Anne Peters
P.O. Box 3926
Midway, KY 40347
(859) 846 - 9794
pedgoddess
@yahoo.com

The 2023 class of freshman sires (those entering stud in Kentucky in 2020 with first foals two-year-olds of 2023) is an interesting group. Although not dominated by a superstar like last year's freshman sire Justify, it's represented by some pretty versatile horses with some pretty interesting bloodlines. The top-priced horse by fee going to stud in 2020 was the high-class three-year-old Omaha Beach at a fee of $45,000 with the champion older male Vino Rosso in second place at $30,000. Behind them were Audible, Catholic Boy and Mitole all at $25,000; and Catalina Cruiser and Yoshida (JPN) at $20,000.

Vino Rosso got the most mares that year, with 238, followed by Mitole with 230, Audible with 219 and Omaha Beach with 215. Surprisingly, the next two by number of mares bred were Maximus Mischief (196 mares) and Flameaway (183 mares), both standing for $7,500, showing strong appeal to breeders with smaller checkbooks. Now going into their fourth season at stud in 2023, Omaha Beach remains the leader but now stands at $30,000. Audible, thanks to strong yearling sales, moved up to second at $25,000. Grouped at $15,000 are Vino Rosso, Catholic Boy, Mitole and Catalina Cruiser.

Just to clarify, my picks here aren't which horse I think will become the best stallion overall, but which stallions I think will come out on top in the limited range of their first year with progeny racing, which ones I think will be the top freshman sires of 2023. Beyond that, who knows?

Let's start with Omaha Beach, because he was the top-priced horse going to stud in 2020. This son of War Front is a half-brother to Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Take Charge Brandi. His dam, Charming, is by Seeking the Gold out of the grand runner and broodmare, Take Charge Lady. As a yearling he was an RNA at $625,000. At two, Omaha Beach ran three times starting in September, all on turf, placing twice but no wins. Moved to dirt for his debut at three, he ran second and next time won at Santa Anita at seven furlongs by nine lengths. Wins in a division of the Rebel Stakes-G2 beating Game Winner, and the Arkansas Derby-G1 over Improbable, set him up as favorite for the Kentucky Derby. He scratched with a cough, had surgery to correct an entrapped epiglottis, and sat things out until October. He returned with a win in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship-G1 by a head over Shancelot in a terrific stretch duel. Spun to Run beat him in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-G1, then Omaha Beach scored a handy victory in the Malibu Stakes-G1 over Roadster. Prepping for the Pegasus World Cup at four, he was retired after discovery of a developing fracture in his right hind fetlock. As a dirt-loving horse with a spectacular pedigree, Omaha Beach proved popular his first year, getting 215 mares at a $45,000 fee. He bred the same number his second season, and 205 his third year. His first yearlings averaged the highest in this class, at $191,078. Omaha Beach stands 16.1 3/4 hands and is a handsome horse with good points all around. He shows his War Front/Danzig heritage but has more leg. Although he wasn't a winner at two, he wasn't a disgrace and moved up dramatically when switched to dirt. Even though he carried his speed to nine furlongs, his record is that of a superior sprinter/miler like Rubiano, to whom he is inbred 3x4. If Omaha Beach passes on his own brilliance, his two-year-olds should make a strong mark this year.

Vino Rosso is by Curlin out of a mare by Street Cry (IRE), which helps understand him as a later-maturing middle distance horse. He was a $410,000 yearling and won both his starts at two, a seven furlong maiden in November at Aqueduct and an AOC at Tampa in mid-December. His debut at three was a third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes-G3 behind Flameaway and Catholic Boy, then fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby-G2 won by Quip. He won the Wood Memorial Stakes-G2 by three lengths after bumping with Enticed. He was ninth in Justify's Kentucky Derby-G1, skipped the Preakness, then ran fourth in the Belmont Stakes-G1. Vino Rosso was third in the Jim Dandy Stakes-G2 and fifth in the Travers Stakes-G1. Given time off, he returned at four winning the Stymie Stakes-L at Aqueduct. Fourth in the Carter Handicap-G1 at seven furlongs, he stretched to ten furlongs to win the Gold Cup at Santa Anita-G1. Third in the Whitney-G1 behind McKinzie and Yoshida, he battled with Code of Honor in the ten furlongs Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 but rough and ready bumping caused his DQ to second. At the same distance at Santa Anita, he trounced the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 field by four and a half lengths beating McKinzie and Higher Power, the performance which clinched his Champion Older Male title. On his good days Vino Rosso was a real battler and won from seven to ten furlongs, loving the distance. He retired for a fee of $30,000 and bred 238 mares, the most for any first year horse that season. He bred 182 mares the second year and his third took a dip to 143 mares. In 2022, he had 128 yearlings average a disappointing $92,642, not quite half of Omaha Beach's average, resulting in his 2023 fee reduced to $15,000. Vino Rosso is a very good looking, strongly made horse who stands 16.1 hands. He's a prettier version of his sire Curlin, with a good head and neck, great shoulder and hindquarter. Although a winner at two, he's a later-maturing type, which might help explain his yearling prices, since they might need more time. He should get two-year-old winners with more precocious mares but look for them to improve with age and distance. That said, sons of Curlin are starting to do well as sires, so watch out.

