Hard Spun’s having a “Toga” party

Right on the hooves of his second career G1 winner, Questing, in last Saturday’s CCA Oaks at Saratoga, Hard Spun’s Artest became the 12th stakes winner for his sire, and the second in less than a week at historic Saratoga racetrack in the Quick Call Stakes.

While Questing won on the dirt over 1 1/8 miles, Artest covered a shorter bit of ground, winning at 5 ½ furlongs over the turf, adding further testament to the versatility being exhibited by Hard Spun’s offspring. In the Quick Call, jockey John Velazaquez was happy to bide his time in the middle of the pack and then let the three-year-old loose in mid-stretch to win impressively.

Artest was bred by JMJ Racing Stables, LLC, Jeffrey Narlinger and Michael Narlinger in Kentucky and is out of the Stakes-winning/G3-placed mare Desire to Excel, she a daughter of six-time stakes winner Ayrial Delight. Desire to Excel is currently in foal to champion Bernardini.

Hard Spun has had the quickest start of any sire, ever, with respect to total number of stakes horses by July of their three-year-old year. Artest’s victory today brings the total to 24. And in addition to Questing, he is also sire of G1 winner Zo Impressive, winner of last month’s Mother Goose Stakes, G3 Derby Trial winner Hierro and eight other 2012 stakes winners. He is currently the leading second-crop sire in North America by stakes winners, stakes wins and total number of winners.