Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone State

Cyclone State showed abundant early speed on his way to winning the Jerome S., a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier held over one mile at Aqueduct.

Cyclone State led for every step of the journey and boasted an eight-length advantage with a furlong remaining. But his lead shrank to 3 1/2 lengths at the finish line, raising an important question: does Cyclone State have the stamina to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles for the Kentucky Derby (G1), or is one mile the approximate limit of his distance capabilities?

Perhaps an analysis of Cyclone State’s pedigree can reveal the answer.

Cyclone State is a member of the first crop of foals sired by McKinzie, winner of four Grade 1 races at ages two, three, and four. McKinzie was an elite campaigner over a variety of distances, winning the seven-furlong Malibu (G1), 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby (G1), and 1 1/8-mile Whitney (G1).

But 1 1/4 miles was arguably a little too far for McKinzie. He tried the distance as a three-year-old in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and tired to finish 12th. As a four-year-old he fared better over 1 1/4 miles, finishing second in the Santa Anita H. (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic, but in both races he tired after leading with a furlong remaining.

McKinzie is off to a hot start at stud. His best foals to date include Chancer McPatrick, winner of the seven-furlong Hopeful (G1) and one-mile Champagne (G1); Scottish Lassie, a runaway winner of the one-mile Frizette (G1); McKinzie Street, placed in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (G1) and 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah (G1); and Quickick, placed over 1 1/16 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Alcibiades (G1).

But it’s worth noting Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie both faltered at short prices when stretching out around two turns for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), respectively finishing sixth and fourth. It’s too early to draw definitive conclusions about the distance preferences of Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie—or McKinzie’s progeny in general—but preliminary evidence does suggest sprints and short routes may prove preferable for sons and daughter of McKinzie.

The bottom half of Cyclone State’s pedigree trends in a similar direction. His dam is Chanel’s Legacy, a four-time stakes winner over distances from six furlongs to one mile. She’s off to a productive start as a broodmare; in addition to Cyclone State, she’s foaled Zatara, runner-up in the Prairie Mile and a two-time winner over distances from one mile to 1 1/16 miles.

Chanel’s Legacy is a daughter of Dominus out of Chanel Number Mine. Dominus was a versatile runner who nabbed the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer (G2) on dirt and the 1 1/16-mile Bernard Baruch H. (G2) on turf, in addition to winning maiden and allowance races sprinting seven furlongs. He only raced once over a distance longer than 1 1/16 miles, tiring to finish third in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy (G2).

As a stallion, Dominus is best known for siring Thin White Duke (a four-time stakes winner from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt and turf) and All Right (winner of the seven-furlong Kentucky Downs Juvenile S.). One son of Dominus, Parsimony, displayed stamina against good company when winning the 1 1/4-mile Curlin S. and finishing third in the 1 1/4-mile Suburban (G2), but overall the progeny of Dominus have been speedy types, accumulating an average winning distance of 6.5 furlongs.

As for Chanel Number Mine, she won twice sprinting six furlongs and once over one mile and 70 yards. Her foals include Hot Pastrami, who won four times racing six furlongs or less; Merasol Sugar, a winner over seven furlongs and one mile; Posit, a three-time winner dashing 5 1/2 furlongs; Seismic Force, winner of four races from one mile to 1 1/16 miles; and Star of Mine, victorious three times over 5 1/2 furlongs, six furlongs, and one mile and 70 yards.

The takeaway? Cyclone State’s pedigree is absolutely packed with sprinters and milers. Perhaps he, like McKinzie, will prove capable of winning over 1 1/8 miles. But to succeed over 1 1/4 miles, Cyclone State will have to outrun his breeding.