colt is also a son of Street Cry, the sire of thirteen grade one winners famous for producing the great Zenyatta. Hip eighty is the first foal out of the Canadian champion Serenading, who is a full sister to the stakes-winning Handpainted and a half-sister to the dam of the grade one-winning Brilliant Speed.

The broodmare sire of hip eighty is the great A.P. Indy, who is the damsire of such grade one winners as Bluegrass Cat, Mr. Sidney, Plum Pretty, Super Saver, Take Charge Indy, and Wait a While. This colt is bred on the same Street Cry/Seattle Slew cross – one with a winning percentage of approximately 75% – as the graded stakes winners Blues Street, Globetrotter, Freedom Star, and Princess Haya.

Hip eighty, consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #91: By the brilliant sire Empire Maker and out of the black-type-winning Sluice, hip ninety-one is a full brother to the grade one-winning Mushka. Empire Maker is not only the sire of Mushka, but such additional grade one winners as Bodemeister, Grace Hall, and Royal Delta.

Hip ninety-one’s second dam is the multiple grade one-winning Lakeway, who, in addition to producing Sluice, is the dam of the multiple graded stakes-placed Flying Spur and the stakes-placed In Excelsis. Interestingly, this makes this colt a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare Comely Nell – a mare that Empire Maker’s grade one-winning daughter Grace Hall is a direct descendant of as well.

This colt shares the same broodmare sire, Seeking the Gold, as the grade one winners Blame, Dancing Forever, Excellent Art, Pine Island, Point of Entry, Riskaverse, and She Be Wild, as aforementioned.

This colt displays plenty of quality muscling throughout his body. Easily divided into thirds, this evenly balanced colt has a thin neck that ties in well to his sloping shoulder. Perhaps his best attribute his rounded, powerful hip.

Hip ninety-one, consigned by Denali Stud (Craig & Holly Bandoroff), agent I, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF. He is my fourth top selection in the sale.

Hip #96: Yet another son of the leading sire Giant’s Causeway, this colt is a son of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI)-winning Spain, who is the dam of the group stakes-winning and grade one-placed Plan, as well as the stakes-winning and group one-placed Dreamtheimpossible.

Spain is obviously a top producer – and racehorse – but so was her dam, the multiple black-type-winning Drina, who is also the dam of the graded stakes winners Fantastic Spain and Puerto Banus, as well as the black-type-winning Path of Thunder. With Spain as his dam, this colt has the same broodmare sire, Thunder Gulch, as the grade one-winning Star Billing and the graded stakes winners Crown of Thorns and Daddy Nose Best.

Hip ninety-six, consigned by Dromoland Farm, Inc., agent VI, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF. He is my top selection in the sale.

Hip #130: This colt is a son of Tapit, giving him the same sire as the champions Hansen and Stardom Bound, as well as several other grade one winners, including Careless Jewel, Tapitsfly, and Zazu.

Hip one thirty’s dam, All Deuces Wild, has only had one runner to date and that runner is a winner. All Deuces Wild is a full sister to the multiple grade one-winning Tranquility Lake, who has produced the grade one winners After Market and Courageous Cat, as well as the group stakes-winning Jalil. All Deuces Wild is also a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-winning Benchmark, the graded stakes-placed King Crimson, and the stakes-placed Hope for Gold. Rahy – this colt’s damsire – is the broodmare sire of such grade one winners as After Market, Courageous Cat, Furthest Land, Life At Ten, and Rahy’s Attorney.

This colt has much substance to him, exhibiting much muscling. He has a very powerful build, unlike most Tapits. This yearling appears to be quite structurally correct, being short about the cannon bones. I would, however, like to see him stronger through his topline.

Hip one thirty, property of Fox Straus & Glencrest Farm, Four Star Sales, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #134: A Distorted Humor filly, hip one thirty-four shares the same sire as twelve grade one winners and nine millionaires. By Appealing Storm, this filly is a half-sister to the grade one-winning Vacare and the graded stakes winners Abtaal and Single Solution.

Produced by two very successful parents, hip one thirty-four’s damsire is Valid Appeal – the broodmare sire of the champion Soy Conquistador, as well as the group one winners Big City Man, Exciting Story, and Splendid Blended.

Hip one thirty-four, property of Chesapeake Farm I, Sweezy & Partners, agent, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Hip #157: Yet another Street Cry offspring, this filly is out of the group stakes-winning and group one-placed Cloud Castle, who has also produced the group stakes-winning Queen’s Best and the stakes-winning and group stakes-placed Reverie Solitaire.

This filly’s second dam was very successful, producing the multiple group one-winning horses Luso and Warrsan, in addition to the group stakes-winning Needle Gun. The broodmare sire of this filly, In the Wings, is the damsire of the graded stakes winners Papaw Bodie and Spice Route.

A sleek individual, this filly is quite well-balanced, as well as adequately muscled. In addition, her legs appear to be very clean. I found her walk to be very impressive, as despite her young age, she has excellent presence about her and walks with long, even strides.

