Sligo Bay sires first stakes winner

Keeneland

Sligo Bay could be the next big turf sire based in the United States. A son of Sadlers Wells who won the Hollywood Turf Cup and Cinema Handicap, he is out of the unraced Angelic Song, a full sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Glorious Song (dam of Rahy and Singspiel), champion Devils Bag, and Saint Ballado. One of this years freshman sires, he has 2-year-olds who were not expected to make waves until they matured at 3 and older, and, especially, had the opportunity to race on turf. On Oct. 11, Wind in My Wings became Sligo Bays first stakes winner when she won the Jessamine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles over the turf. Wind in My Wings is out of the Pulpit mare Sly Butterfly, and this female family produced Mr. Prospector, Forestry, Shared Interest, and Cash Run.

* Noble Hero won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race on Oct. 11 at 7-1 despite finishing third in her previous start at Turfway Park on Sept. 6. From the first crop of the successful freshman sire Vindication, Noble Hero is a half-brother to Norfolk Stakes winner Rulers Court. Finishing second in his career debut was Mambo in Seattle, a Kingmambo colt out of a full sister to A.P. Indy. While Noble Hero should only improve with maturity and distance, Mambo in Seattle should really find his best when he gets to try grass.

Belmont

Drowning Bear won his career debut, a six-furlong maiden race, for Kiaran McLaughlin on Oct. 8. The 2-year-old colt is by speed influence Yonaguska and out of M. J. Bean, a full sister to stakes winner Scarlet Ibis and a half-sister to stakes winner Claramount.

* Sleeping Indian won a battle of well-bred turf colts in a seven-furlong allowance on grass,, also on Oct. 8. By HT sire Lemon Drop Kid, Sleeping Indian is out of the Dove Hunt mare Dove Cry, a half-sister to Student Council, winner of this years Pacific Classic and Hawthorne Gold Cup, as well as Risen Star Stakes winner Gradepoint. Finishing behind Sleeping Indian, were Elusive Value, Lemon Shore, Snowstalker, and On Fire, all of whom are bred to be best on grass. Elusive Value is by Elusive Quality, who set a world record at one mile on turf, and is out of a half-sister to Roman Ruler, El Corredor, and Maimonides. Lemon Shore, like the winner, is by Lemon Drop Kid and is out of a Boundary (Danzig) mare. Snowstalker is by Dynaformer out of a Seattle Slew mare and his second dam is multiple stakes winner November Snow. On Fire, a colt by the very strong turf HT influence Pulpit, was outrun early and finished well to be fifth in a blanket finish. On Fire is out of a Storm Cat mare who is a half-sister to champion Inside Information and Grade 1 winner Educated Risk.

Delaware

Add the name Cool Coal Man to your list of developing 2-year-olds who should be a force next year at 3. From the first crop of Mineshaft, Cool Coal Man is out of the Rubiano mare Coral Sea, a three-quarter sister to Signal Tap. His second dam is a full sister to champion racehorse and influential sire Storm Bird. Cool Coal Man won a mile and 70-yard maiden race by 10 1/4 lengths on Oct. 10 over well-bred Roman Emperor, an Empire Maker colt who was making his career debut. Roman Emperor is from the female family that produced Easy Goer and is another colt to put on your to-watch list.

Hawthorne

Like so many runners by Silver Hawk and out of a classic Darby Dan female family, Bold Hawk was not expected to be at his best until late in his 3-year-old season. Bold Hawk, who is out of the Danzig mare Tribulation, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes, pulled off a mild upset winning the Hawthorne Derby on Oct. 13 over the more accomplished Twilight Meteor. Tribulation is a full sister to Ameriflora, the dam of Japanese champion Grass Wonder (also by Silver Hawk).

Meadowlands

Holy Helen won a mile and 70-yard maiden race on Oct. 10, and the 2-year-old filly by Holy Bull is a half-sister to grass stakes winner Marcavelly (Johannesburg). Holy Helen is out of Dark Jewel (Majestic Light), a full sister to Hidden Light, winner of the Santa Anita, Hollywood, and Del Mar oaks. Hidden Light is the dam of Breeders Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller.

Oak Tree

Empire Maker started his career late in his juvenile season and matured into a leading 3-year-old. By Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic winner Unbridled, his offspring were also expected to be much more effective as 3-year-olds. Country Star, a late-blooming 2-year-old filly, won the Alcibiades, closing strongly to win the two-turn stakes, and on Oct. 12, Unspoken Fur, another juvenile filly by Empire Maker, rallied to win a mile maiden race for Bobby Frankel. Unspoken Fur is out of Spoken Fur, winner of the Mother Goose Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks.