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Introducing the first-crop sires series for 2023
Our team is profiling five prominent stallions making a splash with their juveniles.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Prime time just beginning for Not This Time
It’s been some week for hot young sire Not This Time, from the sales ring at Saratoga to the racecourse at Colonial Downs.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Justify juggernaut rolls on with second-crop juveniles
Amid the celebrations of his first Grade 1-winning three-year-olds, Justify is ramping up the momentum with his second crop of juveniles. The undefeated Triple Crown champion has budding stars in both Europe and the United States, on turf and dirt.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Frankel hits Royal Ascot triple, follows up with Curragh juvenile
Frankel deserved the pedigree notebook treatment for siring three Group 1 stars at Royal Ascot, but the Juddmonte great is a moving target. He has continued to supply more material in the interim, most significantly a juvenile filly who broke her maiden over Irish Derby weekend.
Pedigree
Pedigree clues for juveniles in Bashford Manor, Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park
Sunday’s card at Ellis Park wraps up Stephen Foster weekend with five more stakes, including two for promising juveniles. Let’s look for pedigree clues in the Debutante S. and Bashford Manor S.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Frankel's son Cracksman, venerable family make Ace Impact
Undefeated French Derby (G1) winner Ace Impact is from the first crop of Frankel’s outstanding son Cracksman, from the extended family of dual classic queen-turned-globetrotter Ouija Board.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Tahiyra, Paddington turn Irish Guineas double for Siyouni
When Tahiyra quickened out of a pocket in Sunday’s Irish 1000 Guineas (G1), she capped a classic double at the Curragh for her sire, Siyouni. The Aga Khan’s homebred stallion was also responsible for Saturday’s Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) hero, Paddington.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Johannesburg descendants strike gold at Pimlico
Former Coolmore/Ashford stallion Johannesburg, who was ultimately exported to Japan, factored in the pedigrees of several major winners during the Preakness (G1) festival.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mage
It’s safe to say Mage hails from a family of Kentucky Derby veterans. His sire, grandsire, and dam sire all started in the Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Good Magic off to flying start as classic sire
Good Magic had the credentials to become an important sire on the Triple Crown trail. Even so, the champion son of Curlin has made quite an impact at his earliest opportunity, siring Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage in his very first crop.
Pedigree
Angel of Empire – Kentucky Derby Context
An off-the-pace runner, Angel of Empire displayed a terrific turn of foot in the Arkansas Derby (G1), surging from sixth to reach the lead by the top of the stretch, and the up-and-coming colt established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender while notching his first triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating (101)
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: King Russell
One start after securing his initial victory, King Russell finished second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) to emerge as a contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Dosage Index, foaling dates for 2023 Kentucky Derby contenders
There are other data points, long predating a horse’s racing career, that some Kentucky Derby handicappers take into account – foaling date and the Dosage Index.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mandarin Hero
Does Mandarin Hero have the breeding to shine racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone Mischief
Can Cyclone Mischief become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Skinner
If Skinner's pedigree is any indication, racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1) may bring about a career-best performance from the bay colt.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Disarm
The cross of Gun Runner with Tapit mares has already produced several high-level racehorses, including 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Disarm.
Kentucky Derby
Forte – Kentucky Derby Context
The Kentucky Derby favorite, Forte will bring a five-race win streak to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sun Thunder
By picking up Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points in a quartet of prep races, Sun Thunder earned his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Verifying
There are many well-bred horses slated to start in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), but few—if any—can boast as blueblood a pedigree as Blue Grass (G1) runner-up Verifying.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: First Mission
The Road to the Kentucky Derby wrapped up with the 1 1/16-mile Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, in which the beautifully bred First Mission battled up the inside to score a tenacious victory.
