Zipse’s
Kentucky Derby Daily – Day 26
Pedigree Spotlight written by Scott Dick
Jess
Jackson and Stonestreet Stables are praying the celestial bodies are positioned
perfectly for their colt Astrology. Astrology is coming off his first start as
a 3-year- old, an impressive 2nd place finish in the grade III Sunland Park
Derby. He stalked the quick pace of Sinai, making an impressive move at the quarter
pole, and the cruised to the lead without being asked, Twice The Appeal moved
with him and battled him down the stretch. Astrology finally gave in, as the more
fit Twice The Appeal went on by to score by 1 ½ lengths. This was the first
start for Astrology in 4 months and it was an encouraging performance. Jockey
Julien Leparoux never seemed to get into the horse and looked to have left
something in the tank for his next start. Astrology had an impressive 2-year-old
season, winning the grade III Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs. He also ran a
credible 2nd to Santiva in the grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at
Churchill. Astrology has yet to run worse than third, and seems to have limitless
potential.
The sire of
Astrology is A.P. Indy. A.P. Indy was a phenomenal race horse. Easy to spot
with his low head carriage, A.P. Indy scored in several graded stakes including
the Grade I Breeder's Cup Classic, Grade I Belmont Stakes, Grade I Santa Anita
Derby, Grade I Hollywood Futurity, Grade II Peter Pan Stakes and the Grade II
San Rafael. He is also a two-time leading sire.A.P. Indy
is the sire of champions – Mineshaft, Bernardini, Rags To Riches, Marchfield
(Canadian Champion),Tempera, Festival Of Light (UAE Champion), Catch The Thrill
(Canadian Champion.) He's also the sire of grade I winners – Golden Missile, Music
Note, Secret Status, Just As Well, Stephen Got Even, Symboli Indy, Aptitude,
and Tomisue's Delight.
The sire of
A.P. Indy is the great Seattle Slew. The Triple Crown champion was known as one
of the greatest sires of all time. Showing versatility, he sired race horses,
broodmares, and he was a sire of sires.
The dam of
A.P. Indy is Weekend Surprise. Weekend Surprise was a very good race horse in
her own right. She won 7 times in 31 starts and scored in the Grade III
Schuylerville Stakes and the grade III Golden Rod Stakes. As a broodmare, Weekend
Surprise has been SENSATIONAL.Besides
A.P. Indy, she is also the dam of Summer Squall, a winner of over $1,844,000 in
his career and victor of the grade I Preakness.
The dam of
Astrology is Quiet Eclipse. Quiet Eclipse only won 1 race in her career and it
was sprinting. She has been very good so far as a broodmare. She is the dam of
the colt Lunarpal. Lunerpal won 4 of his 6 career starts, scoring in the Grade
III Bashford Manor stakes at Churchill Downs. Lunarpal won all of his races
sprinting.
The Sire of
Quiet Eclipse is Quiet American. Quiet American was a solid race horse, winning
the Grade I NYRA Mile Handicap and the Grade III San Diego Handicap. He
finished his career with over $750,000 in purse money. Quiet American has proven
to be a very useful sire. He is the sire of the grade I winners – Hidden Lake, Seattle
Smooth, Cara Rafaela, as well as near Triple Crown winner Real Quiet.
The dam of
Quiet Eclipse is June Gift. June Gift won 5 times in 19 career starts. As a
broodmare she has produced 6 winners, including Great Respect. Great Respect
won 4 times in 38 starts. She won over $100,000 in her career, and was able to
win sprinting and routing.
Astrology
has only made 1 start as a 3-year-old and has tons of room to improve. But you
have to ask yourself, is it too late? He seems to love the Churchill Downs
surface, with a win and 2nd place finish in two graded stakes at Churchill. His
bloodlines have the right amount of speed and distance and he has the talent to
compete with the top colts, but the question is does he have the fitness and
maturity? I think Astrology will play his cards right and make a big impact in
this year’s Kentucky Derby.
