McKinzie made a successful jump from maiden winner to Graded Stakes winner when he captured the G1 Los Alamitos Futurity December 9.
It was just the second start for the juvenile son of Street Sense, who was sent off as the heavy favorite in the field of five. Breaking alertly under jockey Mike Smith, McKinzie stalked the leaders Runaway Ghost and For Him while racing in third through the early stages of the race.
As the field swept through the far turn and hit the top of the stretch, McKinzie took command but was soon challenged by stablemate Solomini and longshot Instilled Regard. The trio battled the length of the stretch, with Solomini edging clear nearing the wire to take the victory.
Although it appeared that McKinzie would have to settle for second, the ‘inquiry’ sign soon lit up. After a lengthy deliberation, the stewards disqualified Solomini for interference in the stretch, and awarded the victory to McKinzie, with Instilled Regard placed second.
Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm, McKinzie is out of the multiple Graded Stakes winning mare, Runway Model, winner of the G2 Darley Alcibiades, G2 Golden Rod, and placed in the G1 Ashland Stakes. McKinzie is a half-brother to Stakes-placed Rompin Reid (by Medaglia d’Oro), and hails from the family of Graded Stakes winners Saham (G3 Jefferson Cup) and Sea Ditty (G3 Affectionately Handicap).
Street Sense has now sired over 50 career Stakes winners, including multiple G1 winners Sweet Reason and Wedding Toast along with the outstanding Australian colt Hallowed Crown. Street Sense is also the sire of two-year-olds Avery Island, winner of the G2 Nashua Stakes and runner-up in the G2 Remsen; and City Plan, who recently took the Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.
Street Sense will stand the 2018 breeding season for $35,000, stands and nurses, at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky.
