After the Auction: Fascinating

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

$1.3 million is the price tag attached to Fascinating’s name. A half-sister to the brilliant grade one winner Bodemeister, the filly sold for this large amount at the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale as the third-highest priced yearling and one of my selections at the near-two-week-long auction.

Put into training with the same Hall of Fame trainer as Bodemeister, Bob Baffert, Fascinating finished third in a pair of maiden special weights at Del Mar at the beginning of her career. Tracking the pace in each of these contests, Fascinating could do no better than third, though she closed more impressively in her second start than she did in her debut.

Despite having never won a race, the Virginia-bred filly’s connections thought highly enough of her to enter her in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (GI). Facing seven other talented juvenile fillies, Fascinating broke slowly and, as a result, raced near the back of the pack as the field galloped down the backstretch. With nearly 10 lengths separating her from the leaders, Fascinating remained comfortable as the trailer as the fillies entered the far turn.

Under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Fascinating began to make her move, swinging to the outside and making slight contact with Bajan around the bend while struggling to change to the desired lead while doing so. Once she found her best stride, however, her turn of foot devastated her nearby rivals as she raced toward She’s A Tiger. In spite of her impressive closing run, Fascinating ran out of time and distance, finishing a diminishing ½-length behind the winner.

Although Fascinating is still a maiden, she has proven herself as an incredibly talented filly. Without ever visiting the winner’s circle, the filly has found stakes success and is sure to find more in the future.

Pedigree Analysis

Obviously, being a half-sibling to a grade one-winning, multiple classic-placed horse in Bodemeister, Fascinating stems from a strong female family. Her dam is the graded stakes-winning mare Untouched Talent, who earned over $240,000 in her career. Untouched Talent’s bloodlines bring to the table a large amount of powerhouse sires. She is a daughter of the great sire Storm Cat, who is also an incredibly successful broodmare sire, being the damsire of brilliant horses such as the champions Folklore and Speightstown, as well as several grade one winners, including Dialed In, Sky Mesa, and Sidney’s Candy. Untouched Talent is also a granddaughter of the great sire A.P.Indy, who is the sire of her multiple graded stakes-winning dam Parade Queen. In just her first five generations, Untouched Talent traces back to a plethora of influential sires, including Northern Dancer, Roberto, Bold Ruler, Princequillo, Nijinsky, and Buckpasser. Notably, she is a direct descendant of the foundation mare of family 1-n – the stakes-winning Reine De Course mare Chelandry – thus allowing Fascinating to descend from the same tail female line as the dual-classic-winning champion Swaleand the group one-winning Americain.

Fascinating is a daughter of the elite sire Smart Strike, who topped the North American sires list in 2007 and 2008. A Canadian Hall of Famer, Smart Strike is also the sire of the champions Curlin, English Channel, Lookin At Lucky, My Miss Aurelia, and Soaring Free. Smart Strike is a son of Mr. Prospector, one of the most influential stallions to ever live. The Mr. Prospector sire line has produced an astounding number of champions, including six Horse of the Year honorees in the United States.

After the Auction: Cadron

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

Each year, Bob Baffert unveils a contingent of gifted two-year-olds “where the turf meets the surf, down at old Del Mar.” With the names of grade one winners like Behaving Badly, Bob and John, Congaree, Indian Charlie, Midnight Lute, Midshipman, Point Given, Power Broker, Rolling Fog, Silver Charm, and Vindication on that list, one better take notice when a Baffert trainee debuts at Del Mar.

Among Baffert’s first-time starters this year at the seaside track is Cadron – a filly that sold at the OBS March Sale earlier this year as one of my selections for $370,000. A half-sister to one of my Keeneland April Sale selections from last year, Brown Eyes Blue, Cadron was sent off as the heavy favorite in a seven-horse field in maiden special weight going five furlongs over Del Mar’s synthetic track.

Setting a brisk pace while being pressured by the second betting choice, Cadron began to draw clear around the far turn and carried that lead into the stretch. Although her final winning margin was cut short to a neck after the closing finish of a longshot, Cadron displayed professionalism in just her first start, suggesting their is plentiful room for improvement.

Pedigree Analysis

Cadron is sired by Broken Vow, a terrific sire of fillies who has yielded the likes of the grade one-winning females Cotton Blossom, Sassy Image, and Unbridled Belle. A son of Unbridled, Broken Vow shares his sire with numerous spectacular stallions, including Empire Maker and the late Unbridled’ Song.

The dam of Cadron is Golden Lips, a Live Oak Plantation homebred. Golden Lips is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-winning Hotstufanthensome, the graded stakes-winning Silver Charades, and the multiple black-type-winning Tacit Agreement. Through her dam, Cadron is a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare Golden Trail, who produced several stakes performers, including the graded stakes-winning Java Moon.

Cadron’s broodmare sire is Silver Ghost, the sire of 49 stakes victors. Silver Ghost is also the damsire of the graded stakes-winning half-brothers Chelokee and Salute the Sarge. The Broken Vow/Mr. Prospector sire line on which Cadron is bred has produced a high percentage of winners, including the graded stakes winner Jimanator, as well as six additional stakes winners.

Juvenile Spotlight 9/4/12

Archwarrior (8/30): Before the colt even set foot in a post parade, Archwarrior was very highly touted. Rumors had been circulating that this colt was brilliant. His maiden victory didn’t live up to expectations, but was at least somewhat impressive. Heavily favored and steadily ridden throughout the race, the Todd Pletcher trainee broke well and was urged towards the front, finding a position just off Transparent. Through brisk fractions, Archwarrior pressed the leader with urging from John Velazquez before sweeping to the lead at the end of the far turn. Under strong handling from Velazquez, Archwarrior drew away to win by 3 ¼ lengths. Bred on the same Arch/Seeking the Gold cross as Blame, this colt is much better suited to long distances than the six-furlong journey he debuted at.

