TOYOTA BLUE GRASS S. (gr. I ), Keeneland , April 13, 2013 , $750,000 Guaranteed , value of race $750,000 , 3 yo , 1 1/8 miles , 1:50.27 All Weather Track FT .

Charles Fipke’s patient tactics in both mining exploration and the horse racing business have paid big dividends in recent years.

The highly acclaimed geologist, who is a leading figure in the discovery of diamonds and precious stones in North America, was represented by his first graded stakes winner of 2013 when Java’s War won the April 13 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) in thrilling come-from-behind fashion.

Fipke admitted Java’s War wasn’t a particularly imposing foal, but he still believed in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) hopeful, who descends from a solid female family.

“He was a smallish horse, but I find a lot of (small horses) can really run,” said Fipke of the colt. “Another one of my horses, Perfect Shirl, was also small and wouldn’t have brought much at auction, but she won the Breeders’ Cup (Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, gr. IT).”

With that in mind, plus the fact Java’s War had a nice blend of speed and stamina in his pedigree, Fipke took his time with Java’s War. He sent the son of War Pass to trainer Kenny McPeek, who has a turf track on his Magdalena Farm near Lexington.

“I didn’t know if we’d get a turf or dirt horse since Rainbow Quest (sire of Java’s War’s dam Java) is a turf horse and War Pass is dirt,” said Fipke. “Java’s War actually runs very well on the dirt and the Polytrack, so it worked out well.”

Fipke purchased Java for $350,000 through Ryan Norton at the 2009 Keeneland November mixed sale. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, she was carrying the Blue Grass winner.

Out of stakes winner Island Jamboree (by Explodent), Java is a full sister to 1998 champion grass female Fiji. Java’s second dam, Careless Virgin (by Wing Out), is a half sister to grade I winners Cacoethes and Fabulous Notion.

Java is also the dam of stakes-placed runner Coffee Bar (by Mineshaft). Her most recent foal is a yearling colt by Not Bourbon, a Fipke homebred and a multiple stakes winner in Canada. Java will most likely be bred to Not Bourbon again for 2014.

War Pass is the sire of four stakes winners, all of which have won in 2013, including grade II victor and fellow Kentucky Derby contender Revolutionary. Champion War Pass died unexpectedly in 2010 in his paddock at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Ky.—E.M.

RISEN STAR S. (gr. II ), Fair Grounds , February 23, 2013 , $400,000 Guaranteed , value of race $400,000 , 3 yo , 1 1/16 miles , 1:44.52 Dirt FT .

Kentucky owner/breeder Brereton C. Jones hit it big at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23. His homebred Mark Valeski won the Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) as the odds-on favorite, and Ive Struck a Nerve, a colt Jones bred, captured the day’s feature, the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II).

Jones, who bred Ive Struck a Nerve out of the winning Cryptoclearance mare Ranaway, also has bragging rights when it comes to Ive Struck a Nerve’s sire. Jones stood Yankee Gentleman, by Storm Cat, at his Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky., when the Risen Star winner was conceived.

“We thought Ranaway would relate well with speed,” Jones said about the mating. “Yankee Gentleman has great speed and sires great speed. If you got speed and soundness, there’s a good chance for the horse to be successful.”

Ive Struck a Nerve wasn’t exactly highly sought after as a weanling at the 2010 Keeneland November breeding stock sale the first time he sold. Consigned by Airdrie, the colt was bought by Whitby Bloodstock for $1,700 during the sale’s 11th session.

Ive Struck a Nerve sold twice more at auction, both times at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Matt Bryan, who races the colt in the name Big Chief Racing, bought him for $82,000 at the 2012 OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training from Mayberry Farm, agent.

Unfortunately for Jones, Ive Struck a Nerve is the last offspring out of Ranaway. She died of foaling complications. Ranaway’s other three named foals are winners.

Ive Struck a Nerve comes from a solid female family. Ranaway is a full sister to stakes-placed Cryptoway and a half sister to grade I winner K. J.’s Appeal and grade II winner Slew Valley. By Valid Appeal, K. J.’s Appeal won the 1998 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (gr. I) in track-record time of 1:46.06 for 11/8 miles.

Yankee Gentleman, who has sired 17 stakes winners, stands at Le Mesa Stallions near Carencro, La. His 2013 fee is $5,000.—D.S.