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Pedigree Analysis: The Upside of Shakin It Up

by Anne Peters
On Feb. 7, Darley announced the retirement of Quiet American, its 27-year-old son of Fappiano. Ten days later Quiet American's great-grandson Shakin It Up put himself on the classic trail.

First Foal a Filly for Society's Chairman

The winning Vindication mare Southern Oaks delivered the first foal for Ontario-based Society's Chairman on Feb. 2. A grade III-winning son of Not Impossible, Society's Chairman stands for $3,500 (Canadian dollars).

Dust and Diamonds Cashes in at Gulfstream

Dust and Diamonds produced a quick return on her purchase at auction in November with an easy victory in the $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 8.

Dust and Diamonds Flawless in Gallant Bloom

Dust and Diamonds, getting good at the right time, disposed of better-known rivals Musical Romance and Turbulent Descent with ease in capturing the $200,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap (gr. II) by 1 1/4 lengths at Belmont.

Broadway's Alibi Makes Splash in Forward Gal

Favored Broadway's Alibi, racing on an off-track for the first time in her career, made quite a splash in her stakes debut with a dominating 16 3/4-length victory in the Forward Gal (gr. II) Jan. 29 at rainy Gulfstream Park.

Wyomia Runs Away With Mazarine Stakes

Wyomia made her first stakes appearance a winning one, upsetting odds-on choice Delightful Mary in the $225,470 Mazarine (Can-III) at Woodbine.

Bone Chip Sidelines Odysseus

Derby contender finished last under Rajiv Maragh as the 5-1 co-third choice in the April 10 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I); has a bone chip in his left knee according to owner Satish Sanan.

Nowhere to Hide: We're In!

Trainer Nick Zito said the defection of Win Willy led him to decide to enter My Meadowview Farm's Nowhere to Hide in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Second-Crop Sires Shuffle in 2008

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

The sires with their first 3-year-olds racing in 2008 have seen some reshuffling among the leaders by progeny earnings, particularly compared with the rankings of this sire class as freshmen.

Strawberry Reason Dead

Strawberry Reason, dam of champion Vindication, was found dead in her pasture June 29 at Arthur B. Hancock III's Stone Farm near Paris, Ky.

Bank Seeks ClassicStar Assets

Fifth Third Bank is asking a federal bankruptcy court for assistance in taking possession of certain assets held by ClassicStar LLC, including stallion shares and income from other sires.

Champion Vindication Dead

Champion Vindication, one of this year's leading second-crop sires, was euthanized Wednesday because of complications from colic.

Arkansas Derby Runners Prep at Churchill

Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road, runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II), and WinStar Derby winner Liberty Bull prepped for scheduled runs in next week's $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) with workouts in the mud April 5 at Churchill Downs.

Blackberry Road Favored in Lecomte

Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road may be the 7-2 morning line choice for the $100,000 Lecomte Stakes (gr. III), but he'll face two unbeaten runners, a graded stakes winner, and an impressive 9 1/4 length victor when a field of nine heads to the post at the Fair Grounds Jan. 12.

Maimonides Trains Toward San Rafael

Zayat Stables' Maimonides will race for the first time since Sept. 3 when he competes in the Jan. 12 San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park, trainer Bob Baffert said Dec. 19.

Vindication to Stay at $60,000

Vindication, seventh on the first-crop sire list by progeny earnings, will stand once again for $60,000 at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington.

Grade I Winner Pussycat Doll Consigned at Fasig-Tipton November

Pussycat Doll, a five-time stakes winner and three-time grade I winner, will be offered at the Nov. 4 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale, Hill 'n' Dale consignment announced Oct. 3.

Dawn Raid Sets Track Record at Woodbine

Dawn Raid, a 2-year-old filly by Vindication, set a 5 1/2-furlong Woodbine track record Sept. 27.

Keeneland Day One: Top 10 Hips to Watch

Senior staff writer Ron Mitchell identifies the top ten offerings on the first day of the 2007 Keeneland Yearling Sale.

Graded Stakes Winner Scipion Retired

Scipion, a half-brother to champion and promising young sire Vindication, has been retired from racing.

Baffert Trainee J Be K Breaks Track Record at Saratoga

Zayat Stables' J Be K, a 2-year-old son of Silver Deputy trained by Bob Baffert, broke the track record at Saratoga Race Course in the first start of his career when he blazed 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.13.

More Happy Scores in Adirondack

Phantom Income and More Happy were the clear favorites in the 91st running of $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Aug. 15. The six-and-a-half-furlong sprint could not have gone any more dramatically different for the pair of talented 2-year-old fillies.

Maimonides Scores Impressive Debut Win

Maimonides, a $4.6-million yearling purchase, won by 11 1/2 lengths in his maiden debut Wednesday at Saratoga. It was a welcome boost for trainer Bob Baffert.

Padua Hopes to 'Re-energize' With Kentucky Move

Satish Sanan bagged his first Triple Crown race victory this spring as part owner of Curlin, who won the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). But he would very much like to win the Run for the Roses and will try to achieve that goal while based in Kentucky.

First Winner for Champion Vindication

Champion Vindication's first winner, Galiano, won June 10 at Lone Star Park.

Vindication Colt, Forest Camp Filly Top Ocala Preview

A colt by Vindication and a filly by Forest Camp worked eighths in :10 flat to post the fastest times at the distance Saturday at the first session of the Under Tack Preview for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2007 March Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Offspring of First Crop Sires Catching Buyers' Eyes at FT Calder Sale

The progeny of Vindication are standing out heading into Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training at Calder Race Course.