My Happy Face (8/31): Runner-up to the now graded stakes-placed Teen Pauline, My Happy Face absolutely crushed rivals in her second career start, leading from start to finish to triumph by an astounding 21 ¼ lengths against a small field. By Tiz Wonderful, a graded stakes winner as a juvenile sired by Tiznow, and out of a stakes-winning Siberian Summer mare, My Happy Face shares the same broodmare sire as the grade one-winning Creative Cause.

Micromanage (9/1): After a slow break, Micromanage sat mid-pack before John Velazquez began urging him steadily with his hands, guiding him closer to the lead. By the time the field turned for home, the colt had the lead and drew away from there, coasting to a 5-length victory. Though the time of 1:23.01 for seven furlongs wasn’t exactly spectacular, the colt completed the final furlong in 12.29 seconds. After all, Micromanage is bred more for routing than sprinting and not only just because he is a son of Medaglia d’Oro. He is a half-brother to the multiple graded stakes-winning Indescribable and a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare T.C. Kitten, which makes him a member of the same family as the Belmont Stakes (GI)-winning Editor’s Note. 

Pure Indy (9/1): Following a poor start that left her in the back of a large field as the maidens raced down the Del Mar backstretch, Pure Indy remained at the rear during most of the race. However, she hit a new gear midway through the far turn, being swung to the outside by Victor Espinoza to begin her rally. With strong left-handed urging, the chestnut filly flew towards the leaders as Espinoza stopped urging her in the final yards, allowing her to sweep by en route to a 1 ¼-length victory. By Pure Prize and out of an A.P Indy mare that is a half-sister to the multiple grade one-winning Pure Clan, this filly is very similarly bred to Pure Clan.

Goldencents (9/2): The favorite in a field that had only one experienced runner, Goldencents led from start to finish at Del Mar, galloping to a highly impressive 7 ¼-length triumph. As if the winning margin wasn’t impressive enough, the final time for five and one-half furlongs – 1:02.79 – was only .09 seconds off the track record. By Into Mischief and out of a Banker’s Gold mare, Goldencents’ bloodlines aren’t the most regal and certainly don’t suggest that he’s the next Belmont winner, but regardless, this colt is very talented.

Noble Tune (9/3): Debuting against a field of ten, Noble Tune proved his talent while also benefitting from the brilliant Ramon Dominguez at Saratoga. Coming from mid-pack, Noble Tune swept to a 3 ½-length victory, completing the final sixteenth of a mile in an impressive 5.65 seconds. By the successful sire Unbridled’s Song and out of a Storm Cat mare, this colt’s third dam is the champion Serena’s Song. He is without a doubt royally bred and looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

Juvenile Spotlight 8/29/12

Off My Cloud (8/15): This Graham Motion trainee won at first asking, dominating a Delaware Park maiden special weight by 10 ½ lengths without Lasix. By Belong to Me and out of a Storm Boot mare, Off My Cloud is no twelve-furlong horse but can certainly extend beyond the five and one-half-furlong distance she debuted at. She is a half-sister to the black-type-placed Cop a Tude.

Unabashed (8/17): One of many Todd Pletcher trainees to break its maiden at Saratoga, this filly came from mid-pack and despite traffic troubles, Unabashed took her debut by an easy 4 ½ lengths while being hand-ridden by John Velazquez. Beautifully bred, Unabashed is a daughter of Elusive Quality, known for siring Quality Road and Smarty Jones, and is out of a graded stake-winning Forty Niner mare. This filly certainly should not be restricted to sprints, as she can handle distance.

Notacatbutallama (8/20): Runner-up in his debut, this Repole Stable-owned Todd Pletcher trainee (sound familiar?) broke his maiden at Saratoga in his second start, sitting just off the lead before drawing away in late stretch to win by 6 ½ lengths, completing the final sixteenth of a mile in a jaw-dropping 5.84 seconds. By a successful son of the great Storm Cat in Harlan’s Holiday, Notacatbutallama’s damsire is the Preakness Stakes (GI) and Belmont Stakes (GI)-winning Hansel. It would not surprise me in the least if this New York-bred stretched out in distance and took to the dirt.

Bourbon Twist (8/22): This filly broke slowly and found herself near the back of the pack after the start of her debut, a mile and one-sixteenth maiden special weight over Saratoga’s turf course. As a slow pace was set, the Chad Brown trainee settled about four lengths off the lead as the two-year-olds galloped down the backstretch. Bourbon Twist remained nonchalant as the far turn commenced, but suddenly, she hit another gear and within just a matter of strides, took the lead. She only lengthened that lead, crossing the wire 4 ¼ lengths ahead of the others. By Canadian champion Langfuhr and out of a Cozzene mare, Bourbon Twist is likely not a long distance runner but should continue to relish the turf and proceed to display her talent.

Magical Moon (8/24): A disappointing fifth in her debut, which came at Churchill Downs in June, this filly’s second start came on August 24 at Saratoga, in which she broke roughly but found a position off the leaders, who set brisk fractions as the five and one-half-furlong turf maiden special weight proceeded. Impressively, the filly accelerated to take the lead as the race for home began, drawing away to a 10 ¼-length victory beneath Rosie Napravnik. By Malibu Moon and out of a graded stakes-winning Lord At War mare, Magical Moon could have success on any surface – though most likely turf – and could certainly stretch out.

Honorable Dillon (8/25): Following a third-place finish in his debut, this colt broke his maiden in his second career start at Saratoga. After being unwilling to go into the gate, Honorable Dillon bobbled at the start and after slowly gaining his momentum, the Eddie Kenneally trainee was guided to the lead by Jose Lezcano. Under generous urging, the colt galloped away to a 1 ¾-length victory. By Tapit and out of a Shy Tom mare, Honorable Dillon appears to be more suited to distances under nine furlongs.

