Note: Four posts this week will be about the winning sire and dam of the Kentucky Oaks and Derby. Today's post is about the Derby winning sire, Flower Alley.
Name: Flower Alley
Year Born: 2002
Sex: Stallion
Color: chestnut
Sire: Distorted Humor
Dam: Princess Olivia
Broodmare Sire: Lycius
Profile: You could say that Flower Alley up until this past Saturday, was overlooked at his own farm that he was standing at. Three Chimneys is mourning the death of the longtime and beloved stallion Dynaformer, and getting ready to gear up for the first crop of Lewis Michael and Big Brown. That all changed when Santa Anita Derby winner I'll Have Another surprised everyone by taking home the roses in the Kentucky Derby.
Flower Alley wasn't a bad racehorse himself, with 5 wins out 14 starts with earnings of $2,533,910. He won the Lane's End, Jim Dandy, and Travers as a 3yo in 2005. He finished 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Classic to Saint Liam the same year. However, Preakness and Belmont winner Afleet Alex was named the Eclipse 3yo Champion Male. The next year, Alley wasn't the same horse that he was a 3yo. However, he won the Salvatore Mile. In the shed, he has had some success. Other then I'll Have Another, he has G3 winner Bouquet Booth, stakes winner Zucchini Flower, stakes placed Sassy's Dream, and G1 winner Lilacs and Lace. Here is Alley winning the Travers (Note: If you view this on YouTube, it does say Bellamy Road, that's because this is from WinStar's YouTube account and that's where the Travers runner up stands. However it works in this case, because Alley's sire also stands at WinStar):
His sire Distorted Humor (Forty Niner), is a multiple G2 winner with his best finish in a G1 in his career finalie in the Cigar Mile. While didn't enter the breeding shed with much fanfare, he has taken full advantage. He was named the 2002 Champion Freshman Sire for North America after a horse in Europe was DQ'ed forcing the original champ, Elusive Quality to second. That year he had a G1 winner by the name of Awesome Humor. In 2003, that would be when he took off when his son Funny Cide became the first gelding since Clyde Van Dusen and the first New York bred ever to win the Kentucky Derby. Of course he would win the Preakness and finish third to Empire Maker in the Belmont (EM's son Bodemeister was second to I'll Have Another). Along with those two, DH is also the sire of Belmont and BCC winner Drosselmeyer, G1 winner in Australia Rinky Dink and G1 placed Sharp Humor. His dam, Danzig's Beauty (Danzig) is a G2 winner and finished 2nd in the 1990 Acorn. Other then DH, she is the dam to stakes winner Dancing Gulch (Gulch). Her dam, Sweetest Chant (Mr. Leader) is a multiple G2 winner and won 12 out of 40 times. Other then Danzig's Beauty, Sweetest Chant is the dam to stakes placed Miss Importance (Forty Niner).
Flower Alley's dam is Princess Olivia (Lycius), who won 3 times out of 24 races primarily in claiming and allowance company. Alley is her best foal to date and has since been sold to Japan. However, her son Speilberg (JPN) (Deep Impact (JPN)), won the Principal Stakes last weekend to earn his spot in the Japanese Derby (which is the second leg of the JPN Triple Crown). Her dam, Dance Image (IRE) (Saddlers Wells) was unraced in her career. Her highest earner was Gore (A.P. Indy). Dance Image's dam, Diamond Spring (Vaguely Noble (IRE)) was unsuccessful on the track as well with 1 win in 9 starts. She does however, have a stakes placed filly in France by the name of Didwana (Nijinsky).
For the 2012 season, he stood for $7,500. With the success that Flower Alley has had so far, I wouldn't be so surprised if he shoots up the stallion rankings. Here's to more success to him! Special Thanks to Kate Hunter (@keibakate on Twitter), for the information on Speilberg. She does an awesome job keeping up with the Japanese racing and keeps everyone up to date on Flower Alley's former stallionmate the 1997 Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm.
Showing posts with label Flower Alley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flower Alley. Show all posts
May 9, 2012
March 21, 2012
Stakes History: Spiral Stakes
The first of the major Kentucky Derby preps is this weekend at Turfway in the Spiral Stakes. The national audience will be getting their first look at horses who could end up in the gate for this year's Derby. Though the race has had several names (Jim Beam, Lane's End), and was recently downgraded to a Grade 3 from a Grade 2. Some pretty good horses have won this race.
Note: there are a few horses where I could not find their Spiral wins on YouTube. Sorry about that
1986: Broad Brush (Ack Ack)- He would turn his Jim Beam into a Wood Memorial win. After finishing third in the Derby and Preakness, he skipped the Belmont. He would win the Ohio Derby, PA Derby, Meadowlands Cup, Big Cap, and Suburban. As a sire, he would have a BCC winner in Concern, Include who is quite underrated as an and Justenoughheart who is the dam to Lewis Michael and BC Juvenile Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna.
1990: Summer Squall (Storm Bird)- While little brother A.P. Indy would steal his thunder, he was a very good horse in his own right. He would win the Bluegrass on his way to finishing second in the Derby and winning the Preakness. I would also win the PA Derby and Fayatte Handicap after his Preakness win. As a sire, he has KY Derby winner Charismatic and KY Oaks winner Summerly.
