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Pedigree notebook: ‘Classic' patterns recur
Champion Classic Empire celebrated a graded stakes double on Saturday, and both of his winners are out of Bernardini-line mares.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire
Stretch-running victories in the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) have propelled Angel of Empire into the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Run for the Roses?
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Gulfstream turf sprint double for Uncaptured
Gulfstream Park staged two stakes on Saturday, and progeny of Uncaptured won both.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litigate
When Litigate rallied to a determined victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, it was confirmation the bay colt has been waiting for a chance to shine running long.
Kentucky Derby
Chase the Chaos winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chase the Chaos
What do we make of Chase the Chaos, who unleashed a giant homestretch rally to win the El Camino Real Derby over the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields? Can he successfully switch to dirt?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hit Show
When Hit Show stormed down the Aqueduct homestretch to dominate the 1 1/8-mile Withers (G3), he fulfilled the promise of a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Earls Rock built upon legends ancient and modern
Earls Rock's pedigree curates a multiplicity of strains of Northern Dancer, and his female line traces to an all-time great racemare.
Pedigree
Pedigree profile: Newgate
Does Newgate have the pedigree to succeed over classic distances? It’s not necessarily a clear-cut answer, because there are mixed signals to interpret.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rocket Can
It isn’t surprising to see Rocket Can enjoying success on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The gray colt boasts a pedigree combining speed with stamina, often a recipe for success in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: An Eclipse Awards triple for Curlin
Hall of Famer Curlin added to his historic resume by siring an extraordinary three individual champions of 2022 — Malathaat (older dirt female), Nest (three-year-old filly), and Elite Power (male sprinter).
Pedigree
Pedigree profile: Arabian Knight
An impressive victory from Arabian Knight in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park has launched the $2.3 million auction acquisition thoroughly into the Triple Crown picture.
Racing
Pedigree notebook: Hot and Sultry genetic combo
Four-year-old filly Hot and Sultry continued her upward curve by capturing her stakes debut in the Jan. 21 American Beauty S. at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
First-Crop Sires Update: Mendelssohn progeny start strongly as 3yos
The Scat Daddy half-brother to Into Mischief and Beholder was a Grade 1 performer on both turf and dirt, and his progeny, like him, should improve with age.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Nothing hidden about Occult's cross
Kentucky Oaks hopeful Occult sports the same pedigree pattern as Mandaloun.
Pedigree
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
First-crop sires 2022: Girvin relocated to Kentucky after making his mark
Girvin achieved success as a freshman sire, ranking fifth among first-crop sires by progeny earnings in 2022 ($1,910,156), and his five stakes winners included Grade 1 conqueror Faiza.
Pedigree
First-crop sires 2022: Justify makes Japanese impact
In a three-way battle for first-crop supremacy with Bolt d’Oro and Good Magic in 2022, Triple Crown winner Justify eventually finished third.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
How sire stats and racing records can uncover winners
Sometimes, combining a little pedigree knowledge with the sire stats and performance data found in Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances is all you need to uncover a lucrative betting payday.
Education
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dubyuhnell
Unwavering tenacity carried Dubyuhnell to a hard-fought victory in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, but can he stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee has always had the pedigree to shine as an early-maturing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.
Kentucky Derby
'All others' favored in KDFW Pool 2, Sire Future Wager
The mutuel field of “All other three-year-old colts and geldings” closed as the 4-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager conducted over Thanksgiving weekend.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Breeders' Cup Juvenile duo in KDFW Pool 2
Although his three Breeders’ Cup runners didn’t crack the trifecta on Future Stars Friday, Good Magic’s terrific start to his stallion career has warranted a stud fee hike.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Promising Start for Mendelssohn
The first-season sire that readers voted for us to follow hasn’t let anyone down, producing a nice crop of horses that promise much for the future.
Features
Bolt d'Oro two-year-olds make mark on turf, overseas
Bolt d’Oro added six more winners to bring his total to 21 from 67 runners, with one of those victories coming in the Pilgrim S. (G2) at Belmont.
Features
Magnificent Seven: Multi-generation winners of the same Breeders' Cup race
One of the more intriguing situations in racing occurs when a horse replicates family success by winning the same stakes that their sire or dam did during their racing days.
