Formerly the Vanity, formerly run at Hollywood Park, and formerly run at distances up to 1 1/4 miles, the Beholder Mile has had one constant: class. Some of the most decorated racemares of our sport have won it since it was inaugurated in 1940, including Hall of Famers Busher, Bewitch, Silver Spoon, Gamely, Azeri, Zenyatta, and, of course, Beholder, the multiple champion who won the 2016 edition and for whom the race is now named.

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

Byrama (GB) (2009, Byron {GB}–Aymara {GB}, by Darshaan {GB}), bred by Ermyn Lodge Stud Limited: Five years after winning the last Vanity run at Hollywood Park, this mare produced Known Agenda (Curlin), winner of the 2021 GI Florida Derby. The popular young stallion is currently standing his second season at Spendthrift Farm, where he was among the top 30 stallions in the nation by number of mares bred last year.

Hollywood Story (2001, Wild Rush–Wife for Life, by Dynaformer), bred by Vinery: The best of her four stakes performers to date is 2020 GI Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code). The flashy young Lane's End stallion will have his first yearlings at the sales this year; he was among the top 10 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearlings himself when he sold in 2018.

Gorgeous (1986, Slew o' Gold–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and R. N. Clay: Bred to the finest stallions of her time, Gorgeous “only” produced one stakes winner from her 11 foals, the French listed SW & MGSP Stunning (Nureyev). However, genetic gold has since been bubbling to the surface through her descendants, which include English champion and G1SW Music Show (Ire) (Noverre); Venezuelan champion La Alpujarra (Ven) (Pioneerof the Nile); four-time GISW Turbulent Descent (Congrats); GISW Swift Temper (Giant's Causeway); GSW & MGISP All Included (Include); and several other black-type winners.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners), bred by Haras Principal: From just four foals and only two daughters to make it to the breeding shed, Bayakoa is the granddam of GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned (E Dubai), MGISW Affluent (Affirmed), and GSW Walkabout (Stroll), as well as the ancestor of seven more stakes performers, including 2022 GIII Regret S. winner Walkathon (Twirling Candy) and last month's GIII Palos Verdes S. runner-up Radical Right (First Samurai).

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse), bred by Edgar Kitchen: Her MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery (Alydar) produced GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief (Storm Cat) while another Alydar daughter produced GISW Pohave (Holy Bull) and is the granddam of GSW and $2.2-million Summer Wind broodmare purchase Tapicat (Tapit). Cat Thief is turning into a first-rate broodmare sire with runners out of his daughters including champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), as well as Chilean champion and U.S. GISW Wow Cat (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky).

It's in the Air (1976, Mr. Prospector–A Wind Is Rising, by Francis S.), bred by Happy Valley Farm: Best remembered as the first champion sired by Mr. Prospector and her sale for $4.6 million to Darley at Keeneland November in the 80s, she produced four stakes performers but it's her descendants a generation or more removed that have proved more valuable. Those tracing to her include 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and new 2023 Darley stallion Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and his five-time GISW dam Music Note (A.P. Indy); U.S. GISW and English/French/Australian G1SW State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); English G1SW and U.S. MGISW Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian); French G1SW and U.S. GISW Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}); and Australian G1SWs Glencadam Gold (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) and Alverta (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}).

Tallahto (1970, Nantallah–Legato, by Dark Star), bred by Howard B. Keck: She produced two GISWs in son Prince True (Majestic Light) and daughter Hidden Light (Majestic Light) and her descendants include group winners in Japan, Australia, and South Africa, but her best thus far is undoubtedly grandson and GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller (El Prado {Ire}). He has sired GI/G1 winners in both the U.S. and Australia.

Countess Fleet (1951, Count Fleet–Honor Bound, by Bull Dog {Fr}), bred by Robert Lehman: Although she's got a number of stakes performers on multiple continents tracing to her, it'll likely be champion and Breeders' Cup winner Storm Song (Summer Squall) that is her legacy. One of Storm Song's daughters produced four black-type winners, including multiple European champion and MG1SW Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Two Lea (1946, Bull Lea–Two Bob, by The Porter), bred by Calumet Farm: The best of her three black-type winning sons on the racetrack was champion and dual Classic winner Tim Tam (Tom Fool), but her best in the breeding shed was seven-time stakes winner On-and-On (Nasrullah {GB}). As a sire, On-and-On's sons included 1968 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Forward Pass, while he is also the broodmare sire of breed-shaping stallion Alydar (Raise a Native).