When he retired to stud, Audible was one of the very best sons of Into Mischief. He was a $175,000 yearling and a $500,000 two-year-old. Despite the early excitement, he didn't start until September when a promising third in his debut at Belmont. He won next time out in November at a mile, then blew out an AOC field at Aqueduct in December by almost ten lengths at the same distance. At three Audible won the Holy Bull Stakes-G2 by five and a half, then blazed home in the Florida Derby-G1 by three. Third behind Justify in the Kentucky Derby-G1, he suffered a gluteal muscle strain and was out until November. He made his return a winning one in November, taking the Cherokee Run Stakes at seven furlongs on the Breeders' Cup undercard at Churchill and rounded the season out with a second in the Harlan's Holiday Stakes-G3. At four he didn't show the same brilliance, running fifth in both the Pegasus Cup and Dubai World Cup-G1. Although winning at nine furlongs at his peak, Audible may not have liked the longer distances since he's bred more for speed, being by Into Mischief out of a sprinting daughter of the speedy Champion Two-Year-Old Gilded Time. Like his sire he has a pedigree that is very much an outcross to more popular strains, which could help him as a sire. He's a classy, well-muscled horse who stands 16.2 hands and has more daylight under him than the usual Into Mischief. He drew 219 mares his first year, the third-most popular of his freshman class, then 189 the second season and 148 mares the third season. His first yearlings averaged $141,780, second among freshman sires behind Omaha Beach. Notably, he's one of the very few stallions in this class still maintaining his introductory fee ($25,000). As a horse bred for precocious speed and possessing remarkable brilliance, Audible looks like the sort to come out with a lot of good two-year-olds, so he's one of my choices to end 2023 on a high note as a freshman sire.

The versatile Catholic Boy won Grade 1 races on dirt and turf in back-to-back starts over the summer of his three-year-old year. By More Than Ready out of Song of Bernadette by Bernardini, he was a short yearling at the Keeneland January sale, where he RNA'd at $170,000. At two he won first time out in July on turf, won the With Anticipation Stakes-G3T at Saratoga, ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-G1T, then moved to dirt, won the Remsen Stakes-G2 by four and three-quarter lengths. At three, he was second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes-G3 to Flameaway, then fourth in the Florida Derby-G1 in which he bled and was given time off. On his return he won the Pennine Ridge Stakes-G3T, the Belmont Derby-G1T, both on turf, and the Travers Stakes-G1 on dirt, all in a row. He was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 after a nightmare trip and given time off. At four, Catholic Boy's season debut was a win in the Dixie Stakes-G2T in May on turf. Next out was a second in the Suburban Stakes-G2 on dirt, then fourth in the Knickerbocker Stakes-G2T back on turf before he was retired. Although a son of More Than Ready who was a smallish tank of a horse, Catholic Boy is a tall, scopey, classic-looking horse more in the mold of his dam's sire Bernardini. He's strongly made, lengthy, with a great shoulder and length of hip. His first book drew 131 mares, not a negative considering Claiborne Farm is more conservative in their books. His second season dropped off to 78 and his third season to 65. His first yearlings averaged an unimpressive $52,738 last year. As a Graded stakes winner at two from the precocious line of More Than Ready, he has a right to get good juveniles this year but they might improve, as he did, as the distances stretch out. Surface doesn't seem to matter to him but More Than Ready might add a turf bias.

