American Chance won 10 of 37 starts and earned $847,977. He captured five stakes, including the Jersey Derby (gr. II), Forego Handicap (gr. II), and Lafayette Stakes (gr. III). In the Don Bernhardt Stakes at Ellis Park, he set a track record of 1:15 for 6 1/2 furlongs.American Chance, who was produced from the Seattle Slew mare American Dance, stood at Glencrest Farm and Vinery, both near Midway, Ky., and at Questroyal in New York before being sent to Empire. He was scheduled to stand in 2005 at Walmac International near Lexington.
American Chance, second on New York's leading sire list by 2004 progeny earnings, died Oct. 18 of colitis-X while standing at Haras La Providencia in Argentina. A dozen days after his death, his daughter Bending Strings captured the First Flight Handicap (gr. II). A 15-year-old son of Cure the Blues, American Chance was based at Empire Stud in New York, where he is represented by the earners of $3.1 million this year. He has sired 22 stakes winners and the career earners of $12.5 million. Bred by Bertram and Diana Firestone, American Chance initially raced for Bertram Firestone before John Gunther bought him and campaigned him in partnership. Gunther campaigns Bending Strings as well as American Chance's son, Eye of the Tiger, a grade II winner this year.
