First foal out of It's Me Megan breaks maiden at Santa Anita Park!
1/31/2012


My Miss Megan, the first foal out of former Four-Board colorbearer It's Me Megan, broke her maiden in style when she wired a field of fillies and mares at Santa Anita Park on January 26.

A four-year-old daughter of Yankee Gentleman, My Miss Megan made her racing debut at Santa Anita during the first week of January, when she ran evenly and split a 12-horse field. Trainer Jack Carava made the decision to drop the bay filly in for $20,000 upon her return to the races, and the move paid off handsomely. My Miss Megan broke well from the inside and was never headed. She ripped through opening quarters of 21.95 and 45.02 and then held on to win by a half length.

Final time was 1:11.00 on a fast dirt course.

My Miss Megan banked $11,400 for her efforts.

"It was a nice race," said Jim Cullen, owner and president of Four-Board Stable. "My Miss Megan ran just like her mother did - she ran them off her feet. It's Me Megan had tremendous speed and knew how to use it, and it appears that's been passed down to her first foal. It's not the most pretigious victory ever recorded but, given the circumstances, it means a lot to me. I'm very proud of her."

It's Me Megan was one of the first yearlings purchased by Cullen for Four-Board when he started the racing partnership in 2003. He paid just $10,000 for the daughter of Silver Ghost during the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Summer Yearling Sale. He named the pretty gray filly after his oldest daughter, Megan.

"My daughter would always call me on the phone and say 'Hi Daddy, it's me Megan'," Cullen said. "Obviously I always knew it was her, but she never stopped saying it when she called. It was very cute. So I used that phrase and named the filly after Megan in her honor."

A stakes performer, It's Me Megan won four races and more than $50,000 for Four-Board during her career, including a maiden special weight contest at three and an allowance race at four. She was retired to the breeding shed in 2007 and produced My Miss Megan (pictured just hours after her birth) on February 19 the following year.

"What's happened with My Miss Megan is my favorite thing about racing and breeding Thoroughbreds," said Cullen. "I think it's so cool to watch and enjoy a filly you own, breed her, and then watch her subsequent foals run and succeed. It's very gratifying to me."

To watch a replay of My Miss Megan's maiden victory click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Yanbian Express becomes newest allowance winner out of mare purchased by Cullen!
1/6/2012


Yanbian Express, the product of a mare purchased and mated by Jim Cullen, proved much the best when she annexed a lucrative allowance race at Parx on January 3.

Trained by Michael Lauer for his wife, Peggy, and Margaux Farm, Yanbian Express entered the seven-furlong sprint off an impressive maiden victory at Churchill Downs in November. The filly made it two in a row with the easiest of victories on Tuesday. She tracked the pacesetter down the backside, took command through the turn and drew off impressively to win by 5 1/2 lengths.

Yanbian Express stopped the clock in 1:27.82 on a fast track. The victory improved her record to 3-2-0-0, and the $18,000 she banked pushed her career earnings to $29,280.

A four-year-old filly, Yanbian Express is by Bandini out of the Dehere mare Classiest Gem. Agency President Jim Cullen purchased Classiest Gem for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. Since that purchase the mare has been represented by two new allowance winners, a stakes horse, and a yearling by Hat Trick that sold for $85,000 at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton October sale.

"I take a lot of pride in the success we've had with Classiest Gem, especially since I did the matings for the mare," said Cullen. "The first three foals since we bought her have been Yanbian Express; a full sister named Fortune Diva, who won a maiden allowance race in her debut last year at two; and the yearling who sold at Fasig-Tipton last October.

"A mare at that price range is lucky to get those kind of results in her lifetime. To get them with Classiest Gem's first three foals is amazing. We've gotten quite lucky and for her connections sake I hope it continues."

Fortune Diva returned from her maiden score in October to contest the 2011 Gowell Stakes at Turfway Park. The filly finished unplaced in her first attempt against winners.

To view the official chart of Yanbian Express' allowance victory click here.

Half sister to Quickest breaks maiden at Aqueduct for Pletcher!
1/4/2012


Lisa T. ended her juvenile campaign with a flourish when she bested a maiden allowance field at Aqueduct on December 30.

A daughter of Awesome Again trained by Todd Pletcher, Lisa T. pressed the pace in the mile affair before she took control at the top of the stretch. The WinStar Farm homebred led by as many as two lengths down the lane and held on to win by a head as the 3-to-5 favorite.

"She's still really green," farm president Elliott Walden said after the race. "In her last start she dropped her rider in the post parade. When she turned for home with the lead today she jumped over almost two paths, and (jockey Ramon Dominguez) said when she made the lead she just put her toes in the ground. So there was a lot left when that other filly came to her, and she got refocused and went about her business."

Lisa T. is out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger, dam of 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and the Grade 3 stakes winner Brethren.

"The whole family is such a well-balanced, athletic family," Walden said. "They are all very clean in their lines - through their necks and toplines. In that regard, (Lisa T.) reminds me more of Super Saver than Brethren. Because he's by Distorted Humor, Brethren's a little blockier through the shoulder and a little more compact. Super Saver is just gorgeous. But the whole family is really pretty.

"We're excited about (Lisa T.). She's a filly with a lot of talent, and hopefully we'll get some black-type with her."

Supercharger is also the dam of Quickest, a daughter of Forest Wildcat who was purchased as a broodmare prospect by Jim Cullen for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale. Quickest's first foal - who was mated by Cullen - is 2011 juvenile stakes winner Defy Gravity.

To see a video replay of Lisa T.'s maiden victory click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

Cullen consults on mare purchase at Tattersalls December Mare Sale!
12/4/2011


At the request of a client, Jim Cullen recently consulted on the purchase of an attractive young mare during the Tattersalls December Mare Sale in England on November 28-December 1.

Cullen was unable to make the trip to the UK for the four-day sale. However, owner Nick Sibilio - who purchased a 90-acre farm in Lexington earlier this year - enlisted Cullen to help assess broodmare prospects for possible purchase. To that end, Sibilio had Cullen evaluate a 'short list' of more than 150 mares, from which the Kentucky bloodstock agent pared down a list of some 20 candidates.

After days of inspections, Sibilio ultimately landed hip 1345, a five-year-old mare by Grand Slam named Cappagh Strand. Out of the Quiet American mare Quiet Eclipse, Cappagh Strand is a half sister to four stakes winners, including the 2011 Triple Crown contender Astrology.

"I told Nick before the sale that this mare had the most American pedigree in the entire catalog," said Cullen. "It's a running family bred by Bill Heiligbrodt, and it contains a ton of speed and quality. Two of her immediate siblings are stakes-winning producers, and Astrology has a chance to be a top handicap horse in 2012. Nick didn't have to give a lot of money to have a nice mare from a tremendous family, so I'm really happy for him. More importantly, he's very pleased with the purchase and can't wait to get her home."

Sibilio purchased Cappagh Strand privately after she failed to meet her reserve on a final bid of 40,000 guineas. The mare is in foal to top Australian sire Duke of Marmalade - a five-time Grade 1 winner by Danehill - on an early April cover.

"I haven't seen the mare yet, but I have talked to (trainer) Matthew Chew, who accompanied Nick at the sale," said Cullen. "She's apparently very typical of Gone West mares - short coupled, athletic, powerful and well balanced. It's going to be very interesting to see what type of foals she throws; if they look anything like her Nick will be in good shape."

Defy Gravity wins $50,000 Smart Halo Stakes at Laurel!
11/20/2011


The two-year-old filly Defy Gravity, first foal out of a mare purchased and mated by Jim Cullen, put in a determined drive down the stretch to prevail in the $50,000 Smart Halo Stakes at Laurel Park on November 19.

Trained by Valora Testerman for the R N R Stable, Defy Gravity entered the six-furlong sprint off a tune-up victory in an allowance race on September 23. Given that victory, along with a body of work that included favoritism in the Matron Stakes (G2) in July, the weekend crowd installed her as the 7-to-5 favorite.

Defy Gravity broke cleanly under Sheldon Russell and tracked the pacesetters through opening quarters of 22.49 and 46.07 seconds. She was tucked in along the rail through the turn, and the duo had to wait for an opening behind a wall of tiring frontrunners. One finally appeared at the eighth pole and the filly shot through it. From there she took dead aim on the new leader and wore that one down to get up for a convincing half-length victory.

Final time was 1:11.16 on a fast track.

"(Defy Gravity) ran so good," said Testerman. "She was relaxed and waiting for her cue, and Sheldon rode such a patient race. It was perfect, and it looks like she's come out of it in great shape. I couldn't be happier.

"You know, we've just been messing around with this filly and having fun with her. The whole point is we want to have a good three-year-old so we really haven't been doing that much. But she's a really nice filly, and I've never trained one with her personality. She's the friendliest horse I've ever been around - she'll literally look you in the eye when you come around like she's talking to you. She has her fruity moments - it's probably the Fusaichi Pegasus coming out in her - but she's a favorite in the barn. We love her."

The victory improved Defy Gravity's victory to 5-3-0-1, and the $30,000 payday boosted her career earnings to $72,570.

By Bandini, Defy Gravity is the first foal out of the unraced mare Quickest. That mare was purchased by Cullen for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale. Since that purchase Quickest has become half sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and Grade 3 stakes winner Brethren.

Cullen also made the recommendation to breed Quickest to Bandini and purchased a share in the stallion on behalf of breeder Vincent Colbert. Quickest is the only mare Cullen has purchased for Colbert at auction.

"I'm really happy for Lora (Testerman); she's so proud of Defy Gravity," said Cullen. "I guess Vinnie kind of gave up on the filly - he let her sell for just $2,500 as a weanling - but Lora liked her right away. And she's hit a grand slam: with this filly's pedigree and black type she's worth a ton now, even if she never runs another step.

"Lora thinks the filly's best days are in front of her so it's exciting to consider what might lay ahead of her. It's going to be fun to watch."

To see the official chart of the 2011 Smart Halo Stakes click here.

Chanteclair Farm dispersal highlights tremendous Keeneland November sale!
11/18/2011


The latest renewal of the bellweather Keeneland November breeding stock sale featured tremendous increases in most meaningful sales indices, including gross, average and median prices.

The final stage of HH Prince Saud bin Khaled's complete dispersal played a significant role in those exciting sales returns. His Chanteclair Farm sold 31 horses for a total of $16,959,00, an average of $547,065 per head. Chanteclair was the third-leading consignor by gross during the nearly two-week sale.

The consignment - and Keeneland November sale in general - was highlighted by the offering of Royal Delta. The likely Champion Three-Year-Old Filly for 2011 sold to Benjamin Leon for a sales-topping $8.5 million just four days after she had won the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1).

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; she is the whole package," said Leon, who plans to keep Royal Delta in training for a 2012 campaign. "My passion is breeding and I can't think of a better mare to breed in the future than her. But I also cannot think of a better filly to enjoy on the track than her. I think and I hope that she will give a few thrillers to us and all the people who enjoy this sport for as long as she can do that."

Overall the Chanteclair dispersal sold 41 horses in 2011 for $17,946,500, an average of $437,719. The first installment of horses were offered at Keeneland September, where 10 yearlings sold for $987,500.

The disersal was initiated after the death of Mr. Khaled in January.

"Keeneland November marks the end of a truly magnificant breeding operation," said Jim Cullen, who periodically assisted Mr. Khaled with bloodstock dealings. "Mr. Khaled never had large numbers, but he bred 22% stakes winners off that farm for a nearly 20-year period, including several Grade 1 winners. It was amazing to watch - he did all his own matings, and most of the time did them all in his head. When it came to breeding he was a real maestro.

"Watching the Chanteclair horses sell was extremely bittersweet," continued Cullen, whose wife, Kristine, served as the farm's office manager for 11 years. "Mr. Khaled would have been extremely pleased and proud of the results, but you couldn't watch them sell without thinking they were doing so only because he was gone. It's sad, but the legacy of horses like Royal Delta will ensure he'll always be a part of Turf history."

To view the complete results of the 2011 Keeneland November sale click here.

Mare purchased, mated by Cullen produces maiden winner at Churchill Downs!
11/17/2011


Yanbian Express, a three-year-old filly out of a mare purchased by Jim Cullen, dug in late to win a high-level maiden race today at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Michael Lauer for his wife, Penny, and Margaux Farm, Yanbian Express entered the 6 1/2-furlong sprint off a fifth-placed finish in her racing debut last month. The filly graduated this afternoon with an impressive run from off the pace under Jesus Castanon. She had only two beaten in the field of 11 after a quarter mile in 22.92 seconds, but she began moving up steadily down the backstretch. The dark bay or brown filly ranged into contention through the turn, split horses at the head of the stretch and finished gamely to earn the win by a clear neck.

Yanbian Express stopped the clock in 1:18.75 on a fast track. She earned $10,800 for her maiden victory.

"I thought it was a pretty gritty performance by Yanbian Express," said Cullen. "She had to overcome a pretty rough trip and looked beaten at the sixteenth pole, but she found a way to win. That's what nice horses do, so hopefully she's got that little something special that will allow her to compete in nicer races.

"I saw this filly a lot when she was training at Margaux this summer," said Cullen. "She's a big powerful girl who would stay heavy on concrete, and she always impressed me as a filly who'd relish a route of ground. After watching her break her maiden it looks like she'll handle two turns, so it's going to be exciting to see where she goes from here."

Yanbian Express is by Bandini out of the unraced mare Classiest Gem (Dehere). Cullen bought Classiest Gem for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. Purchased on behalf of John Trumbulovic, Classiest Gem has produced two new winners and a new stakes horse since being hammered down to Cullen.

In addition to the catalog updates, Classiest Gem's 2010 foal - a yearling colt by Hat Trick - sold for a whopping $85,000 during the 2011 Fasig-Tipton October sale. Cullen purchased shares in both Bandini and Hat Trick for Trumbulovic and recommended mating them to Classiest Gem.

"It's always encouraging to see mares you buy turn into productive producers, especially those you get for a modest amount of money like Classiest Gem," said Cullen. "It's even nicer when you do the matings that result in nice horses. I couldn't be more proud of this mare and what she's accomplished to date. It looks like she's got a couple live young horses who might help her produce record down the road."

To watch a replay of Yanbian Express' maiden victory click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Filly purchased in utero breaks maiden on turf in Chicago!
11/17/2011


Unregulated, a four-year-old filly purchased in utero when Jim Cullen bought her dam, made every pole a winning one and annexed a maiden turf race at Hawthorne Racecourse on November 17.

By Repriced out of the Unbridled mare Unequaled, Unregulated had been knocking on the door in an attempt to secure that first elusive win. In her previous race the filly had finished third in a maiden allowance test at Hawthorne on October 27. Trainer Tim Ice dropped the chestnut filly in for $25,000 for today's effort, and she got the job done rather easily.

Unregulated broke well under Constantino Roman and went right to the front. She led by a half length after an opening quarter mile and, running freely, stretched it to 3 1/2 lengths at the head of the stretch. From there Unregulated cruised to the wire under steady urging to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:46.37 on a grass course rated good. Unregulated won for the first time in nine starts and banked $9,600.

Cullen purchased Unequaled carrying Unregulated for just $10,000 at the 2007 OBS January mixed sale. The mare was purchased on behalf of winning breeder Charles Aker.

"Unequaled was an attractive mare, a bit short but wide and correct," said Cullen. "I remember she had the prettiest head, which you don't find in a lot of Unbridled mares. But the main reason I bought her was because Mr. Aker wanted a family with definite grass and distance influences, so he didn't mind if the foals took a while to mature. That seems to be the case with (Unregulated), but at least his efforts were justified with this filly's maiden victory."

Unregulated is owned by a partnership that includes Carl Turnbow, who purchased Unequaled from Aker in 2010.

To watch a replay of Unregulated's maiden victory click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Grade 1 stakes-winning juvenile J P's Gusto retired to Journeyman Stud!
11/15/2011


J P's Gusto, the product of a Cullen Bloodstock breeding partnership, has been retired to stud at Journeyman Stud near Ocala, Florida.

A stud fee will be released in coming weeks.

J P's Gusto was the top two-year-old in California in 2010. The ridgling won four consecutive stakes races that summer, capped by a dominating victory in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) (pictured).

At three J P's Gusto placed in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn before he was put away for the balance of the spring. In the final start of his career the athletic bay easily won the $400,000 Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town in June.

"J P's Gusto represents the quality we're always looking to get down here to Journeyman, so we're thrilled to have him," said Brent Fernung, who owns the farm in partnership with his wife, Crystal. "He was a great 2-year-old and a top-class racehorse to the day he retired. On top of the ability, his pedigree makes him a natural for Florida."

By Successful Appeal, J P's Gusto is out of the Caller I.D. mare Call Her Magic. She was purchased by Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale on behalf of a partnership he managed. The partnership was breeder of record for several foals, including J P's Gusto's full sister Magic Appeal, who broke her maiden at Saratoga before she placed in the Adirondack Stakes (G2).

Cullen sold Call Her Magic carrying J P's Gusto after the mare's half sister produced 2008 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Proud Spell. WinStar Farm - the breeder of record for J P's Gusto - purchased Call Her Magic for $95,000 and is the breeder of record.

"I bought Call Her Magic from Lane's End after she failed to meet her reserve at Keeneland," said Cullen. "It's pretty cool to think that, from that relatively modest beginning, we were able to produce a couple meaningful runners like Magic Appeal and J P's Gusto. And now, with J P's Gusto going to stud, the bloodlines we created will be carried on in future generations of horses. It's very humbling to think about, and as a breeder that's as good as it gets."

Sweet Gladys sells at Keeneland, slated to visit Uncle Mo!
11/15/2011


Sweet Gladys, a stakes-winning mare originally purchased as a racing prospect by Jim Cullen, sold for $25,000 during the Keeneland November sale on November 14.

By Awesome Again out of the good stakes winner Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys was purchased by Cullen during the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale (pictured). She went on to win six races during three seasons of racing, capped by the $50,000 Queen Stakes at Turfway Park last March.

Owners Bill Guest and Pat Vaughn offered Sweet Gladys for sale at Keeneland, and the six-year-old mare was consigned by Three Chimneys Farm. After a spirited bidding duel she was hammered down for $25,000 on the bid of Fergus Galvin, president of Hunter Valley Farm in Lexington.

"We locked on (Sweet Gladys) the first time we saw her," Galvin said. "She really, really catches the eye. She's a beautiful-bodied mare with good size, a very pretty head and she's correct enough. There's a lot to like and I'm very pleased we got her at the price we did."

Galvin said that breeding plans for Sweet Gladys aren't definite, but there's a good chance she will go to Uncle Mo.

"One of the things I liked most about Sweet Gladys is that you can breed her to anything - she's a complete outcross to most commercial stallions," Galvin said. "We're thinking we're going to breed her to Uncle Mo. It's a beautiful mating on paper, and physically they match up well. That's probably the way we'll go."

Cullen - who named Sweet Gladys after his two grandmothers, both of whom were named Gladys - is pleased with the connections that purchased the mare.

"They guys at Hunter Valley are friends of mine, and we've done some horse deals together in the past," said Cullen. "Sweet Gladys is going to a good home and will get every chance to succeed. I hope they get lucky with her and she goes on to produce some wonderful foals.

"She's always been a special mare to me, and I hope they enjoy her as much as I did."

To see the results of the Keeneland November sale click here.

Royal Delta - the New Queen of Thoroughbred Racing!
11/11/2011


There's little that's left to be said...

The events of the last seven days have propelled HH Prince Saud Khaled's homebred filly Royal Delta to rarified air in the Thoroughbred racing industry.

I predicted in August on this site that Royal Delta would ultimately win the Eclipse Award as Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of 2011. A bold prediction to be sure, but the filly almost certainly earned that honor - and much more - with a powerful victory in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1).

Her scintillating performance in the Breeders' Cup left little doubt that Royal Delta is the best filly of her generation. She was a star all week, and racing pundits are still talking about her half-mile breeze just days before the Ladies Classic.

Her star power continued the following week when she was sold at Keeneland as part of the complete dispersal of Mr. Khaled, who passed away earlier this year. Royal Delta was the subject of intense media coverage and fanfare, and she did not disappoint. Cutting an amazing and composed appearance, Royal Delta sold for a whopping $8.5 million to Benjamin Leon's Besilu Stable. It was the third highest price ever registered at Keeneland for a broodmare or racing prospect.

As the auctioneer so aptly stated from the stand, she is Royalty.

"I don't get barn blind with horses I'm associated with, but I've been touting the virtues of Royal Delta all year," said Jim Cullen, who had periodically assisted Mr. Khaled with bloodstock and stallion matters. "It's amazing to me that it took the Breeders' Cup to get people to notice her - she was right there under everybody's noses all year! Once I saw her run I knew she was special, and I'm so happy for Mr. Khaled and the filly's connections that she lived up to that billing.

"It's very bittersweet that Mr. Khaled isn't here to enjoy the events of the past couple weeks, but I'm sure he's looking down with great joy. Royal Delta is going to a good home where the owners will pamper and appreciate her, which is what Mr. Khaled would want. Hopefully they'll get as much enjoyment out of her as we all did."

Kristine Cullen, Jim's wife and longtime office manager for Mr. Khaled, paid a fitting and touching tribute to Royal Delta and the Prince on her Facebook page. I invite you all to read it by clicking here.

Mare purchased by Cullen registers big sale at Fasig-Tipton!
10/28/2011


In 2010, a filly out of a mare purchased and mated by Jim Cullen brought $105,000 to top the final session of the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale. This year, another mare purchased by Cullen for the same owner realized a meaningful sale when her 2010 colt brought $85,000 during the 2011 Fasig-Tipton October sale, held in Lexington on October 24-26.

Last year, an Afleet Alex filly out of Summer Forest was one of only two fillies to command six figures when she was hammered down during the sale's final session. Summer Forest was purchased by Cullen for $47,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale on behalf of John Trumbulovic of Chicago.

At the 2011 renewal of the October sale, another mare purchased by Cullen for Trumbulovic hit a home run of her own when her colt by Hat Trick brought $85,000. Sold during the final session, the colt was purchased by Victoria Lodge. It was the 15th-highest price registered for a colt during the entire three-day sale.

The Hat Trick colt is out of the Dehere mare Classiest Gem, who was purchased by Cullen for $20,000 during the 2006 Keeneland November sale. The colt was bred on a share that Cullen also bought for Trumbulovic.

"The (Hat Trick) colt was a bit plain, but he was correct and had good size," said Cullen. "His strongest selling point was the way he moved - he has a big walk. (Darby Dan bloodstock official) Suzie Oldham told me that the colt was really popular with buyers at the barn, and he vetted out. Throw in that his sire is a bit hot in Europe and it all adds up to a really profitable sale for his connections."

Classiest Gem and Summer Forest are two of only four mares that Cullen purchased on behalf of Trumbulovic.

To view the complete results of the 2011 Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale click here.

Defy Gravity returns to win easily at Laurel Park!
10/15/2011


Defy Gravity, a two-year-old filly out of a mare purchased and mated by Jim Cullen, returned from a disappointing run in the $150,000 Matron Stakes (G2) and posted a facile victory in an allowance race at Laurel Park on September 23.

Trained by Valora Testerman for RNR Stable, Defy Gravity had not raced since she finished off the board as the favorite in the Matron on July 3. The daughter of Bandini was brought back to contest the eighth race on the card, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint that was washed off the grass.

Defy Gravity made it look easy. Jockey Sheldon Russell rated her in mid-pack to the three-eighths pole, then asked her for run through the turn for home. The handsome dark bay or brown filly (pictured) responded and burst down the lane to win by 3 1/4 widening lengths.

Final time was 1:05 flat.

"Lora (Testerman) has done a great job with Defy Gravity," said Cullen. "She was really disappointed after the Matron, and a lot of people might have rushed the filly back too soon. But she's taken her time with Defy Gravity and been rewarded. The filly's performance in this race makes it clear she's back on her game, and she showed a new dimension by running so well on a sloppy surface. It sets her up for an exciting fall campaign."

Defy Gravity is the first foal out of the Forest Wildcat mare Quickest, who was purchased as a broodmare prospect by Cullen for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale. The mare - who has become a half sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and Grade 3 stakes winner Brethren - was subsequently mated by Cullen and bred on a share he purchased for the owner.

To watch a replay of Defy Gravity's allowance race click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Second foal out of mare purchased by Cullen wins at Arlington Park!
9/1/2011


Sheriff Max, the second foal out of a mare purchased at auction by Jim Cullen, got up in the shadow of the wire to win the eighth race at Arlington Park on August 28.

Ridden by Brandon Meier for trainer Chris Ryan, Sheriff Max broke well from the rail but was taken back off a stout early pace. The four-year-old gelding was well off the leaders during the early stages of the five-furlong turf sprint, though he had secured a good spot and was moving comfortably along the inside.

Sheriff Max made his move at the three-eighths pole, but he was forced to weave between rivals through the turn and down the stretch. Despite the eventful trip he powered home and just got up late to win by a nose at odds of 8.80-to-1.

Final time was a very quick 58.78 seconds on a firm grass course with the rail out.

Sheriff Max banked $10,136 for owner Alexander Lee and posted his second career victory. The dark bay or brown gelding has placed four other times and earned a total of $30,147 during three seasons of racing.

A four-year-old gelding by Posse, Sheriff Max is the second foal out of the unraced Awesome Again mare Etiquette. Etiquette was bred and raised by the noted horsemen Peter Blum, who sold her as a yearling for $70,000.

