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SMART STRIKE

Stands for $75,000 live foal at Lane's End

Smart Strike is the stallion of the week, for the week ended Monday, Jan. 18, 2010. That's the day his newly turned son Lookin at Lucky, the unlucky G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile loser, was crowned the champion 2-year-old colt in the US at the annual Eclipse Awards ceremony.

The 18-year-old Smart Strike began his career at $30,000 live foal, was as high as $125,000 in 2009, and has settled at $75,000 for 2010, which in context is a bargain as he was the leading sire in 2007 and 2008 and leading sire by US earnings in 2009.

He has sired a total of 70 SWs, which represents a standout 9 percent SWs from foals at a time when 5 percent is considered good. He went to stud for a $30,000 fee and high expectations but his sales horses were not that well received early on and he endured some spotty years in the sales arena until his runners hit the track. And that’s what Smart Strike has built his considerable reputation on: Racehorse sire. His colts are especially good, and he can get you a champion 2-year-old like Lookin at Lucky, a classic-winning 3-year-old or champion older horse like Curlin, a top grass horse like English Channel, or top sprinters like Fabulous Find and Soaring Free! Interestingly, while Smart Strike’s 62 unrestricted SWs are divided equally between fillies (31) and colts (31), 7 of his 8 G1 winners are colts.

By Mr. Prospector from Classy 'n Smart, by Smarten, Smart Strike won 6 races from 8 starts, including the G1 Philip H. Iselin Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. His half-sister is the champion Danzig mare and Canadian great Dance Smartly.

It's ironic that at this late a stage in the stallion's career, he still doesn't get the full respect he deserves in the sales ring. Take a look at the yearling sales prices of his last two champions: Curlin only made $57,000 as a yearling and Lookin at Lucky was bought back at $35,000.

--eMatings staff