Winstar

I think that in terms of number of winners in 2020, the leading first-crop sire will by Speightster. I could name at least half a dozen off the top of my head that the consignors in Ocala like. They are "win first out," early types that will likely be hard to out-sprint. That being said, in terms of progeny earnings by the end of 2020, my choice would be Frosted. I've seen plenty of quality individuals throughout Ocala by this son of Tapit (who has started to show signs of...

EXTRAORDINARY (c, 3, Speightstown--Fiftyshadesofhay, by Pulpit) finished fourth on debut in what proved to be a live race at Tampa Feb. 8, which has produced a trio of other next-out winners. Bet down to 2-1 from a 6-1 morning-line quote, the $750,000 KEESEP purchase dueled for early control through a :23.55 first quarter and a :46.29 half-mile. Taking control approaching the far turn, Extraordinary rolled clear in the lane to win for fun in 1:36.88. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0. O-WinStar Farm, China Horse Club & Stonestreet Stables; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY);...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency EXPENSIVE SPEIGHTSTOWN DEBUTS AT TAMPA 4th-TAM, $27K, Msw, 3yo, 1m 40yds, 1:46p.m. WinStar and China Horse Club signed the $750,000 ticket on EXTRAORDINARY (Speightstown) at Keeneland September and breeder Stonestreet Stables stayed in as a partner on the colt, who debuts in this spot for Rodolphe Brisset. The chestnut is out of four-time graded winner and MGISP millionaire Fiftyshadesofhay (Pulpit), a $1.3-million purchase by Stonestreet at the 2014 KEENOV sale. Let's Go Stable and Repole Stables also send out a Stonestreet homebred for his career...

Always Dreaming (Bodemeister-Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}), the 2017 GI Kentucky Derby winner, was represented by his first foal Monday, Jan. 6, when Lemon Liqueur (Exchange Rate) delivered a filly at Delia Nash's Dromingrove Farm. Bred by Nash, the filly is the third produce from Lemon Liqueur, a multiple stakes-placed half-sister to GISP Nan (High Yield), dam of Grade III winner Power Gal (Jpn) (Empire Maker). "She is very attractive just like her daddy," Nash said. "We are very pleased with her. She has all the attributes you hope...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Nakayama Racecourses as the JRA ushers in the new year with Sunday and Monday racing this week: Sunday, January 5, 2020 1st-KYO, ¥9,680,000 ($90k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m ASTER HORN (c, 3, Speightstown--Arania, by Dynaformer), a half-brother to MGSW...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - The countdown to next year's inaugural Saudi Cup officially began Wednesday evening with a gala organized by the race's officials in the walking ring at the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds in Saratoga. The race, scheduled to be run next Feb. 29 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, will be run over 1800 meters of the dirt track and will be worth $20 million--making it the world's richest race. The field will have a maximum of 14 runners, with $10 million going to the winner. Hosted by television...

As the TDN Rising Star Amalfi Sunrise drew off for an easy six-length success in the GII Sorrento S., I was reminded of a commission I received in the fall of 2015. With the Breeders' Cup bandwagon due to roll into Lexington and Keeneland, WinStar wanted to promote its extensive team of stallions. I was asked to write 250-word summaries for each of them, including three which were scheduled to be added to the roster in 2016. Strangely, those three--Constitution, Commissioner and Daredevil--were respectively responsible for Amalfi Sunrise, Powerfulattraction and...

Amalfi Sunrise (Constitution) flattered her 'TDN Rising Star' status even further by collecting another facile win in Saturday's GII Sorrento S. at Del Mar. Sent off the well-supported favorite following an ultra-impressive 6 1/4-length score in her Santa Anita debut June 23, the dark bay was part of a three-way tussle up front with 'TDN Rising Star' and last-out GIII Schuylerville S. winner Comical (Into Mischief) and Princess Mo (Uncle Mo), carving out an opening quarter in :22.50. Looking ready to dispense of those rivals at any moment, Amalfi Sunrise...

One week from tomorrow Fasig-Tipton kicks off the 2015 North American yearling market with the Kentucky July yearling sale, in which 40 years ago this year, Seattle Slew sold as a yearling for $17,500 to Karen and Mickey Taylor, and it's been producing good horses ever since. This year 332 yearlings are catalogued--a 25% increase on last year's 265--to be followed by around 100 horses of racing age, minus withdrawals, plus 'wild cards'. Fasig catalogued 258 yearlings in 2013, significantly down from the 338 catalogued in 2012. That year 189...