Friday, February 12, 2016
Sinatra would have reported 2013 as "Not a very good year" for Florida stallions. After enjoying a season-long dogfight last year among First Dude, Gone Astray and Big Drama along with more than 10 others making a smaller dent, 2016 promises to be rather dull in the freshman sire department.
There are just five frosh sires who began in 2013 listed in the Florida Horse Stallion Register, although there are usually a few others who we'll find out about as the season progresses. Last year, Iqbaal and Brooks n' Down both popped up with no advance fanfare and achieved some success with a limited number of runners.
One of the two most prominent frosh sires for 2016 will be Woodford Thoroughbreds' Biondetti, the only son of Bernardini standing in Florida and winner of the Gr. I Gran Criterium in Italy. He was bred to 108 mares in 2013 and has 72 registered foals. Biondetti is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes-winner Delta Princess, dam of the great three-time champion Royal Delta.
The second sire expected to contend is Ocala Stud's Overdriven, a son of Tale of the Cat and winner of the Gr. II Sanford at Saratoga among just three starts. He's a half-brother to the multiple graded stakes-winner and millionaire Smooth Air. Overdriven was bred to 110 mares and has 65 registered foals. He's the only son of Tale of the Cat in Florida.
Field Commission was listed as a frosh sire in 2015 after having been a late arrival at Solera Farm in 2012. He produced just three foals the next season, one of whom raced in 2015 without winning. We understand he has been given special dispensation by The Jockey Club and will be considered a freshman again this season. The millionaire son of Service Stripe was bred to 56 mares in his second go-around and has 35 registered foals, so he could be a factor.
Revolving is a son of A. P. Indy standing at Stonehedge Farm South in Williston. He's a half-brother to Hopeful winner and millionaire Circular Quay and was bred to 20 mares, with 14 registered foals.
Reward the Cat is an unraced son of Good Reward who stands at Buena Vista Farm. He's a half-brother to some serious runners, including GI winner Traitor, Pennsylvania Derby winner and millionaire Sun King and the multiple graded stakes-winning filly Ocean Drive. Unfortunately, he was bred to just four mares and has three registered foals.
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