Be Faithful (1942, Bimelech–Bloodroot, by Blue Larkspur), bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm Co: The number of high-class stakes winners tracing to this mare is significant with the very finest going through her Kentucky Oaks- and Beldame-winning daughter Lalun (Djeddah {Fr}). The impact of Lalun's champion son Never Bend (Nasrullah {GB}) and Travers-winning son Bold Reason (Hail to Reason) as sires is staggering. The former sired Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Mill Reef, as well as Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee, who is considered one of the greatest broodmares of the last century and still churns out top-class winners tracing directly to her with great regularity. Not to be outdone, Bold Reason came up with an extraordinary daughter of his own in Fairy Bridge, dam of MG1SW Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer), whose mark on the breed as a sire is unparalleled.

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A highly impressive allowance victory beneath the Twin Spires last October catapulted the homebred filly into this race, but she beat just one home and hadn't tried the dirt since. A dual stakes winner on the grass at the Fair Grounds last winter, she added the June 22 Lady Canterbury S. in owner Bob Lothenbach's native Minnesota and most recently ran on nicely to finish third behind the classy Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the Ladies' Sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 10.

The 7-2 third choice despite a three-for-14 mark on the dirt, She Can't Sing hit the ground running and attended the early fractions of :22.82 and :45.50 while racing between rivals down the long backstretch run. Going noticeably better than her company as they hit the turn, She Can't Sing was allowed to stride into the lead by Brian Hernandez, Jr. fully three furlongs from home, and although the perfect-trip Ice Orchid (Super Saver) took a bit of a run at her in upper stretch, She Can't Sing had plenty more to give and ran out a convincing winner. Liberty M D (Constitution), with the early pace while racing widest of the trio, was a clear third, while favored Coach (Commissioner) never reached contention in fourth.

“This mare has been really consistent on both dirt and turf so I've been able to try a couple of different things with her,” said Chicago-based Chris Block, winning his first graded race at Churchill for the first time since Prado's Sweet Ride (Fort Prado) took the GII Falls City H. almost four years ago to the day. She loves this dirt track. Last year she won an allowance at seven-eighths but ended up having a really tough trip in the Chilukki. So, I decided to make it a goal to get her back for this race. I think we'll see her back next year. She'll head to Fair Grounds after this and get a little bit of a freshening before we start looking at a spring campaign.”

Pedigree Notes:

Already one of 85 stakes winners worldwide for the late Bernardini, She Can't Sing becomes his 52nd winner at the group/graded level and is bred on the exact same cross as future Claiborne stallion and GISW Art Collector and fellow Grade I winner Takaful. She is the 55th worldwide GSW produced by a daughter of the legendary Distorted Humor.

She Can't Sing is first live foal from her dam, purchased by Lothenbach and his team for $190,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September sale. Distorted Music is a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' GSP Zinzay (Smart Strike), the dam of SW & GISP Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon). Things get busier still in the mare's third dam, who produced five-time Grade I winner Music Note (A.P. Indy), responsible for G1 Dubai World Cup-winning 'Rising Star' Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and GSW Gershwin (Distorted Humor); as well as 2003 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and GI John C. Mabee H. heroine Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}).

Distorted Music foaled a full-sister to She Can't Sing in 2021 and a colt by Tapit this past February before being bred back to Into Mischief.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
CHILUKKI S.-GIII, $298,500, Churchill Downs, 11-19, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:35.38, ft.
1–SHE CAN'T SING, 121, m, 5, by Bernardini
                1st Dam: Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor
                2nd Dam: Music Room, by Unbridled's Song
                3rd Dam: Note Musicale (GB), by Sadler's Wells
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (Bob Lothenbach) (KY); T-Chris M Block; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr. $183,450. Lifetime Record: 33-8-6-5, $816,588. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ice Orchid, 118, f, 3, Super Saver–Singlet, by Real Quiet.  O/B-Shortleaf Stable Inc (KY); T-John Alexander Ortiz. $59,500.
3–Liberty M D, 121, m, 5, Constitution–Dr. Zic, by Milwaukee Brew. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($6,500 Ylg '18 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '19 OBSOPN). O-CHP Racing; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Ian R Wilkes. $29,750.
Margins: 3 3/4, 2 1/4, 5 1/4. Odds: 3.52, 8.68, 5.92.
Also Ran: Coach, Empire House, Mariah's Princess. Scratched: Center Aisle.
lick for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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The CCA Oaks is one of the revered traditions in the sophomore filly ranks. Like so many other races that have a century's worth of history, it has changed both distances and venues multiple times. The race began at nine furlongs in 1917 and was shortened to that distance again in 2010 after spending most of its tenure at 11 and 12 furlongs, in addition to 15 years at 10 furlongs. It's primarily been a fixture at Belmont Park, spent a few years at Aqueduct in the 1960s, and has now been at Saratoga since 2010. August Belmont, Jr.–breeder of Man o' War and a key builder of Belmont Park–was instrumental in molding the event after the Epsom Oaks. Many of the most celebrated fillies of the sport, including the legendary champions Ruffian and Twilight Tear, have won the CCA Oaks. The 106th edition of the storied race will be run Saturday.

