Florida Derby (gr. I)
(gr. I , 9f ,)
SCAT DADDY
(DK B/ h,
122
lb) $600,000
Johannesburg —Love Style , by
Mr. Prospector
B—Axel Wend,
KY.;
O—Scatuorchio, James T. and Tabor, Michael, B.;
T—Todd A. Pletcher
Notional
(B h,
122
lb) $190,000
In Excess (IRE) —Truly Blessed , by
French Deputy
B—Vessels Stallion Farm LLC,
CA.;
O—J. Paul Reddam;
T—Doug F. O'Neill
Chelokee
(DK B/ h,
122
lb) $100,000
Cherokee Run —Dixie Ghost , by
Silver Ghost
B—Gulf Coast Farms Bloodstock LP,
KY.;
O—Centennial Farms;
T—Michael R. Matz
Margins: 1¼, ¾, 2. Others: Stormello 122($60,000) , Boogie Boggs 122($30,000) , Imawildandcrazyguy 122($20,000) , Birdbirdistheword 122 , Adore the Gold 122 , Johannesburg Star 122 . Winning Jockey, Edgar S. Prado.
Though Scat Daddy’s co-owner James Scatuorchio and trainer Todd Pletcher were in Dubai during the March 31 Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park, the 3-year-old son of Johannesburg still managed to confirm his status as a leading Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) candidate with a 11¼4-length victory in the $1 million race.
Though none of Pletcher’s five runners on the Dubai World Cup card crossed the wire first, his stable had a tremendous afternoon at Gulfstream with Scat Daddy, their third stakes winner and fifth victory overall on the program.
Scat Daddy, who last won the March 3 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at the Florida track over Stormello, made an impression early in his career when he scored in the Sanford Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga in his second start as a juvenile. Also capturing the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) that year, Scat Daddy has now pushed his earnings past the $1 million mark.
Pletcher bought the colt for $250,000 on Scatuorchio’s behalf at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale from Fergus Galvin and Adrian Regan’s Hunter Valley Farm, agent. Pletcher and his father, J.J., owned 25% interests in Scat Daddy until selling them to Tabor last summer.
Bred in Kentucky by Axel Wend, Scat Daddy was produced from the Mr. Prospector mare Love Style, who was purchased as a yearling for $525,000 by Frederic Sauque, agent, at the 2000 Keeneland September sale. She was consigned by her breeders, Mr. and Mrs. John Mabee, with the aid of Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
Though she never raced, Love Style brought $350,000 as a broodmare prospect when she was consigned to the 2005 Keeneland November sale by Hunter Valley Farm, agent. In foal with Scat Daddy’s full brother, she was bought by Thoroughbred Advisory Group, agent.
Love Style’s successful bloodlines trace back to her dam, Likeable Style (by Nijinsky II), who captured multiple graded stakes during her 11-start career, including the 1993 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. Love Style is a half-sister stakes winner Grat (by A.P. Indy) and stakes-placed Special Times (by Seeking the Gold).
Love Style is also the dam of a 4-year-old Hennessy filly, Lo Styliste. Her Johannesburg colt, now a yearling, was bred in Kentucky by Robert Raphaelson.
Johannesburg is the sire of eight stakes winners, including other 2007 added-money winners Baroness Thatcher (gr. III) and Teuflesberg. Johannesburg stands for $65,000 at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.—E.M.