1991: Hansel (Woodman)-
He won the Jim Beam in stakes record time, and then followed that up with a win in the Lexington. After finishing 10th as the beaten favorite, he would win the Preakness and Belmont. While his career ended in August of that year after a runner up finish in the Travers, he had done enough to be named 3yo Champion Male. Hansel has been a disappointment at stud, and for a time was sent to Japan. However, he is back home in the US.
1992: Lil E. Tee (At the Threshold)- Much like his dad who won this race in 1984, he was ridden by Pat Day. After a runner up finish in the Arkansas Derby, he won the Run for the Roses. As a four year old he would win the Razorback Handicap as well.
1993: Prairie Bayou (Little Missouri)- He won the Blue Grass after his Jim Beam win. After finishing second in the Derby, he would become the first gelding since Creme Fraiche to win a TC race by winning the Preakness. Sadly, Julie Krone's Belmont win (the first by a woman jockey) would be overshadowed by his breakdown and euthanization. He was posthumously named 3yo Champion Male.
1995: Serena's Song (Rahy)- This would be the first of two times that year that she would defeat the boys. After a 16th finish in the Derby, she would win the Black Eyed Susan 2 weeks later. That July it would be the Haskell, and she would return to Turfway to finish behind Mariah's Storm (dam of Giant's Causeway) in the Turfway Breeders' Cup Stakes. Named 3yo Champion Female. As a four year old she would win G1 races such as the Santa Monica, and Hempstead (now the Ogden Phipps). Serena has a G2 winner in Grand Reward, G1 winner Sophisticat and G2 Harlington among her foals. She is in the Hall of Fame.
1996: Roar (Forty Niner)- He didn't run in the TC, but he still has recently made an impact on horse racing. He's the broodmare sire of Rachel Alexandra, and his female family has the 2010 Leading Freshman Sire Congrats.
2002: Perfect Drift (Dynaformer)- He would go onto be one of the most popular racehorses. After a 3rd place finish in the Derby and 10th in the Belmont, he won the Indiana Derby. While he only won 1 Grade 1 race in the 2003 Stephen Foster (he should have two, but Seek Gold nosed him out 2006 edition), he always tried his best. He was retired in a ceremony at Turfway after his 2008 season. He currently splits his time between Churchill Downs museum and his owners farm.
2005: Flower Alley (Distorted Humor)-
While he would win the Lane's End, the light wouldn't go on until after the TC. He would win the Jim Dandy and the Travers, before finishing a very good second in the BCC. That normally would be more then enough to give him 3yo honors, but Afleet Alex who didn't run past the Belmont was named Champion. He wasn't the same horse at 4 despite winning a G3. At stud, it's been a bit on the quiet side. With that being said, he does have a G1 winner in Lilacs and Lace, G3 winner Bouquet Booth (who hails from the same female family as HOY Havre de Grace) and several promising horses. (Runner up in the race Wild Desert would win the Queen's Plate for CAN breds later that summer.)
2007: Hard Spun (Danzig)-
This was an important win for him in that he was able to rebound from a poor Southwest where he had finished in fourth. His TC record speaks for it's self, one of the "Big Three", he was second behind Street Sense in the Derby, third behind Curlin and SS in the Preakness and fourth behind Rags to Riches in the Belmont. Runner up behind Any Given Saturday in the Haskell and gets his G1 win in the King's Bishop. He returns to Turfway to defeat Street Sense in the Kentucky Cup, and ends his career with a good second in the mud in the BCC behind Curlin. Hard Spun finished 2nd on the Freshman Sire List last year via earnings (however had more winners then 1st place Scat Daddy), and is currently leading the Sophmore Sire List. Among his foals include G2 winner in England Red Duke, G2 placed Midnight Transfer and Glinda the Good, G3 placed Inny Minnie and Yvete Sangalo (MEX), as well as stakes winners Hardend Wildcat and Hard Not to Like. He also has a few promising horses.
2011: Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux (BRZ))-
Surprised many people by not only taking the Derby in his next race after winning the Spiral, but it was his first time on dirt and did it with a jockey (John Velazquez) who got the mount after his horse had scratched (Uncle Mo), do to an injury to Robby Alberado who was supposed to ride him. He would show that he was no fluke by finishing a brave second in the Preakness behind Shackleford and prob. would have finished better in the Belmont if Johnny V had almost come out of the saddle. Unfortunately he was injured in the race, and was given the rest of the year off. However with no standout, in the 3yo division his Derby win was enough to just hold off mile specialist Caleb's Posse for 3yo Male honors. He returned better then ever in allowance earlier this year, only to suffer a minor injury that will have him sidelined for a few months.
Note: there are a few horses where I could not find their Spiral wins on YouTube. Sorry about that
1986: Broad Brush (Ack Ack)- He would turn his Jim Beam into a Wood Memorial win. After finishing third in the Derby and Preakness, he skipped the Belmont. He would win the Ohio Derby, PA Derby, Meadowlands Cup, Big Cap, and Suburban. As a sire, he would have a BCC winner in Concern, Include who is quite underrated as an and Justenoughheart who is the dam to Lewis Michael and BC Juvenile Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna.
