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TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY

Fort Larned1st Crop Stakes Winner 2YO BLONDE BOMBER PLACES in BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

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IN THIS ISSUE

7 Always Dreaming Returns to Work Tab in Florida

11 Firenze Fire Works, Confirmed for Withers

12 Gun Runner Settles in for Shift to Stud Career

Three Diamonds Farm Shops for Value

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

See page 3

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 2 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

3 Three Diamonds Farm Shops for Value

7 Always Dreaming Returns to Work Tab in Florida

11 Firenze Fire Works, Confirmed for Withers

12 Gun Runner Settles in for Shift to Stud Career

13 Mav Master is 50th Stakes Winner for Mizzen Mast

14 Season Debuts Near for Untamed Domain, Best Performance

15 Danon Premium Earns Highest Championship Rating

16 A Hit and a Myth

17 Results

18 Leading Lists

CONTENTS

LATEST HEADLINES from Bloodhorse.com

FARM WHERE RELOAD STANDS DELIVERS HIS FIRST FOAL Grade 3 winner's first foal is a chestnut colt born at Northern Dawn Stables.

GOOD MAGIC, GUN RUNNER TOP INITIAL NTRA POLLS Gun Runner topped the first 2018 poll for all horses.

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ON THE COVER Kirk Wycoff and Ryder Finney at the 2018 OBS winter mixed sale

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 3 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

THREE DIAMONDS FARM SHOPS FOR VALUEBy Ron Mitchellt @BH_RMitchell

Anyone in the horse business who believes the current spike in prices for quality

bloodstock is likely to end soon should spend five minutes with Kirk Wycoff.

Wycoff, who manage his family's Three Diamonds Farm with his son Jordan, is bullish on horse racing and is optimistic prices will continue to rise in the short term.

"The economy is very good and inflation is very low, and the prices we've seen in September, November, and January are going to pale compared with what people are going to have to pay over the next two years," said Wycoff during a break while shopping the Ocala Breeders' Sales' winter mixed sale last week.

Wycoff's optimism comes from his experience with the banking industry—which, not unlike the

Thoroughbred business, has undergone a post-recession shakeout.

"The banking industry is great," said Wycoff, a partner in a private equity firm that has invested in

Aisling Duignan, Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace or Scott Calder. Tel: 859-873-7088. Fax: 859-879 5756.

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Triple Gr.1-winning champion juvenile.•The best 2YO in Europe in the last 20 years with•the exception of Frankel (fee £175,000).The best juvenile by War Front (fee $250,000).•The family of Gr.1 winning juveniles Surfside,•Flanders etc.

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Grade 1 winner Bigger Picture is one of the top runners campaigned by the Wycoff family’s Three Diamonds Farm

(continued on page 4)

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 4 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

equine interests now total about 70 horses, including 30 horses in training and 25 2-year-olds. Three Diamonds plans to send about 10 yearlings through the ring at the late summer Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

"It's getting expensive to buy 2-year-olds and yearlings, so we're vertically integrating the channel and buying more weanlings, and now we have five or six broodmares at Bluewater," Wycoff said. "We don't sell much, but if we have a yearling or 2-year-old that's worth $300,000, $400,000, or $500,000, that's more than our risk tolerance. That's how we can afford to stay in the game with our budget and still race at a high level."

Three Diamonds utilizes agent David Ingordo for advice on purchasing 2-year-olds and yearlings, and relies on Bluewater's services when it comes to mare and weanling purchases.

Finney said his goal with Three Diamonds is to find horses that will improve as they physically

48 banks over the last dozen years. "We are down to 6,000 banks compared with 12,000."

Accompanied by Ryder Finney, a bloodstock specialist with Bluewater Sales, Wycoff was among the leading buyers at OBS, acquiring four short yearlings for a total $305,000 under the Three Diamonds name.

Three Diamonds' purchases were a filly from the first crop of Liam's Map, bought for $150,000 and the co-third-highest price of the two-day auction; a $70,000 filly sired by Violence, the second-leading first crop sire of 2017; a daughter of Competitive Edge, also represented by his first crop of yearlings of 2018, acquired for $60,000; and a Goldencents colt purchased for $25,000.

While focusing on horses with value—whether at the sales or claiming box—Wycoff said the family's

Aisling Duignan, Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace or Scott Calder. Tel: 859-873-7088. Fax: 859-879 5756.

