Crawford Farms’ evolved vision on full display at Lexington

by Matthew Lomon

Crawford Farms’ path to prominence in the standardbred sphere has been defined by determination, and the expectation that a place among the industry’s elite breeding operations was always within reach.

“Absolutely,” said Michelle Crawford. “We had a vision, and we have done a lot of homework, and we have evolved – I think our consignment shows that year after year.

“I’m extremely proud of our broodmares, our lines and the offspring. I’m very excited about what we’re bringing to Lexington this year, especially on opening night.”

Ready to showcase 43 yearlings, Crawford Farms’ sales roster is so deep that the outfit had more to offer but had to be selective with the Lexington Sale moving from a five-day event to four.

“We’re doing a few in Harrisburg this year for the first time,” Crawford said.

However, the award-winning breeder isn’t sweating Lexington’s condensed schedule.

“My hope, and my thought, is if it’s any reflection of Keeneland [September Yearling Sale for thoroughbreds] and the numbers they’re doing over there — I know it’s different — but I’m hoping the industry trend overall is up and I think with a four-day sale you’re going to have everyone in attendance and on point because there’s only four days… I think the sale will be very strong from start to finish this year.”

The premier breeding and racing farm with locations in Manlius, NY, and Versailles, KY, returns to neighboring Lexington at the right time for several of its yearlings, including Hip #28 Devi and Hip #111 Ubeautiful, whose superstar siblings Brandon Blvd and Seaside Ubeaut, respectively, recorded major Kentucky Sire Stakes victories on Sunday (Sept. 20) at The Red Mile.

“Brandon Blvd [Downbytheseaside—Alexis Faith] winning the Kentucky championship was a huge bonus with a Huntsville filly out of Alexis Faith [Hip #28 Devi] selling opening night,” Crawford said.

“I think that result is going to bring an extra-large spotlight, which I’m not certain you need since Alexis Faith has been a 100 per cent producer, but I think that’s definitely going to amplify her.

“Seaside Ubeaut also won her final for 2-year-old pacing fillies Sunday evening, and we have a Captaintreacherous filly sister [Hip #111 Ubeautiful] selling opening night that we own with Burke Racing because we own Warrawee Ubeaut with them. I think that’s going to highlight her, too.”

Joining the pacing fillies on Crawford’s Day 1 watchlist is a Tactical Landing trotting filly out of Bill’s Lady.

“We have a full sister to Mambacita [Hip #36 Elietta] that I think is going to be even more exciting,” Crawford said. “She’s selling opening night and she’s fabulous. I think looking at a really stunning full sister to Mambacita, who’s earned in excess of a million dollars, is going to be exciting for somebody.

“I think those three fillies alone are going to be spectacular for us for opening night.”

Boasting value across the board, Crawford Farms’ latest Lexington lineup is flush with under-the-radar prospects.

“The Sans Defaut by Chapter Seven [Hip #600 Agassi] is a little bit later in the sale just because she’s had some bad luck with one of her first that sold was injured and never raced.

“This colt was fabulous in the chute. I’ve watched him grow up, and he’s really nice, and that’s the family of Southwind Frank. I think that he might be flying under the radar because he’s so late in the sale, but I think that’s a really nice colt.

“There’s a first foal that’s a little bit later, out of Californiaglow [Hip #182 Cali York], and it’s a Captain Corey. He is stunning. He’s probably one of the nicest horses we have in the sale. Captain Corey is coming on strong… He produces winners, and he produces stakes horses.”

Crawford is also bullish on a pair of “spectacular” Sweet Lou fillies, one out of Sandbetweenurtoes [Hip #339 Sandytozmakemehapy] and another from Stonebridge Soul [Hip #624 Taconic].

Rounding out Crawford Farms’ formidable catalog is a quartet of trotters — three fillies, one colt — by world champion Crazy Wow: Hip #401 Antonia Blu, Hip #580 Ophelia Blush, Hip #581 Sawyer Blu, and Hip #740 Bourbon Jack (colt).

“We have a couple of really nice Crazy Wows,” Crawford said. “He has his biggest book selling this year. He’ll stand next year, and we’ll see how it goes, but for a horse that’s been bred to mediocre mares, he always produces stakes winners.”

From one to 43, Crawford Farms has something for every buyer.

“I’m excited about a lot of the yearlings in our consignment,” she said. “I think it’s going to be pretty strong overall.”