Distorted Humor has classic influence

Stalwart sire Distorted Humor has been the gift that keeps on giving for his connections. He quietly played a role in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, as his son Maclean’s Music was represented by a first-crop classic winner in Cloud Computing.

Distorted Humor was a multiple Grade 2 winner on the track, trained for much of his career by Elliott Walden, now president and chief executive of WinStar Farm. The horse originally retired to stud at Prestonwood Farm, which co-owned him during his racing career. He was included as part of the package when Kenny Casner and Bill Troutt purchased Prestonwood to form WinStar.

Distorted Humor immediately rewarded his new owners with 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner and champion Funny Cide, who was bred by the farm. Eight years later, he presented them with another classic winner, as WinStar colorbearer Drosselmeyer captured the 2010 Belmont Stakes and later won the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Now, Distorted Humor, via Maclean’s Music, puts another WinStar fingerprint onto this year’s Triple Crown series. The farm stands Bodemeister, whose first-crop star, Always Dreaming, captured the Kentucky Derby. Battle of Midway, in whom WinStar owns an interest, finished a creditable third. In the Preakness, Cloud Computing outdueled Classic Empire, a son of WinStar stallion Pioneerof the Nile.

Maclean’s Music, who stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, is the second son of Distorted Humor to sire a classic winner. Flower Alley sired 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and champion I’ll Have Another.

In addition to his sons at stud, Distorted Humor continues to make an impact on the racing world through his daughters, including Bubbler, the dam of champion and leading money winner Arrogate. Distorted Humor is also the broodmare sire of multiple Grade 1 winner Constitution, now standing at WinStar; 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner New Money Honey; and Grade 1 winners Book Review, Molly Morgan, and Practical Joke.