After the Auction: I Will Be Free

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.”

The OBS March Sale has recurrently produced talented racehorses, including the grade one winners Camp Victory, Plum Pretty, and Spring in the Air. Looking to add her name to the long list of successful OBS March graduates is I Will Be Free – one of my selections from this year’s OBS March Sale.

Prior to being sold for $115,000, I Will Be Free impressed me with her 10-second breeze in the preview show, having noteworthy lift to her shoulder, which allowed her to run with lengthy, athletic strides while remaining quick-legged. Three months after this breeze, I Will Be Free debuted at Calder Race Course and despite a less than perfect trip, rallied to finish a good second.

As a result of her noteworthy performance in her debut, I Will Be Free was sent off as the heavy favorite in her second start. Facing five rivals over a five-furlong journey at Calder, I Will Be Free pressed the pace set by the second betting choice prior to edging to the front around the far turn. I Will Be Free drew away and remained clear to score by 2 ½ lengths.

I Will Be Free is a member of champion sprinter Kodiak Kowboy’s first crop. Through his multiple graded stakes-winning sire, Posse, Kodiak Kowboy is a grandson of Silver Deputy, the sire of a multitude of millionaires – including the Hall of Famer Silverbulletday – and a handful of successful stallions, such as Badge of Silver and Spring At Last. The dam of I Will Be Free is the graded stakes-placed Mrs. M, which makes her a half-sister to the black-type-placed Dan the Tin Man.

In spite of her less than spectacular bloodlines, I Will Be Free has quickly found success and could easily prove to be a useful racehorse. What the future holds for her is a mystery, but she clearly has talent.

After the Auction: Somewhat

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 eleventh 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.”

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale provides thousands of yearlings to sort through, numerous catalogs to study, and two weeks to find at least one potential superstar from the group. The sale has recurrently proven to be a quality source for finding a successful horse, having offered two of the past five Kentucky Derby winners, four of the past five Preakness Stakes winners, and three of the past five Belmont Stakes winners.

On June 14, a two-year-old colt named Somewhat debuted at Musselburgh Racecourse in the United Kingdom, winning the race in a rather authoritative manner. Nine months earlier, Somewhat had been offered at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and although he drove the hammer to $190,000, the colt did not reach his reserve and therefore remained with his breeders, B. P. Walden, Jr., P. W. Madden, and G. McDonald.

The colt was sent to Europe and prepared for his racing career, which began in a seven-furlong maiden at Musselburgh over good to firm going. Sent off as the favorite in a field of six, Somewhat displayed greenness in the early stages of the race prior to taking the lead. Although he continued to run greenly, Somewhat responded well when asked for a rally by jockey Joe Fanning. Beginning to draw clear in the final furlong, the bay two-year-old held clear to prove himself as the best in the field, winning by seven lengths.

Boasting a rather international pedigree, Somewhat is a result of the mating between the American-bred stallion Dynaformer and the Irish-bred mare Sometime. His ancestry is largely influenced by Thoroughbreds bred in Ireland, Great Britain, and Italy, although traces of Argentine, Canadian, and French horses also exist within his lineage.

Somewhat’s sire, Dynaformer, was United States-based horse, but became an international stallion, having produced winners of some of the world’s greatest races, including Kentucky Derby (GI) victor Barbaro, Melbourne Cup (GI) winner Americain, and St. Leger Stakes (GI) conqueror Lucarno. Dynaformer was a son of the influential stallion Roberto and the tremendous broodmare Andover Way, who was a grade one winner on the track before later producing not only Dynaformer, but also the stakes winners Triple Elvis and White Bridle, as well as Black Speck – the dam of the group stakes-winning Lines of Battle.

Sometime – the dam of Somewhat – is an impeccably bred mare who is also the dam of the group stakes-winning Art Deco and the graded stakes-placed Friendly Banter. A daughter of the outstanding sire Royal Academy, who sired 171 stakes winners, Sometime provides her offspring with the same maternal grandsire as the group one winners Dabirsim, Finsceal Beo, Frozen Power, and Rule of Law.

But Royal Academy is not the only notable parent of Somewhat; her dam, Alidiva, is a Reine De Course mare and group stakes winner. In 1997, Alidiva was honored as Irish and Italian Broodmare of the Year when three of her offspring took home group one victories that season, becoming the only mare to accomplish that feat. Among her group one winners were the Italian and German champion Taipan and Sometime’s full sister, highweight Sleepytime.

Through his dam, Somewhat is a direct descendant of an astounding seven Reine De Course mares, beginning with the multiple stakes-winning Maid of Masham, who was born in 1845. The next Reine De Course mare in this colt’s pedigree is The Apple, the foundation mare of a strong female family that produced the likes of the champions Bold Forbes, Forego, Mar-Kell, Nellie Flag, and Nellie Morse. Continuing down Somewhat’s tail female line, you will find Affection, a French-bred mare that was imported to the United States in the early 1900s, where she produced the black-type winners Escutcheon, Flat Iron, and Sanford.

