Flashy and Fragile: The Unbridled Line

     With the recent retirement of Battle Plan and the re injured Winslow Homer, I thought it would be a good time to talk about Unbridled and passing down unsoundness to future generations. Battle Plan and Winslow Homer have two things in common: they both won a graded stakes this year, and they both had their career/season shortened by injury. Actually make that three things in common, they are both by sons of Unbridled who may hold the key as to why they are unsound. Unbridled, the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner has sired some great horses. This includes the very talented Unbridled's Song, 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and 2005 Pimlico Special winner Eddington. However, all three of these wonderful Grade 1 winners have something in common: soundness issues.

     Out of the Caro (IRE) mare Trolley Song, Unbridled's Song won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile as a 2yo, and the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial as a 3yo. As a stallion he has sired the likes of Unbridled Elaine, a BC Distaff winner, Midshipman, a BC Juvi winner like his father and Eight Belles who finished second in the Kentucky Derby. He's known for his flashy foals, a perfect example of this is Rockport Harbor who was a graded stakes winner at 2 and 4. Sadly, the four horses I just named as well as Winslow Homer who I mentioned before had their careers/seasons due to injury (I'm not going to get into EB's death, however as UBS' highest finisher in the Derby, I had to mention her). Midshipman was forced to skip the Derby last year after injuring himself in Dubai, he is out again with the same injury I believe. Winslow Homer who just came back from a fracture, is now out for the season with a different fracture in a different leg. Rocky's injury was not his fault, in the Remsen Stakes which he won, he was stepped on at the break. While he did win that race and finished in front of Afleet Alex at 3, he never fully recovered from the injury. Last, but not least is Dunkirk. Second in the Florida Derby and the Belmont Stakes last year, he was injured soon afterward and retired.

     Fans of horse racing like to put blame squarely on Unbridled's Song since he is the most known. He's also known for well selling foals. For example, at the recently concluded Fasig Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearlings auction, six of his foals went through the ring (with one scratched out of the sale). All six sold for an average of $230,833. This is off a 2009 stud fee of $150,000. However, UBS is far from the only Unbridled stallion who is passing along soundness issues.

     Out of the El Gran Senor mare Toussaud, Empire Maker was a highly regarded 3yo in 2003. As one of the favorites to win the Derby, he won the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial much like Unbridled's Song did in 1995. After the Wood though, he came out with a foot bruise. Nevertheless he went to the Derby as the morning line and post time favorite. He finished second behind Funny Cide who he had previously defeated in the Wood. After skipping the Preakness, he denied Funny Cide the Triple Crown when he won the Belmont on a sloppy race track. After that race, he would race only once more in the Jim Dandy where he finished second. As a sire, he has had G1 winners such as Country Star, Icon Project and Pioneerof the Nile. Much like Unbridled's Song however, he is starting to pass on unsoundness. Icon Project, Pioneerof the Nile and Battle Plan all had their careers shortened due to injury. Battle Plan, this year's Stephen Foster Handicap runner up retired of a suspensory ligament, while Icon Project and Pioneerof the Nile had soft tissue problems. Also thorough his dam Toussaud, Empire Maker passes along temperamental issues.

      Then there is Eddington who is out of Chief's Crown mare Fashion Star. He finished third to Smarty Jones in the 2004 Preakness before finishing uptrack in the Belmont to Birdstone (who is by an Unbridled son himself in Grindstone who won the Derby in 1996.). Eddington won the Calder Derby on grass the same year and in 2005 he won the Pimlico Special. Sadly the Pimlico Special would be his final race as he was injured with a soft tissue injury soon afterward and was retired. While it's too early in his stud career to see where he stands when it comes to injuries (his oldest foals are 3), he could brake the jinx and sire some sturdy horses.

     Despite the problems with Unbridled foals, not all of his sons pass down unsoundness. One of the most underrated stallions in Kentucky (and one of my personal favorites), is Broken Vow. He happens to be a son of Unbridled. Among his foals include Grade 1 winners Unbridled Belle and Cotton Blossom, along with Grade G3 winner Interactif who just participated in the Belmont this year. Broken Vow foals seem to be a bit sturdier side, especially Unbridled Belle who won once, finished second once and finished third three times at a mile and a quarter 3 years in a row (Won the Delaware Handicap once, and finished third twice, finished second in the Personal Ensign once and finished third once).

     No stallion line will be perfect, and of course the female family plays a part into how sound a horse is. However, it seems that more often then not, the Unbridled line tends to be more fragile then others. Lets hope that I'm proven wrong in future generations and that we see more sturdier horses from this line.

