In 2006 while Barbaro was winning the Kentucky Derby, a Storm Cat colt ridden by Ramon Domingez and trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by WinStar Farm was finishing in second. His name was Bluegrass Cat and he would go on to win the Haskell before finishing his career in Travers finishing second behind that year's champion Bernardini. As a stallion, Bluegrass Cat is off to a wonderful start with an Oaks favorite in Kathmanblu.
However today, his half brother Cal Nation made his debut in impressive fashion. By Distorted Humor out of the AP Indy mare She's a Winner, Cal Nation hails from one of the hottest female families in the past few years. Not only did Bluegrass Cat finish second in the Derby, but Super Saver who won last year is from the same family (She's a Winner and SS' dam Supercharger are full sisters, their full brother Girolamo won the Vosburgh last year as well). This makes CN a cousin to Super Saver's half brother Brethren who also happens to be by the 2003 winning Derby winning sire. But like Super Saver, Brethren and his brother, Cal Nation is owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher.
However, dispite the title that his stablemate Uncle Mo should watch out, there are a few things that need to be cleared up. First off is history, no horse has won the Derby without starting at 2 since Apollo did it in 1882. Secondly, this was only his first start and it may have been against poor company. It will be interesting where he does go next, however he is a horse who should get better as the distances get longer. This horse could be a special one to follow this year and may well end up being the best of the Pletcher bunch.
It's going to be a fun Derby trail down in Florida that's for sure.
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