It Takes All Kinds: Meet the Dams of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Contenders, Part 1

by Rachael Zilboorg

Image source: Kentucky Derby Facebook page - www.facebook.com/KentuckyDerby/

“Breed to the best and hope for the best.”

That’s the adage of the Thoroughbred breeding industry, often attributed to breeder John E. Madden (1856-1929). But the reality is, while you can stack the odds in your favor by breeding proven mares to proven stallions, Thoroughbred breeding is a game of chance. An exceptional racehorse may fail to pass on his brilliance. An exceptional race mare can fail to produce a winner… and an unraced mare can produce a champion.

For fun, and for educational purposes, we’ve done a brief sketch of the dams of each of the Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders below. The Derby will be run Saturday, May 6, at Churchill Downs.

But before we get into it, here are some helpful hints for the laypersons out there:

Post is an abbreviation for post position, which is the gate from which the horse is set to “break” (start) during the race. Post position #1 is on the inner rail to the far left, while post position #14 is closest to the outer rail to the right. Horses will be presented in order of post below.

Record can be read as follows: Starts-Wins-Seconds-Thirds (Earnings). For example, Hit Show (below), has five starts, three wins, one second, zero thirds, and earnings of $404,375; 5-3-1-0 ($404,375).

Blacktype is a kind of stakes race recognized worldwide. Almost all of the stakes you read about in national news are blacktype. Some may be graded, like the Kentucky Derby, while others are restricted to state-breds. Blacktype gets its from its name display on Thoroughbred pedigrees; horses who are blacktype stakes winners are displayed in BOLD, while horses who have finished second or third in blacktype stakes are displayed in Bold.

S. is the abbreviation for a stakes race, in which weights (the amount of weight a horse carries between jockey, saddle, and padded weights) are uniform based on sex. Often times, fillies will be “allowed” a number of pounds when racing against males, meaning they will carry less pounds than their male counterparts.

H. is the abbreviation for a handicap stakes race, in which weights are determined based on a variety of factors, which can include current form (how well the horse has run and at what level in its recent starts), age, and sex.

G1/G2/G3 are abbreviations for Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 in North America. Grade 1 stakes are considered the highest level of competition. Grade 2 stakes are a level below that. Grade 3 stakes are the lowest level of graded stakes offered. (All graded stakes rank above other kinds of blacktype stakes like listed and restricted, designated by L and R, which we’ve not indicated below.)

(JPN) indicates that the horse was bred in - born in - Japan.

Registered foals are foals of a mare which have been registered with The Jockey Club. At this time of year, a mare’s current foal and yearling offspring are often not registered, and it is possible that her two-year-old offspring is not yet registered. Also not registered are any foals a mare produced which died prior to being registered.

In addition, we will indicate the two-year-old, yearling, and 2023 foals of the mares below, but may not discuss older foals except in naming their accomplishments. It is common in the industry upon speaking of the dam of a current performer to describe their younger offspring, or her produce “in the pipe.”​

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In Part 1, we’ll review the dams of the first 10 post positions in Saturday’s Derby. Check out Part 2 tomorrow for some fun facts about these mares as a group! And be sure to also check out the Dams of the 2023 Kentucky Oaks Contenders Part 1 and Part 2.

Hit Show - Post 1 
by Candy Ride (ARG) out of Actress (by Tapit)
Record: 5-3-1-0 ($404,375)
Blacktype: 1st Withers S. (G3), 2nd Wood Memorial S. (G2)

Dam: Actress (2014)

Actress was a multiple graded stakes winner on the track. At 3, she won the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) and the Comely S. (G3), and she won or placed in three other stakes - including three graded stakes - in her career. Actress raced nine times at ages 3 and 4, winning twice, and earned $545,150.

As a broodmare, Actress is the dam of four registered foals. Of these, she has two winners from two starters. Hit Show is her second foal and her most accomplished. Actress also has a two-year-old filly by Curlin, which has not started, a yearling filly by Medaglia d’Oro, and is bred to Candy Ride (ARG) for 2023. Her foals have earned $429,610 to date.

Actress has never been offered at public auction.

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Verifying - Post 2 
by Justify out of Diva Delite (by Repent)
Record: 6-2-2-0 ($489,900)
Blacktype: 2nd Blue Grass S. (G1), 2nd Champagne S. (G1

Dam: Diva Delite (2007)

Diva Delite was a graded stakes winner on the track. At 3, she won the Florida Oaks (G3), as well as the Suncoast S. and Gasparilla S., and finished 3rd in the Beaumont S. (G2). Diva Delite raced 17 times at ages 2 and 3, winning eight times, with eight wins, and earned $300,067.

