First Foal for Champion Epicenter Arrives

The first foal for 2022 Eclipse Award-winning champion 3-year-old male and GI Runhappy Travers S. winner Epicenter (Not This Time) arrived at Twin Creeks Farm on Saturday when the stakes-placed Peaceful (Declaration of War) produced a quality filly.

“Excited about our new Epicenter filly out of Peaceful! Day one has us impressed, and we're big fans of the sire,” said Randy Gullatt.

The Coolmore stallion will stand the 2024 season for $40,000.

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Twin Creeks Banner Unfurled at Keeneland September

The Twin Creeks Farm name is a very familiar one in horse racing. Having been associated with a host of big-name horses in the past as both a breeder and owner, the operation will now venture into new terrain, offering it's first draft of yearlings on Day 4 of this season's Keeneland September Sale.

The initial seven-horse draft on offer is highlighted by five yearlings by WinStar sire Constitution.

“Overall, we thought this was a very solid group and these individuals were very similar,” Twin Creeks' Randy Gullatt said. “And they all have a very strong pedigree behind them. I hope we have already proven the point that we can breed and sell great horses, so I think they will be very popular here.”

In a fateful move that would pave the way for the string of successes that would come in the breeding shed and on the racetrack, Twin Creeks teamed up with WinStar Farm to campaign $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling purchase Constitution (Tapit), victorious in the 2014 GI Besilu Florida Derby and 2015 GI Donn H. Standing for an advertised fee of $85,000 in 2022, Constitution currently heads the earning's list of North American fourth crop sires with runners in both North America and Europe.

“He's been so important to us, both in racing him and now as a sire,” he said. “We've raced four graded stakes horses by him that we also bred.”

According to Gullatt, Hip 812 and Hip 888 are likely to garner plenty of attention next week. The former, who is out of Sharp Instinct (Awesome Again), is a half-brother to GSW Send It In (Big Brown). The latter is a half-brother to Grade II-placed Afleet Destiny (Hard Spun). Both yearlings are by Constitution.

Gullatt explained, “These colts in particular have a really special look to them. They both have that special physical that most of these buyers seem to be attracted to. I think being by Constitution and having that look, I would think they'd be very popular.”

Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again, Twin Creeks has already tasted top-level success with another son of Constitution. Consigned on behalf of breeder Twin Creeks by Becky Thomas's Sequel New York in 2018 renewal of the Saratoga Preferred New York bred Yearling Sale, Tiz the Law–out of Tizfiz (Tiznow)–was purchased for $110,000 by Jack Knowlton's Sackatoga Stable. Trained by Barclay Tagg, the colt went on to win the GI Belmont S. In addition to the GI Runhappy Travers S., GI Curlin Florida Derby and GI Champagne S.

Tiz the Law is a very different type of horse from the colts we are offering at Keeneland September,” explained Gullatt. “He was a smaller sort of horse and had an exceptional mind, but he wasn't a [physical] standout as a yearling. And Constitution was a relatively unknown stallion at the time that Tiz the Law sold.”

He continued, “But I think these colts are a step above [physically] than Tiz the Law was as a yearling. Obviously, Constitution's stature as a stallion has also grown since Tiz the Law sold.”

Another member of the Constitution brigade received a timely boost her page. Hip 1019–out of a half-sister to GISW Celestine (Scat Daddy) named Haunted Heroine (Ghostzapper)–is a full-sister to Law Professor, winner of the Sept. 1 Tapit S. at Kentucky Downs. Trained by Rob Atras, the Twin Creeks homebred is also responsible for a win in last season's GII Santa Anita Mathis Mile.

“I think he's going to be an exciting fall horse for us,” Gullat said of Law Professor. “We're quite high on him.”

Of his full sister, he added, “She should make an incredible racehorse, and hopefully, as a broodmare for someone one day.”

Among the Twin Creeks offerings not by Constitution, Hip 906 is by the recently deceased More Than Ready out of Baffling (Graydar)–a homebred, half-sister to Constitution out of Baffled (Distorted Humor). The immediate family also boasts Group 2 winner Boynton (More Than Ready) and Grade III scorer Jacaranda (Congrats).

