2008 ECLIPSE AWARD NOMINEES

Jan. 8, 2009: The NTRA announced the finalists for the 2008 Eclipse Awards today, and runners by Lane’s End sires hold a strong hand in advance of the Jan. 26 ceremonies.

SMART STRIKE’s son CURLIN, whose 2008 record included wins in the G1 Dubai World Cup, G1 Stephen Foster H., G1 Woodward S. and G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, is the heavy favorite in the Older Male division. Racing’s all-time leading money earner, CURLIN will also look to repeat as Horse of the Year as he commences his stud career at Lane’s End.

BELONG TO ME’s daughter Forever Together stands as one of the favorites as Female Turf Horse. The four-year-old captured four of her seven 2008 starts and missed the board just once. The gray registered her first Grade 1 in the Diana H. at Saratoga before doubling up in the G1 First Lady S. at Keeneland. Making her first start at 10 furlongs in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Forever Together rallied impressively for owner George Strawbridge.

A.P. INDY’s daughter Music Note made a big splash in the Three-Year-Old Filly division after getting off to a late start in her career. Music Note broke through with a dominant win over Proud Spell, a fellow nominee who’s out of a LANGFUHR mare, in the G1 Mother Goose S. at Belmont. She aired by a huge 11-length margin in the G1 CCA Oaks in July, then nearly overcame a dawdling pace to be second to Proud Spell in the G1 Alabama S. at Saratoga. After another huge win, an 8 1/2-length tally in the G1 Gazelle S., Music Note shipped to be a very good third behind the older fillies Zenyatta and Cocoa Beach (Chi) in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.

KINGMAMBO’s Sovereign Duty, bred by Bill Farish, and sold by Lane’s End, was among the finalists as champion Steeplechase Horse after a season that included a win in the G1 Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings at Keeneland.

The winner of inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, meanwhile, was another Lane’s End sales graduate. The undefeated Maram followed up her victory in the G3 Miss Grillo BC S. at Belmont with a gutsy win on Breeders’ Cup day.

Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees!

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LANE’S END AT THE SOVEREIGN AWARDS

Dec. 15, 2008: Canada’s 34th annual Sovereign Awards ceremonies were held last Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Winners included A.P. INDY’s four-year-old Marchfield, who was named Champion Older Male Horse on the Main Track. Eugene Melnyk’s homebred, who captured the third leg of Canada’s Triple Crown last year in the Breeders' S., counted amongst his 2008 wins the G2 Autumn S. at Woodbine Nov. 9. It is A.P. INDY’s seventh champion, following in the hoofsteps of Horse of the Year MINESHAFT, Rags to Riches, Bernardini, etc.

Also honored was the Woodman mare Kathie’s Colleen, who was named Outstanding Broodmare. A Grade 2 winner on the track, Kathie’s Colleen is the dam of Horse of the Year and Triple Crown hero Wando (by LANGFUHR), as well as his full-sister, the stakes winner Six Sexy Sisters.

A special congratulations to trainer Mark Casse, who picked up his third straight Sovereign Award as Outstanding Trainer. Casse is a primary trainer for Lane’s End’s Woodford Racing. Congratulations to all the winners!

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A.P. INDY: SHAPING THE BREED

2008 YEAR END: If Mr. Prospector ruled North America the 1980s and Storm Cat dominated in the 1990s, it could be argued that the new millennium has belonged to A.P. INDY. A champion sire in 2003 and again in 2006, A.P. INDY is the sire of seven champions since 2000, including Horse of the Year MINESHAFT and the brilliant Champion Three-Year-Old classic winners Bernardini and Rags to Riches. A.P. INDY’s reputation as a sire of sires--and a sire of sires of sires--continues to grow. In 2008, the leading first- and second-crop sires were both grandsons of A.P. INDY, and his sons STEPHEN GOT EVEN, Pulpit, Malibu Moon, Golden Missile, Indygo Shiner, Old Trieste, etc. have sired Grade 1 winners.

A.P. INDY concluded 2008 with progeny earnings of over $7.7 million. His 11 stakes winners included Grade 1 winners Music Note (Eclipse Award finalist) and Little Belle, and the graded winners Adriano, Marchfield, Altesse, and Rosberg. And with Friesan Fire and Indygo Mountain representing A.P. INDY'S 2009 three-year-olds, it looks like it’ll be more of the same.

A.P. INDY dominated in the sales ring, as well. In 2008, his yearlings averaged $581,333, and were led by the $3.1 million filly out of Chimichurri who topped the Keeneland September Sale.

A.P. INDY--a breed-shaping stallion.

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AFTER MARKET’S FIRST IN-FOAL MARES

2008 YEAR END: Storm Cat’s dual Grade 1-winning son AFTER MARKET saw his first in-foal mares go through the ring last November. Included was the Lane’s End-bred and -sold Safety Net, by A.P. INDY, who was knocked down to Chester Broman for $150,000 at Keeneland. The winning Safety Net is a daughter of GSW Vegas Prospector and is a full-sister to GSP Sheer Luck. Lane’s End also sold Paint Brush, in foal to AFTER MARKET, at November. Haras Santa Maria de Araras purchased the young mare, a daughter of GSP Unbridled Lassie from the immediate family of A.P. INDY, et al, for $135,000. AFTER MARKET’s first foals hit the ground this spring!

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ARAGORN’S FIRST WEANLINGS SOLD WELL

2008 YEAR END: One of the best runners produced by his sire Giant’s Causeway, ARAGORN is replicating his own success on the track in the sales ring. Weanlings from his initial crop caught the eye of several astute buyers, including Keiko Tahara, who acquired a foal by ARAGORN for $329,840 at Japan’s JRHA Select Sale last July. The colt was produced by Lively Tune, by DIXIELAND BAND, a half-sister to graded winners Living Vicariously and With Distinction and to the dam of graded winner Sightseeing. In the States, another sharp customer in Cormac McCormack landed a chestnut colt by ARAGORN for $100,000 at Keeneland November. The colt is a grandson of English juvenile champion filly Durtal (Ire) and a half-sibling to SW Secret Garden (Ire) and GSP Lady Aquitaine. Mike Moreno’s Southern Equine proved a fan of ARAGORN’s youngsters, too. Southern Equine landed a pair of weanling colts by ARAGORN at November, paying $95,000 for a half-brother to SW & G1SP Wild Desert and $90,000 for a son of SP Bird Chatter. Keep an eye out for ARAGORN’s yearlings later this year!

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BELONG TO ME: 10th G1SW AND COUNTING

2008 YEAR END: BELONG TO ME has been a consistent source of top-class stakes winners since his early days, and the son of Danzig was represented by his ninth and tenth Grade/Group 1 winners in 2008. Over the summer, it was BELONG TO ME’s exciting daughter Forever Together who became Grade 1 winner number nine with a breakthrough victory in the G1 Diana S. at Saratoga. She doubled up with a tally in the G1 First Lady S. at Keeneland, then offered up a championship performance with a rallying victory in the G1 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Oct. 25. Forever Together was named Champion Female Turf horse at the Eclipse Awards ceremony in January. Two weeks later, BELONG TO ME got his tenth Grade/Group 1 winner in the $1-million G1 Emirates S. at Flemington in Australia. All Silent prepped for the Emirates S. with a win in the G3 AAMI International Insurance S. a week earlier.

BELONG TO ME had a total of 11 stakes winners in 2008, including the graded/group winners Wise River and Bon Hoffa and the recent $100,000 Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf S. winner Tamborim, who will be one to watch on the sophomore grass scene in 2009.

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CITY ZIP: PREMIER JUVENILE SIRE

2008 YEAR END: As a top juvenile himself, it’s perhaps no surprise that CITY ZIP has emerged as one of the best sires of two-year-olds in country. Winner of the G1 Hopeful S. at two, CITY ZIP was the sire of five juvenile stakes winners in 2008. No sire in North America had more. CITY ZIP’s best two-year-old was the very talented Run Away and Hide, the undefeated colt who captured the historic G2 Saratoga Special S. and the G3 Kentucky S. CITY ZIP also boasted the undefeated dual Group 1 winner in Puerto Rico Dana My Love.

CITY ZIP’s achievements drew attention from noted industry analyst Bill Oppenheim, who wrote about CITY ZIP in article about ‘value stallions’ in a recent edition of the Thoroughbred Daily News. Oppenheim stated: “CITY ZIP, a half-brother to Ghostzapper by Carson City, moved down from New York. His 2006 crop includes five two-year-old stakes winners this year...yet his stud fee is down to $12,500 from a high of $20,000 two years ago. He’ll have 112 two-year-olds [in 2009].” But CITY ZIP doesn’t just excel at siring top youngsters. Among his 11 stakes winners in 2008 was the undefeated speedster Bustin Stones, winner of the G1 Carter H. and G2 General George H. and now a sire in New York.

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DIXIE UNION: ON THE TRACK AND IN THE RING

2008 YEAR END: With 11 stakes winners to his credit and graded stakes-winning two-, three- and four-year-olds, DIXIE UNION recently completed another top season. The anointed flag bearer for his recently retired sire, DIXIELAND BAND, DIXIE UNION is now the sire of 11 graded stakes winners and a total of 26 black-type winners in his young career. In 2008, his leading runners included G3 Mineshaft S. hero Grasshopper, a Lane’s End-bred and -owned runner. The two-year-old filly Garden District ran second facing males in the G3 Kentucky S., then captured the G3 Debutante S. against her own sex, while another DIXIE UNION juvenile filly, Bold Union, established herself as one to watch with a dazzling victory in the Astoria S. at Belmont. In the three-year-old division, Fierce Wind won the Sam F. Davis S. early in the year before being sidelined with a minor injury, while Grade 1 winner Dixie Chatter became a stakes winner on the grass at Del Mar over the summer.

DIXIE UNION’s success on the track meant that horsemen were eager to land his yearlings. A total of 49 DIXIE UNION yearlings sold in 2008 with individuals going for $400,000, $350,000, $340,000, $330,000, etc.

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GULCH: STILL CRANKING ‘EM OUT

2008 YEAR END: He has sired a Kentucky Derby winner, European champions and no fewer than nine Grade 1 winners, and GULCH is showing no signs of slowing down. One of Mr. Prospector’s best sire sons, GULCH is coming off a fine 2008 that was highlighted by the exploits of his son Court Vision, a Lane’s Ends-bred and -sold colt from the family of A.P. INDY, Summer Squall, et al. A dual graded winner on the dirt at two, Court Vision hit the board in the G2 Fountain of Youth S. and G1 Wood Memorial S. in the spring before starring on the grass later in the year. After taking the G2 Jamaica S. at Belmont, he shipped to win the G1 Hollywood Derby in compelling fashion in November.

GULCH’s other 2008 stakes winners included G3 River City H. dead-heat winner Demarcation and the stakes winners Platinee, Shampoo, Oelectra, King Gulch, etc. In a recent column, the TDN’s Andrew Caulfield wrote about GULCH’s sustained prowess. Said Caulfield, “For $20,000 live foal, breeders can use a stallion with progeny earnings approaching $80 million and with 70 stakes winners to his credit. When Court Vision recently won the Hollywood Derby, he became GULCH’s ninth Grade 1 winner, following such as Thunder Gulch, Nayef (winner of three of Britain’s top 10-furlong races), Harayir (1000 Guineas) and Eagle Cafe (Japan Cup Dirt).” Caulfield added, “Court Vision’s prospects as a stallion have also been done no harm by the exploits of some of GULCH’s older sons,” such as Thunder Gulch, Nayef and the up-and-comer Scrimshaw.