Hip one fifty-seven, consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, is Breeders’ Cup and EBF nominated, in addition to being registered with the KTDF.

Hip #170: The fourth Street Cry offspring in my top fifteen selections, this filly is the first foal out of Desert Song. Her dam is a daughter of the incredible broodmare Justenuffheart, the dam of the champion Dreaming of Anna and the multiple graded stakes-winning horses Justenuffhumor and Lewis Michael.

Notably, Justenuffheart’s dam, Kitten’s First, is also highly successful, being the dam of the champion Kitten’s Joy and the multiple grade one-winning Precious Kitten. This filly shares the same broodmare sire as the group one winner Better Than Ever, as well as the graded stakes winners Etched, Hold Me Back, and Out of Bounds in Unbridled’s Song.

Displaying the sleek Street Cry look, hip one seventy is very long and thin about her neck. She is lightly built, but stands upon structurally correct legs, which are correctly angled about the pasterns.

Hip one seventy, consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, is Breeders’ Cup and EBF nominated, in addition to being registered with the KTDF.

Hip #178: With Empire Maker as her sire, this filly shares the same sire as such grade one winners as Acoma, Bodemeister, Grace Hall, Royal Delta, and Pioneerof the Nile. With Fitted Crown as her dam, she is a half-sister to the multiple grade one-winning Excellent Meeting and the black-type winners Crowning Meeting and Crown of Crimson.

This filly’s broodmare sire is Chief’s Crown, allowing her to share the same damsire as the grade one winners Eddington and Scorpion. She is bred on the successful Empire Maker/Danzig cross, which has produced the grade one-winning Acoma.

Hip one seventy-eight, consigned by Dromoland Farm, Inc., agent III, is Breeders’ Cup nominated and registered with the KTDF.

Honorable Mentions:

Hip #10: This dark bay/brown colt is by the grade one-producing Exchange Rate and is the first foal out of a half-sister to a multiple grade one winner and a stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed runner.

Hip #12: By the up-and-coming son of Street Cry, Street Boss, this colt is out of a half-sister to the grade one-winning Never Retreat.

Hip #21: This filly is sired by the sire of multiple grade one winners in Elusive Quality and is out of a black-type-winning full sister to a multiple graded stakes winner. Her third dam is the dam of the champion Black Tie Affair.

Hip #62: By the champion Street Sense, this colt is a sibling to a graded stakes winner and a stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed runner.

Hip #68: This colt is a son of Malibu Moon, who is the sire of several grade one winners, and is out of a full sister to a multiple grade one winner, who is also a half-sister to a graded stakes winner.

Hip #95: By the sire of many grade one winners in Malibu Moon, this filly is out of a half-sister to two group one winners in Argentina.

Hip #117: This filly is not only by the outstanding Medaglia d’Oro, but is a daughter of the champion Wait a While.

Hip #12o: By the sire of several grade one winners in Unbridled’s Song, this colt is out of a half-sister to a multiple grade one winner, a multiple graded stakes-placed horse, and a black-type-placed runner.

Hip #121: By the brilliant racehorse and sire Bernardini, this filly is out of a half-sister to a grade one winner and a black-type-placed runner.

Hip #183: A daughter of the late sire of three grade one winners in Dixie Union, this filly’s dam is a full sister to a graded stakes winner and a half-sister to two stakes winners.

I will do a follow-up piece after the sale, spotlighting these horses again with the results of the auction.

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Juvenile Spotlight: Jocosity and Fortify

The Distorted Humor sire line has proven to be a very productive one. Not only has it provided us with numerous grade one victors, but it has given us two of the most impressive maiden winners at the Saratoga meet yet in Jocosity and Fortify. Both two-year-old colts dominated their races, coasting to imposing victories and instilling racing fans with hope that they could be future superstars.

Jocosity

Yet Todd Pletcher juvenile to win in remarkable fashion at Saratoga, Jocosity dominated a two-year-old maiden special weight at the Spa on Friday, August 3. Though his name relates to humor, there was nothing humorous regarding his impressive victory on Friday. With his win, Jocosity displayed that he could very well join the likes of the champions Big Brown and Uncle Mo – horses that strikingly broke their maidens at Saratoga prior to becoming a champion. Those are large shoes to fill for Jocosity, but he could certainly become a top racehorse.

Jocosity broke extremely sharply, going immediately to the lead beneath John Velazquez. With his outside post, Jocosity was forced to race wider than the others, but stayed near the lead as the juveniles continued down the backstretch. First-time starter Judge Wiley pressured him from the inside, but by the time a quarter of a blistering 21.79 had been set, Jocosity had opened up a one-length advantage that was widening.

As Velazquez remained stationary aboard him, the bay colt approached the homestretch with a blossoming lead on the six others. As Jocosity neared the conclusion of the far turn, Solis glanced behind him to evaluate the advancement of their rivals. But there were no real threats.

