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Pedigree notebook: Nutella Fella’s genetic confection
Nutella Fella is by champion sprinter Runhappy, but his female line also features high-profile speedsters, suggesting a confluence of factors on top and bottom.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: John Hancock
John Hancock joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an unwavering performance in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Burnham Square
Handicappers must answer an important question: can Burnham Square handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Captain Cook
Can Captain Cook handle stretching out over 1 1/4 miles for the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Speed King
Speed King lived up to his name in the 1 1/16-mile Southwest (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, leading all the way to win the $1 million race by one length.
Triple Crown
Pedigree notebook: Still more to come from Arrogate’s last crop
This Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup (G1) brings back memories of champion Arrogate, who blasted to a new track record in the 2017 edition at Gulfstream Park.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone State
Cyclone State showed abundant early speed on his way to winning the Jerome S., a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier held over one mile at Aqueduct.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Built
Built joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a gate-to-wire triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Triple Crown
First-crop sires: Kale’s Angel heralds promise for Complexity
Complexity has furnished several additional stakes performers since our last installment, chief among them Kale’s Angel, who starred in the Advent S. on opening day at Oaklawn Park.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Coal Battle
Sprints and short routes are clearly within the wheelhouse of Coal Battle. But can he handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Myriad Love
A filly hasn’t contested the Kentucky Derby (G1) since Devil May Care finished 10th in 2010. That could potentially change in 2025.
International
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Poster
After opening his career with a pair of turf wins, Poster switched to dirt and joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a triumph in the Remsen (G2).
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: First Resort
A pace-tracking victory in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) suggests running long on dirt is First Resort’s true strong suit.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Natural Rise
A brief glance at Natural Rise’s pedigree suggests he’s cut out for success on turf rather than dirt. But dig deeper, and dirt influences become evident.
Triple Crown
Breeders’ Cup Sires: Into Mischief, Dubawi, More Than Ready in tie with Curlin
Hovering in the background of the 14 Breeders’ Cup events is another race of sorts – among sires, for the most wins at the championships.
Features
2024 Breeders’ Cup: Curlin among past champions with progeny at Del Mar
One of the most fascinating elements of Thoroughbred racing is the genetic heritage of past champions on display in current runners. A case in point is the number of Breeders’ Cup winners who are now sires of contenders throughout the two-day championships at Del Mar.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chancer McPatrick
Chancer McPatrick ranks among the most accomplished two-year-olds of 2024 after winning the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1).
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: East Avenue
A gate-to-wire victory by 5 1/4 lengths in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) launched East Avenue onto the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Citizen Bull
A brief glance at Citizen Bull’s pedigree might suggest 1 1/16 miles is the upper limit of his distance capabilities. But that's not necessarily the case.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jonathan’s Way
Jonathan’s Way became the first horse to earn points on the 2024-25 Road to the Kentucky Derby when wiring the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Triple Crown
Juvenile champion Game Winner a freshman sire to watch
Game Winner turned out to be one of those racehorses most owners dream about. Purchased for a relative bargain at the most notable yearling market in the world, Game Winner proved a champion on the racetrack and earned back his purchase price many times over.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Black Forza, Mo Plex keep rolling for Complexity
Since the first installment of our TwinSpires.com series on first-crop sires, early leader Complexity continues to add to his portfolio.
Features
The 6th Sire: VOTE for our final First-Crop Sire to watch in 2024 [POLL]
Five horses have been preselected, with the sixth being chosen by YOU! Which Freshman Sire should TwinSpires follow for 2024?
Racing
TwinSpires annual series continues with five freshman sires to watch in 2024
For the fourth consecutive year, the stable of writers at TwinSpires will offer thoughts and analysis on five of the most compelling freshman sires whose offspring hit the track for the first time this year.
Pedigree
Thousand Words states his claim as a top freshman stallion
A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but first-crop sire Thousands Words is worth a whole lot more to Spendthrift Farm, where he retired to stud in 2021 following a successful nine-race career.
Features
Complexity dashes to early lead among 2024 first-crop sires
As a hotshot debut winner at Saratoga and hero of the 2018 Champagne (G1), Complexity had the right profile to make a splash with his first-crop two-year-olds.
Analysis
2024 Belmont Stakes: Dornoch, Mage join club of U.S. classic-winning siblings
Dornoch, a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) star Mage, put their dam, Puca, in rare company by taking the Belmont (G1).
