Meadow Star | Horse Racing Free Tips

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Belmont Park's GI Acorn S., the first leg in New York's prestigious summer trio of Grade I events for 3-year-old fillies.

Long a coveted prize, the Acorn has been designated a Grade I from the very beginning when the grading system became official in 1973. A disproportionate amount of its winners are in the Hall of Fame, ranging from Top Flight to Twilight Tear to Cicada to Ruffian, and so many more. The quality of the Acorn winners set the tone for their broodmare careers as well. Not surprisingly, the Acorn boasts a ridiculous number of high-class future broodmares among its winners, including a glorious five-year streak in the 1950s that saw five consecutive winners eventually cultivate champions among their descendants.

Following are highlights of some of the most important Acorn winners by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Finder's Fee (1997, Storm Cat–Fantastic Find, by Mr. Prospector), bred by Phipps Stable: Granddam of 2022 Horse of the Year and current first-season sire Flightline (Tapit), whose fee of $200,000 at Lane's End is one of the highest introductory fees in history.

Prospectors Delite (1989, Mr. Prospector–Up the Flagpole, by Hoist the Flag), bred by W. S. Farish: The 2003 Broodmare of the Year produced Horse of the Year Mineshaft (A.P. Indy), MGISW Tomisue's Delight (A.P. Indy), and three other graded performers. She is also the granddam of GISW Mr. Sidney (Storm Cat).

Meadow Star (1988, Meadowlake–Inreality Star, by In Reality), bred by Jaime S. Carrion: This memorable ginger was granddam to the dams of champion and gone-too-soon sire Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and MGISW Belle Gallantey (After Market).

Stella Madrid (1987, Alydar–My Juliet, by Gallant Romeo), bred by Calumet Farm: Japanese champions Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Mikki Isle (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), and Diamond Biko (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), as well as additional Japanese G1SW Aerolithe (Jpn) (Kurofune) and U.S. GISW Lilacs and Lace (Flower Alley) all trace to this classy bay.

Chris Evert (1971, by Swoon's Son–Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark), bred by Echo Valley Horse Farm: From five daughters, U.S. champion Chief's Crown (Danzig); French champion Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy); GISWs Classic Crown (Mr. Prospector), Sightseek (Distant View), Tates Creek (Rahy), Etoile Montante (Miswaki), Obligatory (Curlin), and Dominican (El Corredor); and many more very useful graded winners hail from this lovely chestnut.

Marking Time (1963, To Market–Allemande, by Counterpoint), bred by Ogden Phipps and Wheatley Stable: Her champion daughter Relaxing (Buckpasser) turned into a Broodmare of the Year responsible for champion Easy Goer (Alydar), as well as additional GISWs Easy Now (Danzig) and Cadillacing (Alydar). Others tracing to her include GISW Strolling Along (Danzig) and several other high-class winners.

Gun Runner is one of several top horses descending from 1945 Acorn winner Gallorette | Sarah Andrew

Quill (1956, Princequillo {GB}–Quick Touch, by Count Fleet), bred by R. N. Webster: Champions Run the Gantlet (Tom Rolfe) and Awesome Feather (Awesome of Course), Japanese champion Maruzensky (Jpn) (Nijinsky II), and GISWs Dance of Life (Nijinsky II), Sumptious (Summing), Caucasus (Nijinsky II), and Vettori (Ire) (Machiavellian) are among those who trace to this grand gal.

Bayou (1954, Hill Prince–Bourtai, by Stimulus), bred by Claiborne Farm: A number of high-class horses descend from this mare, including champions Slew o' Gold (Seattle Slew) and War Pass (Cherokee Run); GI Belmont S. winner Coastal (Majestic Prince); and GISWs Aptitude (A.P. Indy), Sleep Easy (Seattle Slew), Oath (Known Fact), Slew's Exceller (Exceller), River Flyer (Riverman), and Victory Ride (Seeking the Gold).

Princess Turia (1953, Heliopolis {GB}–Blue Delight, by Blue Larkspur), bred by Calumet Farm: Her son Forward Pass (On-and-On) was just 1 1/4 lengths shy of winning the Triple Crown, but took the 1968 sophomore colt championship.

High Voltage (1952, Ambiorix {Fr}–Bynamo, by Menow), bred by Wheatley Stable: This elegant gray's sons and grandsons included U.S. champion Impressive (Court Martial {GB}), MGISW Majestic Light (Majestic Prince), and SW Bold Commander (Bold Ruler), the last two both sires of note.

