Smart Buy: BC Distaff Winner I/F To Smart Strike Brings $3.1M

The $40,000 KEESEP yearling Adoration (Honor Grades) has become a $3.1 million KEENOV broodmare. In foal to leading sire Smart Strike, she was purchased by the Coolmore conglomerate, with Demi O'Byrne signing the ticket. The eight-year-old mare was acquired privately by John and Jerry Amerman after her maiden win and went on to win the GII Hollywood Breedersﾒ Cup Oaks and GIII Senorita S. at three, but it was at four that she really blossomed. The bay captured the 2003 GI Breedersﾒ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita and added the GI Santa Margarita H. the following season, retiring with eight wins from 20 starts for earnings of $2,051,159.