Sign (8/26): Breaking from the inside post, this filly joined the front-running contingent, settling just behind the leaders as the juvenile fillies raced down the backstretch. With Rosie Napravnik aboard, Sign remained on the rail as she stalked the leaders into the far turn, but swung to the outside as the field turned for home. Racing far wide, Sign galloped away from the field with absolute ease, crushing her rivals by an outstanding 11 ¾ lengths. By Pulpit and out of a stakes-winning daughter of Mighty, this filly has the perfect pedigree for nine furlongs, but also could extend beyond that. Her bloodlines hint that she will be very versatile, as her pedigree is full of indications that she could run over any surface.

After the Auction: Nechez Dawn

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. This is the fourth edition in a blog series called "After the Auction" that will feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an "After the Auction" features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a "Juvenile Spotlight."

Her hooves pounded and her breaths came in sync with her stride as her rider asked her for everything she had. Standing along the rail, I watched as the bay filly thundered down the stretch, flying across the wire in a blink of an eye. Little did I know, the two-year-old that had just galloped past me to record a furlong work in 10 2/5 seconds would become a stakes winner at one of the premier summer meets in the nation.

Nechez Dawn
Photo by Terri Cage

The filly that had just galloped past me was one of my top picks for the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale. Since Past the Grandstand did not exist at the time, Nechez Dawn was not featured on my blog at the time of the sale, at which she brought $51,000 as the fifth highest-priced horse in the sale, but considering she has become one of my most successful sale selections yet, it is time to feature this talented filly!

Nechez Dawn debuted in March of this year at Gulfstream Park, going five furlongs over the turf. Settling just off the leader, Nechez Dawn aided in setting brisk fractions before drawing clear in the stretch. Despite drifting out severely in the stretch, the bay filly galloped to a three-length victory, posting a final time of 56.82.

The filly suffered her first defeat when going six furlongs over the synthetic track at Keeneland, finishing fifth in allowance. However, she rebounded when she returned to the turf next out in an allowance at Arlington Park. Going straight to the lead, Nechez Dawn battled Zingwella on the front-end, but maintained her advantage throughout the approximate five-furlong race. Despite drifting out in the stretch, Nechez Dawn continued to lead, gamely outdueling her rivals to garner a 1 ¼-length victory.

Nechez Dawn was then entered in the Del Mar Paddock Sale, at which she sold for $125,000 as the second highest-priced horse to successfully sell. Landing in Jeff Bonde’s stable for Ten Broeck Farm, Inc., Nechez Dawn made her southern California debut in Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar on Friday, August 10.

With a sharp break from the gate, Nechez Dawn united with seven other fillies and mares to embark on the five-furlong journey over Del Mar’s turf course. She was immediately roused to the lead by Edwin Maldonado, quickly forming a two-length lead on the others. The others grew closer to her, but Nechez Dawn maintained her lead, setting brisk fractions while galloping along at odds of 7-1.

Nechez Dawn continued to lead as she swung off the far turn, going wide but still holding her advantage on the others. Despite drifting outwards as the others charged, Nechez Dawn did not let her rivals surpass her and crossed the wire a triumphant half-length ahead of her opponents.

Sired by Indian Charlie, a tremendous sire of principally speedy horses, Nechez Dawn shares the same sire as the champions Fleet Indian, Indian Blessing, and Uncle Mo, as well as such grade one winners as Liaison and Pampered Princess.

Nechez Dawn’s dam is a daughter of Valid Appeal, a stallion well known for producing the productive sires Successful Appeal and Valid Expectations. He is also the broodmare sire of the champion Soy Conquistador, as well as the group one winners Big City Man, Exciting Story, and Splendid Blended.

Nechez Dawn’s pedigree is not one to get you tremendously excited, but despite her tendency to drift in late stretch, her racing ability should get you excited. This is certainly a very talented turf sprinter and following her career has been very rewarding – just as it always is to follow a horse from a sale throughout its racing career.

SUCCESS SINCE THIS ARTICLE:
Finished 2nd:
Skillful Joy Stakes
Very One Stakes

Juvenile Spotlight: He's Had Enough and Spurious Precision

Just a matter of minutes apart, a pair of two-year-old colts turned in impressive performances, stamping themselves as serious potential superstars. Though racing at different levels, both colts won at the premier summer meet on their side of the country, signing their names in the book of two-year-olds to watch.

He’s Had Enough

With his name and connections, one can’t help but remember the victor of this year’s Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI), I’ll Have Another. Perhaps his name is in reference to cookies as well, or maybe not… No matter what his name refers to, this is a talented colt.

Going to post in a maiden special weight at Del Mar, He’s Had Enough broke poorly from the fourth gate with Garrett Gomez aboard and thus found himself behind the majority of the field, running nearly ten lengths off the frontrunner. With not a single horse beaten in the opening stages in the race, it was clear that He’s Had Enough had his work cut out for him. He shortly passed one horse, but continued to be far off the front end.

Gradually, the light gray colt grew closer to the leaders and as Gomez set to work aboard him midway through the far turn, it was clear that He’s Had Enough was ready to make up ground. Suddenly, the colt gained much speed and was pulled to the outside by Gomez with sights set on the lead. Despite being forced to go five-wide, the colt found his best stride at the top of the stretch and wore down Caballo Del Cielo. Though he ran greenly, He’s Had Enough flew past Caballo Del Cielo in the final strides as Gomez sat still.

Bred for early success, He’s Had Enough is a son of Tapit – the sire of 2011 Champion Two-Year-Old Male Hansen, as well as 2008 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Stardom Bound. Tapit is also the sire of such grade one winners as Careless Jewel, Tapitsfly, and Zazu. Tapit is a son of Pulpit, who is also the sire of the successful stallion Sky Mesa. Pulpit is of course a son of the great A.P. Indy, the sire of twenty-six grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which He’s Had Enough descends has been highly successful, as A.P. Indy is also the sire of such productive studs as Bernardini, Congrats, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, and Stephen Got Even. 

