Dixiana Breeders' Futurity (gr. I)
(gr. I , 8.5f ,)
NOBLE'S PROMISE
(B h,
121
lb) $300,000
Cuvee —The Devil's Trick , by
Clever Trick
B—C. Kidder,Cole & B. Kidder,
KY.;
O—Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC;
T—Kenneth G. McPeek
Aikenite
(DK B/ h,
121
lb) $100,000
Yes It's True —Silverlado , by
Saint Ballado
B—Brylynn Farm, Inc.,
FL.;
O—Dogwood Stable;
T—Todd A. Pletcher
Roman Invasion
(DK B/ h,
121
lb) $50,000
Roman Ruler —Princess V. , by
Memo (CHI)
B—Jason Smithwick,
KY.;
O—Hall, George and Lori;
T—Kelly J. Breen
Margins: ½, 3, 1¼. Others: Make Music for Me 121($25,000) , Piscitelli 121($15,000) , Stately Victor 121($1,112) , Hockley 121($1,111) , Backtalk 121($1,111) , Soundman 121($1,111) , Dixie Band 121($1,111) , Hurricane Ike 121($1,111) , Callide Valley 121($1,111) , No Shenanigans 121($1,111) , Wildcat Nation 121($1,111) . Winning Jockey, Willie Martinez.
ItÕs on to Oak Tree for a run in the Grey Goose BreedersÕ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) for NobleÕs Promise after the colt pulled off a longshot victory in the Oct. 10 Dixiana BreedersÕ Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland. The front-running colt was on the pace, grabbed the lead down the backstretch, opened up a 21Ú2-length lead coming out of the turn, and held off the late-closing Aikenite for the win in the $500,000 race.
The BreedersÕ Futurity has proved to be an important prep for the BreedersÕ Cup in the three years it has been contested on Polytrack. In 2006, the first three finishers finished in the top three in the Juvenile at Churchill Downs, but in different order. Street Sense finished third at Keeneland but captured the Juvenile and the 2-year-old male championship. Last yearÕs BreedersÕ Futurity winner, Square Eddie, ran second to Midshipman in the Juvenile at Oak Tree.
NobleÕs Promise came to Keeneland off a 31Ú4-length win in the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes on the Tapeta Footings track at Presque Isle going 61Ú2 furlongs. The winner races for the Chasing Dreams 2008 racing syndicate.
It was a super Saturday at Keeneland for breeders Drs. Charles Kidder and Nancy Cole, and Ben Kidder. Charles Kidder and Cole bred Informed Decision, winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (gr. II).
NobleÕs Promise, a son of Cuvee out of the Clever Trick mare The DevilÕs Trick, has twice gone through the auction ring, being listed as sold for $10,000 as a weanling during the 12th session of the 15-day 2007 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, he was sold to Wild as Elle, Southcoast Bloodstock, agent. During the opening session of the Ocala BreedersÕ Sales Co.Õs August yearling sale, he was RNAÕd at $25,000 under the Ballinswood Sales, agent, consignment.
The last foal out of The DevilÕs Trick is a yearling filly by PollardÕs Vision. PollardÕs Vision, who like Cuvee is a son of Carson City, is currently the second-leading first-crop sire of 2009.
The BreedersÕ Futurity, the marquee race for 2-year-olds during the Keeneland fall meeting, was sponsored this year for the first time by Dixiana Farm, which was purchased by Bill Shively in 2004 and is currently undergoing an extensive renovation.
Cuvee, a three-time stakes winner as a 2-year-old in 2003 including the Futurity Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont, is the sire of two other stakes winners this year: Fairway Road and Majestic Vintage. Cuvee stands at Antony BeckÕs Gainesway Farm. His 2009 fee was $6,500.-E.I.H.
