Multiple Grade 1 star and $2 million earner BORREGO (El Prado [Ire]) was
represented by his first starter and winner Saturday when Nina Fever romped in
the 1ST
race at Keeneland. Dispatched as the 8-5 favorite with Robby Albarado, the
Wesley Ward filly dueled early, put her pace rival away, and stormed home by
eight lengths. Nina Fever, a $32,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase,
completed 4 1/2 Polytrack furlongs in :51 to get her freshman sire off the mark.
Borrego captured two of four starts as a juvenile and finished runner-up in
five stakes at three. In addition to chasing eventual dual classic winner Smarty
Jones in the 2004 Arkansas Derby (G2), the Beau Greely charge recorded
second-place efforts in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Super Derby (G2), Sham S. and
El Cajon S. After placing in the 2005 Santa Anita H. (G1), Hollywood Gold Cup
(G1) and Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) in the first half of his four-year-old campaign,
Borrego reached his peak.
The flashy chestnut drove to victory in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar,
defeating handicap stalwarts Perfect Drift and Lava Man. Next time out, Borrego
rolled to a 4 1/2-length triumph in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont
Park over the likes of Suave, Sun King and Flower Alley.
Borrego retired with $2,052,090 in earnings from his 20-5-6-2 line. He is out
of the Strike the Gold mare Sweet as Honey, who is herself a half-sister to
Canadian champion two-year-old male Truth of It All (Proud Truth) and multiple
Grade 1 heroine I Ain’t Bluffing (Pine Bluff). With his fourth dam being
champion juvenile filly Smart Deb (Dedicate), Borrego hails from a productive
family that includes current stakes performers Privilaged (Southern Image) and
Kelly Leak (Runaway Groom).
The nine-year-old stallion stands at Wintergreen Stallion Station near
Midway, Kentucky, for $10,000, live foal.