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SHANGHAI BOBBY (LEFT), sire of two colts and a filly on The Jockey Club’sAnnual Top 2YO Rankings (formerly the Experimental Free Handicap)

DECLARATION OF WAR (RIGHT), sire of the Champion 2YO Colt in France Olmedo

Leading Freshman Sires of 2017- by Stakes Horses

Rk Stallion (Sire) SW’s SH’s

1 SHANGHAI BOBBY (Harlan’s Holiday) 3 8

2 Overanalyze (Dixie Union) 4 6

- Violence (Medaglia d’Oro) 4 6

- DECLARATION OF WAR (War Front) 3 6

- Jimmy Creed (Distorted Humor) 2 6Source, TDN

(continued on page 6)

THREE DIAMONDS FARM SHOPS FOR VALUE (continued from page 3)

50% for PA-Sired, PA-Bredmaidens finishing

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PA-Bred maidens finishing 1st-3rd

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BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 6 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

mature, or that came from an improving female family.

"It's always a question of upside, whether that it goes on to develop physically... or pedigree upside," Finney said. "For example, the Liam's Map filly we bought has a half brother by Candy Ride named Supreme Aura that is two-for-two and looks like it's going to get some black type and hopefully add to the pedigree under the first dam. Either of those would be the first thing you're looking for from a value perspective."

Three Diamonds has been involved in the horse business since 2004, initially achieving stakes success on the Mid-Atlantic circuit with horses trained by Michael Trombetta, then becoming more involved in 2010-11 after aligning with trainers Todd Pletcher and Mike Maker.

Among the stable's recent successes have been Bigger Picture, an ex-claimer who provided Three Diamonds with its first U.S. grade 1 success in last year's United Nations Stakes (G1T) at Monmouth Park. The Badge of Silver gelding trained by Mike Maker won the 1 1/2-mile John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 28 for the second season in a row.

Other graded winners for Three Diamonds have included Canadian grade 1 winner Next Question and grade 3 winner Jimanator.

The Wycoffs have also had recent success on the other side of the sale aisle, as Desert Duchess, a stakes winner for Jordan Wycoff after he claimed her for $35,000, sold for $225,000 at the recent Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

Another successful claim for Jordan Wycoff has been Gianna's Dream, a Twirling Candy filly who went on to win four stakes and place in two grade 3 stakes since being haltered for $25,000. BH

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THREE DIAMONDS FARM SHOPS FOR VALUE (continued from page 4)

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 7 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

ALWAYS DREAMING RETURNS TO WORK TAB IN FLORIDABy Claire Crosbyt @BH_CNovak

The name of the horse in question is as apt as a rose on the first Saturday in May.

For all he has brought his connections, 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming has members of his jam-packed partnership looking forward to a 4-year-old campaign, and the son of Bodemeister took strides toward fulfilling those dreams Jan. 29 when he returned to the work tab in Florida.

With regular exercise rider Nick Bush in the irons for trainer Todd Pletcher at Palm Beach Downs, Always Dreaming went an easy three furlongs in :37.13. It was his first official work since he was found to have stomach ulcers after the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), a discovery that cut short his 3-year-old campaign.

"It was a nice work, what I would call a controlled work," said co-owner Anthony Bonomo of Brooklyn Boyz Stable. "He's been back with Todd for a while, and Todd knows when they're ready. I think the work was what he expected and what he wanted. The horse was happy as heck, which is always nice to see. I think he was happy to say, 'OK, I can run for once today.' I think he knew today was the day, and he did it very nice and very easy.

"He looks beautiful and I'm encouraged that he's all systems go. You've got to be optimistic about him,

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Always Dreaming is gearing up for a return to the races in 2018

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 8 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

because in the beginning of the year, I don't think anybody would have beaten him. We're hoping he comes back to form—there's a lot of good horses out there—but he's certainly one of them. One work does not make everything, but we're optimistic he'll return to the horse he was last year."

An earner of $2,344,700 to date, Always Dreaming captured the 2017 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) by five lengths in his stakes debut, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.47—the fastest running of the race since Alydar in 1978. That performance made the dark bay colt the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, which he won by 2 3/4 lengths—the largest margin of victory in the race's past six years.

Despite an eighth in the Preakness Stakes (G1), a third in the Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2), and a ninth in the Travers, Always Dreaming's connections have maintained faith in the brilliance that sparkled early in his sophomore season. So have some of the industry's leading operations, as WinStar Farm, SF Bloodstock, and China Horse Club joined the ownership group of MeB Racing, Brooklyn Boyz, Teresa Viola, St Elias, Siena Farm, and West Point Thoroughbreds for Always Dreaming's 4-year-old campaign and future stallion career.