“We had the mare Baffled for some time and sold a More Than Ready out of her named Boynton for $750,000 [at Keeneland September in 2015]. So, we know that the niche works.”

He added, “She is a big, strong, two-turn, classy filly. I think she can be a tremendous broodmare for someone someday.”

According to Gullatt, Hip 1093, by Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) out of May Night (Gulch), has been withdrawn from the sale and will be retained by Twin Creeks to race. Twin Creeks also campaigned the GI Travers S. and GI Belmont Derby winner with Bob LaPenta, Madaket Stables and Siena Farm.

“She's the only Catholic Boy that we have,” he said, explaining the decision to scratch. “It looks like it might be [dam Song of Bernadette]'s last foal, so we decided we want to keep that family.”

 

Planting the Seed

According to Twin Creek's Randy Gullatt, the addition of farm manager Ryan Bardin to the team was instrumental in facilitating the move to sell its own product at public sale.

“We have done occasionally in the past, but nothing to this degree,” explained Gullatt. “This year, I have a new farm manager to help out and we had a nice group of horses and we thought we could sell them all on the same day. And we thought, 'why not this year be the year we start selling our own in September'.”

Expanding upon the decision to assume selling duties at Keeneland September, Gullatt continued, “Sequel New York sells all of our New York breds, and Taylor Made sells our Kentucky horses. And we're still going to use them. Taylor Made sold a horse for us in July and they will sell something for us in October and November as well. Sequel sold a horse for us at Saratoga in August. September is just such a unique place. It's close to home and its something that we can do on our own now. We also thought the horses were all of similar quality and, being able to sell them on the same day, that played a role in the decision as well.”

Also on offer, next week are a pair of Constitutions–a filly, Hip 779 out of Grade II winner Pure Silver (Mission Impazible) and Hip 792, another colt by Constitution out of Remedy (Creative Cause) from the family of champion Beholder and Into Mischief. Rounding out the consignment is Hip 799, a daughter of freshman sire City of Light.

Underscoring the relevance of the younger sires, not only to Twin Creeks program, but also to the industry as a whole, Gullatt said, “Especially with the fillies, having these current horses on the track adds that 'sexy' value to these yearlings. I think this market always enjoys that fresh face. The first-year stallion, new horse or an up-and-coming stars like Constitution. Big names mean a lot to pedigrees. Having that current horse just gives you a family that people want to invest into. Those are the ones we want to bring here.”

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Mating Plans: Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks Farm

With the 2022 breeding season right around the corner, we will feature a series of breeders' mating plans over the coming weeks. Today we have Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks Farm

INTO MYSTIC (m, 6, Into Mischief–Loveofalifetime, by Medaglia d'Oro), to be bred to Constitution

She's a multiple stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed maiden mare with earnings of $448,623, and will be bred to Constitution.

Constitution, purchased out of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale by Twin Creeks Racing and WinStar Farm, is loaded in the pipeline with a tremendous support from shareholders and elite breeders. He's poised to take the reins from his legendary sire Tapit.

MAY NIGHT (m, 19, Gulch–Riverjinsky, by Riverman), to be bred to Catholic Boy

May Night won the P. G. Johnson S. at Saratoga, and is a multiple stakes-producing mare including millionaire Red Rifle (Giant's Causeway) and Notte d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro).

Raced in partnership with Robert LaPenta, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm and Twin Creeks Racing, Catholic Boy showed true brilliance on both turf and dirt surfaces. Catholic Boy is also by More Than Ready, one of the most respected sires in racing. We are looking forward to his first-crop yearlings in 2022.

WHISPER NUMBER (m, 14, First Samurai–Santerra, by Tejabo), to be bred to Constitution

She's a multiple graded-stakes producer and the dam of Ms Locust Point ($675,975, Dialed In) and Warrant ($649,700, Constitution). She's due to foal to Constitution, and will be bred back to him this year.

SHARP INSTINCT (m, 15, Awesome Again–Forty Paulina {Arg}, by Roar), to be bred to Independence Hall

Sharp Instinct is the dam of graded stakes winner Send It In ($501,914, Big Brown). She's due to foal to Twin Creeks-bred Tiz the Law, and will be going to WinStar's new recruit Independence Hall.

