2024
Leading Freshman Sire: Vekoma (January 2, 2024) In one of the tightest
contests for Leading Freshman Sire that I can recall, Vekoma eeked out the freshman
title over McKinzie by a mere $13,509. McKinzie salvaged second place over Tiz
the Law by $2,058. One more good purse for either second or third placed stallion
would have put him on top but in the end it was Vekoma, who was always at or near
the top and the lead throughout the year. Congratulations to Vekoma and his connections
at Spendthrift Farm, who always knew they had a good one.
As for my choices
(Tiz the Law, McKinzie, Improbable, Complexity and Instgrand), I hadn't included
Vekoma among my top 5, having weighed both of them and thought Improbable had
the better juvenile record. I should have gone the other way or stretch my selections
to include him, since Vekoma's 2-year-olds came out firing while the progeny of
the ill-fated Improbable did a decent but unspectacular job. I'm proud to say
that dueling with Vekoma throughout the season were my picks of Complexity, Tiz
the Law and McKinzie, so all in all, not a bad set of predictions. Here's how
they fared compared to Vekoma:
Vekoma - 1st in earnings, 1st by
# of winners (39), tied for 1st by # of SWS (5) (2 Graded) McKinzie
- 2nd in earnings, tied for 7th by # of winners (20), and 2 SWs (both G1 winners) Tiz
the Law - 3rd in earlings, tied for 4th by # of winners (22), tied for 1st
with 5 SWs (2 G2 winners) Complexity - 4th by earnings, tie for 4th
by 3 of winners (22), tied for 1st with 5 SWs (1 G2 winner) Instagrand
- 10th by earnings, tied for 4th by # of winners (22), 1 SW Improbable
- 12th by earnings, 9th by # of winners (18), 1 SW | Freshman
Sire Predictions for 2024 My picks for 2024 Freshman sires are: Tiz
the Law McKinzie Improbable Complexity Instagrand Read
the article here. | Leading Freshman Sires of 2023 versus
my predictions (Jan 13, 2024) It's official.
Spendthrift Farm's Mitole was the 2023 Champion Freshman Sire based on
earnings (see below). He was among the predictions I made in this class last February
so hooray for me. I had also picked Maximus Mischief (2nd) and Omaha Beach (4th)
but let's face it, the juggernaut group of stallions that Spendthrift presented
in 2020 was hard to top quality-wise. Another choice of mine was Audible, who
did OK but not among the top 5. Another choice, Catholic Boy, got 13 winners but
no stakes winners. The one stallion choice I'm
particularly proud of, however, was Flameaway, who was 5th by earnings
but #1 by # of stakes winners with 4. He's already got a fifth stakes winner early
in 2024 in Ma Yetal, in the UAE and hopefully there will be more for this nice
young stallion who has graduated from an initial stud fee of $7,500 to a 2024
fee of $25,000. | | Freshman
Sires of 2022 (February
14, 2023) I didn't do too badly with my predictions for the leading
freshman sires of 2022. Although my #1 pick, Mendelssohn didn't come out as #1,
he was #4 by number of winners (25), #7 by earnings and got two stakes winners.
He looks to be more of a turf sire at this point. That said, my next two choices,
Bolt d'Oro and Good Magic were right there at the top. Bolt d'Oro was #1 by earnings,
tied for #1 by number of stakes winners (6) and tied for second by # of winners
(29). Good Magic was #2 by earnings, tied for #1 by number of stakes winners (6)
and sixth by # of winners (21). I also picked the crowd favorite Justify, to cover
myself in case he did well, which he did, being #3 by earnings, tied for #1 by
number of stakes winners (6) and tied for second with Bolt d'Oro by number of
winners (29). | My
picks for 2022 Leading Freshman Sire: (link to article) | Mendelssohn | Bolt
d'Oro | Good Magic | Free
Drop Billy | City of Light | Justify
| Collected | 2021
Freshman Sires (link to article) My picks and end of year results: Gun
Runner (#1 by earnings - Freshman and Juvenile lists, #1 by winners with 30
and tied #1 by stakes winners with 6) Practical Joke (#2 by earnings,
co-4th by # winners with 24, and tied #1 by stakes winners with 6) Classic
Empire (#4 by earnings, co-8th by winners with 20, and 2 stakes winners) Klimt
(#6 by earnings, co-4th by # winners with 24 winners) Mohaymen (#9
by earnings, co-8th by winners with 20) Mastery (#20 by earnings, 10
winners) | 2020
Freshman Sires My picks and end of year results: Nyquist
- #1 by earnings; 17 winners, 2 stakes winners Runhappy - #15 by
earnings, 9 winners Upstart - #3 by winners (18) Brody's Cause
- #10 by earnings; 6 winners, 2 stakes winners Outwork - #4 by earnings,
#2 by winners (19) Upstart - #6 by earnings, #3 by winners (18) | 2019
Freshman Sires My picks and end of year results: American
Pharoah - #1 by earnings, co-#2 by stakes winners (4), co-#1 by winners (27) Daredevil
- 12 winners, 1 stakes winner Palace - 17 winners, 1 stakes winner Liam's
Map - #4 by earnings, 16 winners, 2 stakes winners Bayern - 22 winners | 2018
Freshman Sires My picks and end of year results: Verrazano
- #8 by earnings, #7 by winners (13) Goldencents - #2 by earnings, #1 by winners
(29) Cairo Prince - #3 by earnings, #2 by winners (19) Strong Mandate -
#18 by earnings, #18 by winners (9) Itsmyluckyday - #19 by earnings, #7 by
winners (13) Will Take Charge - #5 by earnings, #6 by winners (14) and
no, the 2018 Leading Freshman Sire, Cross Traffic was nowhere on my radar. | 2017
Freshman Sires My picks and end of year results: Shanghai
Bobby - #4 by earnings; #3 by # stakes winners Violence - #2 by earnings; #1
by # winners and stakes winners (tie) Overanalyze - #1 by earnings; #1 by
stakes winners (tie); #2 by winners Liaison - #22 by earnings; 2 stakes winners Flat
Out - #8 by earnings; #5 by # winners | 2016
Freshman Sires My picks and end of year results: Union Rags
- #2 by earnings; sire of 3 SWS, 2 G1 winners Stay Thirsty - #6 tied by # of
winners (17) To Honor and Serve - #12 tied # of winners (13) Shackleford
- #1 tied by # of winners (20) Bodemeister - #3 by earnings; #8 tied by # of
winners (15) | 2015
Freshman Sires My picks Uncle Mo - 2015 Leading Freshman Sire
by earnings; #1 by winners (28) Trappe Shot Sidney's Candy General
Quarters | 2014
Freshman Sires My picks Munnings - #4 by earnings, #2 by winners
(27), #3 by stakes winners (3) Blame Tale of Ekati Line of David
Concord Point - 2 stakes winners | 2013
Freshman Sires My picks Kodiak Kowboy Einstein (BRZ)
Pioneerof The Nile Sea The Stars (IRE) |
2012 Freshman Sire My picks - featured
in Thoroughbred Times March 10, 2012 War
Pass Majestic Warrior Ready's Image Horse Greeley First Defence
| 2011
Leading Freshman Sire was Scat Daddy.