As a broodmare, Diva Delite is the dam of nine registered foals. Of these, seven have started and three are winners. Verifying is her eighth foal, but her most accomplished by far is 2019 Eclipse Champion Older Dirt Female Midnight Bisou, a five-time Grade 1 winner who earned $7,471,520. Diva Delite also has a yearling colt by Uncle Mo and produced a colt by Gun Runner this year. Her foals have earned $8,495,081 to date.

Diva Delite was last offered at public auction in 2022, where she was led out unsold after failing to meet her reserve on a final bid of $775,000. Her highest price at public auction came in 2019, when she sold for $1,200,000 in foal to Justify - thus carrying Verifying “in utero.” She has been offered at public auction five times.

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Two Phil’s - Post 3
by Hard Spun out of Mia Torri (by General Quarters)
Record: 8-4-1-1 ($683,450)
Blacktype: 1st Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), 1st Street Sense S. (G3), 1st Shakopee Juvenile S., 2nd Lecomte S. (G3), 3rd Risen Star S. (G2)

Dam: Mia Torri (2013)

Mia Torri was a multiple stakes winner on the track. At 4, she won the Sugar Maple S. and Sunshine Millions Distaff S. and finished second in the Bed o’ Roses Invitational S. (G3). In addition, she was runnerup in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) at 3. Mia Torri raced 10 times at ages 3 and 4, with four wins and earnings of $314,720.

As a broodmare, Mia Torri is the dam of two registered foals. Of these, Two Phil’s is her first foal and only starter and winner. She also has a two-year-old colt by Omaha Beach, which has not started, a yearling colt by McKinzie, and is bred to Omaha Beach for 2023. Her foals have earned $683,450 to date.

Mia Torri has never been offered at public auction.

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Confidence Game - Post 4
by Candy Ride (ARG) out of Eblouissante (by Bernardini)
Record: 7-3-1-2 ($785,525)
Blacktype: 1st Rebel S. (G2), 3rd Lecomte S. (G3)

Dam: Eblouissante (2009)

Eblouissante won twice in seven starts from ages 3 through 6. She earned $78,550.

As a broodmare, Eblouissante is the dam of seven registered foals, from which she has two winners from three to race. Confidence Game is her fifth foal and most accomplished runner. She also has a two-year-old colt by More Than Ready, which has not started, a yearling colt by Speightstown, and produced a filly by Maclean’s Music this year. Her foals have earned $791,554 to date.

Eblouissante was last offered at public auction in 2016, where she sold for $1,434,279. Her highest price in two appearances in the sales ring was in 2013, where she sold for $2,100,000 as a racing/broodmare prospect.

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Tapit Trice - Post 5
by Tapit out of Danzatrice (by Dunkirk)
Record: 5-4-0-1 ($883,650)
Blacktype: 1st Blue Grass S. (G1), 1st Tampa Bay Derby (G3)

Dam: Danzatrice (2012)

Danzatrice was a multiple stakes winner on the track. At 3, she won the Parx Oaks. At 4, she captured the Tiffany Lass S. and ran third in the Treasure Chest S. At 5, she took home the Iowa Distaff S. and finished third in the Groupie Doll S. (G3). Danzatrice started 15 times from ages 2 through 5, won seven times, and earned $312,145.

As a broodmare, Danzatrice has produced four registered foals, of which two have started. Tapit Trice is her second foal and only winner so far. She also has a two-year-old colt by Tapit, which has not started, a yearling filly by Tapit, and is bred to Tapit for 2023. Her foals have earned $965,945 to date.

Danzatrice was last offered at public auction in 2014, where she sold for $105,000 as a two-year-old in training. It was her highest price of three trips through the sales ring.

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Kingsbarns - Post 6
by Uncle Mo out of Lady Tapit (by Tapit)
Record: 3-3-0-0 ($657,300)
Blacktype: 1st Louisiana Derby (G2)

Dam: Lady Tapit (2012)

Lady Tapit was a graded stakes placed winner on the track. She raced 12 times from ages 2 through 5, winning once at 2 and finishing third in the Adoration S. (G3) at 5. She earned $93,788.

