Bluegrass Cat

Bluegrass Cat (foaled January 23, 2003) is an American thoroughbred race horse. Although he won several major stakes races, he is best known for finishing second in both the 2006 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Bluegrass Cat
SireStorm Cat
DamShe's a Winner
DamsireA.P. Indy
SexStallion
Foaled2003
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederWinStar Farm
OwnerWinStar Farm
TrainerTodd Pletcher
Record11: 5-4-0
Earnings$1,761,280[1]
Major wins
Nashua Stakes (2005)
Remsen Stakes (2005)
Sam F Davis Stakes (2006)
Haskell Invitational Handicap (2006) American Classic Race placing:
Kentucky Derby 2nd (2006)
Belmont Stakes 2nd (2006)
Last updated on November 4, 2006

Background

Bluegrass Cat was bred by WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and raced under their colors as a homebred. He is by leading American sire Storm Cat, while his dam She's a Winner belongs to "the best family on earth", descending from La Troienne through Numbered Account.[2]

He was trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. His jockey was John Velazquez except in the Kentucky Derby, where Ramon Dominguez picked up the mount after Velazquez suffered a serious injury two weeks before the race.[3]

Racing career

2005: Two-year-old season

Bluegrass Cat made his debut on June 24 in a maiden race at Churchill Downs, finishing eighth after being bumped hard at the start.[4] On September 24, he broke his maiden by ​6 1⁄2 lengths in his second lifetime start in a seven-furlong race at Belmont Park.[5] In his third career race, he won the one mile Nashua Stakes, also at Belmont. "What I loved about the race today was that he was in behind horses, and got an education," said Pletcher. "He had to make room for himself at the top of the stretch and pushed his way through."[6]

In his final start at age two on November 26, he won the ​1 1⁄8-mile Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. In his first two-turn race, he prevailed by ​1 3⁄4 lengths after being challenged by Flashy Bull in the stretch. "He's quite a fighter," said Velazquez. "He was a little spooked at the end of the race when he saw a tire track. But, he's a nice horse, and I look forward to next year."[7]

2006: Three-year-old season

Bluegrass Cat started his three-year-old campaign at Tampa Bay Downs in the Sam F. Davis Stakes on February 16. He won by ​1 1⁄4 lengths in a good time of 1:44.17 for ​1 1⁄16 miles, less than 1 second off the track record.[8] On March 18, Bluegrass Cat was the 2-5 favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby but lost his footing on the far turn and finished second to Deputy Glitters, a horse he had defeated in the Sam Davis.[9] Bluegrass Cat next entered the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 15, where he was badly beaten by front running Sinister Minister.[10] Pletcher felt the loss may have been due to the Keeneland surface, which had shown a speed bias that favored horses on the lead.[11]

In the 2006 Kentucky Derby on May 6, Bluegrass Cat was a 30-1 longshot in a field of 20. For the first ​3⁄4 of a mile, he raced in fifth or sixth a few lengths behind the leaders, with Barbaro just ahead on the outside. On the far turn, Barbaro made his move, eventually winning by ​6 1⁄2 lengths. Bluegrass Cat could not match Barbaro's acceleration but was good enough to finish second by two lengths over Steppenwolfer, with Jazil and Brother Derek in a dead heat for fourth another length back.[12] Bluegrass Cat's connections skipped the Preakness Stakes, won by Bernardini after Barbaro's tragic breakdown, and rested him for the Belmont Stakes. When Bernardini skipped the Belmont Stakes, Bluegrass Cat became the second choice in a wide-open field of twelve. He raced just behind the early pace and made his move on the far turn, but was out-kicked by Jazil and finished second.[13][14]

After a brief rest, Bluegrass Cat next ran in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on August 6. Racing just off the pace for the first ​3⁄4 miles, he made a "devastating" move coming into the stretch and drew off to win by seven lengths. "We're delighted with his effort," said Pletcher. "His performance today is as good as any 3-year-old's this year. To win a grade one as significant as the Haskell puts him in the elite category."[15]

