Anthony’s Cross is by Indian Charlie, who is also the sire of early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo, but Anthony’s Cross has a more favorable pedigree for the 1 ¼-mile distance than the juvenile champion due to his female family.

Anthony's Cross was bred in Pennsylvania by George Strawbridge Jr.

Anthony’s Cross is the second foal out of the unraced Screening, a daughter of Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Unbridled whose first offspring, Fugitive Angel, reeled off three consecutive stakes wins at two turns last year before concluding 2010 with a third in the grassy Mrs Revere S. (G2).

Screening hails from the Danzig mare Recording, who captured the Sands Point (G3) on turf at 1 1/8 miles and is also responsible domestically for Deal Making and Smart Bid, a pair of turf stakes winners who are at their best going a route of ground, with Smart Bid just missing by a nose in the recent Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1); Recording is also the dam of multiple French stakes victor Representing, who won multiple times last year at 1 1/2 miles.

Third dam Ratings captured both the Diana H. (G2) and Sheepshead Bay H. (G3) on turf and finished second in the 12-furlong Long Island (G2).

Unbridled sired Derby winner Grindstone, Belmont S. (G1) winner and Derby runner-up Empire Maker, Travers (G1) victor Unshaded, Preakness (G1) hero Red Bullet, multiple Grade 1 winner Unbridled's Song and many other top horses.

As a broodmare sire, the late stallion is probably best known for Grade 1 winner Tapit, who rates as one of the top sires of his generation, and he’s also been represented by Denis of Cork, who finished third in the 2008 Derby and second in the Belmont S. (G1); Alabama (G1) queen Lady Joanne; Super Derby (G2) winner Apart, who is being pointed toward this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); Grade 1 vixens Dream Rush and Sky Diva; and 2011 Derby hopeful Shackleford.

Sire Indian Charlie remained unbeaten through the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby (G1), but could manage only third as the favorite in the 1998 Kentucky Derby (G1), and never raced again after sustaining an injury.

Transmits his brilliant speed to his progeny, as exemplified by Indian Blessing, the champion two-year-old filly of 2007 and champion female sprinter of 2008; Grade 2-winning sprinter Bwana Charlie, the sire of current Derby hopeful Comma to the Top; multiple Grade 3 victor Conveyance, who faded to 15th in last year's Run for the Roses; and Indian Apple Is, a finalist for a Sovereign Award as Canada's champion female sprinter of 2010.

Yet still capable of siring horses with greater stamina on occasion -- like Fleet Indian, the champion older mare of 2006 after romps in the 1 1/4-mile Personal Ensign S. (G1) and Delaware H. (G2); Spinster S. (G1) winner Pampered Princess; and Grade 2 scorer Two Trail Sioux.

With a number of strong turf influences on the female side, Anthony’s Cross could wind up on grass in the future, but he broke his maiden on the main track at Churchill Downs last fall and the Derby distance shouldn’t be a problem with his breeding.