MARIA'S MON Champion 2YO colt in USA in 1995. 4 wins at 2, US$507,140, Belmont Futurity S., Gr.1, Champagne S., Gr.1, Saratoga Sanford S., Gr.3, 3d Saratoga Hopeful S., Gr.1. He entered stud in USA in 1997. Third on USA/Can. Sire List in 2010. Sire of 784 progeny to race, 629 winners (80.0%), earnings of over $82 million, 55 stakes winners, 46 stakes placegetters, inc.
WAIT A WHILE (03f, A.P. Indy, Lord Avie).
Champion 3YO filly in USA in 2006.12 wins-2 at 2-from 1m to 1¼m, US$2,181,917, Hollywood Park American Oaks, Gr.1, Santa Anita Yellow Ribbon S., Gr.1-twice, Saratoga Ballston Spa H., Gr.2-twice, Lake Placid S., Gr.2, Gulfstream Park Davona Dale S., Gr.2, Santa Anita San Gorgonio H., Gr.2, Belmont Sands Point S., Gr.3, Gulfstream Park Honey Fox H., Gr.3, Belmont Miss Grillo S., L, 2d Hollywood Park Matriarch S., Gr.1, Keeneland Ashland S., Gr.1, Belmont Just a Game S., Gr.2, 3d Churchill Downs Kentucky Oaks, Gr.1, Belmont Flower Bowl S., Gr.1, Aqueduct Demoiselle S., Gr.2, Gulfstream Park Bonnie Miss S., Gr.2, 4th Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf S., Gr.1.
MONARCHOS (98c, Dixieland Band, Roberto).
4 wins from 7f to 1¼m, US$1,720,830, Kentucky Derby, Gr.1, Gulfstream Park Florida Derby, Gr.1, Allowance, 2d Aqueduct Wood Memorial S., Gr.2, 3d Belmont S., Gr.1.
AWESOME MARIA (07f, Awesome Again, Private Account).
9 wins-2 at 2-from 7f to 9f, US$1,114,875, Belmont Ogden Phipps H., Gr.1, Matron S., Gr.2, Shuvee H., Gr.2, Gulfstream Park Rampart S., Gr.3-twice, Sabin S., Gr.3-twice, Saratoga Riskaverse S., L, 2d Belmont Frizette S., Gr.1, Aqueduct Gazelle S., Gr.1, 3d Belmont Ogden Phipps H., Gr.1, Parx Racing Cotillion S., Gr.2, Delaware H., Gr.2, 4th Belmont Topicount S., L.
SEE HOW SHE RUNS (99f, Cougar, Graustark).
8 wins from 6f to 8½f, US$586,990, Woodbine Selene S., Gr.1, Oaklawn Park Fantasy S., Gr.2, Lone Star Park Valid Expectations S., L, Prairie Meadows Saylorville S., L, 2d Arlington Park Singapore Plate S., Gr.3, Prairie Meadows Iowa Oaks, L, Prairie Meadows Oaks, L, 3d Prairie Meadows Iowa Distaff S., L, Oaklawn Park Spring Fever S., L, Carousel S., L.
MONZANTE (04g, Danzig, Boldnesian).
8 wins-1 at 2-from 1m to 9f, £15,011, US$555,109, Del Mar Eddie Read H., Gr.1, Santa Anita Santana Mile H., L, Hollywood Park Allowance, Santa Anita Allowance, 2d Hollywood Park Charles Whittingham Memorial H., Gr.1, Del Mar Windy Sands H., L, Kempton Ocean Trailers Distribution 2YO S., 3d Santa Anita Strub S., Gr.2, Newbury Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing 2YO S., 4th Chester Dee S., Gr.3.
LATENT HEAT (03c, Capote, Mr. Prospector).
6 wins from 6½f to 1m, US$450,400, Santa Anita Malibu S., Gr.1, San Carlos H., Gr.2, Saratoga Allowance, 2d Monmouth Long Branch S., Gr.3, 3d Santa Anita Santa Catalina S., Gr.2, 4th Aqueduct Carter H., Gr.1.
