Sire Profiles – Breeders’ Cup Runners

221 horses have been pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup World Championship races.  This is a record number and includes 51 runners from outside North America.  There are only fourteen races and with fields limited to 14 horses that means only 196 of those pre-entered horses will get a chance in the starting gate.  Thoroughbred Daily News compiled a list of sires with three or more pre-entries of which there are 19.  Sim fans might be surprised by which sires are on – and off – the list.  This article will attempt to dissect the numbers.  Please note this author is working solely on horses who were pre-entered in the races.  Already some horses have been declared out of the races for one reason or another but for the most part those won’t be discussed here.

 

Sires With Most Pre-Entries                                                                        Sires With Most Potential Runners

Galileo – 9                                                                                                           Galileo – 8

Violence – 7                                                                                                       Kitten’s Joy – 5

Kitten’s Joy – 6                                                                                                  Quality Road – 5 (*all pre-entries get in)

Quality Road – 5                                                                                               Violence – 4 (1 maybe)

Scat Daddy – 5                                                                                                   More Than Ready – 3 (1 maybe)

Tapit – 5                                                                                                               Camelot – 3 (*all pre-entries get in)

More Than Ready – 4                                                                                     First Dude – 3 (*all pre-entries get in)

Camelot – 3                                                                                                        Flatter – 3 (* all pre-entries get in)

Declaration of War – 3                                                                                   Into Mischief – 3 (*all pre-entries get in)

Dialed In – 3                                                                                                       Kantharos – 3 (*all pre-entries get in)

First Dude – 3                                                                                                    Scat Daddy – 3

Flatter – 3                                                                                                            Twirling Candy -3(*all pre-entries get in)

Ghostzapper – 3                                                                                               War Front – 3 (*all pre-entries get in)

Into Mischief- 3                                                                                                Tapit – 2 (2 maybes)

Kantharos – 3                                                                                                    Dialed In – 2 (1 maybe)

Point of Entry – 3                                                                                             Ghostzapper – 2 (1 maybe)

Twirling Candy – 3                                                                                            Uncle Mo – 2 (1 maybe)

Uncle Mo – 3                                                                                                     Declaration of War – 2

War Front – 3                                                                                                     Point of Entry – 2

 

Some big name sim-sires don’t make the list such as Awesome Again, Giant’s Causeway, Distorted Humor and Medaglia D’oro are notable North American sires who are not represented.  Conversely Violence, First Dude, Flatter, Kantharos and Twirling Candy among others are not high on the sim sire list but who made this list.

We’ll take a quick look at each sire’s pre-entries and see if we can draw conclusions about the sire’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

Galileo – 9 Pre-entries

Hermosa – Juvenile Filly Turf (will run)

Anthony Van Dyck – Juvenlie Turf (will run)

Line of Duty – Juvenile Turf (will run)

Magical – 1^st preference Turf 2^nd preference Filly & Mare Turf (will run)

Magic Wand – Filly & Mare Turf (will run)

Clemmie – Mile (won’t run)

Gustav Klimt – Mile (will run)

 

The obvious takeaway from Galileo’s entrants is that they are all pre-entered in turf races.  The preeminent sire in the world today is well represented by grass runners but very few of his offspring get a chance to run on the dirt.  He is a son of Sadler’s Wells who also sired El Prado who stood in America and did quite well with dirt runners, as does his son Medaglia D’oro.  That said the versatility of Galileo’s foals is on display here with three two year olds, one older runner in the Mile and two older runners going longer.  Often I think sim players pigeonhole him as a long distance turf influence but in real life his foals can do much more.

 

Violence – 7 Pre-entries

All About It – Juvenile Turf Sprint (won’t run)

It’s Gonna Hurt – Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

Order and Law – 1^st Preference Juvenile Turf 2^nd Preference Juvenile Turf Sprint (won’t run)

Strike Silver – Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

Vibrance – Juvenile Filly (will run)

Louder Than Bombs – Juvenile Turf (might run)

Dueling – Juvenile (will run)

 

Violence is the leading second crop sire in North America and while his first crop foals put him on the map all of his Breeders’ Cup pre-entries are two year olds.  Five of them want to go on turf including four that were pre-entered in the Juvenile Turf Sprint (the newest Breeders’ Bowl race and the only one that is not a G1).  It’s interesting that with seven pre-entries it looks like only four are guaranteed spots with one horse on the bubble.  Likely that means that these juveniles have shown a lot of talent but haven’t had enough runs to impress the selection committee.  Violence’s stud fee is jumping to $40,000 next year (up from $25,000 in 2018) and the precocity of his two year olds are a big factor in that decision.