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

Music Note (2005, A.P. Indy–Note Musicale {GB}, by Sadler's Wells): This still-active mare in the Godolphin broodmare band produced last year's wildly impressive G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide, as well as last year's GIII Penn Mile winner Gershwin. She delivered a full-sister to Mystic Guide Apr. 23.

My Flag (1993, Easy Goer–Personal Ensign, by Private Account): This Phipps family mare did her bit to continue the legacy of her Broodmare of the Year dam. She had four stakes performers, including champion Storm Flag Flying, and her daughters and granddaughters have already produced 14 additional black-type horses, including July 9 GII Suburban S. winner Dynamic One.

Sky Beauty (1990, Blushing Groom {Fr}–Maplejinsky, by Nijinsky II): She is another mare who hailed from a wonderful family. Although her only stakes-winning foal was MGSW and Argentinean leading sire Hurricane Cat, she's leaving her mark in North America as well through GISW and sire Violence.

Chris Evert (1971, Swoon's Son–Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark): This lovely chestnut is probably best remembered today for her grandson, champion and eight-time Grade I winner Chief's Crown, but the long list of other horses descended from her five daughters include MGISWs Classic Crown, Sightseek, and Tates Creek; GISWs Dominican and Etoile Montante; and more recent stars like May 7 GI Derby City Distaff winner Obligatory, as well as MGSW/MGISP Bonny South.

Music Note is the most recent CCA Oaks winner to turn into a notable producer | Sarah Andrew

Lady Pitt (1963, Sword Dancer–Rock Drill, by Whirlaway): It may be a surprise to learn Lady Pitt was never a Broodmare of the Year since she's so prevalent in pedigrees today, but just two of her 10 foals were stakes winners: GISW The Liberal Member and MGSW/MGISP Blitey. The latter launched a Phipps family dynasty all on her own. Among her important descendants are champion Heavenly Prize, MGISWs Dancing Spree, Finder's Fee, Good Reward, and current sensation Flightline, as well as GISWs Furlong, Fantastic Find, Oh What a Windfall, Persistently, and Instilled Regard.

Bramalea (1959, Nashua–Rarelea, by Bull Lea): A number of stakes winners trace to this mare, but it's her son, Irish and English champion Roberto, who put her on the map as a factor in pedigrees and will keep her there. Roberto was a leading sire in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom, as well as a leading broodmare sire. His continued influence through one of his major sons, Lear Fan, was recently detailed in TDN. Roberto has played a major part through both his sons and daughters in pedigrees of several significant stallions, including Giant's Causeway and Kitten's Joy.

Levee (1953, Hill Prince–Bourtai, by Stimulus): Named Broodmare of the Year in 1970, her foals included champion Shuvee (who also won the CCA Oaks in 1969 and has a Grade II event named after her, which will be run Sunday at the Spa) and three other stakes winners. Among the high-class horses produced by her daughters and granddaughters are champion Sacahuista, MGISW Raging Fever, and G1 Irish St. Leger winners Meneval and Strategic Choice.

High Voltage (1952, Ambiorix {Fr}–Dynamo, by Menow): Her three stakes winners included champion Impressive and eventual notable sire Bold Commander. Among the best foals produced by her daughters was MGISW and sire Majestic Light.

Cherokee Rose (1951, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}): The brilliant Horse of the Year Ack Ack traces directly to her, as does Venezuelan champion Sweet Candy (Ven) and GISWs Reluctant Guest and Just the Time.

Real Delight (1949, Bull Lea–Blue Delight, by Blue Larkspur): This Calumet mare produced three stakes winners, but tracing to her through her daughters are Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth and her foals, including champion Our Mims, MGISW and leading sire Alydar, and GISW Sugar and Spice; plus champion Christmas Past, MGISWs Codex and Grand Slam, and many more high-class runners.

How (1948, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}): A full-sister to fellow CCA Oaks winner Cherokee Rose (above), How produced just three foals, but one of them was 1965 Broodmare of the Year Pocahontas, who in turn produced champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, MSW and sire Chieftain, and a number of other accomplished runners.

Scattered (1945, Whirlaway–Imperatrice, by Caruso): The dam of Alabama winner Here and There and Hempstead winner Disperse, this King Ranch mare may not remain a significant force in Thoroughbred pedigrees, but her great-grandson is the breed-shaping Quarter Horse racing stallion Dash for Cash. According to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), he “defined Quarter Horse racing from the time he stepped onto the track” until his death. His ashes are buried at the foot of his life-sized bronze at the breed's Hall of Fame and Museum. Dash for Cash's trainer nearly 50 years ago was one D. Wayne Lukas.