Truly brilliant, Mitole is the best runner by Eskendereya. Mitole's dam, by Indian Charlie, also produced G1 winner Hot Rod Charlie (by Oxbow), so she's an upgrading influence. Mitole was a $20,000 yearling but jumped up to bring $140,000 as a two-year-old. He made only one start at two when third in a maiden special in November at Fair Grounds. At three he was second by a half length in another maiden special at Oaklawn then broke his maiden going six panels by ten in February. He was second to Bourne in Nixa in the Gazebo Stakes, then went on a rampage. He blazed home by seven in an AOC in March, and wired the field in the Bachelor Stakes by nine in April, all at six furlongs at Oaklawn. He won the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico wiring another field by six and a quarter for the six furlongs. Then his splints heated up and were freeze-fired, forcing time off until the next March. Mitole won his debut at four, an AOC at Oaklawn going six furlongs, leading at every call. His streak continued in the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap-G3, Churchill Downs Stakes-G1 and stretched out to a mile winning the Metropolitan Handicap-G1. He was inexplicably third in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap-G1 at Saratoga back at six furlongs but rebounded with a three length score in the Forego Stakes-G1 at seven furlongs. In his final start Mitole won the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 beating Shancelot and Whitmore and was voted Champion Sprinter. Mitole is a sleek, attractive, medium-sized horse at 16.0 1/2 hands, compact, muscular and smoothly made, which is suprising considering the his immediate ancestry of big, substantial horses like Eskendereya and Indian Charlie. He's got a good head and neck, good shoulder, good back and barrel and good hindquarter. With an opening fee of $25,000, Mitole got 230 mares his first year, 208 in his second and 202 in his third. His first yearlings averaged a pleasing $100,612. Sprinters usually get precocious runners so it's expected he'll have a good showing with his first large crop of two-year-olds.

Catalina Cruiser was an exceptional sprinter/miler. He's by Union Rags and out of Seagull by Mineshaft, a mare who has produced two other Graded winners, Royal Flag-G2 and Eagle-G3. A big, handsome, flashy horse, he was a $370,000 yearling. Always impressive in training, he was unraced at two and debuted in October of his three-year-old year at Santa Anita, winning first time out at six furlongs. A minor knee issue put him off until the following May when he returned to action winning an AOC wire to wire. At Del Mar in July he led all the way to win the San Diego Handicap-G2 at eight and a half furlongs by six and three-quarters lengths. He followed up with a seven and a quarter lengths dusting of Battle of Midway in the seven furlong Pat O'Brien Stakes-G2. He was a disappointing sixth in that year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-G1 at Churchill after a wide trip. In his first start at five, he won the True North Stakes-G2 in June at Belmont over six and a half furlongs winning a duel with Strike Power and setting a new stakes record (1:14.85). He won his second San Diego Handicap-G2 beating Mongolian Groom, a second Pat O'Brien Stakes-G2, then ran a poor seventh in the Breeders' Cup Sprint-G1 won by Mitole. Catalina Cruiser stands 16.3 hands with a tremendous physique, a great shoulder, strong mid-section and a long, powerful hip. Starting out at $20,000, in his first year he covered 148 mares, 85 mares in the second and 72 in the third. His first yearlings averaged $68,220, a number that suggests they need some time, which is not unusual for such a big horse. His runners might also need time but his great ability and speed should still produce some good two-year-olds.

Yoshida (JPN) is another high class winner of Grade 1 races on dirt and turf. He's by Heart's Cry (JPN), one of the very best sire sons of Sunday Silence, and out of the Grade 1-winning filly Hilda's Passion by Canadian Frontier. He sold for $761,400 in Japan, the top price yearling for his sire that year, and was brought to the U.S to race. He was second in his only start at two, a maiden special on turf at Aqueduct in November. His three-year-old debut was a win in a maiden special at the Keeneland April meet going nine furlongs on turf by four lengths. The next month he won the James W. Murphy Stakes over a mile at Pimlico, also by four lengths. He was fifth in his Grade 1 debut in the Belmont Derby Invitational-G1T after being bumped at the start, then second in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes-G2T to Bricks and Mortar, then second again in the Saranac Stakes-G3T by a neck to Voodoo Song. Yoshida won the Hill Prince Stakes-G3T in October and was off until the following May. In his four-year-old debut in May, he won the Old Forester Turf Classic-G1T at nine furlongs. Shipped to England for Royal Ascot, he was fifth in the Queen Anne Stakes-G1 and on his return, was fifth in the Fourstardave Stakes-G1T. Switched to dirt, Yoshida (JPN) won the Woodward Stakes at the same meeting beating Gunnevera, but was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1. At five, he was unplaced in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational-G1T, Dubai World Cup-G1 and Stephen Foster Stakes-G2. He finished out the season with a second in the Whitney Stakes-G1 behind McKinzie and third in the Woodward Stakes-G1. In his final start he was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Classic-G1. Retired at $20,000, he covered 148 mares his first season, then 85 in his second and 50 in his third. His first yearlings averaged a disappointing $35,081. Yoshida (JPN) stands 16.1 hands and is a good middle distance type. He has a great presence, good balance, a good deep shoulder, and a long hip with a touch of that Sunday Silence hindquarter that is a little steep but powerful. A little late getting to the races at two, and winning for the first time in April at three, he might not be expected to get very precocious runners. His offspring should run on dirt and turf and do well as they mature and stretch out in distance.

