Secretariat S. (gr. I)
(gr. IT , 10f ,)
SHOWING UP
(CH h,
126
lb) $240,000
Strategic Mission —Miss Alethia , by
T. V. Commercial
B—Rose Retreat Farm,
KY.;
O—Lael Stables;
T—Barclay Tagg
Ivan Denisovich (IRE)
(B h,
119
lb) $80,000
Danehill —Hollywood Wildcat , by
Kris S.
B—Irving Cowan,
IRE.;
O—Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael and Cowan, Irving and Marjorie;
T—Aidan P. O'Brien
Primary
(B h,
119
lb) $40,000
Giant's Causeway —Prospective , by
Mr. Prospector
B—Louise I. Humphey,
KY.;
O—Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd.;
T—William J. Haggas
Margins: 1½, 4½, ¾. Others: Proudinsky (GER) 119($20,000) , Niagara Causeway 119($12,000) , Go Between 123($8,000) . Winning Jockey, Cornelio H. Velasquez.
Showing Up, a record setter on both turf and dirt, set two new milestones in winning the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington Park Aug. 12. Scoring his first grade I win, the Secretariat made Showing Up a millionaire in just six starts for Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables.
While most Thoroughbred owners dream of having one Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender, the Jacksons had the privilege of having two this year—Showing Up and Barbaro. Both undefeated at the time, Showing Up finished the classic race unplaced, while Barbaro romped to a 61¼2-length victory. And now, as Barbaro continues to fight through the life-threatening injuries he sustained during the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), it’s Showing Up’s chance to shine on the racetrack and ease the minds of the Jacksons with his winning ways.
The Jacksons can also take credit for breeding European champion George Washington, who took the group I Stan James Two Thousand Guineas the same day their homebred Barbaro won the Derby. In the Lael Stables silks, the Jacksons additionally race 2006 added-money winners Stormy Kiss (gr. II) and La Chiflota.
Unraced as a 2-year-old, Showing Up only had three starts prior to the Derby, which is the sole loss of his career. Trained by Barclay Tagg, the colt earned just enough for a spot in the Run for the Roses after his score in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II), which served as his final Derby prep. He won the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs prior to the Secretariat.
The Jacksons acquired Showing Up, by Strategic Mission, for $60,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-old sale. He was consigned by Solitary Oak, agent.
Showing Up was bred by Nellie M. Cox and her Rose Retreat Farm, which is located near Goochland, Va. Out of the winning T. V. Commercial mare Miss Alethia, Showing Up was foaled at Peter Taaffe’s Taaffe Farm near Wilmore, Ky.
In addition to Showing Up, Miss Alethia is the dam of multiple stakes winner Gimmeawink (by Elusive Quality), who retired from racing with $531,090 in earnings, and is now standing at stud at Peter Van Rosbeck’s Hidden Point Farm near Ocala, Fla.
Miss Alethia, who did not produce an offspring this year, has a yearling filly by Proud Citizen. She is in foal to Five Star Day.
Strategic Mission is the sire of three stakes winners, including additional 2006 added-money winners Golden Strategy (Pan-II) and Miss Savannah Rose. Strategic Mission stands at Liberty Stud near Ghent, N.Y. His 2006 fee was $3,500.—E.M.