History
Dosage Index and birthdates for 2024 Kentucky Derby contenders
Since the Dosage Index became a Kentucky Derby (G1) handicapping tool a few decades back, some interest remains in how the current contenders stack up.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mugatu
After finishing fourth in the John Battaglia Memorial S. and fifth in the Blue Grass (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Mugatu enters the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) as the second also-eligible entrant in an overflow field of 22 horses.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Epic Ride
Which racing surface is best for Epic Ride? And can he handle the Kentucky Derby’s testing 1 1/4-mile distance? His pedigree hints at the answers.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Common Defense
Top-five finishers in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Rebel (G2), and Southwest (G3) have launched Common Defense into the Kentucky Derby (G1) picture, even though his pedigree is geared toward success on turf more than dirt.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Grand Mo the First
A glance at the pedigree of Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Grand Mo the First reveals the source of his multi-surface versatility.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Just Steel
Just Steel is a capable competitor on dirt, but that’s arguably in defiance of his bloodlines. A glance at his pedigree suggests turf might be his best surface.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Just a Touch
One of the most beautifully bred horses in the prospective 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) field is Just a Touch, the lightly raced runner-up in the Blue Grass (G1) and Gotham (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Society Man
Running long is a strong suit for Society Man, runner-up in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (G2) and a maiden winner over the same distance. Stretching out over 1 1/4 miles for the Kentucky Derby (G1) should fit the chestnut gelding just fine.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Catalytic
It’s difficult to say based off Catalytic’s racing record and pedigree whether the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance is within his wheelhouse.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Resilience
Pedigree handicappers are aware of Resilience’s Kentucky Derby (G1) potential. After all, his pedigree is packed with speed, stamina, class, and—most importantly—Kentucky Derby winners.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Catching Freedom
A perfect pedigree doesn’t guarantee success in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but it doesn’t hurt. And any way you slice it, Catching Freedom is bred to excel in the Derby.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: West Saratoga
It’s only fitting that Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up West Saratoga won the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first leg of the 2023-24 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The gray colt is bred top and bottom for success in the spring classics.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Liberal Arts
Does Liberal Arts have the pedigree to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May? At least at first glance, his pedigree gives off mixed signals.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Uncle Heavy
A decade after Social Inclusion set the world abuzz as a possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, his son Uncle Heavy is embarking down the same path.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mystik Dan
Does Mystik Dan have the pedigree to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)? That’s an important question Derby handicappers must ponder.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hades
How far can Hades run? Does he have the stamina to shine over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1), or will shorter journeys prove more favorable?
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Stronghold
The Kentucky Derby (G1) looms on the horizon for Stronghold, but does he have the pedigree to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May? That’s a tricky question that requires a nuanced answer.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Otto the Conqueror
Otto the Conqueror showed unwavering tenacity to win the Remington Springboard Mile at Remington Park by three-quarters of a length, in the process joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sierra Leone
Racing 1 1/8 miles is no obstacle for Sierra Leone, winner of the Blue Grass (G1) and Risen Star (G2) and runner-up in the Remsen (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Neither should the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) prove problematic for the beautifully bred colt.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: No More Time
A gate-to-wire victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs launched No More Time into the picture as a 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Domestic Product
The pedigree of Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Domestic Product suggests the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) might be a furlong farther than his best.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Deterministic
A seven-month layoff couldn’t stop Deterministic from joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a win in the one-mile Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct. But can Deterministic stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Encino
Encino is bred top and bottom to shine on dirt, which bodes well for his chances of factoring in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Honor Marie
When Honor Marie tackled a two-turn configuration for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, he rallied strongly to win by two lengths, emerging as a 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Endlessly
Endlessly has been a force to reckon with on turf and synthetic, but he's never run on dirt, the surface over which the Kentucky Derby (G1) is contested.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: T O Password
A hard-fought head triumph in the Fukuryu S. at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan thrust T O Password into the picture as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Track Phantom
Does Lecomte (G3) winner Track Phantom have the stamina to carry his speed over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)? His pedigree gives off mixed signals.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Fierceness
A blend of tactical speed and staying power carried Fierceness to blowout victories in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Florida Derby (G1), stamping the bay colt as the possible favorite for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Amante Bianco
When Amante Bianco rallied to victory in the Cattleya at Tokyo Racecourse, the flashy white colt picked up 10 qualification points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and emerged as a possible contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Locked
After overcoming a wide trip to win the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Locked ranks among the early favorites for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Timberlake
Can Timberlake become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)? Only time will tell, but the bay colt is trending in the right direction.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Drum Roll Please
Drum Roll Please joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a third-place finish in the Remsen (G2), and a subsequent 3 3/4-length win in the Jerome S. at Aqueduct reiterates his emergence as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Ramjet
When Ramjet stormed home victorious by three lengths in the Hyacinth S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, he delivered on a pedigree geared top and bottom toward high-level success running long on dirt.