1990: Summer Squall (Storm Bird)- While little brother A.P. Indy would steal his thunder, he was a very good horse in his own right. He would win the Bluegrass on his way to finishing second in the Derby and winning the Preakness. I would also win the PA Derby and Fayatte Handicap after his Preakness win. As a sire, he has KY Derby winner Charismatic and KY Oaks winner Summerly.
1991: Hansel (Woodman)-
He won the Jim Beam in stakes record time, and then followed that up with a win in the Lexington. After finishing 10th as the beaten favorite, he would win the Preakness and Belmont. While his career ended in August of that year after a runner up finish in the Travers, he had done enough to be named 3yo Champion Male. Hansel has been a disappointment at stud, and for a time was sent to Japan. However, he is back home in the US.
1992: Lil E. Tee (At the Threshold)- Much like his dad who won this race in 1984, he was ridden by Pat Day. After a runner up finish in the Arkansas Derby, he won the Run for the Roses. As a four year old he would win the Razorback Handicap as well.
1993: Prairie Bayou (Little Missouri)- He won the Blue Grass after his Jim Beam win. After finishing second in the Derby, he would become the first gelding since Creme Fraiche to win a TC race by winning the Preakness. Sadly, Julie Krone's Belmont win (the first by a woman jockey) would be overshadowed by his breakdown and euthanization. He was posthumously named 3yo Champion Male.
1995: Serena's Song (Rahy)- This would be the first of two times that year that she would defeat the boys. After a 16th finish in the Derby, she would win the Black Eyed Susan 2 weeks later. That July it would be the Haskell, and she would return to Turfway to finish behind Mariah's Storm (dam of Giant's Causeway) in the Turfway Breeders' Cup Stakes. Named 3yo Champion Female. As a four year old she would win G1 races such as the Santa Monica, and Hempstead (now the Ogden Phipps). Serena has a G2 winner in Grand Reward, G1 winner Sophisticat and G2 Harlington among her foals. She is in the Hall of Fame.
1996: Roar (Forty Niner)- He didn't run in the TC, but he still has recently made an impact on horse racing. He's the broodmare sire of Rachel Alexandra, and his female family has the 2010 Leading Freshman Sire Congrats.
2002: Perfect Drift (Dynaformer)- He would go onto be one of the most popular racehorses. After a 3rd place finish in the Derby and 10th in the Belmont, he won the Indiana Derby. While he only won 1 Grade 1 race in the 2003 Stephen Foster (he should have two, but Seek Gold nosed him out 2006 edition), he always tried his best. He was retired in a ceremony at Turfway after his 2008 season. He currently splits his time between Churchill Downs museum and his owners farm.
2005: Flower Alley (Distorted Humor)-
While he would win the Lane's End, the light wouldn't go on until after the TC. He would win the Jim Dandy and the Travers, before finishing a very good second in the BCC. That normally would be more then enough to give him 3yo honors, but Afleet Alex who didn't run past the Belmont was named Champion. He wasn't the same horse at 4 despite winning a G3. At stud, it's been a bit on the quiet side. With that being said, he does have a G1 winner in Lilacs and Lace, G3 winner Bouquet Booth (who hails from the same female family as HOY Havre de Grace) and several promising horses. (Runner up in the race Wild Desert would win the Queen's Plate for CAN breds later that summer.)
2007: Hard Spun (Danzig)-
This was an important win for him in that he was able to rebound from a poor Southwest where he had finished in fourth. His TC record speaks for it's self, one of the "Big Three", he was second behind Street Sense in the Derby, third behind Curlin and SS in the Preakness and fourth behind Rags to Riches in the Belmont. Runner up behind Any Given Saturday in the Haskell and gets his G1 win in the King's Bishop. He returns to Turfway to defeat Street Sense in the Kentucky Cup, and ends his career with a good second in the mud in the BCC behind Curlin. Hard Spun finished 2nd on the Freshman Sire List last year via earnings (however had more winners then 1st place Scat Daddy), and is currently leading the Sophmore Sire List. Among his foals include G2 winner in England Red Duke, G2 placed Midnight Transfer and Glinda the Good, G3 placed Inny Minnie and Yvete Sangalo (MEX), as well as stakes winners Hardend Wildcat and Hard Not to Like. He also has a few promising horses.
2011: Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux (BRZ))-
Surprised many people by not only taking the Derby in his next race after winning the Spiral, but it was his first time on dirt and did it with a jockey (John Velazquez) who got the mount after his horse had scratched (Uncle Mo), do to an injury to Robby Alberado who was supposed to ride him. He would show that he was no fluke by finishing a brave second in the Preakness behind Shackleford and prob. would have finished better in the Belmont if Johnny V had almost come out of the saddle. Unfortunately he was injured in the race, and was given the rest of the year off. However with no standout, in the 3yo division his Derby win was enough to just hold off mile specialist Caleb's Posse for 3yo Male honors. He returned better then ever in allowance earlier this year, only to suffer a minor injury that will have him sidelined for a few months.
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