Pedigree profile: Muth

When the speedy Muth successfully stretched out over 1 1/16 miles to dominate the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita by 3 3/4 lengths, it came as no surprise to pedigree handicappers.

For all the speed Muth has shown in sprints, including when taking the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2), his pedigree is geared top and bottom toward success running long. He flaunted his stamina again when winning the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby (G1) by two lengths, and his pedigree is so strong that even longer distances could be within his wheelhouse.

Muth’s success from an early age isn’t surprising. Both his sire (Good Magic) and dam sire (Uncle Mo) earned champion two-year-old male honors after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in 2017 and 2010, respectively.

Good Magic built on his juvenile success with a strong three-year-old campaign, highlighted by a victory in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell (G1) and a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) behind Triple Crown winner Justify. But if anything, Good Magic is proving even more successful as a stallion, with his first crop of foals yielding Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Preakness (G1) runner-up Blazing Sevens.

Uncle Mo proved to be more of a miler than Good Magic; during a three-year-old season compromised by illness, his lone graded stakes victory came in the one-mile Kelso H. (G2). But Uncle Mo’s progeny have enjoyed resounding success running long on dirt; champion Nyquist won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby, Mo Donegal took the 1 1/2-mile Belmont (G1), and Arabian Knight wired the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic (G1).

Uncle Mo is also compiling a strong record as a broodmare sire. His daughter Hoppa is an obvious example; winner of a six-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, Hoppa’s first foal is Muth. Other daughters of Uncle Mo have foaled graded stakes-winning route racers like Haskell winner and Pacific Classic runner-up Geaux Rocket Ride, Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and Lecomte (G3) winner Instant Coffee, Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) heroine Southlawn, Black-Eyed Susan (G2) winner Interstatedaydream, and Iroquois (G3) winners Major General and West Saratoga.

The cross of Good Magic with an Uncle Mo mare is a terrific pedigree on paper, and it’s reaping dividends with Muth. A productive career running 1 1/16 miles, 1 1/8 miles, 1 1/4 miles, and even 1 1/2 miles could be within reach for this talented bay colt.