Velazquez set down on him as they reached the stretch, but it was only a learning experience for Jocosity. The others had no chance. Despite running a tad greenly, Jocosity continued to open up on the field, sailing to the wire with ease. Crossing the wire 7 ½ lengths in front, Jocosity posted an impressive final time of 1:02.85 – just 0.34 seconds off the track record.

Prior to breaking his maiden, Jocosity had contested twice – both starts coming twice over Woodbine’s all-weather track. In his first start, which came this June in a four and one-half-furlong maiden special weight, Jocosity did not come away from the gate well, breaking inward abruptly. He sat off of the pace set by Bear’s Fur while racing wide and was unable to catch that horse in the stretch, finishing second by 1 ½ lengths.

Interestingly, Jocosity already has stakes experience. In his second start, the colt finished second in the Clarendon Stakes at Woodbine in a trip that saw him stumble and come in contact with another horse at the start. Despite the troubled he endured, Jocosity crossed the wire in second. The fact that Jocosity’ s connections had enough confidence in her ability to send him into a stakes race in just his second start and before he had even won is very encouraging.

Not only has Jocosity been impressive on the track, but he is remarkably bred as well. Bred on a cross similar to that on which the graded stakes winners Cowtown Cat and Shumoos were bred, Jocosity has a pedigree fit for a gifted Thoroughbred.

Jocosity’s sire is Sharp Humor, a graded stakes-winning son of Distorted Humor who came within a half-length of defeating the late, great Barbaro in the Florida Derby (GI). In his rather young career, Sharp Humor has sired the graded stakes-winning Hero of Order, as well as such black-type winners as Angelica Zapata, Glint, Mildly Offensive, and Princess Cecilia. Sharp Humor’s sire, Distorted Humor, is one of the best sires in the nation, being last year’s leading sire in North America and the sire of such grade one winners as Commentator, Don Dandy, Drosselmeyer, Flower Alley, Funny Cide, Hystericalady, and Pathfork.

Sobhy’s Gal, Jocosity’s young unraced dam, has also produced the winning filly Tell Her. Her own dam produced Miss Lola, an earner of over $175,000 who contested in three stakes races. The sire of Sobhy’s Gal is Stormy Atlantic, a son of the great Storm Cat. Though relatively new as a damsire, Stormy Atlantic’s future in that department looks bright, as Storm Cat is the broodmare sire of the champions Folklore and Speightstown.

The sire of Jocosity’s second dam is Carson City, the broodmare sire of Barbaro and Havre de Grace. Jocosity is a descendant of the prolific female family four, which has produced the Triple Crown winners Assault and Gallant Fox, as well as the champions Proud Spell, Real Quiet, and Zenyatta.

Perhaps Jocosity’s jaw-dropping maiden victory on Friday was an indication of what the future holds, or maybe we will never see the same brilliance from him again. But with what he has shown on the track thus far, combined with his excellent pedigree, Jocosity could become an intimidating top racehorse that thrills and delights racing fans with his performances. Only time will tell.

Fortify

A regally bred colt, this Darley homebred is a son of Distorted Humor, who, as aforementioned, is the sire of such grade one winners as Commentator, Don Dandy, Drosselmeyer, Flower Alley, Funny Cide, Hystericalady, and Pathfork. Distorted Humor has been ranked as one of the top five leading sires on the continent six of the past seven years, peaking at number one last year.

Fortify’s dam is the English mare Kotuku, who is a result of the mating between the great A.P. Indy and the group one-winning highweight mare Flagbird. This makes Kotuku a full sister to the graded stakes-winning Anasheed, as well as a half-sister to the listed-placed horses Dubai Belle and Marhoob. Flagbird is a daughter of the Reine De Course mare Up the Flagpole, the graded stakes-winning dam of three grade/group one winners, one grade two winner, and four stakes winners. Interestingly, one of those grade one winners is Prospectors Delite, the dam of the champion Mineshaft and the grade one winner Tomisue’s Delight.

Up the Flagpole herself is a daughter of a Reine De Course mare in The Garden Club, who also produced the multiple graded stakes-winning Nostalgia, the stakes-winning Blushing Cathy. This dam line is full of Reine De Course mares, as it is the Baby League branch of the La Troienne dam line. La Troienne, one of the greatest broodmares of all-time, can be found in the dam lines of such horses as the Kentucky Derby winners Go for Gin, Sea Hero, Smarty Jones, and Super Saver, as well as the champions Busher, Caerleon, Easy Goer, Folklore, Mineshaft, Pleasant Tap, Prairie Bayou, Princess Rooney, Rhythm, and Woodman.

Fortify’s broodmare sire, A.P. Indy, only adds to the excellence of this colt’s pedigree. The son of the great Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew has yielded the dams of many top racehorses, including such grade one winners as Bluegrass Cat, Mr. Sidney, Plum Pretty, Royal Delta, Super Saver, and Wait a While. A.P. Indy has been among the top twenty-five damsires on the continent for the past six years, peaking at number four last year.