The aforementioned Escutcheon is among the abundance of Reine De Course mares that line Somewhat’s female family. Winner of the Alabama Stakes, Escutcheon had an incredible produce record, having sixteen foals – fifteen of which made it to the track and fourteen of which found the winner’s circle. Among those was Bourtai, yet another one of the blue hens that dwell in Somewhat’s tail female line. Bourtai produced six black-type runners, including two Broodmare of the Years and the champion Bayou. Among those stakes-winning Broodmare of the Years is Somewhat’s fifth dam, Delta, a mare who captured six stakes events and set a track record at Churchill Downs before becoming a champion broodmare.

This blue-blooded two-year-old is hopefully just the beginning of much success for my yearling sale selections of 2012. If his spectacular bloodlines are any indication, perhaps Somewhat will find even greater success in his future.

SUCCESS SINCE THIS ARTICLE:
WON: Denford Stud Washington Singer Stakes
2nd: Superlative Stakes (GII)

Juvenile Spotlight: Fiftyshadesofgold

Fiftyshadesofgold
Photo by Terri Cage

As a storm brewed beyond the grandstand of Lone Star Park on a humid May evening, a gray filly sauntered before onlookers as she was led toward the saddling paddock. Just two years old, she appeared very composed as she strolled along amid her competitors. In the infield, the totes board reflected her low odds, indicating that she was the heavy favorite.

Her name was Fiftyshadesofgold. She’d never raced before, but there had been much buzz about her. She’d compiled a collection of workouts and in those morning works, had made quite the impression. That night would prove if she could live up to the hype.

Alongside nine other rivals, Fiftyshadesofgold loaded into the starting gate on the far side of the track for the five-furlong Texas-bred maiden special weight. Away from the gate in a clean manner, Fiftyshadesofgold quickly found a stalking position in third with jockey Cliff Berry – the all-time leading rider at Lone Star Park – aboard. Making a sweeping move around the far turn, the dark gray filly soared to the lead before the quarter pole, seizing a clear advantage as the field turned for home.

In a mere hand ride from Berry, Fiftyshadesofgold drew away from her opponents with utter effortlessness, her strong strides carrying her toward the wire as she left the other fillies in her wake. The two-year-old filly continued to extend her lead down the lane despite Berry ceasing to ask her. She flashed under the wire ten lengths in front, posting a final time that was just 1.51 seconds off the track record despite being geared down in the late stages of the race. Her win served as trainer Bret Calhoun's 600th Lone Star Park victory.

Fiftyshadesofgold
Photo by Terri Cage

Fiftyshadesofgold is a homebred for Clarence Scharbauer, Jr., former president of the American Quarter Horse Association whose family owned the great Alysheba, Kentucky Derby (GI) winner and 1988 Horse of the Year. Born on the Scharbauers’ beautiful Valor Farm in North Texas, Fiftyshadesofgold’s pedigree is a model of the farm’s bluest blood.

Her sire is My Golden Song, one of the most elite stallions on Valor's strong stallion roster. My Golden Song, who was third behind Barbaro in the 2006 Holy Bull Stakes (GIII), has sired many Texas stakes horses, including the multiple black-type winners Cowgirl N Up and Platinum Song, as well as the additional black-type winners Smiles Golden Song and Triumph And Song. A son of Unbridled’s Song, who has appeared within the top ten sires in the nation six of the past ten years, My Golden Song shares the same sire as many blossoming stallions, including Eurosilver, Even the Score, Political Force, Rockport Harbor, and, most notably, Songandaprayer.

Although Fiftyshadesofgold’s dam, Hadif Cat, encountered little success at the track, the mare has found greater achievements as a broodmare. Since her racing career ended in 2006, Hadif Cat has produced the black-type winners Sword Trick and Tastefullyxcessive, the former of which earned more than $210,000. Hadif Cat is a daughter of the group three-winning Hadif, a former Valor Farm stallion that became one of the most influential sires in Texas. As a broodmare sire, the half-brother to the grade one-winning Secret Hello has produced the dams of many black-type winners, including Early Final, Final Trick, Hadavision, My Three Girls, Sax Appeal, Stormin Quality, and Triumph And Song.

Fiftyshadesofgold’s third dam is Alysbelle, a full sister to Alysheba and a graded stakes victress that placed in a pair of grade ones. She found similar success as a broodmare, producing the multiple group stakes-winning Matikane Kinnohosi and Golden Spur, a horse that earned over $100,000. This makes Fiftyshadesofgold a direct descendant of the Reine De Course mare Belthazar, who was the last foal sired by Triple Crown winner War Admiral.