I was the only panelist on the 2011 Thoroughbred Times Freshman Sire Contest
who picked him. | |
| FRESHMAN
SIRES PREDICTIONS FOR 2025! Give me a trumpet blast, because it's time
for my predictions for this year's freshman sires, those whose first foals will
race as 2-year-olds in 2025. I managed to get them out earlier than in previous
years but it's still a lot of work gathering and processing all the information
to present it to you. I hope you find it useful. You
can read the article here. (January 8, 2025) | | 2023
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) thru 12/31/23 | earnings
$ | Mitole (KY) | $2,624,858 | Maximus
Mischief (KY) | $2,266,229 | Vino
Rosso (KY) | $2,193,544 | Omaha Beach
(KY) | $2,129,783 | Flameaway (KY) | $1,782,411 | 2023
Freshman Leaders by stakes winners
| #stakes wnrs | Flameaway
(KY) | 4 - Dreamfyre-G3 Freedom
Principle Juliias Dream She's
Fire | Maximus Mischief (KY) | 3
- Carmelina Glengarry Let
Them Watch | Omaha Beach (KY) | 3
- Hot Beach Omaha Girl Sandy
Bottom | Solomini (NY) | 3 - My Shea
D Lady Soloshot Wynstock-G2 | Audible
(KY) | 2 - Chi Chi My
Mane Squeeze | Coal Front (KY) | 2
- Good and Stout Xtreme Diva | Mitole
(KY) | 2 - Ice Cold V V's Dream-G3 | Vino
Rosso (KY) | 2 - Cap Classique The
Wine Steward | Believe In Royalty (PR) | 2
- Belleza Celestial Tremezzo | Copper
Bullet (KY) | 1 - Copper Tax | Divisidero
(KY) | 1 - Vote No | Enticed (KY) | 1
- Shimmering Allure | Leofric (KY) | 1
- Canigetaloan | Pavel (CA) | 1
- Madison Rae | Qurbaan (KY to IN) | 1
- Charlene's Dream | Redirect (WV) | 1
- Direct the Cat | St Patrick's Day (FL) | 1
- Miss Miezie | World of Trouble (KY) | 1
- Touch of Trouble | 2023 Freshman Leaders by individual
winners | # wnrs / # sws | Mitole
(KY) | 35 / 2 | Maximus Mischief
(KY) | 30 / 3 | Omaha Beach (KY) | 24
/ 3 | Vino Rosso (KY) | 24 / 2 | Enticed
(KY) | 23 / 1 | Flameaway (KY) | 21
/ 4 | Audible (KY) | 21 / 2 | World
of Trouble (KY) | 16 / 1 | Solomini
(NY) | 14 / 3 | Catholic Boy (KY) | 13 | Preservationist
(KY) | 13 | Catalina Cruiser (KY) | 12 | Demarchelier
(GB) (KY) | 11 | Coal Front (KY) | 10
/ 2 | Yoshida (KY) | 10 | Believe
in Royalty (PR) | 8 / 2 | St. Patrick's
Day (FL) | 8 / 1 | Copper Bullet
(KY) | 7 / 1 | Leofric (KY) | 5
/ 1 | Pavel (CA) | 5 / 1 | Divisidero
(KY) | 4 / 1 | Heart to Heart (KY) | 4 | Sporting
Chance (NM) | 3 | Force The Pass
(MD) | 2 | One Sided (OH) | 2 | Rise
Up (OR) | 2 | Shagaf (IN) | 2 | Tough
It Up (OH) | 2 | Charming Kitten
(IN) | 1 | Dynamic Racer (OH) | 1 | Greyvitos
(CA) | 1 | Lost Treasure (IRE) (KY) | 1 | Om
(CA) | 1 | Pass the Buck (OK) | 1 | Princeps
Senatus (ONT) | 1 | Qurbaan (IN) | 1
/ 1 | Redirect (WV) | 1 / 1 | Rogueish
(FL) | 1 | Rumpus Cat (CA) | 1 | Snag
(OH) | 1 |
| | 2022
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) thru 12/31/22 | earnings
$ | Bolt d'Oro (KY) | $2,748,980 | Good
Magic (KY) | $2,533,214 | Justify
(KY) | $2,349,984 | Army Mule (KY) | $2,049,560 | Girvin
(KY) | $1,910,156 | 2022 Freshman
Leaders by stakes winners (black type) | #black type
wnrs | Bolt d'Oro (KY) | 6 - Boppy
O-G3T Corona Bolt Instant
Coffee -G2 It's Bobs Business Major
Dude-G2T Monsieur Coco | Good
Magic (KY) | 6 - Bat Flip Blazing
Sevens-G1 Curly Jack-G3 Dubyuhnell-G2 How
Did He Do That Vegas Magic -G2 | Justify
(KY) | 6 - Aspen Grove-G3 Champions
Dream-G3 Statuette - G2 Just
Cindy-G3 Justa Warrior
Justique | Army Mule (KY) | 5 - Broadway
Girls Danse Macabre Hot
Little Thing Navy Goat Recruiter | Girvin
(FL) | 5 - Atomically Damon's
Mound-G2 Devious Dame Dorth
Vader Faiza-G1 | City
of Light (KY) | 3 - Chop Chop
Lights of Broadway Sendero | Sharp
Azteca (KY) | 3 - Alma Rosa Sharp
Aza Tack Tyler's Tribe | Mendelssohn
(KY) | 2 - Delight-G1 Classical
Cat | Counterforce (BC) | 2 - Airforce Loveaboveandbeyond | Mo
Town (KY) | 2 - Key of Life Mazing
Mark | Oscar Performance (KY) | 2
- Andthewinneris Red Carpet Ready | West
Coast (KY) | 2 - Sally's Sassy Marz
Express | Accelerate (KY) | 1 -
Hal | Always Dreaming (KY) | 1 -
Grand Isle | Awesome Slew (FL) | 1
- Awesome Strong | Batallion Runner (FL) | 1
- Lightnin Runner | Bee Jersey (KY) | 1
- My Happiness | Collected (KY) | 1
- Freedom Trail | Forever d'Oro (IN) | 1
- Good Forever | Free Drop Billy (KY) | 1
- Free Drop Maddy | Gold Rush Dancer (WA) | 1
