Several prospective Derby starters represent first-crop sires

Tampa Bay Derby winner Helium, from a sireline with proven classic success, is among the 3-year-olds looking to give their first-crop sires a major boost in this Kentucky Derby.

Helium is from the first crop of Claiborne Farm stallion Ironicus, a millionaire who won three graded stakes on turf. Ironicus is by Distorted Humor, represented by a dual classic winner from his own first crop when Funny Cide won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before finishing third in the Belmont Stakes in his Triple Crown bid. Distorted Humor, who stands at WinStar Farm, later added a Belmont winner to his résumé when Drosselmeyer took the 2010 edition. Distorted Humor also is the grandsire of a classic winner via his son Flower Alley, who, in his second crop, turned out 2012 Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another.

Along with Ironicus, the other first-crop stallions expected to be represented in the Derby are Protonico, sire of Medina Spirit, and Mshawish, sire of Sainthood. Protonico stands at Castleton Lyons, moving to that location in 2019 after several moves in his short career. The four-time graded stakes-winning son of Giant’s Causeway entered stud in 2017 at Taylor Made Farm before relocating to Darby Dan in 2018, and then Castleton Lyons. The versatile Grade 1 winner Mshawish continues to stand at Taylor Made. Mshawish finished the highest of these three of the 2020 freshman earnings list, at 13th. Ironicus was 34th, and Protonico 43rd.

Since the turn of this century, five Kentucky Derby winners have emerged from the first crop of their respective sires. Following Funny Cide, by Distorted Humor, in 2003 came Street Sense, from the first crop of Street Cry, in 2007. Birdstone was represented not only by 2009 Derby winner Mine That Bird, but also Belmont winner Summer Bird in his first crop. Most recently, Nyquist captured the 2016 Derby for Uncle Mo, and 2017 hero Always Dreaming was from the first crop of Bodemeister.

Travel Column, who will vie for favoritism in the Kentucky Oaks, is from the first crop of Frosted, who stands for Darley. Fellow race candidate Ava’s Grace is by Laoban, who, after a stellar start at stud for Sequel Stallions in New York, moved to WinStar for 2021. Keepmeinmind, 24th on the current points list for the Derby, also is by Laoban.