By 2YO EdgeMan
We’re down to 12 weeks until Keeneland opens its doors for their 2024 Spring Meet (but who’s counting?). On that day, Friday, April 5, all will again be right with the world, as our new crop of wonderful two-year-olds will finally emerge on the track. The snow will be gone (surely) and the beautiful spring colors will again be ablaze in Lexington. Only 84 days – we’ll make it, my Edgie Friends.
Now is the time to be doing our homework to prepare for the big day. As you know, a look back on 2023 and a quick study of the sires that put 2YO MSW victors in the Winner’s Circle is always a helpful assignment. So, let’s do this…
There were 631 races last year for two-year-old Maiden Special Weights at the ‘Top 11 Tracks’ (just as a reminder on those prestigious venues, they are Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct, Santa Anita, Del Mar, Gulfstream Park, Woodbine, and Oaklawn Park). 45 Sires produced five or more winners in those races, with the fantastic first-crop sire from Spendthrift Farm – Omaha Beach – leading the way with 14 scores. Another debut sire from Spendthrift – Mitole – tied for second with 13 wins, along with Twirling Candy. Constitution, Gun Runner, and Uncle Mo each had 12 offspring get their pictures taken. A total of 14 (including those listed above) had ten or more babies that were victorious. Not too bad a prediction by our own Jonathan Stettin who stated on Past the Wire TV he thought Mitole would be a leading first year stallion and even thought his horses would get a distance of ground.
A few big-name stallions that didn’t crack the threshold of ten or more included Curlin (7), Good Magic (7), Into Mischief (8), Not This Time (6), Quality Road (7), Tapit (4), and War Front (6).
In addition to the two first-crop sires mentioned above, four other proud newbie sires saw their babies capture five or more of ‘our races’ at the Top 11 Tracks. They were – Audible (7), Enticed (6), Maximus Mischief (9), and Vino Rosso (10).
Gun Runner gets the crown for the most dirt victories, as all of his 12 winners scored on the dirt. Runner up on the dirt is a dead heat – 11 wins each for the youngsters from Constitution and Omaha Beach. The top prize for the most turf wins goes to American Pharoah who saw seven of his nine young champs run first on the lawn. Twirling Candy and Uncle Mo shared second place with five grassy wins each.
We also have to give an honorable mention to first crop sire Solomini who stands at McMahon Thoroughbreds of Saratoga. From the smallest foal crop of all the horses mentioned Solomini had 14 winners, 10 in Maiden Special Weight races.
Take care and be safe. 84 more days, only 84…
