Pedigree Profile: Mongolian Wind

Way up north at Assiniboia racetrack in Canada, Mongolian Wind has made a name for himself by rallying to victories in the Manitoba Derby and Gold Cup S. racing 1 1/8 miles.

Now the 3-year-old gelding has his sights set on a start in the Oct. 3 Preakness (G1), and while the class jump for the third jewel of the Triple Crown is a major question mark, the 1 3/16-mile distance shouldn’t be an issue.

Mongolian Wind hails from a family of winners. His sire, Mucho Macho Man, matured early enough to win the Risen Star (G2) and place in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as a 3-year-old. But the son of 1994 Horse of the Year Holy Bull achieved even greater success as an older horse, peaking at age five with victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and Awesome Again (G1).

Mucho Macho Man was highly effective over distances from a mile to 1 1/4 miles, and he’s passing on similar stamina to his foals. Mucho Gusto carried his speed far enough to win the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup (G1), while Mucho Unusual claimed the 1-mile San Clemente (G2) before placing second—beaten just half a length—in the 1 1/4-mile American Oaks (G1).

Mongolian Wind’s dam, Heckuva Good Time, can also be viewed as a potential source of stamina. The daughter of Afternoon Deelites has foaled six winners from six starters, and while she herself was a two-time stakes-winning sprinter, five of her foals have won running a mile or farther.

As for Afternoon Deelites, he accumulated more than $1 million in earnings while posting half a dozen graded stakes triumphs. Brilliant enough to win the 7-furlong Malibu (G1), but stout enough to claim the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Futurity (G1) and compete in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby (G1), Afternoon Deelites has proven capable of passing on stamina to his progeny. Deeliteful Irving won the 1 1/2-mile Pan American H. (G2) and placed second in the 1 1/2-mile Turf Classic Invitational (G1), while Zappa secured the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II H. and Three Hour Nap nabbed the 1 1/8-mile National Jockey Club H. (G3).

Daughters of Afternoon Deelites have foaled all types of runners; a sampling includes multiple Grade 3-winning sprinter Alsvid and the versatile American H. (G2), winner Wilkinson, a high-level router on both dirt and turf.

In short, the cross of Mucho Macho Man with Afternoon Deelites seems ripe for producing long-winded routers, with Mongolian Wind the most prominent example to date.