MGISW and $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton sales mare Hard Not to Love traces to 1921 CCA Oaks winner Flambette | Benoit

Vagrancy (1939, Sir Gallahad III {Fr}–Valkyr, by Man o' War): This Belair Stud champion produced English champion Black Tarquin, as well as Test and Diana winner Vulcania. Her descendants include Broodmares of the Year Banja Luka and Natashka. Among the most notable stakes winners tracing to her are Horse of the Year Ferdinand, multiple European champion Distant Relative (Ire), and champion Questing, who also won the CCA Oaks in 2012.

Black Helen (1932, Black Toney–La Troienne {Fr}, by Teddy {Fr}): Although she didn't produce any stakes winners herself, Black Helen originated her own branch of the immortal La Troienne line through her daughters. Among her descendants were U.S. champions But Why Not, Princess Rooney, and Pleasant Tap; Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor; and GI Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin.

Flambette (Fr) (1918, Durbar II {Fr}–La Flambee {Fr}, by Ajax {Fr}): A Belair Stud foundation mare, Flambette produced Gazelle winner Flambino and two other stakes winners. Her daughters produced champion and Triple Crown winner Omaha, Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Johnstown, and champions Gallorette and Jacola. Among other top horses descended immediately from her were champions Phalanx and Nadir, Kentucky Derby winner Decidedly, and G1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Mark of Esteem (Ire). More recent GISWs tracing to her include Hard Not to Love, Avenge, Union Strike, and Secret Spice, in addition to Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot.

Cleopatra (1917, Corcyra {GB}–Gallice {GB}, by Gallinule {GB}): Three of this mare's foals were black-type winners, including champion Pompey. Her descendants include Broodmare of the Year Gaga, who produced not only Horse of the Year and good sire Tom Fool, but also champion Aunt Jinny.

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The Penn Mile is designated as a Grade 2 race on turf by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's American Graded Stakes Committee, but was automatically downgraded to Grade 3 because of the surface switch. The AGS Committee will review this year's running and decide whether to reinstate it to Grade 2.

The King Cheek finished second after dueling with Sibelius through fractions of :24.66, :49.13, and 1:13.75. It was 6 1/4 lengths farther back to Chess's Dream in third, with 9-5 favorite Annex fourth and Sibelius retreating to the back of the field of five 3-year-olds at the wire. Original and Outadore were scratched.

Gershwin, a Distorted Humor colt out of G1 winner and producer Music Note, by A.P. Indy, is trained by Michael Stidham, who also trains Mystic Guide (by Ghostzapper) for Godolphin. He ran the mile on a sloppy track in 1:39.24 and paid $6.80 to win.

The quality in Gershwin's female family goes well beyond Music Note, whose second dam is the Harbor View Farm filly It's In the Air, co-champion 2-year-old filly in 1978 and winner of four G1 races the following year.

The victory was the second in five lifetime starts – all in 2021 – for Gershwin, who left the maiden ranks sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs ver a muddy track in his second start on Feb. 6 at Fair Grounds. He finished a well-beaten third next out on a good track at Oaklawn on March 25, then lost by a neck on a sloppy track at Churchill going a one-turn mile. The Penn Mile was the first stakes attempt.for Gershwin, who trained up to the race at Fair Hill training center in Maryland.

Gershwin broke well from the rail post but Bravo allowed The King Cheek and Sibelius to gain the advantage in the early going. He kept Gershwin well off the rail throughout and swung even wider into the stretch to make his winning move.

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“I'm part of a big, global team, just trying to get the boss in the winner's circle,” Burke said. “It's me that's having the good fortune to work with these guys, the whole team. Any time we get to be associated with a horse that's winning, we enjoy knowing that we played a part in it.”

One of the top older horses in training to have come through the Godolphin rehab and pre-training barn Burke runs at Keeneland is Mystic Guide, a 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper being aimed at the Dubai World Cup. Mystic Guide won the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes and placed second in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup last year, and began his 2021 campaign with a striking win in the G3 Razorback Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 27. 

If he can find success in the UAE, Mystic Guide will be just the second winner Godolphin has sent from North America to the $12 million race, following the success of Street Cry in 2002.

That isn't the only reason the colt's success will have extra meaning for Burke, however. The Irish-born trainer counts himself lucky to have had Mystic Guide's dam in his barn when he first started working for Godolphin, and it would be pretty special to watch her have similar success in the broodmare shed to what she was able to achieve on the racetrack.