Fortify’s spectacular pedigree shone through on Saturday, August 4 when he made his debut at Saratoga. Going six and one-half furlongs over the dirt, Fortify was restless in the gate, but broke well, joining a contingent that went to the lead. He took the lead for a short moment, but Boss Man Rocket – the only horse with experience in the eight-horse field – shot up his inside, leading the way as the two-year-olds raced down the backstretch.

Fortify settled beneath Joe Bravo, allowing Boss Man Rocket to lengthen his advantage to a length and one-half as an initial quarter of 21.73 was recorded. The Darley homebred loomed on Boss Man Rocket’s outside, overtaking him as the far turn began. As Bravo sat still aboard him, Fortify commanded the field as the track began to curve. Nearing the conclusion of the turn, Bravo began to urge the bay colt he was aboard, keeping several lengths between his colt and the others as they swept into the homestretch.

With a half-mile time of 44.93 appearing on the toteboard, Fortify galloped into the homestretch with overwhelming ease and dominance, frolicking down the straightaway while the others failed to keep up with him. Bravo kept to work aboard him, but Fortify had the race in hand, galloping to a 5 ½-length victory, leaving racing fans commending his debut as excitement grew within them regarding this colt’s future.

Fortify certainly has future superstar stamped next him in my books. With one of the most impressive, regal pedigrees you could come across and a debut that could not have been much more remarkable, Fortify is a name racing fans should get used to saying, hearing, and reading about. I could rave not only about his bloodlines all day long, but also his racing talent. Though just a two-year-old with only one race under his belt, this Kiaran McLaughlin trainee is a special Thoroughbred.

Juvenile Spotlight: Top Tier Lass and Corail

Todd Pletcher is often crowned the king of two-year-olds at Saratoga. This was further confirmed on both Monday and Wednesday, when two of his juvenile fillies broke their maidens in impressive style: Top Tier Lass and Corail. Both fillies traveled five and one-half furlongs – though over different surfaces – at the Spa, joining many two-year-olds trained by Todd Pletcher to break their maiden at Saratoga in impressive style.


Top Tier Lass

Following a clean break, Top Tier Lass was among a four-horse group that immediately went to the lead. Racing on the outside, the chestnut filly remained among the cluster of the leaders but did not take the lead until shortly after they set an initial quarter of 22 seconds flat. She continued to draw away from there, holding a one-length advantage at the top of the stretch.

Despite rallies from others, Top Tier Lass was not threatened by her rivals as John Velazquez urged her down the stretch. Though she received several reminders from Velazquez, Top Tier Lass had no trouble crossing the wire seven lengths in front. The final time over the grass course labeled good was 1:03.34.

Top Tier Lass is a member of Street Boss’s first crop. On the track, Street Boss – a horse based in Southern California – was a spectacular sprinter, winning three graded stakes – three of which were grade ones – and setting two six-furlong track records. Street Boss is of course a son of Street Cry, a top sire known for producing the great champion Zenyatta, as well as the champion Street Sense and eleven other grade one winners. Street Boss has already proven to be a productive sire in his young career, having already sired not only multiple winners, but a stakes winner.

This filly’s dam, Top Tier, is a half-sister to not only two black-type winners and a stakes-placed runner, but the multiple graded stakes-placed Stopshoppingmaria. In addition to producing Top Tier Lass, Top Tier is the dam of the winners Personal Signal and Show Place. Neither of those horses has won beyond a mile and one-sixteenth.

Top Tier’s broodmare sire is King of Kings, an Irish champion who won the first leg of the English Triple Crown, the 2,000 Guineas (GI), at one mile. King of Kings is a son of the great Sadlers Wells, one of the greatest stallions the industry has ever seen. Sadlers Wells is the damsire of such horses as the group one winners Conduit, Henrythenavigator, Reliable Man, Workforce, and Youmzain.

Top Tier Lass certainly is bred like a speedy turf horse, but could also have a future on surfaces other than grass. Of course, she could go farther than five and a half furlongs, but she definitely is not a classic-distance type of filly. However, this filly displayed in her debut that she is clearly talented and one to keep an eye on.


Corail

Two years ago, a juvenile Thoroughbred sired by Indian Charlie and trained by Pletcher dominated a maiden at Saratoga prior to finishing a two-year-old campaign that saw him be honored as Champion Two-Year-Old Male. That horse was Uncle Mo. On Wednesday, yet another Todd Pletcher-trained Indian Charlie broke it's maiden. This time, however, it was a filly by the name of Corail.

After breaking from the gate, the bay filly went straight to the lead in Wertheimer and Frere's silks – the same silks Goldikova carried to Breeders' Cup Mile (GI) victory three years in a row. She steadily lengthened her lead, holding a one-length advantage as the fillies began to enter the far turn. Following a quarter in 23.16, John Velazquez looked behind him to check the advancement of the others, but found that no one was yet posing a real threat. 

Velazquez began to shake his reins as the curve ended, urging the filly beneath him. Liquid Lunch attempted to rally, but with a strike of the whip, Corail accelerated and began to draw away from the field as Velazquez continued to give her reminders. With ease, Corail flashed under the wire 3 ½ lengths in front, posting a final time of 1:04.52.