Super fast World of Trouble had blazing speed on dirt and turf. Although an RNA at $10,000 as a yearling at OBS, his debut at two in August was a 14 length romp over maiden claiming company. Next time out he was moved to stakes company and just missed the win by half a length in the Florida-restricted Affirmed Stakes-R after boucing off the rail in the stretch. At three he won the Pasco Stakes in January by 13 3/4 lengths. After setting the pace, he lost in the final stages of the Tampa Bay Derby-G2 to finish third behind Quip and Flameaway. Taken off the Derby trail and a change of trainers delayed a return to the races until June when he was fourth in the Woody Stephens Stakes-G2 at Belmont. Switched to turf, World of Trouble won the Quick Call Stakes at five and a half furlongs leading all the way, then won the Allied Forces Stakes at six furlongs turf at Belmont by 5 3/4 lengths. He was second in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint-G1 by a neck to Stormy Liberal and ended the season with another 13-plus length rout over Florida-breds in the Marion County Stakes in December. At four, he won the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint in January, although it was taken off the turf for a dirt win in January. Off until April, he returned with a powerful win on dirt in the Carter Handicap-G1 stretching to seven furlongs at Aqueduct. He won the Twin Spires Turf Sprint-G2, then the Jaipur Invitational Stakes-G1 on turf in 1:06.37 at Belmont in June but was sidelined with a separation of his hoof wall. When it became clear that he would miss big sprint races in the fall, he was retired in October. A son of the speed specialist Kantharos out of mare by Valid Expections, World of Trouble looks like his pedigree, being not particularly big at 15.3 hands but husky with tons of muscle, maybe favoring his Valid Expectations/Valid Appeal ancestry. His dam is a half-sister to Kantharos' other star, Bucchero. Starting at a fee of $15,000 he bred 107 mares his first year, 62 in the second and 27 in the third. His 2022 yearlings averaged $35,324, which was a good reason for a fee reduction to $5,000. His two-year-olds are going to have to come out flying like he did to pull up his reputation again.

Grade 2 winner Enticed had loads of talent to go with his royal pedigree. He's by Medaglia d'Oro out of the multiple Grade 1-winning mare It's Tricky by Mineshaft. A homebred for Darley, he won first time out at two in a six furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga in September, despite having an adventurous trip. Next time out he was third in the Champagne Stakes-G1 behind Firenze Fire and Good Magic. In his third start he won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes-G2 at a mile and a sixteenth. His first start at three was a fourth in the Holy Bull Stakes-G2 which was won by Audible; followed by a win in the mile Gotham Stakes-G3. He then lost a hard fought stretch duel to Vino Rosso in the Wood Memorial Stakes-G2. He finished far back in the Kentucky Derby-G1 when bumped, brushed and jostled on a very sloppy track. Enticed shipped off to Saratoga, then went back home for some rest and relaxation. He was back in training as a five-year-old but never made another start. He retired at a fee of $10,000 and covered 148 mares his first year, 86 in his second and a slight bump up to 93 in his third. His first yearlings sold for a moderate $34,188 in 2022. At 16.3 hands, Enticed is a big, handsome, masculine horse very much in the mold of his sire Medaglia d'Oro. Keep in mind that several sons of Medaglia d'Oro are getting the job done as stallions, including 2022 Leading Freshman Sire Bolt d'Oro. As a good juvenile himself, it wouldn't be surprising for Enticed to get a good number of two-year-old winners.

