Photo from the farm

My friend Brenda sent me a picture of Somerset Sam, who has proven a willing student while learning a new discipline.

Thanks B!

DMM

Equineline's Pedigree Analysis Program

Equineline Pedigree Analysis

I had a chance to look at the new Pedigree Analysis Program during its beta testing at the invitation of Pedigree Consultants' Byron Rogers and came away with a number of positive impressions of the search options it offers its users. To be offered by annual subscription, Equineline is currently offering a free four day trial to the service at the link posted above.

The program allows the user to make queries of The Jockey Club database related to specific genetic inheritance that might allow a breeder a completely different approach to selecting stallion matches aside from nicking calculations currently available to breeders. Combined with Equineline's real time results features which are reflected in pedigree searches, this program provides the breeder and pedigree researcher some new avenues to explore in their own search for their next good mating.

DMM

Kentucky Derby Field 2010

2010 Kentucky Derby field by sireline, Family numbers

An examination of the chart of previous Kentucky Derby winners gives the turf investor some clues as to the profile of the runner most likely to win the roses this season. Time constraints prevent an examination of each runner's pedigree but several runners should be highlighted for their strong matches with the profiles of previous winners.

Super Saver - The dominance of the Raise a Native sireline and the descendants of the matriarch La Troienne in runnings of the modern Kentucky Derby make this son of Maria's Mon the strongest profile match to the list of previous winners.


Line of David - Descends from arguably one of the most important families in the American stud book as he descends from a full sister to Mr. Prospector. Much like his sire, Line of David figures as the runner to catch when the field moves into the far turn at Churchill Downs.

Stately Victor - Descends from Lowe family branch 10-a, whose most recent Derby winning representative was Charismatic.

DMM

Table 1 - Derby Winners by the numbers

The revolution began in 1966 when Kauai King captured the Kentucky Derby as the first representative of the Native Dancer sireline and continued to the present day when Mine That Bird produced his epic performance in last season's renewal. The history of success in the Classics suggest the dominance of the Native Dancer sireline will yield to another source of speed and classicity. Perhaps this is the year that Storm Cat will be represented with his first Derby winner.

Review the table of winners since 1966 here. Later this week, the probable field will be examined in depth with respect to these trends.

DMM

Jack Werk

Being on the road for the past several days, I have just learned the extremely sad news of Jack Werk's passing.

Having briefly had the very enjoyable opportunity to have worked for Jack some 15 years prior, it was with much fondness that I had reconnected with him in the last year. His energy, his supercharged mind which generated a near constant stream of ideas, his passion for all things related to Thoroughbreds and the genuine attachment to his friends will all be very much missed.

I remember my first night out to dinner with Jack and some of his associates in Lexington -- He had some ethereal quality that always attracted the most fascinating people to him and brought out the best in them.

Everyone involved in the commerce of Thoroughbreds and especially pedigree consultation owes him a debt of gratitude for the standards he set and the interest he created in our work.

Jack will be dearly missed.

DMM