Cullen subsequently purchased the five-year-old mare for $20,000 during the 2006 Keeneland November sale. She was purchased on behalf of John Trumbulovic, the breeder of record for Sheriff Max.

Etiquette is represented by two winners from as many foals to race.

To watch a replay of Sheriff Max's victory click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Royal Delta rings up sentimental victory with jaw-dropping score in Alabama Stakes (G1)!
8/22/2011


Two days before the Coaching Club Oaks (G1) on July 23, I went on record on this site stating: "I think, without question, Royal Delta is the best three-year-old filly in the country at classic distances." That statement looked a little inflated after she struggled and finished a well-beaten third in the historic race.

But after Saturday's $500,000 TVG Alabama Stakes (G1), I feel vindicated...

Royal Delta reclaimed her position among the top fillies in her division with an authoritative score in the 10-furlong Alabama. The homebred daughter of Empire Maker tracked the early pace set by Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Plum Pretty and dual Grade 1 stakes winner It's Tricky, then blew past them at the head of the stretch to post a definitive 5 1/2-length victory.

Final time was 2:03.13 on a fast track.

Royal Delta was bred and owned by HH Prince Saud bin Khaled's Palides Investments N.V., Inc., for whom Jim Cullen has purchased horses and brokered stallion deals. It was a sentimental victory for the filly's connections, as Mr. Khaled passed away in February.

"(Mr. Khaled), who is a special friend of mine, is not with us today but I'm sure he is watching," said trainer Bill Mott after the race. "We have always thought she was a nice filly and she proves us right all the time."

Royal Delta is the third generation of the family bred by Mr. Khaled, following Group 2 winner Lyphard's Delta (by Lyphard) and the multiple graded stakes winner Delta Princess (A.P. Indy).

To read a pre-race profile on Royal Delta published by NYRA click here.

"Royal Delta was the result of a great deal of time, effort and commitment from Mr. Khaled," said Cullen. "He loved the family, and it was he that thought (Royal Delta) was special from the start. He never, ever named his horses before they were weaned because he ran them all through the sales. But he named Royal Delta the first time he saw her because she was never going to be sold. She represented everything he worked for and tried to achieve as a breeder. He loved this filly."

Ironically, Royal Delta will sell this November at Keeneland as part of Mr. Khaled's complete dispersal.

"I know whomver buys (Royal Delta) will get the complete package," said Cullen. "She's a beautiful physical specimen, she's got a top-class pedigree and now she's a Grade 1 winner. And, if I was a betting man, I'd wager they'll also be buying the Champion three-year-old filly for 2011!"

Royal Delta has now won 4-of-6 races, including the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) in May. The $300,000 winner's purse pushed her total earnings to $544,600.

To watch a replay of the Alabama Stakes click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Half brother to Cullen broodmare purchase tops Saratoga yearling sale with $1.2 million bid
8/10/2011


Superfection, a yearling colt by Medaglia d'Oro out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger, brought the highest price of the prestigious Saratoga yearling sale this week when he was hammered down for $1.2 million on August 8.

The sales-topping colt is a half brother to Quickest, who was purchased as a broodmare prospect by Cullen Bloodstock for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale. Since that purchase Quickest has become a half sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and 2011 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) winner Brethren.

Superfection was purchased after a protracted bidding war. John Ferguson, bidding on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ultimately won out and bought the colt from the consignment of Taylor Made Farm.

"I've said it before, but it's incredibly difficult to breed a horse that looks like that," Ferguson said. "Obviously the mare has produced a Kentucky Derby winner. But not only that, we also have (2010 Vosburgh Stakes [G1] winner) Girolamo, who is one of our most exciting future stallion prospects at Jonabell (Darley's American base). He's in the pedigree; it's a fantastic family.

"Sheikh Mohammed loved (Superfection) the moment he saw him," Ferguson continued. "They (WinStar) sent the mare to Medaglia d'Oro and he's had an outstanding start, so it's the combination of a great stallion and a breeder being brave enough to send a fantastic mare to Medaglia d'Oro at a time no one was sure (how good a sire he would be). All credit and well done to them. I think they got a very good price for a lovely horse."

Quickest was represented by her first winner this spring when her first foal - a daughter of Bandini mated by Cullen - won a maiden allowance race at Pimlico in early May. The filly, named Defy Gravity, ran back in the $150,000 Matron Stakes but finished off the board as the heavy favorite.

To read more about the purchase of Superfection click here.

Half brother to Love You Crazy places in $51,500 Omaha Stakes!
7/27/2011


Sacred Ground, a half-brother to Cullen partnership mare Love You Crazy, rallied gamely but ran out of ground and finished third in the $51,500 Omaha Stakes at Horsemen's Park on July 24.

Trained by David McShane, Sacred Ground entered the one-mile Omaha off a determined victory in an allowance optional claiming race at Prairie Meadows on July 2. Though the race marked a dramatic class test for the bay gelding, he stepped up and ran well in his first start in stakes company.

Sacred Ground was last of eight through an opening half-mile that went in 47 seconds flat. He launched his bid heading into the clubhouse turn for home, and though wide he closed with a rush down the center of the track. Unfortunately for his connections the gelding was left with too much to do and had to settle for third, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths for the victory.

Final time for the three-turn mile event was 1:39.20 on a fast track.

"What an exciting race," said Jim Cullen. "Early on (Sacred Ground) wasn't even in the picture - he came from nowhere. And then to see him flying down the stretch was pretty fun. I still don't know how he got up to hit the board but I'm really glad he did. It was a big effort."

Sacred Ground banked $6,000 for that effort to push his career earnings to $60,867. He's won 4-of-14 career starts, with four other placings to his credit.

The winner of the Omaha was Schramsberg, a five-year-old son of Storm Cat out of the great Serena's Song. Schramsberg earlier this year had won the $200,000 Connelly Cup Turf (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.

"There's no disgrace in losing to the winner," said Cullen. "To think Sacred Ground was getting to a horse like that is pretty amazing. Hopefully he'll be able to keep things going and pick up a stakes win somewhere down the line."

A $250,000 yearling purchase, Sacred Ground is a four-year-old son of Awesome Again out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair. He's a half sister to Love You Crazy, a stakes-placed daughter of Touch Gold who won nearly $100,000 for Cullen's Four-Board Stable.

Love You Crazy is boarded at Margaux Farm near Lexington. She had her first foal this spring, a striking colt by Sharp Humor. The colt is tentatively scheduled to sell this November at Keeneland. You can see a picture of him by visiting the Margaux foal gallery here.

"When you own a well-bred filly like Love You Crazy it's so valuable to have brothers and sisters get black-type," said Cullen. "This stakes placing (by Sacred Ground) helps the residual value of our mare tremendously because it reaffirms the quality of the family. This will be a huge boost when we lead her foals into the sales ring, especially the Sharp Humor colt. He's awesome!"

Love You Crazy (pictured) is back in foal to Ready's Image on a March cover.

To view a replay of the 2011 Omaha Stakes click here and go to race five on July 24. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Royal Delta looks to solidify status as top three-year-old filly in CCA Oaks (G1)
7/21/2011


Royal Delta, the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) in her last (pictured), will try and stake her claim as the top three-year-old filly in the U.S. when she goes postward as the favorite in Saturday's $250,000 Coaching Club Oaks (G1) at Saratoga.

Bred and owned by HH Prince Saud bin Khaled's Palides Investments N.V., Inc., Royal Delta has won 3-of-4 starts for trainer Bill Mott, including a 12-length maiden victory at Belmont Park and a dominating allowance victory at Keeneland in April. The daughter of Empire Maker out of Delta's Princess (A.P. Indy) will look to continue her winning ways when she takes on four rivals in the nine-furlong CCA Oaks.

"I think, without question, Royal Delta is the best three-year-old filly in the country at classic distances. She'll prove that on Saturday," said Jim Cullen, who has brokered a number of equine transactions on behalf of Prince Khaled. "I don't think the distance will affect her at all - she's bred to run all day. And I think the race sets up for a filly with her running style. She'll be able to sit off the early pace and use her closing kick to catch any filly who might not want to go that far.

"It's obviously a good field, but I think (Royal Delta) will smoke 'em."

Royal Delta has been installed as the morning line favorite at 2-to-1.

To view the entries for the Coaching Club Oaks card at Saratoga click here.

Sacred Ground wins allowance optional claimer at Prairie Meadows!
7/3/2011


Sacred Ground, a half brother to Cullen partnership broodmare Love You Crazy, rallied from the back of the pack to win a lucrative optional claiming race at Prairie Meadows on July 2.

Owned and trained by Mike Reavis, Sacred Ground was dismissed at odds of 6.50-to-1 in the 1 1/16-mile dirt affair. He dropped back to last early under Perry Compton and still trailed the field after a half-mile in 48.95 seconds. But Compton swung Sacred Ground some six wide through the turn to launch his bid, and the duo blew past their rivals down the stretch to post the convincing win.

Sacred Ground won by 1 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:45.08.

A four-year-old gelding by Awesome Again, Sacred Ground now boasts a record of 13-4-1-2. The $250,000 sales yearling banked $16,410 for his efforts to push his career earnings to $54,867.

Sacred Ground is a half brother to the good stakes-placed mare Love You Crazy (pictured), who is owned by a collection of Kentucky horsemen. The mare had her first foal this spring - a fantastic colt by Sharp Humor - and is back in foal to Ready's Image on a March cover.

To watch a replay of Sacred Ground's victory visit here and follow the prompts to race eight. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Half sister to mare purchased by Cullen beats two Champions in $100,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes!
7/1/2011


Amiable Grace, a half sister to a mare purchased by Jim Cullen at the 2010 Keeneland November sale, defeated a field that included two reigning Champions to win the $112,400 Sweet Briar Too Stakes at Woodbine today.

A four-year-old daughter of Alphabet Soup, Amiable Grace entered the seven-furlong stakes event off a decisive victory in a lucrative allowance race in May. The Sweet Briar Too field was easily the toughest she has faced to date, as her six foes included 2010 Canadian Horse of the Year Biofuel and 2010 Champion Female Sprinter Indian Apple Is.

With Emma Jayne Wilson riding for Michael Doyle, Amiable Grace broke well and settled some five lengths off the lead through opening quarter-miles of 23.52 and 46.82 seconds. She launched her bid in earnest at the three-eighths pole and ranged into contention alongside Biofuel. Those two were among four spread out across the track down the lane, and Amiable Grace simply outgamed her rivals to get the victory by a half length.

Final time was 1:24.03 on the Polytrack.

"I was pretty impressed," said Wilson, who has won Sovereign and Eclipse Awards as leading jockey. "Biofuel was coming and I didn’t know if we could get there. But I never give up and she just kept on trucking. Those are some tough horses she beat, but she just dug in and fought."

The victory - her first in stakes company - was the fourth of her career from 12 starts, and the $74,736 winner's purse boosted her total earnings to $264,759. From her last six starts Amiable Grace has posted three wins and three seconds.

To read a race recap click here.

Amiable Grace is out of the good stakes mare Marquise Miss, by Marquetry. The new stakes winner is a half sister to Miss Attractive (pictured), who was purchased by Cullen for $50,000 at Keeneland last November. The mare was purchased on behalf of Nick and Debbie Sibilo of Southern California.

"It's always nice to have some meaningful updates to a pedigree, especially when it happens so soon after you buy a mare," said Cullen. "But this win is especially exciting because it moves Amiable Grace among the leading fillies in Canada. The way she won you'd also have to think there are some bigger races in her future, so she's going to be a fun one to follow this year."

Miss Attractive foaled a tremendous filly by Awesome Again this spring and is back in foal to Touch Gold.

To watch a replay of the 2011 Sweet Briar Too Stakes click here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Storms of Yanji turns in final work before return to races!
6/29/2011


Margaux Farm's Storms of Yanji, a three-year-old gelding trained by Jim Cullen, worked well this morning in what will be his final breeze before he returns to the races next week.

A homebred son of Kela (pictured), Storms of Yanji debuted in a maiden allowance at Turfway in February for trainer Chuck Peery. He was moved to Cullen's barn in April and has been training forwardly since.

Storms of Yanji turned in his final drill this morning before he runs back next week. Working on his own, the bay gelding breezed a half-mile in 51.80 seconds and galloped out five-eighths in 1:04 flat.

"I couldn't be happier with Storms of Yanji right now," said Cullen. "I told my rider that I wanted four '13s'; that is, each furlong in 13 seconds flat. He nailed it - I actually caught him going in 52 seconds flat. It was perfect.

"Stormy is fit, happy and ready to run. Now it's up to him."

Cullen indicated that Storms of Yanji would run in a maiden allowance race at River Downs on July 6.

To view today's work tab from The Thoroughbred Center click here.

Filly purchased by Cullen awarded maiden victory at Prairie Meadows in Iowa
6/27/2011


Timetobegone, a three-year-old filly purchased in part by Jim Cullen this spring, has been awarded the victory of a maiden race at Prairie Meadows after the winner subsequently tested positive for a banned substance.

Cullen purchased a percentage of Timetobegone in late March on behalf of a Kentucky-based breeding partnership. The three-year-old filly is by Vindication out of the stakes-producing mare Guilded Times, by Crafty Prospector. Timetobegone is a half sister to four stakes winners - among them 2002 Del Mar Futurity (G2) winner Icecoldbeeratreds - and a full to the stakes-placed filly Miss Bodine.

Timetobegone finished second and third in her first two starts for the partnership, both in maiden allowance company in New Mexico. Trainer Chris Hartman made the decision to drop the filly in for $12,500 at Prairie Meadows on May 21, and the filly turned in a respectable performance after breaking poorly and finished second.

However, post-race tests revealed the winner tested positive for ibuprofen, and she was subsequently disqualifed from first to ninth. As such, Timetobegone was moved up and awarded the victory, as well as first-place purse money of $7,620.

Timetobegone was also claimed out of the race, which means the connections realized total proceeds of $20,120 for the night. When added to the $7,880 the filly banked for her first two efforts, it equates to $28,000 the partnership earned for three races over eight weeks. That figure represents a substantial profit on the venture given the filly's modest purchase price.

"By most measures Timetobegone was a success for the partners - they made a nice 'lick' in a short amount of time and the filly moved on to another barn," said Cullen. "We wanted her for a broodmare, but at the end of the day you can never bitch about making a profit in this game.

"My biggest regret is that the partners didn't get a chance to see the filly hit the wire first, or get a win picture. It's a little deflating, but it's not as bad for us as it is for the guy who claimed her. The filly was going to be odds-on to win the next time out, and now she just lost her maiden condition. Tough game..."

To view the official chart of Timetobegone's maiden victory click here.

J P's Gusto gets back to winning ways in $400,000 stake at Charles Town!
6/19/2011


J P's Gusto, the product of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, relished the cut back in distance and posted a facile victory in the $400,000 Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town on May 18.

Now trained by Mike Hushion for Dr. John Waken's GEM Racing, J P's Gusto has proven nearly unbeatable in his division at distances under a mile. But the temptation to try the Triple Crown trail proved too much to resist, and the 2010 Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner was put to the test this spring. Though he ran admirably in most of his starts, he was last seen off the board in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in April.

J P's Gusto returned to sprinting in the seven-furlong Red Legend, and he made quick work of nine overmatched rivals. J.D. Acosta got the ridgling away in good order and sat just off the early lead set by Der Miester. That lead was short-lived, however, as J P's Gusto took command at the half-mile pole and steadily drew off to win impressively by 6 3/4-lengths.

Final time for the seven-furlong race around two turns was 1:25.03.

"We knew what kind of horse he is," said Hushion after the race. "He's got speed and we knew he could handle it on this racetrack."

J P's Gusto banked $230,400 for his fifth win from 12 starts to push his total earnings to $811,760.

Hushion indicated that J P's Gusto would be pointed for the seven-furlong King's Bishop Stakes (G1) at Saratoga this summer.

J P's Gusto is by Successful Appeal out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic. Cullen purchased Call Her Magic for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale on behalf of an agency partnership. He mated and bred several foals out of the mare, including the Grade 2 stakes-placed juvenile Magic Appeal - a full sister to J P's Gusto.

Cullen ultimately sold Call Her Magic at public auction carrying J P's Gusto after a half sister produced the 2008 Champion Filly Proud Spell. WinStar Farm bought the mare for $90,000 and is the official breeder of record for J P's Gusto.

To view the official chart of the 2011 Red Legend Stakes click here.

Astaire on the brink of $100,000 in earnings after latest victory
6/15/2011


Funny what can happen with a horse when you teach him to relax...

After nearly three years of sprinting, Astaire stretched out tonight and posted a dominant victory in a one-mile claiming race at Indiana Downs. The seven-year-old son of Distorted Humor drew off to win his second consecutive race by six lengths in a sharp time of 1:37.60.

The victory improved Astaire's overall record to 38-9-5-5, and the $5,700 winner's purse pushes his total earnings to $98,356.

Jim Cullen purchased Astaire as a racing prospect for $32,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale. The gelding won two of his first three starts for his new connections - both in allowance company in Kentucky - and he earned back his purchase price in his first four starts ($32,465).

Astaire went to the sidelines soon thereafter, however, and when trainer Bill Denzik Jr. brought him back he had limited success. The powerful chestnut won just two races from 2008-2010, and by the time Denzik dropped him in for $5,000 last summer he was a confirmed front-runner who was sprinting five and 5 1/2-furlongs.

Trainer Paul Meyer claimed Astaire and has completely turned him around. Meyer has gotten Astaire to relax and come from off the pace, and the results have been impressive. From 11 starts for Meyer Astaire has won three races with three thirds, and he's banked $20,465.

As evidenced by his victory tonight, Astaire's newfound ability to relax is also allowing him to stretch back out. His victory tonight was his first race around two turns in nearly a year, and his final time was comparable to the winning times of several allowance races at Indiana Downs this meet.

"When I bought Astaire he had started six times without winning, but he showed he could handle a route of ground," said Cullen. "I never understood why he was sprinting on the front end, but it's clear they weren't playing to his strengths. Paul has figured him out and it's obvious that Astaire still has some run left - he went the last furlong tonight in 12 seconds and change. It's exciting to see.

"Anyone who buys horses for a living places a great deal of emphasis on soundness, so I'm really pleased (Astaire) has held up for 38 races. I hope he has at least one good race left because I want to see him go over the $100,000 mark in earnings. After what he's been through he deserves it."

To view the official chart of the race click here. To see a replay of the race click here and go to race #7.

Storms of Yanji works easy half mile as he readies for race next week
6/15/2011


Storms of Yanji, a three-year-old gelding trained by Jim Cullen for Margaux Farm, turned in his penultimate work on June 12 as he continues to prepare for a return to the races later this month.

A bay son of Kela out of the winning mare Wellness (Explodent), Storms of Yanji breezed an easy half mile in 53 seconds and change. The gelding is expected to work one more time before he returns to the races on June 30.

Storms of Yanji has started one time in his career: he finished off the board in a maiden allowance race at Turfway Park in February.

"Storms of Yanji is going well," said Cullen. "His energy is good and he's hitting the ground super, so I'm really pleased with where he's at.

"We'll work him one more time this week and then see where we are. If he trains okay and comes out of it in good shape we'll look for a race somewhere. I'm pleased with how he's doing."

To view the complete work tab from the Thoroughbred Center on June 12 click here.

Defy Gravity works for start in $100,000 Debutante Stakes (G3) at Churchill
6/7/2011


Defy Gravity, the first foal out of a mare purchased and mated by Jim Cullen, turned in a solid work last week as she prepares for her next start, which will come in the $100,000 Debutante Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs later this month.

A two-year-old filly trained by Valora Testerman, Defy Gravity won a maiden special weight race at Pimlico by six lengths on May 8. She had not worked since that victory, but Testerman sent her out for a maintenance drill on June 4. The handsome bay filly breezed five furlongs in 1:03 flat, which was the 21st-fastest time from 23 to work the distance.

"She worked great," said Testerman. "I broke her off five lengths behind a two-year-old colt, and she tracked him and then went by him in the stretch. She got the last three-eighths in 35 seconds, and she galloped out strong. We're on track for Kentucky."

Testerman said she didn't know if Defy Gravity would work again before the six-furlong Debutante, which will be run on June 25.

"She's a little high right now, so I'm kind of walking a tightrope with her," Testerman said. "She's doing great, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with her - she might work and she might not. I'll play it by ear and figure something out."

Testerman said Defy Gravity has been the subject of several offers for purchase but that the owner has turned them down.

"The phone rang off the hook (after her maiden win), and we had some significant offers," said Testerman. "But the owner wants to race. We didn't give much for her and think she's going to have a long and promising career."

Defy Gravity is by Bandini out of the Forest Wildcat mare Quickest. Cullen bought Quickest for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale.

Purchased as a two-year-old broodmare prospect, Quickest is a half sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and 2011 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) winner Brethren.

Quickest's owner Vincent Colbert - who sold Defy Gravity as a weanling for $2,500 - has since bought Quickest back for $350,000 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Royal Delta moves to top of three-year-old filly division with impressive victory in Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2)!
5/22/2011


There was nobody who loved the Thoroughbred more than HH Prince Saud bin Khaled of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Khaled would spend hours walking around his Chanteclair Farm in Midway, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than watching his homebreds grow and frolic in those expansive paddocks.

Mr. Khaled had his favorites, but perhaps none more so than the A.P. Indy mare Delta Princess, a multiple graded stakes winner whom he bred and campaigned. Though Mr. Khaled succumbed to illness in late January, the first foal out of his beloved Delta Princess made Turf history on May 21 when she annexed the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico.

Royal Delta, a three-year-old daughter of Empire Maker, had raced just three times prior to the Black-Eyed Susan. She broke her maiden by 12 lengths at Belmont as a two-year-old, then returned from a poor effort in a Tampa Bay stakes race to take an allowance at Keeneland in April. That performance had trainer Bill Mott flirting with the idea of running Royal Delta in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), but he decided to bypasss that race for a run in Baltimore.

It obviously was a wise decision. Royal Delta proved to be much the best and posted a surprisingly easy victory in the nine-furlong affair. She sat behind a lively early pace through the opening six furlongs and then advanced up the rail and into a contending position through the turn. Jockey Jose Lezcano moved Royal Delta off the rail and into the clear at the top of the stretch, and the lovely bay filly cruised past the tired pacesetter and on to a clear victory.

Royal Delta hit the wire 2 1/2 lengths to the good (pictured) in a sharp time of 1:49 and change.

Royal Delta won for the third time from four starts, and in the process she stamped herself as one of the top performers in her division.

"This is a very, very special filly - on a bunch of different levels," said Jim Cullen. "She is truly a product of Chanteclair Farm, and everybody who works there is very proud of her. She's a third-generation filly for Mr. Khaled, so there is a ton of history and sentiment involved with Royal Delta.

"But obviously her talent and racing ability make her special as well. She is exceptional, and she is as lovely and correct as she is talented. I think there's little doubt she's among the best three-year-old fillies in the U.S. - maybe the best."

According to Mott, Royal Delta will be pointed for the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) at Belmont in June.

To see the official chart of the 2011 Black-Eyed Susan click here.

Cullen purchase Astaire wins eighth race of his career!
5/22/2011


Some things just get better with age...

Astaire, a seven-year-old gelding purchased as a racing prospect by Jim Cullen, won the eighth race of his career when he annexed a claiming race at Indiana Downs on May 21.

Sent off as the 3-to-2 favorite, Astaire sat just behind the pacesetters during the early stages of the 5 1/2-furlong sprint. Jockey Ben Creed moved Astaire up on the outside to take the lead at the three-sixteenths pole and, despite blowing the turn, he sprinted down the lane to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Final time was a very quick 1:03.85 on a fast dirt track - just a second off the track record. Not bad for an old geezer...

The victory was Astaire's eighth from 37 career starts, with five seconds and five thirds. He has earned $92,656 during six seasons of racing.

By Distorted Humor out of the Rahy mare Dancing Pratella, Astaire was purchased by Cullen for $32,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale. The chestnut gelding was winless when he was purchased, but he went on to win two allowance races - and his purchase price back - in his first three starts while being managed by Cullen.

Astaire's performance slipped from there, and under his previous trainer he won only two races during a two-year period from 2008-10. Trainer Bill Denzik Jr. dropped Astaire into a $5,000 claiming race last summer, where he was taken by current owner and trainer Paul Meyer.

Astaire has turned it around since being haltered by Meyer. From 10 starts the gelding has won two races with three seconds, and he's banked $14,765 - including $5,100 for his most recent victory.

"I like what Paul has done with Astaire," said Cullen. "Under his previous trainer the (gelding) went right to the lead and ran as hard and fast as he could, with poor results. But Paul has gotten Astaire to take back a bit and make a run, and he's responded. In his last three races he's registered a win and two seconds, and it's clear he's got something left in the tank. Here's hoping he can keep it going.

"I'm really proud of Astaire and happy he's running as well as he is. It's hard to win one race much less eight, and to think he's still sound and willing at this stage of his career is amazing. He might not be a superstar or anything like that, but it's cool that he's still getting it done on some level."

To view the official chart of Astaire's most recent victory click here. To see a race replay click here and go to May 21, race #4.

