Pedigree Insights

1st-AQU, $80k, Msw, 3yo/up, 1mT, post time: 11:50 a.m. ET Stone Farm homebred WAR FIGHTER (War Front), a full-brother to European champion 2-year-old and young Coolmore sire Air Force Blue, kicks off his career over the Aqueduct lawn for Graham Motion. The dark bay posted a pair of bullets at Fair Hill for this, including a four-furlong spin in :48 (1/6) over the all-weather Nov. 15. Chatham (Maria's Mon)'s 2020 War Front colt brought $1 million from Lynnhaven Racing at this year's Keeneland September Sale. TJCIS PPs 5th-AQU, $80k, Msw,...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, post time: 1:05 p.m. ET A pair of half-sisters to Grade I winners line up for top trainers in the Sunday opener. Red Oak Stable homebred Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) is out of speedy stakes winner Feel That Fire (Lightnin N Thunder), making her a half to Mind Control (Stay Thirsty), a debut winner at two who took the GI Hopeful S. in 2018 here, GI H. Allen Jerkens S. the following season and was last seen annexing...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 4th-FG, $50K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, post time: 2.29 p.m. ET A number of freshly minted sophomores who were pricey sales horses kick off their careers in this six-panel maiden, led by Tom Durant's RUN CLASSIC (Runhappy), a $475,000 OBS purchase  (:20 3/5) and the highest-priced juvenile to sell by his sire. Trainer Bret Calhoun sends him to post, where he will have to face former $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling Constituency (Candy Ride {Arg}). The CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm runner, who is conditioned by Dallas...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency COLTS FROM FLAMBOYANT FAMILIES READY TO SHINE  8th-BEL, 63K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, post time: 4:47 p.m. EDT A $470,000 Keeneland September yearling for the partnership of Peter Brant and Robert LaPenta, Chad Brown's MILES D (Curlin) is the first foal of an unraced Bernardini mare who hails from the exceptional Personal Ensign (Private Account)'s immediate family. That Broodmare of the Year's Breeders' Cup-winning and -producing daughter My Flag (Easy Goer) is Miles D's granddam. The depth of this family seems limitless, but the graded winners...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency CURLIN FILLIES CLASH 3rd-BEL, 63K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1m, post time: 2:04 p.m. EDT This loaded maiden has some of the best pedigrees in the stud book represented, starting with Chad Brown's AMERICAN WEST (Curlin), whose GIII-winning dam is a half-sister to leading second-crop sire Constitution (Tapit). Granddam Baffled (Distorted Humor) had a yearling filly by Medaglia d'Oro sell in Book 1 last week at Keeneland September, who hammered to Whisper Hill Farm for $1.1 million. American West was a $925,000 purchase herself last year...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency CATALANO UNVEILS CARPE DIEM SIBLING 1st-SAR, $72K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 1:10 p.m. ET A pair of loaded 2-year-old maidens--one on each coast--serve as appetizers to the major stakes Saturday. Coffepot Stables homebred REGULAR GUY (Bernardini) features at the Spa for Wayne Catalano. The dark bay is a half to multiple Grade I winner and young sire Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), as well as to additional GISW J. B.'s Thunder (Thunder Gulch), MGSW & GISP Farrell (Malibu Moon), and two other graded stakes horses....

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I can tell you that December 1, 1971 was a day that many would prefer to forget--it was the day that John and Yoko's "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" was released in the U.S. But over in England it was the day that a batch of 3-year-old fillies was offered by the Aga Khan at Tattersalls' December Sales. It is worth pointing out that the average price in 1971 for a house in the UK was apparently £5,632, so the 4,100gns paid for...