HARD SPUN
2004 Danzig–Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman
By Alan Porter
One of the leading lights of that wonderful group of 2007 sophomores, Hard Spun was arguably the most versatile of them all, coming back from classic distances to take the seven furlong King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I).
By Danzig – and quite possibly the last top-class son of that horse to retire to stud in the U.S. – Hard Spur is out of an Alydar line mare. With Danzig crossing well with most branches of Mr. Prospector, and Alydar combining well with that strain, Hard Spun looks made for Mr. Prospector line mares. It’s worth nothing that, Point Given , who like Hard Spun, is out of a Turkoman mare, has been doing very well with Seattle Slew line mares, and that strain is recommended here.
Crossing Hard Spun over mares from the male line of Roberto, the sire of his second dam, looks promising. Other Turn-to lines which could do well here include Sir Ivor, Halo, Cox’s Ridge, Stop the Music and Mr. Leader. In general, Danzig has also been good with Ribot, Blushing Groom and Sharpen Up.