Sweet Sixteen for Midshipman

Being the top-priced yearling from Midshipman’s first crop, Avast - early on - had already impressed more than a few before bringing a final bid of $140,000 at the 2013 Keeneland Yearling Sale. She lived up to expectations on November 21 in maiden special weight company at Penn National with a scintillating, wire-to-wire victory.

Improving consistently in two prior starts, Avast used that experience to her advantage here and moved quickly to the lead in this five-furlong test, settling in nicely on the front end. Never really challenged, she entered the stretch with a clear lead and then drew off down the lane for an easy five-length win.

Bred by Glencrest Farm in Kentucky, and owned by Stonestreet Stables, Avast is the eighth winner produced from the mare Fees Waived whose other foals include the multiple Graded-placed Z Dager. Fees Waived is a half to Listed winner Merus Miami and G1-placed American System.

Midshipman’s total of 16 first-crop winners is third-highest of any of his fellow freshman sires and he ranks among the leaders by overall percentage of winners to foals and winners to starters. His other winners include recent TDN Rising Star, Lady Shipman, who made easy work of the field in her maiden win on November 15 at Gulfstream Park West, winning by eleven and one-quarter lengths in just her second start. He’s also sire of the impressive Stakes winner Naval Command, and his other foals have broken their maidens at major tracks in North America, including Belmont, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Woodbine, Santa Anita and Aqueduct.

Midshipman will stand the 2015 breeding season at $7,500 live foal, stands and nurses.