“Music Note was one of the charter members here at the Rice Road barn,” said Burke. “She was among the first group of horses I was rehabbing, and she turned out to be one of the better horses in America by the time she retired.”

Music Note, a daughter of A.P. Indy, broke her maiden at Aqueduct in November of her 2-year-old year. She would go on to three Grade 1 races as a 3-year-old, and a further two Grade 1 stakes as a 4-year-old. Music Note also ran third in both the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic before retiring to Gainsborough Farm with earnings over $1.6 million.

“I'm so glad for her to show up with this caliber of horse,” Burke said. “We've kind of been waiting on her to produce this kind of horse, so it's great to see her do that. You always want them to take that same performance between the rails and bring it to the paddocks.”

Music Note had found mild success in the breeding shed with her second foal, Ventura Highway (Street Cry), a gelding with no black type but a solid record (12-17-12) over 66 starts to earn $217,925 on the track.

The rest of the millionaire mare's offspring had yet to show the same kind of potential she'd had on the track, but that trend changed when Mystic Guide walked into Burke's barn at Keeneland in 2019.

“Usually the 2-year-olds get dispersed out of Ocala to their assigned trainers after the (Kentucky) Derby,” Burke explained. “Instead, he came from Niall Brennan up to me for a little bit, because he wasn't quite as forward. He was a nice, big, good-looking horse, though, and we just worked him a couple of times over the summer but mostly gave him time to grow.”

Mystic Guide went to trainer Michael Stidham's barn at the Fair Grounds before his first start in February of 2020, and the colt's recent effort in the Razorback has shown once again that Burke still knows a good horse when he sees one.

“For him to run a 108 Beyer off the layoff, that kind of thing always makes you feel good,” Burke said. “We'll be cheering him home in Dubai, for sure.”

Ghostzapper colt Mystic Guide wins the Razorback Handicap by six lengths under Luis Saez

Burke knows good horses, thanks to a lifetime of experience from the ground up. 

The son of a steeplechase trainer who served his apprenticeship with the legendary Vincent O'Brien during his pre-Ballydoyle days, Burke has wanted to work with horses for as long as he can remember. 

His father insisted Burke finish school, and as soon as he hit graduation Burke began riding out in the mornings. Burke attended the Irish National Stud Course in 1979, and spent a couple years in Australia before traveling to Lexington.

He spent seven years galloping horses and traveling for future Hall of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger, and eventually took out his own trainer's license.

“I didn't have anything else I knew how to do,” Burke said, laughing. “I ended up with one horse (in the beginning), and said, 'I'll keep going as long as I can.' I made a living at it, galloping a lot of my own horses, and rented half a barn at Paris Pike for a while.

“It's a tough business but a satisfying business, running a public stable. I have no qualms about the fact that I tried it; I wasn't going out with sky high ambitions. You know, they gave me a lemon and I tried to make lemonade.”

He trained a couple maiden winners for Godolphin over the course of his career, and in 2006, Burke got a call from Jimmy Bell about the organization's desire to open a year-round operation in a barn on Rice Road at Keeneland.

“It was a great phone call to get,” Burke said. “My days of getting on horses galloping were about over, and I said to myself, 'I'll probably never get a call like this again.'

“I do think mid-range horses teach you more about training than the real good horses, which basically train themselves. Good horses don't grow on trees, though.”

Neither do good employees.

“This business, you gotta have a bit of luck, but you gotta put a bit into it, too,” Burke summarized. “Hard work and reputation will carry you a lot further than anything else in life.”

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A Godolphin homebred out of the five-time Grade 1-winning millionaire Music Note (A.P. Indy), Mystic Guide won the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes last year before finishing a close second to Happy Saver in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Plans call for the 4-year-old to ship from Stidham's base at the Fair Grounds to Miami on March 15, then to the UAE on March 17. No decision has been finalized on a jockey, Stidham said.

Other American horses targeting the Dubai World Cup are Sleepy Eyes Todd and Tacitus, both of whom contested the Saudi Cup and remained overseas.

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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The Razorback is one of three stakes races on Saturday's card, along with the $750,000 Southwest (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles and the $200,000 Spring Fever for older female sprinters. The Southwest will mark the 2021 debut of unbeaten Essential Quality, the country's champion 2-year-old male. Racing begins at 12:15 p.m. (Central), with probable post time for the Razorback, which goes as the seventh of 11 races, 3:20 p.m.

The Razorback was originally scheduled to be run Feb. 13 before fierce winter weather shuttered racing at Oaklawn for two weeks. It will still mark the 4-year-old debut of Godolphin's Mystic Guide, by 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper out of millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner Music Note. Mystic Guide has already built a solid resume in six career starts, winning the $150,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) Sept. 5 at Saratoga before concluding his 2020 campaign with a second-place finish, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the $250,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) Oct. 10 at Belmont Park.