Half sister to Miss Attractive wins lucrative second-level allowance at Woodbine!
5/16/2011


Amiable Grace, a half sister to Cullen broodmare purchase Miss Attractive, is likely bound for stakes company after she posted an impressive allowance victory in the fourth race at Woodbine yesterday.

Amiable Grace broke well from the outside and tracked the early leader from second through opening fractions of 24.72 and 48.41. Jockey Eurico Da Silva moved Amiable Grace up to contend for the lead at the three-sixteenth pole, and the four-year-old filly took command at the head of the stretch.

Amiable Grace leveled off inside the eighth pole and drew away to win by a widening 4 1/2 lengths. Final time was 1:23.64 for seven furlongs on the polytrack.

Amiable Grace improved her record to 11-3-4-1 with the victory, and the $44,880 winner's purse boosted her career earnings to $191,882.

"(Amiable Grace) turned in a big, big race," said Jim Cullen. "She's an Ontario-bred, so she's eligible for a number of restricted stakes races at Woodbine. But her last three races have all come in open company, so the fact she's running well against that type of competition is huge. I would think she'll run back in a stakes next month, and I'd be very surprised if she doesn't collect some black type when she does."

Michael Doyle trains Amiable Grace for Windhaven Farm.

By Alphabet Soup, Amiable Grace is out of the stakes-placed mare Marquise Miss (Marquetry). She in turn is a half sister to Miss Attractive, whom Cullen purchased for $50,000 at the 2010 Keeneland November sale on behalf of Nick and Debbie Sibilio of Southern California.

Miss Attractive foaled a beautiful filly by Awesome Again in February, and she's been back in foal to Touch Gold.

To view a replay of Amiable Grace's victory yesterday click here and go to race #4. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Congratulations to Cullen client Brian Cleveland on homebred stakes winner at Lone Star!
5/16/2011


Congratulations to Brian Cleveland on his latest homebred success! The Texas polo player - who only dabbles in Thoroughbred racing and breeding - scored another impressive stakes score when his homebred filly Princess Turandot won the $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star Park on May 14.

A three-year-old filly trained by Bret Calhoun, Princess Turandot posted a most impressive victory in the two-turn contest. The filly rated just off the pace during the early stages of the race, moved into contention through the turn, then proved much the best down the stretch.

Despite jockey Luis Quinonez easing up late, Princess Turandot won by five lengths over eight overmatched rivals. Final time was 1:47.26 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast dirt track.

Princess Turandot has now won 3-of-8 starts, with three thirds, and the $60,000 she banked pushed her career earnings to $97,035.

Princess Turandot is by Gold Legend out of Cleveland's only mare, Chianti (Sea Salute). Chianti has had four foals to date - all winners - including a full sister to Princess Turandot named Sauternes, a stakes-placed winner of nearly $100,000.

"Brian's an amazing guy," said Cullen. "His mare is by nothing out of nothing, and she didn't run at all - she was unplaced in two starts. Despite her lack of appeal on paper Brian was adament that he wanted to breed her.

"He obviously knew what he was talking about. (Chianti's) had four winners from as many to race and two stakes fillies. The guy is starting his own little broodmare band out of that mare, and he's going to bring one of them to Kentucky next spring to breed. What a story."

Both Sauternes and Princess Turandot boast interesting pedigrees. They are inbred 2x4 to Seattle Slew and 3x4 to the great Mr. Prospector.

"I don't know why Brian ever calls me to ask about breeding or pedigrees - he's had unbelievable success and done it all on his own. He's a good horseman who's played polo most of his life, and it's clear he's got great instincts when it comes to Thoroughbreds. More power to him."

You can watch a replay of the 2011 Texas Stallion Stakes by clicking here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

First foal out of mare purchased by Cullen wins impressively a juvenile allowance race at Pimlico!
5/8/2011


Defy Gravity, the first foal out of a mare purchased and mated by Jim Cullen, destroyed a field of two-year-old allowance fillies today when she won the first race at Pimlico.

Trained by Valora Testerman for the R N R Stable, Defy Gravity broke well under Wesley Ho and sat just off the early leader in the 4 1/2-furlong sprint. Defy Gravity tracked the pacesetter through an opening quarter mile that went in 22.70 seconds, then ranged up to assume command at the top of the stretch. She made the lead at the eighth pole and drew off to win by six widening lengths (pictured).

Defy Gravity stopped the clock in a sparkling 52.77 seconds. She banked $17,100 for the victory.

By Bandini, Defy Gravity is the first foal out of the unraced mare Quickest (Forest Wildcat). Cullen purchased Quickest as a two-year-old broodmare prospect for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale. The mare's value increased exponentially when her half brother, Super Saver, won the 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Cullen purchased Quickest on behalf of Vincent Colbert. It's the only mare Cullen has purchased for Colbert at public auction.

"(Defy Logic) was extremely impressive today," said Cullen. "She sat off the early pace like a professional and accelerated down the stretch like a good horse. She looks like she's got a very, very bright future in front of her.

"I take a lot of pride in Defy Logic's performance today. I bought Quickest for Colbert and bought him the share in Bandini that resulted in the filly. She's a 'Cullen product' through and through, and it's quite satisfying to see her run like she did."

Colbert sold Defy Logic for just $2,500 at the 2009 Keeneland November sale. She was pinhooked into the Fasig-Tipton Eastern Fall yearling sale the following year, where she brought $19,000.

Colbert offered Quickest for sale at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton November sale but bought her back for $350,000. Not pregnant in 2010, Quickest had a foal by Rock Hard Ten this spring and is scheduled to be bred back to Street Sense.

To view the official chart of Defy Logic's victory click here.

Sahalie wins again!
5/1/2011


Debbie Wilson's Sahalie, the product of a Jim Cullen mating, appreciated the drop from stakes company and won the first race at Lone Star Park on April 29.

Sahalie is a four-year-old filly by Military out of the Rare Performer mare Smart'n Rare. A three-time allowance winner, Sahalie went unplaced in the $50,000 JEH Stallion Station Stakes at Lone Star on April 16. Trainer Bret Calhoun decided to run Sahalie back in a claiming race for the first time in her career, and she responded with a game victory on the grass.

Sahalie broke well and pressed the early pace in the five-furlong sprint, then moved to the front at the head of the stretch. She and co-favorite Holy Hazaam battled it out for the length of the stretch, and Sahalie won the head-bob at the wire to prevail.

"I happened to see Bret at Keeneland the morning of Sahalie's race, and he told me he thought she'd run well," said Cullen. "She was all out to win it, but she got the job done. I'm happy for the filly and really happy for Debbie."

Sahalie stopped the clock in 57.10 seconds. She banked $7,200 for the effort to push her earnings over the $50,000 mark.

Cullen purchased Smart'n Rare privately for Wilson in 2005. She was purchased in foal to Doneraile Court, and the resulting foal became the good California stakes horse Court the King.

To watch a replay of Lone Star Park's races from April 29 click here. To view the official chart of Sahalie's race click here.

Half sister to Miss Attractive runs big in allowance race at Woodbine
4/26/2011


Amiable Grace, a half sister to Jim Cullen purchase Miss Attractive, ran well in her first start of 2011 but got nailed on the wire and finished second in a lucrative allowance race at Woodbine on April 24.

A four-year-old filly by Alphabet Soup, Amiable Grace returned in the seventh race on the card, a seven-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares.

Amiable Grace broke well from the rail and led through a pressured pace of 24.60 and 47.72. She appeared to take control of the race when she put away her company and spurted clear at the eighth pole, but she could not hold off the late charge of the good filly Rashnaa and lost a head bob on the wire.

Amiable Grace finished a hard-luck second by mere inches in a race that went in 1:22.91.

"I was pretty surprised to see Amiable Grace on the lead because she's done her best running from off the pace," said Cullen. "But she figured to be fresh in her first start since December, and given that she drew the rail I guess they decided to send her. She ran well - she did all the heavy lifting on the front end and didn't get a breather, but she still dug in and ran hard to the wire.

"They were flying down the stretch. (Amiable Grace) got the last three-eighths in 35.19 seconds, so that other filly had to really run to beat her. It happens. But it's good to see that she's come back that good as a four-year-old. That effort wins a lot of races, so hopefully she'll run at a high level this year and get some black type."

Amiable Grace banked $14,960 to push her career earnings to nearly $150,000.

Amiable Grace is out of the stakes-placed mare Marquise Miss (Marquetry), making her a half sister to the good allowance winner Miss Attractive (pictured). The latter was purchased by Nick and Debbie Sibilio for $50,000 during the 2010 Keeneland November sale. This spring the mare foaled a beautiful filly by Awesome Again at Margaux Farm and is back in foal to Touch Gold.

To watch a video replay of Amiable Grace's most recent race click here and go to race seven. To see the the official chart of the race click here.

Filthy Cute posts first three-furlong breeze!
4/26/2011


Filthy Cute, a two-year-old filly purchased and trained by Jim Cullen, turned in her first three-furlong work this morning at the Thoroughbred Training Center near Lexington.

By Taste of Paradise out of Miss Imagination (Halo's Image), Filthy Cute was purchased by Cullen out of a field at Crestwood Farm last December. The powerful bay filly has been training forwardly for her racing debut, and this morning she took a big step forward with a solid breeze.

Working on a track rated 'good', Taste of Paradise stopped the clock in 39 seconds flat. It was the sixth-fastest time of the morning from seven to work the distance.

"I'm really happy with the way things went today for Filthy Cute," said Cullen. "It was the first time we've ever let her run on an off track, and she handled it well. I didn't want her to do too much - I didn't even let the jock carry a stick. We just wanted her to go nice and easy and gallop out well, and that's exactly what happened.

"I'm very pleased, especially given it was her first work at the distance. She was a little tired after (the work), but she should get a lot out of it and move up. She's on the right track."

Cullen indicated that, barring any setbacks, Filthy Cute will likely make her racing debut at Churchill Downs in May.

To view today's official worktab from the Thoroughbred Center click here.

Colt by Ten Centuries wins maiden allowance at Keeneland!
4/18/2011


Derby Obsession, a three-year-old colt from the first crop of Ten Centuries, rallied strongly inside the sixteenth pole to prevail in a maiden special weight race at Keeneland on March 17.

Out of the Affirmed mare Golden Swallow, Derby Obsession overcame a rough trip to win the seventh race by a head. The chestnut colt was pinched at the start of the 1 1/16-mile race but closed with a rush under Julien Leparoux to get the win in his third career start.

Mike Maker trains the winner for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

Derby Obsession was beaten less than a length when third in his racing debut last December at Fair Grounds, but he finished off the board in the slop at Gulfstream Park in his last. The victory improved his record to 3-1-0-1 for earnings of $34,455.

Derby Obsession is Ten Centuries' second winner to date from limited numbers. The stallion - a $1.6 million sales yearling - is the only son of Dubai Millennium at stud in the U.S. He was originally retired to Buck Pond Farm in a deal brokered by Jim Cullen, but he moved to his owner's Chanteclair Farm for the 2011 season, where he stands for $2,000.

"It's not a huge surprise that Ten Centuries would get a runner like (Derby Obsession)," said Cullen. "He's a beautiful horse with a huge pedigree, and though he didn't race his trainer - the great Bobby Frankel - thought he had a ton of talent. Ten Centuries (pictured) hasn't gotten much of a chance in the current breeding climate, but it's clear he can produce a horse with meaningful talent.

"When you consider that Derby Obsession is out of a pretty modest mare you start to realize the potential Ten Centuries just might have as a stallion. Hopefully this will stimulate some interest and he'll get some more mares before the end of the season."

Derby Obsession, like Ten Centuries, was bred by the late HH Saud bin Khaled's Palides Investments N.V., Inc.

To watch a replay of Derby Obsession's maiden victory click here and go to race seven. To view the official chart of the race click here.

Half brother to Love You Crazy wins again in Chicago!
4/6/2011


Sacred Ground, who in December won an entry allowance race at Hawthorne, posted the easiest of victories today in the seventh race at the Chicago racetrack.

Sent off as the 7-to-10 favorite, Sacred Ground broke well and sat just off the early pace down the backside. Jockey Julio Felix moved the four-year-old son of Awesome Again up to contend through the turn, gained command at the eighth pole and drew off to win by four widening lengths.

Final time was 1:47.80 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track.

"(Sacred Ground) was much the best today," said Jim Cullen. "He didn't get much pace to run at, but he quickened when asked and looked like a winner throughout. It wasn't the toughest field in the world but he won like a good horse should."

The victory was the third for Sacred Ground from 11 starts, with a second and two thirds. The bay colt banked $7,722 for the victory to push his career earnings to $36,000.

Trainer Michael Reavis claimed Sacred Ground out of the race for himself.

To watch a replay of Sacred Ground's victory click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

A $250,000 yearling, Sacred Ground is the third foal out of the stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover). He is a half brother to the stakes-placed mare Love You Crazy, who was claimed by Cullen as a broodmare prospect on behalf of a partnership in 2009. Cullen originally campaigned the handsome bay mare after having purchased her as an unraced two-year-old.

Love You Crazy had her first foal in March, a tremendous colt by the exciting young sire Sharp Humor (pictured). She will be bred to Ready's Image later this month.

"We're really excited about Love You Crazy's baby - he's awesome," said Cullen. "The original plan was to sell him at (Keeneland) November, but now we might hold on to him until the yearling sales in 2012. He's that good."

New purchase Timetobegone runs second in maiden special weight race at Sunland Park
4/4/2011


Timetobegone, who was purchased in part by Jim Cullen in late March, finished second in a maiden allowance race at Sunland Park on April 2.

A three-year-old filly trained by Chris Hartman, Timetobegone made her first start around two turns in the one-mile dirt affair. She broke a step slow from the outside post, which caused her to be hung six or seven wide into the first turn. Undeterred, jockey Ramsey Zimmerman drove her to the lead down the backside, and she maintained a two-length advantage through solid early fractions of 23.53 and 47.28 seconds.

Timetobegone started to slow at the three-eighths pole, and she could not hold off the charge of even-money favorite Mythical Bride, a WinStar Farm homebred. But the bay filly showed a ton of heart by digging in late to secure the place.

"Chris was generally pleased with (Timetobegone's) performance on Saturday," said Cullen. "He was a little disappointed the jockey rushed her into the race the way he did, but it really didn't matter that much - she wasn't going to beat the winner anyway.

"Timetobegone ran well and came out of it in great shape, so we'll regroup and go on to the next one. Her new owners are really pleased with how she ran."

Cullen purchased Timetobegone on behalf of a partnership. (See story below.)

Timetobegone banked $5,280 for the effort, which more than doubled the filly's career earnings to $10,142.

To watch a replay of Timetobegone's race click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

Cullen purchases interest in three-year-old filly for Kentucky partnership
3/31/2011


Jim Cullen on Tuesday finalized the purchase of an interest in the three-year-old filly Timetobegone on behalf of a Kentucky-based partnership.

Purchase price was not disclosed.

Timetobegone is by Vindication out of the Crafty Prospector mare Guilded Times. The filly is a half sister to four stakes winners - all by In Excess (Ire), including 2002 Del Mar Futurity (G2) winner Icecoldbeeratreds - and is a full sister to the stakes-placed mare Miss Bodine.

One of the half sisters is the multiple stakes winner Controlled, dam of Canadian Champion and millionaire Bear Now. Controlled is also the dam of the Grade 2 stakes-placed runner Controlled Meeting.

Cullen purchased Timetobegone on behalf of a partnership headed by Margaux Farm managing partner Steve Johnson.

"The horsemen that bought into (Timetobegone) have a vested interest in the exciting young stallion Notional," said Cullen. "They were looking for broodmare prospects to breed to him in future years. Notional is by In Excess, and given that the filly's family has crossed so well to him makes it a no-brainer."

Timetobegone is a maiden who has placed twice in six career starts. She will continue to be trained by Chris Hartman in New Mexico.

"This is a decent filly who looks like she's coming into her own," said Cullen. "Her career is just starting, and Chris thinks she'll do her best running around two turns. Hopefully she'll go on to win some races and increase her residual value as a broodmare. I know the partners are very pleased and excited about her prospects."

Timetobegone is scheduled to make her next start in a maiden special weight race at Sunland Park on April 2. To view entries for that racing card click here.

Cullen purchase Sweet Gladys breaks through for first black-type victory in Queen Stakes!
3/26/2011


On the biggest day of racing at Turfway Park, Sweet Gladys rallied resolutely down the stretch to win the $50,000 Queen Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths.

The Queen Stakes was one of five stakes races on the Turfway card, highlighted by the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (G3). The Queen kicked off the stakes offerings, and it did so in extraordinary fashion.

Sweet Gladys was one of just seven fillies to contest the six-furlong sprint, and she was a decided longshot in a field that included two horses trained by Todd Pletcher and others. But after pressing a stout early pace, Sweet Gladys swept clear on the outside leaving the turn, took command at the eighth pole, then dug in late to score a decisive victory (pictured).

The final margin of victory was 2 1/2 lengths. Sweet Gladys stopped the clock in 1:10.84.

Sweet Gladys was purchased by Jim Cullen for $55,000 at the 2007 Adena Springs Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The now six-year-old mare is by Awesome Again out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse).

"I've always thought Sweet Gladys could win a race like this," said Cullen. "She's always been a classy mare with talent, but her strongest attribute is probably her toughness. When this mare gets hooked she's very game, and she's probably won some races she shouldn't have because she's got so much 'try'.

"I'm very pleased Sweet Gladys broke through with a victory like this - she deserves it."

The victory was Sweet Gladys' sixth from 16 starts, and the $30,380 winner's purse boosted her career bankroll to $78,769.

Cullen originally purchased Sweet Gladys on behalf of his Four-Board Stable, but she is now owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds.

"I'm very happy for the Old Henry partners, Pat Vaughn and Bill Guest," said Cullen. "I grew up playing golf with them and their kids, and I believe Sweet Gladys is their first stakes winner. To think I played even a small part in that process is very gratifying."

Originally named Wicked Fairy, Cullen changed the mare's name to honor his grandmothers, both of whom are named Gladys.

To watch a replay of the 2011 Queen Stakes click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

Two-year-old filly bought, trained by Cullen posts first official work
3/23/2011


Filthy Cute, a two-year-old filly purchased and trained by Jim Cullen, posted her first official work this morning when she breezed an easy quarter in 27.20 seconds.

Working by herself, Filthy Cute broke off at the quarter pole and drilled down the lane to the wire. She galloped out strongly and cooled out without incident back at the barn.

"We didn't want her to do too much - we were shooting for something between 26 and 27 seconds," said Cullen. "The time was fine; I wouldn't have wanted her to go any faster. They put sand on the track this morning and it was pretty deep, but I was really happy with the way she got over it.

"What impresses me most about (Filthy Cute) is her attitude. She loves to train. We got hit with a storm right when she was breaking into her work, and the (jockey) said she was getting pelted in the face pretty good with hail. It didn't faze her at all. She picked up the bit and was focused on running, which was good to see. So far so good..."

Filthy Cute is a bay daughter of Taste of Paradise out of the Halo's Image mare Miss Imagination. Taste of Paradise is a Grade 1 stakes-winning millionaire who won graded events from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. His biggest victory came in the 2005 Vosburgh Stakes (G1), and he was runner-up by a head in that year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). He stands at the McLean family's Crestwood Farm.

Miss Imagination won eight races during five seasons of racing and placed 13 other times. The hard-hitting mare - who made an incredibly 50 starts during her career - is a product of Arthur Appleton's famed Bridlewood Farm. She is a half sister to the stakes-placed performer Sky Class and is out of a half sister to the good stakes winner Takeawakatlove.

"Filthy Cute is by a stallion who raced until he was six, and she's out of a mare who raced until she was seven," said Cullen. "I didn't expect her to be as precocious as she is, but I'm going to go on with her until she throws up a roadblock. My biggest wish is that she inherits her parent's soundness and durability."

Cullen purchased Filthy Cute privately as a yearling. She is owned by a partnership.

To view this morning's worktab from the Thoroughbred Center click here.

Cullen brokers purchase of three-year-old filly Ravionetta
3/18/2011


Jim Cullen today finalized the purchase of a three-year-old filly on behalf of clients Nick and Debbie Sibilio.

Cullen purchased the filly Ravionetta for the Sibilios from trainer Jim Dodgen. By Touch Gold, Ravionetta is the first foal out of the Running Stag mare Miss Attractive.

Purchase price was not disclosed.

The Sibilios purchased Miss Attractive for $50,000 at the 2010 Keeneland November sale. Last week, the mare produced her fourth foal when she dropped a beautiful filly by Awesome Again at Margaux Farm.

Ravionetta has raced just five times in her young career. She debuted at two at Presque Isle Downs and finished third in a maiden allowance, defeating in the process a filly named Itcouldbesunshine, who subsequently won a maiden allowance at Churchill Downs.

Ravionetta was wheeled back eight days later to contest the $100,000 Presque Isle Debutante, but she failed to menace and was unplaced.

The bay filly returned to the races in December and easily won a $12,500 maiden claiming event at Tampa Bay. Perhaps more importantly, she won the six-furlong sprint in a time just two-fifths of a second off the winning time for the $70,000 Sandpiper Stakes, a race for three-year-old fillies held nine days later.

Trainer Gerald Bennett tried Ravionetta in stakes company a second time in January, but she finished off the board in the $75,000 Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa. Bennett dropped her back in for $12,500 last week, and Dodgen claimed her.

In that race, Ravionetta battled on the front end throughout the 6 1/2-furlong contest but was caught late and finished second. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Cullen will take over training duties of the filly.

"I've watched Ravionetta's last few races and have been impressed with what I've seen," said Cullen. "She's run well on Polytrack and won on dirt, and with her action and pedigree I'd be interested in trying her on the turf. She's also got a ton of speed, but she's bred to go two turns. At a distance it seems like there are a lot of options available to her.

"We actually got lucky she got beat the other day - she still has all her conditions. She's 'in jail' until May 2, but that will give us some time with her. By the time she's ready to run there will be a ton of racetracks to choose from, so we'll try and find her the best spot and see if we can bank some meaningful earnings with her. The main objective is to try and help (Miss Attractive)'s page as much as possible before she's retired to join the Sibilio's broodmare band."

Kitts Fitz retired to the breeding shed, will visit Bandini
3/18/2011


Florence Racing Stable's Kitts Fitz, a winning homebred daughter of Seattle Fitz (Arg), has been retired from racing. The four-year-old filly has been shipped to Margaux Farm, where she will be bred to Bandini later this spring.

Out of the Gold Case mare Melody Prospector, Kitts Fitz retires with one win from four career starts. That win came in a two-turn maiden race on the dirt at River Downs last May. In that effort Kitts Fitz led throughout and turned back a bid from the favorite at the three-eighths pole to win by 5 1/2 lengths.

According to trainer Jim Cullen, the filly was retired because of a recurring ankle condition.

"Kitts Fitz was a very sound filly except for an ankle that kept giving her some trouble," he said. "She wrenched it last year, and I was hopeful that time off would help it heal. But it's apparent she's not going to be 100% again so we'll do the right thing and retire her.

"It's not like she was an accomplished racehorse or anything, but she was a favorite of mine. I helped buy Seattle Fitz in Dubai while I worked for West Point (Thoroughbreds), and I bought the mare specifically to breed to him. We ended up getting a beautiful, correct individual, and I think she had more talent than her record indicates. But in the end it doesn't matter - she's ours and we'll love on her and see what kind of babies she throws."

Smart'n Rare confirmed in foal!
3/18/2011


Deborah Wilson's stakes-producing mare Smart'n Rare was confirmed in foal today to Belong To Me. The 19-year-old mare was bred earlier this month and got in foal on one cover.

Smart'n Rare is boarded at the McLean family's Crestwood Farm.

By Rare Performer out of the Smarten mare La Deception, Smart'n Rare was purchased out of a field by Cullen in 2006. The mare's two-year-old that year was a son of Doneraile Court named Court the King, who would become stakes placed in California and a Triple Crown contender of 2007.

Wilson bred the mare to Military that year on the advice of Cullen. The resulting foal is her homebred filly Sahalie, who has won allowances in Texas and Oklahoma and is scheduled to contest the $50,000 JEH Stallion Station Stakes at Lone Star Park in April.

"We bred the mare to Belong to Me because we wanted to get her back to the Danzig line," said Cullen. "We're amazed at what good shape Smart'n Rare is in for her age. She looks and acts like a ten-year-old mare, and apparently she's still as fertile as one. Hopefully she won't have any problems with the pregnancy and we'll get a nice foal next February."

Love You Crazy foals handsome colt by Sharp Humor!
3/17/2011


Love You Crazy produced her first foal on March 16 when she gave birth to a handsome bay colt by Sharp Humor.

By Touch Gold out of the stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover), Love You Care was purchased by Jim Cullen as an unraced two-year-old for $35,000. The filly went on to win three races and more than $90,000 during her career (pictured), and at two she placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at Woodbine.

Love You Crazy was originally campaigned by Cullen's Four-Board Stable, and he sold the mare as a breeding prospect for $25,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November sale. She was purchased and put back into training in 2009, and Cullen was able to claim her for just $7,500 at Keeneland that October. The mare was claimed on behalf of a partnership that includes Margaux Farm, where she now resides.

Love You Crazy was retired and bred in 2010 to Sharp Humor. The classy mare got in foal on one cover, and the fruits of those efforts were realized yesterday. The mare produced the foal just after 1 pm on an overcast, cool afternoon.

