2016 Kentucky Derby Pedigrees: Tom's Ready

Tom’s Ready had been beaten consistently by fellow GMB Racing colorbearer Mo Tom until the Louisiana Derby (G2). By finishing a clear second that day, with the badly hampered Mo Tom back in fourth, Tom’s Ready assured himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) field.

Both his sire (More Than Ready) and broodmare sire (Broad Brush) ran well in defeat in their respective Kentucky Derby attempts. More Than Ready was a dashing 2-year-old whose abundant class helped him push the distance envelope at three. After seconds in the 2000 Louisiana Derby (G2) and Blue Grass (G2), he chased a brutal pace in the Run for the Roses, yet held on for a gallant fourth. He subsequently prospered cutting back in trip and enhanced his resume with a victory in the King’s Bishop (G1).

More Than Ready has sired several notables on dirt, chief among them Verrazano, a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire and 14th in the 2013 Derby as a onetime fancy. Daredevil, Buster’s Ready, and the speedy Custom for Carlos are other major winners on the main track.

But More Than Ready has achieved tremendous results on turf, both here and internationally. American fans may be more familiar with his trio of Breeders’ Cup winners – Pluck and More Than Real, who doubled up in the Juvenile Turf (G2) and Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2) between them in 2010, and 2011 Turf Sprint (G2) star Regally Ready. More Than Ready cuts an even bigger figure in Australia through the likes of Golden Slipper (G1) heroes Sebring (now a hot sire himself) and Phelan Ready, the prolific champion mare More Joyous, Samaready, and recent Champagne (G1) hero Prized Icon.

Tom’s Ready’s maternal half likewise sports turf-friendly elements. His dam, Goodbye Stranger, improved markedly when switched to turf and finished second in what turned out to be the last of only three starts. She’s produced three minor winners, including stakes-placed Consulado, a full brother to Tom’s Ready. Although Consulado broke his maiden impressively on dirt, he placed in the Harry Henson on Hollywood’s old Cushion Track and later tried turf unsuccessfully. Her other two winners were by the versatile Speightstown: Goodbye Jane scored her lone win on turf, and Savvy N Speightful earned two wins on synthetic and one on dirt.

Goodbye Stranger is by $2.6 million earner Broad Brush, among the leaders of a deep and talented cast on the scene in the mid-1980s. Third in the 1986 Kentucky Derby and Preakness (G1), Broad Brush famously outdueled Ferdinand in the 1987 Santa Anita H. (G1). He also garnered such major events as the Suburban H. (G1), Meadowlands Cup (G1), and Wood Memorial (G1).

Broad Brush preserved the ever-precarious male line of Domino during a solid stud career, siring 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Concern, millionaire handicapper (and useful sire) Include, 2002 Kentucky Oaks (G1)-winning champion Farda Amiga, Pompeii, and Schossberg. His daughters have produced 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic star Fort Larned, Richard’s Kid, and champion Dreaming of Anna, among others.

Goodbye Stranger is herself a half-sister to two stakes winners, Lemonlime, who landed a pair of turf stakes at Canterbury, and Miss Moses, the 2004 Prairie Meadows Oaks victress. Their dam, the Deputy Minister mare Prime Investor, was a Moyglare Stud homebred from a fine family.

Tom’s Ready’s third dam, Starushka, is by Sham, famed for being runner-up to Secretariat in the 1973 Derby and Preakness. Starushka is responsible for Italian Group 2 winners High Competence and Vers La Caisse (who later took the 1985 Violet [G3] and placed second in the Flower Bowl [G1]).

Tom’s Ready counts as his fourth dam What a Treat, the champion 3-year-old filly of 1965 and the dam of international sire Be My Guest. This is the further family of ill-fated 1982 Epsom Derby (G1) winner Golden Fleece. [Update: Derby foe My Man Sam also traces to What a Treat.]

Continuing back to their common ancestress, Tom’s Ready hails from the same matrilineal line as rival Mohaymen, Derby winners Orb (2013) and Fusaichi Pegasus (2000), and Hall of Famer Ruffian.

Pedigree information courtesy of Brisnet.com.

Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs/Coady Photography.