He’s Had Enough’s dam is the black-type-winning Amelia, who has also produced the black-type-winning Kindergarden Kid and the track record-setting Tiz True. Amelia is a half-sister to the group stakes-winning Bertolini and the stakes-winning Alchemilla. Her granddam is Reine De Course mare and 1983 Broodmare of the Year, Courtly Dee, who produced an incredible seven graded stakes winners, including the champion Althea, as well as two graded stakes-placed horses. Other direct descendants of Courtly Dee include the grade one-winning horses Acoma, Balletto, and Arch, as well as the champion Festival of Light.

With Dixieland Band as his damsire, He’s Had Enough shares the same broodmare sire as the grade one winners Diamondrella, Monarchos, Southern Image, and Street Sense, as well as the graded stakes winners Blues and Royals, Eight Belles, Freefourinternet, Queen of Wilshire, and Secret Circle.

He’s Had Enough’s pedigree suggests that he will be able to stretch out to longer distances and with Alydar, A.P. Indy, Northern Dancer, and Unbridled – all horses who succeeded at classic distances – in just the first three generations of his pedigree, he certainly has a chance to be victorious at classic distances in the future. Perhaps he can follow in the footsteps of I’ll Have Another.

Spurious Precision

Last year, Union Rags frolicked en route to an easy win in the Saratoga Special Stakes (GII). The son of Dixie Union would go on to win the Belmont Stakes (GI). On August 12, a grandson of Dixie Union, Spurious Precision, easily won the Saratoga Special.

Spurious Precision has even more distance limitations in his pedigree than people believed Union Rags had. His sire, High Cotton, never won beyond a mile and one-sixteenth and when he attempted ten furlongs, he was defeated by 18 ¾ lengths. In addition, he has primarily been successful with siring sprinters, such as Currency Swap and Tarpy’s Goal.

The dam of Spurious Precision, Scarlet Combo, never won at a distance longer than six and one-half furlongs. In addition, she is a half-sister to the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Volterra, as well as the stakes-winning middle-distance horses Ennisbeg and Wolark.

Though Spurious Precision’s pedigree doesn’t hint for much of a future at routing, it does hint that he could become a successful racehorse – a feat he has already accomplished. After easily winning his debut at Saratoga last month, Spurious Precision went off as the heavy favorite in the Special.

Breaking sharply from gate three, Alan Garcia’s mount went straight to the lead, holding a half-length advantage over Southern Honor. Racing a few paths off the rail, the colt set a blistering first quarter of 21.35 while continuing to lead. Into the far turn, Spurious Precision maintained his half-length lead while Garcia remained stationary aboard him.

With a half-mile in an astounding 44.02, Spurious Precision had every right to fade as the field turned for home. Rather, he began to kick clear despite a rally from Drum Roll. His rivals chased after him, but the speedy colt would let no one by. In the final stages, he continued to draw away, crossing the wire in hand to triumph by five lengths.

Spurious Precision is clearly a brilliant individual and I believe he has a bright future should he be restricted to sprints and middle distances. The Special has of course launched the successful sprinters Henny Hughes and Kodiak Kowboy. We shall see what the future holds for him!

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Juvenile Spotlight: Capo Bastone and Know More

West Coast-based three-year-olds have proven to be among the very best in this year’s sophomore division. With the California-based I’ll Have Another taking the first two legs of the Triple Crown with fellow California horse Bodemeister just behind him, as well as Paynter emerging as perhaps the best three-year-old male with a runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes (GI) and a win in the Haskell Invitational (GI), it has been clear that California three-year-olds are leading the way. Will next year be the same? Over the weekend, a pair of two-year-olds at Del Mar suggested it just may be.

Capo Bastone

Last summer, a colt that brilliantly broke his maiden at Del Mar impressed me greatly, thus joining my watch list so that I could keep track of him. That colt was Secret Circle, eventual winner of not only the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint, but the Southwest Stakes (GIII) and the Rebel Stakes (GII). This year, one of the first two-year-olds to catch my attention at Del Mar was a colt by the name of Capo Bastone.

Sent off as the favorite in a field of nine, the John Sadler trainee found a position near the back of the pack as the horses galloped down the backstretch. As a brisk quarter mile of 21.66 was set, Capo Bastone remained eleven lengths off the lead, inching up along the rail as the horses moved around the far turn.

The colt had reached mid-pack by the time the field began to turn for home, but was forced to swing wide off the final curve. Garrett Gomez set to work aboard him, setting his sights on the two leaders. With an imposing turn of foot, Capo Bastone closed on the two frontrunners, appearing ready to fly by.

However, when Distinctiv Passion veered out, Gomez was forced to pull Capo Bastone to the outside. Despite having to change his course, Capo Bastone’s motivation was not greatly hindered and the chestnut colt continued to fly towards the lead without much urging from Gomez. With impressive ease, Capo Bastone crossed the wire a widening neck in front.

Capo Bastone is a son of the up-and-coming sire Street Boss, who has already proven to be a force to be reckoned with. 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, including impressive Saratoga maiden winner Top Tier Lass, but a stakes winner.

Capo Bastone’s dam is the black-type-placed Fight to Love, who has also produced the multiple graded stakes-winning C J’s Leelee. Fight to Love is a daughter of the Secretariat mare Love is Love and the multiple grade one-winning Fit to Fight. Fit to Fight is the broodmare sire of such stakes winners as Blind Date (also graded stakes-winning), Royal Assault, Sales Tax, and Upgrade (also graded stakes-winning).

Capo Bastone displayed not only the ability to overcome trouble and still win with ease, but he also exhibited sheer talent. Though he is not particularly bred for classic distances, he could likely go beyond sprinting distances. Nonetheless, this is a colt to watch.


