53rd stakes winner for Mr. Greeley
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 | RSS Feeds
Mr. Greeley sired his 53rd career stakes winner on Oct. 11, when three-year-old Aruna ran off with the $100,000 Pebbles Stakes at Belmont.

Just a few days earlier, two-year-old Park Avenue (Ire) became Mr. Greeley's 106th career stakes horse, when second in the Irish Stallion EBF Star Appeal Stakes on Oct. 8. The two young runners are among six current stakes winners, 12 stakes horses, by leading international sire Mr. Greeley.

Aruna was especially impressive, and is now undefeated on U.S. soil. The Flaxman Holdings homebred won her stateside debut at Saratoga, then followed that up with yesterday's three-length victory in the Pebbles. Under Ramon Dominguez, Aruma tracked the pace from the rear, angled quite wide into the stretch, and unleashed a furious rally to win going away under a hand ride. Final time for the flat mile over the turf was a stellar 1:35, with the last furlong run in :23.68. Trainer Graham Motion told the media afterward, "I think she has a really great future."

Park Avenue is one of four juvenile stakes horse this year for Mr. Greeley, following Group 2 winner Laughing Lashes, California stakes winner Acaffella, and European Group colt High Ruler. Racing for Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier, Park Avenue contested the Star Appeal S. just six days after breaking his maiden over the same Polytrack surface at Ireland’s Dundalk Racecourse. He carried 127 lbs., and finished just 1 ¼ lengths behind his victorious stablemate. Out of the Storm Cat mare Song to Remember, he was bred by Smthyson, and is trained by Aiden O’Brien.

Mr. Greeley has sired 107 stakes horses and earners of well over $49.7 million for his career.