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KINGMAMBO: MORE CLASSIC SUCCESS

2008 YEAR END: KINGMAMBO ’s offspring have dominated Classic races around the world in recent years, and one of his very best flew the flag in 2008. KINGMAMBO ’s son Henrythenavigator--representing the potent KINGMAMBO --Sadler’s Wells cross--was at the top of a remarkably deep sophomore crop in Europe. ‘Henry’ nosed out New Approach (Ire) in the G1 2000 Guineas in early May, then registered an authoritative 1 3/4-length tally over that foe in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas two weeks later. Henry’s dominance at a mile was evidence by his next victory, over Raven’s Pass, in the G1 St James’s Palace S. Henry then took the show on the show and ran a game second to Raven’s Pass in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in his first-ever start beyond a mile.

In 2008, KINGMAMBO was the sire of 12 stakes winners, who together accounted for 18 stakes victories. Only three sires in North America had more graded stakes winners than KINGMAMBO ’s seven. And, with four G1 winners in 2008, only two sires had more than KINGMAMBO . In addition to Henrythenavigator, KINGMAMBO ’s Grade 1 winners included the Lane’s End-bred Student Council and Archipenko.

With a yearling average of $443,750, KINGMAMBO was the third-leading sire in 2008. His youngsters included a Lane’s End-bred and -sold full-brother to Mambo in Seattle, who was knocked down to John Ferguson for $1 million.

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LANGFUHR: TOP 15 FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR

2008 YEAR END: What would you say about a stallion who has been a top 15 sire every year since 2003? A stallion who has sired five champions, a Triple Crown winner, 56 stakes winners, 18 graded stakes winners and four Grade 1 winners? You’d probably say that the sire, in this case LANGFUHR, was one of the best in the country, and you’d be right. And at a $20,000 stud fee for 2009, you’d also be right to call LANGFUHR one of the best values in the business.

LANGFUHR, sire of Triple Crown hero Wando and champions like Lawyer Ron, was represented by nine stakes winners in 2008 and the earners of $6,477,475. Included were G2 Dance Smartly S. heroine The Niagra Queen, G3 Saranac S. winner Marlang and the brilliantly fast sprinter Euroears, a multiple stakes winner in 2008. Grade 1 winner Lang Field won the Ferdinand H. at Hollywood Park in July, while graded stakes winner Interpatation finished second and third, respectively, in the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. and G1 Sword Dancer Invitational S.

In the sales ring, LANGFUHR’s two-year-olds sold for as much as $700,000, while his yearlings made up to $200,000. LANGFUHR: Danzig’s best sire son in North America.

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LEMON DROP KID: BLACK-TYPE BOUNTY

2008 YEAR END: For the second year in a row, LEMON DROP KID ended the season as a top 15 sire in North America. And when it came to siring black-type performers, few were better than KINGMAMBO’s dynamic Classic-winning champion. In 2008, LEMON DROP KID sired a total of 21 stakes winners. Only Giant’s Causeway, who had 133 more runners on the year, had more with 24 stakes winners. LEMON DROP KID’s 10 percent stakes winners from foals of racing age, however, is well ahead of Giant’s Causeway’s six percent.

Among LEMON DROP KID’s 2008 graded stakes winners were Kiss the Kid and Sweet Hope, as well as a pair of exceptionally talented two-year-old colts who are poised to make some noise on the Triple Crown trail in 2009. Break Water Edison, a $525,000 OBS March juvenile, won the G3 Nashua S. in impressive fashion and also was runner-up in the G2 Saratoga Special S., while Charitable Man annexed the G2 Futurity S. at Belmont Park.

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MINESHAFT: TOP SOPHOMORES AND BEYOND

2008 YEAR END: As the sire of Casino Drive, Cool Coal Man, and Coal Play, MINESHAFT’s three-year-old colts figured prominently in the division in 2008, and we are confident the best is yet to come from A.P. INDY’s Horse of the Year. MINESHAFT got off to a quick start in 2008 when the Nick Zito-trained Cool Coal Man defeated a field that included GULCH’s top-class Court Vision in the G2 Fountain of Youth S. MINESHAFT was represented by another Classics contender in the form of Casino Drive, whose facile tally in the G2 Peter Pan S. established the son of Better Than Honour as a legitimate contender to Big Brown in the G1 Belmont S., where only a bruised foot on the eve of the race denied him a chance to replicate his grandsire’s feat of winning the third leg of the Triple Crown. Later in the summer, MINESHAFT’s Coal Play gave Big Brown all he could handle in the G1 Haskell Invitational, running the likely Three-Year-Old Champion to his limits in a thrilling stretch duel. Coal Play would go on to win Monmouth’s Majestic Prince S.

Things look bright for MINESHAFT in 2009. His recent winners include the promising Rock Candy, a Lane’s End-bred filly who also graduated from Lane’s End’s sales consignment; and the newly turned three-year-old Shafted, who rallied to take a Santa Anita allowance Jan. 2.

As Andrew Caulfield wrote in the TDN, “It can surely only be a matter of time before MINESHAFT joins the Grade 1 club (sons of A.P. INDY), as he has the Grade 2 winners Casino Drive and Cool Coal Man among his first 3yos.”

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PLEASANTLY PERFECT: TALENT AND CLASS

2008 YEAR END: When Light Green posted a 3/4-length victory in a Gulfstream race Jan. 4, she became the 11th individual winner from the first crop of PLEASANTLY PERFECT. Ned Evans’s homebred also became PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s 11th winner to break his or her maiden facing special weight competition, a notable achievement and indicative of the talent and class of PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s offspring. PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s runners are winning at the best tracks, including Aqueduct, Arlington Park, Belmont, Fair Grounds, Santa Anita and Woodbine, and are winning over dirt, synthetic and turf courses. One of his brightest stars is Darley Stable’s Pamona Ball, the $380,000 juvenile who won the 1 1/16-mile Sharp Cat S. at Hollywood Park Nov. 1. PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s Quite the Lady was runner-up in the G3 Arlington-Washington Lassie S., while another daughter, Into My Soul, was second in the I Take All S. at Belmont. Rapid Redux, meanwhile, was third in the Tyro S. at Monmouth. At the yearling sales in 2008, top horsemen like Mike Akers, Bob Feld, Ken McPeek and Tom Gentry purchased youngsters by PLEASANTLY PERFECT. Looking for talent and class in your breeding operation? Look at PLEASANTLY PERFECT.

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PLEASANT TAP: RACEHORSE SIRE

2008 YEAR END: In his racing days, PLEASANT TAP was fast, durable and versatile, as witnessed by his two Grade 1 wins and his runner-up finishes in consecutive renewals of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. And those are just the sort of qualities that PLEASANT TAP is known for imparting as a sire. Among his best horses are highweight and $4.1 million earner David Junior, the $9.5 million winner and G1 Japan Cup hero Tap Dance City, and the $2.5 million winner and dual Grade 1 winner Premium Tap. Overall, 17 percent of PLEASANT TAP’s starters become stakes horses, and his average earnings per starter is a remarkable $102,871. In 2008, runners by PLEASANT TAP included the dual Grade 1 winner Tiago, who won the G2 Oaklawn H. over Heatseeker (Ire) and ran third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The four-year-old filly Indescribable captured the G3 Arlington Matron H. on dirt and the G3 Cardinal H. on turf, while Taptam, Stately Character, Pleasant Review, Pleasantly Blessed, P. Kerney, Tidal Dance, and East End Tap also earned black-type. With performance like that, PLEASANT TAP’s 2009 fee of $12,500 looks like a bargain for breeders looking for a racehorse.

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ROCK HARD TEN’S FIRST YEARLINGS ROCK AT THE SALES

2008 YEAR END: It became a common sight at the yearling sales last year: a strong-looking yearling from the first crop of ROCK HARD TEN, bearing a strong resemblance the athletic son of Kris S., going to a top judge of horseflesh for top dollar. A total of 56 yearlings by ROCK HARD TEN were offered last year, with 45 selling for an average of $151,111 and a median of $100,000. ROCK HARD TEN was easily the second-leading freshman sire in 2008 and had a better yearling average than Street Cry (Ire), El Prado (Ire), Indian Charlie, etc.

No freshman sire had a filly that sold better than ROCK HARD TEN’s daughter out of Unsurpassed. Jerry and Ann Moss went to $725,000 for the striking dark bay, who was sold through Lane’s End’s consignment at Keeneland September. Leading the way for the colts was the ROCK HARD TEN--Tapstress colt who made $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Legends Racing was the winning bidder for the half-brother to GSW Discreet Hero. ROCK HARD TEN’S yearlings also went for $450,000 (Maverick Racing), $400,000 (Padua), $400,000 (another that went to the Mosses), etc. Watch for ROCK HARD TEN’s first runners at the juvenile-in-training sales this spring. He has three catalogued at Fasig-Tipton Calder, including a half-brother to top sire Yes It’s True.

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SMART STRIKE: CHAMPION SIRE ONCE AGAIN

2008 YEAR END: Looking back at the sires who have led the General Sires List in consecutive years over the past quarter century, it becomes apparent that it is a special feat accomplished by only the very best. Mr. Prospector did it in 1987-88. Danzig did it in 1991-92-93. Deputy Minister did it in 1997-98, and Storm Cat was the last to do it in 1999-2000. That is, until SMART STRIKE followed up his record-breaking 2007 with another leading year in 2008. SMART STRIKE’s runners earned a remarkable $12,413,093 in 2008, which put him some $2.6 million ahead of runner-up Giant’s Causeway.

SMART STRIKE’s leading earner, of course, was the indomitable, two-time reigning Horse of the Year CURLIN who, of course, enters stud at Lane’s End in 2009. CURLIN's 2008 victories included the G1 Dubai World Cup, G1 Stephen Foster H., G1 Woodward S. and G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and won his fourth Eclipse Award as Champion Older Horse. SMART STRIKE is also the sire of Kentucky Derby hopeful and G1 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity winner Square Eddie and the top sprinter Fabulous Strike. SMART STRIKE: one of the elite sires.

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STEPHEN GOT EVEN: PROVEN COMMODITY

2008 YEAR END: As breeders faces tough economic times, Lane’s End has made every effort to make sure they are getting the best value when selecting a stallion. STEPHEN GOT EVEN, who will stand for just $7,500 in 2009, is an example of that. As the sire of Champion Two-Year-Old Stevie Wonderboy and Grade 2 winners like Don’t Get Mad and For All We Know, STEPHEN GOT EVEN is a proven commodity. His thirteen 2008 stakes horses include G2 Black-Eyed Susan BC S. heroine Sweet Vendetta, dual Listed winner Steve’s Double and the California stakes winner Trevor’s Clever. STEPHEN GOT EVEN’s offspring have been prominent on the Triple Crown trail in recent years, and the son of A.P. INDY has yet another Derby hopeful in the form of I Want Revenge. The two-year-old colt captured his route debut at Hollywood Park in late October, then ran the highly regarded Pioneerof the Nile to a nose in the G1 CashCall Futurity in his very next start. Perhaps that’s why STEPHEN GOT EVEN was the lone value horse from his crop touted by Bill Oppenheim in a recent column: “Stephen Got Even had GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and Champion Two-Year-Old colt Stevie Wonderboy in his second crop, and stood for as much as $25,000 in 2006, resulting in 107 two-year-olds for 2009. He’s down to $7,500 for next year, and his 2008 two-year-olds include I Want Revenge, who narrowly missed upsetting Pioneerof the Nile in last Saturday’s GI CashCall Futurity.”

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PLEASANTLY PERFECTS’ ARE OFF AND RUNNING

Dec. 15, 2008: Some might have thought that the offspring of PLEASANTLY PERFECT would be late-developing types, so it’s been a quite gratifying that his two-year-olds have come out running. The G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner registered his 10th winner at Aqueduct last Saturday, when Winning Move Stable’s Pitched Perfectly made all to take a one-mile-and-70-yard maiden special weight by 2 1/4 lengths.

