Mission Impazible , a multiple grade II winner by Unbridled's Song that has earned more than $1.2 million in his career, will be retired to Becky Thomas and Dennis Narlinger's Sequel Stallions in New York for 2013.
He is expected to make his final start in the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs.
"Mission Impazible was a 'TDN Rising Star' at Keeneland in the spring of his 2-year-old season, and a significant graded stakes winner at both 3 and 4 while facing the best of his generation," said Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks Racing. "I thought we were finally going to get the grade I win he deserves when he lost by a nose in the Donn Handicap earlier this year, but we still have one more shot in a couple of weeks in the Clark."
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Mission Impazible graduated first time out in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special at Keeneland in April of his juvenile campaign before jumping onto the Derby Trail as a 3-year-old with a win in the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Returning to New Orleans as a 4-year-old, Mission Impazible collected another major graded victory in the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II). He was also second in two grade I races at Churchill Downs in 2011, including the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I). He also ran second to Wise Dan in the Clark to finish the season.
In 2012, Mission Impazible earned a 106 Beyer speed figure while a close second in the Donn. He was also the runner-up in the New Orleans. Mission Impazible has been in the money in 13 of 20 starts, including 16 graded stakes.
"'Mission' has been a thrill for us to campaign, and it really is incredible how genuine he's been every year of his career," Gullatt said. "He's sound, he's all racehorse, and I think he's going to make a great sire."
Mission Impazible is out of the Hold Your Peace mare La Paz, and is a half-brother to graded stakes winners Forest Camp and Spanish Empire. A fee for Mission Impazible will be determined and announced at a later date.
Mission Impazible
