Top Phipps producer Blitey.
Blitey, a homebred graded stakes winner and stakes producer for the late Ogden Phipps, was euthanized Nov. 26 at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., because of complications from the infirmities of old age. The 28-year-old daughter of Riva Ridge had been pensioned since 2000.Blitey's credentials as a broodmare rivaled those of mares chosen Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Blitey produced grade I winners Dancing Spree, Fantastic Find, and Furlough, plus grade II winner Dancing All Night and the dam of grade I winners Heavenly Prize and Oh What a Windfall. Overall, Blitey produced 14 foals, a dozen of which were winners.Heavenly Prize, champion 3-year-old filly of 1994, won a staggering eight grade I stakes before going on make a name for herself as a broodmare. A son, Good Reward, captured the Nov. 28 Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) for Ogden Phipps' son, Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps. Another of Heavenly Prize's offspring, Pure Prize, was a grade II winner.Dancing Spree was versatile enough to win the 1 1/4-mile Suburban Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park in the summer of 1989 and the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) in the fall. Both Dancing Spree and Heavenly Prize are millionaires.Fantastic Find also developed into a grade I stakes producer. Her daughter, Finder's Fee, captured two grade I stakes for Ogden Phipps.Blitey, who was produced from champion Lady Pitt (by Sword Dancer), won eight of 23 races and earned $297,746. Her five stakes wins include scores in the Maskette (gr. II) and Test (gr. II) Stakes her 3-year-old season in 1979. Blitey was buried at Claiborne's Marchmont cemetery.