Always Dreaming recovered from the ulcers at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., where he will stand when his racing career is complete. He returned to light training at the operation's conditioning branch before he was shipped in December to Pletcher's Florida string.

"We did quite a bit of hill work with him," said Elliott Walden, WinStar's president and CEO of racing operations. "We have the gallop up the hill and he went on that three times a week. It's a great tool."

Walden shared a favorable report from Pletcher."I got a text from Todd with the set sheet and time

written out, and then it said 'Perfect,'" Walden said. "Todd said (Always Dreaming) was fitter than he thought he'd be, and he's handled returning to training extremely well. He's just so athletic, I think he does things very easily. It's not like he's a big brute of a

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ALWAYS DREAMING RETURNS TO WORK TAB IN FLORIDA (continued from page 7)

2018 Fee: $4,500 S&NHenny Hughes – Sea Gift, by A.P. Indy

First-crop colt brings $52,000 at OBS January

Sold

Source: BloodHorse.com, two or more sold through 1/26

2018 Avg.

George G. Isaacs, General Manager

352.622.5319 | www.BridlewoodFarm.com

FLORIDA’S#1 YEARLING SIRE

CHITU $3,000 9 $24,333

Uncaptured $6,000 10 $20,630

The Big Beast $6,000 9 $ 1 7 , 1 6 7

Khozan $6,500 5 $15,900

Awesome of Course $5,000 4 $12,375

Bred-On Fee

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 10 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

horse, he's very athletic and well-balanced, and those types tend to come around quicker."

"WinStar is a fantastic place that does a fantastic job, and we're thrilled to have them as partners," Bonomo added. "The time spent there was tremendously important if we were going to get him a 4-year-old campaign, and once we decided to do that, WinStar was the perfect place for him. They took really good care of him. They're consumate professionals."

Bonomo spoke of the recent success of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who retired to Three Chimneys Farm after winning the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), as an inspiration. Gun Runner won the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as a 4-year-old and was kept in training for the early part of his 5-year-old season to target the Pegasus at Gulfstream Park.

"I think racing deserves to see these horses come back," Bonomo said. "It's good for racing and for fans of racing. Sometimes the stars don't all leave at once. We had a good year in 2017 with a lot of good horses that departed to the breeding shed, so we're looking forward to Always Dreaming coming back."

Bred in Kentucky by Mike Ryan and Gerry Dilger's Santa Rosa Partners, Always Dreaming is out of the grade 3-winning, grade 1-placed and multiple grade 1-producing In Excess mare Above Perfection, and is a half brother to Saratoga grade 1-winning juvenile Hot Dixie Chick. He was purchased by agent Steve Young for $350,000 from Dromoland Farm's consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale.

The colt's connections have not yet announced a potential target spot for their multiple grade 1 winner in 2018.

"The excitement is for when he's going to race, but that's up to Todd. With it being his first work back today, I don't know if Todd has anything in mind—not until March or April at least," Bonomo said. "I'd love to see him come back in a non-winners of four allowance race where things aren't as crazy. 'In Todd we trust,' so that's what we'll do.

"I do think he looks great, and he's totally healthy—that's the key. We're looking forward to seeing him run." BH s Share this story

ALWAYS DREAMING RETURNS TO WORK TAB IN FLORIDA (continued from page 8)

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 11 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

FIRENZE FIRE WORKS, CONFIRMED FOR WITHERSBy Bob Ehalt

Owner Ron Lombardi has confirmed Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Firenze Fire will make his

next start in the $250,000 Withers Stakes (G3) Feb. 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The homebred son of Poseidon's Warrior, who carries the silks of Lombardi's Mr. Amore Stable, worked four furlongs Jan. 29 in :49.32 on the dirt training track at Belmont Park for trainer Jason Servis. The breeze was ninth-fastest of 21 at the distance Monday.

Firenze Fire is currently tied for second on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leaderboard with 20 points toward a spot in the starting gate for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve

(G1). The 1 1/8-mile Withers awards Road to the Kentucky Derby points on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the top four finishers.

"It's exciting," Lombardi said Jan. 29. "We always kept our options open and wanted to see how he was doing. He breezed great today, so I talked with Jason and it's a go for the Withers."

