Alternation’s initial fee set at $7,500

Alternation, a multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire who retired to Pin Oak Stud in September, will stand for a $7,500 fee in 2014, the Versailles, Ky., farm announced Thursday.

In addition, Pin Oak released its stud fees for its other stallions, with all fees at the farm on a stands-and-nurses basis. Broken Vow and Sky Classic will stand for $25,000 and $7,500, respectively, in 2014, the same fees as 2013. Cowboy Cal’s 2014 fee is reduced from $7,500 to $5,000.

Alternation is a 5-year-old son of Distorted Humor. He is from the multiple stakes-winning Seattle Slew mare Alternate, who is a half-sister to Peaks and Valleys, a past Horse of the Year in Canada. Alternation won 9 of 19 starts and earned $1,064,727 for the Pin Oak operation of his breeder, Josephine Abercrombie.

“We are pleased to offer this son of Distorted Humor from one of Ms. Abercrombie’s most successful families,” said Clifford Barry, general manager of Pin Oak. “He is very attractive and is being well-received.”

Alternation won five consecutive stakes during the 2012 season, among them the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap and Grade 3 Pimlico Special. He also won the Grade 2 Peter Pan in 2011. Alternation last raced in August, finishing fourth in the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park.