| | By Lauren Stich
Daily Racing Form
LAS VEGAS -- Fantastic Light (by Rahy out of Jood, by Nijinsky II) was impressive winning the Man o' War Stakes on Sept. 9, and if he duplicates that effort in Saturday's Turf Classic, he will be one of the favorites for the Breeders' Cup Turf, along with rising 3-year-old star Ciro (Woodman), and older runners Manndar (Doyoun) and Bienamado (Bien Bien).
|  | | There is every reason to believe that Fantastic Light is the real deal. |
There is every reason to believe that Fantastic Light is the real deal. While no match for a healthy Montjeu in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in July, Fantastic Light showed his high quality by finishing strongly to be second, well clear of the rest of the field. Although his margin of victory was only one length in the Man o' War, Fantastic Light was clearly much the best and could have won by more.
At first glance, it would seem that Fantastic Light would be a miler. Rahy's best runners have been miler types who have sometimes stretched out to longer distances. Until this year, his best male runner was Hawksley Hill, a superior miler on the turf. In fact, Fantastic Light and Hawskley Hill are bred along the same cross.
Fantastic Light is out of a mare by Nijinsky II, while Hawksley Hill is out of a mare by Caerleon, a son of Nijinsky II. But Fantastic Light has many stout influences that may account for his ability to run long. In addition to Nijinsky II, two powerhouse stamina influences, Key to the Mint and Quadrangle, are found up close in Fantastic Light's pedigree.
Until recently, Rahy, like Seeking the Gold, had been a much stronger sire of fillies than colts. But that may be changing. While Rahy had sired male stakes winners Tokio Perfect, Itsarahytune, Howbaddouwantit, Right Revved, Watch the Bird, and Myrmidon, it was his fillies who put Rahy on the map.
Unquestionably, Rahy's finest production thus far has been champion Serena's Song. His other fillies include stakes winners Exotic Wood, Tranquility Lake, Raw Gold, and Mariah's Storm (the dam of European star Giant's Causeway).
A major part of pedigree handicapping is observing changes in pedigree patterns. For example, Cox's Ridge was a highly successful stallion whose runners had a distinct preference for dirt. With few exceptions, they were inferior on the turf. But sons of Cox's Ridge, such as Out of Place and, particularly, Sultry Song, have surprisingly sired many turf winners.
One of these changing patterns is the marked increase in the number of prominent male runners by Rahy. In addition to Fantastic Light, Rahy's notable male stakes winners this year include Early Pioneer, winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup and San Bernardino Handicap. Early Pioneer was also second in the Californian Stakes and Mervyn LeRoy Handicap and third in the Kentucky Cup Classic.
Another Rahy colt, Noverre, is one of the leading 2-year-olds in Europe. He captured the Group 2 Champagne Stakes and his connections have indicated their desire to send him to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, where he would be a fascinating story, because he is a three-quarter-brother to Arazi (Blushing Groom), the breathtaking winner of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Fantastic Light's female family has been a gold mine. Although his dam, Jood, only placed in two starts at 2 and 3 in England and Ireland, she commanded $2 million at the 1990 Keeneland July select yearling sale because of her outstanding female line. Her dam, Kamar, was champion 3-year-old filly in Canada and was 1990 U.S. Broodmare of the Year, producing stakes winners Key to the Moon (champion 3-year-old in Canada), Seaside Attraction (dam of champion 2-year-old filly Golden Attraction and stakes winner Cape Town), Gorgeous, and Hiaam.
Fantastic Light's third dam, Square Angel (Quadrangle), was also champion 3-year-old in Canada, and she produced four stakes winners. In addition to Kamar, her other stakes winners were Dancing On a Cloud (Nijinsky II), Love Smitten (Key to the Mint), and Stellarette (Tentam). Love Smitten produced three stakes winners, including two-time European champion Swain. Stellarette produced stakes winner Cuddles and Nuryette, the dam of Northern Afleet and Tap to Music.
Lastly, and most importantly, Fantastic Light is inbred 5x5 to Almahmoud through her two daughters Cosmah and Natalma. Inbreeding to superior females within five generations through different individuals is known as the Rasmussen Factor or RF, and has resulted in an inordinately high percentage of superior runners. Cafe Latte, winner of the Ramona Handicap and a leading candidate for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, is also inbred to Almahmoud (three times) 5x4x6 and multiple stakes winning 3-year-old filly Gaviola is exquisitely inbred 4x4 to foundation broodmare Blue Canoe. The dam of Fusaichi Pegasus, Angel Fever, is another RF inbred, 4x4, to Almahmoud. | |
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