In the Travers Stakes on August 26, Bluegrass Cat finished second to Bernardini, who won by ​7 1⁄2 lengths.[16] Although he seemed to come out of the race in good shape, the next morning he was found to be lame in his right hind pastern. X-rays showed he had a nondisplaced fracture, which his connections believe occurred in the latter part of the Travers. "It's obviously very disappointing when you have your leading earner and top 3-year-old injured, but it emphasizes that this is a horse with tremendous quality and tremendous courage," stated Pletcher. "To get injured in a race like that and still run as well as he did and continue trying just emphasizes the quality of horse he is."[17]

Bluegrass Cat was retired from racing with five wins and four places out of eleven starts, and earnings of $1,761,280.[1]

Statistics
Date Race Distance Track Grade Winning Time Finish Margin Condition Ref
Jun 4, 2005 Maiden 4.5 furlongs Churchill Downs maiden :53.08 8th (​8 3⁄4 lengths) Fast [4]
Sep 24, 2005 Maiden 7 furlongs Belmont Park maiden 1:23.62 1st ​6 1⁄2 lengths Fast [5]
Oct 28, 2005 Nashua Stakes 8 furlongs Belmont Park III 1:36.02 1st ​1 1⁄2 lengths Fast [6]
Nov 26, 2005 Remsen Stakes 9 furlongs Aqueduct Racetrack II 1:52.20 1st ​1 3⁄4 lengths Fast [7]
Feb 18, 2006 Sam F Davis Stakes 8.5 furlongs Tampa Bay Downs listed 1:44.17 1st ​1 1⁄4 lengths Fast [8]
Mar 18, 2006 Tampa Bay Derby 8.5 furlongs Tampa Bay Downs III 1:44.26 2nd (2 lengths) Fast [9]
Apr 15, 2006 Blue Grass Stakes 9 furlongs Keeneland Race Course I 1:48.85 4th (​21 1⁄4 lengths) Fast [10]
May 6, 2006 Kentucky Derby 10 furlongs Churchill Downs I 2:01.36 2nd (​6 1⁄2 lengths) Fast [12]
Jun 10, 2006 Belmont Stakes 12 furlongs Belmont Park I 2:27.86 2nd (​1 1⁄4 lengths) Fast [13]
Aug 6, 2006 Haskell Invitational Handicap 9 furlongs Monmouth Park Racetrack I 1:48.85 1st 7 lengths) Fast [18]
Aug 26, 2006 Travers Stakes 10 furlongs Saratoga Race Course I 2:01.60 2nd (​7 1⁄2 lengths) Fast [16]

Stud career

Bluegrass Cat was retired to stud for the 2007 season at WinStar Farm, where his initial fee was $50,000.[19] Because of the economic downturn in 2008, his fee subsequently declined to $25,000. He got off to a fast start when his first crop reached racing age in 2010, with seven winners by July, all of them reinforcing Bluegrass Cat's linebreeding to La Troienne.[20] He eventually finished second on the freshman sire list with two graded stakes winners including Kathmanblu, his leading earner.[21]

In the 2011 second-crop sire listing, Bluegrass Cat finished second behind Bernardini[22] but was moved to New York for the 2012 season in partnership with Vinery Stud.[23] After being the leading sire in New York for 2013 and 2014, he was relocated to Ballena Vista stud in California for the 2015 season.[24] He finished 2015 as the number 1 ranked sire in California.[25]

Bluegrass Cat's descendants include:[26]

c = colt, f = filly

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
2008 Blue Laser c Grey Stakes
2009 Go Blue Or Go Home c Highlander Stakes
2009 Sabercat c Delta Jackpot Stakes, Garden State Stakes
2009 Teeth of the Dog c Dwyer Stakes
2012 Kathballu c Pan Zareta Stakes
2013 Flexibility c Jerome Stakes