 

Kitten’s Joy – 6 Pre-entries

Henley’s Joy – Juvenile Turf (will run)

Catapult – Mile (will run)

Divisidero – Mile (won’t run)

Oscar Performance – Mile (will run)

Roaring Lion – 1s Preference Classic / 2^nd Preference Turf (will run)

Sadler’s Joy – Turf (will run)

No surprise here that Kitten’s Joy is well represented in the turf races.  His only dirt entrant is Roaring Lion who will be making his dirt debut in the Classic.  He is also the only sophomore on the entry list with Henley’s Joy is the only 2yo representing his sire.  The other four are at least four years old suggesting that Kitten’s Joys get better with age.  I’m not sure what to make of the fact that all of his runners are males.

 

Quality Road – 5 Pre-Entries

Stillwater Cove – Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

Bellafina – Juvenile Filly (will run)

City of Light – 1^st Preference Dirt Mile / 2^nd Preference Classic (will run)

Paved – Filly & Mare Turf (will run)

Abel Tasman – Distaff (will run)

Quality Road is the first sire for whom all of his pre-entries will draw into their respective fields.  Unlike Kitten’s Joy four of his five potential runners are fillies (Stillwater Cove is scheduled to face males in the Juvenile Turf Sprint).  Two of his five are going to the turf with the other three on the dirt and they are running the gamut distance wise.  What may be most exciting is that three of his representatives could go off as the favorites in their races – Bellafina, City of Light and Abel Tasman.  Quality Road might be the hottest young sire in North America and this versatility and quality is why.

 

Scat Daddy – 5 Pre-entries

Legends of War – Juvenile Turf Sprint (won’t run)

Sergei Prokofiev – Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

So Perfect – 1^st Preference Juvenile Filly Turf / 2^nd Preference Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

Van Beethoven – Juvenile Turf Sprint (won’t run)

Mendelssohn – Classic (will run)

Judging by his pre-entries Scat Daddy is well represented in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.  He certainly has a reputation for siring precocious, fast turfers but it is interesting that his only dirt entrant is Mendelssohn in the Classic.  The three year old may benefit from his dam side which is responsible for some great American dirt runners including multiple champion Beholder and leading sire and G1 winner Into Mischief.  Sadly Scat Daddy died prematurely and just as he was upgraded in the game.  He may be worth using as a DS when scratch breeding, especially if you are looking for a fast two year old.

 

Tapit – 5 Pre-entries

Tight Ten – Juvenile (will run)

Anonymity – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Dream Pauline – Filly & Mare Sprint (might run)

Blind Ambition – Turf Sprint (won’t run)

Princess Carolina – Juvenile Filly Turf (won’t run)

Tapit’s two turf pre-entries are unlikely to make their fields but he should be represented by Tight Ten and Anonymity on the dirt.  Dream Pauline is on the bubble to make her field but there have already been some defections from the Filly & Mare Sprint making her more likely to get in.  I think in the game Tapit is thought of as a classic distance dirt influence but in reality he gets very precocious two year olds (including juvenile Breeders’ Cup winners Hansen and Tapitsfly).  He also does do well with turf horses although he likely won’t be represented by a turf runner this year.

 

More Than Ready – 4 Pre-entries

Stellar Agent – 1^st Preference Juvenile Turf Sprint / 2^nd Preference Juvenile Filly Turf (might run)

Winning Envelope – Juvenile Filly Turf (will run)

Roy H – Sprint (will run)

Catholic Boy – Classic (will run)

More Than Ready’s entries run the gamut from two precocious two year old fillies on the turf to three year old Catholic Boy who takes on the Classic and last season’s Champion Sprinter Roy H.  Roy H won the Sprint last season and is back for more at age six after twenty one starts.  In addition to Roy H’s Sprint score last year More Than Ready was also represented by Rushing Fall who won the Juvenile Filly Turf – a double he might pull off again this year.  Then there is Travers Stakes winner Catholic Boy who has excelled on both turf and dirt this year.

 

Camelot – 3 Pre-entries

Arthur Kitt – Juvenile Turf (will run)

Athena – Filly & Mare Turf (will run)

Hunting Horn – Turf (will run)

Second crop stallion Camelot is another stallion for whom all of his pre-entries qualify to draw into their respective fields.  The Irish-based son of Montjeu not surprisingly has all turf entrants but it is gratifying to see two three year olds whose connections are confident that they will acquit themselves well against older horses.  In addition two year old Arthur Kitt is precocious enough to take on the Juvenile Turf.  A very exciting young stallion prospect.

 

Declaration of War – 3 Pre-entries

Uncle Benny – 1^st preference Juvenile Turf / 2^nd preference Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

Empire of War – Juvenile Turf (won’t run)

Opry – Juvenile Turf (will run)

It is interesting that second crop sire Declaration of War is only represented by two year olds here.  He sired a classic winning three year old from his first crop.  All of his stakes winners have come on turf so that part is less of a surprise.