Triple Crown
Pedigree notebook: Chez Pierre brings down the house for Mehmas, and Lure
The latest standout for Mehmas, Chez Pierre is out of a mare by Orpen, who has preserved the legacy of his fertility-challenged sire – two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile star Lure.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Starspangledbanner yet waves with Papilio, and more
By the time that Papilio got up in Saturday’s Appalachian (G2) at Keeneland, sire Starspangledbanner was already having quite a weekend.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lord Miles
Few bettors expected Lord Miles to win the Wood Memorial (G2), but the pace-tracking colt defied expectations to prevail by a nose at 59-1, stamping his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree lingo: Phrases to known in horse racing
Words like “sire,” “dam,” and “broodmare” don’t necessarily mean a lot to those unfamiliar with horses or horse racing. Fortunately, the lingo isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
Racing
Pedigree notebook: Grace blooms for Amazing family
German import Amazing Grace combines several themes — an imperiled sire line, excellent family, and connections to current headliners in both Europe and Australia — along with individual appeal in the female turf division.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forever Young
A powerful seven-length victory in Japan’s Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse stamped Forever Young as a formidable 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, a status he confirmed with globetrotting victories in the Saudi Derby (G3) and UAE Derby (G2).
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Continuar
A victory in the Cattleya S. and a third-place finish in the UAE Derby (G2) earned Continuar enough Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points to secure a berth in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wild On Ice
An upset victory in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby propelled Wild On Ice into the spotlight. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance?
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Big mo for Uncle Mo
Uncle Mo’s big weekend extended to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps, won by two of his granddaughters.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Two Phil's
Although Two Phil’s has shown talent on dirt, he elevated his game to a new level when tackling a synthetic Tapeta track in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Kingsbarns
A gate-to-wire victory in the Louisiana Derby has launched Kingsbarns into the Kentucky Derby picture, and his pedigree suggests he’s well-suited to racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Derma Sotogake
It isn’t surprising to see UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake display both speed and stamina.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Cornucopia of angles in Super Chow
Super Chow pays tribute to late sire Lord Nelson and doubles down on some of his key ancestors.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Talk of the Nation another one for Zenyatta's family
Recent Rebel (G2) winner Confidence Game put Zenyatta’s family back in the spotlight, since his dam is a half-sister to the Hall of Famer. Not to be outdone, another Zenyatta relative has produced a high-profile three-year-old who’s turning heads, but on turf – Talk of the Nation.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tapit Trice
Victories in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass (G1) vaulted Tapit Trice into the Kentucky Derby picture.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: More ‘Mischief' as Practical Joke turns stakes triple
Practical Move’s convincing victory in the San Felipe (G2) alone would have been an advertisement for young sire Practical Joke, who now has a proper Kentucky Derby contender to his credit. But Practical Joke also scored a stakes double at Aqueduct earlier on Saturday.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Raise Cain
Violence picked up another possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when his son Raise Cain unleashed a giant rally from behind a fast pace to dominate Aqueduct’s Gotham (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Congruent
Don’t assume John Battaglia Memorial S. winner Congruent is a synthetic specialist; to the contrary, he’s a versatile young runner capable of performing well over any surface.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Practical Move
Practical Move joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an upset victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos, but does he have the pedigree to thrive in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
One of the most accomplished horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is Forte.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Sweet cross on display in Candy Man Rocket
Aside from his reminder that Candy Ride also gets sharp sprinters, Candy Man Rocket is a further example of his cross with Storm Cat-line mares.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Confidence Game
A well-timed rally from midfield carried Confidence Game to victory in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park, stamping the improving colt as a viable contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: ‘Classic' patterns recur
Champion Classic Empire celebrated a graded stakes double on Saturday, and both of his winners are out of Bernardini-line mares.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire
Stretch-running victories in the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) have propelled Angel of Empire into the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Run for the Roses?
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Gulfstream turf sprint double for Uncaptured
Gulfstream Park staged two stakes on Saturday, and progeny of Uncaptured won both.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litigate
When Litigate rallied to a determined victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, it was confirmation the bay colt has been waiting for a chance to shine running long.