Texas-breds like Fiftyshadesofgold rarely make a name for themselves on the national scene, but this filly’s chances of becoming a classy stakes horse in the South are high. A talented horse at any level is enjoyable to follow and I eagerly await the remainder of this gifted filly’s career.

Fiftyshadesofgold after impressively winning her debut
Photo by Terri Cage

Juvenile Spotlight 12/31/12

Highestmaintenance (12/20): Upon debut, this Todd Pletcher-trained, Mike Repole-owned filly was sent off as the favorite in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. After setting a brisk pace without much pressure from her rivals, the dark bay/brown filly drew off to a 6 ¾-length victory. Sired by Macho Uno and out of a stakes-winning mare, Highestmaintenance’s third dam, Wayward Pirate, is the granddam of the graded stakes-winning millionaire Continental Red.  

Departing (12/22): A homebred for Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider, Departing made his debut at the Fair Grounds, settling several lengths off a brisk pace amongst a field that included only one juvenile that had raced before. The bay colt drew clear in the final stages of the race, crossing under the wire 2 ¼ lengths in front. A result of the mating between War Front and a Pulpit mare, Departing is likely to perform best at middle distances. As a direct descendant of the great mare Myrtlewood, graded stakes success seems to be a probable future for Departing.

Gustavia (12/23): This Chad Brown trainee took four tries to break her maiden, but once she did, Gustavia displayed serious potential, scoring at Aqueduct by nearly 2 lengths in a good final time of 1:48.70 for nine furlongs over turf. Bred on the same Pulpit/Storm Bird sire line cross that has produced the likes of the grade one winners Careless Jewel, Hansen, Ice Box, Mi Sueno, and Sky Mesa, Gustavia is a half-sister to the stakes-winning Hard Mystery.

Mylute (12/26): Beginning his career with a pair of in-the-money finishes, including a runner-up performance in the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes, Mylute broke his maiden at Arlington Park. The colt then contested in three stakes, finishing fifth in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (GIII), second in the Jean Lafitte Stakes, and third in the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (GIII). The Tom Amoss trainee seemed to find his best stride in his final start of 2012, dominating an allowance optional claiming field at the Fair Grounds that included impressive maiden winner General Election by 10 ¾ lengths.

Private Ensign (12/26): Following a second-place finish behind Oblahlah in her debut, Private Ensign coasted to a 3 ½-length victory in her second career start, going a mile and one-sixteenth over the dirt at Gulfstream Park. It is no surprise that the stretch-out in distance improved her performance, as this royally-bred filly is sired by the great A.P. Indy and out of a daughter of South African Triple Crown winner Horse Chestnut. This filly’s bloodlines are incredibly impressive, as her third dam is the great Personal Ensign, an undefeated champion on the track and a highly influential broodmare – a Reine de Course mare in fact – on the farm.

Distinctiv Passion (12/28): Third behind Capo Bastone in his debut, Distinctiv Passion finished fourth in his second start just two weeks later. He returned to the races three months later, breaking his maiden at Hollywood Park. With ease, Distinctiv Passion took a stakes-quality allowance race at Santa Anita, defeating a field that included graded stakes winner Know More, the graded stakes-placed Super Ninety Nine, and the stakes-placed Mico Margarita. Sired by With Distinction and out of a granddaughter of Gone West, Distinctiv Passion is a full brother to the black-type-winning Italo.

Appealing Tale (12/29): Following two satisfactory performances at Hollywood Park, Appealing Tale excelled in his first dirt try, capturing a one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita by 6 ¼ lengths, defeating the highly-touted Mentor Cane in the process. The colt is bred on the successful Tale of the Cat/Unbridled’s Song cross, which has produced the group/graded stakes winners A Shin Top and Alpha Kitten.

Golden Soul (12/30): Defeated by a scant head in his debut, Golden Soul soared to an easy 7 ¼-length triumph in his second start, romping in a maiden special weight at the Fair Grounds. A result of the mating between Canadian champion Perfect Soul and a Mr. Prospector mare, Golden Soul is a half-brother to the graded stakes-winning Quintons Gold Rush.

Omega Star (12/31): After finishing second behind Clawback in his debut at Aqueduct, Omega Star was transferred to John Shirreffs’ barn in Southern California. On the final possible day he could win as a juvenile, Omega Star broke his maiden in a California-bred maiden special weight, coming from off the pace to coast to an easy 3-length triumph. Sired by Candy Ride and out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare, Omega Star’s granddam is the Irish-bred Alpride, a multiple grade one-winning highweight.  

After the Auction: My Native Blues

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 eighth 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."