Notably, each of PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s 10 winners have come against special weight competition, and have come ranging in distances and surfaces from 4 1/2 furlongs on Arlington’s all-weather (subsequent G3 Arlington-Washington Lassie S. runner-up Quite the Lady) to 8 1/2 furlongs on the turf (New York allowance winner and now stakes-placed Into My Soul). PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s other stakes performers include daughter Pamona Ball, who notched her first black-type victory in the Sharp Cat S. going long at Hollywood, and son Rapid Redux, another 4 1/2-furlong maiden winner who in his next was third in the Tyro S. at Monmouth.

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LANE’S END AT THE SOVEREIGN AWARDS

Dec. 15, 2008: Canada’s 34th annual Sovereign Awards ceremonies were held last Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. Winners included A.P. INDY’s four-year-old Marchfield, who was named Champion Older Male Horse on the Main Track. Eugene Melnyk’s homebred, who captured the third leg of Canada’s Triple Crown last year in the Breeders' S., counted amongst his 2008 wins the G2 Autumn S. at Woodbine Nov. 9. It is A.P. INDY’s seventh champion, following in the hoofsteps of Horse of the Year MINESHAFT, Rags to Riches, Bernardini, etc.

Also honored was the Woodman mare Kathie’s Colleen, who was named Outstanding Broodmare. A Grade 2 winner on the track, Kathie’s Colleen is the dam of Horse of the Year and Triple Crown hero Wando (by LANGFUHR), as well as his full-sister, the stakes winner Six Sexy Sisters.

A special congratulations to trainer Mark Casse, who picked up his third straight Sovereign Award as Outstanding Trainer. Casse is a primary trainer for Lane’s End’s Woodford Racing. Congratulations to all the winners!

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Dec. 8, 2008: As the 2008 season draws to a close and the racing world turns its attention to next year’s prospects, the buzz surrounding ROCK HARD TEN’s first crop is already beginning to grow. That’s not surprising, given the reception his youngsters received at the yearling sales. Consider this:

* 24 yearlings by ROCK HARD TEN made $100,000 or more in 2008.

* Individuals sold for $725,000, $700,000, $450,000, $400,000 (2x), $320,000, $310,000, etc.

* ROCK HARD TEN’s yearling median of $100,000 was third-best among ALL sires in his stud fee range (behind only SMART STRIKE and Pulpit) and was the highest among first-year sires in his range (according to The Blood-Horse’s MarketWatch).

* ROCK HARD TEN was a leading first-crop yearling sire by “percent profitable,” finishing second behind only Closing Argument (according to The Blood-Horse’s MarketWatch).

* ROCK HARD TEN’s 2008 book was even better than his 2007 book, an indication that breeders have been impressed with what they saw from his first crop. Last spring, ROCK HARD TEN’s book saw a 33-percent increase in Comparable Index, and his ‘09 CI index (foals born in ‘09) of 2.32 is better than Indian Charlie (2.24), Johannesburg (2.29), Rahy (1.98), Broken Vow (2.14), Fusaichi Pegasus (1.97), Medaglia d’Oro (2.17), etc. (according to The Blood-Horse’s MarketWatch).

Taking an even closer look, ROCK HARD TEN led all first-crop sires at Fasig-Tipton’s prestigious Saratoga sale with an average of $516,666, which eclipsed other first-year sires Ghostzapper ($393,750) and Afleet Alex ($300,000). His average was 7.24 times his stud fee vs. Ghostzapper at 1.85 and Afleet Alex at. 4.88. At Keeneland September, a filly by ROCK HARD TEN who was bred by G. Watts Humphrey was knocked down to Jerry and Ann Moss for $725,000. The Mosses also went to $400,000 for a ROCK HARD TEN colt at September. Legends Racing, the new racing partnership run by Olin Gentry and Tom Gaines and employing the likes of Derby stalwarts Bob Baffert, Nick Zito and D. Wayne Lukas, saw fit to go to $700,000 for a colt by ROCK HARD TEN at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select sale.

Two other ROCK HARD TEN yearlings went through the ring at Saratoga, and both sold exceptionally well, too. A colt out of Serena’s Sister (Rahy) was knocked down to Maverick Racing for $450,000, while Padua Stables acquired a filly for $400,000.

Juvenile pinhookers are some of the best judges of athletic potential in the business, and ROCK HARD TEN yearlings have sold to the likes of Murray Smith, Becky Thomas, Nick de Meric, Hoby Kight, Eisaman Equine, Dapple Bloodstock, Off the Hook, etc. Other top operations to land ROCK HARD TEN yearlings include Zayat Stables, Amerman Racing, Sequoia Racing, Gary and Mary West, George Krikorian, etc.

Despite ROCK HARD TEN’s early success at the sales, Lane’s End has made the decision to reduce his fee to just $30,000 for the 2009 in response to the ongoing market woes.

ROCK HARD TEN: looks, pedigree, performance and value. Now is the best time to get a piece of the Rock.

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SMART STRIKE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

Dec. 5, 2008: SMART STRIKE dominated the Leading Sires List last year with record progeny earnings of $14,358,570, and thanks in part to horses like his superlative son CURLIN and the rising juvenile star Square Eddie, he looks poised to repeat in 2008. To date, SMART STRIKE’s progeny have earned $12,118,595, again tops among North American sires.

CURLIN, who will stand his initial season at stud alongside his sire at Lane’s End, comes off another championship season. The big chestnut shipped to Dubai to capture the world’s richest race, the $6-million G1 Dubai World Cup, then returned to the U.S. and wracked up another three Grade 1 wins--in the Stephen Foster H., Woodward S. and a title defense in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The last win pushed CURLIN’s career earnings past the $10-million mark, and he now stands as racing’s all-time leading earner with a bankroll of $10,501,800.

A $200,000 Keeneland September purchase, Square Eddie began his career in Europe, where he just missed by a head in the G3 Sirenia S. before being purchased privately by J. Paul Reddam. Making his stateside debut in the G1 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity, he unleashed a devastating turn of foot in upper stretch to capture the 1 1/16-mile event by nearly five lengths. Square Eddie backed up that form with a strong effort in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile S., when he contested the pace, fell back on the turn, then re-rallied to earn place honors under Midshipman.

Square Eddie isn’t SMART STRIKE’s only up-and-coming two-year-old. His son Atomic Rain ran second in the G2 Remsen S. Nov. 29, the same day that the juveniles Smart Shot was runner-up in the Grand Canyon S. and Striking Dancer was second in the Caressing H.--both at Churchill Downs.

November was a good month in general many of SMART STRIKE’s best runners. On Nov. 27, the brilliantly fast Grade I winner Fabulous Strike toted 136 pounds in winning the historic Fall Highweight H. at Aqueduct, while Smart Surprise took the $169,000 Bessarabian S. at Woobine and Never Retreat won the Rare Blend S. at Aqueduct. SMART STRIKE’s son Strike a Deal, meanwhile, earned a well-deserved first graded win with a seven-length romp in the G2 Red Smith H. at Aqueduct. The victory pushed Strike a Deal’s earnings to $932,341. SMART STRIKE’s performance on the track has been mirrored in the sales ring. His 2008 yearlings have sold for $650,000, $500,000 (3), $475,000, etc.

SMART STRIKE: One of the elite.

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THE HOT LEMON DROPS

Dec. 8, 2008: From hot Derby prospects to proven older horses, LEMON DROP KID is enjoying a career year. The son of KINGMAMBO is the sire of 21 stakes winners in 2008 alone, second best in North America and behind only Giant’s Causeway, who has 130 more runners this term.

LEMON DROP KID’s newest stakes winner is the four-year-old filly Kiss With a Twist, who came through as the favorite to take the Dec. 6 My Charmer S. at Turfway Park by 2 1/4 lengths. Kiss With a Twist was coming off a game third-place effort, beaten just half a length by PLEASANT TAP’s Indescribable, in the G3 Cardinal H. at Churchill.

One of LEMON DROP KID’s most exciting runners is the two-year-old Break Water Edison. The $525,000 OBS March graduate took down the Nov. 2 G3 Nashua S. at Aqueduct in impressive fashion. Break Water Edison had earlier finished second in the G2 Saratoga Special S. and now embarks down the Kentucky Derby trail. It was the second graded stakes-winning juvenile in 2008 for LEMON DROP KID. Charitable Man, another who looks to figure in the 2009 Classic races, won the G2 Futurity S. at Belmont.

Hello Maggie May, a three-year-old filly by LEMON DROP KID, annexed the $106,800 Ruling Angel S. at Woodbine Oct. 22, two days before Lemon Chiffon, a five-year-old mare by LEMON DROP KID, completed the trifecta in the G2 Las Palmas H. at Santa Anita. Also in October, LEMON DROP KID’s Kiss the Kid captured the G3 Cliff Hanger S. at The Meadowlands.

In September, the three-year-old filly Sweet Hope won the six-furlong G3 Endine S. at Delaware. Her fellow three-year-old filly Lickety Lemon beat older foes to take the $100,000 Flaming Page S. at Woodbine on the same afternoon the aforementioned Lemon Chiffon rallied powerfully to a 5 1/2-length decision in the $100,000 Las Madrinas H. at Fairplex. LEMON DROP KID’s red-hot September continued when Santa Teresita ran third in the Sept. 27 G1 Lady's Secret S. and Lemon Drop Mom filled the show spot in the Sept. 27 G1 Beldame S.

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SPANNING THE GULCH

Dec. 5, 2008: GULCH, sire of top horses and sires like Thunder Gulch and the exciting new European stallion Nayef, continues to be a source of first-class runners. In 2008, his offspring have been led by the Lane’s End-bred and -sold Court Vision, who launched a brilliant last-to-first move to win the G1 Hollywood Derby Nov. 30. It was the first Grade 1 victory for the three-year-old, who captured the G2 Remsen S. and G3 Iroquois on dirt as a juvenile and who also won the G2 Jamaica H. this term. Eight days before Court Vision’s big win, GULCH’s four-year-old son Demarcation dead-heated for the victory in the G3 River City H. at Churchill Downs. Other 2008 stakes winners by GULCH include the $100,000 Ellis Park Turf S. heroine Platinee, as well as King Gulch, Oelectra, Shampoo, etc.

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PLEASANT’S PERFORMANCE: 17% STAKES HORSES/STARTERS

Dec. 8, 2008: PLEASANT TAP has always been a sire’s sire. He gets hard-knocking, sound race horses that can compete at the highest levels, and his performance in 2008 only underlines that fact. His stars this year include Tiago, a dual Grade 1 winner at three who returned at four to capture the G2 Oaklawn H. over Heatseeker (Ire). He also ran third to Raven’s Pass and KINGMAMBO’s Henrythenavigator in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Also included is PLEASANT TAP ’s versatile daughter Indescribable. The four-year-old filly won the G3 Arlington Matron H. on Polytrack, ran third to Ginger Punch in the G1 Go For Wand H. over Saratoga’s main track, then handled the yielding turf to win the G3 Cardinal H. at Churchill Nov. 15. PLEASANT TAP ’s latest black-type winner came on Saturday, Dec. 6, as his three-year-old daughter Taptam was able to chase down a free-running pacesetter and win the Martanza S. Formal Flyer was able to lay down dawdling :24 3/5, :49 3/5, and 1:14 4/5 fractions, but Taptam, sent off the favorite, dug in late to prevail by a half length.

With 17 percent stakes horses to starters and standing for just $12,500 in 2009, PLEASANT TAP remains one of the best values in the business.

