Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Six Speed

Six Speed flaunted his speed in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) at Meydan in Dubai, carving out the pace on his way to winning the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier by five lengths.

Having previously won back-to-back sprints at Meydan in decisive fashion, Six Speed gave the impression he might be cut out for success racing seven furlongs or shorter. But the UAE 2000 Guineas took place over a metric mile, and Six Speed’s strong finish down the homestretch suggests he had stamina to spare.

Certainly, Six Speed’s pedigree suggests potential for success over longer distances. Even the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) may be within reach for the speedy sophomore.

Six Speed is a son of Not This Time, one of the hottest and most versatile sires standing at stud in North America. Sons and daughters of Not This Time have excelled over an incredibly wide variety of distances and surfaces. A few of the most prominent include:

• Epicenter, the champion three-year-old male of 2022, after winning the 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1) and placing second in the Kentucky Derby and 1 3/16-mile Preakness (G1).
• Up to the Mark, the champion turf male of 2023, after winning three Grade 1 races over distances from one mile to 1 1/4 miles. He also ran second in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
• Cy Fair, winner of the five-furlong Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1).
• Cogburn, a top-tier turf sprinter who ran 5 1/2 furlongs in the North American record time of :59.80 to win the Jaipur (G1).
• Sibelius, Just One Time, Princess Noor, and Goal Oriented, all Grade 1 winners, sprinting on dirt.
• Troubleshooting, winner of the Franklin-Simpson (G1) sprinting on turf.
• Sacred Wish and Rhetorical, Grade 1-winning grass milers.
• Next, a standout dirt marathoner with wins in the 1 5/8-mile Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2) and two editions of the 1 3/8-mile Brooklyn (G2) on his record.

The most long-winded of Not This Time’s top progeny—Epicenter, Up to the Mark, and Next—were produced by daughters of stallions who won Grade 1 races over 1 1/4 miles. Epicenter’s dam sire is Pacific Classic (G1) winner Candy Ride. The dams of Up to the Mark and Next were respectively sired by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winners Ghostzapper and Awesome Again.

This bodes well for Six Speed. His dam, Browse, is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, a top-tier competitor racing 1 1/4 miles.

First, a quick look at Browse. She was versatile, counting a 5 1/2-furlong dirt sprint and a 1 1/16-mile grass route among her four wins. While she failed to win at the stakes level, she did finish second in the Our Mims S. racing one mile and 70 yards on dirt.

As a broodmare, Browse is finding greater success. In addition to Six Speed, she’s the dam of Pipit, an early-maturing filly who won the 5 1/2-furlong Victoria S. on synthetic.

Getting back to Medaglia d’Oro, he competed in all three legs of the 2002 Triple Crown, finishing second in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont (G1), fourth in the Kentucky Derby, and eighth in the Preakness. Afterward, he never finished out the exacta while competing in some of the world’s most important dirt races. Over 1 1/4 miles (or the metric equivalent), he won the Travers and placed second in the Pacific Classic, Dubai World Cup (G1), and two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He also won strong editions of the Donn H. (G1) and Whitney H. (G1) racing 1 1/8 miles.

Yet for all his racing success, Medaglia d’Oro has risen even higher at stud. Like Not This Time, he’s sired elite racers on dirt and turf alike. Hong Kong sensation Golden Sixty, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Talismanic, and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) heroine New Money Honey rank among his numerous Grade/Group 1 winners on grass. Meanwhile, his dirt stars include champion three-year-old fillies Songbird, Nitrogen, and Rachel Alexandra. The latter won the Preakness and 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks (G1), and later Medaglia d’Oro sired additional Kentucky Oaks winners Plum Pretty and Good Cheer.

The progeny of Medaglia d’Oro have compiled an average winning distance of 7.7 furlongs, indicating that he’s a strong source of stamina at stud. That remains apparent in his record as a broodmare sire. While daughters of Medaglia d’Oro have foaled some capable sprinters and milers, they’re better known for producing Preakness winner National Treasure and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Olympiad. The latter won five graded stakes during an accomplished career, including the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

With the stamina of Medaglia d’Oro backing up the versatility of Not This Time, Six Speed is cut out for success racing 1 1/4 miles. Also, there’s plenty of turf prowess in this pedigree cross, so if Six Speed ever falters on dirt, a switch to grass could unlock a whole new avenue for success.