Pedigree profile: Nysos

Mon Feb 05 2024J. Keeler Johnson

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.
First-crop sires: The Wine Steward finishes 2023 as Vino Rosso’s top earner

Fri Jan 19 2024Ashley Anderson

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.
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach’s unbeaten Kopion on Kentucky Oaks trail

Tue Jan 16 2024Kellie Reilly

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.
Mitole finishes fast to become top first-crop sire of 2023

Mon Jan 08 2024Vance Hanson

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.
First-crop sires: Maximus Mischief ends 2023 in second place

Thu Jan 04 2024J. Keeler Johnson

The final racing results from 2023 are in, and Maximus Mischief ended the year as the second-leading first-crop sire in multiple categories.
Ghostzapper shows first-crop sire rankings can be misleading

Wed Jan 03 2024J. Keeler Johnson

Ranking first-crop sires by progeny earnings is useful for identifying up-and-coming stallions with potential, but the numbers can be misleading.
First-crop sires: Next wave of prospects storming in for Omaha Beach

Thu Dec 28 2023Kellie Reilly

Since our last installment on juveniles to watch by Omaha Beach, the blueblood freshman sire has doubled his tally of winners to 22.
First-crop sires: Stakes horses shine for Maximus Mischief

Mon Dec 18 2023J. Keeler Johnson

With two weeks left in 2023, Maximus Mischief is holding his own among the year’s leading first-crop sires.
Pedigree profile: Wynstock

Mon Dec 18 2023J. Keeler Johnson

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.
When juveniles finish slowly in sprints, be careful betting them in routes

Wed Dec 06 2023J. Keeler Johnson

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.
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch

Mon Dec 04 2023J. Keeler Johnson

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.
First-crop sires: Winners keep coming for Maximus Mischief

Wed Nov 29 2023J. Keeler Johnson

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.
Like father, like son doesn’t always apply in horse racing

Wed Nov 29 2023J. Keeler Johnson

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.