"She just dropped in the middle of her paddock and had it," said Margaux managing partner Steve Johnson. "It was an uneventful foaling, and both (Love You Crazy) and the baby are doing fine. It couldn't have gone any smoother."

"(The foal) is all legs, and he's very, very cute," said farm administator Michele Holbrook.

Love You Crazy is scheduled to be bred back to Ready's Image later this spring.

Miss Attractive foals beautiful filly by Awesome Again!
3/17/2011


Miss Attractive, who was purchased by Nick and Debbie Sibilio at the 2010 Keeneland November sale, foaled a lovely bay daughter of Awesome Again at Margaux Farm on March 11.

Both mare and foal are doing well following an uneventful foaling.

A nine-year-old mare by Running Stag, Miss Attractive is out of the stakes-placed runner and stakes producer Marquise Miss (Marquetry). Miss Attractive is a half sister to the New York stakes winner Miss Tizzy, as well as to Amiable Grace, who won a a second-level allowance race at Woodbine in her final start of 2010.

Amiable Grace is currently training forwardly in Florida, readying for her 2011 campaign.

Miss Attractive (pictured) won her first two starts on the track before she finished second in her third and final race. She retired with earnings of $56,100.

Miss Attractive's first foal is the stakes performer Ravionetta, a daughter of Touch Gold who broke her maiden at Tampa Bay in December. Her second foal is a two-year-old colt by Wilko whose purchase price at auction ($40,000) last year is the highest paid for any yearling by that stallion.

The Sibilios purchased Miss Attractive for $50,000 on the advice of Jim Cullen.

"I'm very happy for Nick and Debbie; they got a tremendous foal out of their mare," said Cullen. "The filly is a lot like her dam - very pretty, but strong and with a lot of substance. (The foal) will carry the freight, regardless of whether they race or sell her.

"What's really encouraging is the family is very live: there are a lot of runners out there who look like they've got some talent. It's going to be exciting to see how things develop over the next couple years."

Miss Attractive will be bred back to Touch Gold this spring.

J P's Gusto stays firmly on Derby trail with solid run in Southwest Stakes (G3)
2/24/2011


J P's Gusto, a product of a Cullen Bloodstock breeding partnership, ran well despite a tough trip and finished second in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) on February 21.

J P's Gusto broke cleanly and sat off the early pace through the first six furlongs of the mile dirt contest. Jockey Ramon Dominguez tried to launch his bid with the ridgling leaving the quarter pole, but the duo were blocked by a wall of horses at the top of the stretch. By the time J P's Gusto shook clear at the sixteenth pole he was simply left with too much to do. He closed willingly but could not catch the winner and settled for second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths for the win.

"At the quarter pole, when I wanted to move, there were horses around me and I couldn't get out," Dominguez said after the race. "When the winner started moving up super early I could have gotten out, but I thought I didn't want to have to make my move so soon. I figured I'd take my chances. I knew about the short stretch, but we just didn't get the chance to get out in time. He felt like the mile is right up his alley."

J P's Gusto banked $50,000 for his efforts to take his career earnings to $577,360, of which $540,000 are graded stakes earnings. That figure should ensure he has a place in the Kentucky Derby (G1) field should his connections choose to run.

In all, J P's Gusto has four wins and three seconds from nine career starts, including three graded stakes wins topped by a victory in the 2010 Del Mar Futurity (G1).

Click here to view the official chart of the race.

J P's Gusto is by Successul Appeal out of the Caller I.D. mare Call Her Magic. Agency president Jim Cullen purchased Call Her Magic at auction for $75,000 in 2004, and sold her at auction in 2007 carrying J P's Gusto in utero. In partnership Cullen also bred the ridgling's older full sister, the Grade 2-placed runner Magic Appeal.

"I don't know if he's a Classic horse, but as (Blood-Horse reporter) Steve Haskin wrote on his Triple Crown blog: 'J P's Gusto is a stone-cold runner,," said Cullen. "He fires every time he runs, and he's always right there. Hopefully he'll keep moving forward and proving that he belongs in the Triple Crown discussion.

"His new trainer, Joe Petalino, said he isn't concerned about the distance. He told the Daily Racing Form that J P's Gusto wasn't taxed at all after the race, so he was very encouraged about his ability to get a route of ground. We'll see."

Petalino indicated that J P's Gusto would make his next start in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn on March 19.

To read more about the 2011 Southwest Stakes click here.

Brethren wins Tampa Bay Derby (G3) to keep record perfect, remain on Derby trail
2/15/2011


In 2010, Jim Cullen realized every bloodstock agent's dream when a half-brother to one of his broodmare purchases won the Kentucky Derby (G1). After Brethren's decisive victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), it looks like history has a chance to repeat itself this May.

Brethren, WinStar Farm's homebred son of Distorted Humor, made his first effort in stakes company look easy when he pulled away late to win the Tampa Bay Derby by four lengths on February 12. The bay colt sat off the early pace, ranged up to collar the leader after six furlongs, then drew away down the lane to post the easiest of victories.

Time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:45.07.

"He won it like a good horse should," winning rider Ramon Dominguez told reporters after the race. "We set up and relaxed just off the lead in the first turn and I was able to wait down the backstretch. I asked him in the turn and he came away very nicely. I took a look on both sides in mid-stretch and there was nothing coming so I was able to wrap up on him going to the wire and out. The distance was no problem for him at all."

To view the official chart of the race click here.

Brethren's dominant victory in the Tampa Bay Derby elevated him among the leading contenders for early Derby consideration.

Like his Derby-winning brother, Super Saver, Brethren is out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger. That in turn makes them half brothers to the six-year-old mare Quickest, who was purchased by Cullen for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale.

Cullen purchased Quickest as an unraced two-year-old on behalf of Vincent and Marie Colbert of Massachusetts. The Colberts offered Quickest for sale during the 2010 Fasig-Tipton November sale but bought her back for $360,000.

In reality, Brethren is one of two early Triple Crown contenders from Quickest's immediate family. Cal Nation, a full brother in blood to Brethren, has gotten a lot of attention after a sparkling victory in his seven-furlong debut at Gulfstream Park on February 5. Cal Nation is by Distorted Humor out of She's a Winner, a full sister to Supercharger and the dam of leading freshman sire Bluegrass Cat.

To read more about the 2011 Tampa Bay Derby click here.

Half brother to Love You Crazy fires bullet in preparation for next start
2/10/2011


Sacred Ground, who has not raced since he won an allowance race in December, turned in the fastest half-mile work of the morning on Monday as he prepares for his next start on February 11.

A $250,000 yearling purchase, Sacred Ground is a half-brother to the good stakes-placed mare Love You Crazy, who was claimed by Jim Cullen as a broodmare prospect after she originally raced for his Four-Board Racing Stable. The mare is now owned by a partnership that includes Margaux Farm President Steve Johnson.

Sacred Ground did not get to the races at two but broke his maiden in allowance company last October. The son of Awesome Again returned to win an entry allowance at Hawthorne on December 16, after which the track closed for a winter break. Racing at Hawthorne resumes on Friday, as does Sacred Ground's racing career.

Sacred Ground is scheduled to contest the seventh and feature race on the card, an allowance optional claimer for older horses going six furlongs on the dirt. The colt will break from post nine in a 10-horse field, and Tanner Riggs will ride for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Click here to view Hawthorne's entries for the February 11 card.

Sacred Ground appears to be coming into the race in great form. The impressive four-year-old breezed a half-mile on Monday in 47.20 seconds, the fastest time from 81 horses to work the distance.

"I'm excited about seeing Sacred Ground run," said Cullen. "He has never been a great work horse, so for him to breeze that fast on Monday is really impressive. Perhaps that allowance win woke him up a bit and he's starting to figure things out. For his connections - and those of Love You Crazy - I hope that's the case."

Love You Crazy (pictured) is currently in foal to leading freshman sire Sharp Humor. Boarded at Margaux, she should foal within the next two weeks, after which she'll be bred to Ready's Image later this spring.

To view Hawthorne's worktab from Monday click here.

Sahalie fires bullet as she prepares for return to racing
2/5/2011


Debbie Wilson's Sahalie, a homebred who has not raced since last summer, turned in a bullet work recently at Sam Houston Race Park as she prepares for a return to the races.

Trained by Bret Calhoun, Sahalie won a second-level allowance race at Remington Park on August 27 in what was her first start around two turns, first start on the grass and first start against older runners. Unfortunately the filly exited the race with a small chip in a knee, which necessitated minor surgery in September.

Now four, Sahalie has been training forwardly for her return to the races. On January 28 the bay filly signaled her readiness when she blazed five furlongs at Sam Houston in 1:00.20. The time was the fastest of the morning from seven to work the distance.

"That's a pretty quick time for Sam Houston - that track is usually deep and a little dull," said Jim Cullen. "But what really impressed me was the fact her time was a full second faster than the next fastest time. That's pretty strong.

"Bret has said the filly seems better now than she's ever been, so we're hopeful she returns to a high level of racing this spring."

Wilson indicated that Sahalie could run in the next two weeks, most likely at Sam Houston.

Sahalie is by Military out of the Rare Performer mare Smart'n Rare, who was purchased by Cullen on Wilson's behalf in 2006. Cullen suggested the mating that resulted in Sahalie.

Smart'n Rare is now boarded at Crestwood Farm. She is booked to Belong to Me for the 2011 breeding season.

Unraced at two, Sahalie has won 3-of-4 starts with a second for total earnings of $46,675.

To view Sam Houston's complete work tab from January 28 click here.

Darling Ciana breezes for upcoming race
2/5/2011


Darling Ciana, a stakes performer out of a mare purchased by Jim Cullen, turned in a solid work at Hollywood Park on Friday in preparation for her next start.

A three-year-old daughter of Lion Heart, Darling Ciana is the second foal out of the winning mare Afternoon Krystal (Afternoon Deelites). Darling Ciana was foaled the same evening her dam was purchased by Cullen for $21,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton February sale (picture).

Darling Ciana broke her maiden at Del Mar last summer at two, then returned to win an allowance race at Oak Tree in October. Since then the chestnut filly has finished unplaced in two stakes contests, including a good fourth in the $100,000 Sharp Cat Stakes in November.

Trainer Art Sherman sent Darling Ciana out for a maintenance work yesterday, and she responded with a professional move. The filly breezed five furlongs handily in 1:02.20, which was the 19th-fastest time from 26 horses to work the distance.

Sherman is considering a number of options for the filly's next start, including a stakes at Golden Gate and an allowance at Santa Anita Park.

Afternoon Krystal's first foal, a four-year-old filly by El Corredor named Glass Path, broke her maiden on December 23 at Tampa Bay Downs.

To view Hollywood Park's complete work tab from February 3 click here.

Congratulations to Cook Racing on new stakes-placed homebred!
1/27/2011


Queenland, a four-year-old daughter of Taste of Paradise, became the newest stakes winner produced from the Cook Family breeding program when she placed in the $50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on January 22.

With Junior Chacaltana riding for trainer Randy Mayfield, Queenland stalked the early pace set by race favorite Truly Lucky. She ranged up to challenge Truly Lucky at the top of the stretch, but the dark bay filly could not maintain her run and had to settle for second, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Final time for the six-furlong sprint was 1:10.78 on a fast track.

Queenland is out of the Cooks' good stakes winner Argentina Avenue (Avenue of Flags. Jim Cullen suggested and arranged the mating of the mare to Taste of Paradise on behalf of the Cooks.

"There is nobody I know and respect more in the racing business than Sue Cook and her late husband, Leland," said Cullen. "They were and are the epitome of class, and there is nobody who loves her horses more than Sue. I'm so happy for her that Queenland got some black type, and I'm happy for the mare that she's secured a place in the Cooks' broodmare band."

Queenland becomes the second stakes horse for Taste of Paradise. The first is the multiple stakes-placed runner Joy's Paradise, who is out of a Dixieland Heat mare formerly owned by the Cooks and mated by Cullen.

To view the official chart of the 2011 Yellow Rose Stakes click here.

J P's Gusto works smartly in preparation for three-year-old racing debut
1/25/2011


J P's Gusto, the product of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, turned in a sharp work at Santa Anita on January 24 as he prepares for the start of his 2011 racing season.

Winner of three graded stakes including the 2010 Del Mar Futurity (G1), J P's Gusto has not run since he finished a fast-closing second in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1) on December 18. Trainer David Hofmans has kept J P's Gusto in training, however, and the handsome bay ridgling is gearing up for his first start of the year.

On Monday, J P's Gusto signaled his readiness with a fast work over Santa Anita's new dirt surface. The colt breezed seven furlongs in 1:25.40 with Iggy Puglisi in the irons. The time was more than three seconds faster than the only other work at the distance.

Hofmans reported that J P's Gusto got the last quarter-mile in 23.20 seconds.

"He loves this track," Hofmans told the Daily Racing Form. "Iggy said he goes so effortlessly over it."

To view Santa Anita's complete worktab for January 24 click here.

J P's Gusto is being pointed for the $250,000 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on February 12. That 1 1/8-mile race is one of the first Triple Crown preps for three-year-olds based in Southern California.

With $490,000 in graded stakes earnings, J P's Gusto figures to have secured a starting spot in this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) should his connections decide to run there.

J P's Gusto is by Successful Appeal out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic (Caller I.D.). Jim Cullen purchased Call Her Magic for $75,000 during the 2004 Keeneland November sale. He did the mating and bred the mare that resulted in J P's Gusto, but he sold Call Her Magic at auction after a half-sister became the dam of 2008 Champion Proud Spell. WinStar Farm purcharsed Call Her Magic for $90,000 during the 2007 Keeneland November sale, and they are the breeder of record for J P's Gusto.

First foal out of mare purchased by Cullen breaks maiden at Tampa Bay!
1/23/2011


Glass Path, the first foal out of a mare purchased by Jim Cullen, drew off late to break her maiden in the second race today at Tampa Bay Downs.

The victory came in Glass Path's first start in Florida with trainer Brenda McCarthy after three starts in New York with another conditioner. The change in barns and venue apparently did the trick, as the chestnut filly looked like a winner throughout.

Glass Path was sixth early in the seven-furlong sprint, and things looked troublesome when she was in tight quarters down the backside. But jockey Pedro Cotto Jr. rode her beautifully, and he bided his time until a hole opened up at the top of the stretch. Glass Path burst through, ranged up to collar 3-to-2 favorite Estero Bay at the eighth pole, and then drew off to win by two lengths.

Final time was 1:27.26.

To view the official chart of Glass Path's maiden victory click here.

A four-year-old daughter of El Corredor, Glass Path is the first foal out of the Afternoon Deelites mare Afternoon Krystal. That mare was purchased by Cullen for $21,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale.

"Afternoon Krystal was a modest winner on the track, and she didn't have a huge pedigree," said Cullen. "I bought her - pure and simply - because she was a good-looking individual who had a ton of presence. The more I was around her the more I liked her, and I was very happy to buy her for the price I did."

Glass Path becomes the second winner out of Afternoon Krystal from as many to start. The first winner is the Southern California stakes performer Darling Ciana, who broke her maiden at Del Mar last summer. Darling Ciana subsequently won an allowance race at the Oak Tree meet in October before she finished fourth in the $100,000 Sharp Cat Stakes in November.

Afternoon Krystal has a two-year-old colt by Hat Trick and a yearling filly by Spring at Last.

To watch a video replay of Glass Path's victory click here.

Ravionetta to start in $75,000 Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs!
1/14/2011


Ravionetta, the first foal out of recent purchase Miss Attractive, moves back into stakes company on January 15 when she contests the $75,000 Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

A three-year-old filly by Touch Gold, Ravionetta will make her first start since having destroyed a maiden field over this track in late December. She will break from post six in an eight-horse field, and trainer Gerald Bennett has tabbed Ronnie Allen Jr. to ride.

Post time for the seven-furlong sprint is scheduled for 3:16 pm EDT.

Ravionetta appears to be coming into the Gasparilla in good order, as she 'blew out' three furlongs yesterday in 37.20 seconds. That time was third fastest from five horses to work the distance. To view the day's complete work tab from Tampa Bay click here.

"Ravionetta will have to step up, but if she 'fires' she should be in the mix," said Jim Cullen. "Her maiden victory went in 1:11.80, which was just two-fifths slower than the ($70,000 Sandpiper) Stakes race a week later. And she's already beaten one of the logical favorites, Itcouldbesunshine, when they met at Presque Isle Downs in September. She'll have to run big, but it wouldn't be a complete surprise to see her win it."

Ravionetta is out of the stakes-winning mare Miss Attractive, who was purchased for $50,000 by Nick and Debbie Sabilio during the 2010 Keeneland November sale. Miss Attractive - who is in foal to Awesome Again on a March over - is boarded at Margaux Farm and will be bred back this spring to Touch Gold.

To view the entries for Tampa's January 15 card click here.

Sweet Gladys to contest $50,000 Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway on January 15
1/13/2011


Old Henry Thoroughbred's Sweet Gladys, who was purchased as an unraced two-year-old by Jim Cullen (pictured), will try to garner valuable black type when she goes postward in the $50,000 Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway Park on January 15.

A six-year-old daughter of Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys figures to be among the favorites in the six-furlong sprint. The handsome mare comes into the Wishing Well off a dominant 10 3/4-length victory in an allowance race last month, for which she received an 84 Beyer Speed figure.

Sweet Gladys also has an affinity for the Turfway surface, having won 4-of-7 starts there during her three seasons of racing.

This will be Sweet Gladys' second start in stakes company. Her first attempt came in the $50,000 Queen Stakes at Turfway last March, a race in which she split the field.

"I'm hopeful (Sweet Gladys) runs to her last race; if she does she should be right there," said Cullen. "She's always been such a nice and classy mare - I'm really pulling for her. She's going to be a lovely broodmare, and a stakes-placing would make her that much more valuable as a breeding prospect."

Sweet Gladys has drawn post seven in a 10-horse field, and Greta Kuntzweiler will ride. Post time is scheduled for 5:02 EDT.

Sweet Gladys is the third foal out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed, by Lite the Fuse. Cullen purchased her for $55,000 during the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale.

Sweet Gladys boasts a career record of 13-5-2-2 for earnings of $47,374.

To view the entries for Turfway on January 15 click here.

Ten Centuries sires first winner!
1/5/2011


Ten Centuries, whose first crop of runners are three-year-olds of 2011, posted his first winner as a sire when his son Ryans Joy won a maiden race at Mountaineer Park on December 27.

By Dubai Millennium (GB) out of the blue hen mare Fitnah (Fit to Fight), Ten Centuries was a $1.6 million yearling at Keeneland September. He is an unraced half brother to the Grade 1 winner Dreams Gallore; Grade 3 stakes winners Absent Friend and Fateful Dream; and the New York stakes horse Giant Chieftan. Ten Centuries (pictured) is the only son of the ill-fated Dubai Millennium currently standing in North America.

Ryans Joy became his sire's first winner when he destroyed a maiden race at Mountaineer Park just days before the end of the year. With Oswald Pereira riding for owner/trainer Seth Romero, Ryans Joy broke on top and extended his advantage to the wire. The two-year-old colt won by 5 1/4 lengths in a good time of 1:13.01.

To view the official chart of the race click here.

Three days later, a two-year-old colt owned by Eclipse Award-winning owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey nearly brought Ten Centuries his second winner when he was narrowly beaten in a maiden allowance at Fair Grounds. Derby Obsession was well back early in his two-turn debut but closed with a rush despite a rough trip - and the jockey dropping his stick - to nearly upset the one mile 70-yard dirt race at odds of 47.60-to-1.

To view the chart of Derby Obsession's race click here.

"Ten Centuries doesn't have a lot of runners in his first two crops, but the ones he does have show a lot of quality," said Jim Cullen. "The Ramseys are high on their colt, and (Ryans Joy) looks like a useful kind of horse.

"One of the best (Ten Centuries foals) I've seen is a colt that Eddie Woods is breaking in Florida. He's awesome, and I can't wait to see him hit the track."

Ten Centuries was originally retired to Buck Pond Farm near Lexington in a deal brokered by Cullen. The stallion was moved to Chanteclair Farm for the 2011 season, where he stands for $2,000 live foal.

Darling Ciana finishes off the board in Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita
1/1/2011


Darling Ciana, a two-year-old filly purchased in utero by Jim Cullen, went unplaced in the $80,300 Blue Norther Stakes yesterday at Santa Anita Park.

A handsome daughter of Lion Heart, Darling Ciana is the second foal out of the winning mare Afternoon Krystal (Afternoon Deelites). The chestnut filly was foaled hours after Cullen purchased Afternoon Krystal for $21,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Sale (pictured).

Darling Ciana broke her maiden at Del Mar in August before she won a starter allowance race at Oak Tree in October. The Art Sherman-trainee entered the Blue Norther off a solid fourth-place finish in the $100,000 Sharp Cat Stakes at Hollywood Park on November 7.

Making her turf debut, Darling Ciana was fifth down the backside under David Flores, and she moved within four lengths of the leaders at the top of the stretch. The filly could not maintain her run, however, and she faded down the lane to finish last of six.

Final time for the mile was 1:36.23.

"(Darling Ciana) ran okay, but perhaps turf isn't her best surface," said Cullen. "She had run so well on the PolyTrack that the trainer took a shot, but for whatever reason she didn't finish up the way she had in her previous three races. I'm sure Art will regroup and find something for her later this winter.

"(Sherman) told me after she won at Del Mar that he thought she was a stakes filly, and it's good to see she's living up to his expectations. I just hope she hits the board in one of these and gets some black type soon."

Cullen purchased Afternoon Krystal on behalf of John Trumbulovic, the breeder of record for Darling Ciana.

Darling Ciana was trying to give Cullen a unique double in the Blue Norther. He purchased the 2005 winner, Make Mine Minnie, for $150,000 at a two-year-olds in training sale.

To view the official chart of the 2010 Blue Norther Stakes click here.

Sweet Gladys storms home to win allowance at Turfway by nearly 11 lengths!
12/26/2010


A frigid winter snowstorm could not derail Sweet Gladys, as the Cullen Bloodstock purchase blew home to win an allowance race at Turfway Park today by 10 3/4 lengths.

A five-year-old mare by Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys (pictured) entered the 6 1/2-furlong sprint off a decent tune-up race at Churchill Downs in November. That start came off an eight-month layoff following the mare's fifth-place effort in the $50,000 Queen Stakes last March.

Sweet Gladys loves the Turfway Park oval, as the handsome bay had recorded three wins and two thirds from just six starts at the Cincinnati-area track. That fact and her back class caused the betting public to install her as the 5-to-2 second choice in the wagering.

The race was never close. Sweet Gladys broke sharply and took a comfortable lead down the backstretch. Jockey Greta Kuntzweiler got the mare to settle, and the pair coasted to a two-length advantage after a half-mile in 47.45 seconds.

Running nimbly through the turn, Sweet Gladys spurted away to lead by seven lengths at the top of the stretch. From there the Old Henry Thoroughbreds colorbearer coasted home to win by a widening advantage while 'in hand' and with her ears pricked.

Sweet Gladys stopped the clock in 1:19.39 seconds.

"This mare freaked on 'em today," said Jim Cullen. "She's always been a pretty talented and competitive runner, but today she showed that she's among the best older fillies and mares at Turfway this winter.

"It's very satisfying to see Sweet Gladys running so well at this level. A few people openly questioned her ability in conversations with me - including her current trainer - but she's proving those doubters wrong. I love it."

Out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys won for the fifth time in 13 career starts. She banked $6,180 for her efforts to push her total earnings to $47,374.

"It's kind of a shame Sweet Gladys doesn't have more earnings to her credit because she's won some nice races," said Cullen. "She's won two allowances in Kentucky but has lost nearly $15,000 in available purse money because she's a Florida-bred. It's too bad - I feel like she deserves better."

Cullen purchased Sweet Gladys as a racing prospect for $55,000 at the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale. Originally named Wicked Fairy, Sweet Gladys' name was changed to honor Cullen's two grandmothers, who were both named Gladys.

To watch a video replay of Sweet Gladys' race today click here. To see the official chart click here.

J P's Gusto displays new running style and places in CashCall Futurity (G1)
12/19/2010


J P's Gusto, the product of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, rallied from far back at the top of the stretch to finish second in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1) yesterday at Hollywood Park.

Winner of the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in September, J P's Gusto has been a confirmed front-runner for most of his young career. Trainer David Hofmans has been working with the ridgling to try and harness that speed in hopes that he can go a route of ground, which he'll need if he's to contest the major races next spring.

"He has to show us he can run this far for us to be excited about (the Kentucky Derby [G1]}," Hofmans said earlier this week.

Though he didn't get the big prize in the CashCall Futurity, J P's Gusto did showcase a new versatility in the race. The bay juvenile broke sharply but settled in behind the early leaders. Jockey Joe Talamo tucked 'Gusto' in on the rail, and the pair sat comfortably through opening quarter miles of 23.93 and 47.57 seconds.

Unfortunately for his connections, J P's Gusto was forced to steady when early leader High Level Jeff began to retreat, and he was shuffled back to seventh midway through the turn for home. J P's Gusto didn't get discouraged, however, and he finished with a rush to gain the place.

J P's Gusto made up some eight lengths on Comma to the Top through the stretch, and despite the difficult trip he was beaten just 1 3/4 lengths for the victory. He galloped out past the winner just after the finish line and returned to be unsaddled with a lot of energy.