Indian Charlie, who was sadly euthanized in December, is also the sire of the champions Fleet Indian and Indian Blessing, as well as such grade one winners as Liaison and Pampered Princess. Indian Charlie has primarily been a sire of speedy horses, but Fleet Indian was capable of winning at ten furlongs.

Corail's dam, Meteor Miracle, is a black-type-winning half-sister to the grade one winners A Phenomenon and Seattle Meteor. In addition to producing Corail, Meteor Miracle has yielded Meteore, who won the La Jolla Handicap (GII) over Del Mar's turf course in 2009. Meteor Miracle is a daughter of Forty Niner's graded stakes-winning son Twining. Forty Niner was a successful broodmare sire himself, having sired the dams of such grade one winners as Albertus Maximus, Island Sand, and Lady of Venice.

Interestingly, Corail's third dam, Patelin, is Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI) victor I'll Have Another's fifth dam. Patelin, a stakes-winning daughter of the Reine De Course mare Pontivy, was a half-sister to the multiple stakes-winning horses Jaikyl and Pontiflex, as well as the graded stakes-placed Pontoise. Other direct descendants of Patelin include the grade/group one winners Class Play and Reenact.

Though there are traces of stamina in Corail's pedigree, she, like stablemate Top Tier Lass, appears to be more suited for distances under nine furlongs. She is among many talented two-year-olds in Pletchers barn and will need to prove that she can be competitive against tougher company, but she is without a doubt a gifted filly.

Three-Year-Old Fillies Roundup

Girl power has been a recurrent theme in horse racing as of late. The sophomore filly division has been very interesting and competitive in the past few years, producing some of the most talented fillies in recent years, such as Blind Luck, Rachel Alexandra, Rags to Riches, and Ashado. The three-year-old filly class does not have a spectacular standout this year, but is a competitive division nonetheless.

Many things have changed since my last roundup of this division, which came at the end of January. Here is a look at several of the top three-year-old fillies in the nation:

Agave Kiss: This filly’s undefeated record was snapped in her seventh start, a dull fifth-place finish in the Victory Ride Stakes (GIII). A filly I have followed since her maiden victory, Agave Kiss is much better than she showed in the Victory Ride. However, with just one graded stakes victory to her credit, Agave Kiss will need to step it up to be competitive at the grade one level. She is, of course, a sprinter and not a filly suited for nine furlongs or the classic distance.

Believe You Can: The Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner turned in a rather disappointing third-place finish in the Mother Goose Stakes (GI), being defeated by 9 ¼ lengths. Believe You Can's most recent work was a one-mile work at Ellis Park in 1:38, which followed a five-furlong work at the same track.

Broadway’s Alibi: The runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks, Broadway’s Alibi won her first two starts of 2012 – both of which were graded stakes races – by a combined 20 ¼ lengths. However, she has not worked since June 10 and was shipped to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for examination and has not returned to the work tab.


Centre Court: This filly did not break her maiden until May, when she dominated a nine-furlong turf maiden at Churchill Downs. She then took two graded stakes: the Regret Stakes (GIII) and the Lake George Stakes (GII). Centre Court is certainly among the best grass fillies in the nation.

Contested: This filly was undefeated this year until she finished last in the Mother Goose. However, prior to that, she was brilliant, taking not only the Eight Belles Stakes (GIII), but the Acorn Stakes (GI). This filly appears to be more suited to distances shorter than nine furlongs. However, she is expected to contest in the Alabama Stakes (GI) at ten furlongs.

Disposablepleasure: A graded stakes-winning juvenile, Disposablepleasure is winless this year. However, she has finished in the money in three of her five starts this year. She finished a lackluster fourth in the Coaching Club American Oaks (GI) on July 21.

Dixie Strike: A stakes winner in Florida earlier this year who finished third in a graded stakes at Gulfstream and fifth in the Ashland Stakes (GI) at Keeneland, the Ontario-bred Dixie Strike found her groove in Canada. After winning the Selene Stakes (GIII), Dixie Strike was soundly defeated in the Woodbine Oaks but then finished a good third against males in the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Queen’s Plate Stakes. She then defeated males in the second jewel, the Prince of Wales Stakes. Perhaps Dixie Strike is more competitive in Canada than in the United States, but she is certainly a talented filly. She could start next in the Alabama.

Eden’s Moon: After breaking her maiden in January at Santa Anita, Eden’s Moon easily won the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI) before finishing third in the Santa Anita Oaks (GI). Following a last-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks, Eden’s Moon finished a nose short in the Hollywood Oaks (GII) over the synthetic. She made her turf debut on July 22, impressively winning the San Clemente Handicap (GII) at Del Mar. She seems to have found her niche on the grass.