As 2012 winds down, two-year-olds that have not been fortunate enough to garner a victory scramble to attain a win as a juvenile before they become a three-year-old. The remaining days of the year are numbered, but My Native Blues, one of my honorable mentions from this year’s 2012 Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, managed to record his first victory after four previous attempts.

Prior to breaking his maiden, My Native Blues had only hit the board once in his young career. He pieced things together in his third start against state-bred company, going a mile and seventy yards at Fair Ground Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. Racing over a sealed track, My Native Blues settled behind the front-running contingent, racing several lengths off the leaders as the horses rounded the initial turn.

My Native Blues
Photo by Terri Cage

Gradually, the chestnut grew closer to the pacesetters as longshot Collin Time recorded steady fractions. Galloping wide, My Native Blues easily overtook the leaders as the final curve came to an end, sweeping past the frontrunners to strike to lead at the top of the stretch. With strong urging from jockey Leandro Goncalves, My Native Blues drew off to an easy 8 ½-length victory.

Earlier this year, My Native Blues became one of my selections at the annual Fasig-Tipton juvenile auction held at Lone Star Park each spring due to his noteworthy work in the under-tack show and respectable pedigree. Though his time of 11 seconds for one furlong was not quite as impressive as many other juvenile workers at the under-tack show, My Native Blues displayed a powerful stride, easily covering ground.

Sired by a son of Mr. Prospector in Gold Tribute, My Native Blues shares his sire with the Chilean champions Gadanes and Giant, the group one winners Galan Fantasma and Gondolieri, and the graded stakes-winning Geronimo. The Mr. Prospector sire line is one of the most prolific of the breed, producing such champions as Azeri, Curlin, Point Given, and Zenyatta.

Bred on the successful Mr. Prospector/Meadowlake cross that is responsible for the grade one-winning Seventh Street, as well as the graded stakes winners Crytoquip, Majestic City, and Street Magician, My Native Blues is out of the Meadowlake mare Meadowlanding, a half-sister to a graded stakes winner. Though initially rather unimpressive, class can be found in My Native Blues’ dam line. The gelding is a direct descendant of several Reine de Course mares far back in his pedigree, including Escutcheon, a winner of the Alabama Stakes that produced an astounding 14 winners, including Bourtai, who produced six black-type runners, including two Broodmare of the Years and the champion Bayou.

Among the fifteen highest-priced horses at the Fasig-Tipton sale earlier this year, My Native Blues became my eighth juvenile sales selection of 2012 to find the winner’s circle. Here’s to hoping 2013 brings even more victories for these auction choices! 

Juvenile Spotlight 12/16/12

Dr Figawi (12/6): Commencing his career with a six-furlong maiden special weight for New York-breds at Aqueduct, Dr Figawi set a quick pace before drawing off to score by an impressive 11 lengths. By Stormy Atlantic and out of a black-type-winning mare, Dr Figawi is a half-brother to the black-type winners Dance Gal Dance and Dr Disco, as well as the black-type-placed runners Dr Rico and Judge Margaret.

Flashback (12/8): Upon debut, this colt stalked the pace of a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Hollywood Park before going wide to take the lead midstretch, drawing clear to a 3 ½-length victory. Sired by the prosperous Tapit, Flashback is a full brother to the grade one-winning Zazu, as well as a half-brother to the black-type-winning Corinthian’s Jewel and the group stakes-placed Art Princess.

Asiya (12/9): A homebred for Shadwell Stable, Asiya finished third in her career debut prior winning by an astounding 11 lengths in her second start, which came at Aqueduct. Sired by a grade one-winning son of Awesome Again in Daaher, Asiya is out of the black-type-placed Elusive Quality mare Khalila, thus making her a direct descendant of the Hall of Fame racehorse and Reine de Course mare Real Delight, who descends from multiple Reine de Course mares.

Clawback (12/12): A colt that played the role of runner-up in his initial two starts, Clawback set the pace in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct in his third race, drawing off to win by 3 lengths. A son of the graded stakes-winning and -producing Put It Back, Clawback has the advantage of having Dixieland Band as his broodmare sire, therefore providing him with the same damsire as the Kentucky Derby (GI) victors Monarchos and Street Sense, as well as the additional grade one winners Diamondrella and Southern Image.

Hear the Ghost (12/15): A first-time starter in an eleven-horse field that featured only one horse with experience, Heart the Ghost debuted at Hollywood Park, stalking the rapid pace of the six-furlong maiden special weight before kicking clear to a 3 ¼-length triumph. Sired by a Hall of Fame son of Awesome Again in Ghostzapper, Hear the Ghost is a half-brother to the grade one-winning Mani Bhavan, as well as the black-type-placed Dattt Echo.

After the Auction: Graustarkian

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 seventh 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."

