New York-bred Horse of the Year

During Keeneland September last year, bloodstock agent Steve Young signed the ticket to the tune of $150,000 on a dark bay colt bred by Gainesway (hip 1408) for his client Harrell Ventures. Sent to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Sunrise (Karakontie {Jpn}--Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat) made his second start a winning one after a gritty battle over the turf in the ninth race at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon. When reached by phone, Young said that in the days leading up to the sale that the colt was high...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY--Even though Incurable Optimist (Cure the Blues) does not appear anywhere in Edict's (Arg) (Il Campione (Chi)) pedigree, think of her as a direct descendent of the precocious 1998 New York-bred Horse of the Year, who became a top sire in Argentina. Family ties notwithstanding, there is a straight line between Incurable Optimist and Edict, who will make her first start in the U.S. in the listed $150,000 Athenia Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday. Their connections, stretching across decades, are rock solid: from owner John Behrendt, through...