Distinctive Pro euthanized

Popular New York stallion Distinctive Pro, whose son Distinctive Trick became the sire's 44th stakes winner in Saturday's Fred "Cappy" Capossela at Aqueduct, died Tuesday.

Distinctive Pro, 26, was euthanized at Howard Kaskel's Sugar Maple Farm near Poughquag, N.Y. Pensioned after last year's breeding season because of arthritic stifles, he later had laminitis and was also growing infirm, which prompted the decision to euthanize him.

A son of Mr. Prospector, Distinctive Pro stood in Florida until 1990, when he was moved to New York. The relocation began his long, successful reign in the Empire State, boosted by such progeny as graded stakes winners Quick Mischief, winner of the Grade 1 Ruffian in 1990, Dancin Renee, Bodacious Tatas, Big Stanley, and Distinct Reality.

Distinctive Pro also sired Belgian horse of the year and champion miler Yakousa and stakes-winning major earners Impeachthepro, Mellow Roll, Grey Comet, and Toffeefee.

Perennially among New York's leading sires, Distinctive Pro died with lifetime progeny earnings of $35,807,831, and was No. 11 on New York's 2005 stallion rankings at his death.

Distinctive Pro won the Grade 3 Hutcheson Stakes in 1982, the highlight of his four career stakes victories. In another stakes win, the 1982 Marigold at Hialeah, he equaled the track record for six furlongs in 1:08.60. He also was runnerup in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and placed in two other ungraded stakes. His career record at the races was 13-8-3-1, with $179,187 in earnings.