Sultry Sun euthanized

Live Oak foundation mare Sultry Sun, dam of Grade 1 winners Solar Splendor and Sultry Song, has been euthanized because of the infirmities of old age, the Ocala, Fla., farm announced Friday. A Buckfinder mare, Sultry Sun was 28.

Although best known for her record as a broodmare, Sultry Sun enjoyed a good career at the races. She won the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher Handicap, the Coconut Grove Stakes, and seven other races in a 14-start career. She also finished third in two stakes, the Grade 2 Ballerina and the listed Miss Prosperity. She retired in 1985 with $222,277 in earnings.

As a broodmare, Sultry Sun produced some of Live Oak's most renowned racehorses. Her Majestic Light gelding Solar Splendor won three Grade 1 races - the 1991 Turf Classic and the Man o' War twice, in 1991 and 1992 - and earned more than $1.3 million in a long career.

Her other Grade 1 winner, the Cox's Ridge colt Sultry Song, also was a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire. He earned more than $1.6 million and took the Woodward Stakes on the same day Solar Splendor won the Man o' War in 1992. He also won the Hollywood Gold Cup and Whitney Handicap.

Sultry Sun also is the dam of Grade 3 winner Strategic Mission, by Mr. Prospector.

Sultry Sun has been buried at Live Oak Stud alongside Dispersal, Laser Light, Medieval Man, and Verbasle.