- Annette Marie | Good Samaritan (KY) | 1
- Good Sam | Hoppertunity (PA) | 1
- Midnight Parade | Mor Spirit (KY) | 1
- Velocitor | Prospect Park (CA) | 1
- Quickly Park It | The Lieutenant (NY; died) | 1
- Vacation Dance | 2022 Freshman Leaders by individual
winners | # wnrs / # black type sws | Sharp
Azteca (KY) | 34 / 3 | Bolt d'Oro
(KY) | 29 / 6 | Justify (KY) | 29
/ 6 | Mendelssohn (KY) | 25 / 2 | Army
Mule (KY) | 24 / 5 | Good Magic (KY) | 21
/ 6 | Girvin (FL) | 20 / 5 | Mo
Town (KY) | 19 / 2 | Mor Spirit (KY) | 17
/ 1 | Oscar Performance (KY) | 17
/ 2 | Cloud Computing (KY) | 16 | Good
Samaritan (KY) | 16 / 1 | Accelerate
(KY) | 14 / 1 | Awesome Slew (FL)
| 14 / 1 | Bucchero (FL) | 14 | Collected
(KY) | 14 / 1 | Always Dreaming (KY) | 12
/ 1 | Tapwrit (KY) | 12 | West
Coast (KY) | 12 / 2 | City of Light
(KY) | 11 / 3 | Free Drop Billy (KY) | 8
/ 1 | Hoppertunity (MD) | 8 / 1 | Ransom
The Moon (KY) | 8 | McCraken (KY) | 7 | Redesdale
(NY) | 7 | Smokem (CA) | 6 | Bee
Jersey (KY) | 6 / 1 | National Flag
(OH) | 5 | Conquest Farenheit (CA) | 4 | Counterforce
(BC) | 4 / 2 | Funtastic (KY) | 4 | Gold
Rush Dancer (WA) | 4 / 1 | Irish
War Cry (MD) | 4 | Prospect Park
(CA?) | 4 / 1 | Ralis (BC) | 4 | Battalion
Runner (FL) | 3 / 1 | Eastwood (PA) | 3 | Far
From Over (died) | 3 | Seattle Serenade
(ONT) | 3 | The Lieutenant (NY; died
2019) | 3 / 1 | Tunwoo (FL) | 3 | Aldrin
(WV) | 2 | Mrazek (CA; died 2021) | 2 | Sea
Wizard (NJ) | 2 | Amis Gizmo (ONT) | 1 | Coastline
(CA) | 1 | Danish Dynaformer (ONT) | 1 | Forever
d'Oro (IN) | 1/ 1 | Long On Value
(FL) | 1 | Long River (MD) | 1 | Neck
'n Neck (died 2019, IN) | 1 | No
Never No More (FL) | 1 | Point Piper
(CA) | 1 | Rivers Run Deep (OH) | 1 |
| |
| MY PREDICTIONS
FOR THE FRESHMAN SIRES OF
2022 I've finished my evaluation of the freshman sire class of 2022,
those with their first two-year-olds racing this year. You can read it
here. (January 29, 2022) | 2021
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) thru 12/31/21 | earnings
$ | Gun Runner (KY) | $4,278,641 | Practical
Joke (KY) | $2,184,295 | Connect
(KY) | $2,055,414 | Classic Empire
(KY) | $1,644,535 | Cupid (KY) | $1,303,358 | 2021
Freshman Leaders by stakes winners (black type) | #black
type wnrs | Gun Runner (KY) | 6 -
Gunite (G1) Echo Zulu (G1) Pappacap
(G2) Wicked Halo (G2) Concept Optionality | Practical
Joke (KY) | 6 - Wit (G3) Girl
With a Dream Joker Boy Shesawildjoker
Stand Up Comic Tejano Twist | Caravaggio
(KY) | 4 - Agartha (G3) Dizzy
Bizu Her World Tenebrism
(G1) | Unified (KY) | 3 - Behave
Virginia Roger McQueen Unified
Report | Classic Empire (KY) | 2
- Classy Edition First Empire | Connect
(KY) | 2 - Hidden Connection-G3 Rattle
N Roll-G1 | Cupid (KY) | 2 - God
of Love (G3) The Sky is Falling | El
Deal (LA) | 2 - Free Like a Girl True
Deal | Gormley (KY) | 2 - Bron and
Brow High Oak | Iron
Fist (LA) | 2 - Buckley Bunny Fiesty
Fist | Mohaymen (KY) | 2 - Elm Drive
(G2) Mowins | Neolithic
(FL) | 2 - Cattin Make
It Big | Astern (AUS) | 1 - Sail
By | Bal A Bali (KY) | 1 - Corner
Office | Bird Song (KSA) | 1 - Pretty
Birdie | Divining Rod (M)D | 1 -
Local Motive | Eagle (TX) | 1 - Eagle
Express | Hootenanny (KY) | 1 -
Hicksy | Lord Nelson (KY) | 1 - Navit | Madefromlucky
(MD) | 1 - Epic Luck | Midnight Storm
(KY) | 1 - Senor Testaferro | Mo
Tom (LA) | 1 - Wholelottamo | Noble
Bird (FL) | 1 - Strategic Board | Shaman
Ghost (ONT) | 1 - Slack Tide | Straight
Fire (CA) | 1 - Straight Up G | Valiant
Minister (FL) | 1 - Outfoxed | 2021
Freshman Leaders by individual winners | # wnrs / # black
type sws | Gun Runner (KY) | 31
/ 6 | Connect (KY) | 27 / 2 | Caravaggio
(KY) | 26 / 4 | Klimt (KY) | 24 | Practical
Joke (KY) | 24 / 6 | Cupid (KY) | 23
/ 2 | Gormley (KY) | 23 / 2 | American
Freedom (KY) | 20 | Classic Empire
(KY) | 20 / 2 | Mohaymen (KY) | 20
/ 2 | Divining Rod (MD) | 17 / 1 | Keen
Ice (KY) | 17 | Shaman Ghost (ONT) | 17
/ 1 | Unified (KY) | 16 / 3 | Bal
A Bali (BRZ) (KY) | 15 / 1 | Arrogate
(died, KY) | 13 | Astern (AUS) (KY) | 12
/ 1 | Stanford (CA) | 12 | Mastery
(KY) | 11 | Midnight Storm (KY) | 11
/ 1 | Noble Bird (FL) | 11 / 1 | Danzing
Candy (CA) | 10 | Straight Fire (CA) | 10
/ 1 | Iron Fist (LA) | 8 / 2 | El
Deal (LA) | 6 / 2 | Holy Boss (MD) | 6 | Lord
Nelson (died, KY) | 6 / 1 | Mr.
