by Dean A. Hoffman

It helps to have some inbreeding to Albatross if you’re going to reach the top level of the sport as a 2-year-old pacer. And it doesn’t hurt to have a mother by Artsplace either.

If you look at the pedigrees of the ten richest freshman pacers of 2006, you will find that seven of them have two crosses to Albatross within their first four generations.

You will also find that four of the ten richest were out of mares by Artsplace, who died last fall at age 18.

Sires

Four stallions had two representatives in the top 10.

Artiscape, the incredibly quick colt pacer developed and raced by Hall of Famer Bob McIntosh, sired a pair of the ten richest last year. Those were Yankee Skyscaper and Artzina.

Bettor’s Delight had the richest of all in the filly Isabella Blue Chip while his son Kenneth J also made the list.

Camluck was represented by the top fillies Luck Of Michelle and Michelle’s Power. Incidentally, they were out of Artsplace sisters Michelle’s Jackpot ($695,439) and Michelle’s Destiny ($408).

Western Hanover is on the list with Breeders Crown winner Charley Barley and the rich filly Appleoosa Hanover.

Dragon Again’s daughter Little Miss Dragon made the list as did Western Ideal’s daughter Calgary Hanover.

Broodmare sires

Artsplace mares produced four of the top ten and the other broodmare credits were split among Abercrombie (Charley Barley), Jate Lobell (Yankee Skyscaper), No Nukes (Artzina), On The Road Again (Isabella Blue Chip), Presidential Ball (Calgary Hanover), and Western Hanover (Little Miss Dragon).

Inbreeding

Charley Barley had the greatest degree of inbreeding as No Nukes appears in the second generation on his male side and the third generation on his female side. Albatross appears in his third generation on his male line and fourth generation on his maternal side.

Thus the Breeders Crown winner is said to be inbred 2×3 to No Nukes and 3×4 to Albatross.

Appleoosa Hanover, also sired by Western Hanover, is bred similarly to Charley Barley with a 2×4 cross to No Nukes and a 3×4 cross to Albatross.

The 4×4 Albatross cross (that is, Albatross in the fourth generation on each side of the pedigree) was very popular and is carried by Isabella Blue Chip, Luck Of Michelle, Michelle’s Power, Kenneth J, and Yankee Skyscaper.

Isabella Blue Chip also carries a 4×4 cross to Most Happy Fella, giving her a healthy dose of blood from Meadow Skipper’s first two stars on the track.

Kenneth J also carries a 3×4 cross to Abercrombie in addition to his 4×4 Albatross cross.

Yankee Skyscaper also has a 4×4 cross to Bret Hanover.

Two of the ten richest 2-year-olds of last season had no recurring ancestor in the first four generations. Those were Calgary Hanover and Little Miss Dragon, the first two finishers in the Breeders Crown for freshman pacing fillies.