Know More

J. Paul Reddam’s white and purple silks became easily recognizable this year when I’ll Have Another and Mario Gutierrez carried them to victory in the Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI). When they flashed across the Del Mar finish line on Sunday afternoon with a two-year-old named Know More, whispers of the future left the mouths of racing fans. Was this the next I’ll Have Another?

Usually, a horse begins its career in a maiden race – a race in which no horse is yet a winner. Rather than doing so, Know More commenced his racing life in a graded stakes race, the Best Pal Stakes (GII) to be exact. I’ll Have Another ran in this very race as a two-year-old, finishing second behind the eventual grade one-winning Creative Cause. Unlike I’ll Have Another, Know More crossed the wire a victor.

The bay colt broke sharply from the outside stall before settling a few lengths off the pace beneath Garrett Gomez as the juveniles galloped down the backstretch of the six and one-half-furlong event. Showing the ability to rate that many debuting juveniles do not show, Know More began to inch up on the outside as the far turn began.

With steady urging from Gomez, Know More loomed on the outside as the graded stakes-winning Amarish continued to lead. Still with several lengths to make up, Know More began to kick into gear as the far turn reached its end, being asked by Gomez to catch the leaders. Despite running a bit greenly, Know grew closer to Heir Kitty in the final yards before accelerating beautifully to pass him en route to a half-length victory.

Know More’s sire is Lion Heart, winner of the nine-furlong Haskell Invitational (GI) and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (GI) behind Smarty Jones. Lion Heart is also the sire of Dangerous Midge, winner of the twelve-furlong Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI); Line of David, winner of the nine-furlong Arkansas Derby (GI); and Soul Warrior, winner of the nine-furlong West Virgina Derby (GII). However, he has primarily sired speedy horses, such as the graded stakes-winning sprinters Agave Kiss, Heart Ashley, and Pretty Prolific. Nonetheless, Lion Heart is a son of Tale of the Cat, who, despite being a successful sprinter on the track, is well-known for siring Gio Ponti, a champion who won up to a mile and three-eighths.

Know More is likely to inherit more stamina influence from his dam, Seattle Qui. This mare is also the dam of the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Classical Slew. Despite the fact that Classical Slew was successful at sprinting distances, Know More’s broodmare sire is the 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, damsire of Astra, Boboman, Dangerous Midge, and Offlee Wild. The sire of Know More’s second dam is Spectacular Bid, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (GI). Interestingly, Know More’s third dam is the dam of the European champion Bakharoff.

He may not be the next I’ll Have Another, but Know More certainly appears to be a very gifted individual. It is not every day that a horse makes its debut in a graded stakes race and prevails. Know More is certainly a colt that has made the watch lists of many racing enthusiasts, including mine.

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Hy Lime Time: Finally!

Hy Lime Time
Photo: Terri Cage

As Hy Lime Time’s chestnut frame flew down the turf course at Remington Park, excitement began to build. He flashed under the wire in second, but he was incredibly impressive in defeat. After a horrible break in the seven and one-half-furlong maiden special weight for two-year-olds, the chestnut son of Limehouse rallied remarkably in late stretch to miss by a half-length. With his spectacular stretch run, Hy Lime Time gave his connections high hopes for his future.

Unfortunately, Hy Lime Time became sick and did not start again until March, finishing seventh on the main track at Fair Grounds. Before long, it seemed as if the colt could never win despite his obvious talent. From his first race onward, he lost thirteen races in a row. However, he had finished in good company, racing against the winners of three graded stakes and four ungraded stakes races altogether, including the grade one-winning Ultimate Eagle. He also raced against runners who had placed in a total of five graded stakes races and three ungraded stakes. He’d run at six different tracks, in five different states, on three different surfaces,and at five different distances.

I’d followed the colt since his maiden and each time he raced, I eagerly hoped that the unlucky chestnut would finally cross the wire in front. I couldn't wait to see him race in person. Dallas Keen, the colt’s trainer, and his wife, Donna, had raved about him and were clearly excited about his potential. It was obvious that he was a gifted colt but just couldn’t catch a break.

I hoped that he would catch that break on July 2, 2011, when I got to see him in person for the first time. I saw him in the barn that morning, along with True Swither, a gelding that would claim the seventh race on the Lone Star Park card for the Keens. After the seventh race, my parents, my best friend, and I ran into the Keens on the first floor of the grandstand. We congratulated them on True Swither’s win and Donna even told us that she’d have let us in the winner’s circle with them if we’d have been down there. I optimistically told her we would join them in the winner’s enclosure later that day after Hy Lime Time’s race.

As the ninth race approached, I stood along the rail of the saddling paddock with my parents and best friend. Hy Lime Time was the first horse that sauntered into the paddock, his beautiful chestnut coat gleaming as he carried himself with much class. He looked tremendous, exceeding my expectations for how grand of an individual he was.

We took our place along the rail as the maidens paraded in front of the grandstand. As the field of ten loaded into the starting gate for the mile and one-sixteenth race on the turf, I fixed my eyes on the first gate. When the horses broke from the starting gate, Hy Lime Time settled near the rear, traveling wide around the first turn.

As the field came around the far turn, I grew excited as Hy Lime Time began to make his move. He had to travel wide yet again, but he was absolutely flying onthe outside, displaying his usual electrifying late kick. My best friend and I found ourselves hopping up and down, cheering for the colt as if he was our own horse. With his long stride, the son of Limehouse strived to reach the wire first. But the finish line came too soon. I felt my heart sink as Hy Lime Time missed by a scant head. He’d been closing incredibly fast; the final sixteenth was in a time of 5.80 seconds. Despite the fact that he had lost, Hy Lime Time came cantering back to the frontside like a champion.

Hy Lime Time crossing the wire in his July 2, 2011 race
Photo: Terri Cage

Though I’d been a fan of his ever since the beginning of his career, witnessing his thrilling race in person led me to follow his racing endeavors even more closely. With each of his next six races, I was disappointed with yet another loss, but left with the hope that once he did break his maiden, it would be in spectacular fashion.

