Grade I Winner First Samurai's Dam Euthanized

Freddie Frisson, dam of grade I winner First Samurai, was euthanized Oct. 30 because of complications from laminitis. Owner John Gunther kept the 13-year-old daughter of Dixieland Band at his Glennwood Farm near Versailles, Ky.

First Samurai, a son of Giant's Causeway  , was one of the top 2-year-olds last year. Campaigned by Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon Robbins III, First Samurai captured the Champagne (gr. I) and Hopeful (gr. I) Stakes and was third in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). Placed on the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail, he won the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and ran second in the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) before suffering an injury in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) in what was his final start. He will enter stud in 2007 at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky.

Gunther bought Freddie Frisson privately during her 5-year-old season in 1998. She won the Holiday Inaugural and Queen Stakes for him. Bred by Morton Rosenthal, Freddie Frisson retired with seven wins from 24 starts and earnings of $263,037.

Freddie Frisson produced only three other foals. Her first foal, the winner In the Ghetto, is a broodmare for Gunther. Gunther has Freddie Frisson's 2-year-old colt, Blackfoot Trail (by Menifee), in training with Patrick Biancone, and the mare's yearling filly by Cherokee Run at the farm. Freddie Frisson, who was produced from the Fappiano mare Frisson, was carrying a full sibling to First Samurai at the time of her death.

Freddie Frisson is buried at Glennwood.