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A ‘PERFECT’ PROSPECT

Nov. 11, 2008: PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s daughter Pamona Ball became the first stakes winner for her freshman sire when she captured Hollywood Park’s $100,000 Sharp Cat S. on Nov. 1. The Darley Stable colorbearer saved ground in the slipstream of the leaders, bid along the rail in the lane and got through to post a professional one-length victory as the crowd’s favorite. It was the second straight win for Pamona Ball, who broke her maiden in a two-turn Santa Anita maiden special weight in her previous start. A $380,000 Barretts March juvenile-in-training acquisition by Darley, Pamona Ball was bred in Kentucky by Diamond A Stables, who campaigned PLEASANTLY PERFECT to victories in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, G1 Dubai World Cup, etc.

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10th GRADE/GROUP 1 WINNER FOR BELONG TO ME

Nov. 11, 2008: BELONG TO ME registered a milestone accomplishment when All Silent became his 10th Grade/Group 1 winner in the $1-million G1 Emirates S. at Flemington in Australia Nov. 8. Trainer Grahame Begg’s 11-2 favorite came through for the public with a powerful 3 1/4-length victory. Just one week prior, All Silent prepped for the Emirates S. with a win in the G3 AAMI International Insurance S.

On the same day that All Silent won the Emirates S., BELONG TO ME was represented by his newest stakes winner in the U.S. when Haras Santa Maria de Araras’ two-year-old homebred colt Tamborim got his neck down as the chalk to win the $100,000 Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf S. at Calder. And of course, that comes on the heels of Forever Together’s championship performance in the G1 Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

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20th STAKES WINNER FOR THE ‘KID’!

Nov. 11, 2008: The exciting Triple Crown prospect Break Water Edison became LEMON DROP KID’s 20th stakes winner in 2008 when he rolled to a 1 3/4-length victory in the G3 Nashua S. at Aqueduct. The long-striding colt, owned by Eli Gindi and trained by John Kimmel, was a $525,000 OBS March graduate.

LEMON DROP KID’s 20 stakes winners this season is second in North America only to Giant’s Causeway, who has 125 more runners.

LEMON DROP KID will stand for $50,000 in 2009 and compares well to many other stallions who stand for much more. Dynaformer will stand for $150,000 in 2009 and has 15 SW, Indian Charlie ($75,000, 14 SW), El Prado (Ire) ($75,000, 11 SW), Street Cry (Ire) ($100,000, 11 SW), Tiznow ($75,000, 11 SW), etc.

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LANE’S END BREEDERS’ CUP STARS

October 28, 2008: It was a Breeders’ Cup to remember, and as usual, progeny of Lane’s End sires figured prominently. The troupe was led by BELONG TO ME’s brilliant daughter Forever Together, who completed a championship season with a come-from-behind victory in the G1 Filly & Mare Turf.

Also on Filly Friday, A.P. INDY's daughter Music Note finished third in the G1 Ladies’ Classic, while Wait a While, who was produced by an A.P. INDY mare, was third in the Filly & Mare Turf. Wait a While was a Lane’s End sales grad, as was another filly who made a splash over Santa Anita’s turf course, Maram. The 2YO gamely held by a nose to annex the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf.

In Saturday’s feature, the G1 Classic, Lane’s End sires were responsible for the 2-3-4 finishers, with Henrythenavigator (KINGMAMBO), Tiago (PLEASANT TAP), and Curlin (SMART STRIKE) falling in behind winner Raven’s Pass.

And SMART STRIKE’s Square Eddie confirmed himself as one of the best 2YOs in the nation, following his rousing victory in the G1 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland with a runner-up effort in the G1 Juvenile.

Congratulations to the connections of these talented horses!

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LEADING JUVENILE SIRE CITY ZIP

Dec. 8, 2008: No sire in the nation has more juvenile stakes winners than CITY ZIP, and the half-brother to Ghostzapper continues to roll along through a blockbuster season. CITY ZIP notched his latest two-year-old stakes winner when Citizen captured Hawthorne’s six-furlong Meadowlake S., which puts CITY ZIP alongside another Lane’s End sire, DIXIE UNION, as sires with five juvenile stakes winners in 2008. Citizen is a Stonerside-bred colt out of the Seeking the Gold mare Rachel’s Star who is owned by LTB Stable and Naveed Chowan. CITY ZIP’s two-year-old stakes winners in 2008 also include the G2 Saratoga Special S. hero Run Away and Hide, Anna M. Fisher Debutante S. heroine Partners Star, and the smart Dana My Love, the three-times stakes winner who improved her record to a perfect nine-for-nine with a victory in the G1 Accion De Gracias S. Nov. 27.

CITY ZIP has also been represented by accomplished older horses in 2008, like the undefeated G1 Carter H. and G2 General George BC H. hero Bustin Stones. Get Serious, a four-year-old colt by CITY ZIP, became his sire’s 10th stakes winner on the year when he beat a good field in the Alysheba S. at The Meadowlands Nov. 14, and on Dec. 5, the three-year-old gelding Acting Zippy became black-type winner number 11 when he rallied to win the $100,000 Delta Mile S. by a neck.

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GULCH HAS A “VISION”

Oct. 7, 2008: The 3YO colt Court Vision, a son of GULCH, successfully turned the tables on Gio Ponti in last weekend’s G2 Jamaica Breeders' Cup H. at Belmont Park. The versatile colt, winner of last year’s G2 Remsen S. and G3 Iroquois S. on dirt and third in this year’s G1 Wood Memorial S., was a close second to that foe in the G2 Virginia Derby earlier in the summer. In the Jamaica, Court Vision was patiently ridden, rating near the back of the pack before launching a strong rally in the stretch.

Court Vision is only living up to his pedigree. The colt was produced by a half-sister to Lane’s End’s own A.P. INDY, as well as to Classic winner Summer Squall and to Weekend in Seattle, dam of Lane’s End’s Mambo in Seattle. Lane’s End bred Court Vision in partnership and sold him as a yearling.

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SAINT LIAM YEARLINGS IN DEMAND

Sept. 18, 2008: Members of the lone crop of Horse of the Year SAINT LIAM have been hot commodities at the Keeneland September Sale. A daughter of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic hero out of Ministrada was knocked down to Alex Solis Bloodstock for $500,000, while Jay Em Ess Stable went to $400,000 for a colt out of Desert View (GB). Other top operations going after SAINT LIAM yearlings include Fox Hill Farm ($380,000 filly), Edward Evans ($325,000 filly), Zayat Stables ($250,000 colt), etc. Congratulations to the breeders and sellers of these promising youngsters and best of luck to the buyers!

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SINGING A.P. INDY’S PRAISES

Sept. 17, 2008: Tom Durkin said it all: “One could say this was a very good effort, if it was any effort at all.” So waxed Belmont’s track announcer as Sheikh Mohammed’s 3YO homebred Music Note, a daughter of A.P. INDY, galloped home an 8 1/2-length victress in the Sept. 13 G1 Gazelle S. Hammered down to 1-9 favoritism in the nine-furlong Gazelle, Music Note made it look easy, earning a 104 BRIS figure despite being practically pulled up by the wire. It was Music Note’s third Grade 1 win in four starts and sets her up for a possible divisional championship. Music Note also won the G1 Mother Goose S. and G1 CCA Oaks, both at Belmont, and ran second, beaten a head to Proud Spell, in the G1 Alabama S. at Saratoga. Music Note has now taken five of seven starts and earned $668,000. On the same day that Music Note won the Gazelle, A.P. INDY’s juvenile son Friesan Fire finished a good third in Belmont’s G2 Futurity S.

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ANOTHER LDK AND A SALES GRAD!

Sept. 17, 2008: With a pedigree steeped in stamina influences, Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, Jr.’s precocious Charitable Man nonetheless stamped himself as arguably the best juvenile on the East Coast with a victory in the G2 Futurity S. at Belmont Park. The son of LEMON DROP KID, produced by the Saint Ballado mare Charitabledonation, romped by 11 lengths in a six-furlong Saratoga maiden in August and was made the 7-5 chalk in the seven-furlong Futurity. Confidently ridden by Alan Garcia, the $200,000 KEESEP yearling raced five wide up the backstretch and around the turn. Despite the ground loss, he took the lead shortly after turning for home, kept on finding more down the stretch and was getting away late to win by a length over Flying Pegasus. Charitable Man was selected as a yearling from Lane’s End’s consignment by top judge Mike Ryan and is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. LEMON DROP KID is also the sire of promising 2YO colt Break Water Edison, runner-up in the G2 Saratoga Special S.

Among LEMON DROP KID’s other recent stakes winners is the 3YO filly Sweet Hope, who came through as the favorite to win the G3 Endine S. at Delaware Park. Sweet Hope was a $320,000 KEEAPR two-year-old purchase by High Bank Syndicate. Only two sires have more 2008 stakes winners than LEMON DROP KID’s 13.

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DIXIE UNION AT HOME AND ABROAD!

Oct. 2, 2008: DIXIE UNION has been represented by no fewer than 10 stakes winners on the year--including four juvenile stakes winners. That puts him alongside CITY ZIP as the nation’s co-leading sire by 2YO stakes winners. In the U.S., DIXIE UNION can boast the 2YOs Garden District (GSW), Bold Union (SW), and Super Dixie (SW).

DIXIE UNION is having a similar impact across the pond. In France, his 2YO filly Homebound improved her record to two wins in three starts with a victory over males in the Aug. 29 Listed Prix du Haras de la Huderie at Deauville. The Joseph Allen homebred battled back to gamely take the race by a length on the line. More recently, Shadwell’s 2YO homebred colt Alyarf broke his maiden at second asking at Haydock in England Sept. 26.

Of course, that isn’t to say DIXIE UNION’s standouts are limited to juveniles. Phipps Stable’s homebred Power Game, a 3YO colt by DIXIE UNION, remained unbeaten in three starts after a 4 1/4-length victory in the Restoration S. at Monmouth Sept. 6. The colt, who was produced by a full-sister to Seeking the Gold, broke his maiden on debut by eight lengths in July and romped by four lengths in a first-level allowance in early August prior to his Restoration victory. And DIXIE UNION’s established stars--like Dixie Chatter (G1SW), Grasshopper (GSW & MG1SP), Fierce Wind (SW), One Union (SW & GSP), etc.--are still making waves in 2008.

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RISING STAR LEMON DROP KID

Aug. 28, 2008: On the strength of yet another very strong season, there can be no doubt that LEMON DROP KID is one of the premier sires in the country. A top 10 sire in 2007, LEMON DROP KID currently sits in 12th on the Leading Sires List with $4,489,051 in progeny earnings. Impressively, only four sires in North America have more stakes winners than LEMON DROP KID’s 11 (including his own sire, KINGMAMBO, who has 12).

August has been a particularly strong month for LEMON DROP KID. Last Friday, his daughter Lemon Drop Mom ran reigning Champion Older Female Ginger Punch to a nose in the G1 Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga, two days before his son Mad Rush finished a head runner-up in the G2 Prix Kergolay at Deauville. Also in August, Lemon Kiss won the $100,000 Emerald Distaff H., Drop a Kiss won the $100,000 Windward S., and Sweet Hope completed the exacta under champion Indian Blessing in the important G1 Test S. at the Spa.

And the future looks bright. The two-year-old colt Charitable Man dazzled in his debut at Saratoga, romping by 11 1/2 lengths and earning a 97 Beyer, third-best among juveniles, while Break Water Edison, another first-out winner at Saratoga, returned to be a game second to CITY ZIP’s Run Away and Hide in the G2 Saratoga Special S.

Keep an eye out for yearlings by LEMON DROP KID at Keeneland September.

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CITY ZIP IS ON THE MOVE!

