Accelerate and Canadian content

While Enable’s victory in the Breeders Cup Turf surely was the defining moment at this

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ACCELERATE
photo: Darron Cummings AP

year’s equine extravaganza, Accelerate’s win in the Classic was a great achievement, and on many fronts.

But it sure wasn’t a shoe-in.  Initially the chestnut colt refused to enter the starting gate.  In the early stages of the race he appeared mired mid-pack, but eventually, with mud caked to his determined muzzle, Accelerate emerged triumphant and gave trainer, John Sadler, his first Breeders Cup win in 45 tries.[image error]

Strolling through Accelerate’s family tree Canadians will find a small herd of familiar names.  Accelerate’s sire, Looking at Lucky, is a son of a Canadian stallion, Smart Strike and his dam, Private Feeling, is a Northern Dancer granddaughter.  We also find another Canadian stallion, Icecapade, in her pedigree, hence the great Thoroughbred patriarch, Canada’s Nearctic sprinkled throughout.

Accelerate’s dam, Issues, is a daughter of Canadian stallion Awesome Again.  Winner of the Classic back in ’98, Awesome Again is a son a Canadian champion, Deputy Minister, and he, of course, traces back to one our all time great Canadian champions, Bunty Lawless.