Opinions Appreciated

[johnrr88]

I have a tough little mare in Louisiana (Grain of Salt, 2001) who was a mildly promising sprinter before she developed intractable throat problems. I am trying to decide whether to breed her to Ide or Good and Tough. Both live in her neighborhood.

Ide would seem to be favor her compact, sprinter body type. Her foals have shown good bone and muscle . Good and Tough is a younger stallion who , at least on paper, also seems promising and seems to be throwing speedy foals that favor the Nasrullah linebreeding he gives.

Both are speedy outcrosses with similar stud fees...What do you think?
Thanks . john

[ct2346]

Of the two, I'd go with Ide. While neither bring much turf potential into the resulting pedigree, Ide, pedigree wise seems to throw a little more distance into the equation.

[scandel]

I absolutely love Ide and I wish he stood in the Mid Atlantic. He will throw milers and sprinters. Very solid and not getting enough mares.

[Sock Monkey]

Ide is a wonderful horse who really stamps his foals and can improve his mares. He's one of my favorites. I don't think you can go wrong with him.

Good and Tough is a good stallion, too. But, I like Ide better!

[ageecee]

No contest go with Ide

[JaradM]

John,

Go with Ide, I visited him last year when I bred a mare to Afternoon Deelites. He is built like a tank and 2008 was probrably his best year so far.

[jellac]

FWIW - A few years ago I happened to observe one of his 2YO fillies, Tensas Yucatan, in her 2YO pre-auction work at Lone Star, among a host of other 2YOs being breezed/worked that day. My notes went something like this: "WOW - tremendous stride: smooth/elastic; got into [it] quik/no quit". She really impressed me that day because her work appeared so effortless. She was run out past the finish line/timer and then galloped out very strongly on the turn, so unlike many of the sale 2YOS her short quick speed work was not the 'bottom' of her 'race fitness' level. She looked ready to race without being 'rushed' at that point and I'm kinda remembering that she made her debut a very short time later after the sale (not sure about that though). I drove back home to Houston without staying for the auction and found out a day or two later that this horse had been either the top or second best seller. True she put in a top time for the distance she worked which always garners high bids/attention (and I can't recall now if her half-brother had achieved his 2nd place finish as a 4YO in the Cypress S at Delta Downs by the time of the 2YO auction adding some luster to her dam's catalog pate or not) - but IMO the real story behind that bid was how she moved. She has gone on to justify that faith/enthusiasm by her bid winning connections with multiple SW,SP accomplishments at 7, 8, 8.5 furlong distances.

If Ide can contribute mechanics to his offspring such as this filly exhibited as an early 2YO he'd get my vote. OF course the physical matchup goes a long way to the mechanics of stride in the offspring but I also note that compared to your mare, Grain Of Salt, Tensas Yucatan's dam had a similar sireline, so I'm thinking they may be of similar type/pedigree influence on the physicals. Ask around among trainers as to what they "like" about the "IDE" offspring they've trained and see if stride/mechanics doesn't come up in their comments. There have been/are enough of them on the tracks in Louisiana to have a solid reputation among trainers as to their attributes, any weaknesses that distinquish their breeding, trainability, etc.

[Strategic Maneuver]

Also, FWIW, Pete Vestal trained Ide which means he ran virtually drug free. He is one of the best trainers I have ever dealt with and a great horseman. Wish he hadn't left the business.

[Danzig]

Frankly, I wouldn't bother to breed her.

[spex4me]

Frankly, I wouldn't bother to breed her.

roflmao..... well since you are neither Ide or Good and Tough, I doubt you'll have to worry about you having to 'breed' her.

Ide is a very nice stallion. I'd pick Ide.

[pleasantcolony]

I would go with Ide. He is a very nice stallion.

[tinners way]

I would find a Slew line stallion for the mare. If you came back to Texas Special Rate would be a good choice. IMO. Not sure who fits this in LA. While Danzig wouldn't breed her, I would not breed her to a Mr. P line. What happened to her Gold Regent from 2006?

[hpkingjr]

I believe Statement, a son of Slew, is standing in LA now.

http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php? ... IN+OF+SALT

[johnrr88]

Thanks to all who expressed their opinions. I did , in fact, send her to Ide last week , who was the consensus choice of this board, hands down. Ideally, I would send her to a son of Grand Slam, who has such an affinity with the Salt Lake line, but the only opportunity in Louisiana is Fire Slam who( naturally) is out of a Salt Lake mare.

I appreciate your opinion, as well, Danzig....but they cant all run at the Curragh. Nevertheless, you may be right...we'll know soon.

A 2y/o is breezing with Patrick Mouton right now and a yearling by Dance Master is coming up.

[Sock Monkey]

Thanks to all who expressed their opinions. I did , in fact, send her to Ide last week , who was the consensus choice of this board, hands down. Ideally, I would send her to a son of Grand Slam, who has such an affinity with the Salt Lake line, but the only opportunity in Louisiana is Fire Slam who( naturally) is out of a Salt Lake mare.

Best of luck with the mating!

You know Grand Slam's full brother Wild West is in Abbeville at Circle H? He's putting some nice foals on the ground. He might be worth looking at down the road.