Lombardi said both the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) March 10 and the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) April 7 at Aqueduct are on the table for his Florida-bred colt.

"The Gotham is five weeks away and the Wood is another four weeks after that so it's doable to run in both," Lombardi said. "We'll see how he comes out of this race and take it from there. If we can get to 30 points, we should be in good shape for the Derby."

If Firenze Fire runs in the Wood, the purse would be boosted to $1 million via a $250,000 bonus

triggered by a grade 1 winner in the field.

Firenze Fire began his 3-year-old campaign with a half-length victory over West Point Thoroughbreds' Seven Trumpets in the Jan. 13 Jerome Stakes, a listed stakes that was delayed 12 days because of inclement weather and adverse track conditions at Aqueduct. It was his first start since a seventh-place finish in the Nov. 4 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar.

A multiple graded stakes winner out of the Langfuhr mare My Every Wish, the bay colt has four wins from six career starts, with earnings of $539,100. His victories also include the Sanford Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course. BH

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Grade 1 winner Firenze Fire is likely to run in the Feb. 3 Withers Stakes

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BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 12 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

GUN RUNNER SETTLES IN FOR SHIFT TO STUD CAREERBy Eric Mitchellt @BH_EMitchell

So far so good for newly crowned Horse of the Year Gun Runner as he makes an accelerated transition

from elite racehorse to commercial stallion.Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys

Farm's burnished son of Candy Ride arrived at Three Chimneys, near Midway, Ky., Jan. 28 after winning the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 27 and immediately settled in, according to stallion manager Sandy Hatfield. He is occupying the same stall he stayed in back in November, when he was shown to breeders for several days after winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

"He has handled his first day here beautifully," Hatfield said. "He ate his dinner, ate breakfast this morning, and when he got out in his paddock, he bucked and kicked and ran around, then dropped his head and ate grass. We'll do that again tomorrow and then introduce him to some test mares on Wednesday or Thursday."

Hatfield said Gun Runner is so intelligent and easy-going that she does not anticipate any issues with his transition to breeding. While a majority of stallions have several weeks, if not a couple of months to make this transition, Hatfield noted that Gun Runner has already shown the ability to handle extensive traveling and new surroundings.

Taylor Made Stallions broke ground with retiring a stallion to stud in late January with California Chrome, who contested the inaugural Pegasus World Cup last

year. The same traits being attributed to Gun Runner—intelligence, flexibility, and a willingness to please—all contributed to a smooth transition for California Chrome.

The transition, so far, has gone smoothly as well for the people who have been dedicated to nurturing Gun Runner's racing career.

"It was so helpful that (Gun Runner) was here in November. Not only for the breeders to see him, but for the two different teams to meet each other," Hatfield said. "(Trainer) Steve (Asmussen) said usually they take care of these horses for two or three years and make every decision about every minute of their day, and then one day they get on a van and go someplace where you don't know who is going to

take care of them. He said it was nice that they could come here and see where he was going to be and to meet everyone. He said it meant a lot to them.

"And it was good for us to get to know Gun Runner a little bit, because we don't have much time to get him transitioned. But again, he is such a smart horse. He is always looking for the next thing."

Gun Runner, who will stand the 2018 season for $70,000, will be in

a barn by himself for a couple weeks as part of Three Chimneys' biosecurity protocol, and then will be moved into a barn with other horses.

Already, Hatfield said, he is showing interest in the mares.

"We have some older mares that we will bring in who are well-versed in this kind of work," she said. "He is already acting interested and is talking smack to the other boys. He is letting them know he's here." BH

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Gun Runner in his stall at Three Chimneys Farm near Versailles, Ky.

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 13 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

MAV MASTER IS 50TH STAKES WINNER FOR MIZZEN MASTBy Eric Mitchellt @BH_EMitchell

Texas-bred Mav Master became the 50th black-type winner for Juddmonte Farms' Mizzen Mast when

the Hal Browning homebred won Sam Houston Race Park's Jan. 27 Richard King Turf Stakes.

The 5-year-old gelding earned black-type in his third start in stakes company in a race that eluded him a year ago. Mav Master finished second in the 2017 edition of the Richard King Turf to the Broken Vow gelding Can't Be Wrong.

In this year's Richard King Turf, which was moved to the sloppy main track, Mav Master ran much closer to the pace and prevailed by a neck over multiple stakes-placed winner Special Praise. Mav Master was a close second choice in the wagering to favored Can't Be Wrong, who was not a factor and finished seventh.