Preservationist was always a star in the morning but bad luck and minor issues meant that he didn't really shine until he was six, but what a year that was. By Arch out of a Dixieland Band mare from the family of Chic Shirine, he attracted a yearling tag of $485,000. Although he trained like gangbusters he didn't start until June as a three-year-old, when second in his maiden start at Belmont. Sidelined for 18 months due to an ankle, he returned at four in December placing third at Aqueduct. Now five, he broke his maiden next out in January, going six furlongs at Aqueduct, and won an allowance in February at a mile at the same track by four lengths. Quarter cracks flared up and Preservationist was off again until the next January. At six, he was third in an AOC, then won over a mile at Aqueduct and a mile and a sixteenth at Belmont before a brilliant win in the Suburban Stakes-G2 over ten furlongs beating Catholic Boy by four and a half lengths in 1:59.9. After a poor fourth in the Whitney Stakes-G1, he won the Woodward Stakes-G1 at Saratoga. His final start was a fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1. Standing 16.2 1/2 hands, Preservationist is a stellar physical, big, correct, good-looking and with great bone. His opening fee of $10,000 attracted 102 mares but like most horses, he dropped off in his second season, to 43, then to 36 in his third year. His first yearlings averaged $38,155, which is almost four times the stud fee, but still commercially disappointing. As a big horse who got better with distance, I don't expect him to rank high as a sire of two-year-olds but age and distance should improve them. As a member of the stubbornly persistent Roberto sireline, don't overlook him in the long term.

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Multiple Grade 1 winner Divisidero was a top grass runner from age three to seven, making 29 starts, a noteworthy achievement nowdays. He was a $250,000 yearling, a good price for a Kitten's Joy. Unraced at two, Divisidero won his debut at three in February at a mile and a sixteenth turf at Gulfstream, was third in the Palm Beach Stakes-G3T and won the American Turf Stakes-G2T in his third start, all at a mile and a sixteenth on grass. He set a new course record at Belmont in the Pennine Ridge Stakes (about nine furlongs in 1:48.03), ran a clunker in the Belmont Derby Invitational-G1T, and was given a rest. At four, he was third in the Canadian Turf Stakes-G3T, second in the Appleton Stakes-G2T, then won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic-G1T at nine furlongs. Unplaced in the Manhattan Stakes-G1T, he was turned out until the next January. At five, Divisdero was third in the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes-G3T and two starts later won his second Woodford Reserve Turf Classic-G1T. Off the board in his next three runs, all G1s he was put away until the next May. At six, he was second in the Monmouth Stakes-G2T, fourth in the Wise Dan Stakes-G2T, then a winner in the Arlington Handicap-G3T at nine and a half furlongs. He was unplaced in his next four starts. Back at seven, he was second in the Tampa Bay Stakes-G3T, fourth in the Muniz Memorial-G2T, second in the Prince George's County Stakes and Oceanport Stakes-G3T before a return to the winner's circle in the mile Red Bank Stakes-G3T. Unplaced in his final start, he was retired to stud at a $7,500 fee. Divisidero is not big, standing just a half inch under 16 hands but he's a lovely horse with loads of quality, a fine head, elegant neck, good body, good muscling and a lengthy body probably from his dam's sire Lemon Drop Kid. He has an interesting pattern of 3x4 inbreeding to the great Sadler's Wells. He's covered small books of 35 mares, 20 mares and 22 mares his first three years. His initial yearlings averaged just $20,179. Being unraced at two, Divisidero wouldn't be expected to get precocious babies and he won't have a lot of runners to begin with, but like himself, they should do better as they get older and run on grass.