How Time Flies

It just feels like yesterday that I started this blog, however next month (January 28 to be exact) is will be one year since I began my journey on this blog. And what a year it's been,

the up and down on the Triple Crown trail
Well Armed's Dubai World Cup win
Rachel Alexandra's amazing 20 length romp in the Oaks
Mine That Bird's 50-1 shocker in the Derby
The previously mentioned Rachel and MTB's heartstopping Preakness
Zenyatta's much anticpated 5yo debut
Summer Bird sweeping the "Big Three" NY G1's
Sea the Stars' Arc
Rachel's heartstopping Woodward
Rachel's Haskell
Zenyatta's amazing BC Classic win
Rule breaking his maiden and setting a track record
Ventura's very popular Matriach win
Unbridled Belle's Obeah and Turn Back the Alarm
Swift Temper's Delaware Handicap and Ruffian wins
Careless Jewel's amazing Alabama and Delaware Oaks wins
Icon Project's uber impressive Personal Ensign

There are many other races that I could put here, but that would take ages to compleate. One thing is for sure, this is a year that no one will forget.

So what to expect in 2010? I haven't decided yet, there maybe a road trip to an undisclosed location where there is a pretty well known track, but plans have not been written in stone yet. There might also be a trip to Pimlico to see the Preakness (TBD if I can convince a non horse racing friend of mine to come with me, then we are all set!). I'll have my favorite race of the year post up tomorrow, followed by on Friday with a preview of that night's Delta Jackpot which features my boy Rule.

Summer the Icon Note Capt!

Heh heh, just a mashup for this weekends big winners up at Saratoga which wraps up next Monday with the Hopeful. This was a very interesting weekend as it was a return of a very good 3yo who hit hard times as a 4yo, a DQ for the first time in a very prestigous race, a romp in a race named after an undefeated filly and the "Other Bird" flattering you know who (wink, wink).

Yesterday was an exciting day up at Saratoga as Music Note who did not come out on form as a 4yo won the Ballerina yesterday upsetting Indian Blessing. IMO Music Note looked better sprinting, then she does going route. As for Indian Blessing, sadly her last two races have not looked good. And honestly I'm suprised how well she's been holding up as her sire is not known for his soundness. Also returning yesterday for Godolphin was Sara Louise, better known as the filly who gave Rachel Alexandra her last loss. For bonus points what was the name of the race (I'll have the answer tomorrow), no prize though sorry! Rachel did defeat her though in the very next race (no bonus points for this, but I will also say the answer tomorrow).

Vineyard Haven made his US seasonal debut yesterday in the King's Bishop. Unfortanlly for him, he was DQ'ed from his win after bumping with runner-up Capt. Candyman Can not once, but twice. I believe this is Candy Ride's first G1 winner. Munnings and Big Drama where nowhere to be found in the exciting finish.

Finally the "Other Bird" is now Mine That Bird, as Summer Bird becomes the 30th Belmont/Travers winner. The first since his father did so in 2004. Congrats to Tim Ice and Summer Bird's owners. The second place finisher was really suprising as Hold Me Back who I tossed on Friday got up to be second, and Quality Road was third. In all honestly that has to be very disapointing for his connections, considering the runner-up in the Amsterdam came back to win. Secondly, Summer Bird is now the #1 3yo colt and last, but not least a win by Rachel next week will seal up the HOY for her. I'll have a preview of the Woodward and the Hopeful on Friday.

Today Icon Project (a half sister to the dam of Munnings ironicly), pretty much dismantled the Personal Ensign. Delaware Handicap winner Swift Temper was second and Obeah runner up Morena was third. Ironcily the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and last place finishers have run/won at Delaware Park (Icon Project, Swift Temper, Morena, last year's Susan's Girl winner Weathered and Unbridled Belle).

Dispointements for this weekend:
Munnings and Big Drama- 3rd and I don't even know where in the King's Bishop? It basically knocks them out of Champion Sprinter talk and it's down to Fab. Strike and Zenzational.

Our Edge- Eased in the Travers, hopefully he's okay

Unbridled Belle- her Personal Ensign today was bad. I know her owners where going to be retiring her after this season, but I'm sad that she may go out on a low note.

Suprises:
Hold Me Back- that was awesome that he got up for second, I don't know what his chances are in the KY Cup as I think there will be some synth specialists going there.

Icon Project- Did I think she would win? Yes, but to win by that much? No way that was a freaking amazing race by her. Hopefully this puts the DelCap over the top for G1 status, but not sure. The DelOaks should also be looked at as the past two years the winner of that race has gone on to win the Alabama.

Sara Louise- I thought she may needed a race, but it was a very nice comeback.

So there is one more weekend up at Saratoga before moving back south for Belmont (until October), then Aquaduct. And luckly the Woodward and Forego look like they are going to be fantastic races. A few things before I wrap up the post for tonight, I'm starting a podcast (which is something I mentioned before). It's going to be called Thoroughbred Rush and you can find the shownotes here. Episodes will be released once a week on Mondays (I'll be recording them on Sunday nights after the last major stakes race of the weekend (if there are any on Sunday)). I'll be very interested in the responce I get. But more info on this will becoming tomorrow.

Also Next Sunday, I'm having a Blogger's Roundtable. I had planned on doing it today, but totally forgot to announce it. So it will be next weekend at 6pm. I'm using Coveritlive.com's software to host the chat. If you are interested in being part of the panel send me a PM on twitter, my screenname is TBChat!.



Everyone enjoy the rest of your weekend! I'll have another post either tomorrow or Tuesday!