Yonaguska on the way to winning the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream.
Grade I winner Yonaguska, a $1.95 million auction 2-year-old, has been purchased by Tom Simon's Vinery from Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier, wife of Coolmore managing partner John Magnier, for stallion duty at the Lexington farm.An accomplished sprinter for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Yonaguska as a 2-year-old won the 2000 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga in a deadheat and the Flash Stakes in :57.86 for five furlongs at Belmont Park. As a 3-year-old, the son of Cherokee Run won the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park and beat older horses in winning both the Fall Highweight (gr. II) and Sport Page (gr. III) Handicaps in New York."He has the looks, has a ton of speed, and was one of the best 2-year-olds of his year. All that should appeal to breeders," said Vinery's Bates Newton, who mentioned a fee in the range of $10,000. "That won't be decided until after the September sale."Bred by Edward Evans, Yonaguska retires with six wins from 18 starts, six graded stakes-placings, and $536,355 in earnings. His dam, Marital Spook (by Silver Ghost), is a half-sister to three graded stakes winners, including grade I winner Prenup.