Z (KY) | 6 | Neolithic (FL) |
6 / 2 | Greenpointcrusader (FL) | 5 | Mo
Tom (LA) | 5 / 1 | Union Jackson
(NY) | 5 | Madefromlucky (MD) | 4
/ 1 | Ocean Knight (LA) | 4 | Rainbow
Heir (MD) | 4 | Blofeld (MD) | 3 | Comfort
(NM) | 2 | Dortmund (KOR) | 2 | Editorial
(MD) | 2 | Hootenanny (KY) | 2
/ 1 | Iliad (AB, CAN) | 2 | Kiss
The Ghost (OH) | 2 | Long Island
Sound (ARG) | 2 | Takeover Target
(LA) | 2 | Texas Ryano (CA) | 2 | Valiant
Minister (FL) | 2 / 1 | Wildcat
Red (KY) | 2 | Bethel (NY) | 1 | Biogenic
(pensioned, KY) | 1 | Bird Song (KSA) | 1
/ 1 | Black Bear (OK) | 1 | Black
Stash (FL) | 1 | Catalina Red (LA) | 1 | Cat
Burglar (CA) | 1 | Conspiracy (PR)
| 1 | Dynamic Impact (OR) | 1 | Eagle
(TX) | 1 / 1 | Kobe's Back (MD) | 1 | Passion
for Action (ONT) | 1 | Perfect Timber
(ONT) | 1 | Pontiff (WA) | 1 | Prince
of Love (CA) | 1 | Proceed (NM) | 1 | Saburo
(PA?) | 1 | Toews On Ice (NM) | 1 | Tom's
Ready (pensioned; LA) | 1 | War Correspondent
(KY; sent to Turkey) | 1 | 2021
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) thru 12/30/21 | earnings
$ | Gun Runner (KY) | $4,172,011 | Practical
Joke (KY) | $2,184,295 | Connect
(KY) | $2,039,254 | Classic Empire
(KY) | $1,640,135 | Cupid (KY) | $1,295,568 | 2021
Freshman Leaders by stakes winners (black type) | #black
type wnrs | Gun Runner (KY) | 6 -
Gunite (G1) Echo Zulu (G1) Pappacap
(G2) Wicked Halo (G2) Concept Optionality | Practical
Joke (KY) | 6 - Wit (G3) Girl
With a Dream Joker Boy Shesawildjoker
Stand Up Comic Tejano Twist | Caravaggio
(KY) | 4 - Agartha (G3) Dizzy
Bizu Her World Tenebrism
(G1) | Unified (KY) | 3 - Behave
Virginia Roger McQueen Unified
Report | Classic Empire (KY) | 2
- Classy Edition First Empire | Connect
(KY) | 2 - Hidden Connection-G3 Rattle
N Roll-G1 | Cupid (KY) | 2 - God
of Love (G3) The Sky is Falling | El
Deal (LA) | 2 - Free Like a Girl True
Deal | Iron Fist (LA) | 2 - Buckley
Bunny Fiesty Fist | Mohaymen
(KY) | 2 - Elm Drive (G2) Mowins | Neolithic
(FL) | 2 - Cattin Make
It Big | Astern (AUS) | 1 - Sail
By | Bal A Bali (KY) | 1 - Corner
Office | Bird Song (KSA) | 1 - Pretty
Birdie | Divining Rod (M)D | 1 -
Local Motive | Eagle (TX) | 1 - Eagle
Express | Gormley (KY) | 1 - High
Oak | Hootenanny (KY) | 1 - Hicksy | Lord
Nelson (KY) | 1 - Navit | Madefromlucky
(MD) | 1 - Epic Luck | Midnight Storm
(KY) | 1 - Senor Testaferro | Mo
Tom (LA) | 1 - Wholelottamo | Noble
Bird (FL) | 1 - Strategic Board | Shaman
Ghost (ONT) | 1 - Slack Tide | Straight
Fire (CA) | 1 - Straight Up G | Valiant
Minister (FL) | 1 - Outfoxed | 2021
Freshman Leaders by individual winners | # wnrs / # black
type sws | Gun Runner (KY) | 28
/ 6 | Connect (KY) | 27 / 2 | Caravaggio
(KY) | 26 / 4 | Practical Joke (KY) | 24
/ 6 | Klimt (KY) | 22 | Cupid
(KY) | 22 / 2 | Gormley (KY) | 22
/ 1 | American Freedom (KY) | 20 | Classic
Empire (KY) | 20 / 2 | Mohaymen (KY) | 19
/ 2 | Divining Rod (MD) | 17 / 1 | Keen
Ice (KY) | 17 | Shaman Ghost (ONT) | 17
/ 1 | Unified (KY) | 16 / 3 | Bal
A Bali (BRZ) (KY) | 14 / 1 | Arrogate
(died, KY) | 12 | Astern (AUS) (KY) | 12
/ 1 | Stanford (CA) | 12 | Mastery
(KY) | 11 | Midnight Storm (KY) | 11
/ 1 | Noble Bird (FL) | 11 / 1 | Danzing
Candy (CA) | 10 | Straight Fire (CA) | 10
/ 1 | Iron Fist (LA) | 7 / 2 | El
Deal (LA) | 6 / 2 | Holy Boss (MD) | 6 | Lord
Nelson (died, KY) | 6 / 1 | Mr.