J P's Gusto was easily second best, having finished 3 1/4 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

"J P's Gusto ran a great race," Frank Lyons told a national audience on the TVG telecast.

J P's Gusto earned $140,000 for his runner-up finish to push his career bankroll to $527,360. Just as importantly, the payday gives the ridgling $490,000 in graded stakes earnings, which should ensure a place in the 2011 Kentucky Derby field.

J P's Gusto becomes arguably the most accomplished two-year-old in the U.S. He how won four stakes races, three graded stakes including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, and has now placed in two Grade 1 races around two turns in Southern California.

"I thought J P's Gusto ran huge," said Jim Cullen. "For him to get checked back the way he did and then come again was really impressive. A lot of horses would have thrown in the towel after that, but he showed his class and tenacity by running on and trying to get to the winner.

"I thought it was his most professional race to date, and I wouldn't be surprised if he earned the chance to go down the Triple Crown trail next spring."

J P's Gusto is out of the Caller I.D. mare Call Her Magic, who was purchased by Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. Cullen bred the mare to Successful Appeal in 2007 and sold her at auction carrying J P's Gusto in utero.

To view the official chart of the 2010 CashCall Futurity click here.

First foal out of Miss Attractive breaks her maiden in romp at Tampa Bay Downs
12/18/2010


Ravionetta, the first foal out of a mare purchased at the 2010 Keeneland November sale, broke her maiden in stylish fashion when she cruised to victory in the sixth race yesterday at Tampa Bay Downs.

A two-year-old filly by Touch Gold, Ravionetta had run twice for trainer Gerald Bennett heading into yesterday's start. The filly finished third in a maiden allowance at Presque Isle during her racing debut in September, then returned to finish off the board in the $100,000 Presque Isle Debutante on September 25.

Ravionetta had not raced since that initial stakes effort, but she posted three solid works at Tampa Bay in the interim, including a near-bullet three-furlong drill in November.

Ravionetta made quick work of her 10 rivals yesterday. She broke on top from the rail and opened a clear lead down the backside. The lovely bay filly maintained a length advantage to upper stretch, then spurted clear when asked by jockey Leandro Goncalves. Doing it as she pleased, Ravionetta hit the wire 4 1/2 lengths in front of her closest pursuer.

Final time for the six-furlong sprint was a solid 1:11.98.

"I'm really happy with (Ravionetta)," Bennett said this morning. "We took a big edge running her in that spot, and things worked out like we hoped. Time only matters if you're doing it, but she ran a fast time and did it pretty easily.

"It looks like she came out of the race in good shape so we'll go right on with her. She's a nice little filly."

Bennett said Ravionetta would race one or two more times at Tampa Bay this winter and then point for the $100,000 OBS Sprint Stakes in March.

To watch a replay of Ravionetta's maiden victory visit here. To see the official chart of the race click here.

Ravionetta is the first foal out of the stakes-winning mare Miss Attractive (Running Stag). Miss Attractive - a half sister to the New York stakes winner Miss Tizzy - was purchased for $50,000 by clients Nick and Debbie Sabilio during the recent Keeneland November sale. The eight-year-old mare (pictured) was purchased in foal to Awesome Again on a March cover.

Ravionetta's victory is the second nice update for Miss Attractive since she was purchased. Two weeks ago her half sister, Amiable Grace, captured a second-level allowance race at Woodbine to take her career earnings to $130,000.

Half brother to Love You Crazy wins allowance feature at Hawthorne Racecourse!
12/16/2010


Sacred Ground, a half brother to the stakes-placed mare Love You Crazy, looked dominant today while posting a facile victory in the feature race at Hawthorne Racecourse.

A $250,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland September, Sacred Ground broke his maiden sprinting at Hawthorne in October. He moved up in class and stretched out to contest today's eighth race on the card, a first-level allowance for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles.

Sacred Ground looked like a winner throughout. He settled on the rail and tracked the early leaders through quarters of 24.61 and 48.25 seconds. Jockey Tanner Riggs moved the handsome bay off the rail through the turn, split horses as the field straightened for home, then drove clear to win by a widening 3 3/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:44.29 on a fast track.

Wayne Catalano trains the winner for West Stables LLC. To watch a video of the race click here.

"Sacred Ground looked fantastic today," said agency president Jim Cullen. "He's shown flashes of brillance in the past, but today he put it all together and ran like a good horse. Perhaps he's starting to figure things out and this performance will lead to bigger and better things. Being by Awesome Again - whose offspring usually get better as they get older - it wouldn't be a total surprise.

"Whatever the future holds (for Sacred Ground), today's results provided a nice update to Love You Crazy's pedigree page."

Sacred Ground is a half brother to the stakes-placed mare Love You Crazy (Touch Gold). The mare was claimed by Cullen for $7,500 during the 2009 Keeneland meet after he had originally bought her as an unraced prospect for $35,000 and campaigned her with Four-Board Stables.

Love You Crazy won three races and nearly $100,000 during three seasons of racing with Cullen, and she placed in the 2006 Ontario Lassie Stakes at Woodbine at two.

Love You Crazy is currently owned by a partnership and boarded at Margaux Farm. She is in foal to leading freshman sire Sharp Humor on a March cover.

To see the official chart of Sacred Ground's allowance victory today click here.

J P's Gusto returns this Saturday for distance test in $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1)
12/15/2010


Dr. John Waken's J P's Gusto, the product of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, will return to the races this Saturday, December 18, to contest the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park.

The pro tem leading two-year-old colt in California, J P's Gusto has won three graded stakes in his brief career, topped by an impressive 4 1/2-length score in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on October 2. The bay ridgling last ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), but he finished unplaced after a rough trip in his first career start on dirt.

J P's Gusto will look to make amends when he goes postward in the CashCall this weekend. Trainer David Hofmans has indicated that Joe Talamo be back in the irons after piloting him to several stakes victories earlier this year, including the $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G3) over the same surface in June.

According to Hofmans, the CashCall will serve as a good indicator whether or not J P's Gusto can be considered a legitimate Triple Crown threat for 2011. The two-year-old colt figures to have enough graded stakes earnings ($350,000) to ensure a starting berth in next year's Kentucky Derby (G1), but to date he has not won any race farther than seven furlongs. He did, however, finish a game second to Jaycito in the Norfolk Stakes (G1) on October 2.

"We've been working him behind horses and he's settling very well," Hofmans told the Daily Racing Form. "The way he's been behaving since the Breeders' Cup, I don't think he'll have trouble getting a mile and a sixteenth. (But) he has to show us he can run this far for us to be excited about next year."

Entries for the race will be drawn on December 18.

J P's Gusto was produced from an agency partnership managed by Jim Cullen. Cullen purchased the ridgling's dam, Call Her Magic, for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. He ultimately sold the mare carrying J P's Gusto for $95,000 during the 2007 Keeneland November sale, where she was purchased by WinStar Farm.

In addition to J P's Gusto, the mare also produced the Grade 2 placed winner Magic Appeal for the partnership. The three-year-old filly was recently purchased privately by WinStar Farm as a broodmare prospect.

To read more about the upcoming CashCall Futurity click here.

Clients' new broodmare purchase enjoys immediate update!
12/6/2010


Miss Attractive, who was purchased by Nick and Debbie Sibilio less than a month ago, realized an immediate update when her half sister placed in a lucrative allowance race at Woodbine on December 4.

By Running Stag out of the stakes-placed mare Marquise Miss (Marquetry), Miss Attractive (pictured) was purchased for $50,000 during the Keeneland breeding stock sale on November 12. The mare is a half sister to three winners, including the good stakes performer Miss Tizzy.

A second half sister, Amiable Grace, provided an update to the catalog page when she ran second in a $67,640 allowance race on Saturday. The three-year-old filly was hung wide throughout, but she rallied gamely down the stretch to earn the place over a nice group of older fillies and mares.

By Alphabet Soup, Amiable Grace is trained by Michael Doyle for historic Windhaven Farm. The $70,000 yearling purchase banked $15,240 for her efforts to push her career earnings to $129,927.

"Amiable Grace ran big," said Jim Cullen. "She came into the race off an impressive allowance victory at seven-eighths, and maybe she needs more ground than six furlongs. But she ran great - the filly that beat her was bet down to even money, so it's clear she was a good thing. There's no disgrace in losing to that one.

"It looks to me like Amiable Grace is just getting good. Her pedigree suggests she'll get better as she gets older, and she won't have to improve much to be a legitimate stakes filly. Hopefully it will happen next year; that black type would add some depth to Miss Attractive's pedigree and obviously increase her residual value for the Sibilios."

Miss Attractive was purchased in foal to Awesome Again on a March cover.

To view the official chart of the allowance race click here.

Meanwhile, Miss Attactive's first foal, Ravionetta, continues to work well at Tampa Bay as she nears a return to the races. On December 3 the filly - who hasn't raced since she finished off the board in a $100,000 stakes at Presque Isle Downs in October - breezed a half mile in 50 seconds flat. That time was the 19th fastest of the morning from 36 to work the distance.

Last week, the two-year-old daughter of Touch Gold posted the second-fastest time for a half mile from 17 to work the distance.

"I'm excited about seeing Ravionetta race again," said Cullen. "I talked with her trainer (Gerald Bennett) a couple weeks ago, and he thinks she's got some talent. If all goes well she'll run back early in the Tampa Bay meet, and hopefully things will go her way and she wins a race or two."

To view Tampa Bay's worktab from December 3 click here.

Brethren keeps record perfect with impressive victory in allowance at Churchill Downs
11/30/2010


WinStar Farm's Brethren, a half-brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and a Cullen broodmare purchase, passed his first major class test when he handily won a first-level allowance race at Churchill Downs on November 27.

A homebred son of Distorted Humor, Brethren entered the mile race off a scintillating maiden victory in his racing debut last month at Belmont. Trainer Todd Pletcher brought Brethren to Kentucky to get a race over the track, just as he did in 2009 when he saddled Super Saver to victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

Much like his older brother, Brethren seemed to relish the quirky Churchill surface. He broke well under Garrett Gomez but was taken off the early pace, unlike his maiden victory when he battled on the front throughout.

Seventh early, Brethren picked off horses down the backside and through the turn, and the handsome bay took the lead at the top of the stretch. From there he held sway over his rivals under steady urging to win by 1 3/4 lengths (pictured, courtesy of WinStar Farm).

Final time was 1:36.78 for the one-turn race.

To view the official chart of the race click here.

"I thought it was pretty interesting that (Pletcher) brought Brethren to Churchill for an allowance race instead of running him back in New York," said Cullen. "I'm sure Pletcher wanted to see how the colt performed on that track. His performance wasn't dazzling, but he was a lot more professional in this race than he was in his debut.

"Overall it was a very solid performance, especially since it's just the second start of his career. I'm sure he'll run back in a stakes race, at which point the whole world will see what type of runner he truly is."

For his part, Pletcher - during an interview with Blood-Horse on November 30 - identified Brethren as one of his top two-year-olds, along with Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty. To read that interview click here.

Both Super Saver and Brethren are out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger. As such, both are half-brothers to the Cullen broodmare purchase Quickest, a daughter of Forest Wildcat that Cullen bought as an unraced two-year-old for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January breeding stock sale.

Purchased on behalf of Vincent and Marie Colbert of Boston, Quickest was offered for sale at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton November sale. She did not reach her reserve, however, and was bought back on a final bid of $360,000.

To read more about Brethren's allowance score click here and here.

Pinhooking partnership adds weanling colt by Arch during Keeneland November sale
11/28/2010


A pinhooking venture comprised of Central Kentucky horsemen added another young prospect to their portfolio when they purchased a weanling son of Arch during opening week of the 2010 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Purchased for $20,000, the colt (pictured) is the third foal out of the unraced Grand Slam mare Sin Verguenza. He's a half brother to the multiple winner American Barbie, and he descends from the immediate family of Grade 1 stakes winners Vicar and Astronomer Royal.

"This colt isn't the biggest individual - especially for a January foal - but if he hits a growth spurt he's got a chance to be special," said Jim Cullen. "He looks just like his sire - he's correct and well balanced, and he's got a great top line. But what I like best about him is his athleticism - he's light on his feet and walks like a cat. He's a good colt.

"There's a lot to like, and the partnership bought him for the right price. Arch colts averaged $95,000 this year at auction, and that was before Blame won the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). If this colt gets anywhere close to that number it'll be a home run."

The colt will sell next year at either the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale or Keeneland September.

For complete results of the 2010 Keeneland November sale click here.

Cullen client purchases 'Attractive' broodmare at Keeneland November sale
11/27/2010


Cullen client Nick and Debbie Sibilio went to $50,000 to purchase a beautiful young broodmare during the fifth session of the 2010 Keeneland November breeding stock sale on November 12.

The Sibilios secured the eight-year-old mare Miss Attractive from the consignment of Adena Springs. By Running Stag, the mare (pictured) is an allowance winner of $56,100 out of the stakes-placed mare Marquise Miss.

Perhaps more importantly, Miss Attractive has already distinguished herself as a producer. Her first foal is the two-year-old filly Ravionetta, who placed in a maiden allowance in her debut in October, then returned to contest a $100,000 stakes at Presque Isle Downs.

In addition, Miss Attractive's yearling - a colt by Wilko - registered the highest price at auction to date ($40,000) for a yearling by that young sire.

"(Miss Attractive) is one of the best-looking mares you'll see, regardless of price," said Jim Cullen. "Her name fits - she's a big pretty thing.

"What she lacks in pedigree she more than makes up for with a solid race record, and her foals are outstanding. I love her and am really happy the Sibilios got her for that price. They're from Southern California, but they're buying a farm in Kentucky and are in the process of putting together a commercial broodmare band. Miss Attractive will make a nice addition to the mares they already own."

Miss Attractive was purchased in foal to Wilko's sire, Awesome Again.

"It's going to be fun to follow Miss Attractive's first foals at the races," said Cullen. "Ravionetta is trained by Gerald Bennett, and thinks she can run a little bit. She'll run in December at Tampa Bay Downs, and hopefully she's good enough to win a couple races of note down there. We'll see."

Miss Attractive will be boarded at Margaux Farm. Breeding plans for 2011 are undecided.

For complete results of the recent Keeneland November sale click here.

Quickest bought back for $360,000 during Fasig-Tipton November sale
11/9/2010


The five-year-old mare Quickest, purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $40,000 in 2007, was bought back by her owners for $360,000 during the Fasig-Tipton November sale in Lexington on Sunday.

By Forest Wildcat out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger, Quickest has enjoyed a tremendous increase in value since being purchased by Cullen as an unraced two-year-old during the 2007 Keeneland January sale (hip #483). The mare is a half sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and she also descends from the immediate family of leading freshman sire Bluegrass Cat and 2010 Vosburgh Stakes (G1) winner Girolamo.

Owners Vincent and Marie Colbert attempted to capitalize on their good fortune by selling Quickest during the recent Fasig-Tipton mixed sale. Consigned by Paramount Sales, the mare was catalogued as hip 130.

Quickest was offered in foal to Rock Hard Ten on an April 13 cover date.

For whatever reason, the Colberts decided not to realize the more than $300,000 return on their initial investment, and they took Quickest home after a final bid of $360,000.

"I'm pretty surprised (the Colberts) didn't take the money off the table, especially since they already have a filly out of Quickest," said Cullen. "But obviously it was their decision (to buy the mare back), so I guess they aren't yet interested in cashing in on their good luck.

"(The buyback) at that price was pretty unconventional, but hopefully it works out for them."

Quickest is the only mare Cullen has purchased for the Colberts at public auction.

To view complete results of the 2010 Fasig-Tipton November sale click here.

Smart'n Rare arrives in Kentucky for 2011 breeding season.
11/3/2010


Deborah Wilson's Smart'n Rare, a multiple winner and stakes-producing mare, arrived today in Kentucky in anticipation of the 2011 breeding season.

Smart'n Rare is an 18-year-old daughter of Rare Performer out of the Smarten mare La Deception. The mare was bought privately for Wilson by agency president Jim Cullen in 2004. Smart'n Rare was purchased in foal to Doneraile Court. That foal would become the good California stakes performer Court the King, a multiple winner of $100,000 who was on the Triple Crown trail in 2007.

In 2010 Smart'n Rare has been represented by Sahalie, Wilson's three-year-old homebred filly by Military. Sahalie has compiled a record of three wins and a second from four starts in allowance company this year, with victories on dirt and turf, sprinting and going two turns.

Trained by Bret Calhoun, Sahalie has banked $46,675 to date.

Smart'n Rare is being boarded at the McLean family's Crestwood Farm. She will be bred to Belong to Me in 2011.

"Debbie took Smart'n Rare to her farm in Texas after we bred her to Military," said Cullen. "She's been so excited by what Sahalie has done she's eager to bring the mare back to Kentucky and try her luck again. We're going back to another son of Danzig in hopes of breeding a filly that (Wilson) can race and then join her broodmare band."

Cullen indicated that Smart'n Rare would remain in Kentucky for the balance of her breeding career.

"Debbie is so pleased with what Smart'n Rare has produced since I bought her that she wants to get as many well-bred foals out of her as possible," said Cullen. "She'll stay at Crestwood until she's finished being a broodmare, then she'll head back to Debbie's farm in Texas. She'll enjoy a good life."

Filly out of mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock brings $105,000 at Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale!
10/27/2010


The second foal out of a mare purchased at public auction by agency president Jim Cullen sold for a whopping $105,000 during today's final session of the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale.

The filly is an attractive bay daughter of Afleet Alex out of the young Forestry mare Summer Forest. Consigned by Darby Dan Farm, the May 15 foal was purchased by noted Florida horseman Bo Hunt.

Cullen purchased Summer Forest for just $47,000 during the 2007 Keeneland November sale. The mare was purchased in foal to Afleet Alex, and Cullen recommended breeding Summer Forest back to the multiple Grade 1 stakes winner. That mating produced today's six-figure sales yearling.

"This filly was a very good individual," said Cullen. "She had good size and a big walk, and everybody liked her balance and athleticism. She brought a huge price in this market, especially considering she's a late May foal. It was a home run.

"I know Bo from the two-year-old sales in Florida. He'll get the most out of her, and it wouldn't surprise me if he pinhooks her for a lot of money next spring. I bet she's a runner."

The unnamed filly (pictured) was one of just seven yearlings to sell for at least $100,000 during the sale, and hers was the second-highest price of the session.

Cullen purchased Summer Forest on behalf of John Trumbulovic of Chicago. The sale caps a fantastic year Trumbulovic has enjoyed as a breeder. From limited numbers, Trumbulovic has bred four new winners in 2010 - either individually or in partnership - out of mares purchased for him by Cullen. Those winners include the Del Mar two-year-old maiden winner Darling Ciana.

"I believe Summer Forest is the only mare I bought for (Trumbulovic) at auction," said Cullen. "I remember she was one of the last mares through at the end of a Saturday session, but I liked her so much I thought she was worth the wait. I remember telling John when we got her (hip #2182) that I thought she was a very shrewd purchase for the price. Judging by today's events I'd say we were right.

"Jess Jackson paid $375,000 for Summer Forest as a yearling, despite the fact that she doesn't have a huge pedigree - she's that good-looking," said Cullen. "Even though she didn't race she was a very athletic and attractive maiden mare. It certainly doesn't surprise me that she would produce a foal like this. What a nice mare."

The Afleet Alex foal that Summer Forest was carrying in the sales ring is currently in training in Chicago. Named Talent on Loan, the two-year-old colt is training forwardly with Chris Dorris at Hawthorne, and he could make his first start in coming weeks.

To view the complete results of the 2010 Fasig-Tipton October sale click here.

Half brother to Super Saver and Quickest lives up to billing in victorious debut.
10/18/2010


WinStar Farm's homebred Brethren, a half brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver among others, lived up to advanced billing and won at first asking at Belmont Park on October 16.

By Distorted Humor out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger, Brethren was highly touted in racing circles leading up to his debut, no doubt because of his pedigree but also because of a series of strong workouts in the weeks prior. Trainer Todd Pletcher debuted the powerful bay runner in the second race at Belmont on Saturday. The colt did not disappoint.

Brethren bobbled at the break but soon moved up to take the lead under jockey David Cohen. The pair were passed by another down the backstretch, but tracked that one to the top of the stretch through blistering quarters of 22.82, 45.53 and 56.95 seconds.

Looking like a winner throughout, Brethren moved up to challenge just outside the eighth pole, moved in front soon thereafter, and pulled away to win by a half length.

Time was a scintillating 1:08.88 for six furlongs. Brethren ran every quarter mile in under 12 seconds, an amazing accomplishment for any horse but especially a first-time starter.

"He obviously has a lot of pedigree, and he came in with high expectations," Pletcher said after the race. "He had been very focused and forward in the morning, having done everything we had asked him to do. We felt like he'd be very competitive and that he was a colt who could win first time out if things went smoothly. Aside from a stumble at the gate it went very well."

Pletcher indicated that Brethren would makes his next start in stakes company.

In addition to Super Saver, Brethren is a half brother to the Cullen Bloodstock purchase Quickest. The daughter of Forest Wildcat was purchased as a broodmare prospect by agency president Jim Cullen on behalf of Vincent and Marie Colbert. Cullen bought her as an unraced two-year-old filly for $40,000 at the 2007 Keeneland January sale.

It is also the immediate family of 2010 Grade 1 winner Girolamo and the year's leading freshman sire Bluegrass Cat.

No doubt hoping to capitalize on the mare's phenomenal increase in value, the Colberts have entered Quickest into the 2010 Fasig-Tipton November sale, where she will sell with Pat Costello's Paramount Sales. She will sell in foal to Rock Hard Ten on an April 13 cover.

To view the official chart of Brethren's maiden victory click here.

To read more about Brethren's maiden victory click here and here.

Half brother to Love You Crazy breaks maiden in Chicago
10/15/2010


Sacred Ground, a half brother to the good stakes mare Love You Crazy, broke his maiden in impressive fashion when he won the second race at Hawthorne Racecourse on October 14.

A three-year-old colt by Awesome Again, Sacred Ground made his first start on dirt a winning one. He pressed the pace in the six-furlong sprint before he took control in mid-stretch and drew off to win by two lengths.

Tanner Riggs rode the winner for Wayne Catalano. Final time was 1:11.69.

A $250,000 yearling purchase, Sacred Ground is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair. He in turn is a half brother to Love You Crazy, who was purchased as an unraced prospect by agency president Jim Cullen. The mare went on to win races at two, three and four, and she placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at two.

Love You Crazy is currently owned by a partnership and is boarded at Margaux Farm. The maiden mare is in foal to leading freshman sire Sharp Humor on an early March cover.

To view the official chart of Sacred Ground's maiden victory click here. To check out the winner's circle photo click here.

Girolamo becomes newest Grade 1 winner from immediate family of Cullen broodmare purchase!
10/3/2010


Girolamo posted a dominant victory in the $350,000 Vosburgh Stakes (G1) yesterday to become the second Grade 1 winner to emerge this year from the immediate family of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare purchase.

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin Racing, Girolamo took control of the historic sprint race after a half mile in 45.26 seconds and drew away handily to win by 2 1/2 lengths. The four-year-old son of A.P. Indy stopped the timer in 1:09.41 for six furlongs.

"Towards the end of the race he was in hand and just cruising," said winning jockey Alan Garcia. "In the end he showed his class and won the race."

Girolamo is out of the Mr. Prospector mare Get Lucky, and thus descends from one of the most active and accomplished families in the Stud Book. He's a half brother to the dam of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver, as well as the dam of leading freshman sire Bluegrass Cat.

In addition, Get Lucky's Storm Cat colt topped the 2008 Saratoga yearling sale with a bid of $2 million. Now named Fighting Brave, that colt won at first asking in Ireland last year for owners Coolmore Stud.

The emergence of this family has been of great benefit to Vince Colbert, for whom agency president Jim Cullen bought an unraced two-year-old filly in 2007 as a broodmare prospect. That filly, a daughter of Forest Wildcat named Quickest, is a half sister to Super Saver and one of just four fillies under the Derby winner's first two dams.

"I bought this filly for $40,000 (hip 483) at the Keeneland January sale, and since that time the entire family has 'freaked'," said Cullen. "It's produced a sales-topper at Saratoga, a leading freshman sire and two new Grade 1 winners, including a (Kentucky) Derby winner, in less than three years. It's exactly the type of success you dream about when you buy any broodmare prospect, but considering what we spent it's like hitting the lottery.

"It's amazing - Quickest is the only mare I ever bought for (Colbert) at public auction. She's a very, very valuable commodity right now and should be a top-class broodmare for years to come."

To view the official chart from the 2010 Vosburgh Stakes click here.

J P's Gusto among favorites for Breeders' Cup Juvenile after dominant victory in Del Mar Futurity (G1)
9/9/2010


J P's Gusto, the product of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, confirmed his place among the leading two-year-olds in the U.S. with a stirring victory in the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on September 8.

Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela for trainer David Hofmans, J P's Gusto was forwardly placed in the seven-furlong sprint. He sat just off a long-shot pacesetter through stout early fractions of 22.72 and 45.46 seconds, then moved up to take control at the top of the stretch. Running impressively down the lane, J P's Gusto extended his advantage to win by a widening 4 1/2 lengths.

Final time was a very sharp 1:22.95.