As a broodmare, Lady Tapit has produced four registered foals, of which two have started. Kingsbarn is her second foal and only winner. She also has a two-year-old colt by Union Rags, which has not started, a yearling colt by Gun Runner, and was bred to Munnings for 2023. Her foals have earned $664,760 to date.

Lady Tapit has never been offered at public auction.

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Reincarnate - Post 7
by Good Magic out of Allanah (by Scat Daddy)
Record: 7-2-3-2 ($345,650)
Blacktype: 1st Sham S. (G3), 3rd Arkansas Derby (G1), 3rd Rebel S. (G1)

Dam: Allanah (2010)

Allanah raced from ages 2 through 5, with her biggest score coming in the Cincinnati Trophy S. at age 3. In 19 starts, she won three times, with two seconds, and earned $94,326.

As a broodmare, Allanah has produced seven registered foals, with three winners from four starters. Reincarnate is her fifth foal and most accomplished runner. She also has a two-year-old colt by Goldencents, which has not started, a yearling colt by Liam’s Map, and is due to More Than Ready this year. Her foals have earned $393,382 to date.

Allanah was last offered at public auction in 2018, where she sold for $105,000 while in foal to Street Boss. Of three times through the sales ring, her highest price came in 2012, when she sold for $185,000 as a two-year-old in training.

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Mage - Post 8
by Good Magic out of Puca (by Big Brown)
Record: 3-1-1-0 ($247,200)
Blacktype: 2nd Florida Derby (G1)

Dam: Puca (2012)

Puca was a stakes winner in her career, with a victory in the Steve Pini Memorial S. at 5. She was also second in the Gazelle S. (G2) at age 3. She started 17 times from ages 2 to 5, with four wins, two seconds, and earnings of $299,406.

As a broodmare, Puca has produced four registered foals. Her first two foals to race are both winners. Mage is second foal and most accomplished runner. Her first foal, Gunning, is twice stakes placed, finishing second in the Dig A Diamond S. this year at 4 and third in the Audubon Oaks last year at 2. Puca also has a two-year-old colt by Good Magic, which has not started, and a yearling colt by McKinzie. Her foals have earned $519,035 to date.

Puca was last offered at public auction in 2018, where she sold for $475,000 in foal to Gun Runner. It was her highest price of three appearances in the sales ring.

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Skinner - Post 9
by Curlin out of Winding Way (by Malibu Moon)
Record: 6-1-0-3 ($216,300)
Blacktype: 3rd Santa Anita Derby (G1), 3rd Del Mar Futurity (G1), 3rd San Felipe S. (G2)

Dam: Winding Way (2009)

Winding Way was a graded stakes winner at 3, capturing the Rancho Bernardo H. (G3). She was second in that race as well as in the Senator Ken Maddy S. (G3) at 4. She started 13 times, with two wins, three seconds, and a third, and earned $208,188.

As a broodmare, Winding Way has produced seven registered foals, of which three have started, all of them winners. Skinner is her fifth foal and most accomplished runner. She also has a two-year-old filly by Union Rags, which has not started, a yearling filly by Maclean’s Music, and was bred to Nyquist for 2023.

Winding Way was last offered at public auction in 2021, when she sold for $82,000 in foal to Maclean’s Music. Of her two trips through the sales ring, her highest came in 2015, when she sold for $660,000 in foal to Pioneerof the Nile.

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Practical Move - Post 10
by Practical Joke out of Ack Naughty (by Afleet Alex)
Record: 7-4-1-2 ($884,200)
Blacktype: 1st Santa Anita Derby (G1), 1st San Felipe S. (G2), 1st Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), 3rd Bob Hope S. (G3)

Dam: Ack Naughty (2012)

Ack Naughty was a winner on the track, with multiple stakes performances, including a second in the Chelsea Flower S. at 2, second in the Mount Vernon S. at 5, and third in the John Hettinger S. at 5. She started 15 times, with a record of four wins, seven seconds, and a third, and earnings of $310,450.

As a broodmare, Ack Naughty has produced three registered foals. Practical Move is her second foal, and only starter and winner so far. She also has a yearling colt by Complexity. Her offspring have earned $884,200 to date.

Ack Naughty was last offered at public auction this past January, where she sold for $500,000 in foal to Upstart. It was her highest price of two appearances in the sales ring.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 and don’t forget to check out the dams of the Kentucky Oaks contenders - Click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2! ​