Big John B rides the rail in California

Although he had made a career by being a turf specialist before the G2 Cougar Handicap at Del Mar on July 25, Hard Spun's six-year-old son Big John B made his third lifetime dirt start a memorable one with a solid win in the one and one-half mile event.

At one point in the race's early going, Big John B was 25 lengths back of the early leaders as the field entered the stretch for the first time in the 12-furlong feature. Just past the mile mark, the field started to get more compact and at the top of the stretch, Big John B hugged the rail and was able to slip through. He spurted to a two-length lead in mid stretch and then was able to hold off a late charge by one other for his second career G2 win.

Big John B was bred by Brylynn Farm, Inc., in Florida. His ownership has changed four times in the past year but it appears he’s found a permanent home now with his most recent purchaser, Michael House. A winner of 10 races and over $400,000, Big John B is out of Stakes winner/multiple Graded-placed Baldomera and is a half-sister to G3 winner Circle Unbroken.

Hard Spun is only one of 11 stallions in the last 25 years to have sired as many as six G1 winners from their first three crops. In 2015, he's sired two winners at the highest level in Hardest Core and Hard Aces with an additional eight Group winners both here and abroad.