Dynaformer Gone...

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

As you mentioned, Unusual Heat was a claimer. Saint Ballado has developed into an elite sire -- he wasn't much as a race horse. Horses from his crop like Pistols and Roses and Technology had their way with him in 3yo stakes races where he ran mid-pack.

You go back through history -- some of the better sires were initally pulling a cart through a street, working as teasers, or basically just rose from neglect and obscurity by accident.

The stallion Virgil was initally a cart horse pulling a wagon -- basically a car in the days before the automobile. He was called into service as a makeshift stallion once the farms main stallion fell ill suddently -- and a gelded son of his from his first crop named Vagrant won the Kentucky Derby.

All of a sudden, Virgil was given a fair chance and he responded by siring many great horses like Kentucky Derby winners Hindoo and Ben Ali -- as well as the legendary 2yo Tremont and many other top ones like Vigil and Vera Cruz. He basically went from buggy horse -- to siring Ky Derby winners and great 2yo's left and right.

A lot of other great stallions were basically just sprinters.

Saint Ballado had, at least in my eyes, a very promising beginning to his career as a racehorse. If I recall, he was rushed prematurely into the Derby and just never was the same.

Plus, he was an exceptionally bred horse, being a full to two total freaks, Glorious Song (dam of Rahy) and Devil's Bag.

I thought his potential as a stallion was very high.