SUPER SAVER (07c, A.P. Indy, Mr. Prospector).
3 wins-2 at 2-from 1m to 1¼m, US$1,889,766, Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby, Gr.1, Kentucky Jockey Club S., Gr.2, 2d Oaklawn Park Arkansas Derby, Gr.1, 3d Tampa Bay Derby, Gr.3, 4th Belmont Champagne S., Gr.1, Monmouth Haskell Invitational S., Gr.1.
MONBA (05c, Easy Goer, Silent Screen).
3 wins-2 at 2-from 7f to 9f, US$669,034, Keeneland Blue Grass S., Gr.1, Churchill Downs Allowance, 3d Keeneland Ben Ali S., Gr.3, Santa Anita Thunder Road H., Gr.3, 4th Santa Anita H., Gr.1, Hollywood Futurity, Gr.1.
EXHI (07c, Polish Numbers, Mr. Prospector).
6 wins-1 at 2-at 8½f, 9f, US$807,917, Keeneland Lexington S., Gr.2, Ben Ali S., Gr.3, Woodbine Marine S., L, Victoria Park S., L, Turfway Park Rushaway S., L, 2d Keeneland Fayette S., Gr.2, Mountaineer Park West Virginia Derby, Gr.2, 4th Parx Racing Pennsylvania Derby, Gr.2.
HIGH LIMIT (02c, Known Fact, Saratoga Six).
5 wins-2 at 2-from 6f to 9f, US$922,500, Santa Anita San Pasqual H., Gr.2, Strub S., Gr.2, Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby, Gr.2, 2d Keeneland Blue Grass S., Gr.1, 3d Delaware Park Leonard Richards S., Gr.3, 4th Santa Anita Santa Anita H., Gr.1, Saratoga National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S., Gr.2.
SIMPLY SPLENDID (05f, Hennessy, Cure the Blues).
6 wins from 6½f to 1m, US$462,767, Woodbine Nassau S., Gr.2, Sweet Briar Too S., L, Allowance-twice, 2d Woodbine Seaway S., Gr.3, Ontario Matron S., L, Belle Mahone S., L.
EXPANSION (05c, Barathea, Alysheba).
5 wins from 8½f to 1½m, US$581,924, Aqueduct Red Smith H., Gr.2, Fair Grounds H., Gr.3, Gulfstream Park Allowance, 2d Fair Grounds Mervin H Muniz Jr Memorial H., Gr.2, Lone Star Park Dallas Turf Cup, L, 3d Belmont Man o' War S., Gr.1, Manhattan H., Gr.1, 4th Keeneland Elkhorn S., Gr.2, Santa Anita San Gabriel S., Gr.2.
MINT LANE (05c, Conquistador Cielo, Danzig).
4 wins from 1m to 8½f, US$299,312, Belmont Dwyer S., Gr.2, Postponed S., L, 2d Belmont Peter Pan S., Gr.2, Pimlico Federico Tesio S., L.
STRONG CONTENDER (03c, Dynaformer, Good Bloke).
4 wins-1 at 2-from 6f to 9f, US$618,000, Belmont Dwyer S., Gr.2, Louisiana Downs Super Derby, Gr.2, Gulfstream Park Allowance, 3d Keeneland Blue Grass S., Gr.1, Monmouth Haskell Invitational H., Gr.1, Belmont Peter Pan S., Gr.2.
WELL MONIED (06f, Quiet American, Baldski).
4 wins at 1m, 9f, US$393,729, Hollywood Park Honeymoon H., Gr.2, Santa Anita Allowance, 2d Hollywood Park American Oaks, Gr.1, 3d Del Mar Oaks, Gr.1, 4th Hollywood Park Gamely S., Gr.1, Wilshire H., Gr.3.
UPPERLINE (07f, Caerleon, Reference Point).
