Multiple Grade 1 star and $3.2 million earner CONGAREE (Arazi) received a Father’s Day present courtesy of his juvenile colt For All Who Conga, who became
his freshman sire’s first winner on Sunday at Calder. Just about 90 minutes
later at Louisiana Downs, another Congaree two-year-old, Zigaree, gave his sire
a quick double by landing his debut as well.
A first-time starter
trained by William White, For All Who Conga raced within striking distance in
the early going, delivered his challenge in the stretch, and swept to a 2
1/2-length tally beneath Wesley Henry Sr. The bay colt stopped the teletimer in
1:13 3/5 for the fast-track, six-furlong event, which was
carded as the 1ST race.
Zigaree tracked the pace, took a slim lead in midstretch, and showed terrific
resolve to prevail by a neck in the 3RD race at the Bossier City, Louisiana,
oval. With Randall Toups aboard, the Brandon Marks pupil completed five furlongs
on a fast track in :59.
Congaree, a homebred campaigned by Stonerside Stable, rapidly established
himself as one of the leading lights of his generation. As a sophomore in 2001,
the Bob Baffert charge captured his first two outings by a combined 13 lengths,
followed by an emphatic score in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) in his stakes debut.
Congaree ran a brave race in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to finish a battling third
behind Monarchos, whom he had beaten in the Wood Memorial, after being involved in the scorching pace. He likewise placed third in the
Preakness S. (G1), but rebounded with a four-length stroll in the Swaps S. (G1)
next time out.
At four, Congaree added the Cigar Mile H. (G1), Del Mar Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) and Lone Star
Park H. (G3) to his resume, cementing his position as a premier miler. He was to
enhance his reputation still further as a five-year-old. In addition to
garnering the seven-furlong Carter H. (G1), and defending his title in the Cigar
Mile, the strapping chestnut successfully carried his speed 1 1/4 miles in the
Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). Congaree also claimed the San Antonio H. (G2) and
San Pasqual H. (G2), while just missing in the Santa Anita H. (G1). He retired
with a record of 25-12-2-4, $3,267,490, having won or placed in a total of 16
stakes.
Congaree is the first foal from the Grade 1-placed Mari’s Sheba (Mari’s
Book), and his fourth dam is Long Look (*Ribot), heroine of the 1965 Oaks at
Epsom and runner-up in the Irish Oaks.
The 10-year-old stallion stands at Adena Springs near Paris, Kentucky, for
$15,000, live foal.