Pedigree

Bluegrass Cat's sire Storm Cat was one of the most important American stallions of the late 20th century and early 21st century. Although he started at stud with low expectations, by the end of his career his fee was $500,000, the highest in North America. Storm Cat was the leading sire in North America for 1999 and 2000, and led the juvenile (two-year-old) sire list a record seven times. His offspring tended to be precocious and fast, but sometimes inherited his offset knees, making them vulnerable to injury.[27]

Bluegrass Cat's dam She's a Winner was unraced but was descended from a high quality family. Bred by Ogden Phipps, she was privately purchased by WinStar Farms and produced 7 winners from 12 named foals.[28] In late 2006, WinStar Farm purchased her full sister Supercharger in foal to Maria's Mon for $160,000: The resulting colt was 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.[29] Both She's a Winner and Supercharger were out of stakes winner Get Lucky, who was out of stakes winner Dance Number, who was out of stakes winner and Champion Numbered Account. Bluegrass Cat has a total of five strains of the highly influential mare La Troienne: two through Numbered Account, two through Seattle Slew's dam My Charmer and one through A.P. Indy's dam Weekend Surprise.[2]

Pedigree of Bluegrass Cat, bay colt, 2003
Sire
Storm Cat
1983		 Storm Bird
1978		 Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
South Ocean New Providence
Shining Sun
Terlingua
1976		 Secretariat Bold Ruler
Somethingroyal
Crimson Saint Crimson Satan
Bolero Rose
Dam
She's a Winner
1996		 A.P. Indy
1989		 Seattle Slew Bold Reasoning
My Charmer
Weekend Surprise Secretariat
Lassie Dear
Get Lucky
1988		 Mr. Prospector Raise A Native
Gold Digger
Dance Number Northern Dancer
Numbered Account (family: 1-x)

Bluegrass Cat is inbred 3s x 4d to both Secretariat and Northern Dancer, meaning these stallions each appear in the 3rd generation of the sire's side of his pedigree and in the 4th generation of the dam's side.

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References
  1. "Bluegrass Cat Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  2. Brinsfield, Les. "Bluegrass Cat Jumps Out Early". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. Novak, Claire. "Velazquez to Miss Derby with Shoulder, Chest Injuries". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  4. "Maiden - June 4, 2005". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  5. "Maiden - September 24, 2005". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  6. "Bluegrass Cat Goes to School in Nashua Win". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  7. "Bluegrass Cat Repels 'Bull, Wins Remsen". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  8. Shinar, Jack. "Bluegrass Cat Scratches Out Sam Davis Win". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  9. Shinar, Jack. "Deputy Glitters Declaws 'Cat in Tampa Derby". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  10. "Blue Grass Stakes". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  11. Biles, Deirdre. "Sizzling Sinister Minister Steals Blue Grass". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  12. "Kentucky Derby Chart". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  13. "Belmont Stakes Chart". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  14. Pedulla, Tom. "Jazil wins Belmont, Bluegrass Cat finishes second". USA Today. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  15. Shinar, Jack. "Bluegrass Cat Flexes Claws in Haskell Romp". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  16. "Travers Stakes Chart". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  17. "Bluegrass Cat Retired Due to Pastern Injury". bluegrass.cat. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  18. "Haskell Invitational Chart". equibase.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  19. "Bluegrass Cat to Stand for $50,000 at WinStar". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  20. Brinsfield, Len. "Bluegrass Cat Jumps Out Early". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  21. "2010 Freshman Sire List". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  22. "2011 Second Crop Sire Listing". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  23. "Bluegrass Cat to New York for 2012". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  24. "Bluegrass Cat to Ballena Vista Farm in 2015". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  25. "Bluegrass Cat on Stallion Register Online". Stallion Register Online. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  26. "Aragorn". Equibase. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  27. Hunter, Avalyn. "Storm Cat (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  28. "Progeny of She's a Winner". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  29. Fortus, Bob. "Super Saver worth time, money, effort for WinStar Farm". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
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