Grace Hall: One of the top juvenile fillies last year, Grace Hall has never finished out of the money. A graded stakes winner at Gulfstream earlier this year, Grace Hall finished a good third in the Kentucky Oaks prior to returning on July 14 to effortlessly take the Delaware Oaks (GII). Though she does not have a grade one victory to her credit this year, I believe Grace Hall is among the top two of this division and she could prove that in the Alabama.

In Lingerie: A filly who has never finished out of the money, In Lingerie scored her first graded stakes victory in her graded stakes debut, dominating the Bourbonette Oaks (GIII) at Turfway in March. She then overcame great trouble to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GIII) before finishing a decent third in the July 21 Coaching Club American Oaks.

Karlovy Vary: This filly broke through with a win in the Ashland, but then finished a poor twelfth in the Kentucky Oaks. However, Karlovy Vary then rebounded with an easy win in an allowance optional claiming over the Churchill Downs turf. She recently finished a decent third in the Nani Rose Stakes over Saratoga's turf course.

Lady of Shamrock: Recent winner of the American Oaks Stakes (GI), Lady of Shamrock has not finished off the board this year. A filly with an obvious affinity for Southern California turf courses, Lady of Shamrock could certainly have an advantage come the Breeders’ Cup. Obviously, this filly is more effective on turf than dirt, but I believe she is among the very best turf fillies in this division. She will likely race next in the Del Mar Oaks (GI).

My Miss Aurelia
Photo by Terri Cage

My Miss Aurelia: The champion juvenile filly from last year, My Miss Aurelia has not made a start yet this year due to a shin injury. However, she has been working steadily and is currently at Saratoga, preparing for a possible start in the Monmouth Oaks (GIII).

On Fire Baby: This filly was a top two-year-old last year, winning two graded stakes at Churchill. Following a good effort against males at Oaklawn, On Fire Baby won the Honeybee Stakes (GIII). However, she has been lackluster since then, finishing fifth in the Kentucky Oaks and fourth in the Acorn. She has had no workouts in the past sixty days.


Potesta: After finishing third in her debut in March, Potesta crushed a field in a mile and one-sixteenth maiden at Hollywood over the cushion track. Most recently, she took the Hollywood Oaks (GII) by a nose. She has plenty of learning to do, but is full of raw talent.

Questing: A filly who began her career in Great Britain, Questing took a while to get into the swing of things in the United States. She broke through with an easy victory in an allowance optional claiming at Belmont Park, following up that win with a green but dominant triumph in the Coaching Club American Oaks. She still has some growing up to do, but I believe Questing is among the best two in this division.

Reneesgotzip: A filly who has never competed outside of California, this daughter of City Zip won the Santa Ynez Stakes (GII) in January prior to finishing second in both the Las Virgenes and the Santa Anita Oaks. Her most recent start came in early May, when she won an allowance at Hollywood Park. She has not posted a work since May 21.

Stephanie’s Kitten: The winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII) and Alcibiades Stakes (GI) was third in the Ashland prior to winning the ungraded Edgewood Stakes over the Churchill Downs turf course. She recently finished a close fourth in the Lake George, experiencing a tough trip.

Winding Way: A full sister to the brilliant two-year-old maiden winner Kauai Katie, this filly has proven to be as impressive as her sister. After winning a six-furlong maiden at Hollywood Park by nearly five lengths, the filly dominated a six and one-half-furlong allowance optional claiming by 7 ¼ lengths at Del Mar. She will need to show what she can do against graded stakes company, but this is certainly a remarkable filly.

Zo Impressive: This gray filly dominantly won her first two career starts at Gulfstream Park early this year, the latter of which she defeated In Lingerie in. Following a runner-up finish behind Grace Hall in the Gulfstream Oaks Stakes (GII) and another second-place finish in the Acorn, Zo Impressive took the Mother Goose. She then finished a sound second behind Questing in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

This division seems to be one that consists of horses that take turns beating each other. Grace Hall and Questing appear to be at the top, but Eden's Moon and Lady of Shamrock are certainly at the top of the turf three-year-old fillies, though Karlovy Vary and Stephanie's Kitten could continue to rebound. Horses like In Lingerie, Winding Way, and Zo Impressive should not be ignored, either. This division has some sorting out to do.

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The Legacy of Frankel

Bobby Frankel will forever be remembered as one of the greatest trainers the sport of kings has ever seen. The Hall of Fame trainer, who won over 3,000 races throughout his storied career, sadly succumbed to leukemia in November of 2009. But little did the racing world know at the time, a bay yearling awaited his chance to keep Bobby Frankel’s legacy alive.

That colt was Frankel, a Thoroughbred obviously named for the legendary conditioner. The son of Galileo was a homebred for Juddmonte Farms, Prince Khalid Abdulla’s stable for which Bobby Frankel trained many horses, including the grade one winners Champs Elysees, Empire Maker, Intercontinental, and Ventura. The bay was viewed as the best of Juddmonte’s 2009 yearling crop and was thus named in honor of the five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer.

A better horse could not have been chosen to honor Bobby Frankel. Frankel debuted on August 13, 2010 at Newmarket, winning by a half-length over the eventual multiple group one-winning Nathaniel. His stakes debut came in the Frank Whittle Partnership Conditions Stakes, in which the stunning bay defeated just two other horses en route to a thirteen-length victory.

