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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.
Horse
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?
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Derma Sotogake
It isn’t surprising to see UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake display both speed and stamina.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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).
Horse
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.
Horse
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)?
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
One of the most accomplished horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is Forte.
Horse
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).
Horse
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?
Horse
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.
Pedigree
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?
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Pedigree
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.
Horse
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?
Horse
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.
Horse
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?
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Horse
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.
Pedigree
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)?
Horse
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.
Horse
'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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Horse
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.
Pedigree
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Pedigree
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.
Triple Crown
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.
Pedigree
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.
Triple Crown
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?
Horse
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.
Pedigree
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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.
Horse
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).
Horse
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?
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Morello
The early successes for Morello may have come in sprints and short routes, but this exciting Kentucky Derby (G1) contender has the pedigree to run much farther.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Simplification
Simplification looks like a serious player for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But does he have the breeding to shine on the first Saturday in May?
Horse
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Un Ojo
Un Ojo’s Rebel S. (G2) triumph may have come as a surprise on the day, but his classy pedigree has long hinted at serious potential.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Classic Causeway
Can the late, great racehorse and stallion Giant's Causeway sire a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in his final year of opportunity?
Horse
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for February 10, 2022
Jason talks with Jessica Paquette about Thoroughbred breeding and using it for handicapping.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Early Voting
A favorable pedigree isn’t the only requirement to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). But it’s a good place to start.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Call Me Midnight
Call Me Midnight burst onto the Kentucky Derby trail with a late-surging victory in the Lecomte S. (G3). Can he maintain his finishing speed over the Kentucky Derby’s testing 1 1/4-mile journey?
Horse
First-crop sires: Record-setting Gun Runner passes $4 million mark
Led by sure-to-be-champion Echo Zulu, the unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner, Gun Runner’s progeny have amassed more than $4 million in earnings.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Make It Big
Make It Big has a chance to make it big in the Kentucky Derby (G1). But does he have the pedigree to handle the Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Slow Down Andy
There’s nothing slow about Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner Slow Down Andy. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Kentucky Derby?
Pedigree
First-Crop Sires: Winners Keep Coming for Keen Ice
The jury is still out on Keen Ice's first crop, but the results haven’t been bad given his progeny will probably be better suited as three-year-olds.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Smile Happy
Smile Happy put smiles on the faces of his supporters when he rallied to victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, in the process joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rattle N Roll
When Rattle N Roll joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a victory in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), racing fans were left to ponder if he's bred to handle the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance.
Horse
Using Brisnet dam stats for pedigree handicapping
Analyzing the produce records of broodmares can help steer you toward informative betting angles.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jack Christopher
Does Champagne S. (G1) winner Jack Christopher have the pedigree to handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby?
Horse
Pedigree profile: Corniche
Based off Corniche's victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), it seems two of the speediest horses of the 2010s have combined to produce one of the speediest Kentucky Derby contenders of the 2020s.
Horse
Using Brisnet sire stats for pedigree handicapping
Analyzing pedigrees can be a helpful tool for identifying which runners are suited to particular race conditions. And sire statistics are some of the most useful pedigree tools to utilize.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Major General
The first horse to strike on the 2021-2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby was Major General, who displayed an affinity for Churchill Downs and battled to a tenacious victory in the Iroquois S. (G3).
Horse
Pedigree Profile: Ram
From claimer to Triple Crown contender, Ram has made great progress. The improving chestnut sold for $375,000 as a yearling, at least in part because he’s bred to be a high-class prospect.
Horse
Pedigree profile: Unbridled Honor
Unbridled Honor isn’t the most accomplished three-year-old in training—at least, not yet. But he’s made steady progress and might eventually grow into the top-class pedigree he brings to the table.
Horse
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: O Besos
Kentucky Derby winners might be elite racehorses, but they don’t necessarily make elite stallions. Derby winners who sire Derby winners are a relative rarity; can Orb pull off the double with O Besos?
Pedigree
Brotherly love and sister acts: The greatest siblings on the racetrack
Siblings Day on April 10 is an occasion to celebrate our brothers and sisters. As a racing fan and pedigree aficionado, I’d like to expand on that idea and recall some of the greatest sibling acts of the turf.
Pedigree
Pedigree fun facts for 2019 Preakness
The dozen contenders expected in Saturday’s Preakness (G1) bring notable pedigrees into the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Although none is by a Preakness winner, three are grandsons of champions who’ve figuratively hoisted the Woodlawn Vase. ...
Pedigree
How To Bet Horse Racing Podcast: Pedigree Handicapping the Kentucky Derby
The most common question when handicapping the Kentucky Derby after "Who do you like" is "Can he get the distance?" A horse's pedigree is often used to help identify horses with a potential ability for 1 1/4 miles on dirt, but it can provide many ...
Pedigree
How Grass Pedigrees Can Provide Value in Turf Races
It’s easy to assume that once a horse has started its racing career and run in a few races, its pedigree is no longer an important factor to consider in handicapping.
While this might be true in some cases, there are still many instances when pedi ...
Pedigree
Pedigree Handicapping: From Dirt to Turf to the Winner's Circle
When a horse tries a different racing surface for the first time, it can be difficult for handicappers to know what to expect. For example, if the horse has been racing on dirt, how will they react when switching to turf?
Due to the uncertainty in ...
Pedigree