Fast, game and versatile are three words to describe Flameaway, but I admit to being biased as a big Flameaway fan. He's from the penultimate crop sired by Scat Daddy and out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare who also produced the stakes winner Ellan Vannin. He was a $150,000 January yearling and a $400,000 Saratoga yearling. He's the most precocious horse in this group discussed so far, winning his debut in late May at Woodbine going four and a half furlongs on all-weather. In his second run, he won the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga at five and a half furlongs, taken off the turf. Sixth in the Iroquois Stakes-G3 on dirt in September, in October he survived a rough trip to win the Bourbon Stakes-G3 by a nose in a mile and a sixteenth race also taken off the turf. He was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-G1T won by Mendelssohn. At three in January, his first start back was another hard fought win, in the Kitten's Joy Stakes at about seven and a half furlongs on turf. Switched to dirt, but on purpose this time, Flameaway won the mile and a sixteenth Sam F. Davis Stakes-G3, battling back to regain a lost lead from Catholic Boy, with Vino Rosso in third. He was second in the Tampa Bay Derby-G2 to Quip, then second in the Blue Grass Stakes-G2 to Good Magic. He finished far back in the Kentucky Derby won by Justify, and was sixth in the Ohio Derby-G3. He ran a strong second in the Jim Dandy Stakes-G2 to Tenfold, was seventh in the Smarty Jones Stakes-G3 at Parx in August and was given a well-earned rest until the next February. At four, Flameaway was third in the Mineshaft Handicap-G3, then won the Challenger Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth. He was sixth in the nine furlong Ben Ali Stakes-G3, thirteenth in the Pimlico Special-G3 at ten furlongs and seventh in the Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes in July in his final start. A winner from four and a half to eight and a half furlongs, Flameaway was tried several times at distances probably too long for him but he still proved himself on all three surfaces and was dead game in a stretch drive. Outside of color, Flameaway has a lot of Scat Daddy about him, standing 16.1 hands, masculine, heavily muscled with a long, deep barrel and tremendous hindquarter. Starting out at $7,500, he's remained popular, with 183 mares his first year, 137 in his second and 113 in his third. His first yearlings averaged a strong $43,325 against his stud fee. He's the kind of horse that should have a good number of juvenile winners and stakes horses, and is one of my favorites in the freshman category this year.

The dashing Grade 2 winner Maximus Mischief made a tremendous impression during his brief career. He appeared at all the best sales, as a $165,000 Keeneland weanling, turned $170,000 RNA Saratoga yearling, turned $245,000 RNA Florida March two-year-old, turned $340,000 Maryland May two-year-old. In late September that year, he won in his debut at Parx in style, never headed, finishing the five and a half furlongs fully eight and three-quarters length in front "under wraps." Next time out, he won a seven furlong allowance making every call and winning by six. In his third start in December he won the Remsen Stakes-G2 stretching to nine furlongs by two and a quarter lengths. His return at three was in the Holy Bull Stakes-G2 in early February when he was beaten for the first time after using himself up in a duel for the pace, finishing behind Harvey Wallbanger and Everfast. Later that month, he suffered a tendon tear in his right front during a workout and was sidelined. In April Maximus Mischief's retirement was announced although he didn't enter stud until the next year. A flashy bright bay like many Into Mischiefs, his dam is a winning daughter of Songandaprayer, one of the best sire sons of Unbridled's Song. This must be where Mischief gets his size, fully 16.3 hands with long legs. He's an attractive horse with a good head and neck, big shoulder, deep body and hefty hindquarters. He's been extremely popular at his $7,500 fee, covering 196 mares his first year, 171 in his second and moved up to 195 in his third. His first yearlings sold very well with an average of $54,479. He was a Grade 2 winner at two, and although it was the nine-furlong Remsen Stakes, it still indicates a level of precociousness. He needs sound mares with better female families to cover his weaknesses. With his large first crop, Maximus Mischief ought to get a lot of juvenile winners and will probably be one of the leaders at the end of the year.

An exciting Grade 2 sprinter/miler, Coal Front rarely lost a stretch duel. He'ss by Stay Thirsty and his dam, who also produced stakes winner Conquest Titan, is a daughter of Mineshaft, giving Coal Front daring 3x3 inbreeding to the great A.P. Indy and 4x4x4 crosses to Indy's sire Seattle Slew. Handsome and fast enough to bring $575,000 at two, Coal Front was unraced that year. At three he won first time out at the April Keeneland meet going six furlongs, streaking home by six and a half lengths. He won an allowance at Belmont in June at six and a half furlongs, and in just his third start, won the Amsterdam Stakes-G2 at Saratoga leading every step of the six and a half furlongs. After a fifth in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes-G1, he won the Gallant Bob Stakes-G3 at six furlongs after a stretch duel with American Pasttime. He came out of that race with a condylar break in his right front and was out of action for 13 months. His first start at four wasn't until November, when fifth in the Bold Ruler Stakes-G3. In December he won the seven furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes-G3. In his season debut at five in February, he stretched out to score in the mile and a sixteenth Razorback Handicap-G3, beating Copper Bullet by a neck. Sent to Dubai, he won the Godolphin Mile-G2 besting an international cast, and in a rousing stretch drive, ran down the favorite, Heavy Metal. Back in the States, he was seventh in the Metropolitan Handicap-G1, burned up in a pace duel with the winner, Mitole. He was third in the Monmouth Cup-G3 at nine furlongs, then won the Parx Dirt Mile Stakes-L, and was sixth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-G1 in his final start. He's a neatly made, attractive horse with good balance and muscling, standing 16.0 hands. Entering stud at $5,000, he covered 89 mares his first year, 60 in the second and just 38 in the third year. His yearling average of $26,391 is not inspiring, so this crop of juveniles is probably the make-or-break year for him in Kentucky. While I haven't found the reason for him not racing at two, Coal Front has a lot of speed, which usually produces good juveniles.