9 wins-2 at 2-from 7f to 1½m, US$772,988, Keeneland Bewitch S., Gr.3, Arlington Park Arlington Matron S., Gr.3, Arlington Oaks, Gr.3, Fair Grounds Bayou H., L, Keeneland Dowager S., L, Woodbine Trillium S., L, Fair Grounds Allen Lacombe Memorial H., L, Keeneland Allowance, 2d Keeneland Dowager S., L, Woodbine Trillium S., L, Fair Grounds Bayou H., L, Arlington Park Top Flight S., L, 3d Keeneland Spinster S., Gr.1, Churchill Downs Golden Rod S., Gr.2, Gulfstream Park Herecomesthebride S., Gr.3, Arlington Park Modesty H., Gr.3, 4th Arlington Matron S., Gr.3.
CRIMINOLOGIST (03f, Seeking the Gold, Deputy Minister).
9 wins from 1m to 9f, US$554,313, Belmont Athenia H., Gr.3, Churchill Downs Cardinal H., Gr.3, Belmont Noble Damsel H., Gr.3, Aqueduct Beaugay H., Gr.3, Saratoga Perfect Sting S., L, Keeneland Allowance, Gulfstream Park Allowance, 3d Belmont Athenia H., Gr.3.
GAFF (02c, Tunerup, Valid Appeal).
8 wins-1 at 2-to 7f, €54,393, US$441,451, 220,800Dhs, Gulfstream Park Mr Prospector H., Gr.3, Churchill Downs Aegon Turf Sprint S., Gr.3, Fairyhouse El Gran Senor S., L, Fair Grounds Taylor's Special H., L, Bonapaw S., L, 2d Leopardstown Killavullan S., Gr.3, 3d Churchill Downs Aristides S., Gr.3, Leopardstown Two Thousand Guineas Trial, Gr.3, Pimlico Maryland Sprint H., Gr.3, Philadelphia Park Turf Monster H., L, 4th Leopardstown Ballycorus S., Gr.3, Fair Grounds Duncan F Kenner S., L, Mountaineer Park Harvey Arneault Memorial H., L.
SKY MOM (05f, Sky Classic, Afleet).
6 wins-3 at 2-from 4½f to 9f, US$488,594, Arlington Oaks, Gr.3, Sunland Park Oaks, L, Turfway Park Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies S., L, Oaklawn Park Martha Washington S., L, Churchill Downs Allowance, 2d Prairie Meadows Iowa Oaks, Gr.3, Woodbine My Dear S., L, Lone Star Park Cinemine S., L, 3d Churchill Downs Pocahontas S., Gr.3, Mountaineer Park Golden Sylvia H., L, Delta Downs Genesis S., L, 4th Hoosier Park Indiana Oaks, Gr.2, Oaklawn Park Instant Racing S., L.
INIMITABLE ROMANEE (08f, Kissin Kris, Band Practice).
5 wins-1 at 2-from 1m to 1½m, £3,434, US$472,979, Aqueduct Long Island H., Gr.3, Keeneland Bewitch S., Gr.3, Gulfstream Park The Very One S., Gr.3, Belmont Allowance, 2d Belmont Mount Vernon S., L, Saratoga On the Bus S., L, Irish Linnet S., L, 3d Saratoga Yaddo S., L, Belmont John Hettinger S., L-twice.
HUDSON LANDING (07g, Shotiche, Bold Ruckus).
12 wins at 1m, 8½f, US$561,343, Golden Gate San Francisco Mile S., Gr.3, All American S., Gr.3, Alcatraz S., L, Emerald Downs Mt Rainier H., L, 2d Golden Gate Berkeley H., Gr.3, All American S., Gr.3, 3d Golden Gate San Francisco Mile S., Gr.3, All American S., Gr.3, Rolling Green S., L, Fresno Bull Dog H., L, Santa Rosa Joseph T Grace H., L, 4th Hollywood Park Will Rogers S., Gr.3.
WANDER MOM (98f, Storm Bird, Raise a Man).