Oct. 2, 2008: CITY ZIP has established himself as one of the premier sires of 2YOs in the country, as evidenced by his four 2008 juvenile stakes winners--co-highest in the U.S., along with stablemate DIXIE UNION. CITY ZIP’s runners are led by the colt Run Away and Hide, who improved his record to a perfect three-for-three with a determined victory in the historic G2 Saratoga Special S. at Saratoga in mid-August. The bay, who was bred by Ron Kirk, Joint Ventures and Michael Riordan and is owned by Kirk, Riordan and John Bates, won his debut at Keeneland in April and quickly added the G3 Kentucky S. in early May. Trainer Ronny Werner put the colt away until the Special, which drew a stellar field. Despite the long absence, Run Away and Hide quickly showed that he was still one of the best 2YOs in the country. Shadowing the leaders from the inside, he assumed command in upper stretch and inched away from a game Break Water Edison, a son of LEMON DROP KID. Break Water Edison was bred by Lane’s End Oak Tree Division Manager Callan Strouss and his wife Darcia and was sold as a yearling by Lane’s End.

CITY ZIP’s momentum carried right on through the summer and into the fall. In August, his 2YO daughter Partners Star captured the Anna M. Fisher Debutante S. at Ellis Park on the same card that the 2YO colt Citizen ran third in the James C. Ellis Juvenile S.

The 2YO filly Dana My Love gave CITY ZIP yet another unbeaten 2YO stakes winner on Sept. 7. The filly made all in the G1 Eduardo Cautino Insua S. to remain undefeated in six starts with a combined winning margin of 42 lengths! To keep it in the family, Dana My Love is out of the DIXIELAND BAND mare Dixie Daylight.

On Sept. 20, the 2YO gelding City Style became CITY ZIP’s latest juvenile stakes winner in the 1 1/16-mile, $150,000 Sunday Silence S. at Louisiana Downs.

And last weekend, the 2YO filly Complicity was second in the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies S. In all, CITY ZIP has seven juvenile stakes performers in 2008!

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KINGMAMBO’S SEFROUA WINS STAKES, HEADING TO STATES

August 14, 2008: Nelson Radwan’s impeccably bred Sefroua, a KINGMAMBO daughter of Group 1 winner Sophisticat (Storm Cat), captured her initial stakes success in the Listed Prix de Lieurey at Deauville in France today to become her sire’s 12th stakes winner for the year.

Never off the board in five starts entering the race and coming off a pair of seconds in listed stakes, she caboosed the field in the early going before rallying powerfully to win by a head. Winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said the granddaughter of champion Serena’s Song will likely be shipped to the U.S. for the G1 Garden City H. at Belmont Sept. 6. Congratulations to her connections!

KINGMAMBO is the leading sire by number of G1 winners to date in 2008.

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REMARKABLE LANGFUHR

September 3, 2008: He sired a dual Grade 1 winner in his first crop, the top filly Imperial Gesture. He sired Triple Crown winner Wando in his second. He’s been a top 15 sire every year since 2003, and has twice ended the year in the top five, including last season, when his son Lawyer Ron was named Champion Older Male in the U.S. LANGFUHR, indeed, is one of the premier stallions in the business, and he’s in the midst of another fine year with nearly $4.8 million in progeny earnings, good for 11th on the Leading Sires List. He is also the leading sire of winners to date this year.

On Aug. 3, LANGFUHR reached a new milestone by siring his third winner of the final leg of Canada’s Triple Crown, the $500,000 Breeders’ S. The sophomore colt Marlang, who like WANDO is a Gustav Schickedanz homebred, flew home in the 1 1/2-mile Classic to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Marlang then took the show on the road, capturing Saratoga’s G3 Saranac S. in facile wire-to-wire fashion. WANDO captured the Breeders’ S. in 2003, while Jambalaya, later the winner of the G1 Arlington Million, won in 2005. LANGFUHR’s other 2008 stakes winners included G2 Dance Smartly S. heroine The Niagara Queen, Lang Field, a Grade 1 winner last term, and the very fast sprinter Euroears.

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ROCK HARD TEN ROCKS THE YEARLING SALES

Oct. 3, 2008: ROCK HARD TEN’s first yearlings hit the auction block this year and were in high demand from the most astute buyers in the business. At the prestigious Saratoga sale he led all first-crop sires with an average of $516,666 which eclipsed other first-year sires Ghostzapper ($393,750) and Afleet Alex ($300,000). His average was 7.24 times his stud fee vs. Ghostzapper at 1.85 and Afleet Alex at. 4.88.

At Keeneland September, a filly by ROCK HARD TEN who was bred by G. Watts Humphrey was knocked down to Jerry and Ann Moss for $725,000. Bred for the Classics, being out of an Unbridled mare in Unsurpassed, the filly was offered through Lane’s End’s consignment. The Mosses also went to $400,000 for a ROCK HARD TEN colt at September.

Legends Racing, the new racing partnership run by Olin Gentry and Tom Gaines and employing the likes of Derby stalwarts Bob Baffert, Nick Zito and D. Wayne Lukas, saw fit to go to $700,000 for a colt by ROCK HARD TEN at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select sale. The well-made colt certainly had a classic air about him. A son of stakes winner Tapstress (Desert Wine) and a half to graded winner Discreet Hero, he was a originally a $225,000 KEENOV weanling before being resold to Legends.

Two other ROCK HARD TEN yearlings went through the ring at Saratoga, and both sold exceptionally well, too. A colt out of Serena’s Sister (Rahy) was knocked down to Maverick Racing for $450,000, while Padua Stables acquired a filly for $400,000.

Juvenile pinhookers are some of the best judges of athletic potential in the business, and ROCK HARD TEN yearlings have sold to the likes of Murray Smith, Becky Thomas, Nick de Meric, Hoby Kight, Eisaman Equine, Dapple Bloodstock, Off the Hook, etc. Other top operations to land ROCK HARD TEN yearlings include Zayat Stables, Amerman Racing, Sequoia Racing, Gary and Mary West, George Krikorian, etc.

Good luck to the connections of all these exciting prospects!

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OH ‘HENRY’!

July 31, 2008: His 11-1 odds in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket now seem like a strange dream. Henrythenavigator, by KINGMAMBO, upset that race in early May by a nose over Europe’s champion juvenile New Approach (Ire), and since then has only established himself as one of the finest three-year-olds that Europe has seen in recent years. Yesterday, Henrythenavigator, in his first test against older horses, captured his fourth straight Group 1 in a thrilling renewal of the Sussex S. at the Glorious Goodwood meeting. Sent off the shortest-priced favorite in the race since 1959, the 4-11 chalk outbattled Raven’s Pass to the line to win by a head. The victory, Henrythenavigator’s sixth in eight starts, follows wins in the English 2000 Guineas, the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and the G1 St. James’s Palace S. at Royal Ascot.

Owned by Susan Magnier and trained by Aidan O’Brien, Henrythenavigator is now being pointed toward the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park in October. Congratulations to the connections of ‘Henry’ the Great!

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NINE GRADE 1 WINNERS FOR BELONG TO ME

Oct. 7, 2008: BELONG TO ME was represented by his ninth Grade 1 stakes winner when Augustin Stable’s Forever Together launched a dazzling last-to-first move in the G1 Diana S. at Saratoga in late July, and that four-year-old filly recently solidified her status as one of the best grass distaffers in the country with an impressive victory in the one-mile G1 First Lady S. at Keeneland Oct. 3. Behind Forever Together in the First Lady were the top fillies Precious Kitten, Rutherienne, Dreaming of Anna, etc.

It was Forever Together’s third win in five starts on the grass. She also took the Reluctant Guest S. at Arlington in May. Last year, Forever Together underlined her versatility with a victory in the G2 Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream on conventional dirt and a second in the G2 Stonerside Beaumont S. over Keeneland’s Polytrack.

A week before Forever Together’s latest big win, BELONG TO ME ’s son Wise River captured the G3 Robert F. Carey Memorial H. in wire-to-wire fashion. In 2008, BELONG TO ME has also been represented by the group/graded winners Belong to Many, Chiu Shan Elite, Bon Hoffa, etc.

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'SUCCESS’ FOR MINESHAFT RUNNERS

Oct. 3, 2008: MINESHAFT continues to churn out promising youngsters and Grade 1-caliber animals. August found Lane’s End’s Horse of the Year represented by the two-three finishers in the G1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth, with G2 Fountain of Youth S. hero Cool Coal Man running third and the up-and-coming Coal Play running Big Brown to his breaking point in a hard-trying runner-up effort. Cool Play returned to register a comprehensive 7 1/2-length victory in the Majestic Prince S. at Monmouth Sept. 28 and has stamped himself a horse to watch in 2009.

MINESHAFT’s three-year-old son Success Fee, a $500,000 KEEAPR two-year-old in training and a three-parts brother to Lane’s End’s own STEPHEN GOT EVEN, came through as the even-money chalk to break his maiden in a seven-furlong maiden at Saratoga in 1:22 4/5. The J. Paul Reddam-owned colt came right back and knocked off a first-level allowance race at Belmont in September.

Other recent winners by MINESHAFT include Miss Ocean City, a first-out 3 3/4-length winner at Saratoga; Jasmine Gardens, a 7 1/2-length maiden winner at Delaware; Distinctive Image, a 2 3/4-length winner on a synthetic track in England; and the two-year-old colt They’re Late, a daylight winner in a Meadowlands maiden special weight.

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THE SARATOGA “MAMBOs”

Aug. 28, 2008: Pedigrees don’t come much better than Mambo in Seattle’s, and the progressive colt is living up to his lofty lineage. Last weekend, the three-year-old, bred and owned by a Lane’s End partnership, missed by the narrowest of margins in a G1 Travers S. for the ages. Given healthy respect as a 5-1 chance in the Midsummer Derby despite having never competed at the graded level, Mambo in Seattle had just one beaten in a crowded 12-horse field rounding the first turn. The striking bay began to progress into contention four furlongs out, then unleashed a furious rally in the stretch to catch a game Colonel John, winner of the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Though in front a half stride before the line and a half stride after, the camera showed Mambo in Seattle lost the bob by sliver, and the Neil Howard trainee had to settle for runner-up honors.

About that pedigree. Mambo in Seattle is a son of G1SP Weekend in Seattle, a Seattle Slew daughter of Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise and thus a full-sister to Lane’s End’s own A.P. INDY, as well as a half to Classic winner Summer Squall, successful sire Honor Grades, etc. On the same day as Mambo in Seattle’s valiant Travers effort, another member of this family, Duke of Marmalade (Ire), won his fifth straight Group 1 event in the G1 Juddmonte International S.

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ANOTHER SUPERSTAR FOR A.P. INDY?

July 24, 2008: Last year, it was Rags to Riches. This year, Music Note? On Saturday, Godolphin’s three-year-old filly Music Note looked like another superstar in the making for A.P. INDY. Music Note, like Rags to Riches a daughter of the Horse of the Year, stamped herself as perhaps the most exciting member in her division with a jaw-dropping performance in the 10-furlong G1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park. A menacing presence up the backstretch while racing a few lengths off the leaders, Music Note moved three wide on the far turn of Big Sandy and, with an astounding turn of foot, left the field in her wake as she romped home clear by 11 lengths. The final time of the race was 2:01 3/5, meaning Music Note sped the final quarter in :24 1/5. To top it off, Little Belle, another daughter of A.P. INDY, completed the exacta in the CCA Oaks!

The CCA Oaks was Music Note’s second Grade 1 win. On June 28, she captured the G1 Mother Goose S. in emphatic fashion, and now is primed to make it three in a row in the G1 Alabama S. at Saratoga Aug. 16. Congratulations to Sheikh Mohammed and his team!