"What a runner he is," Valenzuela said after the race. "I had so much horse under me I couldn't believe it. David had him ready. I was just lucky to be on him. It was just a question of when. At the end, I think I still had a little bit more in the tank. If a horse had come up next to me, I think I'm still the winner."

Hofmans was equally impressed.

"This was his best effort," he said. "I think the mile and a sixteenth [of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile] is within his reach, mainly because of his attitude. He's very smart and he waits for the rider to give him his cues. When I saw him inside on the turn and his ears were up, I was pretty comfortable. It was obvious he was waiting for Patrick [Valenzuela] to give him his cue. The more I train him, the more I think he'll go on. He's very smart..."

The Futurity was the fourth straight stakes win for J P's Gusto, and it gave him a sweep of graded stakes offerings for juvenile colts at Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

J P's Gusto banked $150,000 for the victory to push his career earnings to $337,360. He is owned by Dr. John Waken of California, who bought him as a yearling for $52,000.

J P's Gusto is the last foal produced from his dam, the Caller I.D. mare Call Her Magic. Agency president Jim Cullen purchased Call Her Magic for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale on behalf of a broodmare partnership.

"I went to the November sale that year with some money in my pocket, and I was hoping to buy a nicer broodmare prospect for my clients and I," Cullen said. "I liked everything about (Call Her Magic) when she went through the ring, but my last bid was $70,000. She didn't sell, and I was able to work out a deal with Lane's End to buy her later that day.

"Being a Book One mare she obviously was the complete package, and she was an easy mare to like. She was by a sprinter, but her broodmare sire (Encino) was a two-turn horse by Nijinsky II, so there was some stamina influence there. Call Her Magic's dam was also a half sister to a Santa Anita Oaks (G1) winner (Imaginary Lady), so the female family gave me a lot of confidence that you could breed a horse that would get a route of ground.

"She certainly wasn't built like a one-dimensional sprinter. She was well balanced and muscled, with a powerful neck and shoulder, but I thought she was a very refined mare. She also had a lot of 'stretch' to her - she stood over a lot of ground and had a big walk, which I was hoping she'd pass on to her foals."

In time, a half sister to Call Her Magic, Pacific Spell, would produce the 2008 Champion Filly Proud Spell.

On behalf of the partnership, Cullen mated and bred four foals out of Call Her Magic. One of those, the foal of 2007, is a full sister to J P's Gusto named Magic Appeal. As a two-year-old last year that filly broke her maiden in allowance company at Saratoga before she placed in the 2009 Adirondack Stakes (G2).

"The entire family has really taken off since I bought Call Her Magic," said Cullen. "We got lucky as hell. Everything worked out just like you hope it would when you buy a mare like that. It was a dream."

WinStar Farm purchased Call Her Magic carrying J P's Gusto for $95,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale. Unfortunately for them the mare died in July 2008, just months after foaling J P's Gusto.

"It's a shame; this colt is the only foal they got out of the mare," said Cullen. "Obviously I wish I owned the mare at the time she was foaled; I would love to be the breeder of record and realize all those breeders' awards that WinStar is getting. But I take a lot of pride in the fact that I bought the mare and mated her, and from four years the partnership produced two graded stakes horses and a Grade 1 winner. That's pretty damn good."

To see a race replay of the 2010 Del Mar Futurity click here.

Sahalie wins again!
9/7/2010


Sahalie, a three-year-old filly produced from a mare purchased and mated by agency president Jim Cullen, prevailed over a field of older runners to win a second-level allowance race at Remington Park on August 27.

Unraced at two, Sahalie won her first two starts this summer in allowance company at Lone Star Park. She entered the race at Remington Park off the first defeat of her young career, a game loss when second against older sprinters at Lone Star Park. Trainer Bret Calhoun kept the filly on the grass for her fourth career start but stretched her out for a first effort around two turns.

Sahalie responded with the best performance of her career. The only three-year-old filly in the field of 10, she pressed an honest early pace through opening quarters of 23.22, 47.00 and 1:11.65 seconds. Sahalie moved into the lead at the top of the stretch, then held sway over all rivals to win by a clear half-length.

"Bret was really impressed with this filly's effort," owner Debbie Wilson said after the race. "We both love her and think she'll be running in stakes company soon. She's a Texas-bred who's eligible for all those restricted stakes next year, but she just won an 'open' allowance against a couple stakes-placed runners. Bret said she's got a lot of talent, which is a great compliment coming from him. She's got a bright, bright future - I'm very pleased."

A spitting image of her sire, Military (pictured), Sahalie is out of the Rare Performer mare Smart'n Rare. Cullen purchased Smart'n Rare privately in 2004 on behalf of Wilson. The mare was purchased in foal to Doneraile Court, a foal that ultimately became the stakes-placed performer Court the King.

Cullen suggested the mating to Military.

"I was quite familiar with Smart'n Rare's career as a runner and producer before I bought her," said Cullen. "She was a fast, fast filly, and I wanted to breed her to something that would accentuate that speed. She's not the biggest mare in the world, so I also wanted to breed her to something of substance that would inject some size into her foals. Military satisfied both of those requirements at a modest price, and it also worked beautifully on paper. Debbie agreed and the rest is history."

Sahalie won $17,475 for the victory. She now boasts a record of three wins and a second from four starts for earnings of $46,675.

Cullen indicated that Smart'n Rare is going to be moved from Texas back to Kentucky for the 2011 breeding season.

"We might go back to Military, or we might go to a little more fashionable son of Danzig," he said. "Debbie wants to keep and race the foals anyway, so we'll find something that hopefully will produce another Sahalie - or Court the King."

To watch a replay of Sahalie's victory click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

Product of Cullen broodmare partnership runs off with $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar
8/10/2010


With a performance that has many calling him the best two-year-old colt in California, J P's Gusto ran off with the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on August 8.

J P's Gusto entered the 6 1/2-furlong Best Pal off two consecutive stakes victories, including a game win in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3) on July 5. For the Best Pal the striking bay ridgling drew the rail in a field of five. Pat Valenzuela - who actually won the race aboard Best Pal in 1990 when it was known as the Balboa Stakes - picked up the mount after regular rider Joe Talamo went to the sidelines with a broken wrist.

J P's Gusto broke sharply and led through a quick opening quarter of 22.58 seconds. Valenzuela won the race after he nursed the colt through a second quarter in roughly 24 seconds, and the duo hit the top of the stretch with a 1 1/2-length lead.

Though challenged in deep stretch J P's Gusto looked like a winner throughout. He hit the wire a half-length clear of his closest rival to win in a good time of 1:16.61.

Following the race TVG analyst Simon Bray stated that J P's Gusto had "clearly stamped himself as the best colt on the West Coast." Valenzuela agreed with that assessment.

"He broke so sharp," Valenzuela told reporters after the race. "I didn't want the lead but I inherited it. This is a really nice colt, and he's got a great future in front of him."

Trainer David Hofmans indicated J P's Gusto would run back in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on September 8.

"All (J P's Gusto) does is try," said Hofmans. "He reminds me of Awesome Again. They know the're the man. They just tolerate us."

J P's Gusto banked $90,000 to push his career earnings to $187,360.

J P's Gusto is the product of a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership. Agency president Jim Cullen bought his dam, Call Her Magic, for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. He subsequently bred the mare to Successful Appeal in the spring of 2007, then sold her later that year to WinStar Farm for $90,000. The foal in utero would become J P's Gusto.

"I loved the mating of Successful Appeal to Call Her Magic," said Cullen. "The best attributes of each horse seemed to complement the other. It made sense on paper, but I thought physically it would work because he would inject some athleticism into the mare's babies. I guess it worked."

In addition to J P's Gusto, the Cullen partnership bred the colt's full sister, Magic Appeal. The now three-year-old filly broke her maiden in allowance company at Saratoga last summer before she placed in the prestigious Adirondack Stakes (G2) there. Magic Appeal also placed in the 2009 Wings of Jove Stakes at Belmont Park.

Unfortunately Call Her Magic died this spring after a bout with colic.

"I talked with (WinStar President) Doug Cauthen after the Hollywood Juvenile and he said the farm lost the mare," said Cullen. "It's a real shame because the whole family is taking off."

Call Her Magic is now dam of three stakes horses, and her half sister is the dam of Proud Spell, the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of 2008.

For a recap of the race, including a video replay, click here. To view the official chart of the Best Pal click here.

Filly bred by Cullen Bloodstock breaks maiden at Ellis Park
7/29/2010


Loosen Up Stable's Ella Pooh, a three-year-old filly bred by agency president Jim Cullen, finally put it all together and won convincingly a maiden race at Ellis Park on July 25.

Ridden by Jamie Theriot, Ella Pooh stalked the early leaders before she swept by to take control at the top of the stretch. The bay filly ran unchallenged down the lane to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:13.31 for six furlongs on a fast track.

"Ella Pooh had come close in a couple races, but she was much the best on Sunday," said Cullen. "It's kind of neat - she's owned by a State Legislator who I went to high school with. We talked before the race, and after she won he invited me to get into the (winner's circle) picture. It will make a nice keepsake."

Ella Pooh is by Action This Day out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Dumas. She was bred by Cullen in partnership with John Trumbulovic.

"I originally claimed Dumas for $17,500 at Churchill Downs on behalf of my good friend and client Sue Cook," said Cullen. "She wanted something to breed to her stallion Dixieland Heat, and she liked the mating with this mare. I ended up buying this mare when Sue dispersed a bunch of horses a couple years ago and bred her to Action This Day."

Ella Pooh was sold for $5,200 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Texas yearling sale.

"Dumas is from a good Henryk de Kwiatkowski family, and she has a solid pedigree. Her dam is a full or half to a four stakes horses, including the multiple graded stakes winners Posen and Truluck. Unfortunately Dumas hasn't produced any runners of note thus far, but I believe Ella Pooh is her fifth or sixth winner from as many to race. Hopefully this filly will go on to win a couple more races."

According to the owner of Loosen Up Stable, Ella Pooh will be given a break before being brought back to the races for a fall campaign.

To view the official chart of Ella Pooh's maiden victory click here.

Mare purchased, mated by Cullen Bloodstock produces first juvenile graded stakes winner of 2010!
7/6/2010


J P's Gusto, a two-year-old ridgling produced by a Cullen Bloodstock mating, became the first graded stakes winner in his division when he captured the $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G3) on July 5.

Trained by David Hofmans for Gem Inc., J P's Gusto outfought a game Western Mood to win the six-furlong sprint by a neck as the 3-to-5 favorite. The win was the second consecutive stakes score for J P's Gusto, following his victory in the Williard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes as a maiden in May.

Final time was 1:10.48.

J P's Gusto banked $60,000 for the graded stakes victory to boost his earnings to $97,360 from three starts.

"For being so young (J P's Gusto is) so mature and very, very professional," said winning jockey Joe Talamo. "He was beat by a head or a neck then he really fought back. You really like to see that in a young horse."

"I think he's right up there with (multiple Grade 1 winner) General Meeting," Hofmans told reporters after the race. "He reminds me of General Meeting a lot - they're similar in their body style."

J P's Gusto is out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic, by Caller I.D. That mare was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Purchased in foal to Smart Strike, the mare was bought for an agency partnership.

In 2007, Call Her Magic's second foal, the good filly Kid Majic, placed in the $50,000 Lone Star Oaks at Lone Star Park. The following year, a sister to Call Her Magic named Pacific Spell was represented by the 2008 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly - and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner - Proud Spell.

Cullen bred Call Her Magic to the exciting young sire Successful Appeal in both 2006 and 2007, then sold the mare in foal to that stallion after Proud Spell placed in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes (G1).

"I cashed out in 2007 and took the profit," said Cullen. "The partnership made money with every foal we bred out of (Call Her Magic), and I hoped to close the partnership with a profitable sale of the mare. We did that and haven't looked back."

WinStar Farm purchased Call Her Magic for $95,000.

The final two foals bred by the agency partnership have both distinguished themselves. The foal of 2007 is a beautiful bay filly named Magic Appeal. Owned by Cobra Farm, Magic Appeal (pictured) broke her maiden at Saratoga at two before she placed in both the Adirondack Stakes (G2) and Wings of Jove Stakes. Her full brother J P's Gusto is the final foal produced by the partnership.

"Call Her Magic is one of those special mares that just keeps on giving," said Cullen. "She was great to us, she's obviously started off well for WinStar, and nearly all her foals have run well for their connections. The family has really exploded and added a ton of depth since I originally bought her. I just wish I still owned her!"

To view the official chart of the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes click here.

Sahalie keeps record perfect with allowance romp at Lone Star Park
6/15/2010


Sahalie, the product of a mare purchased and mated by agency president Jim Cullen, kept her record perfect from two starts when she ran off with an allowance race at Lone Star Park on June 10.

By Military out of the Rare Performer mare Smart'n Rare, Sahalie won her racing debut at Lone Star in May as the 1-to-2 favorite. She returned to make quick work of her rivals in last Thursday's feature race, a six-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares.

Sahalie broke cleanly under Bobby Walker Jr. and went right to the front. The bay filly led through opening quarters of 22.51 and 45.79, at which point she enjoyed a length lead over her closest pursuer.

Sahalie steadily extended that advantage to 3 1/2 lengths at the top of the stretch, and from there she cruised home to win by seven lengths in a hand ride.

Final time was 1:11.82.

"This was a really good race," said agency president Jim Cullen. "It's clear that (Sahalie) is fast, but it's also apparent she's got some quality as well. It was a very impressive performance."

Bret Calhoun trains the winner for owner and breeder Deborah Wilson.

"I couldn't be happier for Debbie," said Cullen. "She deserves a good horse because nobody enjoys them more than she does. She was so excited about the win she called me at eight o'clock the next morning. It looks like her filly has a bright future, and it couldn't happen to a nicer owner."

Sahalie banked $12,780 for the win to double her career earnings to $24,960.

Cullen purchased Smart'n Rare privately for $25,000 in 2005. He did so after getting an order from Wilson to "find a mare that would work in Texas".

"Debbie wanted me to find a broodmare she could take to Texas and enlist in the program there," said Cullen. "I thought Smart'n Rare was worth a shot because she was a really fast racemare with a 'sneaky-good' pedigree. The mare also had two foals at the races when we bought her and both had shown some promise. I contacted the mare's owner and we were able to come to terms and get the deal done. It's really worked out well for everybody."

Smart'n Rare was purchased in foal to Doneraile Court. The resulting colt has enjoyed a successful racing career as Court the King, a stakes-placed runner in California who was on the 2009 Triple Crown trail.

To date Court the King has won 3-of-6 starts and nearly $100,000.

Smart'n Rare had a Vision and Verse yearling in 2006 who is unraced, and Sahalie was foaled in 2007.

"I hope Sahalie gets some black type - she'd become the second stakes horse for the mare from just three foals since Debbie bought her," said Cullen. "Those are pretty nice updates to realize in such a short amount of time."

Sahalie is scheduled to run next in the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes on Saturday, July 10.

To view the official chart of Sahalie's allowance victory click here.

Cullen homebred Kitts Fitz breaks maiden in third career start
6/8/2010


Florence Racing Stable's Kitts Fitz turned back a challenge at the quarter pole and then drew off to win a maiden race at River Downs on June 6.

Bred and trained by agency president Jim Cullen, Kitts Fitz is a three-year-old filly by Seattle Fitz (Arg) out of Melody Prospector (Gold Case). The filly was offered for sale as an uraced two-year-old during the 2009 Keeneland January sale, where she was purchased by Kristine Cullen for just $3,000.

"I sold the filly as part of my (business) reorganization plan, but for whatever reason nobody was really interested in her," said Jim Cullen. "She's an attractive, correct filly who looked the part, but just about everybody passed her by. When my wife saw the price she was bringing she couldn't believe it, so she jumped in and bought her. I'm glad she did - it looks like a pretty shrewd buy now."

Kristine Cullen is owner and operator of Florence Racing Stable.

Kitts Fitz had not hit the board in her first two starts, and after those allowance efforts she was dropped into a $7,500 maiden claiming event. The race, carded as the sixth on the River Downs card, was a one mile and 70 yard contest on the dirt.

"(Kitts Fitz) figured to need a race or two before she was ready for her best," said Cullen. "She's a big, long-striding filly who obviously wants to go a route of ground, so her first two starts were designed to get her some experience and fitness. I thought she was sitting on a big effort so I dropped her into a spot I thought she'd be much the best. We got lucky and it worked out like we planned."

Kitts Fitz made quick work of her four rivals. Breaking from post two under Juan Vargas, the filly broke cleanly and took the lead immediately as the field moved into the first turn. She gradually extended her advantage to two lengths down the backside, at which point Vargas was able to slow her down and give her a breather.

Race favorite Stan C Lisa moved up to challenge Kitts Fitz after six furlongs, and the two momentarily ran in tandem through the turn. However, Kitts Fitz dispatched that one at the eighth pole and cruised home to win in hand by 5 1/2 lengths.

Final time was 1:46.20.

"I'm really happy for Kristine - she's loved this filly since the day she was born," Cullen said. "It was a good effort, but the most important thing is to get a win under her belt. Now we can move Kitts Fitz to the turf - which is her preferred surface - and see how good she really is. She's not Zenyatta but she'll win a lot of races because she's sound, honest, and wants to go long. That's a good combination."

Cullen took a great deal of pride in the outcome as well.

"The race Monday was the culmination of a lot of time and hard work," said Cullen. "While working for West Point Thoroughbreds I helped buy Seattle Fitz at auction in Dubai, and I bought Melody Prospector specifically to breed to him. To have the resulting foal since birth, and then watch her progress all the way to the winner's circle, is something really special.

"Breeding any winner is hard, but to breed a horse and train it to win is especially gratifying. I have no delusions of grandeur - it was a pretty modest race - but it means a lot to my wife and I."

Cullen said Kitts Fitz would run back in a $15,000 turf race at River Downs on June 22.

To view the official chart of Kitts Fitz maiden victory click here.

Cullen purchase Bob and Rich wins!
6/7/2010


A switch in trainers seemed to do the trick, as one-time Cullen Bloodstock purchase Bob and Rich broke a nearly two-year losing streak and won the ninth race at Mountaineer Park on June 7.

A gelded son of Catienus, Bob and Rich was purchased by Cullen for $35,000 in the spring of 2007. He was originally bought on behalf of 5280 Racing Stable, a Denver-based partnership led by Kevin Geiger. Bob and Rich ran fourth in an allowance at Turfway in his first start for the new owners, then shipped to Woodbine and just missed when second in a $32,000 claiming race. He competed in allowance races and high-level claiming events at Woodbine for nearly a year, but after time off due to injury he has been competing in modest claiming races for the past 24 months.

Since mid-2009 Bob and Rich was trained by Bill Denzik Jr., who had little success with the dark bay runner. The gelding failed to win his last 12 starts for Denzik, including an 0-for-7 streak in 2010. The 5280 Stable made the decision to sell Bob and Rich privately for a reported $1,500 after he finished fourth in a $2,500 claiming race at Beulah in early April.

Despite his previous poor form, new owner and trainer Jimmy Dillon has enjoyed immediate success with his new charge. After one poor effort Bob and Rich finished second in a $5,000 claimer at Mountaineer last month, for which he earned back more than his purchase price. Dillon then wheeled the gelding right back to win that same race on Monday.

Bob and Rich dropped to the back of the field in the one-mile dirt contest, then rallied steadily into a contending position at the top of the stretch. Showing a kick that was lacking in previous efforts, the gelding finished strongly to best his rivals and win by a half length.

Final time was 1:40.98.

Bob and Rich has now earned $7,280 for his new connections in less than two months, including $5,460 for his most recent effort. The victory was the seventh for the gelding in five years of racing, and the winner's purse boosted his career bankroll to $93,253.

"I'm glad to see this horse win, especially for Jimmy," said Cullen. "Sometimes the best thing for a horse is a change in scenary, and that's obviously the case here. In a relatively short amount of time Jimmy has figured something out and really moved the horse up. It will be interesting to see where (Bob and Rich) goes from here: after Monday's race it looks like he still has some races left in the tank."

To view the official chart of Bob and Rich's victory on June 7 click here.

Mare purchased, mated by Cullen Bloodstock produces maiden allowance winner at Lone Star Park
5/24/2010


Sahalie, the product of a mare purchased and mated by agency president Jim Cullen, made her first start a winning one when she annexed the first race at Lone Star Park on Saturday, May 22.

A three-year-old daughter of Military, Sahalie proved much the best in her racing debut. The powerful bay filly tracked the leader through an opening quarter in 22.22 but took control through the turn for home. Sahalie spurted clear to lead by 2 1/2 lengths at the top of the stretch and edged away to win comfortably by 3 1/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:05.79 for 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track.

Trained by Bret Calhoun for owner and breeder Debbie Wilson, Sahalie banked $12,180 for her efforts.

"We've liked this filly since the first day she came to us," said Calhoun. "She's been training really well, and I was pretty confident heading into the race. She ran like we expected - she was very impressive and much the best."

Calhoun indicated that Sahalie would run back in an allowance race at Lone Star in June and point for the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes there on July 10.

Sahalie is out of the multiple winning mare Smart'n Rare (Rare Performer). Cullen purchased Smart'n Rare privately for Wilson in 2005 while the mare was in foal to Doneraile Court. The resulting foal, a colt who sold for $37,000 as a two-year-old in training, was Court the King. Court the King became a stakes-placed runner who won half of his six career starts and $94,200 while on the 2007 Triple Crown trail.

"It's been a little while between drinks of water, but it looks like Debbie has a good filly on her hands," said Cullen. "(Smart'n Rare) doesn't have much pedigree, but she was a really fast racemare and a good-looking individual. Debbie wanted me to find a mare she could take to Texas in hopes of getting a stakes filly. So far we've gotten lucky - it looks like she's taken a big step toward that goal."

Cullen admitted the mating which produced Sahalie was not the most commercial, but he pushed Wilson strongly to move forward with it.

"I love the Danzig line for Smart'n Rare and have always thought Military is a lot of horse for the money. Physically it was also a good match - he figured to provide some much-needed size and bone to the mare's foal. It seems to have worked out well: Bret thinks Debbie has a nice filly on her hands.

Smart'n Rare is a half sister to Prissy Gold Digger, by Red Ryder. Prissy Gold Digger is dam of the stakes winner and multiple graded stakes performer Gold I.D., as well as the stakes-winning mare Say How You Feel, whose five winners from as many to race include 2009 Richter Scale Stakes (G2) winner How's Your Halo.

Prissy Gold Digger is also the dam of the good mare Faithful City, a stakes winner who has produced eight winners from as many to race, topped by the multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire It's a Bird.

"I hope (Sahalie) goes on to get some black type. If she does she'd become the second stakes horse out of the mare from the first three foals after I bought her."

To view the official chart of Sahalie's maiden victory click here.

Super Saver wins Kentucky Derby!
5/1/2010


Super Saver, who is a half-brother to a broodmare prospect purchased by agency president Jim Cullen in 2007, stamped his place in Turf history today by drawing off to win the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Super Saver got a perfect trip under Calvin Borel, rating off a torrid early pace before squeezing through on the rail at the top of the stretch. The son of Maria's Mon opened up on the field and then easily held sway to win by approximately two lengths.

Final time was 2:04.45 on a sloppy track.

Super Saver is out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger. In 2007, Cullen purchased the mare's two-year-old filly Quickest for $40,000 on behalf of former client Vincent Colbert. The mare was put into training, but problem ankles forced her retirement to the breeding shed for the 2008 season.

Quickest had a Bandini filly in 2009 but did not get back in foal that year. The mare reportedly was bred this spring to Rock Hard Ten, though it is unclear whether or not she is in foal.

Quickest easily becomes one of the most coveted broodmares in the stud book. In addition to being one of only two sisters to her historic half-brother, Quickest is out of a full sister to the top handicap horse Girolamo. Supercharger is also a full sister to the dam of the exciting freshman sire Bluegrass Cat.

"With Super Saver's win today Quickest becomes one of the most desirable mares in the world," said Cullen. "Her age helps her tremendously - she's only five - and her family is the most commercial in the industry right now. Her first two dams alone will feature three exciting stallion prospects in coming years, and there's no telling where Super Saver goes from here. I'm also told the two-year-old (a colt by Distorted Humor) is extraordinary. The whole family has just exploded.

"She's probably worth a million dollars now, but if she were mine there's no way I'd sell her. It's like hitting the lottery - it's what every breeder dreams about when you buy a mare. She's priceless."

Quickest is the only mare that Cullen has purchased for Colbert at public auction.

"It's funny: I bought this mare in January 2007 because I knew WinStar bought (Supercharger) for $160,000 the previous November. I also thought Bluegrass Cat had a chance to be a nice stallion, so I liked the fact that she was so closely related to him.

"She was a nice individual and worth the money, but I really bought Quickest hoping WinStar would produce some meaningful runners out of the mare. I was also banking on the fact that Bluegrass Cat would 'hit' and become a top sire. To have everything happen so quickly, and in such amazing fashion, is incredible."

Cullen thought Super Saver was a legitimate Derby prospect as far back as last September, after he saw the colt break his maiden at Belmont Park.

"I was so impressed with Super Saver's performance that day, along with his pedigree and connections, that I thought he had the potential to be a big-time colt," said Cullen. "On September 14 I posted a story on this site where I identified him as a legitimate Derby horse (to read scroll down), and sure enough it came to pass. He stood out to me then and today he lived up to my wildest dreams and expectations. He's a very talented colt."

