Point Given runners winning on synthetics

Santa Anita

Last week in this column, it was noted that Point Given, who got off to a slow start as a sire, has suddenly come to life and the reason is synthetic surfaces. Go Between won the Sunshine Millions Classic over a synthetic track, Air Commander previously won the San Fernando Stakes, also on Santa Anita's Cushion Track, and on Jan. 31, Point Proven, a 4-year-old filly by Point Given out of the Theatrical mare Bring on the Music, drew off to a 6 1/4-length victory in a one-mile $25,000 maiden claiming race, paying $13.40.

* Crown of Thorns became the latest stakes winner from the first crop of Louisiana Derby winner Repent, who is also the sire of Atoned and Check It Twice. Crown of Thorns won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 2 for Richard Mandella and his dam, Crowning Touch (Thunder Gulch), is a half-sister to champion sprinter Smoke Glacken and stakes winner Smokey Glacken.

* A top stakes-winning sprinter, Mt. Livermore's success as a stallion is largely attributed to his great versatility, getting as many winners on turf as dirt. Mt. Livermore's best runners were sprint champions Housebuster and Orientate, and Canadian Horses of the Year Peaks and Valleys, and Mt. Sassafras. On Feb. 2, Lavender Sky, a 4-year-old filly by Mt. Livermore, won a 1 1/4-mile optional claiming race on grass. Lavender Sky is out of the stakes-winning Nijinsky II mare Munnaya, and this classy female family produced champion golden Attraction, European superstars Fantastic Light and Swain, and Northern Afleet, Cuddles, and Tap to Music.

Aqueduct

Little Belle rallied to win a mile-and-70-yard maiden race for 3-year-old fillies on Feb. 1 over a sealed, sloppy track. By A.P. Indy, Little Belle is closely related to 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft. Little Belle is out of the Mr. Prospector mare Dubai Belle, and her second dam, Flagbird, was a champion older female in England, Ireland, and Italy and was also a half-sister to Prospectors Delite - the dam of Mineshaft (A.P. Indy). Like the majority of runners by A.P. Indy, Little Belle is bred to get better with age and increasing distances.

* Spurrier, a 3-year-old colt by Dixieland Band, won a mile-and-70-yard maiden race by 2 1/2 lengths on Feb. 2 for Todd Pletcher. His dam, Humble (Valiant Nature), is a half-sister to stakes winner Rose Park, the dam of Metropolitan Handicap winner and sire Wild Rush.

Fair Grounds

Catera won a six-furlong maiden race Jan. 28 and the 3-year-old filly by Gone West is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning sprinter Cuvee, one of this year's freshmen sires. Catera's dam, Christmas Star, is out of one of Verne Winchell's foundation broodmares Carols Christmas, who also produced Olympio, Call Now, Bistra, Your Call, Dana Nicole (dam of Bien Nicole), and Carol's Wonder (dam of Wild Wonder and Wild Vision). Wild Vision is also the dam of Pyro, who won the Risen Star in smashing style on Feb. 9.

On Feb. 3, Twisted Tale, a 3-year-old filly by speed influence, Tale of the Cat, won a six-furlong allowance and is yet another member of Carol's Christmas's family. Twisted Tale is out of Del Mar Debutante Stakes winner Call Now.

Gulfstream

Halo Hollie, a 3-year-old filly by Halo's Image, won a six-furlong maiden race Jan. 31 and her third dam is a half-sister to Raise a Native, one of the most influential sires of the last half of the 20th century. Raise a Native won all four of his starts at 2, including the Great American and Juvenile stakes but retired prematurely due to a bowed tendon in July of his juvenile season. His most prominent offspring were Mr. Prospector, Alydar, Exclusive Native, and Majestic Prince.

* Celestial Comet, a 3-year-old filly by Smart Strike, rallied from 10th and last to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance on turf by a head at 5-1 on Feb. 1. Celestial Comet is out of the Danzig mare Danzig's Edge, a full sister to stakes winner and speed influence Boundary. Celestial Light's stakes-winning fourth dam, Terentia, placed in the Kentucky Oaks, Alabama Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Alcibiades and Test stakes. Her fifth dam, Romanita, won the Matron Stakes at 2 and Monmouth Oaks at 3.