Unique Partnership of Breeders Brings Mind Control to New York

Tenacious to the end, Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable's Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) closed out his career with a win in the 2022 GI Cigar Mile, his third Grade I win and his 11th black-type victory. In a remarkable 29 starts over five years, Mind Control amassed total winnings of $2,185,834. In that race, as in all of Mind Control's stakes wins, he beat an impressive field of competitors, including favored Zandon, White Abarrio, and Get Her Number. Big numbers, indeed.

Numbers, as it turns out, will also be critical to his next career, as the Red Oak Stables homebred will stand at Rockridge Stud for a partnership that includes Red Oak and Madaket Stable, who raced him in partnership, as well as almost every New York farm invested in the Thoroughbred breeding business, including Irish Hill Farm, Rockridge, Dutchess Views Stallions, Waldorf Farm, and Hidden Lake Farm. Shareholders also include Joe McMahon of McMahon Farm, Saratoga Glen, and New Hill Farm.

Out of a fellow Rockridge homebred Feel That Fire (Lightnin N Thunder), a stakes-winning half-sister to MSW & GSP King For A Day (Uncle Mo) and a full to MSW Ima Jersey Girl, “He is probably one of the better horses, if not the best horse, that has ever come to New York,” said Michael Lischin of Dutchess Views Farms. The winning of the GI Cigar Mile is a great prep for being a stallion.”

Speaking to the TDN after the Cigar Mile, Todd Pletcher, who began training Mind Control in 2020, said, “If you like horse racing, you've got to love this horse. He's cool. He's done it consistently year after year at multiple distances. He's a great horse to be able to train. He's remarkably consistent and shows up every morning.”

“When we got the partnership together, it grew very quickly because, just like anything else, word of mouth goes very quickly,” said Lere Visage, owner of Rockridge Stud. “These are the bigger farms, all bound together to support a horse that they all think is going to be legit and that can improve the state and improve the mare base that we have. There's never been a partnership like that done in New York with any of the farms.”

The partners said they were confident in the quality of Mind Control's first book. Just before breeding season, to boost the stallion's chances, partners and prospective supporters purchased additional mares in Kentucky. And the partners' phones ring constantly, they said.

“Several trainers have booked mares to Mind Control,” said Visage. “They saw him as a racehorse. With that much heart and stamina, this horse is worth taking a look at. Nothing like Mind Control has ever stood in New York.”

In impressive New York style, Mind Control took his first Grade I in the 2018 Hopeful S. at Saratoga and his second in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S., also at Saratoga. In his first start for Pletcher, Mind Control won the GII John A. Nerud S. He won the Parx Dirt Mile two starts later, was third in the 2022 GI Carter H. Two months after that, he beat Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in Monmouth's GIII Salvator Mile. In his last start before the Cigar Mile, he finished a neck behind the leader in the Sept. 24 Parx Dirt Mile, but was promoted to first via DQ.

“He won from six furlongs to a mile,” said Lischin. “To win a Grade I race at seven furlongs at two and three, and then continue on with stakes wins every year and closing out with a Grade I stakes race at six and over $2 million is a great race record. He beat Knicks Go, Firenze Fire, Instagrand, Zandon, and Hot Rod Charlie, amongst numerous others.”

Bringing the New York farms together as a stallion just like he brought racing fans together in his career, Mind Control has created excitement in the New York Thoroughbred breeding scene.

“He comes with a lot of credentials and that's kind of a solid beginning to a horse,” said Visage. “It is also very exciting to see, and kind of refreshing to know, that the farms can all work together and, you know, support a horse that they feel is worth supporting.”

Mind Control is will stand at $8,500 LFSN.

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Breeding Stock on Tap at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Sale

The focus switches to breeding stock with the return of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Sale, which will be held at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion today. A total of 236 broodmares/broodmare prospects and New York-bred weanlings have been cataloged for the single-session sale, which gets underway at 10 a.m. To view the catalog, click here.