It took eight times for Well Armed to break his maiden, six times for Charismatic, and four times for Pleasantly Perfect and Ginger Punch. Nonetheless, these horses proceeded to accomplish great things. Graustarkian took seven tries to finally capture a win. This filly is unlikely to ever join this roster, but, like She Sleeps, Graustarkian thrilled me with her maiden victory, as she became my seventh juvenile sales selection of 2012 to obtain a win.

Graustarkian
Photo by Terri Cage

One of my top selections at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Graustarkian is a daughter of Mizzen Mast, a grade one-winning son of Cozzene. Notably, Mizzen Mast sired a pair of 2012 Breeders’ Cup winners: Flotilla and Mizdirection. Mizzen Mast is also the sire of such horses as grade one winners Mast Track, Midships, and Ultimate Eagle. As a son of Cozzene, Mizzen Mast shares the same sire as the grade/group one winners Admire Cozzene, Alphabet Soup, Star of Cozzene, Star over the Bay, Tikkanen, and Zoftig.

Graustarkian's namesake is surely Mizzen Mast's damsire, Graustark. The son of the great Ribot was a multiple stakes-winning full brother to His Majesty, a track record-setting stakes winner that became a leading sire. Graustark, who stood at Darby Dan Farm, was syndicated in 1966 for $2.4 million, which was a record at the time. Named for a fictional Europe nation from the novels by George Barr McCutcheon, Graustark stood alongside his brother at Darby Dan. Graustarkian was the fictitious native language of the people of Graustark.

The dam of Graustarkian, Gilty Look, has produced six runners including Graustarkian, all of which have won. Three of those winners have earned more than $120,000. Gilty Look’s dam is the brilliant mare, Laughing Look, who produced the multiple grade one-winning Coronado’s Quest, the grade three-winning and course record-setting Warning Glance, the black type-winning Military Look, the stakes-placed Look to the King, and the dam of the multiple graded stakes-winning Air Support.

Graustarkian’s broodmare sire is the multiple grade one-winning Seeking the Gold, sire of several champions. As a damsire, Seeking the Gold has produced the dams of such horses as the grade/group one winners Blame, Dancing Forever, Excellent Art, Pine Island, Point of Entry, Riskaverse, and She Be Wild. The Cozzene/Seeking the Gold cross on which Graustarkian is bred is similar to that of the grade three-winning Cozzy Corner, the stakes-winning and group stakes-placed Robe Decollete, and the stakes-placed Mayomast.

Notably, Graustarkian’s fourth dam is Shenanigans, the dam of the great champion Ruffian, the multiple graded stakes-winning and track record-setting Icecapade, and the graded stakes-winning and track record-equaling Buckfinder. In fact, Shenanigans’ position in Graustarkian’s dam line begins a series of six consecutive Reine De Course mares.

Following a poor finish in her debut, Graustarkian ran third in a trial for the D.S. "Shine" Young Futurity at Evangeline, but finished sixth in the finals. After two in-the-money finishes at Louisiana Downs, Graustarkian finished fifth behind She Sleeps at Delta Downs.

But four weeks later, Graustarkian finally found the winner’s circle. Racing with blinkers for the first time, the gray filly broke sharply from the fourth post in the six and one-half-furlong maiden special weight. She settled along the inside as the field raced towards the sharp initial turn, rating behind the frontrunners. Several lengths separated Graustarkian and her rivals that raced amidst the vanguard as the juvenile Thoroughbreds galloped into the backstretch.

She inched closer down the backside, maintaining her fourth-place position along the straightaway on the side opposite the grandstand. Her long stride quickened as the track again began to curve, allowing her to shorten the distance between her and the pacesetters. With a notable turn of foot, the gray filly angled to the outside near the end of the final turn, drawing even with the leader as the field turned for home. Graustarkian ran evenly with Pursuitofparadise for a moment before kicking clear, galloping to an easy 1 ¾-length victory despite running on the wrong lead.

With her winning performance, Graustarkian displayed the same imposing stride that, along with her remarkable ancestry, impressed me at the auction earlier this year. This led her to be the ninth-highest-priced horse to sell. Perhaps it was the blinkers that led her to finally find victory, or maybe things finally “clicked” for the filly. Regardless, it seems Graustarkian has finally discovered the right path. I also believe Graustarkian could flourish on the turf, as her pedigree insinuates that she would succeed over the grass.

Juvenile Spotlight 11/30/12

Live Lively (11/23): Following a third-place finish in her debut at Belmont, this filly made her second start at Aqueduct, traveling wide while running mid-pack prior to going wide around the turn in the five and one-half-furlong race. Closing ground impressively, Live Lively ground out a ¾-length victory. Trained by Mark Hennig, this juvenile should find benefit in being a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, as the son of El Prado has been a tremendous sire of fillies. Out of a stakes-winning Smoke Glacken mare, Live Lively is bred on the same Medaglia d’Oro/Mr. Prospector sire line cross as the grade one winners Passion for Gold, Rachel Alexandra, and Warrior’s Reward.

