There are two other viable strategies that I considered. The first is my “unicorn” strategy where I try to recreate Union Rags. This strategy requires a very strong 2nd dam to add stamina to an otherwise sprinter/miler pedigree. Go back and look at the pedigree of Union Rags, one of very few horses to win a sprint stakes at 2, and the Belmont the next year.
#602 at Keeneland was my best example of this strategy. Mastery is a speed oriented freshman sire. The mare is by Exchange Rate, who brings that Danzig speed, just like in Union Rags. She was a solid allowance turf miler. Most importantly the 2nd dam is by my favorite stamina sire Dynaformer. She won $200,000 and was graded stakes placed.
This is my favorite unicorn. Bantry Farms bought her for $60,000.
The other viable strategy to consider is what I call “what if I am wrong”. In this strategy we use the Cox/Crow strategy of starting with a miler sire, and trying to stretch him out to a classic distance.
The sires I chose were Practical Joke, Mastery, Unified, Violence, and Munnings,
#133 at FT would have been a great pick. This is a son of Unified. Unified is a son of Candy Ride, out of a Dixie Union mare. He got 9f winning the Peter Pan, but came back the next year to almost win the Carter at 7f. By both pedigree and performance he is clearly a speed horse. The dam of Hip #133 is by AP Indy. The second dam was $1 million winner Balletto who was 2nd in the Personal Ensign, Shuvee, and Breeders Cup Juvenile. The 3rd dam was by the great Nijinsky. I cannot imagine a more stamina orient female pedigree. He was born May 12th.
Ken McPeek bought this horse for $50,000 and I think this horse is an excellent example of the “what if I am wrong” or Cox/Crow strategy.
Buying A Race Horse 