madelyn wrote:Interesting horse, km. But for me it's one thing to unintentionally end up with a turf only runner; it's quite another kind of mistake to intentionally breed one. Turf racing in my area (KY, IN, OH) is just so scarce and unreliable. You'd be hard pressed to get On the Grass, the Right Distance, Get IN the Race, etc etc etc more than 5 or 6 times in a whole racing year. And probably 30% of the time you do have all that, you've paid to ship, got your Lasix, and now the darned race comes off the grass. So no, I would not Pay to breed to a Grass Horse. They would have to pay me and even then I would really have to think about that.
Adena tried it with North Light albeit at a much higher fee. So that is in this horse's favor that he's standing for something much more reasonable. But if you think there's "no turf racing" well around here there is "No Cheap Turf Racing" at all. Breeding a cheap grass horse - well the resulting foal might be a nice sporthorse prospect if you keep it Really Sound through its attempts at racing.
At the risk of another Value Sire with primarily Turf prospects, I just noted Crestwood's standing of Heart to Heart. This guy has had an interesting career - running til 8 and getting better year to year. Still he was SP at 2 with multiple starts at 2 and some sizzle, and has miler type G1 speed - 18 Beyers over 100 is nothing to sneeze at, earnings over $2 mil. . Didn't bring the house down at the weanling sale in Canada, but then who does? English Channel is just getting better and I love Smart Strike all around. Pedigree up close doesn't jump out, but he's worth a look at $5k. Reasonable price for a very, very talented and durable runner. Could breed for more speed or more stamina depending on the mare. He has Cozzene and Smart Strike. Would be interesting to try with Shamadal mare which would bring in some other wonderful turf influences like Riverman, Blushing Room. Or maybe better, something with less MP, ND as he's got his share.