Browning has been cultivating Mav Master's family since he bought the gelding's third dam Fifth Question (by Fifth Marine) at the 1988 Heritage Place Fall sale for $38,000 to dissolve a partnership. Fifth Question produced five winners from five foals, including grade 3-placed winner Ozwaki (Miswaki) and Miss Diamond

Mine (Mining). As a racehorse, Miss Diamond Mine became a stakes winner and was stakes-placed five times. As a mare, Miss Diamond Mine has produced five winners from five foals, which includes full siblings five-time black-type winner Annie Savoy and stakes-placed winner Hollywood Ice, who compiled a 17-14-11 record in 67 starts.

Mav Master is out of Annie Savoy, a daughter of Langfuhr, who has produced four winners out of six to race, including stakes-placed winner Beau's Angel (Speightstown).

Mizzen Mast is a grade 1 winner bred and raced by Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, which recently received its fourth outstanding owner Eclipse Award. The son of Cozzene out of Kinema (Graustark) won at first asking at 2 and became group-placed in his second start. At 3, he won the Prix de Guiche (G3) and finished second in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (G1) before being sent to trainer Bobby Frankel in the United States. Mizzen Mast ended his sophomore campaign with victories in the Bien Bien Stakes and the Malibu Stakes (G1). He made one start at 4, taking the Strub Stakes (G2) before being retired.

As a sire, Mizzen Mast has 22 graded/group winners among his 50 black-type winners, which include six millionaires and nine grade/group 1 winners. The

stallion's chief earner to date is Hong Kong group 1 winner Sea Defence, who won the Stewards' Cup (G1) and was second in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) on the way to accumulating $2,113,227 in purses. Mizzen Mast's most accomplished runner is arguably his daughter Mizdirection, who had nine black-type wins among her 11 career victories. She counted consecutive wins in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) in 2012-13 among her six graded stakes scores.

Mizzen Mast has an additional 43 black-type placed runners among his 521 winners through Jan. 28. His progeny have earned $54,355,241 in purses, or an average of $73,552 per starter. The stallion stands at Juddmonte Farms near Lexington for a 2018 fee of $10,000. BH

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Mav Master wins the Richard King Turf Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 14 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

SEASON DEBUTS NEAR FOR UNTAMED DOMAIN, BEST PERFORMANCEBy Claire Crosbyt @BH_CNovak

Season debuts are drawing near for two runners who could become stars in their respective divisions.West Point Thoroughbreds' grade 2 winner

Untamed Domain, runner-up to Mendelssohn by a length in the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, will target the Feb. 3 Dania Beach Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park for his first start as a sophomore. But the Animal Kingdom colt may switch surfaces in the future, West Point president Terry Finley said Jan. 29.

'We're really excited about Untamed Domain. He worked Saturday at Palm Meadows (five furlongs on the turf in 1:02 2/5)," Finley said. "We worked him on the grass; we're going to take a swing on the dirt, but we're not going to do it off the bench. He hasn't run since the Breeders' Cup so we didn't want to run on dirt before we had a good handle on his fitness level."

Untamed Domain was bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms out of the Lear Fan mare Ciao, and was a $90,000 purchase by West Point from the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale. He won the Sept. 17 Summer Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine for trainer Graham Motion before his Breeders' Cup run, and was third at Saratoga Race Course in the Aug. 30 With

Anticipation Stakes (G3T) after breaking his maiden there one start prior.

West Point also has the runner-up from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), Best Performance, owned in partnership with Tango Uniform Racing and Robert Masiello. The Broken Vow filly missed to Rushing Fall by three-quarters of a length Nov. 3 at Del Mar. Since breaking her maiden at first asking for trainer Christophe Clement in May, Best Performance has been second in five straight stakes, including the graded Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga and the Miss Grillo Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park.

The $200,000 Florida Oaks (G3T) March 10 at Tampa Bay Downs is the target for Best Performance,

a $300,000 purchase by West Point from William B. Harrigan's consignment to Fasig-Tipton's Gulfstream sale of 2-year-olds in training. The filly, bred in Kentucky by Mercedes Stables out of Smart Strike mare Give My Regards, was a $185,000 find by Bradley Thoroughbreds from Burleson Farms' draft at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale. Her last work was four furlongs in :50 flat on the dirt at Payson Park training center. BH

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Untamed Domain (outside) runs second by a length to Mendelssohn in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

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Best Performance (outside) runs second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 15 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

DANON PREMIUM EARNS HIGHEST CHAMPIONSHIP RATINGBy Naohiro Goda

Japan's 2-year-old ratings for 2017 were announced Jan. 23, and both Japan's

juvenile turf champion and the country's ju-venile dirt champion gained the highest-ever ratings in their respective categories.

