Illinois Derby winner Distilled dies in Korea

Distilled, a Grade 2 winner in the U.S. and pensioned sire residing in Korea, died on Jan. 10. He was 20.

The son of Hennessy was bred in Kentucky by Craig Singer, was acquired by owner Dogwood Stable, and placed in the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher. He spent his 2-year-old campaign in New York, and broke his maiden at Aqueduct in his fourth start.

Distilled was moved to Gulfstream Park to begin his sophomore campaign. Racing in the allowance ranks, he ran second to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. A front-runner, Distilled won an allowance in mid-March, and was sent to Sportsman’s Park for the Grade 2 Illinois Derby, where he led at every point of call to win by 1 ¾ lengths.

:: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales

The colt was placed on the Triple Crown trail after his Illinois Derby win, but that was derailed in his next start, when he was pulled up in the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland with a suspensory injury. He returned after an 11-month layoff to race once as a 4-year-old at Gulfstream Park, finishing an even third in an optional claimer.

Distilled retired with three wins in 12 starts for earnings of $378,410. He was exported to Korea after his retirement and stood his first season in 2003.

Distilled sired nine crops, with 219 registered foals, according to Korean Racing Authority records. His final season at stud came in 2012 after interest in his services declined from a high of 51 mares in his second season to nine in his finale.

Hushtilled, Korea’s champion 2-year-old filly of 2009, led his runners. Others of note include stakes winner Wangson, Group 3-placed Powerful Korea, and stakes-placed Seven Card.