Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin came through with his first North American winner when his 2-year-old son Palace Malice scored at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 4. Palace Malice, who finished second at Belmont Park first time out, won the 6 1/2-furlong race by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:16.48 for Dogwood Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher (VIDEO) .
The racing stable bought Palace Malice for $200,000 at the Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training from Niall Brennan Stables, agent.
Bred in Kentucky by W.S. Farish, Palace Malice is the third winner from three foals of racing age from the stakes-winning Royal Anthem mare Palace Rumor, who is a half sister to stakes winners Jumpifyoudare and Maya's Storm.
Curlin has three overseas winners, including English stakes-placed Savanna La Mar.
Eight-year-old Curlin (Smart Strike—Sherriff’s Deputy, by Deputy Minister) was Horse of the Year at 3 in 2007 and at 4 in 2008. He stands at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.