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ANOTHER JUVENILE SW FOR DIXIE UNION

July 24, 2008: Leading sire DIXIE UNION’s juveniles continue to make waves this summer. Herman Sarkowsky’s homebred Super Dixie lived up to her name in the Angie C. S. on July 13, blazing through :21 4/5 and :45 1/5 splits and sailing home an easy two-length heroine. Three days later, another Sarkowsky homebred by DIXIE UNION, last year’s GI Norfolk S. winner Dixie Chatter, was a sharp winner of Del Mar’s one-mile Oceanside S.

DIXIE UNION is also represented by the promising two-year-old fillies Garden District, the $240,000 KEESEP yearling who won the June 28 Debutante S. at Churchill Downs; and Bold Union, a dominating 9 3/4-length winner of Belmont’s Astoria S. June 29. DIXIE UNION’s three juvenile stakes winners leads all sires in the U.S.!

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A ‘ROCK HARD TEN’ FOR $210,000

July 17, 2008: ROCK HARD TEN’s weanlings were exceptionally well-received at last year’s bloodstock sales, and the buzz about his yearlings is already starting to grow. That was evidenced at Monday’s opening session of the Fasig-Tipton July Select Sale, when a colt from his first crop was hammered down to top horsewoman Murray Smith for $210,000. Smith, who pinhooked 2001 G1 Kentucky Derby hero Monarchos, signed the ticket as M.S.T.S. The colt, a handsome dark bay, was produced by an End Sweep half-sister to MGSW Valid Bonnet and a full to SW Cox’s Sweep. He was bred in Kentucky by Grade I Bloodstock and Halcyon Farm.

Last year, ROCK HARD TEN was the leading freshman sire by weanling average (more than three sold), with his youngsters averaging $166,777.

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FILLY SESSION TOPPER FOR SAINT LIAM

July 17, 2008: Horse of the Year SAINT LIAM, sadly, stood just one season at Lane’s End before his untimely death. But the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic hero lives on through his progeny, and buyers at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale were clamoring to land hip 195, a striking bay daughter of the Saint Ballado stallion. In the end, it was Peachtree Stable’s John Fort who proved gamest, purchasing the filly for $300,000. It was the top price for a filly during Monday’s opening session and the second-highest for a miss at the two-day event. “There aren’t too many of them out there, are there?” Fort asked the Thoroughbred Daily News after the sale. “The stallion had only one crop, and if this filly turns out to be a good racemare, she’ll be something special.” Fort added of the filly’s appeal, “She’s a great big scopey filly, the kind that looks like she’ll run a long way.” The filly, a half-sister to GSW Level Playingfield, was bred by Briland Farm and Mr. & Mrs. Robert O. Mitchell. SAINT LIAM’s weanlings averaged a very strong $148,050 last year.

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KINGMAMBO RULES

July 14, 2008: Archipenko continues to build on what’s already been a fantastic 2008, and the same can be said for his sire KINGMAMBO. Last Saturday, the globetrotting Archipenko defeated a tough field in the G2 Summer Mile S. at Ascot, which included top-notch performers Cesare (GB), Ramonti (Fr), etc. Earlier this year, the four-year-old captured the G2 Al Fahidi Fort S. in Dubai in February, ran third in the G1 Dubai Duty Free a month later, then shipped to Hong Kong to annex the G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin. Archipenko was giving his South African trainer Mike de Kock his first-ever win in England. Bred by Eagle Holdings and owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Archipenko has now earned $924,698.

Archipenko’s Summer Mile win was just the latest stakes success for KINGMAMBO, who has been represented by nine stakes winners in 2008, including dual Classic hero Henrythenavigator. Earlier in the week, KINGMAMBO’s son Medyan City, who at $11.7 million is the second-highest-priced yearling of all time, broke his maiden in his second start for Godolphin.

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A 1-2-3 PUNCH FOR LANE’S END

July 14, 2008: It was a good result for Lane’s End and its stallions in last Saturday’s G2 Dance Smartly S. at Woodbine. LANGFUHR’s daughter The Niagara Queen, who was purchased by Elite Racing Company as a horse of racing age for $280,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale, was always in the mix, taking control on the backstretch and leading into the turn before outsprinting the field to the wire. It was the first graded win for the mare, who is trained by Steve Asmussen. LANGFUHR currently boasts seven 2008 stakes winners.

Finishing a good second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, was Woodford Racing LLC’s Sprung. A Lane’s End partnership, Woodford Racing purchased Sprung for just $55,000 as a yearling. And third in the race was the Sam-Son homebred Quiet Jungle, a daughter of Forest Wildcat who was produced by the SMART STRIKE mare Split the Arrow.

Congratulations to all the connections!

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A REGALLY BRED ‘KING’ WINS FIRST STAKES

July 10, 2008: Ideal World, a blue-blooded son of KINGMAMBO out of the brilliant European and U.S. champion Banks Hill (GB), became the latest stakes winner for his sire in the Listed Prix Pelleas S. at the French track Compiegne Monday. The 3-5 public choice following a maiden-breaking win at Longchamp June 10, Ideal World, a homebred of Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, launched his bid from a tracking perch and dug in gamely to assert for the half-length score. The Prix Pelleas was contested at 1 1/4 miles over rain-softened ground. A grandson of the Juddmonte’s blue hen Hasili (Ire), Ideal World can boast a dam who won Grade/Group 1 events in three different countries, including the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in the U.S.

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A ‘PERFECT’ TWO FOR TWO

July 1, 2008: Two starters, two winners. That’s the story for freshman sire PLEASANTLY PERFECT, whose babies have come out running this year. That might be a surprise to those who expected PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s offspring to excel only going long, but not to those who had a chance to see his athletic yearlings last year.

PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s latest winner came in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Monmouth Park June 20. Rapid Redux, a son of the Storm Cat mare Thiscatsforcaryl, led virtually gate to wire to justify his even-money favoritism. Rapid Redux stopped the clock in :52 2/5. He is owned by George and Lori Hall (who also own DIXIE UNION’s latest stakes winner, Bold Union), and is trained by Kelly Breen. Rapid Redux was bred by Fortress Pacific Equine LLC.
JULY 26-NEWS FLASH: Rapid Redux placed third in Tyro Stakes at Monmouth.

Earlier in June, the filly Quite the Lady sped to a three-length victory at first asking over the Polytrack at Arlington Park, also going 4 1/2 furlongs. Her winning time was :52 1/5.

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A MOTHER GOOSE SWEEP FOR LANE’S END

July 1, 2008: Facing the biggest challenge of her young career, the three-year-old filly Music Note, by A.P. INDY, announced her arrival on the sophomore scene with a rousing 3 1/2-length tally in last Saturday’s G1 Mother Goose S. at Belmont Park. The lightly raced daughter of the Sadler’s Wells mare Note Musicale (GB) romped by 7 1/4 lengths in an Aqueduct maiden last November, prompting the Thoroughbred Daily News to tab her a TDN Rising Star. She returned seven months later to beat first-level allowance rivals by seven lengths at Belmont May 22, and was up against divisional leader Proud Spell in the Mother Goose. After stumbling at the break, Music Note recovered to track the pacesetting Never Retreat (by SMART STRIKE), then raced away to win with something left. Never Retreat earned the place spot after Proud Spell, who was produced by a LANGFUHR mare, was DQ’d to third for interference in the lane. Bred by Gainsborough Farm and racing in the royal blue of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Stable, Music Note has now won three of four starts and has banked $218,000. It was A.P. INDY’s second winner of the Mother Goose; Lane’s End homebred Secret Status took the race in 2000.

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DIXIE UNION JUVENILES RED HOT

July 1, 2008: A pair of two-year-old fillies by DIXIE UNION stamped themselves as exciting prospects over the weekend. On Saturday, a dead-game Garden District became DIXIE UNION’s newest graded stakes winner in the G3 Debutante S. at Churchill Downs. Hammered down to even-money favoritism coming off a runner-up effort in the G3 Kentucky Breeders’ Cup S. facing males, the Todd Pletcher-trained filly raced up between rivals and was always under pressure as they sped through :21 1/5 and :45 splits. With a slew of rivals threatening, Garden District kept on finding more and asserted to win by half a length. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Garden District was a $240,000 KEESEP yearling and is owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stable.

A day after that gutsy effort, DIXIE UNION’s daughter Bold Union put up an entirely different sort of win in the $100,000 Astoria S. at Belmont. Tabbed a TDN Rising Star after capturing her debut at Monmouth Park by 10 3/4 lengths June 1, Bold Union was the public’s 9-5 pick to double up in the Astoria. Making that price look generous, Bold Union took charge nearing the quarter pole and sailed home clear by 9 3/4 lengths. Like Garden District, Bold Union was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. She was purchased by George and Lori Hall for $75,000 as a KEESEP yearling and is trained by Kelly Breen.

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SIX ‘08 GROUP WINNERS FOR THE ‘KING’

July 1, 2008: It was a June to remember for top international sire KINGMAMBO, who has sired a remarkable six graded/group winners thus far in 2008.

At the prestigious Royal Ascot meet, KINGMAMBO’s son Henrythenavigator secured his spot as the best three-year-old miler in Europe with a victory in the June 17 G1 St. James’s Palace S. at Royal Ascot, building on his victories in both the English and Irish versions of the G1 2000 Guineas.

Three days later, Godolphin’s Campanologist, another three-year-old colt by KINGMAMBO (and like Henrythenavigator out of a Sadler’s Wells mare), improved his record to four wins in seven starts in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot.

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FIRST WINNER FOR PLEASANTLY PERFECT

June 9, 2008: G1 Breeders' Cup Classic and G1 Dubai World Cup hero PLEASANTLY PERFECT was represented by his first winner Saturday. Quite the Lady, a $74,000 OBSAPR juvenile wearing the colors of owner GM Squared LLC, was sent off at 7-2 odds at first asking in a 4 1/2-furlong dash at Arlington Park. The Todd Pletcher-trained miss was content to track the leaders early, but powered into contention nearing the quarter pole. Taking control soon after, Quite the Lady edged away from the field and, once she switched leads at the furlong grounds, drew off with authority to post the three-length tally. Quite the Lady completed the distance in a snappy :52 1/5. The dark bay was bred by Gerald Ford's Diamond A Racing Corp., which raced PLEASANTLY PERFECT. Congratulations to her connections!

The only other juvenile from PLEASANTLY PERFECT’s first crop to have started is the colt Rapid Redux, who ran a very good second in his debut, a five-furlong maiden special weight in the slop at Belmont May 16.

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MINESHAFT 3YO SHARP IN CHURCHILL MAIDEN!

June 9, 2008: A.U. Miner, a three-year-old colt from the first crop of Horse of the Year MINESHAFT, looked good breaking his maiden by a hard-fought neck at Churchill Downs June 6. Breaking from post two in a seven-furlong maiden special weight, A.U. Miner raced from between rivals up the backstretch before taking aim at the pacesetter three furlongs from home. Ranging up three wide, he clawed his way to even terms in the final sixteenth and asserted in the dying strides to prevail by a neck. A.U. Miner, a half-sibling to the gutsy multiple Grade 1 winner and millionaire Star Parade (Arg), stopped the clock in 1:22.81. He is owned by Don L. Benge, was bred by Ten Broeck Farm Inc. and is trained by Clark Hanna. Congratulations to his connections! In 2008, MINESHAFT has also been represented by the brilliant G2 Peter Pan S. hero Casino Drive, G2 Fountain of Youth S. winner Cool Coal Man, etc.