Pedigree
Pedigree profile: Imagination
A tenacious victory in the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita has stamped Imagination as a talented three-year-old worth following.
Features
Pedigree profile: Nysos
After two blowout victories sprinting, it was no surprise to see Nysos dominate his two-turn debut, winning the one-mile Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita by 7 1/2 lengths.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: The Wine Steward finishes 2023 as Vino Rosso’s top earner
Spendthrift Farm’s Vino Rosso, the 2019 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), closed out the 2023 season ranked third among North American first-crop sires, with $2,193,544 in progeny earnings; nearly 17% of which was earned by The Wine Steward.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach’s unbeaten Kopion on Kentucky Oaks trail
Omaha Beach ranked first among North American freshman sires, not by the official standard of progeny earnings in 2023, but by another metric that’s arguably more significant for his stud career: the number of stakes performers.
Features
Mitole finishes fast to become top first-crop sire of 2023
In his racing days, sprint champion Mitole was known for his blazing speed. However, it was a late burst by his offspring in the final weeks of the season that propelled Mitole to the top of the first-crop sire list for 2023.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Maximus Mischief ends 2023 in second place
The final racing results from 2023 are in, and Maximus Mischief ended the year as the second-leading first-crop sire in multiple categories.
Analysis
Ghostzapper shows first-crop sire rankings can be misleading
Ranking first-crop sires by progeny earnings is useful for identifying up-and-coming stallions with potential, but the numbers can be misleading.
Analysis
First-crop sires: Next wave of prospects storming in for Omaha Beach
Since our last installment on juveniles to watch by Omaha Beach, the blueblood freshman sire has doubled his tally of winners to 22.
Features
First-crop sires: Stakes horses shine for Maximus Mischief
With two weeks left in 2023, Maximus Mischief is holding his own among the year’s leading first-crop sires.
Features
Pedigree profile: Wynstock
Stretching out in distance has worked wonders for Wynstock. After failing to factor in his first two starts sprinting, the chestnut colt has been unstoppable in two-turn races, dominating a one-mile maiden special weight before battling to victory in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Analysis
When juveniles finish slowly in sprints, be careful betting them in routes
How can you predict whether a lightly raced juvenile will thrive or struggle while tackling route distances of one mile or longer? Pedigrees, coupled with how fast they finish in sprints, can provide clues.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch
It’s safe to say that Dornoch has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. Because… he literally has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby winner.
Features
First-crop sires: Winners keep coming for Maximus Mischief
Maximus Mischief picked up his third black-type stakes winner on Nov. 22 when Carmelina stormed to a runaway victory in the $100,000 Shamrock Rose S. at Penn National.
Features
Like father, like son doesn’t always apply in horse racing
It’s tempting to simplify pedigree handicapping down to “Sire X thrived under Y conditions; therefore his foals will also appreciate Y conditions.” But reality is often more complicated.
Education
First-Crop Sires: Flameaway making a mark on turf
Flameaway’s first crop started strong this spring/summer, placing him among the top five freshman sires based on progeny earnings, and the eight-year-old stallion remains prominent.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Vino Rosso a top-shelf stallion with most progeny earnings by first-crop sires
Vino Rosso has created some distance between himself and Maximus Mischief as the top first-crop sire by progeny earnings in North America and Europe.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Maximus Mischief is riding a hot streak
After siring only two winners between the middle of September and the middle of October, first-crop sire Maximus Mischief is on fire again, regaining the momentum that made him the leading sire by progeny earnings through much of summer and early fall.
Analysis
First-crop sires: Second stakes winner for Maximus Mischief
TwinSpires.com will follow prominent first-crop sires whose two-year-olds are hitting the track this season. This installment is the third on 2018 Remsen (G2) winner Maximus Mischief.
Features
Pedigree profile: Muth
When the speedy Muth successfully stretched out over 1 1/16 miles to dominate the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita by 3 3/4 lengths, it came as no surprise to pedigree handicappers.