After being KO'd by COVID in 2020, the sale returned in 2021, generating $3,657,800 in revenue for 163 head sold. Heading last season's sale was a filly by Catalina Cruiser, that realized top price of $195,000.

“This is an important sale for those that actively participate in the New York-bred program,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Saratoga Fall annually offers the highest concentration of New York-bred weanlings of any mixed sale in North America. This year we have 175 weanlings catalogued–all of which are New York-bred.”

Added Browning, “There are also good opportunities in the broodmare portion of the sale, with a number of mares in foal to promising young sires.”

Among this season's young stallion roster with first weanlings or yearlings up for grabs Monday are Instagrand, Leofric, Solomini, Global Campaign, Fog of War, Honest Mischief, King for a Day, Sun to Run, Complexity, Higher Power, Maximus Mischief, Yoshida, Killybegs Captain, Frank Conversation, Mr. Monomoy, Gunnevera, Flameaway, Audible, Country House, Vekoma, Honor A.P., Vino Rosso, War of Will, Gift Box and Tom's d'Etat.

Once again providing strong New York-bred representation, RFHF Bloodstock offers up 21 head–19 youngsters and a pair of in-foal broodmares. Often found among the leading consignors at this venue, RFHF sold the sale-topping weanling, a colt by Practical Joke, for $160,000 during the 2019 renewal of the sale.

“We are going in there with a slightly smaller group of horses this year,” said RFHF's Chris Bernhard. “We had a few April and May babies, and pushing them for an October sale didn't really seem fair to them. I feel we often leave money on the table with them, so I tried to go over there with the horses that are going to fit. Although we have a few less horses than we normally do, the quality and sire power is still there.”

In regard to the positioning on the sale's calendar, he continued, “I always try to have a significant number of horses for this sale. I feel like a lot of the Florida and Kentucky pinhookers have put it on their calendars.”

“I think it's a great opportunity for breeders to sell horses in their own backyard. For me, it's nice to do it at home and be able to sleep in my own bed and then go back at it the next day.

I've always been one of the biggest supporters of the sale and will continue to do so.”

Among RFHF's leading prospects this year is Hip 200 by Honor A.P. out of Italian Highweight juvenile filly Omaticaya (Bernstein), purchased by the operation in foal to the Lane's End sire for $30,000 at Keeneland last November. The Jan. 29 colt is from the family of Irish highweighted router Muhtarram.

“He's a standout,” he said. “He's just really beautiful.”

Bernhard is equally high on Hip 105, a colt by Taylor Made stallion Instagrand out of EZ Passer (Southern Image).

“I like our first year horses which is what I try to program,” he explained. “We go over there with proper horses that are proper physicals and have some pedigree behind them. And try to be the first of that sire's offspring to go through the sale.”

Of the pair of colts, Bernhard added, “They are both big, scopey, pretty individuals. We thought this was a good opportunity here. They both have lovely pedigrees.”

Another colt on offer representing first-season sire War of Will is Hip 209. The colt's dam Parol (Mizzen Mast) was secured in foal to the Claiborne sire for $102,000 at Keeneland last November. The March foal hails from the female family of Pulpit.

“I have intentionally put in first-season sires in this sale because between Taylor Made, Lane's End and Claiborne, they each have their own following in this business and I feel it's strategically a smart place to put them. Hopefully, the individuals can shine and we can top the sale again this year.”

Additionally, Empire State-based sires also can be found on the pages of this season's consignment, including a pair of weanlings by Fog of War (War Front), who stands at Bernhard's Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater, New York. The GI Summer S. winner is represented by his first crop of weanlings in 2022.

Heading the duo is a colt bred by Hidden Lake, Hip 117. The Feb. 4 foal is the fifth offspring out of Fujiana (Fusaichi Pegasus), a half-sister to GSW Josh's Madelyn (Quiet American) and Party Silks, dam of MGSW and MGISP Upstart (Flatter) and SW Practice Squad (Malibu Moon). RFHF also presents Hip 23, a Fog of War colt out of SP Sweet Sugaree (Tiznow).

