Spendthrift's Breeders' Cup dilemma: Too many rooting interests

There are plenty of million-dollar questions on the Breeders’ Cup program – and some of them involve just who the attendees for Spendthrift Farm might be cheering for the loudest.

In the Dirt Mile, do they shout for Omaha Beach or Coal Front, both future stallions for the operation, or for Mr. Money, whom Spendthrift not only recently bought an interest in, but who is by a farm stallion in Goldencents? Might the Filly and Mare Sprint come down to a battle between the brilliant Covfefe, by Spendthrift’s Into Mischief, and Come Dancing, by its classic sire Malibu Moon? In the Classic, should fingers be crossed for Into Mischief’s son Owendale, or another future Spendthrift stallion, Vino Rosso?

It’s a nice problem to have for B. Wayne Hughes’s Kentucky-based operation, which has its influence all over this Breeders’ Cup – and future editions, as well, if long-term planning plays out. Spendthrift farm is set to bring five new stallions to Kentucky for 2020, four of whom are racing at this Breeders’ Cup. In addition to Omaha Beach and Coal Front in the Dirt Mile and Vino Rosso in the Classic, Spendthrift is bringing in Grade 1 winner Mitole, who is expected to be the favorite for the Sprint. The previously retired Maximus Mischief awaits these newcomers in the stallion barn.

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“There is obviously a tremendous amount of history here at Spendthrift, and it’s long been a goal of Mr. Hughes to return this great farm to its better days as a premier stallion operation,” Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey said. “We believe we are doing that.

“The addition of these five new horses . . . is representative of our commitment. It is the finest group we’ve had the privilege to bring in, and the best this storied farm has seen in decades.”

Maximus Mischief is by Into Mischief, who is the nation’s leading general sire and is already making his mark as a sire of sires. Into Mischief’s strong hand for the Breeders’ Cup is led by Grade 1 winner Covfefe and classic-placed Owendale, but the stallion also is represented by Engage, who will face Mitole in the Sprint, and 2-year-olds Comical and Shoplifted on Friday’s program. Into Mischief’s young sons at stud include Goldencents, among last year’s leading freshman sires. His first crop is led by multiple graded stakes winner Mr. Money.

“Obviously, we believe in the sire line and know it very well,” Toffey said. “Mr. Money is a fantastic physical representation of Goldencents and Into Mischief, and he has that tremendous desire to compete, which we’ve come to know from this sire line.”

Spendthrift also will be represented in the Breeders’ Cup Mile by Bolo, a son of the farm’s stallion Temple City whom it bred and sold.

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