Pedigree

Denis of Cork is by a hot, young sire and owns the pedigree to handle a classic distance. He's from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 hero Harlan's Holiday, a grandson of the mighty Storm Cat who has gotten off to a terrific start at stud. An earner of more than $3.6 million in the course of his career, Harlan's Holiday was a major player on the 2002 Kentucky Derby trail. After capturing the Florida Derby (G1) and Blue Grass S. (G1) in impressive rallying fashion, he was sent off at 6-1 in the Run for the Roses, but failed to put his best foot forward and wound up seventh. At four, Harlan's Holiday added the 1 1/8-mile Donn H. (G1) to his trophy collection and finished second in two premier 1 1/4-mile contests, the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) and the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). With these credentials, it would be no surprise if Harlan's Holiday sires horses who can stay the classic distance.

Denis of Cork is the fourth foal and the first stakes winner out of Unbridled Girl, who raced only twice before heading to the breeding shed. The 10-year-old mare is a daughter of Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Unbridled, the champion three-year-old colt in 1990 and the sire of four U.S. champions. The late stallion is also responsible for 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone and 2003 Belmont S. (G1) hero Empire Maker. As a broodmare sire, his descendants include perhaps the two quickest three-year-old fillies in 2007, multiple Grade 1 winner Dream Rush (Wild Rush) and Grade 3 heroine La Traviata (Johannesburg), so Unbridled isn't a one-dimensional influence. He'll pass on speed and stamina. There is speed on the female side of Denis of Cork's pedigree. Unbridled Girl is out of the quick Pirate's Bounty mare Sound Wisdom, a listed stakes winner sprinting.

Denis of Cork's pedigree is favorable for longer distances, with a nice mix of speed and stamina that should serve him well this spring.