San Rafael S. (gr. II)
(gr. II , 8f ,)
NOTIONAL
(B h,
119
lb) $90,000
In Excess (IRE) —Truly Blessed , by
French Deputy
B—Vessels Stallion Farm LLC,
CA.;
O—J. Paul Reddam;
T—Doug F. O'Neill
Tenfold
(B g,
116
lb) $30,000
Tiznow —Island Rhythm , by
Skip Trial
B—September Farm,
KY.;
O—Robert B. and Beverly J. Lewis Trust;
T—Bob Baffert
Grapelli
(CH h,
116
lb) $18,000
Thunder Gulch —Bella Bellucci , by
French Deputy
B—Chelston Ireland, Ltd.,
KY.;
O—Michael B. Tabor;
T—Michael W. McCarthy
Margins: 4, head, nose. Others: Silent Soul 116($9,000) , Tap It Light 119($3,000) , Soldier 116 , Half Famous 116 . Winning Jockey, Corey S. Nakatani.
In Excess, who ranked third on the 2006 California sires list by progeny earnings, has gotten off to a good start in 2007. His son, Notional, captured the year’s first grade II stakes for 3-year-olds, the San Rafael Stakes Jan. 13 at Santa Anita, and earned $90,000 in the process.
Notional, who races for J. Paul Reddam, went off the 3-5 favorite in the mile San Rafael, winning by four lengths in what was his second career win. As a 2-year-old, he broke his maiden at first asking, then ran third in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III). In the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I), he finished sixth, but was beaten only 21/2 lengths.
In 2006, Reddam ranked among the leading owners by earnings, with close to $3.8 million. His biggest winner of the year was Red Rocks, who came over from England to win the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT). His first Breeders’ Cup winner, Wilko in the 2004 Bessemer Trust Juvenile (gr. I), was raced in partnership.
Reddam, who is president of the California-based finance lending firm CashCall, keeps Notional with trainer Doug O’Neill.
Notional was bred by Vessels Stallion Farm, owned by Frank “Scoop” Vessels III and located near Bonsall, Calif. Among the other stakes winners bred by Vessels Stallion Farm are earlier graded stakes winner Excessivepleasure and 2006 added-money winners Super Image and River’s Prayer. The last-named won the 2006 California Cup Distaff Handicap and Fleet Treat Stakes.
Notional was bought for $77,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, he was purchased by Smithland Stable.
Reddam also won grade I stakes in 2006 with Cash Included, Dancing Edie (in partnership), and Great Hunter. The latter, winner of the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I), placed in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
In Excess has sired 47 stakes winners. His six added-money winners of 2006 included grade I winner Romance Is Diane. In Excess’ 2007 fee at Vessels Stallion Farm is private.—D.S.