Danon Premium, a colt by Deep Impact who was unbeaten through three starts last season, earned a 117 rating when he won the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1), a championship race for 2-year-old males Dec. 17 at Hanshin Racecourse, by 3 1/2 lengths.

That rating was four pounds higher than the one assigned to Time Flyer, the Heart's Cry colt who won the Dec. 28 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse by 1 1/4 lengths. He ranks second on the dirt juveniles' list with a rating of 113.

As the highest prior rating earned by a Japanese-trained 2-year-old was 116, which was given to Grass Wonder in 1997 and Leontes in 2015, Danon Premium is officially recognized as the best 2-year-old to have emerged last season in Japan.

Le Vent Se Leve, by Symboli Kris S, who was also 3-for-3 last season, earned a 111 rating when he won the Zennippon Nisai Yushun, a championship race for 2-year-olds Dec. 13 at Kawasaki Racecourse and part of the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby. That is the highest rating given to a 2-year-old in the dirt division in Japan. The previous best was 110, given to Suni in 2008, Obruchev in 2011, and Epicharis in 2016. BH

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Danon Premium after winning the Dec. 17 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin Racecourse

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 16 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

RACINGCOMMENTARYwith Bob Barry

A HIT AND A MYTHBy Bob Barry

Roughly 60 years ago, the American abstract painter Adolph "Ad" Reinhardt cheekily defined sculpture

as "something you bump into when you back up to look at a painting."

If the sculpture of the post-war era had drifted far downstream from the myth-infused marble colossuses of ancient times, or even from the life-sized bronzes of the early modernist Auguste Rodin, the art form has made a huge comeback along the seaside cityscape of Hallandale, Fla.

Frank Stronach's multi-million-dollar commission of "Pegasus and the Dragon" is a brilliant blending of Greek myth, American roadside attractions, corporate branding, and consumer utility. You are hereby challenged to name another artwork that evokes the ancients in a uniquely American way, effectively brands a company's premier product, and also helps you locate your car after a long day of betting or shopping.

Racing and the visual arts have long been joined at the withers. If the path leading from "Pumpkin with a Stable-lad" by Stubbs, to "At the Races" by Degas, to "Pegasus and Dragon" seems unrelentingly winding, this is where Immanuel Kant's observation that "out of

the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made" comes in handy.

If Stronach's reputation as an owner, breeder, and patron of the arts doesn't quite match up with that of Paul Mellon, who built the National Gallery of Art, well, whose does?

It is Stronach's gifts for business and publicity, along with his fearlessness in trying new ideas, that make him a giant bestriding today's racing landscape. He is Paul Bunyan, with Pegasus standing tall as his "Babe the Blue Ox." A Canadian citizen born in Austria, Stronach is the quintessential American original.

There are detractors who would insist that Gulfstream's "post-dragging"—the studied indifference to scheduled post times intended to squeeze every last nickel out of the betting public—is what Stronach has elevated to an art form.

But regardless of your opinions about post-dragging, jackpot bets, or racetracks doubling as shopping malls, it's daunting to think about where American racing would be today without Frank Stronach.

Twenty-seven years ago, the Donn Handicap was the inaugural race in the ill-fated American Championship Racing Series, the last great attempt at revitalizing the American handicap division.

By recognizing that the Donn occupied a sweet spot between the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and both the Dubai World Cup (G1) and the start of the breeding season, Stronach may not have revitalized the handicap division, but he has created a "can't miss" day on the American racing calendar.

As any student of mythological pedigree can tell you, Pegasus was by Poseidon out of Medusa, who died in horse-birth upon being decapitated by heroic Perseus. Forget the Paul Bunyon analogy. The Donn is Medusa, and Frank Stronach is Perseus, a true hero. BH

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Pegasus is immortalized in this “Pegasus and the Dragon” statue at Gulfstream Park

BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 17 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

WATCH RACE REPLAYS OF NORTH AMERICAN RACES BY CLICKING ON THE RACE NAMERACE RESULTS

ALLOWANCE RESULTS

Mahoning Valley Racecourse, Race 2, ALW1/29, $32,700, 3yo/up, f/m, 8.32f (dirt), 1:48.04, track

good.1–Panamaniac, 124, b f, 4, Wilko–La Gaucha, by Seattle

Fitz (ARG), $19,620, O–Knights A to Z Racing LLC, B–Andy Stronach & Wally Pugh (OH), T–Danny R. Bird, J–Irwin J. Rosendo

Sale History: 2015 FTKOCT, ($3,700 RNA), 2015 FTK-FEB, $10,000.