Breeders Cup
Pedigree profile: Cave Rock
Speed is the greatest weapon a racehorse can possess. Stamina is equally dangerous as distances get longer. Combine speed with stamina, and you have the makings of an elite racehorse.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Blazing Sevens, Curly Jack win on Road to Kentucky Derby
By siring the winners of the first two scoring races on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby, Good Magic has surged to the lead in the freshman sire standings.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Blazing Sevens
It’s no wonder why Blazing Sevens has enjoyed success running long on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The stretch-running Champagne S. (G1) winner has a strong pedigree for handling classic distances.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Curly Jack
In 2018, reigning champion two-year-old male Good Magic ran a gallant second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Perhaps Good Magic’s son Curly Jack can go one better in 2023.
Racing
Bolt d'Oro rises to top of first-crop sires standings
Bolt d’Oro has ascended to the top of the earnings list for 2022 first-crop sires after a handful of his progeny succeeded in recent stakes efforts.
Racing
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Vegas Magic eyes Del Mar Debutante
Since our initial profile of Good Magic in the freshman sires series, three of his early winners have furnished stakes updates, and several others are on the radar.
Racing
First-crop sires: Girvin attracts attention
Represented by a pair of juvenile stakes winners, most notably 3 1/4-length Saratoga Special (G2) winner Damon’s Mound, Girvin is off to a fast start from his first crop.
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Expectations High For Mendelssohn
TwinSpires Edge voters have made it clear: they’d like Mendelssohn to be one of the first-crop sires that we focus on in 2022.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Bolt d'Oro babies blossoming quickly
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and foaled in March 2015, Bolt d’Oro got off to a fast start as a two-year-old.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Justify Makes a Bright Start
Writing the stallion marketing script for Justify’s first season in 2019 wouldn’t have been the toughest task in Thoroughbred breeding.
Features
First-Crop Sires: City of Light offspring beginning to shine
City of Light retired to stud at Lane's End Farm in early 2019 to great fanfare.
Racing
First-crop sires: Good Magic has Hopeful candidate in Blazing Sevens
Good Magic checks multiple boxes for stud appeal. A $1 million yearling, by a Hall of Famer and from a productive family, he developed into a champion juvenile and Grade 1-winning classic performer at three.
Pedigree
Introducing the First-Crop Sires Series 2022: Choose a Sire for us to Follow
TwinSpires is bringing back the First-Crop Sires Series for 2022. Last year's series included Gun Runner and Arrogate, and this season, Justify tops our list to follow closely.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Barber Road
Barber Road has the pedigree to handle the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1). But is he bred to peak on the first Saturday in May?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Summer Is Tomorrow
It’s been fascinating to watch Summer Is Tomorrow develop into an accomplished dirt horse, considering his pedigree is geared strongly toward success on turf.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Zozos
It’s no wonder why Zozos employed pacesetting tactics to finish second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and qualify for the Kentucky Derby (G1). His pedigree is full of fast horses and speed influences.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tawny Port
Versatility has been a strong suit for Lexington S. (G3) winner Tawny Port, and it's easy to see why when you review his pedigree.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Taiba
It’s been remarkable to witness the rapid transformation of Taiba from an unraced three-year-old into a serious Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Zandon
After placing in his first two starts on the Kentucky Derby trail, Zandon unleashed an explosive rally to dominate the Blue Grass S. (G1) and stamp his credentials as a serious Kentucky Derby threat.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree profile: Messier
Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) winner Messier has shown flashes of serious talent on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. And rest assured, he has the pedigree to be a serious player in the spring classics.
Racing
Mo Donegal (left) winning the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mo Donegal
At the end of 2010, trainer Todd Pletcher headed into winter with Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Uncle Mo in his barn. Now he's back with Uncle Mo's son, Mo Donegal.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: White Abarrio
Pedigree handicapping can be a challenge, particularly when there’s limited data to interpret. Such is the case with White Abarrio, winner of the Holy Bull S. (G3) and Florida Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forbidden Kingdom
Speed is the name of the game for Forbidden Kingdom, but can his pedigree carry him over the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Morello
The early successes for Morello may have come in sprints and short routes, but this exciting Kentucky Derby (G1) contender has the pedigree to run much farther.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Simplification
Simplification looks like a serious player for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But does he have the breeding to shine on the first Saturday in May?
Racing
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Un Ojo
Un Ojo’s Rebel S. (G2) triumph may have come as a surprise on the day, but his classy pedigree has long hinted at serious potential.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Classic Causeway
Can the late, great racehorse and stallion Giant's Causeway sire a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in his final year of opportunity?
