DISCREET CAT--Part II

Horsepersons reading this post--i might say "horsemen", we are all horsemen, aren't we--except unknown how our better halves would react, but i digress--horsepersons understand that a mere genetic nick such as we have in Y with the similiarity to Discreet Cat with the prominence of Storm Cat andPrivate Account in both pedigrees is hardly that much to get excited about. It is nice that the basic genetic stuff is there. And yet, you can bet without knowing that Discreet Cat's momma (dam) most likely was a major winner. For reasons unknown to me the best transfer of talent in thoroughbred matings seems to be the racing success of the dam. Successful stallions stamp their foals, sometimes. But, successful dams seems to produce a far greater percentage of successful race horses. Guessing its the principle of mating two successful athletes as opposed to mating (merely) successful genes. The odds of producing a dud simply are much less mating physical qualities than mating just the genetic.

Unfortunately for $2,600.00 we were unable to purchase at Fasig Tipton a horse with superior dam race pedigree. Those sorts sell for six figures plus (an amount that the stable hopes to afford soon!). And so, for a dam of Y we are stuck with Nipsit (god love the name) by Deposit Ticket. Good that Nipsit raced. Good that she won $24,000 over just a few months. Good that Desposit Ticket is by Northern Baby (the sire of my "Aylward") And good that the first foal of Nipsit (a filly named "Is that You Miss Bue") went right out and won $15,000.00 over just a few races. These things are good portends and espectially indicate Nipsit could breathe.

Yet Nipsit as an athlete in all likelyhood falls far short of Pretty Discreet, the dam of Discreet Cat. Suspect her as little tiny thing. Deposit Ticket stood but 15'3" and the Broodmare Sire Track Barron was at best below average in size. For those reasons we will probably at full maturity have a horse with a smaller frame than Discreet Cat.

Additionally, the sire, Vision and Verse, was a bit of a plodder. While the true operative word is "hope", we do hope that genetics might stamp Y with some speed. (just noticed "The Pedigree Guru" at his blog lists Storm Cat-Private Account nick as the pedigree of the week. sounds like something that might go over big at a two year old sale. hmmmm! Additionally, the guru verifies that Pretty Discree was a major Grade I stakes winner.)


Training: Sun, 11/26/06: second rest day in a row. Like to give 2 in a row every 30 days. The young fellow has been "in training" approx. 30 days.l