Frankel made two more starts as a juvenile, taking the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (GII) by ten lengths in his penultimate start of 2010. Less than a month later, the Henry Cecil trainee took on five rivals to capture the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (GI) at Newmarket, crossing the wire before two eventual group one victors. With his spectacular undefeated record as a two-year-old, Frankel was named the 2010 Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.

Frankel’s two-year-old season was good enough for a horse to carry on Bobby Frankel’s legacy. But the son of Galileo didn’t stop at “good enough.” Rather, he returned to the races in April 2011 to display the same greatness as the trainer he was named for.

His 2011 debut came in the Greenham Stakes (GIII) at Newbury, which he won by four lengths before capturing the first leg of the English Triple Crown, the 2,000 Guineas (GI), by six lengths two weeks later. In the 2,000 Guineas, Frankel defeated twelve others, including three past or eventual group one winners.

Less than two months later came Frankel’s closest call yet. Contesting over one mile at the prestigious Royal Ascot meet in the St. James’s Palace Stakes (GI), Frankel took the lead as the field turned for home, drawing away. However, his stride slowed as he neared the wire, allowing the others to grow closer. Yet he held off the group one-winning Zoffany by three-quarters of a length, keeping his flawless record intact.

Frankel returned to his usual effortless winning ways in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes (GI) next out, taking the four-horse race by five lengths en route to overtaking two group one winners. He did not go to post for over two months, returning in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (GI) at Ascot, defeating four past or future group one winners.

The Queen Elizabeth II was the final start of Frankel’s three-year-old campaign, which saw him garner the Cartier Award for not only Champion Three-Year-Old Male, but Horse of the Year. He returned the next May in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, leaving the others five lengths behind.

But the Lockinge was only a hint of what was to come. A month later, Frankel made his second start at the most renowned race meet in the world, Royal Ascot. Going to post in the first race of the meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes (GI), Frankel commenced Royal Ascot in style. Rating off the leaders, the magnificent bay awaited the cue from regular rider Tom Queally, kicking clear easily when that signal came.

Displaying the brilliance that makes him one of the greatest racehorses to ever look through a bridle, Frankel accelerated beautifully within the final yards. Leaving jaws dropping, hands applauding, tears rolling, and voices cheering, Frankel galloped to an incredible eleven-length victory, further confirming his greatness as he extended his perfect record to eleven-for-eleven.

On August 1, 2012, Frankel became the only horse to win the Sussex Stakes twice when he blew past a field of three others to take the group one race at the Glorious Goodwood meeting. Queally appeared to be a statue in the saddle as the other horses began to be asked by their riders, but once Queally set down on him, Frankel exploded, kicking away to win by five lengths much to the delight of racing fans – but certainly not to their surprise.

Behind Frankel’s success is an outstanding pedigree fit for a champion. With just a glance at his pedigree, it is obvious that Frankel is royally bred. With names such as Buckpasser, Blushing Groom, Flower Bowl, Northern Dancer, Prince John, and Ribot lacing his pedigree, you can take a glimpse at Frankel’s bloodlines and be more than satisfied. Yet, his pedigree becomes even more remarkable the more you study it.

Frankel’s sire is the tremendous Epsom Derby (GI)-winning Galileo, who has sired over twenty group one winners, such as Cape Blanco, Galikova, Misty for Me, Nathaniel, New Approach, Red Rocks, Rip Van Winkle, Sixties Icon, Together, and Treasure Beach. The multiple group one-winning Galileo was nearly guaranteed to be a spectacular sire, being the result of a mating between two top producers.

The sire of Galileo is none other than the great Sadler's Wells, one of the greatest sires the world has ever seen. The multiple group one-winning son of Northern Dancer was the leading sire by earnings in the United Kingdom for ten years straight and for twelve years total. His produce record was so influential that Sadler's Wells is listed as a chef-de-race, or a quality sire that has had a dominant effect on the Thoroughbred breed. Sadler's Wells has proven to be an incredible sire of sires, producing not only Galileo, but the outstanding Montjeu, as well as Barathea, El Prado, High Chaparral, In the Wings, and King’s Theatre.

Galileo’s dam is the absolutely tremendous mare Urban Sea, which makes him a half-brother to the great champion Sea the Stars, as well as the grade one-winning My Typhoon, the group stakes-winning Urban Ocean, the stakes-winning and group one-placed horses Born to Sea and Melikah, and the group stakes-placed Cherry Hinton. He is also a full brother to the multiple group one-winning Black Sam Bellamy and the group stakes-winning All Too Beautiful.

Frankel also receives an outstanding influence from his dam, Kind. The bay mare was a successful racehorse herself, capturing two stakes races. In addition to producing Frankel, Kind has foaled the group stakes-winning Bullet Train – who Frankel has ironically defeated in his past four starts – and the group stakes-winning Noble Mission.

