The demanding 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont Stakes calls on a Thoroughbred to use everything they are built upon – and that includes pedigree. This year’s cast appears particularly well-suited to the task.
Tapit doesn't have a chance to extend his modern-day record in the Belmont Stakes this year. But what he does have is a chance to extend his legacy. Gainesway Farm kingpin Tapit, sire of four Belmont Stakes winners, is represented by two sons with likely starters in Saturday's edition of the oldest and longest American classic.
It has been nearly 11 months since Galileo, one of the greatest sires of the modern era, died at age 23 at Coolmore's Irish headquarters. However, there has been no slackening in the continuing construction of his ultimate legacy. Galileo, who still has several crops to come on the racetrack, and two of his sons swept the three European classics contested over the weekend to kick off what could be a stellar month for this bloodline.
The hard-knocking late sire Flatter, along with freshman sires Irish War Cry and Army Mule, were represented by the standouts as the marathon breeze show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s June sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age concluded Saturday.
%20wins%20the%20Triple%20Bend%20over%20Principe%20Carlo%20on%20May%2029%202022.BEN_.jpg)
Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify share a stallion barn at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky. As the anniversaries of their respective triumphs in the American classic series approach, both had a banner weekend internationally as they continue to build their careers as young sires.
Creative Minister, by Creative Cause, continued a solid spring for the Airdrie Stud stallion roster as he finished third in the Preakness Stakes.
Coolmore has invested heavily in carrying on the torch of its late classic sire Scat Daddy, who died suddenly in late 2015. Its efforts to keep the flame alive are paying off, as two of Scat Daddy's sons, including Triple Crown winner Justify, achieved milestones on Sunday.
Canadian champions who have gone on to be successful broodmares continued to make an impact on this spring's Triple Crown series, as Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting extended the legacy of his granddam, the late Silken Cat.
Preakness Stakes victor Early Voting continued the remarkable ascent into North America's elite sires for Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who now has an American classic winner to boast from his record-setting first crop.
Smart Strike and his sons have been extremely successful in producing stamina for the Triple Crown series – and, indeed, have stood out in the Preakness Stakes, specifically. That history is one of the best things that longshots Fenwick and Skippylongstocking will have going for them in Saturday’s Preakness.