On opening night of Lone Star Park’s 2012 Thoroughbred meet, Hy Lime Time went to post for the fourteenth time. However, this time was different than all the other times he’d contested in a race; he was starting for a claiming tag for the first time. In the seven and one-half-furlong $25,000 claiming, Hy Lime Time was forwardly placed before taking the lead and never looking back, drawing away over a firm turf course to win by 7 ¼ lengths. Just as I’d hoped,the colt had broken his maiden in remarkable style. In addition, he was fortunately not claimed and therefore not taken away from the Keens and owners Roger Sofer and Jack Randall.

Finally entering the winner’s circle must have been a huge confidence boost for Hy Lime Time. He soon faced winners for the first time, taking a step up when he entered a first-level allowance race for May 6 at Lone Star. In yet another seven and one-half-furlong turf race, Hy Lime Time settled near the back of the pack around the first turn prior to inching forward in position down the backstretch. Rounding the far turn, the chestnut colt swung wide under Larry Taylor, striking to the lead and drawing away to an impressive 5 ¾-length victory, boosting his career earnings to $71,100.

It took him over a year and half to get it done, but now that Hy Lime Time has had his picture taken in the winner’s enclosure, he is on a roll. The potential for him to become a successful racehorse was there all along in his pedigree. A $23,000 yearling purchase at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale in Lexington, Kentucky, Hy Lime Time walked into the auction ring with a strong pedigree.

He is sired by Limehouse, a four-time graded stakes winner who stands at Vinery Stud in Kentucky. Since entering stud in 2006, the millionaire son of Grand Slam has sired the Canadian classic-winning Miami Deco, the graded stakes-winning Humble and Hungry, and the multiple stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Delightful Mary.

The dam of Hy Lime Time is Saratoga Rhythm, a daughter of the grade one-winning stallion Saratoga Six and the stakes-winning mare Dancing Blade. Saratoga Rhythm is also the dam of the multiple stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Saratoga’s Magic and the stakes-placed Six Numbers. Notably, Hy Lime Time’s fourth dam, Crème Brulee, is the dam of the multiple stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Cloudy Dawn – who finished third behind Riva Ridge in the 1972 Belmont Stakes – and Hedevar – who was a stakes winner and world record-equaling rabbit of the Hall of Famer Damascus.

From the outset, Hy Lime Time has had the potential to become a lucrative racehorse. Plagued by bad luck, the stunning chestnut colt has finally found his groove and could not look any better. Big things are expected from Hy Lime Time. They’ve always been expected; he just needed to break through with a victory. Now he has a pair of wins to his credit and seems to be a rising star. Not only would seeing him succeed and continue to improve be rewarding since I have followed him since the commencement of his racing career and have become attached to him through his races, but his connections certainly deserve a gifted horse like Hy Lime Time.

For a race replay of Hy Lime Time's allowance win, please click here.

6-4-12: Sadly, Hy Lime Time broke down at Lone Star Park on June 3, 2012 while making a dazzling move and is no longer with us. It was truly devastating and I missed him from the instant I found out he was gone. You will never be forgotten, Hy Lime Time. You were a special horse and one I will always hold dear to my heart. I can't believe you're gone. I love you, buddy.

Hy Lime Time
Photo by Mary Cage

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Derby Hopeful: Creative Cause

In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.

In the perfect San Diego weather, a stunning gray colt flashed across the synthetic track at Del Mar. TVG analysts had been raving about the juvenile all day long and I found myself eager to catch sight of him for the first time, though it would only be on a television screen. Nonetheless, his effortless strides impressed me as he swept to victory in his graded stakes debut. Creative Cause had just won the Best Pal Stakes (GII).

The gray two-year-old had only made one prior start, a five-furlong maiden special weight over Hollywood Park's all-weather surface. He'd galloped his way to a 4 3/4-length triumph in a final time of 56.90 seconds. Needless to say, he garnered the attention of many with that win and even more when he crossed the wire successfully next out in the Best Pal.




Creative Cause
Photo: Terri Cage


A month later, trainer Mike Harrington ran the colt in the Del Mar Futurity (GI). Creative Cause emerged from the starting gate as if he had been shot out of a cannon before settling off the leaders. His rally in the stretch was not as breathtaking as it had been in his previous two starts, but he still appeared to be in contention in mid-stretch. However, he was squeezed by Majestic City and Drill just before the wire and crossed the finish line in third before being bumped up into second.

He returned to his winning ways in the Norfolk Stakes (GI) in his following start, in which he made his dirt debut. After breaking cleanly from the gate, the gray colt found a stalking position in second for the majority of the race before pouncing to the lead near the end of the far turn. He continued to advance from there, striding along to a 3 1/4-length score.

Creative Cause competed against the best juveniles in the world on dirt in his subsequent race, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI). As usual, the Mike Harrington trainee settled off the pace before making his move on the far turn. Forgotten by many due to the thrilling battle between Union Rags and eventual winner Hansen, Creative Cause ran a game third, beaten just over a length.

It is clear that Creative Cause has racing talent, but his aptitude does not come to a halt there. He is also bred for success and to go the distance.

His sire, Giant's Causeway, was the 2000 European Horse of the Year and has since found himself in the top ten on the leading sires list seven times, topping the list twice. He, a horse that won at ten furlongs multiple times himself, is capable of producing routers. For instance, he is the sire of Giant Oak - winner of the Clark Handicap (GI, 9F) and Donn Handicap (GI, 9F), runner-up in the Washington Park Handicap (GIII, 9.5F) and Hawthorne Gold Cup (GII, 10F), and third-place finisher in the Breeders' Cup Marathon (GII, 14F). He has also produced Swift Temper, winner of the Delaware Handicap (GII, 10F), and Heatseeker, winner of Santa Anita Handicap (GI, 10F).

