re: Hansen Looks to the Future

Alan Porter — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:28:53 GMT

Skyfire,

Hard to directly compare. Tapit has made an astonishing start relative to the initial stud fee, and has been working his way through what in theory might be his softer crops. It's going to be very interesting to see what happens as his more expensively concieved crops begin to run.

The expectations for Bernardini were higher all along, but he seems to be shaping as if he could be the heir to his sire with grade one winners Stay Thirsty, Biondetti, A Z Warrior and To Honor and Serve in his first crop, as well as Wilburn, who beat Caleb's Posse and Shackleford in a G2. He has a slew of promising current three-year-olds, not least Algorithms, who just beat Hansen for the Holly Bull. He seems to get a little more speed and precocity that A.P. Indy.

Medaglia d'Oro was somewhat like Tapit in that he always looked to have a shot, but perhaps wouldn't have been named as a sure-fire major stallion. His first crop was staggering with 16 stakes winners from 145 foals (11% stakes winners to foals, the kind of strike-rate you almost never see from that number of foals). Of course, he's the one of the trio who has a legitimate superstar in Rachel Alexandra. He's also got some less strong crops to work through, but if can come with a really good colt or two (which I think is likely as it seems that breeders probably adjusted the type of mare they have been sending), then he's going to be right with the very top of the class.

re: Hansen Looks to the Future

Elizabeth — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:10:45 GMT

Good Luck Hansen! Win the Holy Bull on Sunday. You are my favorite horse!!

re: Hansen Looks to the Future

skyfire — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:23:42 GMT

How do you compare Tapit to Medaglia d' Oro and Bernardini? Who is fastest rising? I know Bernardini has fewer to race...very interesting!

Smart guy, Mr. Hansen...love his beautiful namesake!