Margin: 2, 7 starters. View Equibase Chart

Parx Racing, Race 7, ALW1/29, $39,000, 4yo/up, 8f (dirt), 1:39.73, track fast.1–Key Cheyne, 121, ch g, 5, Smarty Jones–Lady Cheyne,

by Affirmed, $23,400, O–Ted Hoover, B–Patricia L. Chap-man (PA), T–Patricia Farro, J–Emmanuel Esquivel

Margin: 1½, 8 starters. View Equibase Chart

Parx Racing, Race 8, ALW1/29, $41,000, 4yo/up, 8f (dirt), 1:39.96, track fast.1–These Blues, 124, gr/ro g, 5, Hard Spun–Quantum

Miss, by Smoke Glacken, $24,600, O–Sevilla, Juana and Castillo, Michelle, B–Smart Angle, LLP (PA), T–Michelle Castillo, J–David Castillo

Sale History: 2013 KEENOV, ($22,000 RNA).Margin: 1, 10 starters. View Equibase Chart

MAIDEN RESULTS

Mahoning Valley Racecourse, Race 1, MSW1/29, $22,100, 3yo/up, f/m, 5.5f (dirt), 1:08.63, track

good.1–Late Run, 126, dk b/br f, 4, Run Away and Hide–Fash-

ionably Late, by Tale of the Cat, $13,260, O–Kenneth H. Hutchens, B–Kenneth Hutchens (IL), T–Penny Rone, J–Irwin J. Rosendo

Margin: 2½, 9 starters. View Equibase Chart

Mahoning Valley Racecourse, Race 3, MSW1/29, $29,600, 3yo, f, 5.5f (dirt), 1:08.89, track good.1–Theloveofmunnings, 122, dk b/br f, 3, Munnings–

Lover, by Louis Quatorze, $17,760, O–Mapleton Thorough-bred Farm, B–Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm (OH), T–Jenni-fer Tooley, J–Jaime Rodriguez

Margin: 4, 8 starters. View Equibase Chart

Mahoning Valley Racecourse, Race 4, MSW1/29, $22,100, 3yo/up, 5.5f (dirt), 1:06.91, track good.1–Schott, 126, gr/ro g, 5, Unbridled's Song–Amen Halle-

lujah, by Montbrook, $13,260, O–Charles J. Williams, LLC, B–SF Bloodstock LLC (KY), T–Charlie J. Williams, J–T. D. Houghton

Sale History: 2015 FTMMAY, $450,000, 2014 KEESEP, $280,000.

Margin: 3¼, 7 starters. View Equibase Chart

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BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 18 OF 18TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

2018 LEADING SIRES IN LOUISIANA

Rank Stallion Sire, YOB ’18 Stud Fee Farm Chief Earner (Earnings) ’18 Earnings 1 Half Ours Unbridled's Song, ’03 $5,000 Clear Creek Stud, LLC, LA Ours to Run ($27,000) $185,340 2 Star Guitar Quiet American, ’05 $7,500 Clear Creek Stud, LLC, LA Testing One Two ($36,000) $162,754 3 Custom for Carlos More Than Ready, ’06 $3,500 Clear Creek Stud, LLC, LA Monte Man ($27,000) $129,666 4 D'wildcat Forest Wildcat, ’98 $2,500 Whispering Oaks Farm, LA Guns Loaded ($46,200) $117,866 5 Forefathers Gone West, ’04 N/A N/A Zenucci ($27,000) $106,084 6 Greeley's Galaxy Mr. Greeley, ’02 Died N/A Becker's Galaxy ($34,200) $97,924 7 My Pal Charlie Indian Charlie, ’05 $2,500 Elite Thoroughbreds, LA Tammany Parkway ($24,000) $81,270 8 Run Production Saint Ballado, ’00 $1,500 Whispering Oaks Farm, LA Bill's Production ($25,800) $80,338 9 Astrology A.P. Indy, ’08 $4,500 Acadiana Equine@Copper Crowne, LA The Gemini Man ($18,960) $75,676 10 Redding Colliery Mineshaft, ’06 $2,000 Red River Farms, LA Halo Redding ($12,600) $75,546

Listed below are the top 10 leading sires in Arkansas by 2018 Northern Hemisphere earnings through January 28, 2018. Only stallions that stand, will stand, or stood in North America (excluding stallions that died or were exported prior to the 2011 breeding season), and have runners in North America are included. Racing statistics are 2018 Northern Hemisphere only.

