Showing Up

oliverstoned · Postby **oliverstoned** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:48 am

Very interested in what you all think of him. I'm not usually keen on unproven studs but this guy intrigues me. I'm very impressed with his race record and think he could have been an outstanding dirt horse as well. He kind of reminds me of Birdstone in a way in that he's small and from the Mr P sire line but not by a popular sire. I like the durability on the dam's side but concerned by his sires percentage of starters and winners. I plan on visiting him and others this summer in Ocala. By the way is it a positive or a negative that he is at Adena? Not too concerned about the commercial aspect in that I expect to lose money whichever way I go with the foal. Just in it for the glory of breeding a fine racehorse.

Rahy85 · Postby **Rahy85** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:04 am

I agree wholeheartedly with your affinity for Showing Up. Tremendously versatile individual who broke his maiden first time out on the dirt going six furlongs in 1:09.2 (won by four lengths)... won the 8.5 furlong Lexington on poly... then won a couple of G1's on the grass. Only finished worse than 3rd once (in the KY Derby).

These versatile types have a bettern than average chance at long term success in my opinion i.e. Birdstone. I also throw Badge of Silver and Closing Argument into this category.

ASB · Postby **ASB** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:11 am

I like him as well, but his sire worries me. Although at first glance, many of his numbers seem good, in reality, they're horribly slanted because of Showing Up's success and most of his get are quite cheap.

Anyone seen Showing Up in the flesh?

Rahy85 · Postby **Rahy85** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:04 pm

ASB... agree with your assessment of Strategic Mission, but there are just too many solid sires out there w/mediocre sires to overlook Showing Up's racing credentials i.e. In Excess, Tiznow, Birdstone, Yes It's True, More Than Ready, Candy Ride, Put It Back, Harlan's Holiday, Macho Uno, Congaree, etc.

I've seen him... There's not a lot to him... moderate hindquarters, slightly narrow chest, but very correct. Might need mares with more bone and body substance.

oliverstoned · Postby **oliverstoned** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:39 pm

Thanks everyone for your input. Thanks Rahy for your description, I kind of thought that might be the case with him needing a more substantial mare. I remember his trainer once saying he was small and not much to look at. The photos and video I've seen seem to support you analysis. One note though he never raced on poly (though I imagine he would've been good at it) as Keeneland installed it a few months after the 2006 Lexington S. I looked it up to be sure. This was it poly or dirt then question is going to bedevil me for the next couple of years I think.

spinround · Postby **spinround** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:30 pm

It seems early to completely write off Strategic Mission as a sire. Showing Up was from his first crop and didn't make it big until his 3yo year. Strategic Mission's first post-Showing Up foals are 2yos this year. He had very small crops initially from fairly moderate mares. His 1/2 brother Sultry Song was a useful sire from a less successful sireline. Overall I'm interested to see what he'll do with larger/better quality books.

ASB · Postby **ASB** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:36 pm

Actually, Strategic Mission's CI of 1.25 is pretty solid . He's never gotten goats. And I think this is one instance where the smaller crops of a stallion really help the numbers.

But yes, he shouldn't be written off completely, yet.