To read more about the 2010 Kentucky Derby click here.

Love You Crazy confirmed in foal!
4/25/2010


Love You Crazy, a stakes-placed mare purchased and campaigned by agency president Jim Cullen, has been confirmed in foal. The six-year-old maiden mare is pregnant on an early March cover to the exciting freshman sire Sharp Humor.

By Touch Gold out of the multiple stakes winner Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover), Love You Crazy was originally purchased as an unraced two-year-old prospect by Cullen for $35,000. She raced for Four-Board Stable, during which time she won three races, earned nearly $100,000 and placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes in 2006.

Love You Crazy was sold to dissolve the partnership at the 2008 Keeneland November sale. Offered as a broodmare prospect, the bay filly brought a final price of $25,000 from a former Four-Board client. The new owner chose to race her in 2009, but after failing to win for her new connections Cullen was able to claim her at Keeneland last October for $7,500 (pictured). The mare was claimed on behalf of a partnership that included Margaux Farm owner Steve Johnson.

Love You Crazy was retired to the Margaux broodmare band last December, and she was readied for her new career. She got in foal on her second cover to Sharp Humor, and early examinations have revealed a normal and healthy pregnancy.

"I'm so pleased for the partnership that Love You Crazy got in foal on such an early cover," said Cullen. "She was always such a classy mare, and it appears as if that class is carrying over to her new career. Maiden mares are often the most difficult to get in foal, so the fact she got pregnant just three months after racing is pretty amazing. I wish her nothing but success and will continue to follow her career closely."

Kitts Fitz can't overcome bad start, finishes off the board in maiden allowance
4/21/2010


Sometimes a race is lost in the final strides right before the finish line. Other times they're lost the moment the gates open, which is the fate that befell Kitts Fitz on April 20. The Florence Racing Stable colorbearer lost any chance of victory when she broke in a tangle and was left at the start. Despite closing fiercely the three-year-old filly finished off the board and well behind the winner in a maiden special weight race at River Downs.

Making the second start of her young career, Kitts Fitz entered the one-mile dirt race off a series of solid works. Expectations were high despite post-time odds of 15-to-1.

"I was confident she'd run well," said agency president Jim Cullen, who trains the filly. "(Kitts Fitz) is still a bit green, but she has the talent to compete with that field. I thought she'd come running and be right there in the stretch."

It wasn't to be. Jockey Jose Calo said Kitts Fitz' legs were knuckled beneath her when the gates opened, and she went straight up in the air at the start. By the time Calo got her straightened away and running the duo was left hopelessly behind. Kitts Fitz trailed the leader by 17 3/4 lengths after the opening quarter mile and 23 1/2 lengths after a half mile.

To her credit Kitts Fitz never quit running, and she made up some 15 lengths on the winner over the final four furlongs. The filly ultimately finished sixth, beaten 10 1/2 lengths for the win.

"Not much to say - her race was over before it started," Cullen said. "It's a shame because she actually ran fairly well. Dirt is not her best surface, but Jose said she would have won if she broke with the rest. Given that he won two races earlier on the card I'm prone to believe him, and he asked to ride her back.

"The important thing is she came out of the race in good shape physically. We'll regroup and find a race for her on the turf in early May and take it from there."

To view the official chart of the race click here.

Kitts Fitz to run back tomorrow in maiden allowance at River Downs
4/20/2010


Kitts Fitz, a homebred filly trained by agency president Jim Cullen, will tomorrow make her second career start in a maiden special weight race at River Downs.

A three-year-old daughter of Seattle Fitz (Arg) out of Melody Prospector (Gold Case), Kitts Fitz is owned by Florence Racing Stable. She made an inauspicious debut at Turfway Park in February when she tired and finished off the board in a maiden allowance sprint. The bay filly will look to make amends tomorrow when she stretches out to contest the tenth race at 'the River', a one-mile dirt affair for older fillies and mares.

Kitts Fitz has drawn post three in a seven-horse field, and Jose Calo will ride. Post time is scheduled for 3:46 pm.

"(Kitts Fitz) didn't run well in her debut, but we figured some things out and she's had a couple good weeks of training," said Cullen. "She's doing great and will definitely appreciate the added distance. It's just a question of whether or not she's good enough.

"I think she's got a big shot in this spot, though at the end of the day I don't think dirt is going to be her best surface. She's bred for the turf and has trained great on it in the morning, so I'm pretty confident she'll move up on the grass. But hopefully she'll be good enough to win tomorrow and give us some more options when it's time to run her back."

To view the entries for tomorrow's card at River Downs click here.

CBS purchase Sweet Gladys to contest $50,000 Queen Stakes at Turfway Park
3/26/2010


Sweet Gladys, who was purchased at public auction by agency president Jim Cullen, will make her first start in stakes company tomorrow when she contests the $50,000 Queen Stakes at Turfway Park.

Owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds, Sweet Gladys will go postward as a live longshot in the Queen, a six-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. The attractive bay mare has won three races at Turfway from five starts, and she enters the race off a series of solid drills.

Sweet Gladys has drawn post nine in a 10-horse field, and Sal Gonzalez Jr. will ride. Post time is scheduled for 3:04 pm EDT.

Sweet Gladys is a five-year-old mare by Awesome Again out of the Lite the Fuse mare Honey Eyed. Cullen purchased her as an unraced prospect for $55,000 at the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale.

Sweet Gladys (pictured) is a multiple allowance winner with a career mark of 10-4-2-1 and earnings of $38,000.

To view the entries for tomorrow's card at Turfway Park click here.

Foal purchased in utero by Cullen Bloodstock breaks maiden at Hawthorne
3/17/2010


Sheriff Max, a three-year-old son of Posse out of the Awesome Again mare Etiquette, pressed the early pace then edged away late to win the second race at Hawthorne Racecourse today.

Ridden by Danush Sukie for trainer Don Millonas, Sheriff Max broke through for his first victory in a $25,000 maiden claiming event going six furlongs on a fast track. Final time was 1:12.71.

Sheriff Max banked $7,200 for his efforts. To see a copy of the winners' circle photo click here.

Sheriff Max was bred by former Cullen client John Trumbulovic. Cullen purchased Etiquette on behalf of Trumbulovic for $20,000 during the 2006 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. At the time of the purchase Etiquette was carrying the foal that would become Sheriff Max.

"I bought (Etiquette) because she was a good-sized, fairly attractive mare with a solid pedigree," said Cullen. "But to be honest her major selling point was the foal she was carrying. I really liked the first crop of Posse babies I saw as yearlings in 2006 and thought he could be a hot commodity when those foals hit the track the following year. It worked out that way - he was leading freshman sire of 2007 and had six or seven stakes winners in that crop.

"Unfortunately for John this colt didn't capitalize on that sensation; he didn't bring much when he sold as a yearling ($2,500). But I'm pleased that he's proven himself to some extent on the racetrack. I hope for his current connections that he goes on to do more good things."

To view the official chart of Sheriff Max's maiden victory click here.

Cullen homebred Kitts Fitz to debut Sunday after working well at training center
2/24/2010


Kitts Fitz, a three-year-old filly bred and trained by agency president Jim Cullen, worked well this morning in anticipation of her racing debut, which should come February 28 in a maiden allowance at Turfway Park.

Kitts Fitz has been training forwardly since having come back to the track in early December. The bay filly has a series of solid works to her credit, and this morning she turned in a final breeze prior to her first career start.

Working alone, Kitts Fitz drilled five furlongs out of the gate in 1:06 on a heavy, muddy surface. She galloped out strongly and cooled out very quickly back at the barn.

"The time won't scare anybody but I'm pleased with the work," said Cullen. "Matthew Straight came in to breeze (Kitts Fitz), and I wanted him to break sharply but then collect her during the early stages of the drill. I wanted her running harder at the end of the work than the beginning and that's just what I got - she finished up great. I'm pleased with what I saw.

"The track was muddy and really heavy, but even so it didn't tire her out at all. She's fit and ready to run."

Kitts Fitz is scheduled to debut in a maiden special weight race at Turfway Park this Sunday, February 28. The contest is a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies, and Straight has committed to ride.

Cullen said he's excited about the filly's prospects, though he is realistic about her chances on Sunday.

"This filly's got some speed but it's apparent she's going to be a two-turn filly," Cullen said. "Knowing that we've been working to get her relaxed behind horses and then finish up with a run. She's handled everything we've thrown at her like a pro, and even if she doesn't win on Sunday I'm sure the experience will do her good."

By Seattle Fitz (Arg) out of the Gold Case mare Melody Prospector, Kitts Fitz was bred by Cullen. The filly was offered for sale at the 2009 Keeneland January sale, where Cullen's wife, Kristine, purchased her for just $3,000 on behalf of her Florence Racing Stable.

"National City Bank appraised (Kitts Fitz) for $30,000-to-$40,000 in August 2008," said Cullen. "I wanted to sell the filly but when my wife was able to buy a commodity that valuable for $3,000 she couldn't pass it up. The filly doesn't have a ton of pedigree but she's a nice individual from a good family that Wimborne Farm imported, so there is some back class there. Hopefully we'll have some fun with her and Kristine will at least win her $3,000 back."

To view today's worktab from The Thoroughbred Center click here.

Kitts Fitz breezes again for racing debut later this month
2/19/2010


Florence Racing Stable's Kitt's Fitz turned in another sharp workout this morning as she continues to prepare for her racing debut, which could come later this month.

A Cullen homebred, Kitts Fitz is a three-year-old daughter of Seattle Fitz out of the Gold Case mare Melody Prospector. She was turned out last fall but came back to the track in December and has since been training forwardly.

Kitts Fitz turned in a very encouraging breeze this morning. The bay filly broke off from the quarter pole in little more than a 'two-minute lick' and cruised through the opening quarter mile in 26.1 seconds. She picked it up noticeably through the turn and down the stretch to the wire, however, and finished up the second quarter in 24.3 seconds.

Kitts Fitz galloped out very strongly and cooled out in good order back at the barn.

"Today's work was perfect," said Cullen. "I told the (exercise rider) I wanted something around 51 seconds and he nailed it. But more than that I'm very pleased with how she did it - she was relaxed and professional early but responded when asked, just like you want from a racehorse.

"I would be very surprised if Kitts Fitz isn't a two-turn filly so to see her turn of foot is encouraging. She scoped good after the work and tore into her lunch, so it's hard to imagine her doing any better than she is right now. I can't wait for her to run."

Kitts Fitz might get that chance next Sunday, February 28. Cullen said he is targeting a maiden allowance there going 6 1/2 furlongs.

"I'm going to work this filly again next week, and if all goes well she'll run on the 28th," said Cullen. "We're in no hurry, and ideally she could probably use another work or two. But you have to start somewhere, and I'm a big believer in running 'em when they're doing good. If she shows me next week what she exhibited today she'll get a shot to do it when it counts."

To view today's complete worktab from the Thoroughbred Training Center click here.

CBS purchase Poppy's Li'l Girl wins allowance at Fair Grounds
1/29/2010


Poppy's Li'l Girl, a good stakes performer purchased at public auction by Jim Cullen, rallied impressively to win an allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds on January 22.

Cullen bought Poppy's Li'l Girl as a weanling for $14,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. She is a dark bay or brown daughter of Arch out of the stakes-placed mare Wanda Kaye (Timeless Native). Poppy's Li'l Girl, who descends from the immediate family of Canadian Champion Nice Dancer among others, was originally purchased on behalf of Cunningham Racing Stable.

Now six years of age, Poppy's Li'l Girl entered Fair Grounds' fourth race - an about one mile turf event for older fillies and mares - off three dismal efforts, though all had come on sloppy racetracks and two had been washed off the grass. Astute handicappers might have noted, however, that the attractive mare had handily won her last start on turf, which had come at Louisiana Downs and resulted in a career-best Beyer Speed Figure.

Poppy's Li'l Girl broke cleanly and settled near the back of the pack during the early stages of the two-turn affair. Jockey Jamie Theriot meted out the mare's speed down the backstretch and through the turn for home, and he swung her out to launch his bid at the top of the lane. Poppy's Li'l Girl responded when in the clear and swept past her rivals to win going away by a widening 3 1/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:42.65 on the good turf still heavy from recent storms.

Poppy's Li'l Girl returned $14.60 to her backers and keyed a trifecta that payed $22,489 to anyone lucky enough to have wheeled her on top.

"I have always followed (Poppy's Li'l Girl) because she is an attractive mare with a 'sneaky good' pedigree," said Cullen. "She seems to have found her niche going a mile on the turf, and her style of running is devastating on her competition - she just mows 'em down. This was a huge effort - it will be interesting to see if it launches her to big things this year."

A Louisiana-bred filly, Poppy's Li'l Girl won for the second consecutive time in open company. It was her fifth victory from 24 starts, with three seconds and three thirds, and she has now won at least one race in each of her four seasons of racing.

Poppy's Li'l Girl banked $28,200 for her efforts to push her career earnings to $132,412.

To watch a video of Poppy's Li'l Girl's impressive victory click here. To see the charts from the Fair Grounds' card on January 22 click here.

CBS purchase Sweet Gladys blows away field to win feature race at Turfway Park
1/16/2010


Judging talent is the toughest, most critically important aspect of the racing business. Anyone can look at a horse, but projecting how it will do when it races, or at what level, is a unique skill that takes years to develop.

In an October posting on this site agency president Jim Cullen predicted Sweet Gladys would win in allowance company at Turfway during the 2009-10 meet, despite the fact that she had just been beaten in a claiming race at Keeneland. That prediction proved prophetic yesterday when Sweet Gladys destroyed a small field of distaffers to win the feature race at Turfway Park.

Sweet Gladys broke sharply from the rail in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint and went right to the lead under Fernando De La Cruz. The handsome bay mare led by a length after a sharp opening quarter mile in 22.83 seconds, and she continued to hold sway after a half mile in 46.47 seconds.

Sweet Gladys spurted clear at the head of the stretch and extended her lead to the wire in a powerful display. The five-year-old mare won by 5 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:05.55.

"This mare looks like she's found her niche sprinting," said Cullen. "This was a fantastic race that showed she can compete with most older fillies at Turfway. It was very impressive."

By Awesome Again out of the Lite the Fuse mare Honey Eyed, Sweet Gladys was purchased by Cullen for $55,000 during the 2007 Adena Springs sale of two-year-olds in training. She was originally bought for Four-Board Stables but was sold in 2009 to dissolve the partnership. She is now owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds, a partnership which includes Bill Guest and Pat Vaughn.

"I grew up playing golf with Mr. Guest and Mr. Vaughn and I couldn't be happier for them," Cullen said. "Mr. Guest told me once he's owned some horses in the past and never had any luck, so for him to have a mare like Sweet Gladys is very gratifying. It was the first horse he ever bought from me, so I'm pleased that I was able to help him."

The victory improved Sweet Gladys' record to 9-4-2-1, and the $13,450 she banked pushed her career earnings to $44,125.

To watch a replay of Sweet Gladys' impressive victory click here. To view the official chart of the race click here.

Filly purchased by Cullen as yearling to contest $50,000 stakes at Turfway Park
1/15/2010


Know and Trust, a three-year-old filly who was purchased by Cullen as a 'short' yearling last January, will run next in the $50,000 Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway Park on January 16.

By Cuvee, Know and Trust was purchased by Cullen for just $4,500 at the 2009 Keeneland January breeding stock sale. The handsome chestnut was purchased on behalf of former agency client John Trumbulovic, who now owns the filly in partnership with Kevin Geiger and trainer Billy Denzik.

Know and Trust won a maiden allowance race at Mountaineer Park in her most recent start, and the speedy filly will look to gain valuable black type when takes on this stakes field at 6 1/2 furlongs. Know and Trust drew post seven in a 10-horse field, and Rex Stokes will ride.

"I don't have anything to do with the owners or trainer any longer, but for the filly's sake I hope she runs well," said Cullen.

Know and Trust was named as a sarcastic tribute to Cullen, who at times uses the phrase to emphasize a point.

"At the end of the day this business is about buying winners," said Cullen. "I'm very pleased to have found a horse of this caliber for such a modest amount of money. She looks like she's got a bright future, and perhaps good things will happen for her tomorrow. I'll be pulling for her."

Know and Trust has a win and a third from three starts for total earnings of $13,386.

To view the entries for Turfway's card on January 16 click here.

Mare from immediate family of Love You Crazy brings $125,000 at Keeneland January
1/14/2010


Though results from the 2010 Keeneland January sale have been bleak thus far, a mare from the immediate family of Love You Crazy sold for $125,000 during the auction's second session on January 12.

Virtually all sales indices have plummeted during the first three days of Keeneland January, as horsemen continue to struggle with a bad economy and a lack of financing. These factors have caused marked decreases in gross receipts, average and median prices and number of horses sold during the opening sessions.

One mare who did sell well, however, was hip 532, a stakes-winning mare named Deputy Cures Blues. That mare is out of a half sister to the granddam of Love You Crazy, who was originally purchased and campaigned by agency president Jim Cullen.

Deputy Cures Blues was hammered down for $125,000 on the bid of renowned Maryland horseman Marshall Silverman. Sold in foal to Malibu Moon, the 10-year-old mare is represented by three foals to date but no runners.

Love You Crazy was sold by Cullen during the 2008 Keeneland November sale, where she brought $25,000. The stakes-placed daughter of Touch Gold was put back into training by her new owner, and Cullen was able to claim her back in October for just $7,500 on behalf of Margaux Farm. Love You Crazy has since been retired and is currently being prepped for the 2010 breeding season.

"Love You Crazy is a beautiful mare who is an attractive broodmare prospect on her own merit," said Cullen. "That said, it's always great to see horses from her immediate family do well on the track or in the sales ring. (Deputy Cures Blues) is a lovely mare who looks just like Love You Crazy, and while the former has a better race record I think the latter has a better pedigree. At a time when most people can't get a horse sold (the $125,000 sale price) definitely flatters our mare."

Love You Crazy also has a half-brother named Sacred Ground who was purchased as a yearling for $250,000. That colt is in training with Kiaren McLaughlin in New York.

To view complete results from Keeneland January click here.

Know and Trust becomes latest maiden allowance winner purchased by Cullen Bloodstock
12/13/2009


Know and Trust, a two-year-old filly purchased at public auction by agency president Jim Cullen, posted an impressive front-running victory tonight in a maiden special weight race at Mountaineer Park.

A chestnut daughter of Cuvee, Know and Trust was purchased as a 'short' yearling by Cullen for $4,500 at the 2008 Keeneland January mixed sale. She was purchased on behalf of former client John Trumbulovic, who now co-owns the filly after buying her back for $1,200 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale.

"This filly was a very athletic and well-balanced yearling with a big walk and a pretty head," said Cullen. "There was a lot to like about her, and we got her at a significant discount because she had an immature throat. That scared off a number of buyers, but I wasn't overly concerned. Structually the throat was good, so barring anything unusual she figured to grow out of it. After tonight's performance I guess it's safe to say she did..."

Know and Trust broke alertly and went right to the front in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint. She conceded the lead briefly to heavy favorite La Belle Vie, but assumed command midway through the turn for home. She opened up a clear lead at the top of the stretch and widened down the lane to win by 4 1/4 lengths.

Final time was 1:05.47 on a good track.

"Visually it was a very impressive performance," said Cullen. "(Know and Trust) broke sharply, came back to her rider and then accelerated when asked. She runs like she walked when I bought her - beautifully."

Know and Trust, who was named for a saying that Cullen frequently uses to stress a point, banked $11,368 to boost her career earnings to $13,385.

"When you evaluate and buy horses for a living it doesn't get much better than buying a yearling who breaks her maiden in allowance company at two," said Cullen. "At the end of the day your performance as a professional is judged by the horses you buy, and at what price. I'm very proud that I was able to identify and purchase a filly that possesses Know and Trust's obvious ability for such a modest price."

To view the official chart of Know and Trust's maiden victory click here.

Love You Crazy to make first start for new connections on Sunday at Turfway Park
12/4/2009


Love You Crazy, a stakes-placed mare claimed at Keeneland in October, will make her first start for new connections when she contests the feature race at Turfway Park on Sunday, December 6.

Love You Crazy will go postward in the eighth race, an allowance optional claimer for older fillies and mares going a flat mile. The five-year-old mare has drawn the outside post in a field of seven, and Sal Gonzalez Jr. will ride. Post time is 4:24 pm and the purse is $24,900.

"This wasn't my first choice for a race, but (Love You Crazy) is doing so well I've got to run her somewhere," said agency president and trainer Jim Cullen. "I entered her four times in allowance races at Beulah Park and none of them went, and I entered her in three separate spots at Turfway - they didn't go either. So it was run her here or wait another 10 days. She's training so well I decided to take a shot, so we'll see what happens."

Cullen has worked Love You Crazy twice since having claimed her in October for Margaux Farm, including a solid half-mile breeze last week that went in 50.20 seconds. That time was the second-fastest from seven horses to work the distance.

Love You Crazy is by Touch Gold out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair, by Friendly Lover. To date she has compiled a record of 17-3-1-5 for total earnings of $96,691. She also collected valuable black type when she placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at two.

"She threw in a clunker in her last race at Keeneland, but she sure has trained like a mare who still wants to run," said Cullen. "She's very fit and fresh, and on her best day she fits with the others in this race. She has also run well on the PolyTrack during her career, so perhaps that will move her up too. We'll just turn her loose and see what happens. Hopefully she'll get a piece of it and get her earnings over the $100,000 mark."

To view Turfway's entries for December 6 click here.

Cullen claims stakes-placed Love You Crazy at Keeneland for new partnership
10/30/2009


Agency president Jim Cullen returned to a familiar source when he claimed the stakes-placed filly Love You Crazy out of the second race at Keeneland this afternoon.

A five-year-old mare by Touch Gold, Love You Crazy was originally purchased at public auction by Cullen for $35,000 in 2006. The impressive bay was campaigned by Four-Board Racing Stable for her first three seasons of racing (pictured), during which she won three races, nearly $100,000 and placed in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at two.

Love You Crazy was sold at the 2008 Keeneland November sale to dissolve the partnership, and she commanded a final bid of $25,000 despite being a maiden mare and not in foal. Love You Crazy had made five starts without winning for her new owner, with her best finish being a well-beaten third at Mountaineer Park two starts back.

Love You Crazy was shipped to Lexington today to contest the second race at Keeneland, a $7,500 claiming event for older fillies and mares going about seven furlongs. Unfortunately for her connections the mare was never in the race. Love You Crazy broke poorly and trailed by many throughout, ultimately finishing last in the field of 12.

Cullen dropped the claim slip and gladly took Love You Crazy home on behalf of Steve Johnson, owner of Margaux Farm in Lexington.

"She didn't run well today but I couldn't be happier with the claim," said Cullen. "Paula Bacon did a great job with this mare - she looks fantastic. She's carrying good weight and appears very sound. I actually talked with Paula after the race and she was surprised LYC didn't give a better performance, but she never had a chance after the bad break.

"We'll have to wait and see how things go, but at this point it seems that (Love You Crazy) has got a few starts left in the tank - she came out of the race in great shape. She's going to be bred next spring but perhaps I can find a spot where we can recoup some of the claiming price. Steve owns the mare so I'll just talk with him and see if he wants to race her or just take her straight to the farm."

Johnson indicated the mare would be owned by a partnership that included Nick Strong, president of Old Colony Insurance Services - for whom Cullen works - and Rich and Gail Zwakenberg of Reno, Nevada.

While it's obvious Cullen was able to secure Love You Crazy at a fraction of her auction price less than a year ago, the mare's residual value could increase exponentially in coming months. Love You Crazy has a two-year-old half brother by Awesome Again named Sacred Ground. Purchased as a yearling by Mary and Gary West for $250,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September sale, Sacred Ground has been working forwardly for trainer Kieran McLaughlin in New York.

"Sacred Ground has multiple half-mile breezes to his credit, including a couple 'bullet' works at Belmont over the past few months," said Cullen. "He's pretty close to running. A friend of mine close to McLaughlin told me he is a very nice colt that they're high on, so hopefully he'll fulfill the promise he's showing in the morning. He's an Ontario-bred colt eligible for a ton of Canadian stakes, including the Queen's Plate, so we'll hope he makes some noise and gives a meaningful boost to the pedigree."

In addition to Sacred Ground, Love You Crazy is also a half sister to a beautiful yearling filly by El Prado (Ire). The gray filly sold for $37,000 at the recently concluded Keeneland September yearling sale, which was a good price given the depressed returns of the auction.

Love You Crazy is the first foal out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Lite the Fuse), who was retired to the Adena Springs breeding shed with earnings of $460,000. Moonlight Affair foaled another El Prado filly this past spring.

"I believe the plan is to keep Love You Crazy for many years and see if she can be developed into a meaningful, productive broodmare," said Cullen. "That said, if either Sacred Ground or the El Prado filly do anything significant next year I'm sure they will consider selling her at Keeneland November. It's a nice spot to be in. All I know is that Steve is very happy with the claim and was pleased I made him aware that she was available for that price. That makes me feel good.

"I don't know what the future holds for Love You Crazy - I'm just really glad she's back in my barn and I know she's going to a good home for terrific owners."

To view the official chart of today's second race from Keeneland click here.

