As we approach the end of the calendar, we turn our attention to the incoming sire class of 2021. We asked several judges who their favorite incoming sire is for next year and if there are any other stallions, new or otherwise, that have caught their eye as under-the-radar picks.
JUSTIN CASSE
Authentic (Into Mischief), $75,000, Spendthrift Farm
The easy answer to this is Authentic, based on the obvious. His connections, his accomplishments in the summer and fall, as well as his sire. He's the leader of the pack in many ways for the new stallions entering in 2021.
Of course, I would make a case for War of Will (War Front, $25,000, Claiborne Farm) because of my involvement with him, but I believe it's a fairly legitimate one. He was very fast as a 2-year-old at the breeze ups (and always breezed particularly fast), and was also Grade I placed as a 2-year-old. He's impeccably bred from a Niarchos family pedigree and I believe only one of three horses to win a Classic and a Grade I on turf. He's extremely attractive as well.
Instagrand (Into Mischief), $7,500, Taylor Made
My under-the-radar pick would be Instagrand (Into Mischief). He's by the hottest sire going. He was a tremendous 2-year-old with a great physical. At one point it was safe to say he was the best 2-year-old in the country. Couple that with the fact that Larry Best will be supporting him with a great book of mares and likely will buy some of his best progeny, and I think he's got tremendous upside and little downside.
Do you have a favorite incoming sire pick for 2021 or a stallion that you think might be under-the-radar next year? Email the TDN's Katie Ritz at katieritz@thoroughbreddailynews.com to give your response.
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