A turf star in the making before his injury, Demarchelier (GB) ran only four times but it was enough to draw support as a stallion. His pedigree, by Dubawi (IRE) out of a Sadler's Wells sister to highweighted fillies Yesterday (IRE) and Quarter Moon (IRE), was purple enough to bring a huge price, 425,000 guines ($590,385) as a Tattersalls yearling in the U.K.. Brought to race in the U.S., Demarchelier (GB) won his only start at two in November in a mile and a sixteenth maiden on grass at Aqueduct beating Seismic Wave. At three he won a mile and a sixteenth turf allowance at Keeneland in April, then won the Pennine Ridge Stakes-G3T at Belmont in June at nine furlongs beating Seismic Wave by a neck, demonstrating his terrific turn of foot to close. In the Belmont Derby Invitational-G1T, he injured his right front and was pulled up, ending a short but brilliant campaign. Standing 16.0 hands, Demarchelier (GB) is handsome, well-made horse built like a turf horse. Besides a resemblence to his sire Dubawi (IRE), he shows the influence of his 4x4 inbreeding to Shirley Heights (GB). Standing for $5,000 Demarchelier (GB) bred 102 mares his first year but dropped off to 48 in his second and 41 in the third. His first yearlings averaged $16,236 last year. His turf form and pedigree will probably bias his offspring to class on grass, so he might not be a leading juvenile sire as a result, but North America can always use a first class turf sire.

Champion and Grade 1 winner Heart To Heart is arguably the most accomplished runner in this group, and a dream for the breed-to-race owner. He ran for seven years, made 41 starts, winning 15 including 13 stakes: 11 Graded and two Grade 1s. He won from five and a half to nine furlongs, mostly on turf, and was one of the best turfers in the country through the age of seven. He was an early winner at two in July at Arlington over five and a half furlongs and second in the Vandal Stakes at Woodbine in his second race, from five starts at two, all on all-weather. At three, he won a mile allowance on the grass at Keeneland in April and loved it, dancing home by 6 1/4 lengths. The same season he also won the Better Talk Now Stakes, Jefferson Cup-G3T and Commonwealth Turf Stakes-G3T and was given the Sovereign Award for best three-year-old (despite his best effort in Canada being a third in the Toronto Cup). At four, Heart to Heart won the Oceanport Stakes-G3T and River City Handicap-G3T. At five, he won four stakes including the Ft. Lauderdale-G2T, Canadian Turf-G3T, Knickerbocker-G3T and El Prado. At six he won the Canadian Turf Stakes-G3T and Bernard Baruch Handicap-G2T. At seven, he reached the Grade 1 level, scoring in the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes-G1T and Maker's 46 Mile-G1T. He was placed in a Grade 3 at the age of eight before retiring. Heart to Heart is by the top turf sire English Channel and out of a winning mare by Silver Deputy. He sold for $25,250 as an Ontario yearling, which wasn't a particularly good price, even for an English Channel, which is surprising because he's an attractive horse in a medium-size, but plain brown wrapper. His race record proved the model had excellent speed and was sound. In his first season at stud at $5,000 Heart to Heart served 56 mares, 47 in the second and 32 in the third. His first yearlings averaged a weak $6,520. With these small numbers, he's unlikely to make a dent as a freshman sire, but it's worth noting he won first time out in July as a two-year-old and was stakes-placed in his second start, so it's not a hopeless cause, and he's likely to get runners on turf and all weather alike.