8 wins-1 at 2-from 5½f to 9f, US$399,656, Calder My Charmer H., Gr.3, Tampa Bay Downs Endeavour S., L, Hialeah Coconut Grove S., L, Gulfstream Park Allowance, 2d Saratoga Lake Placid H., Gr.2, Calder Calder Breeders' Cup H., L, Office Queen S., L, Powder Break S., L, 3d Belmont Garden City H., Gr.1, Gulfstream Park De La Rose H., Gr.2, Calder My Charmer H., Gr.3, Hialeah Patricia S., L, Calder Majestic Flag S., L, 4th Tampa Bay Downs Hillsborough S., L.
CAUSE TO BELIEVE (03c, Storm Cat, Mr. Prospector).
6 wins-4 at 2-from 4½f to 8½f, US$427,643, Bay Meadows El Camino Real Derby, Gr.3, Golden Gate California Derby, L, Mill Valley S., L, Comcast Bay Meadows Juvenile S., L, Santa Rosa Cavonnier Juvenile S., L, 2d Santa Anita San Miguel S., L, Golden Gate Malcolm Anderson S., L, 3d Hawthorne Illinois Derby, Gr.2, Pleasanton Sam J Whiting Memorial H., L, 4th Hollywood Park Affirmed H., Gr.3.
EMERALD BEECH (06f, Ocean Crest, Exceller).
5 wins from 1m to 1½m, US$269,338, Saratoga Glens Falls S., Gr.3, Waya S., L, 4th Belmont Flower Bowl S., Gr.1.
BUSHMAN (04g, Fabulous Dancer, Riverman).
5 wins from 1m to 1¼m, £128,428, 22,080Dhs, Epsom Diomed S., Gr.3, Windsor Royal Windsor S., L, Newmarket Sportingbet.com S., Sandown Whitsun Cup, 2d York S., Gr.2, Haydock Superior Mile, L, Sandown Gala S., L, 3d Newmarket Ben Marshall S., L.
ICE BEAR (04c, Regal Classic, Raise a Native).
9 wins-1 at 2-from 6f to 9f, US$881,178, Woodbine Eclipse S., Gr.3, With Approval S., L, Charlie Barley S., L, Allowance-3 times, 2d Woodbine King Edward H., Gr.2, Durham Cup, Gr.3, Labeeb S., L, With Approval S., L, Mt Sassafras S., L, 3d Woodbine King Edward S., Gr.2, Autumn S., Gr.2, With Approval S., L, 4th Woodbine Mile S., Gr.1, Woodbine Connaught Cup, Gr.3.
WHIMSY (02f, Crafty Prospector, Baldski).
5 wins from 5½f to 8½f, US$201,382, Prairie Meadows Iowa Oaks, Gr.3, Panthers S., L, Keeneland Allowance, 2d Prairie Meadows Wild Rose S., L, 3d Prairie Meadows Oaks, L.
WATCHMON (02c, Notebook, Miswaki).
4 wins from 7f to 11½f, US$317,247, Belmont Jamaica H., Gr.3, Allowance, Saratoga Allowance, 4th Pimlico Federico Tesio S., L.
SILVER TORNADO (98f, Silver Deputy, Quack).
4 wins-2 at 2-from 5½f to 8½f, Monmouth Reeve Schley Jr S., Gr.3, 4th Saratoga Lake George S., Gr.3.
LITTLE MISS HOLLY (08f, Storm Cat, Grenfall).
3 wins-1 at 2-at 8¼f, 8½f, US$217,430, Prairie Meadows Iowa Oaks, Gr.3, Churchill Downs Allowance, 3d Fair Grounds Silverbulletday S., L.
EMIYNA (08f, Sinndar, Darshaan).
2 wins at 7f, Curragh Athasi S., Gr.3, 2d Leopardstown Desmond S., Gr.3.
His sire sons include Super Saver (16), Monarchos (16), Latent Heat (6), Cause to Believe (6), Strong Contender (5), Mo Mon, Watchmon, Mint Lane, Exhi, Bank Heist, Mondavi, etc.