The dam of Creative Cause, Dream of Summer, was a very prosperous racehorse in her own right. She at one time won five races in a row, including the A Gleam Invitational Handicap (GII, 7F), the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (GIII, 6.5F), and the California Cup Matron Handicap (8.5F). Though that winning streak ended, Dream of Summer went on to win the Apple Blossom Handicap (GI, 8.5F) over champion Ashado, the Gardenia Handicap (GIII, 8F), and the California Cup Matron Handicap for the second year in a row.

Creative Cause hails from female family one, which is one of the most prolific families there is. This family has produced fourteen victors of the Run for the Roses, which ranks it second behind female family four in the number of Derby winners per family.

One major aspect other than track performances and pedigree that is important in the analysis of a Kentucky Derby contender is the conformation of the prospect. Creative Cause is not lacking in that department, either. Tying in well to his shoulder is his slender gray neck. His shoulder is long and sloping, causing him to be evenly balanced and to therefore possess a topline that is shorter in correlation to his underline. His impressive stride is aided by his long, powerful hip, which allows him to drive more from the hindquarters. He has long, quality muscling and stands on a straight, correct column of bone. Though he does not have perfect conformation, he definitely has the build of an athlete.

As one of the top juveniles of 2011, Creative Cause is already considered one of the top sophomores of 2012, though he will not start until February 19, when he makes his three-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita. As long as Creative Cause can continue to build on his already impressive race record, there is no reason why he should not be considered one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 138.


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Euroears Says Goodbye to the Track

On April 24, 2010, I stood along the rail at Lone Star Park as the field for the Texas Mile Stakes (GIII) made their way to the saddling paddock. I was familiar with several horses in the field and had seen many of them race before. I’d seen the eventual winner – Mythical Power – win the Lone Star Derby (GIII) the year before. I’d also watched Jonesboro – one of my personal favorites – race several times before, including his win in the 2009 Texas Mile. Also in the field was another personal favorite of mine, King Dan, who was trained by Dallas Keen, who I knew through the rescue he runs with his wife, Donna: Remember Me Rescue.

Euroears
Photo: Terri Cage

Little did I know, walking towards me along the rail was a horse that would capture my heart forever.  When I set sight on the stocky chestnut, my eyes widened as I realized how beautiful the horse was. The features of his face were very refined, including a bright eye. The white stripe on his face was made unique by two tiny brown spots in the middle of it. He carried himself with extreme class and as he moved past me, I was able to realize how well-built he was. He was a very well-balanced individual, possessing a long, sloping shoulder that allowed him to be evenly divided into thirds and have a shorter topline in relation to a longer underline. He was very muscular, having bulging forearms and gaskins and was wide through the chest and from stifle to stifle. With all of those characteristics plus being structurally correct, the Bret Calhoun trainee was an impeccable individual. I declared Euroears the most beautiful horse I’d ever seen.

Euroears ended up finishing second, crossing the wire just a neck behind the Bob Baffert-trained Mythical Power. With his dazzling beauty and gutsy performance, Euroears had captured my heart.

I saw him about a month later when he finished third in the mile and one-sixteenth Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII). I relished seeing him again, as I knew it was very likely the last time I would see him.

Flash back to three years earlier. Following a nine and one-half length victory in his debut at Lone Star, Euroears wheeled off five more consecutive victories, including wins in the F. W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes, Colonel Power Stakes, and Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Between those wins and his graded stakes efforts at Lone Star Park in 2010, Euroears won the Thanksgiving Handicap at Fair Grounds. All these races came for trainer Bret Calhoun. His last start for Calhoun came in a disappointing effort in the Firecracker Handicap (GII) on the turf at Churchill Downs.

Euroears
Photo: Terri Cage

Euroears did not return to the races until January of 2011. He was now in the hands of Bob Baffert in Southern California, where he had fired six bullets in the morning. He made his seven-year-old debut in the Palos Verdes Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita, drawing off to defeat five other talented horses, including the multiple grade one-winning Smiling Tiger, by two and one-quarter lengths. The final time for six furlongs was a dazzling 1:07.23.

His victory was enough to garner him a position in the starting gate in Dubai, where he took on some of the world’s best sprinters in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) in his next start. After setting the pace at Meydan, the chestnut fought valiantly to finish second to the multiple grade one-winning Singapore-based Rocket Man.

Euroears returned to the United States, but did not start again until the end of July, when he made a start in the Bing Crosby Stakes (GI). As usual, the strapping chestnut took the lead immediately and posted blazing fractions. He never looked back as he flew across the synthetic surface, his impressive muscles carrying him with tremendous speed along the track. He earned his first grade one victory by a length and one-quarter, leaving behind him the multiple grade one-winning Smiling Tiger, the eventual 2011 Champion Sprinter Amazombie, and the 2010 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, Kinsale King. Not only had he impressively defeated several talented sprinters, he had broken the Del Mar track record for six furlongs.

Euroears’ last four starts weren’t exactly up to par. He finished eighth in the Vosburgh Invitational Stakes (GI), in which he was impeded after the start. His effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) was very disappointing, as he was never really himself and faded to finish last. He rebounded slightly in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (GIII) at Hollywood Park after Thanksgiving, finishing fourth. In his final start, which came today in the Palos Verdes at Santa Anita, he broke poorly and didn't show his usual spark yet again, finishing fourth.

Euroears
Photo: Terri Cage

Though Euroears’ start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint was disappointing, I was able to catch my final glimpses of him on the track while he was under the Twin Spires for the championship races. A couple days before the Breeders’ Cup races began, as I was standing along the rail of the clubhouse turn at Churchill Downs, I saw a stocky chestnut jogging towards me. I scrutinized the horse and once I noticed the distinguishable face marking, I screeched Euroears’ name with excitement. The chestnut pricked his ears as he neared me and his exercise rider smiled at me as the pair jogged by. I kept my eyes glued to “my boy” as he jogged down the track. It was a relief to see him again.