“We were delighted with the way his 3-year-old year turned out,” trainer Mike Stidham said. “There were a lot of temptations to run in the Derby and different spots and the timing just wasn't right. It just seemed like he needed a little bit more time, so we kept being real patient with him and let him develop. As he developed and those other races showed up, we always felt like a mile and an eighth and farther was going to be helpful to him. Turned out great. He won a Grade 2 and placed in a Grade 1 as a 3-year-old, so now we're hoping for an even better 4-year-old year.”

Mystic Guide has recorded a series of sharp workouts at Fair Grounds leading up to his 2021 debut. Stidham said he chose to start Mystic Guide's 2021 campaign in the Razorback because unbeaten Maxfield, another Godolphin homebred, was being pointed to the $200,000 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) Feb. 13 at Fair Grounds.

“With Maxfield also being at being at the Fair Grounds, they didn't want to run them against each other,” Stidham said of Godolphin. “It was decided that Maxfield was going to stay here and we would go to Oaklawn. That was how it all worked out.”

Maxfield moved to 5 for 5 with a 3 ¼-length victory in the Mineshaft, which marked his 4-year-old debut. Mystic Guide will have a chance to complete the Godolphin older horse stakes double in the Razorback, a major local prep for the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 17.

Mystic Guide was the 3-1 second choice in the program after the race was originally drawn. Mystic Guide was among seven horses entered Tuesday, the others being Silver Prospector, Hunka Burning Love, Mailman Money, Owendale, Rated R Superstar and Long Range Toddy.

Stidham has 19 career victories at Oaklawn, with almost one-third (six) coming in stakes events. Stidham won the $250,000 Fantasy (G2) for 3-year-old fillies in 1994 with Two Altazano, 1999 Razorback with Desert Air and four more stakes with crack Arkansas-bred sprinter Comedero, including the $60,000 Mountain Valley in open company in 2010.

“Most of the time when we make the ship, it's usually for a stakes, so we probably have run in more stakes than anything there,” Stidham said. “We hope our success continues.”

The Southwest, Oaklawn's second of four Kentucky Derby points races, drew a field of seven. In addition to Essential Quality and multiple Grade 1 winner Jackie's Warrior, Saffa's Day, Last Samurai, Santa Cruiser, Woodhouse and Spielberg are also entered.

Oaklawn stakes winners Amy's Challenge and Kimari are among nine horses entered in the 5 1/2-furlong Spring Fever. Also entered are Cashcheckorcharge, Sunny Dale, Casual, Headland, Ain't No Elmers, Shesomajestic and Best Kept Secret.

Probable post time for the Spring Fever, race 8, is 3:52 p.m. Probable post time for the Southwest, race 10, is 4:58 p.m.

The post ‘Hoping For An Even Better 4-Year-Old Year’: G2 Winner Mystic Guide Returns In Razorback appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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At least this latter function was maintained, this time round, in the coming-of-age of ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), a colt for whom even a four-month postponement of the GI Kentucky Derby proved to be not quite enough. His response to a pair of blinkers, however, suggests that he could yet profit from the drastic realignment of the Classics to follow the Derby winner to the GI Preakness S.

In carving his name below that of his grandsire Awesome Again–himself too late on the scene for the U.S. Classics, when winning the race in 1997–Mystic Guide made a breakthrough that had certainly appeared within his compass, despite an odds-on defeat in the GIII Peter Pan S. at the start of the Saratoga meet. The dynamic move he made into third that day, having been going nowhere mid-race, spoke of an unusual talent still in development.

Though again striking from last place, a more focused animal contested the Jim Dandy. This time Mystic Guide’s brawny physique required far less organizing–partly, no doubt, thanks to the blinkers covering up that big blaze of his; but also showing the benefit of trainer Mike Stidham’s forbearance, in never having tried to make him run before he could walk.

In terms of pedigree, there can’t be many horses in training right now whose ability is easier to explain: his first and third dams are both five-time Grade I winners, and his unraced second dam additionally produced a Classic winner in France. And his sire, of course, is one of the most venerable speed-carrying influences around.

Not that this kind of seamless quality routinely plays out in breeding. No less than when we sift a more plebeian family, to find the hidden genetic nuggets that might explain an unexpected talent, this one contains its challenges. Because where we normally ask which cold flints have been rubbed together to spark a flame, here we must ask why so obvious a formula has not worked more consistently.

In each case, we are guilty of the besetting vice of pedigree analysis: picking and choosing such evidence as best fits the outcome. A situation like this, however, should perhaps be viewed as a reminder of how the daily misadventures of the Thoroughbred can unravel even the best pedigrees, the best horsemanship, the most lavish care.

