Backtalk retired, to stand in Florida

GoldMark Farm’s two-time graded winner Backtalk has retired from the racetrack and will begin his stud career at Vinery’s Florida farm. The 4-year-old Smarty Jones colt will stand for $3,500.

Backtalk won the Grade 2 Sanford and Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes in 2009, taking the latter after stumbling at the start. He also won the Sportsman’s Paradise Stakes in 2010 and placed in five other stakes, most notably running third in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby in 2010. Backtalk retires with $405,051 from a record of four wins, four seconds, and three thirds in 15 lifetime starts.

CloverLeaf Farms II bred Backtalk and sold him to GoldMark Farm owner T. Paul Buhlman for $250,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling auction. Backtalk is out of the Affirmed stakes winner Apasionata Sonata, making him a half-brother to dual Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Bsharpsonata.

Tom Amoss trained Backtalk.