Bernardini Season Added to Charity Auction

A breeding to multiple grade I winner Bernardini has been added to the stellar roster of seasons to be included in the Thoroughbred Charities of America's stallion season auction beginning on Nov. 27.

Pletcher to Donate Stallion Seasons to TCA Auction

Trainer Todd Pletcher has elected to include his personal "package" of stallion seasons for 2007 in the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) Stallion Season and Art Auction, which will begin Nov. 27 and conclude with a live auction at Dec. 1. The live auction will be conducted by Fasig Tipton auctioneers.

Most Hill 'n' Dale Fees Unchanged

John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington released its 2007 stallion fees Oct. 13 with seven of the 11 stallions standing next year for the same amount as the '06 breeding season.

Fee For Vindication to Remain $60,000

Hill 'n' Dale Farms announced that Vindication's stud fee will remain $60,000 for the 2007 breeding season.

September Sire Power: Young and Old Rule at Keeneland

While it was Sheikh Mohammed who drove the market during the two-day select sessions of Keeneland's September yearling sale Monday and Tuesday, it was powered by the sires of those yearlings. The leading sires from Book One are a heady mix of the old guard with a trio of young shooters making some interesting headway.

Kentucky Derby Trail: A Wonder to Behold

Racing seems to have its share of ills these days, which is why the first injection of Derby Fever is being given out earlier and earlier each year. Even taken in small doses in November, it can start the blood pumping, and what better way to brace for the long winter than by getting a brief whiff of roses or hearing even the faintest strains of "My Old Kentucky Home?"

Hill 'n' Dale Fees Released; El Corredor to $30,000

El Corredor, whose first crop includes one of the favorites for the Alberto VO5 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), will have his stud fee raised from $20,000 to $30,000 for the 2006 breeding season.

Vindication Back at Hill 'n' Dale After Hospitalization

Champion Vindication, who showed signs of discomfort at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington, has returned to breeding after spending time at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.

Silverbulletday Produces Vindication Filly

Michael Pegram's two-time champion filly Silverbulletday produced her third foal, a dark bay filly by undefeated champion Vindication Jan. 28 at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington.

Storm Cat, A.P. Indy Among Sires Represented at KEEP Season Auction

Leading sires Storm Cat and A.P. Indy are among dozens of stallions whose seasons will be auctioned during a Dec. 3 event to raise money for KEEP -- the Kentucky Equine Education Project. The auction will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington, Ky.

Scipion, Half-Brother to Vindication, Wins Debut

Scipion, a half-brother to 2002 2-year-old champion Vindication who was sold for $1.9 million, won his debut race Saturday with an impressive come-from-behind effort at Saratoga Race Course.

Vindication Gets First Mare in Foal

Hill 'n' Dale Farms reported that Footing is the first mare confirmed in foal to champion Vindication.

New Sires for 2004: Six-Figure Returns

Can it really be just a year ago that the top price for an incoming stallion was only $40,000? That the second-highest price was $30,000? Well, now the top price for a newcomer is back up to six figures, $100,000 to be exact, and the next highest is $50,000.

Miracles

By Lenny Shulman -- Remember the good old days when only injuries kept horses from running in the Breeders' Cup?

Lane's End Sets Mineshaft's Fee at $100,000

Move over Vindication. There's a new leader among the stallions entering stud in 2004. Mineshaft, the leader on the NTRA poll, will begin his stallion career in 2004 for $100,000, twice that of Vindication, last year's champion juvenile male.

Champion Vindication Starting at $50,000

Vindication, the unbeaten champion 2-year-old male of 2002 whose retirement from racing was announced earlier this month, will begin his stallion career for $50,000 live foal, a full $10,000 more than what freshman leader Came Home commanded during the 2003 season.

Champion Vindication Retired to Hill 'n' Dale in Kentucky

With trainer Bob Baffert reporting that Vindication's training schedule is just too tight to make the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge (gr. I), Satish and Anne Sanan's Padua Stables announced the early retirement of the unbeaten 2-year-old champion male of 2002.

TRF Saratoga Gala Raises More Than $500,000

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation raised more than $500,000 at its annual gala, held Monday. Aug. 4, at the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club. The bulk of the money, a record amount for the event, was raised through separate live auctions, one for season options to breed to select stallions, the other for "unique experiences."

$2.7 Million Unbridled Colt Tops Saratoga Sale; Sharp Gains Again

Business continued its upswing Wednesday night during the second of three sessions at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga yearling sale, with strong gains in gross receipts and average and a modest gain in the median price.

Baffert-Trained Vindication, Sarava Improving

Padua Stables' Vindication, who suffered a suspensory ligament injury in early February, returned to trainer Bob Baffert's California barn Monday. Also, 2002 Belmont Stakes winner Sarava is improving.

Vindication's Half-Brother Among Saratoga Offerings

Two years ago, the Seattle Slew colt Vindication brought $2.15 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. He went on to win the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and earn an Eclipse Award. This year, his half-brother by A.P. Indy is one of 212 horses catalogued for the Saratoga auction, which begins Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (EDT) in New York.

Vindication Back on Track at Padua Training Center

Juvenile champion Vindication, who suffered a suspensory ligament injury in early February, began jogging at Padua Training Center Monday and remains on track to return to racing later this year.

Ex-Division Leaders Toccet, Sky Mesa on Mend

While leading Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contenders Funny Cide, Empire Maker and Dynever are getting most of the attention these days, it wasn't long ago that Sky Mesa, Vindication and Toccet were the darlings of the current 3-year-old class.