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for February 10, 2022
Jason talks with Jessica Paquette about Thoroughbred breeding and using it for handicapping.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Early Voting
A favorable pedigree isn’t the only requirement to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). But it’s a good place to start.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Call Me Midnight
Call Me Midnight burst onto the Kentucky Derby trail with a late-surging victory in the Lecomte S. (G3). Can he maintain his finishing speed over the Kentucky Derby’s testing 1 1/4-mile journey?
Racing
First-crop sires: Record-setting Gun Runner passes $4 million mark
Led by sure-to-be-champion Echo Zulu, the unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner, Gun Runner’s progeny have amassed more than $4 million in earnings.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Make It Big
Make It Big has a chance to make it big in the Kentucky Derby (G1). But does he have the pedigree to handle the Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Slow Down Andy
There’s nothing slow about Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner Slow Down Andy. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Winners Keep Coming for Keen Ice
The jury is still out on Keen Ice's first crop, but the results haven’t been bad given his progeny will probably be better suited as three-year-olds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Smile Happy
Smile Happy put smiles on the faces of his supporters when he rallied to victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, in the process joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rattle N Roll
When Rattle N Roll joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a victory in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), racing fans were left to ponder if he's bred to handle the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance.
Racing
Using Brisnet dam stats for pedigree handicapping
Analyzing the produce records of broodmares can help steer you toward informative betting angles.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jack Christopher
Does Champagne S. (G1) winner Jack Christopher have the pedigree to handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
Pedigree profile: Corniche
Based off Corniche's victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), it seems two of the speediest horses of the 2010s have combined to produce one of the speediest Kentucky Derby contenders of the 2020s.
Racing
Using Brisnet sire stats for pedigree handicapping
Analyzing pedigrees can be a helpful tool for identifying which runners are suited to particular race conditions. And sire statistics are some of the most useful pedigree tools to utilize.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Major General
The first horse to strike on the 2021-2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby was Major General, who displayed an affinity for Churchill Downs and battled to a tenacious victory in the Iroquois S. (G3).
Racing
Pedigree Profile: Ram
From claimer to Triple Crown contender, Ram has made great progress. The improving chestnut sold for $375,000 as a yearling, at least in part because he’s bred to be a high-class prospect.
Racing
Pedigree profile: Unbridled Honor
Unbridled Honor isn’t the most accomplished three-year-old in training—at least, not yet. But he’s made steady progress and might eventually grow into the top-class pedigree he brings to the table.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: O Besos
Kentucky Derby winners might be elite racehorses, but they don’t necessarily make elite stallions. Derby winners who sire Derby winners are a relative rarity; can Orb pull off the double with O Besos?
Racing
Brotherly love and sister acts: The greatest siblings on the racetrack
Siblings Day on April 10 is an occasion to celebrate our brothers and sisters. As a racing fan and pedigree aficionado, I’d like to expand on that idea and recall some of the greatest sibling acts of the turf.
Racing
Pedigree fun facts for 2019 Preakness
The dozen contenders expected in Saturday’s Preakness (G1) bring notable pedigrees into the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Although none is by a Preakness winner, three are grandsons of champions who’ve figuratively hoisted the Woodlawn Vase. ...
Racing
How To Bet Horse Racing Podcast: Pedigree Handicapping the Kentucky Derby
The most common question when handicapping the Kentucky Derby after "Who do you like" is "Can he get the distance?" A horse's pedigree is often used to help identify horses with a potential ability for 1 1/4 miles on dirt, but it can provide many ...
Racing
How Grass Pedigrees Can Provide Value in Turf Races
It’s easy to assume that once a horse has started its racing career and run in a few races, its pedigree is no longer an important factor to consider in handicapping.
While this might be true in some cases, there are still many instances when pedi ...
Education
Pedigree Handicapping: From Dirt to Turf to the Winner's Circle
When a horse tries a different racing surface for the first time, it can be difficult for handicappers to know what to expect. For example, if the horse has been racing on dirt, how will they react when switching to turf?
Due to the uncertainty in ...
Education
Handicapping 101: Playing Pedigrees on Muddy Tracks
When handicapping major races like the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) , it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of data available to help you make your selections.
Fractional times? Workouts? Running styles? Pedigrees? Jockey assignments? Post position ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigrees: Gun Runner
Gun Runner’s pedigree offers an attractive blend of high-class speed and routing capacity over every surface.
His sire is the brilliant and unbeaten Candy Ride, who secured championship miler honors in his native Argentina with a pair of Group 1 r ...
Pedigree