from Pin Oak Lane

New Freedom, PA — The Maryland racing situation has changed dramatically since the initiation of alternative gaming in the state. Expectations are for $10–15 million in purses leading to six figure daily race cards, with most funds expected to be allocated for Maryland horses and sire stakes for 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. Maryland foal crops have been extremely small and the opportunity to make money racing in Maryland is very attractive.

For this reason, Dr. Bill Solomon has announced that the undefeated Groton Hall (1:57.1f) and Up Front Charlie will stand at Pin Oak Lane Farm, Maryland division, for the 2014 season.

Groton Hall, a $125,000 yearling, is by Conway Hall (Broadway Hall-Windsong’s Legacy) out of Garbo Hall, half-sister to world champion Godiva Hall 4,1:53.3f ($818,475). Groton Hall carries a 2×4 cross to the Hall of Fame matron Amour Angus (Angus Hall, Conway Hall, Andover Hall).

Groton Hall was injured at 2 after showing great potential. He came back at 3 to win six of six starts early in the season, taking a record of 1:57.1f, last quarter in :27.1, before the same injury ended his career.

Groton Hall’s Kentucky yearlings in 2013 averaged $31,000 as the few foals he has sired in Kentucky have produced the stakes winning Sorrento Hall 2,1:58 ($134,090).

Up Front Charlie 3,1:50.1f ($314,888) won the fastest division of the Niatross at 2 in a season’s record of 1:52.4 and was second in the Woodrow Wilson final, earning $220,000 his freshman year. He took his record at 3 winning an elimination of the Breeders Crown in 1:50.1f.

Up Front Charlie, by Dragon Again, is from one of Yankeeland’s best producing mares, the multiple stakes winner Lovin Yankee 2, 1:53 ($256,106), the dam of seven $100,000 winners, all in 1:53 or faster.

Up Front Charlie was a $100,000 Harrisburg yearling. He stood in Maryland in 2008 before returning to racing. His few foals won both Maryland Sire Stakes and Maryland Race Fund races and more than $220,000 as 2-year-olds. His five Maryland bred winners had average earnings of more than $40,000 each.