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MAMBOING IN THE GUINEAS

June 2, 2008: On Saturday, May 24, KINGMAMBO’s son Henrythenavigator etched his name into the record books by recording the Irish and English 2000 Guineas double in brilliant fashion. Just like he did in Newmarket three weeks earlier, Susan Magnier’s colorbearer had a top-class foe back in second in last year’s European Champion Juvenile New Approach (Ire). In the G1 English 2000 Guineas, ‘Henry,’ in his first start of the year, beat New Approach by a hard-fought nose; at The Curragh, in the Group 1 Irish equivalent, the margin was a more comfortable 1 3/4 lengths as he unleashed a strong run a furlong out.

Also the winner of last year’s G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot, Henrythenavigator is trained by Aidan O’Brien. Congratulations to his connections!

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SHE’S “INDESCRIBABLE” - PLEASANT TAP’S LATEST GRADED WINNER

June 2, 2008: Favored to take her fourth victory in six starts and her first graded event, Courtlandt Farm’s homebred Indescribable powered her way to victory in Arlington Park’s G3 Arlington Matron H. May 26. Coming off a close-up third in the G3 Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland, the daughter of PLEASANT TAP was boxed in around the far turn under jockey Jeremy Rose, but found running room in the stretch and was up to defeat Grade 2 winner Leah’s Secret by half a length. The four-year-old earned a strong 101 BRIS figure for her efforts. Indescribable was produced by the stakes-winning Catnip (Flying Paster), a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Hold That Tiger and Editor’s Note.

In 2008, PLEASANT TAP has also been represented by his top-class son Tiago, who has proven as tough and consistent at four as he was at three. Victor of last year’s G1 Santa Anita Derby and G1 Goodwood S., Tiago added a tally over Heatseeker (Ire) in the G2 Oaklawn H. in April and was runner-up to that foe in the G2 Californian S. last weekend.

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‘SPECIAL’ DAY AT PIMLICO

May 16, 2008: It was a big day indeed for the offspring of Lane's End stallions Friday at Pimlico.

First, in the day's co-feature, the prestigious G1 Pimlico Special H., KINGMAMBO's son Student Council secured the second Grade 1 triumph of his career with a hard-fought effort. Bred and raised by Lane's End, Student Council was last of seven after a half mile, but came with a determined late run to post the neck victory over Gotcha Gold. Last year, Student Council won the $1-million G1 Pacific Classic S. and also the G2 Hawthorne Gold Cup H. It marks KINGMAMBO's third Grade/Group 1 winner on the year, following the success of Henrythenavigator in the G1 stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas and Archipenko in the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

In the other big race on Friday, STEPHEN GOT EVEN's progressive Sweet Vendetta proved she belongs in the upper echelon of the current crop of three-year-old fillies with a driving victory in the G2 Black-Eyed Susan S. Sweet Vendetta finished second to subsequent Grade 1 winner and G1 Kentucky Oaks runner-up Little Belle (A.P. INDY) in the Busher S. at Aqueduct in mid-February, then returned a month later to capture the Andover Way S. by four lengths. Making her first start away from Aqueduct in the Black-Eyed Susan, Sweet Vendetta rallied from a stalking perch, set her sights on She's All Eltish in mid-stretch and fought her way past that foe to win going away. In addition to beating the Grade 2 winner She's All Eltish, Sweet Vendetta defeated a field that included Grade 2 winners Sherine and Bsharpsonata, and graded winner Maren's Meadow.

Congratulations to their connections from all of us at Lane's End!

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MINESHAFT’S NEWEST STAR

The final leg of the Triple Crown, the G1 Belmont S., got a bit more interesting following the dazzling victory of MINESHAFT’s son Casino Drive in the G2 Peter Pan S. over the weekend. The strapping chestnut is a half-brother to last year’s heroine, Rags to Riches (A.P. INDY), and to 2006 winner Jazil. He will attempt to give his dam, Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, three straight winners in the 1 1/2-mile Classic.

Casino Drive was making just his second career start in the Peter Pan. The $950,000 yearling began his career in Japan for owner Yamamoto Hidetoshi, where he romped by nearly a dozen lengths in his debut in February. Overcoming his inexperience, as well as the vagaries of traveling from Japan, Casino Drive powered to a 5 3/4-length win in the Peter Pan. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:47 4/5, which earned him a 109 BRIS figure. Winning jockey Kent Desormeaux, regular rider of Derby winner Big Brown, was effusive in his praise. “He’s a phenomenal talent,” he said. “We’ve got our hands full with this one.”

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“KING” CONTINUES TO REIGN

May 5, 2008: KINGMAMBO is off to a brilliant start to 2008 with five stakes winners to his credit, led by the Group 1-winning exploits of Archipenko and Henrythenavigator. The latter, wearing the colors of Susan Magnier, rallied from the rear of the pack to deny heavily favored New Approach (Ire) in Saturday’s G1 stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Amazingly, it was KINGMAMBO’s 10th Classic winner! Winner of the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot as a juvenile, Henrythenavigator was produced by the Sadler’s Wells mare Sequoyah (Ire) and trained by Aiden O’Brien.

A week prior, Archipenko captured the G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. The four-year-old, winner this year of the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and an unlucky third in the G1 Dubai Duty Free, rallied to a sharp 1 3/4-length win. "I know it might sound crazy after winning a Group 1 race, but I think he is still improving,” said his trainer Mike de Kock. “We'll be thinking about him in terms of Royal Ascot.”

Additionally, KINGMAMBO is the broodmare sire of last weekend’s G1 Prix Ganay hero Duke of Marmalade (Ire) (Danehill). KINGMAMBO’s other stakes winners in 2008 include Campanologist, Faridat and Sovereign Duty. Congratulations to the connections of all!

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TIAGO TRIUMPHS IN G2 OAKLAWN H.!

Apr. 5, 2008: The four-year-old Tiago, a son of PLEASANT TAP, returned to conventional dirt and responded with a game victory over G1 Santa Anita H. winner Heatseaker (Ire) in the G2 Oaklawn H. at Oaklawn Park Apr. 5. A two-time Grade 1 winner last year, Tiago had run well in three previous starts this season, all on synthetic tracks, finishing third and second in the G2 San Fernando S. and G2 Strub S., respectively, and fourth in the ‘Big Cap. In the Oaklawn H., he sat just off the leaders, rallied to the fore in upper stretch and dug in determinedly to stave off Heatseaker. It was another 6 1/2 lengths back to third. The victory improved Tiago’s career earnings to nearly $1.7 million for owner/breeders Jerry and Ann Moss, and earned him a 110 Beyer Figure, co-highest on the year at a mile or longer! Congratulations to the Mosses, trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith. In 2007, Tiago won the G1 Santa Anita Derby, G1 Goodwood H. and G2 Swaps BC S. and was third in the G1 Belmont S.

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GRADE 1 GLORY FOR CITY ZIP’S BUSTIN STONES!

Apr. 5, 2008: Never headed, never beaten. That’s the story of CITY ZIP’s brilliant Bustin Stones, who on Apr. 5 collected the first Grade 1 tally of his career in the seven-furlong G1 Carter H. at Aqueduct. In the process, the four-year-old, who has been first at every call in each of his races, improved his record to a perfect six-for-six. Owned and bred by Roddy Valente, the New York-bred Bustin Stones aired by daylight in his first four starts facing fellow statebreds. He showed he could handle open company with a hard-fought victory in the G2 General George H. at Laurel in February and was one of the favorites stepping up to the highest level in the Carter, one of the premier sprint races in the country. On the engine through :22 2/5 and :45 splits, he dug in “resolutely on [the] rail,” according to his chart, and won by half a length. The final time for the seven-furlong Carter was a swift 1:22 4/5, which earned Bustin Stones a 109 Beyer figure. He has now banked over $480,000. Congratulations to Mr. Valente, trainer Bruce Levine and jockey Edgar Prado.

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BELLE OF THE ASHLAND BALL

Apr. 5, 2008: Darley Stable’s fast-improving Little Belle, a homebred three-year-old daughter of A.P. INDY, proved she was one tough customer when she fought back to prevail over Bsharpsonata in the G1 Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 5. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee graduated by a convincing margin in her fourth trip to the post at Aqueduct in early February, and quickly doubled up with a 2 3/4-length tally in the Busher S. in New York Feb. 24. Asked to take the big jump in class against one of the better Ashland fields in recent memory--which included Grade 1 winner Country Star, MGSW’s Proud Spell and Bsharpsonata, etc.--Little Belle jumped out to lead the way, was overtaken by Bsharpsonata in the lane, but clawed her way back and asserted to win by a head. Little Belle, who is out of the Mr. Prospector mare Dubai Belle, hopefully heads to the G1 Kentucky Oaks as one of the favorites and aims to become A.P. INDY’s second consecutive winner of the Classic and third overall. Rags to Riches captured last year’s renewal, while Secret Status won in 2000. Congratulations to Darley, Mr. McLaughlin and jockey Rajiv Maragh.

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DON ADAM’S ADRIANO ROMPS

Mar. 27, 2008: It was fitting that a son of Lane’s End’s A.P. INDY, who was foaled on Lane’s End, captured last weekend’s G2 Lane’s End S. at Turfway Park, and we’re pleased to say that it was a homebred of Courtlandt Farm’s Don Adam, long a friend of the farm, who came away with the spoils.

Sent off at 9-2 odds, Courtlandt’s three-year-old colt Adriano “surged to a commanding lead with little urging from jockey Edgar Prado entering the stretch of the $500,000 Lane’s End ... and coasted to a 2 1/2-length score,” reported the Thoroughbred Times. Fourth in last year’s Lane’s End G1 Breeders’ Futurity S. at Keeneland and a dominant allowance winner on the lawn at Gulfstream earlier this year, Adriano is now being pointed toward the Apr. 19 G2 Coolmore Lexington S.

Congratulations to Mr. Adam, trainer H. Graham Motion and all the connections of Adriano.

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STEPHEN’S “VENDETTA”

Mar. 21, 2008: STEPHEN GOT EVEN’s three-year-old daughter Sweet Vendetta, runner-up in the Busher S. in February, returned to notch her first black-type win in the Andover Way S. at Aqueduct Mar. 19. Under Channing Hill, the Gary Contessa-trained filly stalked the pace before driving clear to a four-length tally. Congratulations to owners Team Penney Racing and David Cassidy. STEPHEN GOT EVEN is enjoying a great start to 2008, with no fewer than 13 maiden winners this season and Sweet Vendetta is his newest stakes winner.

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CITY ZIP’S APEX RANKINGS

Mar. 21, 2008: The Thoroughbred Daily News’ Bill Oppenheim released his APEX ratings recently, and once again, CITY ZIP featured prominently. The half-brother to Horse of the Year Ghostzapper was ranked one of the best in the world by A runner average (note: an A runner is in the top two percent of earners; a B runner is in the next two percent; a C runner is in the next four percent). CITY ZIP is 16th on the list, beating out Giant’s Causeway, Montjeu (Ire), Johannesburg, Pulpit, etc. On the Top 50 sires of two-year-old ABC runners, CITY ZIP ranked a superb eighth—behind only Successful Appeal and Storm Cat among active U.S. sires—and ahead of Danehill, Distorted Humor, Street Cry (Ire), etc. On the Top 50 sires of three-year-old ABC runners, CITY ZIP checks in 22nd (12th among active U.S. sires).

CITY ZIP’s performance in the stallion shed was most recently underscored by his son Bustin Stones, who improved his record to a perfect six-for-six with a tally in the Grade 1 Carter H. at Aqueduct. It was the four-year-old’s fifth consecutive stakes victory.

