Client Success: Hard Spun Colt Impressive in Oaklawn Victory

Kupuna (c, 3, Hard Spun – Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon)

Kupuna (c, 3, Hard Spun – Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon) was making his third start back after a layoff from chipping a knee in last year’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. The Hard Spun colt made a commanding presence in this race, sprinting clear into the first turn and showing the way from the inside. He smoothly transitioned into the two-path in the far turn and continued to maintain a comfortable lead, despite drifting out slightly in the stretch. With Nik Juarez in the irons, Kupuna held the runner-up safely at bay, securing a 3 1/2 length victory and showcasing his impressive abilities over the muddy, sealed track.

Lifetime Record: 8-3-2-2, $214,300

O – Highlander Training Center & Wayne Sanders; B – Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings & Greg Biagi (KY); T – Bret Calhoun.

Sales history: $140,000 Ylg ’20 KEESEP.

Clark Shepherd (Shepherd Equine Advisers), bloodstock agent for Larry Hirsch & Wayne Sanders, purchased Kupuna at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the consignment of Elm Tree Farm.

***WATCH VIDEO REPLAY***

OPTIMAL Mating Analysis – Kupuna (Hard Spun)

Horses bred on OPTIMAL Matings have proven to possess more potential to become superior racehorses. In fact, most will break their maiden in the first two starts. Combined with a good physical, good vetting and a price that falls within a budget, OPTIMAL Matings help to focus on buying or breeding better racehorses.

2 Sire Families (3L, 14C) & 5 Racing Families (2D, 1S, 3L, 2S, 2C)

Good Combination of Female Families

Good Outcross Percentage

Good Linebreeding Balance

Good Grandsire / Granddam Linebreeding Percentages

Good Gender Linebreeding Balance.

Key Linebreedings

5,6×6 Native Dancer – gender-balanced through daughter Natalma & son Raise A Native
- Exact position as:
  - 10 Grade 1 Stakes Winners
  - 17 Grade 2 Stakes Winners
  - 32 Grade 3 Stakes Winners
  - 54 Listed Stakes Winners
5×5 Raise A Native – through sons Alydar & Mr. Prospector
- Exact position as:
  - Grade 2 Stakes Winner
    - Call Me George (Point Given o/o Chimes Band mare)
  - Grade 3 Stakes Winners
    - Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John o/o Malibu Moon mare)
    - Dalmore (Colonel John 0/0 Silver Deputy mare)
  - Listed Stakes Winners
    - She’s So Special (Hard Spun o/o Pulpit mare)
    - Caddo River (Hard Spun o/o Congrats mare)
    - Hunt Crossing (Corinthian o/o Silver Deputy mare)
6×6 Nashua – through two daughters Bramalea & Gold Digger
- Exact position as:
  - Grade 1 Stakes Winners
    - Summer Love (Freud o/o Pulpit mare)
    - Giant Ryan (Freud o/o Dayjur mare)
    - Kalypso (Brody’s Cause o/o Malibu Moon mare)
  - Grade 2 Stakes Winners
    - Coal Front (Stay Thirsty o/o Mineshaft mare)
    - Doswell (Giant’s Causeway o/o Minardi mare)
  - Grade 3 Stakes Winners
    - Comedero (Posse o/o Sir Richard Lewis mare)
    - Awesome Planet (Giant’s Causeway o/o Faliyev mare)
    - Northern Causeway (Giant’s Causeway o/o Silver Deputy mare)
  - 6 Listed Stakes Winners

Similar Breedings

Hard Spun over A.P. Indy
- Grade 1 Stakes Winner
  - Aloha West (Hard Spun o/o Speightstown mare)
- Grade 2 Stakes Winner
  - Moviesta (Hard Spun o/o A.P. Indy mare)
- Listed Stakes Winners
  - Black Ops (Hard Spun o/o A.P. Indy mare)
  - Caddo River (Hard Spun o/o Congrats mare)
  - Mohs (Hard Spun o/o A.P. Indy mare)
  - She’s So Special (Hard Spun o/o Pulpit mare)
Turkoman over Valid Appeal
- Grade 3 Stakes Winner
  - Turk Appeal (Turkoman o/o Valid Appeal mare)
- Listed Stakes Winners
  - Take Down (Point Given o/o Valid Appeal mare)
  - Stratagem (Air Commander o/o Valid Expectations mare)
  - Karula (Colonel John o/o Woodman mare)
  - She’s So Special (Hard Spun o/o Pulpit mare)

Whether you are new to the game, experiencing more losses than wins or just looking for a new approach, I am confident that I can help you breed or buy a better racehorse. To find out more about OPTIMAL Matings and how they can help your program, please subscribe to my Blog/News page HERE to receive future information on complimentary mating recommendations, sales short lists, stakes winner pedigree analysis, news on personal client success and any other random thoughts or ideas that I may have. Also, receive a complimentary copy of my report “Blind Luck or Designed Luck? – How A Kentucky Derby Winner Was Bred” sent directly to your inbox.

For inquiries or more information about Shepherd Equine Advisers, please contact Clark Shepherd at 859-321-6618, or by email at clark@bloodstock-agent-ky.com.

I would love to hear any comments or questions that you may have. Please submit them below. Maybe we can address them in a future post!