Kentucky Derby
Chase the Chaos winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chase the Chaos
What do we make of Chase the Chaos, who unleashed a giant homestretch rally to win the El Camino Real Derby over the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields? Can he successfully switch to dirt?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hit Show
When Hit Show stormed down the Aqueduct homestretch to dominate the 1 1/8-mile Withers (G3), he fulfilled the promise of a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Earls Rock built upon legends ancient and modern
Earls Rock's pedigree curates a multiplicity of strains of Northern Dancer, and his female line traces to an all-time great racemare.
Pedigree
Pedigree profile: Newgate
Does Newgate have the pedigree to succeed over classic distances? It’s not necessarily a clear-cut answer, because there are mixed signals to interpret.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rocket Can
It isn’t surprising to see Rocket Can enjoying success on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The gray colt boasts a pedigree combining speed with stamina, often a recipe for success in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: An Eclipse Awards triple for Curlin
Hall of Famer Curlin added to his historic resume by siring an extraordinary three individual champions of 2022 — Malathaat (older dirt female), Nest (three-year-old filly), and Elite Power (male sprinter).
Pedigree
Pedigree profile: Arabian Knight
An impressive victory from Arabian Knight in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park has launched the $2.3 million auction acquisition thoroughly into the Triple Crown picture.
Racing
Pedigree notebook: Hot and Sultry genetic combo
Four-year-old filly Hot and Sultry continued her upward curve by capturing her stakes debut in the Jan. 21 American Beauty S. at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
First-Crop Sires Update: Mendelssohn progeny start strongly as 3yos
The Scat Daddy half-brother to Into Mischief and Beholder was a Grade 1 performer on both turf and dirt, and his progeny, like him, should improve with age.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Nothing hidden about Occult's cross
Kentucky Oaks hopeful Occult sports the same pedigree pattern as Mandaloun.
Pedigree
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
First-crop sires 2022: Girvin relocated to Kentucky after making his mark
Girvin achieved success as a freshman sire, ranking fifth among first-crop sires by progeny earnings in 2022 ($1,910,156), and his five stakes winners included Grade 1 conqueror Faiza.
Pedigree
First-crop sires 2022: Justify makes Japanese impact
In a three-way battle for first-crop supremacy with Bolt d’Oro and Good Magic in 2022, Triple Crown winner Justify eventually finished third.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
How sire stats and racing records can uncover winners
Sometimes, combining a little pedigree knowledge with the sire stats and performance data found in Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances is all you need to uncover a lucrative betting payday.
Education
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dubyuhnell
Unwavering tenacity carried Dubyuhnell to a hard-fought victory in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, but can he stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee has always had the pedigree to shine as an early-maturing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.
Kentucky Derby
'All others' favored in KDFW Pool 2, Sire Future Wager
The mutuel field of “All other three-year-old colts and geldings” closed as the 4-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager conducted over Thanksgiving weekend.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Breeders' Cup Juvenile duo in KDFW Pool 2
Although his three Breeders’ Cup runners didn’t crack the trifecta on Future Stars Friday, Good Magic’s terrific start to his stallion career has warranted a stud fee hike.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Promising Start for Mendelssohn
The first-season sire that readers voted for us to follow hasn’t let anyone down, producing a nice crop of horses that promise much for the future.
Features
Bolt d'Oro two-year-olds make mark on turf, overseas
Bolt d’Oro added six more winners to bring his total to 21 from 67 runners, with one of those victories coming in the Pilgrim S. (G2) at Belmont.
Features
Magnificent Seven: Multi-generation winners of the same Breeders' Cup race
One of the more intriguing situations in racing occurs when a horse replicates family success by winning the same stakes that their sire or dam did during their racing days.
Breeders Cup
Pedigree profile: Cave Rock
Speed is the greatest weapon a racehorse can possess. Stamina is equally dangerous as distances get longer. Combine speed with stamina, and you have the makings of an elite racehorse.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Blazing Sevens, Curly Jack win on Road to Kentucky Derby
By siring the winners of the first two scoring races on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby, Good Magic has surged to the lead in the freshman sire standings.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Blazing Sevens
It’s no wonder why Blazing Sevens has enjoyed success running long on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The stretch-running Champagne S. (G1) winner has a strong pedigree for handling classic distances.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Curly Jack
In 2018, reigning champion two-year-old male Good Magic ran a gallant second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Perhaps Good Magic’s son Curly Jack can go one better in 2023.
