Like one of those Broadway shows that runs forever, “The Phantom of the Opera” or “Cats,” the Wesley Ward show keeps on truckin’ at Keeneland’s Spring Meet. Though he is currently second to Chad Brown in terms of winners, he’s hitting the board at an amazing 56%, and seems unable to miss with his two-year-old firsters.
Yesterday, April 25, the newest addition to his maiden special weight winning roster was Letsstaypositive, who became freshman sire Palace Malice’s first starter and first winner, taking the contest by four lengths. The Belmont S.-G1 and Metropolitan H.-G1 winner, arguably Curlin’s best son at stud, stands for $15,000 at Three Chimneys, and joins his roommate Fast Anna as a young stud to watch.
Out of the Mineshaft mare Jazzminegem, Letsstaypositive’s pedigree boasts inbreeding to Mr. Prospector and Northern Dancer, and was bred by Highclere, Inc., and others, and is raced by Highclere heir Jeff Morris in partnership with Constance Wickes. She earned $36,000 in her wire-to-wire victory, with Tyler Gaffalione up, just as he was on Fast Anna’s first winner a few days ago. This easy win by the filly marks her as another one to watch in Ward’s barn, which seems chock full of precocity. How does he do it?
Though early in the year for two-year-olds, thus far Ashford Stud and Three Chimneys seem to have the market cornered in exciting freshman stallions, leading the way with American Pharoah, Competitive Edge, Fast Anna and now Palace Malice. The other Kentucky farms have their work cut out for them in terms of catching these rapidly out-of-the-gate young studs.