“They are intentionally put into this sale,” he said. “I have talked to a few people that are keen on [the stallion's first foals] as well. I am excited to see how his progeny fare at this sale and we have a few more that we'll offer over the next couple of months.”

He continued, “I have seen about 70% of [Fog of War's] offspring and I've been really pleased with them as individuals. They have a lot of leg, and are big, stretchy horses with a real powerful shoulder. They are very pretty, balanced and look fast and early.”

According to Bernhard, partner Chris Larsen's 3C Stable has made a concerted effort to improve his broodmare band in an effort to support his New York program. As a result, several of the resulting foals secured in utero over the past year have made their way to the sales ring this fall.

“We bought a couple million dollars worth of mares–about 60 mares over the course of the last two years–to support his investment in Fog of War and Galilean [standing in partnership with West Point],” he explained. “So, these are the first couple of weanlings that are coming out of that group, which includes our War of Will and Honor A.P. colts”

“[From those mares] we have a lot of those babies are nicely sired Kentucky horses and we'll have another group of horses that will go to Keeneland. We'll probably hold back 60 or 70 weanlings to look at for the August sales in Saratoga.”

“Basically, we were looking to get our initial investment back from the 22 foals out of the mares we purchased and can also give [Fog of War and Galilean] a proper opportunity to be bred to nice mares.”

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First Foal Is A Filly For Hidden Lake Farm’s Fog Of War

Hidden Lake Farm's Fog of War, a Grade 1-winning juvenile by War Front, sired his first reported foal when a filly out of the Tapit mare Kitty Foyle was born for breeder 3C Stables on Monday, Jan. 31 at Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater, N.Y.

Kitty Foyle, a $575,000 Keeneland September purchase by Crupi's Newcastle Farm in 2016, is produced from the multiple graded stakes-placed Mt. Livermore mare Lavender Sky, a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and millionaire Alpha and to multiple graded stakes-placed Mystic Melody.

She descends from the family of Kamar, a Canadian champion at three and Broodmare of the Year at age 14. Kitty Foyle, who was acquired by 3C Stables for $95,000 out of the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, had a colt by Always Dreaming in 2020 and a filly by Kitten's Joy last year.

The impeccably bred Fog of War, a $400,000 purchase by Peter Brant's White Birch Farm at the 2017 Keeneland September sale, was a standout juvenile in 2018 for trainer Chad Brown.

Undefeated in a pair of starts, the son of War Front—Say (IRE), by Galileo (IRE), captured the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at one mile on the turf at Woodbine, defeating subsequent Preakness Stakes winner War of Will in 1:33.90 under a hand ride. Prior to his scintillating score in the Summer Stakes, Fog of War displayed a quick turn of foot to win his maiden special weight debut at Saratoga over 5 1/2 furlongs. The following season at three, Fog of War just missed to Grade 1 winner Win Win Win in the Manila Stakes at Belmont Park, defeating Grade 1 winner Casa Creed.

Produced from the Group 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Say, Fog of War is a half brother to two stakes winners–Naval Intelligence and Invader. Fog of War's second dam is multiple Grade 1 winner and multi-millionaire Riskaverse and he hails from the immediate family of Horse of the Year Havre De Grace.

Fog of War will stand the 2022 season for $7,000 S&N.

The post First Foal Is A Filly For Hidden Lake Farm’s Fog Of War appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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First Foal a Filly for Fog of War

Hidden Lake Farm's Fog of War (War Front), winner of the GI Summer S. at Woodbine, sired his first reported foal when a filly out of the Tapit mare Kitty Foyle was born for breeder 3C Stables Monday, Jan. 31 at Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater, N.Y.

Kitty Foyle, a $575,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Crupi's Newcastle Farm in 2016, is produced from the multiple graded stakes-placed Mt. Livermore mare Lavender Sky, a half-sister to multiple GISW and millionaire Alpha and to multiple graded stakes-placed Mystic Melody.

Fog of War, a $400,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Peter Brant, will stand the 2022 season for $7,000 S&N.

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