Happy Mood (1951, Mahmoud {Fr}–La Reigh, by Count Gallahad), bred by Mrs. John D. Hertz: Canadian Horses of the Year With Approval (Caro {Ire}) and Izvestia (Icecapade), Canadian champion Serenading (A.P. Indy), GI Belmont S. winner Touch Gold (Deputy Minister), GI Kentucky Oaks winner Buryyourbelief (Believe It), and other GISWs Haynesfield (Speightstown), Healthy Addiction (Boston Harbor), and Pretty Discreet (Private Account) all descend from this splendid chestnut.

Secret Meeting (1950, Alibhai {GB}–Burgoo Maid, by Burgoo King), bred by James C. Brady: Broodmare of the Year Anne Campbell (Never Bend); champions Sensational (Hoist the Flag) and Rushing Fall (More Than Ready); Epsom Oaks winner Long Look (Ribot {GB}); and GISWs Trumpet's Blare (Vice Regent), Dancealot (Round Table), Albert the Great (Go for Gin), Desert Wine (Damascus), and Menifee (Harlan) all trace to her.

Nothirdchance (1948, Blue Swords–Galla Colors, by Sir Galahad III {Fr}), bred by Bieber-Jacobs Stables: Dam of champion Hail to Reason (Turn-to {Ire}), who later turned leading sire, and ancestress of GISW and sire Meadowlake (Hold Your Peace).

Gallorette (1942, Challenger II {GB}–Gallette, by Sir Gallahad III {Fr}), bred by Preston M. Burch: Not only does stellar young sire and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) trace to her, but so do 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado), Irish champion Minstrella (The Minstrel), Canadian champion Charlie Barley (Affirmed), and GISWs Success Express (Hold Your Peace), Greenwood Lake (Meadowlake), Air Express (Ire) (Salse), Buster's Ready (More Than Ready), Rolling Fog (Posse), Whitmore's Conn (Kris S.), and Funtastic (More Than Ready).

Nellie L. (1940, Blenheim II {GB}–Nellie Flag, by American Flag), bred by Calumet Farm: Granddam of champion and Kentucky Derby/Belmont S. winner Bold Forbes (Irish Castle), this captivating bay has a number of other classy descendants, including GISWs Life At the Top (Seattle Slew), Lakeway (Seattle Slew), Saratoga Six (Alydar), and Jilbab (A.P. Indy), as well as English G1 winner Dunbeath (Grey Dawn II {Fr}).

Proud One (1938, Blenheim II {GB}–Some Pomp, by Pompey), unknown breeder: Her descendants have included 1965 Kentucky Derby winner Lucky Debonair (Vertex), as well as GISWs Lady Love (Dr. Fager) and Tantalizing (Tom Rolfe).

Baba Kenny (1928, Black Servant–Betty Beall, by North Star III {GB}), bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm: This very first winner of the Acorn set the tone with her descendants including daughter Bee Mac (War Admiral), who beat the boys in the Hopeful S.; 1988 Horse of the Year and nine-time GISW Alysheba (Alydar), the second of four consecutive GI Breeders' Cup Classic winners to bring a GI Kentucky Derby win to the year-end championship race; G1SW and good sire Lear Fan (Roberto); multiple back-type winner and good sire Better Self (Bimelech); and another Acorn winner in Riverina (Princequillo {GB}).

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Good or bad, stallion careers are almost always well documented with hard facts at the ready. It's no secret certain races–for instance, the GI Met Mile–have historically been known as stallion-making races, with that race in particular flaunting the lethal combination of both speed and stamina on a big stage. Fappiano (1981), Buckpasser (1967), and Native Dancer (1954) were among the Met Mile winners who later made incredible impacts at stud, whether through their sons or daughters or both. Quality Road (2010) is currently doing the same. This year's winner, Flightline (Tapit), will undoubtedly be one of the hottest stallions on the market when he retires.

But what about the mares? Are there any black-type events that stand out as key producer races? In this new series, we'll examine the past of upcoming filly/mare races and take a look at how the winners fared as broodmares.

We begin with Saratoga's traditional opening day feature, the GIII Schuylerville S. for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the dirt. Like many races dating back a century (it was first run in 1918), it's been run at different distances and occasionally even at different tracks. There were years it was run in two divisions (1959, 1965, and 1974) and one year it didn't run at all (2005). Overall, there have been 106 winners of the Schuylerville.

The Schuylerville winners are an illustrious bunch. Every single victress from 2015 to 1918 is a producer of winners, with the exception of six who died before getting their broodmare careers started and another seven (from 1941 and earlier) for whom records are sketchy. That alone is a phenomenal statistic.

