Shadwell Travers S. (gr. I)
(gr. I , 10f ,)
SUMMER BIRD
(CH h,
126
lb) $600,000
Birdstone —Hong Kong Squall , by
Summer Squall
B—Dr. V. Devi Jayaraman,
KY.;
O—Jayaraman, Dr. K. K. and Jayaraman, Dr. Vilasini D.;
T—Tim A. Ice
Hold Me Back
(DK B/ h,
126
lb) $200,000
Giant's Causeway —Restraint , by
Unbridled's Song
B—WinStar Farm, LLC,
KY.;
O—WinStar Farm LLC;
T—William I. Mott
Quality Road
(B h,
126
lb) $100,000
Elusive Quality —Kobla , by
Strawberry Road (AUS)
B—Edward P. Evans,
VA.;
O—Edward P. Evans;
T—Todd A. Pletcher
Margins: 3½, 1½, 2½. Others: Charitable Man 126($50,000) , Warrior's Reward 126($30,000) , Kensei 126($10,000) , Our Edge 126($10,000) . Winning Jockey, Kent J. Desormeaux.
The saying Òthe apple doesnÕt fall far from the treeÓ has certainly rung true for Gainesway stallion Birdstone and his son Summer Bird who have now won the same two major races.
When Summer Bird took flight and romped to a 31Ú2-length victory in the Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, he stamped himself with incredible future sire potential.
Birdstone also won the Travers in 2004, after he ended Smarty JonesÕ Triple Crown bid by capturing the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), a feat that Summer Bird accomplished June 6.
Having finished off the board only twice in seven starts, Summer Bird most recently ran second to the talented filly Rachel Alexandra in the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.
Also having placed in the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park, Summer Bird finished sixth to another son of Birdstone, Mine That Bird, in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Summer BirdÕs winning time in the 11Ú4-mile Travers was 2:02.83 over a ÒsloppyÓ track. Trained by Tim Ice, he became the 30th horse in Travers history, and first since his sire, to complete the Belmont-Travers double.
Campaigned by his breeders, Drs. Kalarikkal K. and Vilasini Devi Jayaraman, Summer Bird is out of the Summer Squall mare Hong Kong Squall.
Retired doctors and natives of India, the Jayaramans were twice named ArkansasÕ top breeders during the 1990s. Among their best runners as breeders over the years are grade I winner Dearest Trickski and other graded victors Sweet and Ready, Royal Spy, Abounding Truth, and Comic Truth.
Summer Bird was foaled at Hagyard Farm near Lexington, where Hong Kong Squall was formerly boarded. The mare is now kept at nearby Normandy Farm.
Hong Kong SquallÕs granddam Ruby Slippers (by Nijinsky II) produced champion sprinter Rubiano (by Fappiano). Bought for $22,000 by the Jayaramans at the 1997 Keeneland September yearling sale from Waterford Farm, agent, Hong Kong Squall has performed much better as a broodmare than a racehorse.
She is the dam of five starters, all of which are winners, including $220,000-plus earner Hongkong (by Stark Ridge) and $120,000-plus earner Summer of Summers (by Proudest Romeo).
Hong Kong Squall is in foal to Birdstone on a June 23 cover.
Birdstone is the sire of six stakes winners, including other 2009 added-money winners Texas Birdstone and Bet Your Boots. Birdstone stood the 2009 season for $10,000 at Antony BeckÕs Gainesway near Lexington.ÐE.M.