 

Dialed In – 3 Pre-entries

Pocket Dynamo – Juvenile Turf Sprint (will run)

Chalon – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Gunnevara – Classic (might run)

At this point in time it looks almost certain that Gunnevara will make the Classic field but when pre-entries were drawn he was on the bubble and for the purposes of this article that is what matters.  Dialed In is a leading third crop sire and it is interesting that he has two tough older competitors on the dirt at opposite distances plus a two year old on the grass.  He gets very versatile foals.

 

First Dude – 3 Pre-entries

Shamrock Rose – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Skye Diamonds – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Mom’s On Strike – Filly & Mare Turf (will run)

First Dude (current sim price 111 credits & bps) is another in the club where all of his pre-entries made their respective fields.  All three are fillies but you get two going short on dirt and one long on the grass.  This sire stands in Florida and maybe deserves a little more respect than he’s getting.

 

Flatter – 3 Pre-entries

Baby Nina – Juvenile Filly (will run)

Cassies Dreamer – Juvenile Filly (will run)

West Coast – Classic (will run)

Flatter has been a very consistent sire for many years but until this season he had not sired a single grade one winner in the game.  He has sired over 50 stakes winners in real life but perhaps his breakout 2017 Champion Three Year Old Colt West Coast gave him a high enough profile to move up the stallion ranks in the game.

 

Ghostzapper – 3 Pre-entries

Varenka – Juvenile Filly Turf (will run)

Dak Attack – Dirt Mile (might run)

Champagne Problems – Distaff (will run)

Another who shows a lot of versatility with two dirt runners and a turfer aged 2, 3 and 4.  One area he is not represented in is sprinters but he did sire Judy the Beauty who won the Filly & Mare Sprint several years ago.  Ghostzapper started off in the sim very highly rated but was downgraded after his first foals were not precocious.  He rebounded and was upgraded again as his offspring began to really show their true stuff.

 

Into Mischief – 3 Pre-entries

Golden Mischief – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Mia Mischief – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Miss Sunset – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

What to make of one of the hottest young stallions in the business siring three Breeders’ Cup runners all in the same race?  It’s probably just an anomaly as Into Mischief has sired several quality colts who for different reasons are not entered in the Breeders’ Cup.  Those include leading two year old Instagrand (a G3 winner) and Florida Derby winner Audible.

 

Kantharos – 3 Pre-entries

Bucchero – Turf Sprint (will run)

World of Trouble – Turf Sprint (will run)

X Y Jet – Sprint (will run)

The current price on Kantharos in the game is 131 credits and 96 bps.  This sire started his career in Florida before early success saw him brought up to Kentucky.  His three pre-entries are sprinters and that pretty much sums up his best runners.  He has had winners routing but his best offspring seem to be almost entirely sprinters.

 

Point of Entry – 3 Pre-entries

My Gal Betty – Juvenile Filly Turf (will run)

Pico Entry – Juvenile Turf (won’t run)

Analyze It – Mile (will run)

Leading turf runner Point of Entry is a second crop sire and while all his Breeders’ Cup pre-entries are turf runners he does have some promising dirt horses.  What is particularly surprising about this sire is the amount of precocious two year olds he is getting.  He himself didn’t start until age three and really became a big horse at four and five.  My Gal Betty is g1 placed this year and three year old Analyze It was a g3 winner at age two and is g1 placed this year.  It will be interesting to see how his oldest foals do as they mature next year.

 

Twirling Candy – 3 Pre-entries

Concrete Rose – Juvenile Filly Turf (will run)

Trophy Chaser – Juvenile (will run)

Finley’sluckycharm – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Twirling Candy is another underrated sire in the game (current price 98 credits, 105 bps).  Part of that reason may be that until Finley’sluckycharm won the Madison Stakes in April of this year, Twirling Candy had not sired a grade one winner.  She did that at age five, suggesting his two younger runners this year may have long careers.

 

Uncle Mo – 3 Pre-entries

Forty Under – Juvenile Turf (will run)

Dream Tree – Filly & Mare Sprint (will run)

Mopotism – 1^st preference Distaff / 2^nd preference Filly & Mare Sprint (might run)

Uncle Mo still has the star power he showed several years back when he lead all sires as a record setting freshman sire in 2015.  His mix of turf and dirt, filly and colt and sprint and route pre-entries is representative of his prowess as a sire.  He has grade one winners at all ages on both surfaces and sprints and routes.  His yearlings of 2018 are the first crop bred after his breakout season so expect fireworks from his foals next year.

 

War Front – 3 Pre-entries

Summering – Juvenile Filly Turf (will run)

War of Will – Juvenile Turf (will run)

Lost Treasure – Turf Sprint (will run)

As of this writing War Front will be the most expensive sire in North America in 2019 with a fee of $250,000.  He has sired eight champions and his yearlings command top prices at the sales.  The one downside to his success, as evidenced by his pre-entries here is that his best runners are almost entirely turfers.  Nevertheless he gets great runners and is well sought after.