2017 LEADING SIRES IN ARKANSAS

Rank Stallion Sire, YOB ’18 Stud Fee Farm Chief Earner (Earnings) ’18 Earnings 1 Spotsgone Bright Launch, ’03 N/A N/A Spotitude ($45,000) $68,954 2 Portobello Road Storm Cat, ’04 N/A N/A Jeri Bella ($15,400) $49,513 3 Ordained Pulpit, ’08 $1,000 Starfish Stallions, AR Ministry ($46,200) $46,275 4 Brahms Danzig, ’97 $2,000 Trophy Club Training Center, AR Badtotheboneblake ($10,800) $43,080 5 Zarbyev Nureyev, ’84 Died N/A Zarb's Gift ($25,200) $36,190 6 Hamazing Destiny Salt Lake, ’06 $1,000 Starfish Stallions, AR Hamazing Vision ($15,000) $20,414 7 Macho Rocket Macho Uno, ’09 $1,000 Starfish Stallions, AR Firewater Rocket ($15,000) $17,889 8 Glorious Bid Honour and Glory, ’98 N/A N/A Light Bound Bid ($17,800) $17,800 9 Primary Suspect Hennessy, ’01 N/A N/A K J's Nobility ($4,200) $16,060 10 Double Irish Tapit, ’11 $1,000 McDowell Farm, AR Miss D Irish ($5,200) $8,950

Listed below are the top 10 leading sires in Arizona by 2018 Northern Hemisphere earnings through January 28, 2018. Only stallions that stand, will stand, or stood in North America (excluding stallions that died or were exported prior to the 2011 breeding season), and have runners in North America are included. Racing statistics are 2018 Northern Hemisphere only.

2017 LEADING SIRES IN ARIZONA

Rank Stallion Sire, YOB ’18 Stud Fee Farm Chief Earner (Earnings) ’18 Earnings 1 Distorted Reality Distorted Humor, ’04 N/A Fleming Thoroughbred Farm, AZ Sharkzilla ($8,333) $22,498 2 Top Hit Twining, ’98 N/A Triple AAA Ranch, AZ Sierrita ($7,735) $16,750 3 Ez Effort In Excess, ’09 N/A Fleming Thoroughbred Farm, AZ Fortified Effort ($10,660) $15,911 4 Ez Dreamer In Excess, ’05 N/A Triple AAA Ranch, AZ Dreamy Gal ($8,960) $12,955 5 Margie's Wildcat Storm Cat, ’01 N/A Fleming Thoroughbred Farm, AZ Y O L O Cat ($4,210) $12,811 6 Chelokee Cherokee Run, ’04 Died N/A Piper's Purse ($4,297) $5,639 7 Supah Blitz Mecke, ’00 Died N/A Supah Selestial ($3,570) $5,383 8 Bulldogger Dixie Union, ’07 N/A N/A Sedona Sunrise ($2,960) $3,173 9 Deputy Wild Cat Deputy Minister, ’99 Died N/A Bim Bam ($873) $873 10 Red Sky's Skywalker, ’96 N/A N/A Unpaid Secretary ($485) $830

Listed below are the top 10 leading sires in Louisiana by 2018 Northern Hemisphere earnings through January 28, 2018. Only stallions that stand, will stand, or stood in North America (excluding stallions that died or were exported prior to the 2011 breeding season), and have runners in North America are included. Racing statistics are 2018 Northern Hemisphere only.

THE EQUATION FOR SUCCESSClear Creek Stud Stallions + Staff + Service + Clients = SuccessStallions for 2018: Custom For Carlos • G.W.’s D’Oro • Half Ours • Ole Rebel • Star Guitar11591 Hwy 1078, Folsom, LA 70437 • 985-796-5563 • Fax 985-796-3630 • www.clearcreekstud.com • e-mail: info@clearcreekstud.com

Where the BREEDERS are integral in the equation for SUCCESS