Owner Chester Thomas is following the money: In this case, moving his five-time graded stakes winner Mr. Money from Florida to Louisiana's Clear Creek Stud for the 2023 breeding season.
Thomas bred 24 mares to Mr. Money in 2021, with 16 foaling in Louisiana this year while they also remain eligible for Florida's stallion stakes series. Thomas bred 20 mares to Mr. Money this breeding season.
Spendthrift Farm also is a partner in Mr. Money.
A fan of the Louisiana breeding program and racing in the Pelican State, Thomas decided to go all in by relocating Mr. Money to Clear Creek Stud near Folsom. With the breeding industry getting revenue from the state's legalized sports wagering, the purses for Louisiana-foaled and Louisiana-sired horses are expected to explode. In addition, historical horse racing gaming terminals, which are being installed at tracks and their off-track-betting facilities, will boost purses for all horses racing in the state.
“I just really like the way the Louisiana program is heading,” said Thomas. “I think Mr. Money has everything it takes to be a successful sire, and I believe having him at a top farm in a growing regional market gives him the best chance to show what he can do. Most of my horses race in New Orleans in the winter anyway, and I'm sure going to have a lot of Louisiana-bred Mr. Money babies. I thought I might just as well take advantage of having Louisiana-sired as well as Louisiana-born Mr. Moneys.
“We think he will excel in Louisiana. They have one of the best — if not the best — breeding programs outside of Kentucky. I'm hoping a lot of people cash in on Mr. Money in Louisiana, me included. It's exciting to have him there with such good people as those at Clear Creek.”
Mr. Money, out of the Tiznow mare Plenty O'Toole, is the son of two-time Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents and grandson of international super-sire Into Mischief. He won six of 18 starts, including the Grade 3 quintet of the Pat Day Mile, Matt Winn, Indiana Derby and West Virginia Derby as a 3-year-old and Churchill Downs' Ack Ack at 4. Mr. Money's earnings of $1.36-million include finishing second by a neck in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby. He was fourth in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs off of his maiden victory.
Among the horses that Mr. Money defeated on the racetrack were future Horse of the Year Knicks Go, Preakness winner War of Will and Grade 1 winners Improbable, Spun to Run, Mind Control, Math Wizard and Hog Creek Hustle.
“Mr. Money was an unbelievable racehorse,” Thomas said. “He beat a multitude of Grade 1 horses that year, just got a little unlucky and didn't get the Grade 1 himself. His babies are coming out and are looking like stone-cold runners. They've got a lot of leg and their physicals are unbelievable. I'm very, very excited with what we're seeing.”
Mr. Money's third-year stud fee will be $3,500 if paid by Sept. 1 or $4,000 live foal. A limited number of lifetime breeding rights are available.
Clear Creek Stud is one of Louisiana's premier stallion operations, including standing leading Louisiana sire Star Guitar.
“Mr. Money is a very attractive individual,” said Clear Creek general manager Val Murrell, who has been at the breeding farm since 1977. “He's put together well, which likely explains how he held together so well while successfully competing in top company, retiring clean and sound. Talent and longevity are super significant.
“He complements an already strong roster. It's a known sire line. Everybody knows Goldencents and Into Mischief. That's going to appeal to our breeders. He was very successful at middle distances and beyond. Just as important around here is speed, and he had speed. I've seen some of his foals that were conceived in Florida. They're a pretty impressive group. Muscle, bone, balance, put together very well. That goes a long ways. People get to see those, and that will make a difference. He's an exciting addition to a pretty great Louisiana program.”
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