By Heather Anderson
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Kodiac Wintergreen in a maiden race at the Spa.
A Touch Of Frost At Saratoga
Alex Bregman's Bregman Family Racing, LLC's Kodiac Wintergreen (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) went one better than her Belmont debut to win a Saratoga affair on Thursday (video) for trainer Rusty Arnold.
Bred by Patrick Grogan, the April foal sold for €160,000 as a Goffs Orby yearling. She is a half-sister to a trio of stakes winners led by GI Sword Dancer S. hero Glorious Empire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), and her latest half-sibling is a yearling colt by Mehmas (Ire). Crack sprinters Avonbridge (GB) (Averti {Ire}) and Patavellian (Ire) (Machiavellian) are under the fourth dam.
Tally-Ho Stud's Kodiac has been represented by 73 runners in the U.S. A total of 36 (49%) have won and seven (9%) are stakes winners. Two-time graded winner True Valour (Ire) is one of four American graded scorers for the 22-year-old.
#3 Kodiac Wintergreen closes late and gets up in time to win R6 at Saratoga for Rusty Arnold with @jose93_ortiz in the saddle! 🍀
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ROSzkHym8F
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 20, 2023
No Nay Never Gelding Triumphs At The Spa
Lindy Farms and Ice Wine Stable's Monet Never (Ire) (No Nay Never) broke his maiden in his fourth try at Saratoga on Saturday (video) for trainer Phil Antonacci.
Bred by Lynch Bages, Ltd. and Lindy Farms, the February-born $160,000 Keeneland September yearling is the third foal, runner and winner for his dam, the Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare Last Jewel (Ire). Hinitsa Bay (Ire) is a juvenile full-brother to the winner, who also has yearling and weanling full-brothers by the Coolmore Ireland sire. Last Jewel is a half-sister to the granddam of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), among others.
The 12-year-old son of Scat Daddy is well represented in the U.S., with 37 winners from 69 runners (54%). His nine stakes winners in that jurisdiction (13%) include GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Meditate (Ire), as well as another pair of graded winners.
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