Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Super Stock

Perseverance has paid off for Super Stock. After picking up checks without winning in a trio of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, the bay colt chose an opportune time to secure a signature victory, rallying boldly to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and earn a place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Qualifying for the Kentucky Derby runs in Super Stock’s immediate family. Although he can’t boast the most commercially elite pedigree, Super Stock hails from a lineage of capable racehorses—indeed, both his sire and damsire are alumni from the “Run for the Roses.”

To expound, Super Stock is a son of the stretch-running Dialed In, winner of the 2011 Florida Derby (G1) and eighth as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby. A troubled start and a slow pace made it impossible for Dialed In to challenge at Churchill Downs, but on his best day, his class was undeniable. In the Florida Derby, Dialed In rallied furiously to defeat future Grade 1 winners Shackleford, To Honor and Serve and Stay Thirsty.

At stud, Dialed In has compiled a respectable resume. While his progeny win at an average distance of just 6.5 furlongs, several have displayed the stamina to succeed running long against top company. In addition to Super Stock, Dialed In is the sire of 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah (G1) winner Get Her Number (who ran fourth behind Super Stock in the Arkansas Derby) and 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) runner-up Gunnevera.

The bottom half of Super Stock’s pedigree is similar. He’s the fifth named foal produced by Super Girlie, a Closing Argument mare who won seven races over distances ranging from six furlongs to one mile. Her other foals have generally followed her example as sprinter/milers, with Del Mar Debutante (G1) third-place finisher Boujie Girl the best of the lot.

But Closing Argument introduces at least a little stamina into the equation. Stout enough to win the 1 1/8-mile Holy Bull (G3) and place second in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 71-1, Closing Argument hasn’t set the world on fire as a stallion, though he’s sired a large handful of capable runners through the years. Two longer-winded examples include 1 1/8-mile Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) winner Smack Smack and 1 1/8-mile PTHA President’s Cup S. hero Cage Fighter.

However, Closing Argument’s progeny have generally performed best over shorter trips, with horses like Pat O’Brien (G2) winner Capital Account and Centaur (G2) winner Little Gerda contributing to an average winning distance of just 6.3 furlongs. This trend is also evident in Closing Argument’s record as a broodmare sire; prior to the emergence of Super Stock, Closing Argument’s best representative through his daughters was Inthemidstofbiz, winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) sprinting six furlongs.

Taking all of these factors together, Super Stock’s pedigree is arguably geared toward success over distances from one mile to 1 1/8 miles more so than the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby. But considering he sold for just $70,000 as a yearling, Super Stock has already exceeded expectations to become a Grade 1 winner, and perhaps he can follow in the footsteps of Closing Argument with a surprisingly strong showing on the first Saturday in May.