Notes: Feb 22

- NOTES Rockport Harbor has shown dramatic improvement and is already back jogging. [Bloodhorse] The Rebel on March 19 remains his goal.

- Graded stakes winner Forest Heiress (Forest Wildcat) is the first mare to be checked in foal to 2004 champion and dual classic winner Smarty Jones. [Bloodhorse] An interesting read is this page from Smarty’s home farm Three Chimney’s website; it’s the mating recommendations for Mr. Jones by noted pedigree expert Anne Peters, co-author with Alan Porter of the landmark Patterns of Greatness II: The Americans. As Forest Wildcat is from the Northern Dancer line via Storm Cat, check out the first paragraph with respect to this mating.

- Andrew Caulfield’s Pedigree Insights column today in the subscription only and blog-proof (pdf-only) Thoroughbred Daily News is an interesting look at the impact of Fusaichi Pegasus on the Australian breeding industry. Caulfield explains that Danzig’s influence in Australia is pervasive, mostly through his son Danehill, who has been the leading sire down under for 8 out of the last ten years, including last; and the Danzig line also accounts for another six out of the top 12 stallions for last season. The arrival there of the shuttling Fusaichi Pegasus, whose broodmare sire is Danzig, creates a situation in which any Danehill mares sent to him will produce foals inbred 3x3 to him. While Danzig’s foals have fortunately been sounder than the sire himself was, breeders there are a bit nervous about the combo, which has not yet been seen all that frequently, according to Caulfield. It’s potentially not an isolated situation, as Fusaichi Pegasus has covered no less than 363 mares in his first three seasons there. That, in addition to his North American duty, makes him a bigger stud than phony White House “reporter” Jeff Gannon, James Guckert, or whatever his name his. More information on the excellent TDN at www.thoroughbreddailynews.com, and much more on Gannon at AMERICAblog.