Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Harvey Wallbanger

Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott K. Akman and Paul Braverman's HARVEY WALLBANGER made a last-to-first move to upset the Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The Kenny McPeek trainee picked up 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby for his one-length tally, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.69 under Brian Hernandez Jr.

Bred in the Bluegrass State by Tony Holmes and Dr. and Mrs. Walter Zent, Harvey Wallbanger was purchased for $50,000 by his current connections at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale.

He is by multiple Grade-2 winner Congrats, a son of A.P. Indy. Congrats has sired at least 33 stakes winners to date, including Grade 1 winning-fillies Turbulent Descent, Haveyougoneaway, Wickedly Perfect and Emma's Encore. The WinStar Farm stallion ranked 24th on the General Sires List for 2018, and was also fifth in generating the most winners.

The Holy Bull star is the first graduate produced from the winning Distorted Humor mare Adorabell, who is a half-sister to stakes vixen Deb's Honor, as well as stakes hero and sire Wild Deputy.

Distorted Humor is a rapidly evolving into an upper echelon broodmare sire. His daughters have thrown at least 78 stakes winners to date with overall earnings in excess of $89 million. Some heavy hitters are among them, too.

The 2017 Horse of the Year Arrogate is out of a daughter by Distorted Humor, as is three-time Grade 1 victor Practical Joke; 2012 La Brea (G1) heroine Book Review; 2014 Florida Derby (G1) winner Constitution; 2018 Secretariat (G1) victor Carrick; dual Grade 1 queen Elate; 2017 Vosburgh (G1) winner Takaful, and others.

Jacaranda, a half-sister to Constitution who won the 2014 Tempted (G3), was bred on the same Congrats-Distorted Humor cross.

Harvey Wallbanger has been consistent from his very first appearance and he took a big step forward in the Holy Bull. The sophomore still has obstacles to overcome, however.

His sire is best known for his prowess with middle distance type horses and the immediate female family is slanted towards speed/miler types. But the colt surely got 2019 started in the right direction in the Holy Bull and he could evolve into a Kentucky Derby contender with continued improvement throughout the season.

Harvey Wallbanger photo (c) Adam Coglianese Photography