Scrappy Roo Victorious in Grade 3 John B. Connally Turf Cup

Scrappy Roo made history April 5 as the first Texas-bred ever to win the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup [G3], held at Sam Houston Race Park.  The competition included graded stakes winners Student Council, Embossed, and Going Ballistic, as well as graded stakes-placed Eighteenthofmarch.  Scrappy Roo held the early lead in the race, was headed twice, and then dug in at the wire to hold off a fast finishing Going Ballistic.  The win was the fifth straight for the five-year-old gelding by Roo Art, out of Dance's Lyph. Scrappy Roo won the Tomball Stakes on February 23, which was his first attempt at stakes competition.  He has now earned $183,280. Congratulations to owner Tawana Cantrell, breeder David Taylor, and trainer John Locke.

Scrappy Roo is full-brother to stakes winner It's Roo, by Roo Art, and half-brother to Hollye Lynne, by Uncle Abbie.  

Multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Roo Art stood at Key Ranch until his death in 2004.

Lil's Lassie latest Stakes Horse for Lil's Lad

Lil's Lassie finished second by a neck in the Wayward Lass Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on March 1.  The five-year-old filly set a new track record for the track in January, running 1 mile 40 yards in 1:40.18.  Lil's Lassie is by Lil's Lad, out of Fivetwentyone, by Metfield. 

From 6 crops of racing age, Lil's Lad has sired 15 stakes horses, including 6 stakes winners, with $4,390,440 in earnings.

Classie Baloo Wins Two Altazano Stakes

Classie Baloo had a dramatic finish in the Two Altazano Stakes, the 3yo leg of the Texas Stallion Stakes Series, on February 16.  The 3yo filly by Uncle Abbie went from last to first in the mile race, making a fantastic move while 4 wide in the last turn and going into the stretch in fourth place.  Classie Baloo won her first start at 2, and finished second in the 2yo Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star Park in 2007.  Congratulations to owner Diane Greiner, breeder Steve Buttieri, and trainer Tony Edison.  

Wrenice is 2007 Texas Champion 3yo Filly

2006 Texas Champion 2yo Filly Wrenice made history again by claiming the title of Texas Champion 3yo Filly for 2007.  Wrenice has earned $389,046 to date, with seven stakes wins and two stakes seconds.  Our heartfelt congratulations go out to owner and breeder Stewart Hamblen of Canyon, Texas.  Wrenice is by Uncle Abbie, out of Slew (by Slewacide).

Wrenice will return to racing action in April after some much deserved time off.

Dixieland Heat to Key Ranch in 2008

Graded Stakes Winner of $426,749, Dixieland Heat (by Dixieland Band, out of Evening Silk, by Damascus) will join the Key Ranch stallion roster in 2008.  The sire of phenomenal XTRA HEAT (Champion 3yo Filly in 2001 and Eclipse Award Winner with earnings of $2,389,635), and COASTALOTA (Texas Champion with earnings of $379,498), Dixieland Band added Dixie Kate and Arctic Heat to his list of stakes horses in 2007.  Currently ranked sixth on the Texas Sires' List, Dixieland Band has an average earnings per starter of over $50,000.

Hollye Lynne takes Martanza Stakes by 7

Hollye Lynne scored in the Martanza Stakes at Sam Houston in December, winning by 7 3/4 lengths.  The 3yo filly is by Uncle Abbie. Congratulations to owner Tawana Cantrell, breeder David Taylor, and trainer John Locke.

UPDATE: Since her stakes win in December, Hollye Lynne has earned two second place finishes at Sam Houston, and finished a close third on April 4, while running against colts and geldings.  Her earnings through April 4 total $94,038.

Key Ranch Stallions in Top Ten

As of April 7, 2008, Dixieland Heat, Uncle Abbie, Lil's Lad, and Roo Art are all among the top ten stallions in Texas.   In 2007, Lil's Lad finished 5th on the Texas Sires' List, and Dixieland Heat was 6th.  Uncle Abbie was the only Texas stallion to be listed in the top 50 National Third Crop Sires' List.