Pedigree fun facts: 2022 American Pharoah Stakes

Cave Rock gets his precocity from his dam, Georgie’s Angel, who romped in her 4 1/2-furlong debut at Churchill Downs and scored in the 2011 Schuylerville (G3) at Saratoga. Georgie’s Angel is a daughter of Bellamy Road, who ran off to a 17 1/4-length rout of the Wood Memorial (G1) that made him the 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite. Tiring to seventh after a pace war in the Run for the Roses, Bellamy Road came back to finish second in the Travers (G1). 

Three of Cave Rock’s rivals are also by stallions who were unraced at two, but developed into champions at three. Gandolfini is from the first crop of 2018 Triple Crown sweeper Justify; Skinner is by Hall of Famer Curlin; and Hejazi is a son of Bernardini. 

Those sires all progressed rapidly to make an impact in the classics, with Bernardini (2006) and Curlin (2007) both winning the Preakness (G1). Arrogate blossomed later to win the 2016 Travers and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) along with the 2017 Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1).

Gandolfini is out of a stakes-placed mare by Simon Pure, an obscure sire but a Grade 2-placed performer with famous parents. Simon Pure is by the successful Silver Deputy and out of two-time champion Life’s Magic, winner of the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Skinner was produced by Grade 3-winning sprinter Winding Way, herself a full sister to multiple Grade 2 heroine Kauai Katie. Both mares are by A.P. Indy’s son Malibu Moon, sire of Gormley who captured this race in 2016 when it was called the FrontRunner.

Hejazi, a $3.55 million juvenile purchase, is from the immediate family of one-eyed Rebel (G2) upsetter Un Ojo. Hejazi’s broodmare sire, Medaglia d’Oro, is responsible for 2017 FrontRunner star Bolt d’Oro.

Also out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare is National Treasure, a close relative of Breeders’ Futurity (G1) entrant Carmel Road. His sire, Quality Road, is bidding for his second straight winner of this race after 2021 champ Corniche. 

Macnamara’s sire, Union Rags, was a top juvenile of 2011 who crowned his career in the 2012 Belmont (G1). Macnamara is a half-brother to 2016 Test (G1) upsetter Paola Queen. Their dam, multiple stakes winner Kadira, placed third in the 2008 Honeybee (G3) to Eight Belles and Pure Clan. Kadira is a daughter of Kafwain, winner of the 2002 edition of this race under its original name, the Norfolk. 

Man Child is a son of Creative Cause, the 2011 Norfolk winner. Himself by Giant’s Causeway and out of Grade 1-winning millionaire Dream of Summer, Creative Cause is a full brother to Destin, the 2016 Belmont near-misser, and Vexatious, who toppled champion Midnight Bisou in the 2020 Personal Ensign (G1).

Odonata is out of a mare by Freud, a full brother to “Iron Horse” Giant’s Causeway. Odonata’s sire, Laoban, is by champion Uncle Mo, who is responsible for a memorable FrontRunner winner in Nyquist. After scoring in the 2015 edition of this race, Nyquist would turn the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile/Kentucky Derby double.