WinStar Farm has launched its Fantasy Derby contest for 2013. The contest, part of the Versailles, Ky., farm’s WinStar StableMates community, allows fans to create a Fantasy Stable, selecting Triple Crown contenders in different categories whose earnings will be tallied throughout prep season.
California-bred Variety Road, winner of the 1987 San Fernando Stakes and a top-level runner on the California circuit during the late 1980s whose career was interrupted by stud duty several times, was euthanized on Jan. 14 at age 30 due to the infirmities of old age, according to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
Crossbow, a multiple stakes-placed winner, has been retired from racing and will stand at Clarence Scharbauer, Jr.’s Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas.
Multiple Group 1 winner and young stallion Excellent Art has been sold by Coolmore to continue his stud career at Poonawalla Stud in India. His profile in India was enhanced in November when his daughter Art of Enchantment finished second in the Bangalore 1,000 Guineas.
Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Ia., and Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., will card restricted races in 2013 for both Iowa- and Minnesota-breds when one of the two tracks is not hosting a live Thoroughbred meet.
Rockamundo, upset winner of the 1993 Arkansas Derby, died on Jan. 18 at age 23 due to complications from colic. The son of Key to the Mint stood at Jim Plemmons’ Old Frankfort Stud near Frankfort, Ky.
Canada’s 2010 Horse of the Year and two-time champion Biofuel has produced her first foal, a colt by Tapit, at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky., owner Brereton Jones said.
Merryland Farm will host a stallion show for breeders on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Grade 2 winner Friesan Fire was represented by his first foal Jan. 22, a filly born at Maple Valley Farm in Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.
Midday, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, produced her first foal, a colt by leading international sire Galileo, on Jan. 16 at Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket, England.