That applies to the Maktoum empire no less than to the rest of us. The fact is that Mystic Guide’s dam Music Note (A.P. Indy), who besides her Grade I wins (Coaching Club American Oaks, Mother Goose, Beldame, Ballerina, Gazelle) made the podium in consecutive editions of the GI Ladies’ Classic at the Breeders’ Cup, has otherwise failed to produce foals commensurate with their sires and trainers. Though herself as sound and consistent as she was talented, she has previously mustered only one that has sustained the basic functionality of a racehorse–and that was a son of Street Cry (Ire) claimed for $16,000 on his second start. He then managed a dozen wins in 64 subsequent starts, no fewer than 60 of them at Penn National.

Who knows what innate ability may have been stifled by ill luck in Music Note’s other foals? But her progeny otherwise include an Elusive Quality filly, unraced after making just $17,000 as Hip 2990 at the September Sale; two foals by Distorted Humor that managed a single unplaced start between them; and a son of Street Cry who did manage to win a race in a light career for Andre Fabre in France, though only after being gelded early.

Music Note was homebred for Godolphin by Gainsborough Stud from the unraced Note Musicale (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), whose dam It’s in the Air had broken the Keeneland November Sale record when acquired for $4.6 million in 1984. From the first crop of Mr. Prospector, It’s in the Air had shared the 2-year-old fillies’ championship in 1978 and won the GI Vanity H. twice, as well as the Ruffian H., Alabama S. and Delaware Oaks. She was tough, too, winning 16 of 43 starts.

Though It’s in the Air produced nine winners in all, the only one to achieve real distinction was the Seattle Slew filly she was carrying at the time of her sale, Bitooh (GB), who won the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. But several other daughters proved fertile producers, notably the dam of Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian), a top-level winner on either side of the Atlantic while best remembered for his chaotic disqualification in the GI Arlington Million. Another daughter, Group-placed Sous Intendu (Shadeed), has produced three stakes winners including G1 Prix Jean Prat runner-up Slip Stream (Irish River {Fr}), as well as the dam of Australian Group 1 winner Alverta (Aus) (Flying Sour {Aus}).

It was the unraced Note Musicale, however, who did most to defray her dam’s purchase. Besides Music Note herself, she also produced Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}). A Classic winner for Fabre, taking the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches before finishing third in the G1 Prix de Diane, Musical Chimes was exported to win the GI John C. Mabee H. for Neil Drysdale before becoming another who proved rather disappointing at stud.

The success of It’s in the Air in her second career, somewhat deferred as it was, is gratifying to those of us who believe that quality pooled beneath a pedigree can sometimes percolate unseen through a generation or two. Because her dam, A Wind Is Rising, was certainly a conduit for the right stuff.

You wouldn’t necessarily have said so, judging her as a Florida-bred, one-time winner by Francis S.–a well-bred but largely forgotten stallion, winner of the 1960 Wood Memorial for Harbor View/Burley Parke. Typical, in fact, of the material Mr. Prospector had to work with, when he started out in Ocala. (Albeit there’s an echo of It’s in the Air in some of the most valued animals around today: Francis S. was damsire of Ogygian, whose daughter Myth–herself out of a Mr. Prospector mare–gave us Scat Daddy’s sire Johannesburg.)

A Wind Is Rising certainly had a most remarkable symmetry to her pedigree: both her damsire Nasrullah and grandsire Royal Charger are sons of Nearco; and Royal Charger is out of Nasrullah’s half-sister Sun Princess. This really is as copper-bottomed as the last century gets: the dam of Nasrullah and Sun Princess was a half-sister to the mother of breed-shaping Mahmoud, the pair of them out of the champion sprinter Mumtaz Mahal, the fount of so much vital Aga Khan blood. The mating that produced It’s in the Air, moreover, introduced an extra strain of Nasrullah, his son Nashua being damsire of Mr. Prospector.

I know people get impatient with these ancient parchments, but A Wind Is Rising also surfaces as fifth dam of dual G1 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}). That’s because Sheikh Mohammed doubled down on the family by buying Red Slippers (Nureyev), a great-granddaughter of A Wind Is Rising, from Robert Sangster after she broke her maiden at Ascot in 1991. Red Slippers went on to win the G2 Sun Chariot S. at three, encouraging another deal with Sangster when her half-sister by Storm Bird won both juvenile starts the following season. This was Balanchine, whose bold success against the colts in the G1 Irish Derby would set a bold template for Sheikh Mohammed’s new adventure with Godolphin. And while Balanchine has made a limited impact as a broodmare, Red Slippers produced G1 Prix de Diane winner West Wind (GB) (Machiavellian) as well as Eastern Joy (GB) (Dubai Destination), dam of four graded stakes performers besides Thunder Snow.

