A.P. Indy or Storm Cat?

[dray33]

Ok, now that they are both the same price, the comparison is easier.

HYPOTHETICAL: It's now the end of 2007 (December, let's say). You are the owner of a very nice mare, who is done racing... and ready to go to the shed for the very first time, and let's say she can pretty much go to anyone. They both "nick" well. Physically, the match is pretty much even.

You have to pick one of the two, A.P or the Cat. Who do YOU choose, and why?

[dray33]

Oh, and it's only fair I throw my hat in the ring. I go to Storm Cat this time. The ol' man doesn't have that many years left before pension... and I wouldn't want to have the chance and years later regret not giving him a shot.

[nythoroughbredvz]

I totaly agree, besides AP Indy is not Seattle Slew, if it was Seattle Slew or Storm cat then I would say Seattle Slew! but Storm Cat is Storm Cat! and time is running out on him...

[Maven]

I agree with Storm Cat. You have, at best, 3 more years to breed to him. If you "luck" out and happen to have a foal from his last crop, there should be quite a premium on a good looking one.

A.P. Indy will be around for a while, unforseen circumstances not withstanding. I don't think you'll see Indy anywhere near 500k so I think it would be "safe" to pass him up this year.

[nythoroughbredvz]

with my luck the "very nice mare" that i had would be by Storm Cat, and her dams sire would be AP Indy. in this hypothetical sittuation is she still a nice mare!

[Rokeby Forever]

I agree with Storm Cat. You have, at best, 3 more years to breed to him. If you "luck" out and happen to have a foal from his last crop, there should be quite a premium on a good looking one.

What has Storm Cat sired in the last few years that convinces you that his last foals are worth waiting for, or even breeding?

In 2007, After Market has been his biggest earner with $686,000. His second biggest earner this year? Essential Edge with $292,000. And don't give me that Storm Cat will have stronger books in his waning years - he's already had the strongest books in the world.

With AP Indy, you can come up with a Bernardini. Breed Cara Rafaela to Storm Cat and you get Ile de France. With AP Indy, you can get a Rags To Riches. Breed Better Than Honour to Storm Cat and you get Teeming. With AP Indy, you can get a Pulpit. Breed Preach to Storm Cat and you get Tell It.

AP Indy or Storm Cat - that's like asking if you'd rather have Godiva chocolate or a Granola bar.

[nythoroughbredvz]

AP Indy or Storm Cat - that's like asking if you'd rather have Godiva chocolate or a Granola bar.

Which one is Healthier!
I aggree with you on a common sense perspective, but still would have to go with the old guy!

[dray33]

You speak the truth Roke, but remember... if you take MY FLAG and breed her to AP INDY a few times, you get nadda, breed once to Storm Cat, you get STORM FLAG FLYING, (who was then bred to AP INDY!). Or breed AP to LITE LIGHT, you get nothing, but the CAT gets you GAILY EGRET. Or breed AP to SHARED INTEREST you get AP INTEREST and AP STORY, go to the CAT, you get both FORESTRY and CASH RUN.

I think I would go to STORM CAT because it would bug me 20 years from now to think: "ya know, I could have bred so-and-so to STORM CAT". It's like saying "I shoulda bred to Mr. Prospector when I had the chance", I guess.

[Rokeby Forever]

Dray...yeah, I knew someone would write the reverse and bite me on the butt, but Storm Cat's best is behind him....AP's getting better and better every year. What has Storm Cat sired in the last two or three years that even warrants a comparison?

There are 134 Storm Cat sons standing stud....only TWO stand for $100,000 or more. Does the world need another one standing in Podunk for $3,500? Mr P was a sire of sires....clearly, Storm Cat isn't - how can you put the two in the same paragraph?

[Indychase]

I'd say Indy. He seems to be performing well on sythetic tracks (much better than Storm Cat) and with one major circuit and half of another on synthetics, there's a lot of good racing there. Also, thinking about the whole Mr. P analogy -- who did he sire in his last few crops? Almost nothing. I think Storm Cat may be heading that direction too.

[Rokeby Forever]

Also, thinking about the whole Mr. P analogy -- who did he sire in his last few crops? Almost nothing. I think Storm Cat may be heading that direction too.

Hi Indy - Mr P came up with Fu Peg at the very end of his career.

Of Storm Cat's two most expensive sons at stud, neither one has sired a Grade 1 dirt winner this year.

[dray33]

There are 134 Storm Cat sons standing stud....only TWO stand for $100,000 or more. Does the world need another one standing in Podunk for $3,500? Mr P was a sire of sires....clearly, Storm Cat isn't - how can you put the two in the same paragraph?

Good point. I shouldn't. But he certainly was a breed changing sire. I am a fan of AP, but I would think he will be around, take a shot at the CAT while I can. A one year option.

[Rokeby Forever]

Storm Cat was "breed changing" only because the world expected (or wanted) him to be like Northern Dancer...as it turned out, he couldn't shine Northern Dancer's shoes, but we're now straddled with Storm Cat blood everywhere.

By the way, Dray - is The Leopard running in the BC Turf Juvie? Good luck if he does! Nice feather in your cap to sell a BC race winner!

[dray33]

I haven't checked, but i HOPE SO! I gotta go look now... that would be awesome!

[griff]

Storm Cat presently has a $31.k per starter average while A.P. Indy has a $57.7k average per starter.

griff