Independence Hall raced in partnership with Twin Creeks Racing, Bob Verratti and Eclipse Thoroughbreds, then was later joined by WinStar farm. The son of Constitution is a stunning physical that breeders are falling in love with. His athleticism should match up well with many different sire lines.

We are looking forward to [her] Tiz the Law foal as well. Tiz the Law was brilliant his entire racing career. Tiz the Law is known for his exceptional class, ability and he's by the exciting stallion Constitution.

BAFFLING (m, 7, Graydar–Baffled, by Distorted Humor), to be bred to Gun Runner

She's a Twin Creeks Farm homebred half-sister to Constitution, Jacaranda (Congrats), and Boynton (More Than Ready). By Graydar, who was campaigned by Twin Creeks Racing, she's due to foal to Not This Time.

PURE SILVER (m, 7, Mission Impazible–Jehan, by Forest Wildcat), to be bred to Constitution

Pure Silver is a Twin Creeks Farm homebred, by Twin Creeks Racing's Mission Impazible. She's a multiple stakes winner, including the GII Adirondack S. at Saratoga, and is due to foal to Constitution.

Let us know who you're breeding your mares to in 2022, and why. We will print a selection of your responses in TDN over the coming weeks. Please send details to: garyking@thetdn.com.

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Independence Hall To Stand At WinStar Farm At Conclusion Of Racing Career

Independence Hall, a resounding 7 1/4-length winner of the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 30 and a romping 12 1/4-length winner of the 2019 G3 Nashua Stakes (G3) as an undefeated 2-year-old, will stand stud at WinStar Farm at the conclusion of his racing career, the farm announced today.

He will stand for a fee of $10,000 and he will participate in WinStar's Dream Big Program, which offers breeders the opportunity to earn a lifetime breeding right.

Independence Hall is currently being pointed to either the G1 Clark Handicap Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs or the G1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 4 and his fee is subject to change following his next start.

From the first crop of WinStar stallion Constitution, the leading third-crop sire of 2021, Independence Hall was an electric 2-year-old. He was undefeated as a juvenile, winning the first two starts of his career by a combined 17 lengths. In his career debut, he won a maiden special weight by 4 3/4 lengths with speed to spare. He jumped straight into graded company in just his second lifetime start, taking the $150,000 G3 Nashua Stakes in impressive fashion. After stalking the early pace in the one-mile event, Independence Hall simply engulfed his rivals around the far turn and ran up the score in the lane, ultimately winning by 12 1/4 lengths, stopping the clock in 1:34.66 and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 101—the fastest Beyer of any 2-year-old that year.

“Two-year-old form is so important when standing a stallion,” said Elliott Walden, WinStar's president, CEO, and racing manager. “Independence Hall's striking looks combined with his fast figures at two make him a great option at this price point.”

In the Fayette, Independence Hall proved uncatchable. Hustled to the early lead by Javier Castellano, Independence Hall set all the pace in the 1 1/8-mile test. He shrugged off a brief challenge from multiple Grade 1 winner Code of Honor at the top of the lane and rolled to the wire to win by daylight, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105 in the sensational effort for trainer Michael McCarthy.

In addition to his impressive stakes victories, Independence Hall finished second to Knicks Go in the $400,000 G3 Lukas Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs on Oct. 2 and was third in the $3 million G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes in January.

All told, Independence Hall has won five of 13 career starts thus far, placed in four others, and earned $874,000 for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, WinStar Farm, and Robert and Kathleen Verratti. The dark bay colt, a stakes winner at two, three, and four from 6 1/2 furlongs to nine furlongs over all track conditions, was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds.

“When we bought into him after he broke his maiden, he reminded me of his daddy—a great-looking horse with speed. He's pure athleticism, that's what I look for,” said Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks Racing Stables. “We will support him like we did Constitution.”

Independence Hall is out of the multiple stakes-producing Cape Town mare Kalahari Cat, dam of Grade 3 winner Black Onyx, stakes winner and Graded stakes-placed Francois, and Grade 2-placed Quality Council. He hails from the immediate family of Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Desert Stormer and multiple Grade 1 winner Better Lucky.

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