Magic Appeal places in $65,000 stakes on closing day at Belmont
10/26/2009


Cobra Farm's Magic Appeal, a two-year-old filly produced from a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, ran gamely but had to settle for second in the $67,500 Wings of Jove Stakes at Belmont Park yesterday.

A daughter of Successful Appeal, Magic Appeal is out of the Caller I.D. mare Call Her Magic. Call Her Magic was purchased by Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale on behalf of two-time Eclipse Award winner Richard Englander. When Englander wanted to sell Call Her Magic after having sold the mare's first foal for $90,000, Cullen purchased her on behalf of a partnership with Gullbram Shamrock Stables. The mare was purchased in foal to Successful Appeal, the result of a Cullen Bloodstock mating.

That foal has become Magic Appeal (pictured), who broke her maiden at Saratoga this summer before she placed in the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (G2) on August 19. After an unplaced effort in the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) in early September, Magic Appeal returned to contest the six-furlong Wings of Jove for trainer Stanley Hough.

Magic Appeal broke well under Cornelio Velasquez and was fourth early in the six-horse field. The duo tracked favored Female Drama - a Todd Pletcher trainee - through opening quarters of 22.06 and 45.28 seconds. Velasquez moved his filly out to launch his bid at the top of the stretch, but the favorite was too tough and never backed up. Magic Appeal did rally to nail another rival for the place, getting up just before the wire to get second by a neck.

Magic Appeal earned $13,500 for her second stakes placing to push her career earnings to $65,600.

To view the official chart click here.

Stakes filly produced from CBS foal-share breaks maiden impressively at Remington Park
10/26/2009


Miss Afleet Alex, a juvenile stakes filly produced from a CBS foal-share partnership, rallied from last to handily win a two-turn maiden allowance race at Remington Park on October 23.

Trained by Tehfeh Moores on behalf of Misty Meadows Farm, Miss Afleet Alex is from the first crop of 2005 Preakness (G1) and Belmont (G1) Stakes winner Afleet Alex. The filly is out of the Grade 3 stakes winner Go Again Valid, by Valid Appeal.

Miss Afleet Alex was mated by Cullen as part of a foal-share arrangement with the principal owners of Hidden Brook Farm - with whom Cullen worked at Adena Springs at the time - and agency client John Calderone. The filly sold for $22,000 at the OBS April two-year-olds in training sale earlier this year.

Miss Afleet Alex finished second at Lone Star Park in her racing debut, then returned to place in the $50,000 Donnie Wilhite Memorial Handicap on the turf at Louisiana Downs on August 15. She was back on the dirt to try the maiden race at Remington on Saturday, which was carded as the third race of the day.

Jockey Clifford Berry allowed Miss Afleet Alex to drop to last in the one mile 70-yard affair, and they loped along through an opening quarter in 22.99 seconds. Still trailing the field of seven after a half in 47.52, Miss Afleet Alex began to move into contention on the outside as the leaders approached the turn. The filly continued her run and assumed command at the top of the stretch, from where she opened up and drew off to win by 3 1/4 widening lengths.

Final time was a sharp 1:42.55 on a fast track.

"I wasn't a big fan of Afleet Alex when he first went to stud, but my opinion definiately changed after I saw his first foals - they were really well-balanced and athletic," said agency president Jim Cullen. "(Miss Afleet Alex) certainly fits that profile, but she obviously has the mind and soundness to rate around two turns. That bodes well for her future, and it looks like she'll be a force in the Mid-South region. I wish her connections continued success and all the luck in the world."

Miss Afleet Alex banked $15,816 for her maiden victory to push her career earnings to $30,316.

To view the official chart of Miss Afleet Alex' maiden victory click here.

Sweet Gladys' win streak snapped at three with tough loss at Keeneland
10/26/2009


Sweet Gladys, an Awesome Again filly who was purchased at public auction by Jim Cullen, just missed in her attempt to win a fourth consecutive start when she caught late and finished second in the tenth race at Keeneland on October 23.

Out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys had won three consecutive races beginning with a maiden allowance score in August. The handsome bay had won her previous two starts under upstart jockey Leandro Goncalves, who was back in the irons for the seven-furlong sprint at Keeneland.

Sweet Gladys broke sharply and went right to the front in the field of 10. But she was soon joined and hooked by two rivals, which forced a quick and contested opening quarter of 22.46 seconds.

Sweet Gladys battled her two rivals into submission by the time she hit the turn, and the filly still held a length advantage at the top of the stretch. Despite tiring due to the fast early fractions, Sweet Gladys dug in and appeared home free at the sixteenth pole. Unfortunately for her connections she was passed just yards from the finish line and finished second, beaten a half length for the whole thing.

Final time was 1:23.33 on the all-weather track. Sweet Gladys finished two lengths clear of the filly who finished third.

"(Sweet Gladys) ran too good to get beaten," said Cullen. "Seven furlongs is a hard race to win on the lead because it's a long sprint, and this filly never got a breather - she had to run hard the entire way. But she showed a lot of heart and class to battle the way she did, and there was no disgrace in finishing second given the way the race unfolded for her. She's turned into a useful filly who should be able to handle allowance company at Turfway this winter."

Sweet Gladys now boasts a record of 6-3-1-0, and the $5,800 she earned pushes her bankroll to $22,005.

Cullen bought Sweet Gladys for $55,000 at the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale (pictured). Originally purchased on behalf of Four-Board Stable, the filly was sold in January 2008 to dissolve that particular partnership. She is now owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds LLC.

To view the official chart of Sweet Gladys' race at Keeneland click here.

Cullen Bloodstock purchase lights up the tote board at Suffolk Downs!
10/19/2009


Sweet Candy Ride, a three-year-old filly purchased at public auction by agency president Jim Cullen, stalked the early pace before she took over at the head of the stretch and drew off to victory today at Suffolk Downs.

A daughter of the exciting young sire Candy Ride, Sweet Candy Ride is out of the stakes-placed mare Farewell My Lovely (Red Ransom). Cullen purchased the dark bay or brown filly for $19,000 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic two-year-olds in training sale.

Trained by Lori Lockhart for Vincent Colbert, Sweet Candy Ride had not won in seven starts since having won a maiden race by 14 3/4 lengths at Tampa Bay Downs in March. That all changed today in Suffolk Downs' fifth race.

Sweet Candy Ride broke cleanly from the rail and pressed the early pace in the six-furlong sprint. Jockey Eddie Castro moved Sweet Candy Ride into contention after a half-mile in 46.79 seconds, and the filly took command as the field turned for home.

Sweet Candy Ride extended her advantage to the wire to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Time for the six furlongs was 1:12.77 on a fast track.

Dismissed at odds of 14.60-to-1, Sweet Candy Ride rewarded her backers with a win payoff of $31.20!

"This filly has been a bit of a disappointment thus far, but she ran well today," said Cullen. "She's shown flashes of talent, but her biggest problem has been consistency - she just hasn't strung together a number of good performances. She ran to her looks today, though, so hopefully this will give her some confidence and she can reel off a couple wins for her connections."

Sweet Candy Ride won for the second time, and the $4,080 she banked for her winning effort pushed her career earnings to $14,058.

To view the official chart of Sweet Candy Ride's recent victory click here.

Sweet Gladys wins third straight with gutsy score at Turfway Park
10/4/2009


Sweet Gladys, a four-year-old daughter of Awesome Again purchased at auction by Jim Cullen, gamely held off a determined bid by a rival to win the fourth race at Turfway Park on October 4.

The victory was the filly's third in a row. She broke her maiden in allowance conditions in August, then returned to win at Turfway Park in September.

Out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys broke sharply in her race Sunday, a one-mile event for older fillies and mares who have never won three. Jockey Leandro Goncalves took the handsome bay right to the front, and the two led the field through opening quarters of 23.84 and 47.69 seconds.

Sweet Gladys was joined on the lead at the quarter pole by race favorite Pure Polished, and the pair ran in tandem from there to the wire. Sweet Gladys benefited when her rival went wide on the turn, but she dug in late when challenged and got up to win by a clear head.

Final time was 1:38.54 on the PolyTrack.

"Sweet Gladys showed a lot of guts to win the way she did," said Cullen. "She was stepping up in class to face multiple winners for the first time, and it was her first attempt around two turns. She overcame both of those obstacles and ran a really good race. I'm happy for her connections."

Cullen purchased Sweet Gladys for $55,000 at the 2007 OBS March two-year-olds in training sale. She was originally purchased for Four-Board Stables (pictured), but she was sold in January 2008 to dissolve that specific partnership. She is now owned by the Old Henry Stable of Pat Vaughn and Bill Guest.

"I grew up with Mr. Vaughn and Mr. Guest - we were all members of the same country club," said Cullen. "I'm very pleased that this filly is running so well for them. For their sake I hope she keeps it up and goes on to bigger and better things."

To view the official chart of Sweet Gladys' victory click here.

Sweet Gladys wins second consecutive race!
9/13/2009


Sweet Gladys, a daughter of Awesome Again purchased at public auction by Jim Cullen, dominated eight rivals on her way to an impressive front-running victory at Turfway Park on September 11.

A four-year-old filly owned by Old Henry Thoroughbreds, Sweet Gladys was originally purchased by Cullen for $55,000 during the 2007 Adena Springs two-year-olds in training sale. The handsome bay filly was originally bought on behalf of a partnership but was sold as an unraced filly in January 2008 to dissolve that group.

Sweet Gladys didn't make it to the races for more than two years, but she finally made her career debut this summer. After being unplaced in her first two starts the filly won a maiden allowance race at River Downs last month.

Sweet Gladys returned to face winners for the first time Friday in Turfway's sixth racey, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares who have not won two races.

Sweet Gladys was simply much the best against this class of horse. She broke on top and led through fast quarters of 22.26 and 45.61 seconds. The filly held a half-length lead to the top of the stretch but extended her advantage to the wire and won by 2 3/4 lengths.

Final time was a sharp 1:11.30 over the PolyTrack.

"I have always thought Sweet Gladys had the makings to be a nice runner, and it's good to see her living up to that belief," said Cullen. "Offspring of Awesome Again always seem to do better as they get older, so hopefully this will be the start of her winning some meaningful races. I grew up with the men who now own her and wish them nothing but the best."

Out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys has now won half of her four career starts. She banked $6,000 for her most recent victory.

To view the official chart of Sweet Gladys' victory click here.

Bob and Rich becomes second CBS purchase to win on September 11
9/13/2009


The five-year-old gelding Bob and Rich continued to earn his keep on Friday when he won a lucrative claiming race at Presque Isle Downs. The Paula Bacon-trainee became the second horse purchased by Jim Cullen to win a race on September 11, joining the four-year-old filly Sweet Gladys (see story above).

By Catienus out of the Belong to Me mare Belongs to Mony, Bob and Rich was bought privately by Cullen for $35,000 in the spring of 2007. The dark brown or bay gelding was purchased on behalf of 5280 Stable, a Denver-based partnership of new horse owners.

Bob and Rich was promptly turned over to trainer Reade Baker in Canada, for whom he finished a good second in a $32,000 claiming race - and earned $7,938 - just six weeks after he was purchased. He then placed twice in consecutive $50,000 claiming races that summer before he began to suffer from minor physical issues that caused him to be dropped in class. He actually missed much of 2008 - winning one of just four starts - and has returned to run in modest company.

Even so, Bob and Rich has been a model of consistency and resilancy, having run 13 times in 2009 alone, with one win prior to Friday and seven runner-up finishes. He posted his second victory of the year with a workmanlike performance in the eighth race at Presque Isle on September 11.

As is his style, Bob and Rich dropped back to last early in the 1 mile 70 yard event, and he still trailed the field after a half mile in 48.08 seconds. Jockey Mario Pino began to move the gelding up down the backstretch and into the turn, and by the time they reached the top of the stretch they had just one horse to pass. Bob and Rich did so convincingly just past the eighth pole and went on to post a decisive victory as the 3-to-1 third choice.

Bob and Rich earned $8,400 to boost this year's bankroll to $27,828. He also improved his overall record to 29-3-8-3 for earnings of $56,771 since being purchased by Cullen.

To view the official chart of Bob and Rich's victory click here.

$8,500 juvenile purchase wins feature allowance tilt at Louisiana Downs!
8/28/2009


Cunningham Racing's Brice's Crossroads, a four-year-old colt purchased at public auction by Jim Cullen, took control early and cruised to an impressive victory in the ninth and feature race at Louisiana Downs yesterday.

With Elvis Perrodin riding for trainer Patrick Mouton, Brice's Crossroads broke well in the 1 mile and 70 yard dirt contest. The chestnut colt went right to the front and battled through solid opening fractions of 23.11 and 47.38 seconds. Brice's Crossroads moved in front after six furlongs in 1:12.10 and held a half-length advantage as the field turned for home.

Though strongly tested throughout the length of the stretch, Brice's Crossroads held sway and hit the wire three-quarters of a length to the good. Final time was 1:42.64 on a fast track.

"We were really looking forward to running him yesterday," said Joel Cunningham, who campaigns the colt with his father, Marvin. "It was his third start back off a pretty long layoff and he'd been training super coming into the race. He didn't run well in his previous start, but that wasn't a big concern because it was on turf and he's a lot better on dirt - we just didn't have any other place to run him last time. He ran like we hoped he would; he stepped up and ran big today. We're very happy with him."

By Leestown, Brice's Crossroads is out of the winning Devil's Bag mare Crossed Wire. Cullen purchased the colt on behalf of the Cunninghams for just $8,500 at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Texas two-year-olds in training sale.

The victory was Brice's Crossroads third from 12 starts, along with two seconds and a third. The Louisiana-bred colt earned $19,500 for his efforts to push his bankroll to $60,745.

"I'm really pleased for the Cunninghams," said Cullen. "They're great owners who love the game and treat their horses the way everybody should. It makes me feel good that we were able to find them a colt like this for such a reasonable amount of money. The only way I could be happier is if I owned him myself!

"(Brice's Crossroads) has tried their patience, but they've stayed the course and now they're reaping the rewards. He had a pretty serious bout with colic that kept him from running at two, and last year he came out of an allowance victory with a chip in a knee that forced him to the sidelines. But when he's right he can run with just about anything down there (in Louisiana). Joel told me yesterday that they're considering a $50,000 stakes on Louisiana Champions Day for his next start, so the best might be yet to come."

To view the official chart of Brice's Crossroads victory yesterday click here.

Cullen Bloodstock suggests mating, sells season that produces first stakes winner by Ghostzapper
8/28/2009


Steeplechase Farm's homebred colt Golden Ghost became the first stakes winner for his sire, Ghostzapper, when he dead-heated for victory in the $75,000 First State Dash Stakes at Delaware Park on August 22.

Owned by brothers John and Mike Gorham, Steeplechase Farm campaigned Golden Ghost's dam, the Grade 1 stakes winner Mandy's Gold. Mandy's Gold was a daughter of Gilded Time who hit the board in 21-of-24 career starts and earned more than $1 million. Her numerous stakes victories were topped by a dominating score in the 2002 Ruffian Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park.

Steeplechase Farm retired Mandy's Gold to the breeding shed at the conclusion of her 2004 campaign. The mare was bred her maiden season to Smarty Jones in 2005, which produced a smallish, compact colt named Smarty's Gold.

In early 2006, Cullen was approached by colleague and friend Chris Swann, who helps manage the Steeplechase Farm broodmare portfolio. Swann indicated he was undecided on a mate for Mandy's Gold for that breeding season. Cullen, who was working for Adena Springs at the time as stallion manager, quickly offered a season to Ghostzapper.

"It was a no-brainer - I jumped at the chance to get her," said Cullen. "A mare as talented as Mandy's Gold would be highly coveted for any stallion book, but I especially loved her for Ghostzapper (pictured). It was his first year at stud, and (farm owner Frank) Stronach wanted him bred to mares that offered a complete outcross to his pedigree. That was definitely the case with Mandy's Gold, so I offered Chris a season on the spot. He liked the mating as well and we were fortunate that the Gorhams agreed. It's been a win-win situation for everybody.

"Of course, breeding Grade 1 stakes-winning mares to $100,000 stallions is not rocket science. Those results usually make you look a lot smarter than when you breed ordinary mares to $5,000 studs!"

Unfortunately, Mandy's Gold was euthanized this summer due to complications from laminitis.

To read more about Ghostzapper's first stakes winner and watch the race click here.

Kitts Fitz turns in solid breeze as she readies for racing debut
8/4/2009


Florence Racing Stable's Kitt's Fitz recorded a sharp half-mile breeze this morning as she continues to prepare for her racing debut later this month.

A Cullen Bloodstock homebred, Kitts Fitz is a two-year-old filly by Seattle Fitz (Arg) out of Melody Prospector (Gold Case).

Kitts Fitz has been training forwardly for agency president Jim Cullen since early summer. Today the filly recorded a useful maintenance breeze that should help put the finishing touches on her conditioning.

"This filly is pretty fit - she doesn't need to do a whole lot more before she'll be ready to run," said Cullen. "She went easy today and was in hand throughout. I wanted a good solid work and a strong gallop out, and that's what I got. I'm really happy with the way things went."

Cullen indicated that Kitts Fitz could debut in a maiden allowance race at Ellis Park on August 16.

"I'm going to work her out of the gate later this week, and if she breaks and trains well I wouldn't be afraid to run her. I'll wait and see how it goes, but she's not that far away (from her first start).

"This is a big filly, especially considering her young age," said Cullen. "She figures to need a race or two before she's at her best because she'll almost certainly be a two-turn runner. She's got a long stride and a big beautiful throat; she's very 'windy' and acts like she'll run all day. That's not a surprise given her sire won a Grade 2 stakes race at nine furlongs in New York. I'm excited about seeing her run."

Seattle Fitz won the 2007 Brooklyn Handicap in a time of 1:46 1/5, the second-fastest time ever recorded at Belmont Park.

To view today's complete worktab from the Thoroughbred Center click here.

Cullen homebred Kitts Fitz works for racing debut
7/20/2009


Kitts Fitz, a two-year-old homebred filly owned by Florence Racing Stable, turned in a solid work this morning as she continues to ready for her racing debut this summer.

By Seattle Fitz out of Melody Prospector (Gold Case), Kitts Fitz has been in training since January. The powerfully-built filly (pictured) joined Jim Cullen in Kentucky last month and since then has been training forwardly for her debut.

Kitts Fitz was most impressive this morning when she drilled a half mile in 48.1 seconds at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. The bay filly got through the first quarter in 25 seconds flat but picked it up midway through and finished up the second quarter in just over 23 seconds.

Kitts Fitz galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.1.

The time was the fastest of the morning from just three horses to work the distance.

"Today was the first time I've breezed (Kitts Fitz) and I really liked what I saw," said Cullen. "She was broken and legged up by the Asmussen family in Texas and it's obvious they did a great job with her. She's very fit and very professional. Today she went about her business like she's been doing it her whole life. She's ready to run and hopefully we can find a spot where she can be successful right off the bat."

Cullen indicated that Kitts Fitz would most likely debut at Ellis Park in western Kentucky later this month.

To view yesterday's complete worktab from the Thoroughbred Training Center please click here.

Cullen Bloodstock purchases juvenile colt for New York-based partnership
6/23/2009


Agency president Jim Cullen today purchased a flashy two-year-old colt on behalf of a partnership based in Albany, New York.

The colt is by Yankee Gentleman out of the winning Ghazi mare Whatwazzat. The second foal to race out of the mare, the colt is a half-brother to a dual winner of more than $50,000.

Whatwazzat is a half sister to seven winners from as many to race, including the good stakes winners Whoozie (Major Impact) and Royal Fanfare (Royal Roberto).

The colt was purchased from Spooky Hollow Racing. Price was not disclosed.

"I have been following this colt closely for the past three months," said Cullen. "He's in the barn right down from me and I watch him train every day. I'm a big fan of Yankee Gentleman, and this one looks like all his good ones - compact, athletic and fast. If he runs to his looks we're in good shape."

The colt was purchased on behalf of three attorneys who race as a partnership in New York. He will be trained by Cullen for now but will likely ship to Chad Brown later this year for a summer and fall campaign.

"He's already breezed three furlongs a couple times and is only 45 days or so from the races, so hopefully we'll get him in the starting gate before the end of summer," Cullen said. "I think he's a lot of horse for the money."

Cullen indicated that his affection for Whoozie was one of the reasons he purchased this colt.

"We used to run against Whoozie when I was with West Point (Thoroughbreds)," Cullen said. "She was a cut or two below the very best distaff sprinters, but she was an extremely fast and game filly. This colt reminds me a lot of her, and if he's got half of her talent we'll be all right."

Well-bred mare purchased as weanling by Cullen Bloodstock goes over $100,000 in earnings
6/2/2009


Poppy's Li'l Girl, a five-year-old mare purchased as a weanling by agency president Jim Cullen, pushed her career earnings over the $100,000 mark when she won the second race at Louisiana Downs on May 31.

By Arch out of the stakes-placed mare Wanda Kaye (Timeless Native), Poppy's Li'l Girl was purchased by Cullen for $14,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November breeding sale. The filly was purchased on behalf of Cunningham Racing Stable.

Poppy's Li'l Girl did not make the races at two, but she has won at least one race in each of her three subsequent years of racing, including an allowance race at Louisiana Downs last year. She kept that streak intact with an impressive score in the second race at Louisiana Downs on Sunday.

With Francisco Torres riding for trainer Sam David Jr., Poppy's Li'l Girl rallied from last to win the 7 1/2-furlong turf event going away by two lengths. The attractive bay mare banked $12,000 for the victory to give her career earnings of $102,462.

"(Poppy's Li'l Girl) was purchased with the intent of racing before being retired as a broodmare," said Cullen. "Arch mares in general are very desirable, so to have one who has earned more than $100,000 adds a ton of residual value as a broodmare prospect. She hasn't gotten any blacktype yet and don't know that she's quite that type, but even if she doesn't she's proven to be a sound mare with better than average talent. Given her pedigree that means a lot."

Poppy's Li'l Girl's best finish in stakes company was fifth in a $100,000 stakes at Fair Grounds last fall.

Poppy's Li'l Girl has now compiled a record of 19-4-3-3 during three seasons of racing.

To view the official chart of Poppy's Li'l Girl's most recent victory click here.

Filly purchased, trained by Cullen lights up tote board in maiden win at Turfway Park!
1/16/2009


Flatterwithglitter, a three-year-old filly purchased and trained by agency president Jim Cullen, ran nine rivals off their feet to win a high-level maiden race at Turfway Park on January 11.

By Flatter out of the Glitterman mare Glitter Bond, Flatterwithglitter was purchased by Cullen for $14,000 during the 2008 Fasig-Tipton February sale.

"The February sale is typically one for broodmares, but a friend of mine had (Flatterwithglitter) in his consignment," said Cullen. "He told me to take a look - he liked her and thought she might make a useful runner for a modest price. I like Flatter and remembered that Glitter Bond was a really fast filly who raced around Kentucky for Bernie Flint. I thought physically she looked the part so I took a shot."

Flatterwithglitter went into training in the spring of 2008, and joined Cullen at the track in late August. She made her racing debut in December when she finished last of 11 in a maiden allowance race.

"For not beating a horse I thought Flatterwithglitter actually ran okay," said Cullen. "She broke on top and led for a quarter mile, but I didn't have her fit enough to win. She started to get really tired on Turfway's PolyTrack - which tends to be deep and loose when it's dry - and the jockey wrapped up on her. It wasn't a surprise; I figured she was a bit 'short'."

For her second start, Cullen dropped the filly into a $30,000 maiden claiming race.

"I didn't want the filly to be claimed, but I thought I'd take advantage of her last-place finish and drop her in," said Cullen. "Even if she was taken it would have been a nice return on investment, but I was confident nobody would touch her off that debut. Things worked out perfectly."

With apprentice Erin Wilkinson in the irons, Flatterwithglitter was let go as the longest shot in the field of nine at odds of 38-to-1.

"I liked out spot," said Cullen. "I blew her out a quarter (mile) two days before the race, and even though the rider 'missed the pole' - got into the work late - she went in 24 and change, which is pretty fast for the training center. I was confident she'd run big."

She did. Breaking from the rail, Flatterwithglitter seized the lead immediately and opened up a clear advantage in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint. Flatterwithglitter was challenged by For Spacious Skies through the turn, but she turned back that bid and spurted away down the lane.

Flatterwithglitter looked like a winner throughout and won by 1 1/4 lengths (pictured). Final time was 1:07.53 on a deep, heavy surface.

"It was only a maiden claiming race, but it was a pretty encouraging performance," said Cullen. "She was the only horse all day to shade 23 seconds for the opening quarter mile, and she was one of only two horses who won on the front end all day - everything else closed from well off the pace. So, in essence, horses running slower than her up front were getting caught, and she overcame that bias to win on the lead. I'm very pleased."

Owned by wife Kristine Cullen's Florence Racing Stable, Flatterwithglitter earned $6,600 for the victory.

Flatterwithglitter cooled out well and bounced back great in the days following the race. Barring any setbacks she could make her next start in a one-mile allowance race at Turfway on January 25.

"I've bought some horses that have won some nice races for other people across the country, and my racing partnership (Four-Board Stable) has had its fair share of success," said Cullen. "But this was the most satisfying victory of my life. To win a maiden race like that under those circumstances, with a filly I bought for my wife, was as good as it gets."

To view the official chart of Flatterwithglitter's maiden victory click here.