Forty Tales (11/24): Debuting at Aqueduct, this colt raced mid-pack as a steady pace was set throughout the six-furlong race. In a field that had only one experienced runner, Forty Tales galloped wide throughout, being forced into the sixth path as the field rounded the turn. Despite shying in, Forty Tales drew clear to a 2 ¾-length triumph. By Tale of the Cat and out of black-type-placed Forty Niner mare, Forty Tales is a half-brother to a multiple black-type winner and a black-type-placed runner.

General Election (11/24): General Election debuted among a field of eleven juveniles that featured just three experienced runners at Churchill Downs. The colt raced the near of the pack before inching close to the lead around the turn, making in impressive move to draw away to a 3-length triumph. Sired by the thriving Harlan’s Holiday and out of a Kingmambo mare, General Election is a half-brother to the multiple grade one-placed Ready’s Echo.

Oblahlah (11/24): After finishing second at Belmont in her debut, Oblahlah extended in distance, stretching from five and one-half furlongs to seven furlongs. The filly pressed the pace, challenging the lead before striking to the front and kicking clear to a 3-length victory. Sired by the blossoming stallion Tiz Wonderful, Oblahlah is out of an A.P. Indy mare that has also produced the graded stakes-winning Worth Repeating, thus making her a granddaughter of the group one-winning mare Macoumba.

Ore Pass (11/24): Upon debut, this colt set a brisk pace in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Laurel Park, drawing off to an easy 10 ¾-length win. Sired by the late War Pass, Ore Pass is out of a Stephen Got Even mare from the family of the graded stakes-winning Summer Matinee. This is the same Cherokee Run/A.P. Indy sire line cross responsible for producing the multiple graded stakes-winning Zanjero.

Oxbow (11/25): Oxbow was pulled up in his first start and vanned off, and following both a fourth- and a third-place finish, Oxbow broke through with an impressive 4 ¾-length victory at Churchill Downs, posting a relatively good time of 1:22.97 for seven furlongs. As a result of the mating between Awesome Again and a million-dollar full sister to Tiznow, Oxbow is not only a three-quarters brother to Paynter, but he is a full brother to the stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed Awesome Patriot.

After the Auction: She Sleeps

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 sixth 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."

Two weeks before Delta Downs’ biggest race day of the year – and on racing’s biggest day of the year – She Sleeps redeemed herself with an easy victory. She received no national acclaim for her win, but put a smile upon my face by finding the winner’s circle. With her maiden victory, She Sleeps had become my sixth juvenile sales selection of 2012 to garner a win (maiden claiming victories acquired by a pair of my two-year-old auction picks, Blazing Graduate and Mistakingly, were not featured).

She Sleeps
Photo by Terri Cage

A member of Private Vow’s first crop, She Sleeps’ sire is a son of Broken Vow, the sire of such horses as the grade one winners Cotton Blossom, Sassy Image, and Unbridled Belle. By a son of the influential Unbridled and out of a Deputy Minister daughter, Private Vow certainly hails from parentage that insinuates that he will become a successful stallion.

She Sleeps is out of Shy Eda, an Argentinian mare who is a full sister to the stakes-winning Edil Tom and a half-sister to the group one-winning Cruzan Gold and the group stakes-placed Forty Editado. Shy Eda herself is the dam of the multiple group stakes-winning and group one-placed Duvets, the group stakes-winning Shy Legionario, and the group stakes-placed runners Saint George and South Stream.

By Shy Tom, Shy Eda’s grandsire is Blushing Groom, one of the finest sires and broodmare sires of the breed. A winner of several championship honors as both racehorse and sire, Blushing Groom was a tremendous sire and sire of sires, producing horses like Nashwan, Rahy, Rainbow Quest, and Runaway Groom that were successful on the track and in the breeding shed. But perhaps his greatest success came as a broodmare sire, as he is the damsire of such horses as the grade/group one winners Flute, Haafhd, Macho Uno, and Mezzo Soprano. Blushing Groom has also had success in siring productive damsires, such as Mt. Livermore, Rahy, Rainbow Quest, and Runaway Groom.

In her debut, which came at Louisiana Downs, She Sleeps finished a lackluster sixth. But she made amends for her loss next out, adding an extra furlong to the six furlongs she debuted at. Breaking sharply from the eighth gate in the maiden special weight for Louisiana-breds, She Sleeps raced wide just behind the front-running contingent as the horses galloped before the grandstand for the initial time.