There were two consecutive glory decades, a remarkable 20-year streak from 1985-2004 where every winner (except one who passed away before visiting the breeding shed) became a stakes producer.

Four future Broodmares of the Year won the Schuylerville. There are the ancestresses of future significant sires, like Exclusive Native; forebearers of blue hens like Leslie's Lady; and direct female lines leading to recent Saratoga winners like 2021's GI Flower Bowl/GII Glens Falls winner War Like Goddess (English Channel).

Who knew an early-summer race for 2-year-old fillies often making just their second career start, currently worth $175,000 and ranked as a Grade III, would weld such influence on the breed? Such is the power of Saratoga.

Following are the most significant winners of the Schuylerville in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what lasting impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Hot Dixie Chick (2007, Dixie Union–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}): From five foals to race, this Stonestreet mare has produced 2022 GI La Troienne S. winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), MSW & GSP Union Jackson (Curlin), and 2022 'TDN Rising Star' Marsalis (Curlin).

Meadow Star (1988, Meadowlake–Inreality Star, by In Reality): At first glance, this eye-catching chestnut hadn't produced much of note among her five lifetime foals. However, the six stakes winners already produced by her daughters and granddaughters include brilliant champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and MGISW Belle Gallantey (After Market).

Weekend Surprise (1980, Secretariat–Lassie Dear, by Buckpasser): The 1992 Broodmare of the Year produced Horse of the Year and leading sire A.P. Indy, MGISW Summer Squall, and GSW Welcome Surprise. Her descendants include MGISW Court Vision, GISW Happy Saver, and Canadian champion Moonlit Promise.

Mystical Mood (1979, Roberto–Mystery Mood, by Night Invader): She kicked off her broodmare career with U.S./Irish/English Grade/Group winner Fair Judgment, while her daughters and granddaughters went on to produce champions Stevie Wonderboy and Big Blue Kitten.

Talking Picture (1971, Speak John–Poster Girl, by Nasrullah): This mare produced five stakes winners, including Irish champions Easy to Copy and Trusted Partner, and is the ancestress of nearly 30 more, including Grade I/Group 1 winners Gallante (Ire), Dress To Thrill (Ire), Search For A Song (Ire), Free Eagle (Ire), Kyprios (Ire), Thunder Moon (Ire), and Vert de Grece (Ire).

Numbered Account (1969, Buckpasser–Intriguing, by Swaps): Her foals included MGISW and sire Private Account, as well as GISW Dance Number. Her female descendants have produced champion Rhythm, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and GISWs Imagining, Girolamo, Bluegrass Cat, and Frost Giant. The family remains active: Becca Taylor, winner of her second Grade II event on the 4th of July, is part of it.

Patelin (1968, Cornish Prince–Pontivy, by Battlefield): This mare is ancestor to 10 Grade I winners, including champion Pleasant Stage, plus A Phenomenon and Marsh Side. However, her pièce de ré·sis·tance has got to be 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie's Lady, dam of current breed shaper Into Mischief.

Pocahontas (1955, Roman–How, by Princequillo): The 1965 Broodmare of the Year left champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, as well as four more stakes winners (including sire Chieftain), and a long list of accomplished runners tracing to her.

Striking (1947, War Admiral–Baby League, by Bubbling Over): This Phipps family mare might be the most influential of all the Schuylerville winners. Named Broodmare of the Year in 1961, she produced five stakes winners, including Test S. winners Glamour. The sheer number of thriving families that trace to her boggles the mind. They include Numbered Account, whose own accomplishments are listed above, as well as the families of important sire Woodman, Horse of the Year Mineshaft, champion Smarty Jones, and so many more.

Red Shoes (1943, Easton {Fr}–Mistress Grier, by John P. Grier): This mare produced Ballerina (yes, the one who has the Grade I event at the Spa named after her) and champion Nasrina.

Ace Card (1942, Case Ace–Furlough, by Man o' War): Horse of the Year One Count was one of four stakes winners for this mare, who was named Broodmare of the Year in 1952. Among her best descendants were 1979-80 English champion Mrs. Penny.

Parade Girl (1933, Display–Panoply, by Peter Pan): A number of high-caliber runners trace to this mare, but she only needed one to cement her name in pedigrees: her great-grandson Exclusive Native. The dual stakes winner was the leading sire in the U.S. in 1978-79. Another two-time leading sire, Deputy Minister, also traces to this grand girl.

The post Background Check: Schuylerville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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