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Empire Stud became the first New York stud farm to enroll its stallions on TrueNicks, making available complimentary hypothetical matings with Sunriver (TrueNicks, SRO), Defer (TrueNicks, SRO), Chief Seattle (TrueNicks, SRO), and Midas Eyes (TrueNicks, SRO).

Sunriver and Defer are both newly retired for the 2008 stud season. Sunriver, a brother to champion 3-year-old filly and champion older mare Ashado, gained grade I honors with a win in last year's Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes, and earlier in the season he had taken the Bowling Green Handicap (gr. II). At 2, Sunriver had beaten the talented Achilles of Troy to break his maiden at Aqueduct, and a 3, he took the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) and captured third in the Belmont Stakes and Florida Derby (both gr. I).

Defer, a son of Danzig, campaigned in the Phipps colors, taking the Laurel Futurity (gr. III) at 2. His dam, Hidden Reserve, is a half sister to champion older mare Inside Information (herself dam of champion 3-year-old filly Smuggler), to multiple grade I winner Educated Risk, and to Diamond, sire of recently crowned millionaire Silmaril.

Chief Seattle, a grade I-placed winner who placed second in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) and Champagne Stakes (gr. I) in only four starts, is a son of Seattle Slew. He has sired nine stakes winners, including Canadian champion 3-year-old Shillelagh Slew and La Canada Stakes (gr. II) heroine Seafree.

Midas Eyes, whose first crop are yearlings in 2008, is a grade I winning sprinter/miler by Touch Gold (TrueNicks, SRO). His victories included the Forego Handicap (gr. I) and the Derby Trial Stakes and Swale Stakes (both gr. III). He was also second in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash and Cigar Mile Handicap (both gr. I).

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