First Samurai, winning the Hopeful Stakes.
Grade I winner First Samurai will begin his stallion career at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., for a fee of $40,000 in 2007. The 3-year-old son of Giant's Causeway was one of the best juveniles of his year, winning the Champagne (gr. I) and Hopeful (gr. I) Stakes in New York. He is out of the stakes-winning Dixieland Band mare Freddie Frisson.Claiborne raised the fee of Arch from $15,000 to $25,000 for 2007. Arch (Kris S.--Aurora, by Danzig) is enjoying a career year, with a pair of grade I winners, a two-time English group I winner, and three other international group winners.Claiborne plans to keep the fees for its two highest-priced stallions, Pulpit and Seeking the Gold, the same as they were in 2006. Pulpit A. P. Indy--Preach, by Mr. Prospector) will remain at $80,000, and Seeking the Gold (Mr. Prospector--Con Game, by Buckpasser) will stand at $125,000.Following are fees for the other stallions: During ($7,500), Eddington ($20,000), Flatter ($5,000), Horse Chestnut ($5,000), Monarchos ($7,500), Out of Place ($7,500), Stroll ($5,000), and Strong Hope ($30,000).