Analysis
First-crop sires: State-bred winners keep Maximus Mischief hot
One month has passed since we introduced Maximus Mischief as the early leader among first-crop sires of 2023. It’s safe to say he remains a dominant force among young stallions.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach runners hit targets from Del Mar to France
Since our opening salvo on Omaha Beach’s juveniles, the freshman sire has added four more winners, for a total of 11, and increased his tally of stakes performers. Let’s catch up with his recent stakes results before focusing on his latest progeny in the win column.
Features
First-crop sires: Vino Rosso, one more stud for Spendthrift
Winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), in the final start of his career, Vino Rosso is back on the racing scene, this time as a prominent first-crop sire in 2023.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Randomized expands Nyquist's portfolio
After Crimson Advocate captured the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot, and unbeaten New York Thunder rumbled in the Amsterdam (G2) on the Saratoga dirt, Nyquist was in the spotlight as the sire of dazzling sprinters. Now that Randomized carried her speed over 1 1/4 miles in last Saturday’s Alabama (G1), she’s expanded the horizons.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Flameaway passing speed to offspring
Unheralded when entering stud in 2020, Flameaway has made an immediate impact with his first crop, putting himself among leading freshman sires.
Pedigree
First-Crop Sires: Maximus Mischief takes the early lead
Maximus Mischief showed talent during his brief racing career. Now he’s back in the headlines thanks to a promising first crop of foals.
Racing
First-crop sires: Hopeful-bound Pirate makes waves for Omaha Beach
With his fashionable pedigree and exceptional record on the racetrack, Omaha Beach is eligible to become a top sire.
Pedigree
First-Crop Sires: Mitole striking early with fillies
There was arguably no finer champion male sprinter in the 2010s than Mitole, who capped the decade with a tremendous campaign in 2019 that included four Grade 1 wins from six furlongs to one mile.
Pedigree
Introducing the first-crop sires series for 2023
Our team is profiling five prominent stallions making a splash with their juveniles.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Prime time just beginning for Not This Time
It’s been some week for hot young sire Not This Time, from the sales ring at Saratoga to the racecourse at Colonial Downs.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Justify juggernaut rolls on with second-crop juveniles
Amid the celebrations of his first Grade 1-winning three-year-olds, Justify is ramping up the momentum with his second crop of juveniles. The undefeated Triple Crown champion has budding stars in both Europe and the United States, on turf and dirt.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Frankel hits Royal Ascot triple, follows up with Curragh juvenile
Frankel deserved the pedigree notebook treatment for siring three Group 1 stars at Royal Ascot, but the Juddmonte great is a moving target. He has continued to supply more material in the interim, most significantly a juvenile filly who broke her maiden over Irish Derby weekend.
Pedigree
Pedigree clues for juveniles in Bashford Manor, Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park
Sunday’s card at Ellis Park wraps up Stephen Foster weekend with five more stakes, including two for promising juveniles. Let’s look for pedigree clues in the Debutante S. and Bashford Manor S.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Frankel's son Cracksman, venerable family make Ace Impact
Undefeated French Derby (G1) winner Ace Impact is from the first crop of Frankel’s outstanding son Cracksman, from the extended family of dual classic queen-turned-globetrotter Ouija Board.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Tahiyra, Paddington turn Irish Guineas double for Siyouni
When Tahiyra quickened out of a pocket in Sunday’s Irish 1000 Guineas (G1), she capped a classic double at the Curragh for her sire, Siyouni. The Aga Khan’s homebred stallion was also responsible for Saturday’s Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) hero, Paddington.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Johannesburg descendants strike gold at Pimlico
Former Coolmore/Ashford stallion Johannesburg, who was ultimately exported to Japan, factored in the pedigrees of several major winners during the Preakness (G1) festival.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mage
It’s safe to say Mage hails from a family of Kentucky Derby veterans. His sire, grandsire, and dam sire all started in the Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Good Magic off to flying start as classic sire
Good Magic had the credentials to become an important sire on the Triple Crown trail. Even so, the champion son of Curlin has made quite an impact at his earliest opportunity, siring Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage in his very first crop.
Pedigree
Angel of Empire – Kentucky Derby Context
An off-the-pace runner, Angel of Empire displayed a terrific turn of foot in the Arkansas Derby (G1), surging from sixth to reach the lead by the top of the stretch, and the up-and-coming colt established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender while notching his first triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating (101)
Kentucky Derby