Firecracker H. (gr. II)
(gr. IIT , 8f ,)
MR. SIDNEY
(B h,
120
lb) $101,896
Storm Cat —Tomisue's Delight , by
A.P. Indy
B—Hilbert Thoroughbreds, Inc.,
KY.;
O—Circle E Racing;
T—William I. Mott
Inca King
(DK B/ g,
115
lb) $32,869
Sir Cat —Inca Prize , by
Prized
B—Parrish Hill Farm,
KY.;
O—Heiligbrodt Racing Stable;
T—Steven M. Asmussen
Seaspeak
(DK B/ h,
118
lb) $16,434
Mizzen Mast —Somerset West , by
Gone West
B—Dr. John A. Chandler,
KY.;
O—Dr. John A. Chandler;
T—Ralph E. Nicks
Margins: 1½, 3¾, 2¼. Others: Thorn Song 123($8,217) , Tizdejavu 120($4,930) , Wise River 118($1,677) , Passager (FR) 118($1,677) . Winning Jockey, Kent J. Desormeaux.
ItÕs too bad there isnÕt a championship for turf miler because if there were, Mr. Sidney would rank among the leading contenders. All three of his wins this year have come at a mile on grass for Lee EinsidlerÕs Circle E Racing.
Mr. Sidney captured the July 4 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs as the 2-1 favorite. The 5-year-old son of Storm Cat raced near the back before taking command in the final furlong and winning by 11Ú2 lengths over Inca King on a ÒyieldingÓ turf course.
Mr. SidneyÕs earlier wins this year came in the April 10 MakerÕs Mark Mile Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland over ÒyieldingÓ turf and in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in January. Mr. Sidney is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott.
ÒHe proved at Keeneland that he likes this kind of course with a little give in the ground,Ó said assistant trainer Kenny McCarthy after the Firecracker. ÒThe weather didnÕt bother us in the least. It set up good with the speed in there. I thought actually theyÕd go even a little quicker than what they did, but you know it set up nicely for us to come. He was right on today.Ó
Thorn Song, the 123-pound highweight and last yearÕs winner, set the early pace with fractions of :23.79 and :47.28 before giving way and finishing fourth. The final time for the race was 1:37.28.
Bred in Kentucky by Stephen HilbertÕs Hilbert Thoroughbreds, Mr. Sidney was the third-highest-priced auction yearling of 2005. He was purchased for $3.9 million at the Keeneland September yearling sale by trainer John Kimmel, agent for Circle E Racing, from LaneÕs End, agent.
Einsidler named Mr. Sidney after the late Sidney Frank, who founded Sidney Frank Importing Co. and created Grey Goose Vodka. Einsidler, the current CEO of Sidney Frank Importing Co., has raced additional stakes winners Timber Reserve and Beautiful Daniele in the Circle E Racing name. Timber Reserve, raced in partnership, won the 2007 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).
Mr. SidneyÕs dam, TomisueÕs Delight, also produced Mr. SidneyÕs stakes-placed full brother Save Big Money. TomisueÕs Delight died in 2008.
Storm Cat, a two-time leading sire, has sired 171 stakes winners, including additional 2009 added-money winners Life Is Sweet (gr. I) and Stormalory (gr. IIIT). Storm Cat was pensioned in 2008. He resides at the Young familyÕs Overbrook Farm near Lexington.ÑD.S.