Another European luminary of this family is Saoirse Abu (Mr Greeley), a dual Group 1-winning juvenile for Jim Bolger in Ireland (also Classic-placed). She shares a granddam with Red Slippers.

Valuable mares owned by rich breeders get expensive coverings, and their offspring should get top-class trainers. So there are always any number of factors when the likes of Thunder Snow and now Mystic Ridge come good, three or four generations after their maternal line parted.

But I do think it comforting to find a family loaded with this kind of blood. After all, people are always eager to credit a sireline when it has tapered away to no less tenuous a degree.

And actually the sires who have seeded Mystic Guide’s branch of the family only compound the influences we just noted behind It’s in the Air. A.P. Indy doubles up the Nasrullah line through both sire and damsire. And the dam of Sadler’s Wells is by a Royal Charger-line stallion, while her granddam Thong is by a son of Nasrullah.

In a horse as well-bred as this, then, it doesn’t really matter which threads of the pedigree come through: they’re all gold. Both Mystic Guide’s parents, for instance, are out of dams who bred another elite runner: Note Musicale had Musical Chimes as well as Music Note, and Baby Zip had City Zip as well as Ghostzapper. Exactly the same is true of the respective dams of damsire and grandsire: Weekend Surprise had Summer Squall as well as A.P.Indy, and Primal Force had Macho Uno as well as Awesome Again.

Not even that brings any guarantees, as Mystic Guide’s disappointing siblings show. But if luck and judgement are now combining to permit the fulfilment of this pedigree’s potential, then there won’t be a single creaking floorboard on the stage.

And, someday, that could become hugely important. Because if Mystic Guide can earn a legitimate place at stud, he will have a chance to address the one lingering omission in the career of the phenomenal athlete who became his sire.

Justify (Scat Daddy) has announced with unmissable fanfare the emergence of Ghostzapper as a broodmare sire, unsurprising in a grandson of Deputy Minister. And, yes, Ghostzapper has Shaman Ghost standing alongside him at Adena Springs; and McCraken, his most precocious son, now making his way at Airdrie. These two have everything to play for, respectively launching their first yearlings and weanlings. At 20, however, time is running out for Ghostzapper to increase competition among his male heirs.

This is a stallion whose lifetime ratio of stakes and graded stakes winners is comfortably in step with Medaglia d’Oro and Curlin, and way ahead of many other big names. So the stakes are high, with Mystic Guide; no higher, however, than the roots are deep.

The post No Mystery about Mystic Potential appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The sophomore Ghostzapper chestnut earned his first graded stakes victory in the 1 1/8-mile event over the Saratoga Race Course main track in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and arrived off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Peter Pan on July 16 to Country Grammer.

Stidham said the Grade 1, $1 million Preakness Stakes on October 3 at Pimlico Race Course is a possibility for Mystic Guide.

“We're going to look at it and see how he trains these next couple of weeks,” Stidham said. “He's already back at Fair Hill and looked good this morning. He came out of the race in good shape.”

Never off the hoard in five career starts, Stidham said Mystic Guide had always touted himself as a horse with a bright future. Following a five-length maiden score at second asking in his two-turn debut in March at Fair Grounds, he finished third in a one-turn first level allowance race at Belmont Park which was won by Tap It to Win en route to the Peter Pan.

“He always showed us a lot of promise right from the beginning,” Stidham said. “We stayed patient with him. We didn't put him in spots that he wasn't ready for. We tried to do the right thing by the horse, and it paid off yesterday. There was temptation in thinking about the Derby, but he didn't advance quickly enough to be in that picture.”

Following Saturday's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, which was won by Authentic who kept heavy favorite Tiz the Law at bay, Stidham said the 3-year-old division appears to be wide open.

“I don't think that there's a big difference in a lot of the 3-year-olds,” Stidham said. “Tiz the Law was certainly the leader of the group, and then obviously he got beat yesterday. I think it opens the picture up and I think our horse is lightly raced and could be coming into his peak now and coming up to his best racing.”

A Kentucky homebred, Mystic Guide is out of the three-time Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy mare Music Note. Stidham currently has Mystic Guide's half-brother Gershwin in his barn. The unraced 2-year-old son of Distorted Humor has been training forwardly at Fair Hill and Stidham said he could make his career debut soon.

“He's showing some early promise. He hasn't started yet but he's had some nice works,” Stidham said. “There are a lot of similarities. They're big, strong colts and Gershwin has shown some early talent. He's another one that's going to be a two turn horse. We aren't in any rush with him. He'll make his first start in the month to six weeks.”

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