Grade II Winner Sir Cherokee to Crestwood in Kentucky

Sir Cherokee, a grade II-winning son of Cherokee Run, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm near Lexington. Campaigned as homebred by Kenneth T. Jones Jr.'s Domino Stud, Sir Cherokee will remain the property of Domino and stand for $7,500 live foal.

Sir Cherokee was one of the top 2003 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contenders after winning the Arkansas Derby (gr. II). The Blood-Horse's Steve Haskin in his Derby Dozen ranked him No. 6 in his final poll. Unfortunately, Sir Cherokee missed the big race after suffering a small fracture in an ankle. He returned to racing that fall at Churchill Downs and promptly won.

As a 4-year-old, Sir Cherokee captured the Ack Ack (gr. III) and Maxxam Gold Cup Handicaps and placed in the Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) and Slipton Fell Handicap. He retired with six wins from 19 races and earnings of $628,296.

Sir Cherokee's dam, La Cucina (by Last Tycoon), is a half-sister to English stakes winner Ocean Air.