Kind’s sire is a horse who was the leading sire in four different countries, the incredible Danehill, who has sired over three hundred stakes winners. He has been a highly successful broodmare sire, siring the dams of such horses as the group one winners Art Connoisseur, Cima de Triomphe, Danedream, Teofilo, and Vengeance of Rain.

The dam of Kind is the group stakes-winning Rainbow Lake, who also produced the multiple group one-winning Powerscourt and the group one-placed Last Train. Rainbow Lake is a daughter of Rainbow Quest, a son of Blushing Groom who has been a top broodmare sire. The champion is the damsire of such group one winners as Look Here, Samitar, and Spanish Moon.

Frankel is a descendant of the prolific female family one, the same female family responsible for many of the greatest racehorses to grace the racetracks of the world. Such descendants include the all-time greats Buckpasser, Genuine Risk, Rachel Alexandra, and Sword Dancer.

Yes, Frankel’s pedigree is a large part of his greatness, but one must believe it was meant to be that this special colt would become one of the greatest horses of all-time to honor Bobby Frankel. This horse has captured the hearts of not only racing fans in England, but racing fans across the world, inspiring people with his brilliance. The legacy of Frankel will never be forgotten – trainer nor horse.

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Paynter Dominates the Haskell

The Haskell Invitational (GI) has consistently proven to be a top race for the best three-year-olds in the nation, seeing such champions as Lookin at Lucky, Rachel Alexandra, and Big Brown capture the victory in Monmouth Park’s most esteemed race in recent years. With a three-year-old division that has fallen apart with the retirement of both of the Triple Crown race winners, the Haskell served as a launching pad for any sophomore colt to jump up and take the lead in the second half of the season.

Paynter certainly made a case for himself when he dominated the Haskell on Saturday. A colt I have followed since his maiden, Paynter did not break sharply from the third gate in the six-horse field that included two grade one winners and was forced to gallop behind Wood Memorial (GI) winner Gemologist into the first turn. He was visibly rank, throwing his head up in the air, but eventually settled beneath Rafael Bejarano. With a position on the outside, Paynter remained just off the steady pace as Gemologist led the six-horse field down the backstretch.

As the field entered the far turn, Paynter inched up beside Gemologist without any urging from Bejarano, garnering a slight lead as the field neared the quarter pole. Before the far turn ended, Paynter had a one-length lead on the others, appearing home-free as the three-year-olds turned for home. Despite a rally from Nonios, Paynter accelerated, continuing to kick clear as the others struggled to keep up. With ease, Paynter flashed under the wire 3 ¾ lengths ahead in a good final time of 1:48.87 for nine furlongs, giving Bob Baffert his sixth Haskell victory and third consecutive win in the $1,000,000 race.

Paynter first caught my attention when he captured his debut in style in February, coming from off the pace to dominate the small field in a maiden special weight sprint at Santa Anita by 4 ¼ lengths. His head toss in late stretch confused many, but it was revealed that his forelock had become unbraided and flew into his ear, bothering him but not keeping him from easily coasting to victory.

The son of Awesome Again has remained on my radar ever since then, and before he even contested in a stakes race, I declared him a future superstar. Paynter made his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby (GI), finishing a respectable fourth behind eventual Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI)-winning I’ll Have Another. He then finished a close second behind another colt I have followed since the early stages of his career, Hierro, in The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes (GIII) over an off track at Churchill Downs.

Paytner returned to the winner’s circle at Pimlico on Preakness day, dominating an allowance. This set him up for a race that caught the attention of many: the Belmont Stakes (GI). Setting the pace in the mile and one-half journey, Paytner battled Union Rags – a colt I followed from his second start until the end of his career – in late stretch, only to fall a neck short.

Though Paynter did not receive a trip to the winner’s circle, he received the recognition of many. Several dubbed him and his stablemate, Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister (a colt I have followed since his second start), the best three-year-olds remaining after the retirement of both I’ll Have Another and Union Rags.

With his impressive Haskell victory, Paynter confirmed himself as one of the top three-year-olds in the nation, if not the best still in training. In order to catch up with I’ll Have Another as far as the Eclipse Award is concerned, the Taylor Made Sales graduate will need to capture more grade ones and defeat elders, but this colt is clearly very talented and has a great chance to do so.

It is certainly a stretch to declare him as this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner, especially with several top older horses and Bodemeister waiting in the wings, but if Paynter is bred for any race, it’s the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His sire is Awesome Again, winner of the 1998 Classic and sire of Awesome Gem (third-place finisher in the 2007 Classic), Game on Dude (runner-up in the 2011 Classic and one of the leading contenders for this year’s Classic), and Ghostzapper (winner of the 2004 Classic). Intriguingly, Paynter’s dam, Tizso, is a full sister to the only horse to ever win the Classic twice, Tiznow.

No one knows what Paynter’s future holds, but you can be sure that I readily await what it does. This is certainly one of the top racehorses in the country and with a career that has only see him race six times, Paynter likely has more in store for racing fans.

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