Z (KY) | 6 | Neolithic (FL) |
6 / 2 | Greenpointcrusader (FL) | 5 | Mo
Tom (LA) | 5 / 1 | Union Jackson
(NY) | 5 | Madefromlucky (MD) | 4
/ 1 | Ocean Knight (LA) | 4 | Rainbow
Heir (MD) | 4 | Blofeld (MD) | 3 | Comfort
(NM) | 2 | Dortmund (KOR) | 2 | Editorial
(MD) | 2 | Hootenanny (KY) | 2
/ 1 | Iliad (AB, CAN) | 2 | Kiss
The Ghost (OH) | 2 | Long Island
Sound (ARG) | 2 | Takeover Target
(LA) | 2 | Texas Ryano (CA) | 2 | Valiant
Minister (FL) | 2 / 1 | Wildcat
Red (KY) | 2 | Bethel (NY) | 1 | Biogenic
(pensioned, KY) | 1 | Bird Song (KSA) | 1
/ 1 | Black Bear (OK) | 1 | Black
Stash (FL) | 1 | Catalina Red (LA) | 1 | Conspiracy
(PR) | 1 | Dynamic Impact (OR) | 1 | Eagle
(TX) | 1 / 1 | Kobe's Back (MD) | 1 | Passion
for Action (ONT) | 1 | Perfect Timber
(ONT) | 1 | Pontiff (WA) | 1 | Prince
of Love (CA) | 1 | Proceed (NM) | 1 | Saburo
(PA?) | 1 | Toews On Ice (NM) | 1 | Tom's
Ready (pensioned;LA) | 1 | War Correspondent
(KY) | 1 |
| | 2020
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) thru 12/31/20 | earnings
$ | Nyquist (KY) | $2,424,083 | Laoban
(KY) | $1,559,748 | Not This Time
(KY) | $1,537,138 | Outwork (KY) | $1,260,790 | Frosted
(KY) | $ 949,396 | 2020
Freshman Leaders by stakes winners (black type) | #black
type wnrs | Laoban (NY) | 3
Simply Ravishing-G1 Keepmeinmind-G2 Laobanonaprayer | Not
This Time (KY) | 3 Princess Noor-G1 Dirty
Dangle Vacay | Brody's
Cause (KY) | 2 Sittin On Go-G3 Kalypso | Nyquist
(KY) | 2 Vequist-G1, Gretsky
the Great | Outwork (KY) | 2
Outadore, Samborella | Speightster
(KY) | 2 That Kenney Kid Dreaming
of Drew | Cinco Charlie (KY) | 1
Huntsinger | Dynamic Sky (ONT) | 1
Jillie Marie | Frosted (KY) | 1
Travel Column | Hit It a Bomb (KY) | 1
Weston-G2 | Ironicus (KY) | 1
Helium | Juba (WV) | 1
Hopping Henry | Marking (NM) | 1
Delbert Too | Mosler (MD) | 1
Miss Nondescript | Noosito | 1
Dutton | Peace and Justice (PA) | 1
Like a Saltshaker | Reload (ONT) | 1
Red River Rebel | Slumber (GB) (KY) | 1
Fluffy Socks | Tamarkuz (KY) | 1
Red Flag | Texas Red (KY) | 1
My Girl Red-G2 | War Dancer (NY) | 1
Step Dancer | Vancouver (AUS) | 1
Madone | 2020 Freshman Leaders by individual winners | #
wnrs / # black type sws | Not This Time (KY) | 28
/ 3 | Outwork (KY) | 19 / 2 | Upstart
(KY) | 18 | Air Force Blue (KY) |
17 | Nyquist (KY) | 17 / 2 | Frosted
(KY) | 16 / 1 | Speightster (KY)
| 15 / 2 | Cinco Charlie (KY) | 14
/ 1 | Exaggerator (KY) | 13 | Laoban
(NY) | 13 / 3 | Mshawish (KY) | 13 | Tourist
(KY) | 13 | Mosler (MD) | 10
/ 1 | Runhappy (KY) | 9 | Vancouver
(AUS) | 9 / 1 | Anchor
Down (KY) | 8 | California
Chrome (JPN) | 8 | Reload
(ONT) | 8 / 1 | Texas
Red (KY) | 8 / 1 | Jess's
Dream (FL) | 7 | Uncle
Lino (PA) | 7 | Brody's
Cause (KY) | 6 / 2 | Flintshire
(GB) (KY) | 6 | War Dancer
(NY) | 6 / 1 | Effinex
(dead) | 5 | Hit It
a Bomb (KY) | 5 / 1 | Juba
(WV) | 5 / 1 | Tamarkuz
(KY) | 5 / 1 | Firing
Line (KY) | 4 | Harry's
Holiday (IN) | 4 | Majestic
Harbor (CA) | 4 | Marking
(NM) | 4 / 1 | Social Inclusion
(PA) | 4 | Ami's Holiday
(ONT) | 3 | Den's Legacy
(OK) | 3 | Peace and
Justice (MD) | 3 / 1 | Protonico
(KY) | 3 | Ride On Curlin
(FL) | 3 | Animal Style
(IN) | 2 | Awesome Indian
(NM) | 2 | Golden Years
(WV) | 2 | Ironicus
(KY) | 2 / 1 | Noosito
(died) | 2 / 1 | Prayer
For Relief (IN) | 2 | Producer
(GB) (KY) | 2 | Punctuate
(NM) | 2 | Alsono | 1 | Barbados
(MD) | 1 | Bernster
(NM) | 1 | Big Blue
Kitten (KY) | 1 | Bradester
(TX) | 1 | Decisive
Moment | 1 | Dynamic
Sky (CAN) | 1 / 1 | Itsthesameoldsong
(OH) | 1 | Metaboss
| 1 | Slumber (GB) (KY)
| 1 / 1 | Street Strategy
(AR) | 1 | Uptown Rythem
| 1 | | | 2019
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) thru 12/31/19 | earnings
$ | American Pharoah (KY) | $2,703,916 | Constitution
(KY) | $2,168,422 | Palace Malice
(KY) | $1,761,057 | Liam's Map (KY) | $1,466,934 | Tapiture
(KY) | $1,461,988 | Leaders by
stakes winners (black type) | | Constitution
(KY) | 5 - Amalfi Sunrise-G2, By
Your Side-G3 Independence Hall-G3 Laura's
Light Tiz The Law-G1 | American
Pharoah (KY) | 4 - Four Wheel Drive-G2T Sweet
Melania-G2 Maven-G3 FR Another
Miracle | Competitive Edge (KY) | 4
- Majestic Gold My Italian Rabbi Fierce
Lady Sassy Seneca | Race
Day (KY) | 4 - Consultora Gee
She Sparkles Mom's Red Lipstick Race
Home | Fast Anna (KY) | 3 - Been
Studying Her Fast Scene, Scotty
Boy | Karakontie (JPN) (KY) | 3 -
Kenzai Warrior-G3 ENG Karak Sole
Volante | Carpe Diem (KY) | 2 -
Bella Aurora Van Daelen | Commissioner
(KY) | 2 - Soros Two
Last Words | Golden Lad (MD) | 2
- Hello Beautiful Laddie Liam | Khozan
(FL) | 2 - Airbus (PER) Liam's
Lucky Charm | Lea (KY) | 2 - Muskoka
Gold Vast | Liam's
Map (KY) | 2 - Wicked Whisper-G1 Basin | Palace
Malice (KY) | 2 - Structor-G1T Crystalle | Summer
Front (KY) | 2 - Fighting Seabee-G3T Speaktomeofsummer | Tapiture
(KY) | 2 - Sky of Hook Vacherie
Girl | Bakken (ALB) | 1 - Bare Back
Jack | Boat Trip (CA) | 1 - Bettor
Trip Nick | Bourbon Courage (MD | 1
- Raging Whiskey | Daredevil (KY) | 1
