DRF Breeding Standout: King Cyrus dominant in Saratoga debut

King Cyrus was much the best in his debut effort, powering down the final eighth of a mile of the Saratoga Race Course stretch on Monday to best a maiden special weight field by 11 lengths.

The bay son of Bellamy Road completed the seven-furlong race in 1:24.68 over a fast main track under the urging of jockey Javier Castellano. King Cyrus, who is owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, earned $48,000 for his debut victory.

Bred in Kentucky by Robert Muir, Des Scott and Sam Klein, King Cyrus was purchased by WinStar President and CEO Elliot Walden’s Maverick Racing for $70,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Further bolstering the colt’s ties to the owner, sire Bellamy Road, an 11-year-old son of Concerto, stands at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky. for an advertised fee of $20,000.

King Cyrus is the first foal out of the Empire Maker mare Queen of Empire, who produced a Drosselmeyer colt in 2013 and was bred to champion Lookin at Lucky for next year’s foaling season.

King Cyrus’ third dam is 1993 Kentucky Oaks winner Dispute, who is a full sister to Grade 1 winner Adjudicating and a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Time for a Change. Other notable family members include Irish Group 3 winner Maoineach and Grade 2-placed stakes winner Tiz Now Tiz Then.