Last year, LANGFUHR ended the year in fifth on The Blood-Horse’s Leading Sires List, with Champion Older Male Lawyer Ron leading the way among his trio of Grade 1 winners

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LANGFUHR: A PREMIER SIRE

Mar. 21, 2008: With six stakes horses on the year already, including the undefeated Duncan F. Kenner Breeders' Cup S. hero Euroears, LANGFUHR is poised for another big season. And in Bill Oppenheim’s recently published APEX ratings, LANGFUHR was recognized by the respected bloodstock analyst as one of the premier sires in the world (rankings that excluded stallions 18 and older). In his subjective list, Oppenheim put LANGFUHR in 17th, ahead of Successful Appeal, Stormy Atlantic, Indian Charlie, More Than Ready, Officer, etc. Among actives sires in the U.S., LANGFUHR ranked 11th.

Last year, LANGFUHR ended the year in fifth on The Blood-Horse’s Leading Sires List, with Champion Older Male Lawyer Ron leading the way among his trio of Grade 1 winners

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TERRIFIC TWO-YEAR-OLDS

Mar. 21, 2008: The two-year-olds in training sale season is well under way and juveniles by Lane’s End stallions have shone from coast to coast. At the recently concluded OBS March Select Sale, a colt by LEMON DROP KID was sold to John Kimmel, agent, for $525,000, while a colt by BELONG TO ME was purchased by Hoods Up Stable for $360,000. DIXIE UNION had a pair star at the two-day sale. A filly was purchased by Mike Ryan for $500,000, while a colt went to B. Wayne Hughes for $400,000. Other LANGFUHR juveniles this year have brought $250,000, $200,000, $190,000, etc.

At the Adena Springs juvenile sale, a strapping colt by A.P. INDY topped the proceedings on trainer Cam Gambolati’s $380,000 bid. Gambolati was representing Ol’ Memorial Stable. The Barretts March Select Sale saw a filly by GULCH go to Southern Equine Stables for $450,000. Omar Trevino Bloodstock, meanwhile, purchased a PLEASANTLY PERFECT filly for $380,000. Down in Miami, at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Select Sale, Darley’s John Ferguson acquired a son of A.P. INDY for $500,000.

Looking for sire power at the juvenile sales? Look no further than Lane’s End’s stallions!

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LANGFUHR’S EUROEARS IS A PERFECT SIX-FOR-SIX

March 9, 2008: LANGFUHR’s four-year-old son Euroears continued his unbeaten run Saturday with a popular win in the $200,000 Duncan F. Kenner S. at Fair Grounds. Sent off the favorite to improve his record to a perfect six-for-six, Euroears shadowed the pacesetter, then powered to the front and proved “clearly best,” according to the chart. Most impressive about the win was the caliber of competition behind him. In his wake were horses like two-time Grade 2 winner King of the Roxy, graded stakes winner Noonmark, and the highly regarded Les Grand Trois. For his efforts, Euroears earned a sparkling 110 Beyer, co-third-best on the year of any horse at any distance. It was Euroears third stakes victory. Congratulations to his owners James E. and Marilyn Helzer, breeders Gary E. and Bonnie Peterson, trainer W. Bret Calhoun and jockey Ramsey Zimmerman.

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THREE NEW MSW WINNERS FOR MINESHAFT

March 10, 2008: It was another big weekend for Horse of the Year MINESHAFT, second on The Blood-Horse’s Leading Second Crop Sires List. Two weeks after his son Cool Coal Man captured the G2 Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park, MINESHAFT was represented by three maiden special weight winners. On Saturday, the three-year-old filly Dixie Miner, out of a DIXIELAND BAND mare, won a nine-furlong event on the main track at Gulfstream. The following day, Shafter, a nicely bred half-sister to Yonaguska, broke her maiden in her second career start. The Edward Evans homebred aired by 2 1/2 lengths sprinting six panels at Aqueduct. Also on Sunday, Forest Prince, who was produced by MGSW Forest Heiress, was all heart to graduate from the maiden ranks in his grass debut. The colt was in front after six furlongs in 1:07.32 and dug in to post the victory for owner/breeder Stonerside Stable. Congratulations to the connections of MINESHAFT’s latest winners!

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MINESHAFT: HOW “COOL” WAS THAT?!

Mar. 3, 2008: Robert LaPenta’s Cool Coal Man stamped himself a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender with a victory in the Feb. 24 G2 Fountain of Youth S. He also became the newest stakes winner for Horse of the Year MINESHAFT, whose first foals just hit the track last year. Facing a deep field that included the likes of Court Vision, Z Humor, Anak Nakal and Monba, Cool Coal Man stalked the pace before launching a powerful rally under jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Cool Coal Man’s victory capped a big weekend for MINESHAFT. Halfway around the world, his son Casino Drive, an impeccably bred half-brother to Rags to Riches (A.P. INDY) and to Jazil (Seeking the Gold), who have accounted for the last two renewals of the G1 Belmont S., broke his maiden at first asking at Japan’s Kyoto race course by nearly a dozen lengths. Casino Drive’s connections are reportedly seriously considering shipping Casino Drive, a $950,000 yearling, stateside for a tilt in this year’s Belmont. Stay tuned!

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A “FIERCE WIND” IS BLOWIN’ FOR DIXIE UNION

Mar. 10, 2008: February was a big month for horses by leading sire DIXIE UNION. In the handicap division, the DIXIE UNION colt Grasshopper showed that he may well be an important factor in 2008. The well-supported 7-5 chalk in the G3 Mineshaft H. at Fair Grounds Feb. 9, Grasshopper sat behind the leaders, waited for a seam of daylight, then exploded through to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. “That was awesome," jockey Robby Albarado enthused afterwards to The Blood-Horse. "He has such a quick turn of foot. I was very patient; I knew it had to open up, and when it did, wow!”

A month later, Grasshopper battled gamely through the stretch in the G2 New Orleans H. to take second by just a neck. Grasshopper was bred and is owned by a Lane’s End partnership. Neil Howard trains Grasshopper, a full-brother to graded stakes winner Turf War.

Meanwhile, Fierce Wind, a three-year-old colt by DIXIE UNION, added yet another bullet in the Kentucky Derby holster of trainer Nick Zito with a record-breaking win in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 16. The Four Roses Thoroughbreds colorbearer rallied four wide into the stretch and gamely denied the hard-charging Big Truck to win it by a half-length. Fierce Wind stopped the clock in 1:44.13 for the mile and a sixteenth, establishing a new stakes record.

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KINGMAMBO RUNNERS 1-2 IN G2 RACE

Mar. 3, 2008: KINGMAMBO runners finished 1-2 in $250,000 G2 Al Fahidi Fort S. at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai Feb. 21. The 1600-meter race on the turf was won in smart fashion by last year’s G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. hero Archipenko, who now make take aim at G2 Jebel Hatta S. on Super Thursday in Dubai. Finishing second was Royal Oath, who, fittingly given his name, beat 25 others in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last June.

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LANE’S END “ECLIPSED” THE AWARDS

Jan. 24, 2008: The Eclipse Awards were held Monday night in Los Angeles, California, and as expected, Lane’s End stallions dominated the proceedings. In fact, five of the 11 categories, not including steeplechaser, were taken by a son or daughter of a Lane’s End sire. On top of that, another winner will one day stand at Lane’s End, and yet another is booked to a Lane’s End sire.

Like we said all year: Win, and you must be doing business with Lane’s End!

The star of the Eclipse Awards was SMART STRIKE’s brilliant son Curlin, who was named Horse of the Year after a thrilling season that included wins in the G1 Preakness S., G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Curlin also walked away with the hardware in the Three-Year-Old Male category and, majority owner Jess Jackson announced, is being returned to training in 2008!

SMART STRIKE garnered his second individual winner on the night when English Channel was given a richly deserved Eclipse as Champion Turf Male. The six-time Grade 1 winner won a trio at the highest level in 2007, including an overwhelming seven-length romp in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Monmouth Park.

A.P. INDY, meanwhile, has long been well-represented on Eclipse night, with the likes of Horse of the Year MINESHAFT and three-year-old champ Bernardini to his credit, and on Monday his daughter Rags to Riches was honored as Champion Three-Year-Old Filly after a season that included a win in the G1 Belmont S. over Curlin.

LANGFUHR has sired the likes of champions WANDO, Mobile and Kimchi, and now has another with the top handicap horse Lawyer Ron. LANGFUHR’s strapping son laid waste to Saratoga’s major handicap races in 2007, winning the G1 Whitney H. and G1 Woodward S., and was rewarded with the Eclipse as Champion Older Male.

While he’s not by a Lane’s End sire, WAR PASS will someday be one himself. Robert LaPenta’s untested superstar, by Cherokee Run, was the near-unanimous choice as Champion Juvenile Male after a season that included wins in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and G1 Champagne S.

And last but not least, Shadwell Stable’s Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {GB}), heroine of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, has a date with KINGMAMBO after being named Champion Turf Female

Lane’s End would like to offer our congratulations to ALL the Eclipse Award winners and wish everyone the best of luck in 2008!

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WIN AND YOU...MUST BE DOING BUSINESS WITH LANE'S END!

Jan. 31, 2008: In the stallion barn, in the sales ring, and on the track, Lane's End has time and again proven to be one of the industry's premier farms. Following the 37th Annual Eclipse Awards, held recently in Los Angeles, California, that's more evident than ever.

Not one but four sons and daughters of three separate Lane's End stallions were recognized by Eclipse Award voters, including Horse of the Year and Champion Three-Year-Old Male Curlin. The son of SMART STRIKE quickly ascended to the top of one of the most contentious divisions in recent memory and ended his season with consecutive victories in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and G1 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Also honored was SMART STRIKE's son English Channel, who like Curlin won on racing biggest day. English Channel's rousing victory in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf ensured him an Eclipse as Champion Turf Male.

A.P. INDY's daughter Rags to Riches, who defeated Curlin in a historic renewal of the G1 Belmont S., was easily the choice for Champion Three-Year-Old Female, while LANGFUHR's son Lawyer Ron--a dual Grade 1 winner at Saratoga in 2007--walked away with Champion Older Male honors.

The Blood-Horse's year-end Leading Sires List also reflects the dynamic 2007 enjoyed by Lane's End. Three of the top five stallions in the country stand right here--record-setting leader SMART STRIKE, runner-up A.P. INDY and fifth-placed LANGFUHR . KINGMAMBO's son LEMON DROP KID was a top-10 sire, while PLEASANT TAP and KINGMAMBO were each top 24 sires.

And just as Lane's End-sire horses dominated the Eclipse Awards and Breeders' Cup day, so too did they dominate the Triple Crown and the sale ring. SMART STRIKE's Curlin took the G1 Preakness, while Rags to Riches, as mentioned, won the G1 Belmont.

Rags to Riches, who was raised by Lane's End, was incredibly the sixth Belmont S. winner who was raised and sold by Lane's End in the last 20 years. Lane's End also sold Belmont winners Bet Twice, A.P. INDY, Thunder Gulch (by GULCH), LEMON DROP KID, and Jazil. Additionally, Lane's End has sold horses like the $8-million Storm Cat--Welcome Surprise colt, the $6.3- million Storm Cat--Secret Status colt, etc. During the last six renewals of the Keeneland September sale, Lane's End has sold no fewer than 43 yearlings which have made $1 million or more.

That includes a total of 13 at the 2007 September sale, highlighted by the sale-topping Unbridled's Song--Secret Status colt who was purchased by Dr. Demi O'Byrne for $3.7 million.

At the 2007 Keeneland September Sale, Lane's End was the leading consigner (more than 4 sold) by average. To read more about our success at the 2007 sale, click here.

Lane's End also offers a wide variety of services for our clients, from advice on matings to bloodstock representation, racing partnerships, and boarding.

Want to win? Than get in with Lane’s End!

Return to Stallion News 2008