- Deviant | Dramedy (OK) | 1 - Southgate | Frac
Daddy (ONT) | 1 - Owlette | Fury
Kapcori (FL) | 1 - High On Gin | Hangover
Kid (MD) | 1 - Miss J McKay | Imagining
(MD) | 1 - Monday Morning Qb | Palace
(KY) | 1 - Chacha Real Smooth | Tonalist
(KY) | 1 - Tonalist's Shape | Wicked
Strong (KY) | 1 - Wicked Runner | Leaders
by individual winners | # wnrs / # black type sws | American
Pharoah (KY) | 27 / 4 | Constitution
(KY) | 27 / 5 | Tapiture (KY) | 27
/ 2 | Wicked Strong (KY) | 26 /
1 | Competitive Edge (KY) | 24 /
4 | Bayern (KY) | 22 | Palace
Malice (KY) | 20 / 2 | Khozan (FL) | 18
/ 2 | Carpe Diem (KY) | 17 / 2 | Palace
(KY) | 17 / 1 | Liam's Map (KY) | 16
/ 2 | Summer Front (KY) | 16 / 2 | The
Big Beast (FL) | 16 | Commissioner
(KY) | 15 / 2 | Honor Code (KY) | 14 | Race
Day (KY) | 14 / 4 | Tonalist (KY) | 14
/ 1 | Daredevil (KY) | 12 / 1 | Danza
(KY) | 11 | Fast Anna (KY) | 11
/ 3 | Karakontie (KY) | 11 / 3 | Mr
Speaker (KY) | 11 | Golden Lad (MD) | 10
/ 2 | Hampton Court (AUS) | 10 | Secret
Circle (KY) | 10 | Bourbon Courage
(MD) | 8 / 1 | Console (PR) | 8 | Frac
Daddy (ONT) | 8 / 1 | Lea (KY) | 8
/ 2 | Bahamian Squall (FL) | 7 | Fury
Kapcori (FL) | 7 / 1 | Jack Milton
(KY) | 7 | Bakken (ALB) | 6
/ 1 | Chitu (FL) | 5 | Conveyance
(KY) | 5 | Govenor Charlie (CA) | 5 | Imagining
(MD) | 5 / 1 | Lent (BC) | 5 | Lotsa
Mischief | 5 | Curlin to Mischief
(CA) | 4 | Dramedy (OK) | 4
/ 1 | Majestic City (NY) | 4 | Medal
Count (OH) | 4 | Micromanage (NY) | 4 | Silver
Max (ONT) | 4 | Sky Kingdom (KY) | 4 | Normandy
Invasion (KY) | 3 | Seek Again (ARG) | 3 | We
Miss Artie (KY) | 3 | Admiral Kitten
(SAF) | 2 | Alpha Bettor (died) | 2 | Blueskiesnrainbows
(OK) | 2 | Boat Trip (CA) | 2
/ 1 | Call Me George (LA) | 2 | Conquest
Curlinate (CAN) | 2 | Global Power
(OH) | 2 | Golden Ticket (NY) | 2 | I
Spent It (OK) | 2 | Japan (NY) | 2 | Rousing
Sermon (CA) | 2 | Young Brian (FL) | 2 | Amira's
Prince (IRE) (FL) | 1 | Animal Style
(IN) | 1 | Chart Topper (ONT) | 1 | Cryptolight
(OH) | 1 | Declassify (ALB) | 1 | Gold
For Cash | 1 | Hangover Kid (MD) | 1
/ 1 | Katz My Song (FL) | 1 | Last
Draw | 1 | Last Gunfighter (Died) | 1 | Midnight
Crooner (OK) | 1 | Mr. Prankster | 1 | Mr.
Rancho Vista (WA) | 1 | Pataky Kid
(IN) | 1 | Tiz a Minister (CA) | 1 | Vaporetto
(PR) | 1 | Xixixi (PA) | 1 |
| | Freshman
Sires of 2019 Click here
to read my evaluation of the freshman sires whose first 2-year-olds will be debuting
this year. It's a large and interesting group. The accompanying table gives an
overview that shows how many mares each one has been bred to for the last 3 years,
as well as their first crop yearling average from last year. Those numbers will
given you an indication of how popular they are commercially, and which ones might
be siring the better-looking offspring.
Spoiler Alert! My predictions on
who will end the year at the top of the Freshman Sire List are:
American
Pharoah Daredevil Palace Liam's Map Bayern | 2018
FRESHMAN SIRES (1st 2yos in 2018) (thru Dec 31, 2018) My discussion on Freshman
Sires can
be read here. | 2018
Freshman leaders by earnings (top 5) | $ | Cross
Traffic (KY) | $2,115,603 | Goldencents
(KY) | $1,396,758 | Cairo Prince
(KY) | $1,254,485 | Central Banker
(NY) | $1,029,580 | Will Take Charge
(KY) | $ 972,222 | Leaders
by individual winners | # wnrs / # black type sws | Goldencents
(KY) | 29 / 2 | Cairo Prince (KY) | 19
/ 2 | Cross Traffic (KY) | 18 /
5 | Revolutionary (KY) | 16 / 1 | Noble
Mission (KY) | 14 | Will Take Charge
(KY) | 14 / 1 | He's Had Enough
(FL) | 13 | Itsmyluckyday (KY) |
13 | Verrazano (KY) | 13 / 2 | Can
The Man (KY) | 12 | Fed Biz (KY)
| 12 / 1 | Flashback (KY) | 11 | Mucho
Macho Man (KY) | 11 / 1 | Atreides
(KY) | 10 / 2 | Central Banker (NY) | 10
/ 2 | Drill (FL) | 10 / 1 | Tritap
(Died, MD) | 10 / 1 | Handsome Mike
(FL) | 9 | Mark Valeski (KY) | 9
/ 1 | Strong Mandate (KY) | 9 | Honorable
Dillon (NY) | 8 | Magician (IRE) | 8 | Souper
Speedy (ONT) | 8 / 2 | Uncaptured
(FL) | 8 / 3 | Real Solution (LA) | 7 | Shakin
It Up (KY) | 7 / 1 | Leaders by
stakes winners (black type) | | Cross
Traffic (KY) | 5 (Jaywalk-G1, Capocostello,
Cross Dancer, Dancin
Shoes, Dame Plata) | Uncaptured
(FL) | 3 (Bye Bye J, Catherinethegreat-G3,
Capture Your Dream) | Atreides
(KY) | 2 (Sueno, Amynta) | Cairo
Prince (KY) | 2 (Cairo Cat-G3 Giza
Goddess) | Central Banker (NY) | 2
(Bankit, Sassy Agnes) | Goldencents
(KY) | 2 (Pickett, Silvercents) | Souper
Speedy (ONT) | 2 (Blessed Two, Speedy
Soul) | Verrazano (KY) | 2 (Seek
and Destroy, Stirling Drive) | Abstraction
(NM) | 1 (Hustle Up) | Amanecer
de Oro (LA) | 1 (Cabo's Rumor) | Apriority
(LA) | 1 (Atchata) | Bandbox (MD) | 1
(Follow the Dog) | Boisterous (CA) | 1
(Kookie Gal) | Cajun Breeze (FL) | 1
(Cajun Firecracker) | Central Banker (NY) | 1
(Bankit) | Drill (FL) | 1 (Drillit)
| Fed Biz (KY) | 1 (Zenden) | Guilt
Trip (LA) | 1 (Goodprofit) | Harlan's
Pure (PR) | 1 (Ledoux) | Lakerville
(CA) | 1 (Lakerball) | Mark Valeski
