Square Eddie continues prominence in California

Square Eddie was a breakout success with solid early runners from smaller crops, and has continued to emerge as a perennial leader in California’s stallion ranks.

Square Eddie, standing at Ocean Breeze Ranch, is poised to finish 2018 as California’s second-leading general sire among those with California-sired progeny, behind Bluegrass Cat; ranks as the state’s leading juvenile sire; and also leads California’s turf sire standings.

Through Dec. 19, Square Eddie had a bankroll of $869,556 amassed by his juvenile runners, outpacing the $732,978 for Stay Thirsty, who does not yet have California-sired progeny. Square Eddie’s turf progeny earnings of $1,491,243 lead late California stalwart Unusual Heat, whose still-active runners have earned $1,399,911.

Square Eddie, by Smart Strike, is the sire of four stakes winners this season, with his top earner for the second straight year B Squared, owned and bred by J. Paul Reddam, who also campaigned Square Eddie. This year, B Squared won the Thor’s Echo Handicap at Santa Anita; finished second in the Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint, Crystal Water, Bertrando, and E.B. Johnston stakes; and was third in the California Dreamin’ Stakes.

Last year, B Squared won the California Flag Handicap and Silky Sullivan Stakes and also acquitted himself well against graded stakes company. He finished second to classic-placed Battle of Midway, who eventually won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, in the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes. He later finished third in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby behind West Coast and Grade 1 winner Klimt. West Coast went on to be the year’s Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old.