Highly regarded Lost Treasure (IRE) made one start at two in Ireland but was unplaced after a bad start. He was on the sidelines for almost a year, returning the next August when he won a six furlong maiden race at the Curragh. Five days later he scored in a five furlong handicap at the same course. Fourth in a handicap at Navan, he won a weight-for-age over the all weather course at Dundalk. High hopes sent him to France for the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp-G1 in which he finished fifth. Back in Ireland he was second by a short head in the Waterford Testimonial Stakes-L going five furlongs. Five days later he was third in the five furlong Mercury Stakes-G3 over the all weather at Dundalk. He finished the season with an unsuccessful run in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint-G1 finishing seventh. He made one start at four when tenth in the Al Quoz Sprint-G1 in Dubai. Lost Treasure (IRE) has a tremendous pedigree, by War Front out of a Group 2 winner by Montjeu (IRE); and his second dam is a half-sister to Galileo (IRE) and Sea the Stars (IRE). How's that for a sire family? He's inbred 2x4 to Danzig with four crosses of Danzig's sire Northern Dancer and shows it, standing 15.3 hands, and is a stocky, muscular, typey Northern Dancer-line horse. At a fee of $5,000, he bred 28 mares his first year, then 17 in his second and just five mares in 2022. His first yearlings averaged $14,867. Although unplaced at two, the War Fronts and Danzigs tend to be precocious, but Lost Treasure (IRE) still has a steep hill to climb with so few out there flying his banner this year.

Multiple Grade 2 turf winner Qurbaan was a stakes winner in France but seemed to prefer American turf where he became a leading grass runner at five and six. By Speightstown out of stakes winner Flip Flop by Zeiten, he was a $300,000 Keeneland weanling before being sent overseas. At two, he was undefeated in two starts in France, taking six and a half furlong races at Chantilly and Deauville. At three he won the Prix Luthier and Prix Casino Barriere Trouville, both at seven and a half furlongs. At four he won the Prix Saonois at a mile and was third in the ten furlong Grand Prix de Vichy-G3. In his American debut, Qurbaan won the Bernard Baruch Handicap-G3T at a mile and a sixteenth, and was second in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes-G1T and Ft. Lauderdale Stakes-G2T. At six, he was third in the Tampa Bay Stakes-G3T, Maker's 46 Mile Stakes-G1T, second in the Old Forester Turf Classic-G1T (to Bricks and Mortar), third in the Forbidden Apple Stakes-G3T and won a second Bernard Baruch Handicap-G3T before he was injured and retired. Qurbaan bears a strong resemblence to his sire Speightstown. He stands 15.3 hands, although not quite as blocky as Speightstown, with a little more stretch. Standing for $5,000, he covered 24 mares his first year, then 16 in his second before being moved to Indiana, where he moved up to cover 28 mares his third year. His first yearlings averaged $16,817. Obviously he'll have a strong turf bias, but it would have been better if he had more two-year-olds because he was a good juvenile himself. It's unlikely he'll have enough winners to move him to the top of the list.

This is a tough group to evaluate as sires of two-year-olds since there aren't any champion juveniles or Breeders' Cup Juvenile-G1 winners like last year. There are, however, four stallions who won Graded stakes at two: Catholic Boy (Remsen Stakes-G2, With Anticipation Stakes-G3T), Enticed (Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes-G2), Maximus Mischief (Remsen Stakes-G2) and Flameaway (Bourbon Stakes-G3). I have to consider each one of these. Oddly enough, Catholic Boy is the only one of these four who demanded an opening stud fee of more than $10,000. The other three stood for $10,000 or less.

Large, later maturing horses usually produce later maturing runners, not precocious two-year-olds, so it's hard to pick a horse like Catalina Cruiser or Preservationist, despite their connections assuring us that they were always forward in their training, even as juveniles. Sometimes the physical issues that delayed big horses getting to the races might be the same issues that could delay their progeny.

The next category to consider includes the really brilliant runners who started early in their three-year-old season and kept on going. These would include Omaha Beach, Audible, Mitole, World of Trouble and Coal Front. Any of these fast boys should have a good number of two-year-old winners.

Several stallions listed here were remarkable because they have won stakes on dirt and turf: Catholic Boy, Yoshida (JPN), World of Trouble and Flameaway. The question is, which aptitude will they pass on to their progeny, dirt or turf? If they tend to get more turf runners, this will be an impediment toward a leading freshman sire championship, since most of the money for two-year-olds is on dirt. Still, a winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-G1T or Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint-G1 could put a lot of money in the pot.

Although it's a tough decision, I'm going to pin Omaha Beach as the star of this stallion crop, banking on the idea that had he started on dirt as a two-year-old, he may have done very well indeed. Catholic Boy should also do well but I'm hoping he takes more to his dirt ability than his turf talent. Although he obviously likes a route of ground, I'm hoping his early two-year-old form will make his progeny as versatile as he was.

I think Audible, Mitole and Maximus Mischief will make a good showing this year, but my wild card pick will be that handsome red fellow, Flameaway.

Copyright by Anne Peters 2023