Due to being forced wide around the sharp first turn, She Sleeps lost ground, but remained in fourth as the horses entered the backstretch. With urging from jockey Chris Rosier, She Sleeps loomed large on the outside as the field turned for home, accelerating imposingly as the far turn culminated. Displaying an impressive turn of foot, She Sleeps kicked clear from her rivals, galloping to a 4 ¼-length victory.

She Sleeps is likely to not appear on a list of future grade one winners, but she is certainly a filly with potential. It will be interesting to see what the future of this 2012 Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale graduate holds. 

Super Ninety Nine: Something to Look Forward To

He tossed his head, flashing his radiant white blaze as his red mane flowed, his neck arched as his rich chestnut coat gleamed in the morning sun. My eyes focused upon the Bob Baffert trainee's Breeders' Cup saddle towel, reading his name: Super Ninety Nine. Prior to seeing him in person, I had not been incredibly impressed by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint contender. However, as soon as the colt graced my vision, he became my top selection.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Super Ninety Nine displayed great muscularity for his age, possessing the powerful build of a Quarter Horse. It was impossible to deny that the colt reminded me of a former grade one-winning Baffert trainee, Euroears. Sharing the same chestnut coloring and similar markings, Super Ninety Nine was also powerfully built just as Euroears had been and also galloped in the same robust manner.

Unfortunately, after being cast in his stall, Super Ninety Nine was withdrawn from the Juvenile Sprint and thus was unable to reveal what he was capable of on Breeders' Cup weekend. But Super Ninety Nine had impressed me enough in the mornings to land a position on my radar.

The colt's debut was clearly exciting enough for his connections to enter him in the Breeders' Cup. His first start came in a seven-furlong maiden special weight over Santa Anita's main track, in which the chestnut was sent off as the third choice in a field of twelve. Super Ninety Nine did not briskly leave the starting gate, but with slight urging from jockey Martin Garcia, the chestnut colt rocketed to the lead as the field commenced its run down the backstretch.

However, the Tanma Corporation-owned colt was soon overtaken by the favorite, Quietasacat, off of whom Super Ninety Nine raced just to the outside. Just a half-length separated the two as an initial quarter-mile split of 23.05 was set, but Super Ninety Nine gradually began to decrease Quietasacat's lead as the pair led the field into the turn.

Super Ninety Nine matched strides with his nemesis midway through the curve, gaining a slight advantage as they reached the quarter pole. With asking from Garcia, Super Ninety Nine began to kick clear, lengthening his lead at the top of the stretch, holding off the charges of his rivals. In the final yards, the colt seemed to find his best stride despite changing leads, crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Bred by Northwest Farms LLC, this rising star brings to life bloodlines that are like a web of speed and stamina. Bred on a cross of two of the most powerful sire lines of the breed, Super Ninety Nine possesses a pedigree that is not lacking in strength on either side.

Sired by Pulpit, Super Ninety Nine shares the same sire as such grade one winners as Corinthian, Ice Box, Purge, Pyro, Rutherienne, Sky Mesa, Stroll, and Tapit. Pulpit is of course a son of the great A.P. Indy, the sire of nearly thirty grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which Super Ninety Nine 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. 

Super Ninety Nine's dam, Exogenetic, is a three-quarters sister to Exogenous, an ill-fated multiple grade one winner, and is also the dam of the multiple black-type-winning Elusive Horizon. A daughter of Unbridled's Song, Exogenetic provides Super Ninety Nine with 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.

War Exchange, Super Ninety Nine's fourth dam, was a stakes-winning mare who produced two graded stakes winners, one of which was Barbarika, two-time Horse of the Year Curlin's granddam, thus making War Exchange the multiple classic winner's third dam. War Exchange is also the third dam of the grade one-winning champion Countess Diana.

Misfortune kept Super Ninety Nine out of the Breeders' Cup, but I will not soon forget this striking colt, who I will be keeping a close eye on. Bringing to the table eye-catching conformation and movement, as well as a beautiful pedigree, Super Ninety appears to have bright future ahead of him. Perhaps many are thinking of what could have been had he been able to compete in the Breeders' Cup. However, I am simply looking forward to what this colt's future holds.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

After the Auction: What a Name

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 fifth 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."

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (GI) has been viewed as one of the most prestigious races in the world, pitting Thoroughbred titans against one each other each fall in France. The “Arc” has seen such victors as the all-time greats Mill Reef, Ribot, Sea the Stars, and Sea Bird, and despite the defections of such superstars as Nathaniel, Snow Fairy, and reigning Arc champion Danedream, the 2012 edition of the Arc was still a clash of titans, featuring the near English Triple Crown-winning Camelot and Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre, as well as multiple other international superstars. But it was Solemia, a filly with the same owner and jockey as the great Goldikova, who caught Orfevre in an exciting finish to take the Arc, making it back-to-back years for a filly to win the renowned race.