Racing
Bolt d'Oro rises to top of first-crop sires standings
Bolt d’Oro has ascended to the top of the earnings list for 2022 first-crop sires after a handful of his progeny succeeded in recent stakes efforts.
Racing
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Vegas Magic eyes Del Mar Debutante
Since our initial profile of Good Magic in the freshman sires series, three of his early winners have furnished stakes updates, and several others are on the radar.
Racing
Features
First-crop sires: Girvin attracts attention
Represented by a pair of juvenile stakes winners, most notably 3 1/4-length Saratoga Special (G2) winner Damon’s Mound, Girvin is off to a fast start from his first crop.
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Expectations High For Mendelssohn
TwinSpires Edge voters have made it clear: they’d like Mendelssohn to be one of the first-crop sires that we focus on in 2022.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Bolt d'Oro babies blossoming quickly
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and foaled in March 2015, Bolt d’Oro got off to a fast start as a two-year-old.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Justify Makes a Bright Start
Writing the stallion marketing script for Justify’s first season in 2019 wouldn’t have been the toughest task in Thoroughbred breeding.
Features
First-Crop Sires: City of Light offspring beginning to shine
City of Light retired to stud at Lane's End Farm in early 2019 to great fanfare.
Racing
First-crop sires: Good Magic has Hopeful candidate in Blazing Sevens
Good Magic checks multiple boxes for stud appeal. A $1 million yearling, by a Hall of Famer and from a productive family, he developed into a champion juvenile and Grade 1-winning classic performer at three.
Pedigree
Introducing the First-Crop Sires Series 2022: Choose a Sire for us to Follow
TwinSpires is bringing back the First-Crop Sires Series for 2022. Last year's series included Gun Runner and Arrogate, and this season, Justify tops our list to follow closely.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Barber Road
Barber Road has the pedigree to handle the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1). But is he bred to peak on the first Saturday in May?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Summer Is Tomorrow
It’s been fascinating to watch Summer Is Tomorrow develop into an accomplished dirt horse, considering his pedigree is geared strongly toward success on turf.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Zozos
It’s no wonder why Zozos employed pacesetting tactics to finish second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and qualify for the Kentucky Derby (G1). His pedigree is full of fast horses and speed influences.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tawny Port
Versatility has been a strong suit for Lexington S. (G3) winner Tawny Port, and it's easy to see why when you review his pedigree.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Taiba
It’s been remarkable to witness the rapid transformation of Taiba from an unraced three-year-old into a serious Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Zandon
After placing in his first two starts on the Kentucky Derby trail, Zandon unleashed an explosive rally to dominate the Blue Grass S. (G1) and stamp his credentials as a serious Kentucky Derby threat.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree profile: Messier
Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) winner Messier has shown flashes of serious talent on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. And rest assured, he has the pedigree to be a serious player in the spring classics.
Racing
Mo Donegal (left) winning the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mo Donegal
At the end of 2010, trainer Todd Pletcher headed into winter with Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Uncle Mo in his barn. Now he's back with Uncle Mo's son, Mo Donegal.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: White Abarrio
Pedigree handicapping can be a challenge, particularly when there’s limited data to interpret. Such is the case with White Abarrio, winner of the Holy Bull S. (G3) and Florida Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forbidden Kingdom
Speed is the name of the game for Forbidden Kingdom, but can his pedigree carry him over the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
POPULAR ARTICLES
Pedigree notebook: Prime time just beginning for Not This Time
Pedigree notebook: Justify juggernaut rolls on with second-crop juveniles
Pedigree notebook: Frankel hits Royal Ascot triple, follows up with Curragh juvenile
Pedigree clues for juveniles in Bashford Manor, Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park
Pedigree notebook: Frankel's son Cracksman, venerable family make Ace Impact
VIDEOS
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