Joyfully, I watched other Breeders’ Cup horses jog by, but I was on edge, waiting for Euroears to gallop by. Before long, I caught sight of the copper-colored horse galloping around the clubhouse turn. I fixed my camera on him, my eyes lighting up as he galloped in front of me. A couple days later, I would admire him along the rail one final time as he headed to post in the Sprint.

Euroears has taken me on a journey I never would have imagined a horse would take me on. It’s not often that a horse that dominantly breaks its maiden at my home track – Lone Star – goes on to win a grade one in track record-breaking fashion, let alone race in Dubai or at the Breeders’ Cup. I am very grateful to have seen Euroears in person several times.

He will now stand stud at JEH Stallion Station in Oklahoma and will breed to both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred mares. Euroears will now live out his days at JEH, which is where he belongs. Jim and Marilyn Helzer – who have owned Euroears since the beginning of his career – founded JEH in 1994. If there is anywhere Euroears should stay for the rest of his life, it’s with the Helzers.

About 150 miles south of the Oklahoma division of JEH Stallion Station is the track that started it all for Euroears: Lone Star Park. Someday, I hope to see sons and daughters there and at other tracks across the world, displaying the same scintillating speed as their sire.

Thanks for the memories, Euroears!

Photo: Terri Cage

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Derby Hopeful: Secret Circle

In 2011, I posted “Juvenile Spotlights” about two-year-olds I had followed since early on in their careers. Now that it’s 2012, everyone’s focus is on the Kentucky Derby. Some horses from past Juvenile Spotlights will be featured, as well as additional horses on the Derby trail.

Secret Circle captured my attention more so than any other two-year-old in 2011. On July 23, 2011, I kept my eyes glued to the television for the third race at Del Mar. As a two-year-old race, I was eager to see how the race would play out. A superstar could very well come out of the race.

When Secret Circle overcame his rail position and pounced to the lead in the early stages of the race, my eyes focused on the flashy bay. I had missed the post parade, so I hadn’t gotten a good look at the horses prior to the race. However, this colt just screamed class and I could tell he was a Bob Baffert trainee with his Mike Pegram silks and blue shadow roll. My eyes were riveted by the bay two-year-old and I didn’t look at any other horse as the juveniles raced down the backstretch of the synthetic track.

Secret Circle
Photo: Terri Cage

He moved beautifully, his knees flat and his stride fluid as he galloped along on the lead. With slight asking from Rafael Bejarano, Secret Circle accelerated and drew away from the field. In the final stages of the race, Bejarano geared the colt down and even pumped his fist after they crossed the wire. Secret Circle had impressed me exceedingly and galloped his way into my heart.

Immediately following the race, my words were, “I found my Derby horse!”

Not only had Secret Circle impressed me with the way he ran, but when I looked at his pedigree, I was left even more fascinated. He is by one of my personal favorite stallions, Eddington, who is by the Kentucky Derby (GI)- and Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI)-winning Unbridled. He is the second foal out of his dam, Ragtime Hope, who was a multiple stakes winner.

Secret Circle earned his spot in my Equibase Virtual Stable © and I followed him closely. However, he did not start for over eleven weeks. He made his return in the Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita. Not only was it his first start against stakes company, but it was his first start on dirt. It was not a problem, however. The son of the grade one-winning Eddington drew off to win the stakes by 5 ¼ lengths and was geared down late, though he drifted in slightly.

With his two remarkable victories, the last stop for the Bob Baffert trainee’s juvenile career was the inaugural Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint at Churchill Downs. I was excited to see the colt in person and was impressed by the class he carried himself with as he strolled past me, just inches away. I knew the race was his.

Photo: Terri Cage

The win didn’t come as easily as expected, at least in terms of winning margin. Secret Circle and Trinniberg set an absolutely wicked pace: the first quarter in 20.96, the first half in 44.55, and the initial five furlongs in 56.99. Secret Circle didn’t come home very quickly (13.53), but that was to be expected with the slow track labeled “good” and blazing fractions. He drifted out severely, but surely he was weary from the intense fractions and tiring track. Plus, he was running with blinkers for the first time.

Secret Circle returned to the work tab thirteen days after his Breeders’ Cup victory and has recorded six works since that win. The point of these works was to teach the fast colt to relax. He has been worked with and without blinkers, though the bay colt seems to be more relaxed without them. On December 22, he worked in company with Candrea without blinkers, relaxing several lengths behind her before catching up. Six days later, the colt went six furlongs in 1:10.80. He is expected to make his three-year-old debut in the Sham Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita on January 7, which would also be his two-turn debut.

Many people doubt Secret Circle’s ability to go long, but I believe that if Bob Baffert continues to train the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint-winning colt to relax, Secret Circle will have no problem routing. His sire, Eddington, was by Unbridled, a horse that placed in the top four of all three 1990 Triple Crown races – including a victory in the Kentucky Derby –, won the ten-furlong Breeders’ Cup Classic as a three-year-old, finished second in the ten-furlong Secretariat Stakes (GI) on turf, and finished third in the Breeeders’ Cup Classic as a four-year-old. Eddington himself won two mile and three-sixteenth races: the Pimlico Special Handicap (GI) and the Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII). He also finished third in the mile and three-sixteenths Preakness Stakes (GI), fourth in the twelve-furlong Belmont Stakes (GI), and third in the ten-furlong Travers Stakes (GI).

The longest distance Secret Circle’s dam, Ragtime Hope, won at was a mile and one-sixteenth. Ragtime Hope is also a half-sister to Really Polish, whose greatest victory came in the mile and one-sixteenth Dogwood Stakes (GIII). Really Polish, whose longest winning distance was nine furlongs, also finished third in the nine-furlong Kentucky Oaks (GI).

As long as Secret Circle has the mental toughness to learn how to relax, he has the ability to go long. He is an extremely fast, talented colt that I will be closely following for the rest of his career. Hopefully this is only the beginning of his journey.


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