On the undercard of the Arc was a race featuring a juvenile filly I have followed since April. This filly, What a Name, was one of my picks in the 2012 Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Sold as hip 106, What A Name was purchased by John McCormack Bloodstock for $350,000.

An Irish bred filly, What a Name made her first start for owner H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani and trainer Mikel Delzangles in a maiden at Deauville Racecourse in France, in which she finished third over soft ground. She broke her maiden next out at Deauville, dominating a seven-horse field by seven lengths over good going.

As a result of her striking maiden victory, What a Name was entered in the Prix la Rochette (GIII) at Longchamp Racecourse, the French course at which the Arc is held. Contesting against the males, What a Name accelerated impressively in the final stages of the race to overtake her rivals by nearly two lengths.

On the Arc undercard, What a Name yet again faced colts, this time in group one company: the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardre (GI). The chestnut filly settled near the back of the pack, galloping between horses as the young Thoroughbreds galloped over demanding ground. Trapped behind a wall of horses as the final stages of the contest approached, What a Name found room between horses and yet again showed a good turn of foot, gaining ground on the outside as she raced towards the leaders. Despite her courageous rally, the filly ran out of real estate, finishing a fast-closing second. In spite of not garnering the victory, What a Name had performed in spectacular fashion.

What a Name was one of my twenty selections at Keeneland April due to both her pedigree and her imposing 9 4/5-second work for one-eighth of a mile. In her one-furlong work in the preview show for the sale, the filly moved with a powerful stride, covering much ground quickly while posting one of the quickest works of the day. In fact, her work was among my favorites of all the breezes.

By the productive sire Mr. Greeley, What a Name shares the same sire as such grade/group one winners as Aruna, El Corredor, Finsceal Beo, Nonsuch Bay, and Reel Buddy. Out of the Dayjur daughter Bonnie Byerly, she is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-winning Diabolical. This filly’s fifth, sixth, seventh, and ninth dams are all Reine De Course mares, one of which is the dam of the grade one-winning Mehmet, Soaring. Other direct descendants of Soaring include the multiple graded stakes-winning sisters Graceful Darby and Tribulation.

With just four starts under her belt, one can only imagine what her future holds. Having selected this group stakes winner before her career even began is a tremendous feeling and I am very excited to continue to follow What a Name.

SUCCESS SINCE THIS ARTICLE:
WON: Prix Imprudence (GIII)
Named 2012 Co-Champion Two-Year-Old Filly in France

Juvenile Spotlight 9/17/12

Revolutionary (9/3): For the first time ever, a horse that has not yet won a race is being featured in a Juvenile Spotlight. That horse is Revolutionary, who debuted on closing day at Saratoga. After a terrible start, the favorite suffered an unfortunate trip and despite his rough expedition, he closed to finish an impressive third. By the late champion War Pass, Revolutionary is out of a grade one-winning A.P. Indy mare, Runup the Colors. This beautifully bred colt is full of potential.

Tizracer (9/8): Fourth in his debut, Tizracer had better luck in his second start, leading from start to finish in a one-mile maiden special weight at Belmont Park. The race clearly belonged to him, as he drew off to a 10 ½-length victory. The final time of 1:38.38 was uninspiring, but understandable considering the headwind. By Tizracer and out of a graded stakes-placed sprinting daughter of Elusive Quality, this colt is an example of breeding speed to stamina. It will be interesting to see what his future holds.

She’s On Parade (9/9): Debuting at Arlington Park, She’s On Parade found a position just off the lead, remaining with the frontrunners throughout the race. Despite She’s Lit Up’s generous lead on the field as the fillies turned for home, She’s On Parade kicked into gear to overtake the leader down the homestretch, galloping to a 3 ½-length victory. By Fusaichi Pegasus and out of a Storm Cat mare, this filly is bred for success.

Quinzieme Monarque (9/15): This colt’s career got off to a slow start, as he finished fourth in his first two career starts, which came at Saratoga. But when he made his third start – this time at Belmont – Quinzieme Monarque found the winner’s circle after closing from the back of the pack in a mile and one-sixteenth turf maiden special weight to score by 4 ¾ lengths. By Rock Hard Ten and out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, this colt appears to be bred for versatility.

Rose to Gold (9/15): This filly made her first career start in the Lindsay Frolic Stakes last month at Calder, romping by 13 lengths. Coming off that brilliant performance, Rose to Gold dominated the Brave Raj Stakes at Calder on Saturday by 13 ½ lengths. It remains to be seen what she can do outside of listed stakes at Calder, but look what Awesome Feather accomplished after a path of that sort. By Friends Lake and out of a Tabasco Cat mare, Rose to Gold is likely to not only continue to be successful, but be able to stretch out.

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.