Spendthrift's second-crop sires starting fast

This year’s class of second-crop sires has had three runners earn Beyer Speed Figures of 90 or more in 2018, and residents of Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky., have sired two of them.

The fastest of that class so far is Kanthaka, a son of Jimmy Creed who notched a 99 speed figure winning the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 10. That number is the second-highest generated by a 3-year-old this year, trailing only Justify, a Scat Daddy colt who earned a 104 on debut at Santa Anita on Feb. 18.

Jimmy Creed, a 9-year-old son of Distorted Humor, stands for $15,000. He was the fifth-leading freshman sire by earnings in 2017, with 21 winners and $906,505.

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Other notable runners by Jimmy Creed include Grade 2 winner Spectator, Panamanian Group 3 winner Star Galicia, and Grade 2-placed Wall of Compassion.

Liaison joined the club on Saturday when his filly Thirteen Squared earned a 90 for finishing second in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita.

Thirteen Squared was the first graded stakes black-type earner for Liaison, a 9-year-old Indian Charlie horse who is advertised for $5,000. Stakes winners Bronx Beauty and Night Strike also are among his runners.

Take Charge Indy, who stands in Korea after beginning his stud career at WinStar Farm, is the third member of the group, with his son Noble Indy earning a 91 when third in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 17.