(KY) | 1 (Backtohisroots) | Merit
Man (CA) | 1 (Give Me a Hint) | Mister
Lucky Cat (OK) | 1 (Starling) | Mucho
Macho Man (KY) | 1 (Mucho Gusto-G3) | Revolutionary
(KY) | 1 (Maiden Beauty) | Shakin
It Up (KY) | 1 (B. B. Dude) | Tritap
(died, MD) | 1 (My Star Potential) | Well
Spelled (PA) | 1 (Well Graced) | Will
Take Charge (KY) | 1 (Kim K) |
| | FRESHMAN
SIRES 2017 (thru December 31, 2017) | Leaders
by earnings (top 5) | | Overanalyze
(KY) | $1,646,764 | Violence (KY) | $1,556,274
| Take Charge Indy (S.KOR) | $1,049,751 | Shanghai
Bobby (KY) | $ 952,912 | Animal
Kingdom (KY) | $ 930,577 | Leaders
by individual winners | # wnrs / # black type sws | Violence
(KY) | 32 / 4 | Overanalyze (KY)
| 26 / 4 | Take Charge Indy (S.KOR) |
23 / 2 | Jimmy Creed (KY) | 20
/ 2 | Flat Out (KY) | 19 / 1 | Graydar
(KY) | 15 | Power Broker (KSA) |
15 | Shanghai Bobby (KY) | 15 / 3 | Treasure
Beach (GB) (FL) | 14 | Justin Phillip
(KY) | 13 / 1 | Paynter (KY) | 13
/ 1 | Morning Line (KY) | 12 /
1 | New Year's Day (KY) | 12 | Soldat
(FL) | 12 | Leaders by stakes
winners (black type) | | Overanalyze
(KY) | 4 (Analyze the Odds, Analyze
This Jet, Evaluator, Suzette) | Violence
(KY) | 4 (Barry Lee, Buy
Sell Hold, Cosmic Burst, Encumbered) | Animal
Kingdom (KY) | 3 (Sunny Skies, Continental
Divide, Untamed Domain-G2T) | Shanghai
Bobby (KY) | 3 (Gotta Go, March
X Press, Mr. Pete) | Declaration
of War (KY) | 3 (Actress-G3 IRE,
Eirene ENG, Speed Franco-SWT) | Jimmy
Creed (KY) | 2 (Spectator-G2,
Star Galicia (PAN)) | Liaison (KY) | 2
(Bronx Beauty, Night Strike) | Point
of Entry (KY) | 2 (Analyze It-G3T, Glamanation) | Take
Charge Indy (S.KOR) | 2 (Indy's Lady Take
Charge Paula) | Big Lightning (ALB) | 1
(Emma Jean Too) | Buffum (MD) | 1
(Clever Mind) | Cold Harbor (ONT) | 1
(Eskiminzin) | Currency Swap (FL) | 1
(Silver Bay) | Data Link (KY) |
1 (Stardoza) | E Z Effort (AZ) |
1 (Fortified Effort) | Flat Out (KY) | 1
(Pacific Gale) | Fort Larned (KY) | 1
(Blonde Bomber) | Freedom Child (MD) | 1
(Limited View) | Indian Evening (CA) | 1
(Kimberlea K) | Justin Phillip (KY) | 1
(What a Catch) | Morning Line (KY) | 1
(Surrender Now) | Orb (KY) | 1
(Orbolution) | Paynter (KY) | 1
(Renaisance Frolic) | Poseidon's Warrior (FL) | 1
(Firenze Fire-G1) | Smiling Tiger (CA) | 1
(Spiced Perfection) | Trinniberg (NY) | 1
(Aqua Bel Sar) |
| | FRESHMAN
SIRE PICKS FOR 2017 (March 11, 2017) I just uploaded my predictions
for the leading freshman sires, those stallions who entered stud in Kentucky 2014
with their first crop racing as 2-year-olds in 2017. The
article goes into extensive detail on each of the stallions from this Kentucky
sire class, with a table of statistics showing number of mares bred and yearling
averages/ medians to help support the analysis. As usual, my freshman sires picks
lean toward stallions who were good 2-year-old runners themselves, and spoiler
alert, for those who don't want to read the entire article, here are my top 5
selections.
Shanghai Bobby Violence Overanalyze Liaison Flat
Out | FRESHMAN SIRES 2016 (thru December 31, 2016) | Leaders
by earnings | | Dialed In (KY) | $1,544,836 | Union
Rags (KY) | $1,457,070 | Bodemeister
(KY) | $ 993,948 | Tapizar
(KY) | $ 962,057 | Gemologist
(KY) | $ 920,216 | Leaders
by individual winners | | Hansen
(SKOR) | 20 | Maclean's Music (KY)
| 20 | Shackleford (KY) |
19 | Dialed In (KY) | 19 | Union
Rags (KY) | 18 | Creative Cause (KY) | 17 | Stay
Thirsty (KY) | 17 | Astrology (KY)
| 15 | Bodemeister (KY) | 15 | Tapizar
(KY) | 15 | Gemologist (KY) | 14 | The
Factor (KY) | 14 | To Honor and Serve
(KY) | 13 | Algorigthms (KY) |
12 | Brilliant Speed (KY/died 2016) |
11 | Leaders by stakes winners (black type) | | Dialed
In (KY) | 3 | Union Rags
(KY) | 3 | Astrology
(KY) | 2 | Dominus (KY) | 2 | Gemologist
(KY) | 2 | Maclean's
Music (KY) | 2 | The
Factor (KY) | 2 | Algorithms
(KY) | 1 | Atta Boy
Roy (WA) | 1 | Bodemeister
(KY) | 1 | Brilliant
Speed (KY/died 2016) | 1 | Bullet
Train (GB) | 1 | Caleb's
Posse (KY) | 1 | Creative
Cause (KY) | 1 | Gattopardo
(WV) | 1 | Hansen (S
KOR) | 1 | Mission Impazible
(NY) | 1 | Noble's
Promise (IN) | 1 | Shackleford
(KY) | 1 | Signature
Red (ONT) | 1 | Skipshot
(KY) | 1 | Stay Thirsty
(KY) | 1 | Tapizar (KY)
| 1 | To Honor and Serve
(KY) | 1 |
| | 2016
FRESHMAN SIRE SELECTIONS (March 8, 2016) This year's freshman sires, those
with their first 2-year-olds hitting the track, are headlined by some of the
darlings at last year's yearling sales: Bodemeister, The Factor, Union Rags,
Tapizar, Jersey Town, Creative Cause, Shackleford and To Honor and Serve. They
all have 2015 yearling averages of $75,000 or over. When I make my freshman sire
choices, I like a horse who showed good form at 2, but could run into the middle
distances at 3, and ran for most of the season. A classy pedigree and no major
comformation issues helps, too. Union Rags seems to have the best all-around
resume, being the best East Coast juvenile who grew up to win the Belmont Stakes.
