Freshman sire Colonel John, the multiple grade I-winning millionaire by Tiznow , sired his first winner when his 2-year-old colt Cash Conversion captured a $35,000 maiden special weight race by a decisive 2 3/4 lengths at Presque Isle Downs June 2 (VIDEO) .
Cash Conversion broke sharply for Deshawn Parker in the 4 1/2-furlong heat and showed good early speed to open up a clear advantage down the backstretch. The dark bay colt continued cruising while in control on the turn, before drawing off smartly in the stretch. He crossed the wire much the best, stopping the clock in :53.01 seconds over the Tapeta surface.
Trained by Tim Hamm for WinStar Farm and Blazing Meadows Farm, Cash Conversion was runner-up in his debut last month at Presque Isle before breaking his maiden Sunday in his second start. Bred by WinStar, the promising colt was sold as a yearling for $120,000 at Keeneland September to form a partnership between WinStar and Blazing Meadows. He is out of the multiple stakes-producing West by West mare Cash No Credit, dam of graded stakes winner Praying for Cash.
"Colonel John's first 2-year-olds have looked athletic all spring, and really, they've been well-thought-of at every stage. We couldn't be more proud, and we're excited about his future. It will only get brighter in my opinion," said Elliott Walden, WinStar president & CEO.
The most accomplished son at stud by leading sire Tiznow, Colonel John scored his biggest wins on the racetrack in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and Travers Stakes (gr. I) as a 3-year-old. He was also a top 2-year-old of his crop, setting a stakes record when winning the Real Quiet Stakes before a runner-up performance in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) to close out his juvenile season. He retired from racing with five stakes victories and career earnings of $1,779,012.
Colonel John, who hails from the Turkoman mare Sweet Damsel, recently led all freshman sires with an average of $150,000 at OBS April. He stands at WinStar for a fee of $15,000 stands and nurses.