Queen's Plate pedigree profile: Federal Law
Federal Law
Scat Daddy–Gravelly Bay, by Strong Hope Bred in Ontario by Jim Dandy Stable ($220,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Hunter Valley Farm)
The internationally successful sire Scat Daddy made headlines in the American classics last year as his unbeaten son Justify swept the American Triple Crown. The late sire now has a runner from his final crop eyeing the Canadian classics in Federal Law, who already is well traveled. The gelding was a winner in England as a juvenile and recently broke through with a win in the Queenston Stakes in Canada for owner Qatar Racing.
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Scat Daddy’s runners have achieved success on a variety of surfaces, which is key heading into the Canadian Triple Crown, which is comprised of races on synthetic, dirt, and turf. Scat Daddy built an international reputation thanks to turf runners like European champion Lady Aurelia, multiple Group 1 winner Caravaggio, and multiple champions in Chile, where he was a leading sire during his shuttle career. However, Justify leads his strong dirt-based runners and extremely versatile standouts. Mendelssohn won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and then the United Arab Emirates Derby on dirt, and Daddys Lil Darling finished second in the Kentucky Oaks before becoming a Grade 1 winner on turf. Even Lady Aurelia won her maiden on dirt.
Federal Law is the first winner out of the Strong Hope mare Gravelly Bay, who was third in the Ontario Damsel at a mile on turf. The biggest pedigree concern for Federal Law ahead of the classics could be his female family, which appears slanted toward speed. Gravelly Bay is a half-sister to Smokey Fire, a multiple graded stakes winner sprinting on both turf and synthetic surfaces. They also are half-siblings to Utterly Cool, a stakes winner at seven furlongs and 1 1/16 miles on turf; Ghost Fleet, a multiple stakes winner around one turn on synthetic as a juvenile; and Flame Mingo, a stakes-winning dirt sprinter.
Federal Law’s third dam is Eternal Search, who was Canada’s champion sprinter of 1981 and champion older mare in 1982 and 1983.