He's also a well-bred horse (by Dixie Union, dam by Gone West) and a striking
individual. Stay Thirsty was G1-placed at 2, won the Gotham and Travers
at 3, and the Cigar Mile at 4. With a top pedigree (Bernardini/Storm Bird) and
all-around good looks, he's got a license to succeed. To Honor and Serve
was a good late season 2-year-old, won the Cigar Mile at 3, and was a top older
male at 4. His pedigree is A+ (Bernardini/ Deputy Minister) and he's a big, handsome
horse. Shackleford is my wild card choice. He was a winner at 2, and was
a brilliantly fast, gutsy horse, winning the Preakness at 3 and the Met Mile at
4. By Forestry, a highly underrated sire, his dam Oatsee is a true blue hen by
Unbridled, and is from the same family as sires Gone West and Tentam. Finally,
it's hard to ignore the hype that followed Bodemeister, and the class of
mares it attracted. An extremely talented, well-bred (Empire Maker/Storm Cat)
horse, he was unraced at 2, but the size and quality of his first book of mares
could carry him to early success. | LEADING FRESHMAN SIRES IN
2015 I picked Uncle Mo to be the Leading Freshman Sire of 2015
and he did not disappoint. He was the leader by earnings, by number of winners
and by number of stakes winners (see lists below). His top colt Nyquist, winner
of 3 G1 races including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, will undoubtedly be named
Champion 2-Year-Old Male of 2015. Unfortunately, my other choices (Trappe Shot,
Sidney's Candy, General Quarters) didn't fare as well, but we'll see how they
do with their 3-year-olds in 2016. I was surprised to see Twirling Candy and Archarcharch
right up there among the leading freshman sires, but good for them. Girolamo might
have been the biggest surprise of all, with his first crop sired when he was standing
in New York, but now he's in Kentucky and standing at $15,000, 3 times what he
stood for last year. | FRESHMEN SIRES (thru Dec 31, 2015)
Leaders by earnings | |
Uncle Mo (KY) | $3,675,388 |
Twirling Candy (KY) | $1,167,144 |
Archarcharch (KY) | $1,001,686 |
Girolamo (KY) | $1,000,000 | First
Dude (FL) | $ 997,148 |
Leaders by # of winners | |
Uncle Mo (KY) | 28 | Twirling
Candy (KY) | 25 | Wilburn (KY) | 21 |
Girolamo (KY) | 19 | First
Dude (FL) | 16 | Archarcharch (KY) | 15 |
Paddy O'Prado (KY) | 15 |
Big Drama (FL) | 13 | Cape
Blanco (IRE) (JPN) | 13 | Leaders
by # stakes wnrs | | Uncle
Mo (KY) | 7 | Society's Chairman
(ONT) | 3 | Archarcharch (KY) | 2 |
EZ Dreamer (AZ) | 2 | Giant
Surprise (NY) | 2 | Gone Astray
(FL) | 2 | Shame On Charlie (NM) | 2 |
Tizway (KY) | 2 | Albertus
Maximus (KY) | 1 | American Lion
(KY) | 1 | Bank Heist (NY) | 1 |
Big Drama (FL) | 1 | Cape
Blanco (IRE) (JPN) | 1 | Courageous
Cat (NY) | 1 | Crown of Thorns
(FL) | 1 | Custom For Carlos (LA) | 1 |
Exhi (ONT) | 1 | First
Dude (FL) | 1 | Giant Oak ((KY) | 1 |
Girolamo (KY) | 1 | Haynesfield
(KY) | 1 | Indygo Mountain (TX) | 1 |
Paddy O' Prado (KY) | 1 |
Wilburn (KY) | 1 | | MY
PICKS FOR FRESHMAN SIRES IN 2015 Uncle Mo has all the qualifications
to be one of the leading freshman sires this year. He was the Champion 2-year-old
himself, and was just a flat out brilliant race horse. He's by Indian Charlie,
who specialized in precocious/speedy, his yearlings sold well last year, and he's
going to have a lot of juvenile runners out there. Trappe Shot's yearlings
sold remarkably well for his $10,000 stud fee, and he was a very fast horse by
Tapit, both of which suggest early runners. I've always been impressed with Sidney's
Candy, both as a horse with record-setting speed and great conformation. He's
by Candy Ride, who sired Shared Belief, the champion juvenile a couple years back.
I don't know how many 2-year-olds General Quarters will have from his first
Florida-sired crop, but he was a horse with tremendous ability and is bred to
run early, by Sky Mesa out of an Unbridled's Song mare. | LEADING
FRESHMAN SIRES OF 2014 While I didn't expect to see Quality Road and Super
Saver come on so quickly, it doesn't surprise me since both horses were very good
racehorses with great pedigrees. I was pleased to see the good showing by Munnings,
who I fully expected to do well with his first 2-year-olds: #2 by number of winners,
#3 by number of stakes winners, and #4 by earnings. It's good to see Tale of Ekati
rank high by number of winners, with 14. Concord Point got 2 stakes winners from
his first crop and is a horse to pay attention to as the first good son of Tapit
with runners. | FRESHMEN SIRES (thru December 31, 2014)
Leaders by earnings
(top 5) | | Quality Road | $1,572,480 |
Super Saver | $1,547,113 |
Lookin At Lucky | $1,417,098 |
Munnings | $1,187,487 | Majesticperfection | $
895,341 | Leaders by # of winners | |
Lookin At Lucky | 29 | Munnings |
27 | Majesticperfection | 20 |
Discreetly Mine | 19 | Midshipman |
19 | Kantharos | 18 |
Quality Road | 18 | Super
Saver | 16 | Tale of Ekati | 14 |
Warrior's Reward | 13 | Leaders
by # stakes wnrs | | Lookin
At Lucky | 4 | Super
Saver | 4 | Munnings | 3 |
Temple City | 3 |
Concord Point | 2 |
Desert Party | 2 |
Lantana Mob | 2 |
Quality Road | 2 |
Street Magician |
2 | | MY FAVORITE FRESHMAN SIRES
OF 2014 Among the stallions whose first crop will be racing in 2014, here
are some of my favorites. I think Munnings has "leading freshman sire"
written all over him. Fast and precocious himself, he's built for the part, and
is from a strong sireline, being the first good son of Speightstown to stud in
North America. Blame is a magnificent individual, and although his runners
might not be as precocious as Munnings, he stands out as an outstanding runner
by a very good sire from a great sire-making family going back to Rough Shod II.
I liked Tale of Ekati when he was racing, and I still like him. He was
a G2 winner at 2 and multiple G1 winner at 3, by Tale of the Cat, out of a Sunday
Silence mare, from a great female family. Line of David impressed me with
his good looks and is by Lion Heart, who was exported too soon. He is also from
the immediate family of Mr. Prospector, which says a lot. Concord Point was
one of the first sons of Tapit to stud and is a big, stout, handsome horse with
a remarkably intense pedigree. |
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