Pollard's Vision, winning the Illinois Derby.
Pollard's Vision, a millionaire and four-time graded stakes winner, will enter stud at Wintergreen Stallion Station near Midway, Ky. The 4-year-old son of Carson City was raised at Wintergreen, owned by John Greely IV and his brother Beau. He was retired following an injury while finishing unplaced in the Aug. 6 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga.Pollard's Vision's record of 17 wins and placings from 23 starts seemed remarkable in that he raced with only one good eye. Pollard's Vision became blind in his right eye as a result of MRLS. He was named for Seabiscuit's rider, Red Pollard, who also was blind in an eye.Pollard's Vision attracted considerable attention as a 2-year-old by breaking his maiden at Saratoga by 12 1/2 lengths and was stakes-placed in New York in his last start of the year. His 3-year-old season was marked by victories in the Illinois (gr. II) and Walmac Lone Star (gr. III) Derbys and in the Leonard Richards Stakes (gr. III) at Delaware Park. Pollard's Vision also placed in that year's Louisiana (gr. II), Pennsylvania (gr. II), Ohio (gr. II), and West Virginia (gr. III) Derbys.This year, Pollard's Vision captured the National Jockey Club Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne over Badge of Silver and ran second to Eddington in the Pimlico Special Handicap (gr. I). He also placed in the Suburban (gr. I) and Mineshaft (gr. III) Handicaps."Pollard was tough, durable, and consistent -- a real warrior, the type of horse everyone would want to own," said his trainer, Todd Pletcher. "He gave you everything he had every time he went out there."Bred by Charles A. Smith, Pollard's Vision was bought by David S. Moore for $70,000 at the Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training. Campaigned by Moore's Edgewood Farm, Pollard's Vision won six races and earned $1,430,311.Pollard's Vision's dam, Etats Unis (by Dixieland Band), is a full sister to millionaire Bowman's Band, who stood his first season at stud this year. Pollard's Vision's fourth dam is champion Chris Evert, granddam of champion and successful sire Chief's Crown.A fee will be announced in early October.
