Repole Stable's Overdriven , an undefeated 2-year-old in 2011 and dominant winner of the Sanford Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2013 breeding season at J. Michael O'Farrell's Ocala Stud as an Ocala Stud/Repole Stable partnership.
Introductory fee for the Tale of the Cat colt will be $3,000 stands and nurses.
"Overdriven was an immensely talented 2-year-old and showed serious signs of being special," O'Farrell said. "He also happens to be a fantastic-looking individual, and by the right sire. I believe he's a natural for Florida and will be very well-received by breeders."
Overdriven stamped himself as one of the leading 2-year-olds in North America in the summer of 2011. His debut garnered attention after he overcame a troubled start in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park to blaze home a clear winner in :56.42, defeating next-out Saratoga track record-setter J C's Pride by 3 1/2 lengths. Overdriven earned a rare 100 Beyer speed figure as a first-time starter, and moved on to Saratoga as the odds-on choice in the Sanford three weeks later.
In the Sanford, the colt again flashed his high cruising speed before dominating in the stretch of the six-furlong stakes on opening weekend at Saratoga. His final margin of victory was four lengths, earning a 93 Beyer, and making him the early favorite for Saratoga's Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) later in the meet.
Prior to the Hopeful, Overdriven was forced to the sidelines for the remainder of his juvenile season due to a minor injury. In 2012 he overcame setbacks to return to the races, but after incurring another injury that would sideline him for the remainder of year, the decision was made for him to be retired to stud.
"Overdriven had tremendous potential, and everyone who's ever been around the horse has raved about him," said Mike Repole. "It's a shame he didn't get the grade I win that his talent showed. We were extremely confident training up to the Hopeful last year, and then he had the setback. It's exciting to stand a horse in Florida, especially at a farm with a tradition of top stallions like Ocala Stud. I plan on supporting Overdriven with mares, and I look forward to having the chance of buying some of his babies in future sales."
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Overdriven was weighted at 115 on the 2011 Experimental Free Handicap, above grade I winners Alpha, Take Charge Indy , and I'll Have Another .
Bred in Kentucky by Mount Joy Stables out of the multiple stakes-producing French Deputy mare Air France, Overdriven was a $200,000 purchase at the Keeneland Association November breeding stock sale in 2009 and was purchased by Repole for $350,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. He retires with earnings of $129,750, and joins leading 2-year-old sire Lion Heart as the only undefeated graded stakes-winning juveniles by Tale of the Cat with triple-digit Beyer speed standing at stud.