The Steve
Asmussen trainee Nehro is starting to look like a serious race horse. After his
first two races, one might think this colt was just rather ordinary. He
finished an OK 4th in his first race sprinting, and in his 2nd start he
stretched out to the mile distance. He was never involved in the race and
finished next to last, beaten some 22 lengths, not something you'd want to see
from a colt with Derby hopes. The light came on in his third career start, he
closed from last to make a strong, sweeping move to the lead, he cruised
through the stretch, dominating the maiden field by some 4 ½ lengths. Asmussen decided
to take his shot at the Grade II Louisana Derby, and Nehro was much closer to
the pace, sitting in 4th before making a late move on the rail. He closed fast,
and for a minute, it looked like he might actually run down Pants On Fire, but
it was just a little too late. He finished an impressive 2nd, only beaten a
neck to Pants On Fire.
The sire of
Nehro is Mineshaft. Mineshaft was a sensational race horse. He started his
career in England, where he broke his maiden on the turf. He also finished 3rd
in a grade III in France before coming to the US. Mineshaft thrived on American
soil, winning 4 grade I Stakes in his four-year-old season. He was eventually
named Horse-of-the-Year in 2003. Mineshaft's sire is the great A.P. Indy, (see
above for A.P. Indy's stats)The dam of
Mineshaft is Prospector's Delite. Prospector's Delite was an impressive race
horse in her own right. She won 6 of her 9 career starts and boast earnings
over $430,000. She won several graded stakes including the Grade I Acorn
Stakes, Grade I Ashland Stakes, and the Grade III Fairground Oaks. Prospector's
Delite has equaled her racing career in the breeding shed. She produced 5
winners who all won at least $100,000 in their careers. She is the dam of
Tomisue's Delight. Tomisue's Delight won the grade I Ruffian Stakes and the
grade I Personal Ensign Stakes. She is also the dam of graded stakes winner Mr.
Sidney.
The dam of
Nehro is The Administrator. The Administrator was a sprinter who won 4 races in
26 career starts. She won over $100,000 in her career, and was the winner of
the Singing Beauty Stakes. As a broodmare she has been extremely successful. She
has produced 5 winners. She is the dam of the filly Sweet Lips, Sweet Lips won
6 races in 13 starts with career earnings over $500,000. Sweet Lips won the
2005 Sunshine Millions Distaff.
The sire of
The Administrator is Afleet. Afleet was a versatile super star. 2nd
in the Preakness, he won the grade I Jerome Stakes and the grade II
Pennsylvania Derby going long, and also finished a credible 3rd in the grade I Breeder's
Cup Sprint. He was named Canadian Champion 3-year-old and Canadian Horse Of The
Year. He is the sire of the colt Afleet's Dancer, Afleet's Dancer was a
multiple grade III winner in Canada, he won over $1,000,000 and was named 2001
Canadian Champion Older Horse. Afleet also sired the graded stakes winners
Northern Afleet (sire of Afleet Alex),Twist Afleet, Top Secret, Sea Ditty, Rizzi,
Cat Be Nimble, Fleet Fleet Fleet.
The dam of
The Administrator is Shahriza. Shahriza was winless in 5 starts, but as a broodmare
she has been rock solid. She has produced 10 winners. She is the dam of
Zalipour. Zalipour won 7 of his 22 career starts, including the Manalapan
Handicap, The Del Ray Handicap, and the Hollywood Handicap. He finished with
earnings over $240,000.
Nehro is
lightly race and inexperienced. He is improving with every start and seems to
have the running style to relish the 10 furlong distance. His pedigree is
royal, his sire was a proven router and his dam was a solid sprinter who was
able to produce a solid distance horse in Sweet Lips. I believe the sky is the
limit for Nehro, but the Kentucky Derby might just be coming too soon for Nehro.
I could see him running a big race in the Kentucky Derby, but I expect him to
be a more serious contender in the Derbies of the Summer.