Stud Comments
Mint Lane - A Month of firsts in March.Hero Time became Mint Lane’s first Hong Kong winner on the 7th of March. Ridden by Nash Rawiller, the promising 3YO finished strongly to score by a widening 1.6 lengths over 1200m at Happy Valley. Friday night racing at Moonee Valley on the 16th March provided a perfect location for two Mint Lane mares, Our Gladiator and Another Diamond to show off their talents in the 955m Challenge. With Another Diamond leading into the straight, it took a top effort from Our Gladiatorto catch Another Diamond late, giving Mint Lane the quinella.
Both mares were bred by Willow Grove Stud and sold at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sales.
Willi Willi became Mint Lane’s first Stakeswinner on the 23rd of March, scoring in the $180,000 Albury Gold Cup over 2000m.
The talented 4YO, already a winner at Flemington, took his record to 5 wins, 1 second from only 12 starts and $340,000 in prizemoney.
Mint Lane also had a good support crew of local winners in the last few weeks, including Shall We Hope, Irish Mint, Whistling Mikado,
Mint Collector and Aussie Bob. Mint Lane, this season is also the sire of talented 3YO winners in Singapore – Come And Take All and Master Miner.
With only 76 progeny to race, Mint Lane has produced an impressive strike rate of 60% winners to runners with earnings approaching $3 million.
Mint Lane’s female pedigree has also taken some huge leaps in recent times with three of his half-sisters all
producing Group 1 horses in the USA.
Bowie’s Hero (by Artie Schiller) 6 wins including Santa Anita Kilroe Mile Gr1 and Mathis Brothers Mile Gr2
Sharp Azteca (Freud) 8 wins including Aqueduct Cigar Mile Gr1, Gulfstream Park Hcp Gr2 Belmont Kelso Stakes Gr2,
Two Gr3’s and second in 3 Gr1’s $2.3 million.
Firing Line (Line of David) Sunland Derby Gr3, and second to American Pharoah in the
Kentucky Derby Gr1 and 2nd Futurity Stakes Gr1 etc.
These elite level horses are regarded as some of the best milers to race
in the US in recent times – all out of three different half sisters to Mint Lane- two of them unraced. It’s no surprise
to see Mint Lane producing some talented offspring, (from his limited opportunities), with probably an elite galloper to come
He has winners in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Korea - creating plenty of interest in overseas markets. At the Adelaide Magic Millions sales 2017, the Mint Lanes were well sort after especially by the Singapore buyers. Two colts sold for $43,000 and $35,000 .
His progeny have been popular for their type and photos are available for viewing in the gallery to see why!
Mint Lane gives breeders the opportunity to access the ability, versatility and class of his sire Maria's Mon. Maria's Mons statistics say it all. Multiple Group 1 winner and Champion US 2YO, US Champion 2nd crop sire and has been a regular Top Ten sire in the US, including 3rd in 2010. Total earnings of over $79 million, 1 Champion, 2 Kentucky Derby winners, 10 Group 1 winners, 80% winners to runners and an impressive over 10% Stakes horses to runners.
Mint Lane was an exciting Spring 3YO, who quickly came to the racing publics attention when stepping up to a mile, winning by 6 & ¾ lengths at Aqueduct and at his next start blitzing the main race of the day at Aqueduct again by 8 &½ lengths. He then followed that with an amazing 2nd in the Group 2 Peter Pan Stakes. After running suicidal sectionals in front, taking on the pacemaker, the race was won by the highly regarded Japanese raider Casino Drive, stable mate of the pacemaker, who knocked up and finished last.
Back to Listed company, a 5 & ¾ length win at Belmont followed, then straight into the Time Honoured Group 2 Belmont Dwyer Stakes, winning by 2 & ¾ lengths prompting quotes in the US media of "Mint Lane was all business as he put away his competitors with impressive acceleration" and "He's been clicking along at good fractions and turning back challenges and keeps going and has something in the tank- unbelievable!"
Mint Lane has plenty to recommend him as a sire. He brings ability and speed that stretches to a mile; he was an outstanding 3YO with a strong will to win and hails from a sireline that is spectacular at producing Group winners.