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FEATURE STALLION JANUARY 1, 2006 Freshman sire of the year -- everyone is singing his praises by Jordan Strickler Although not number one on the earnings list for freshman sires, SONGANDAPRAYER (Unbridled's Song) has thrown more stakes winners (3) than any other freshman stallion based in North America. To date, he has sired 18 winners from 37 starters who have earned $1,065,578, placing the eight-year-old stallion third on the leading freshman sires list. Songandaprayer's most promising offspring and one of the best two-year-olds in the country passed away in 2005 when What a Song was euthanized in August due to a training injury. The $1.9 million Barretts March sale topper opened his career with a 3 1/4-length victory over maiden rivals, including eventual Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and possible champion two-year-old colt Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even), who ran second. What a Song followed that victory with a close score in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3), once again defeating Stevie Wonderboy, before annexing the Best Pal S. (G2) by 2 3/4 lengths in what turned out to be the juvenile's last race. The perfect colt earned $179,700 during his abbreviated career. He's Got Grit also distinguished himself last season, breaking his maiden at first asking while also setting a new track record at Churchill Downs, completing 4 1/2 furlongs in :50 3/5. The unbeaten dark bay then proceeded to reel off three consecutive stakes successes, including a dominating victory in the Sapling S. (G3) in August, where He's Got Grit came home a resounding 8 1/4 lengths the best. Songandaprayer's leading earner thus far is Stolen Prayer, who has two wins and two seconds from six starts. The chestnut filly annexed the Three Ring S. on December 3 to put her at the top of Songandaprayer's leading earners list with $211,230. Other highlights on Stolen Prayer's resume include runner-up finishes in both the My Dear Girl S. and Joe O'Farrell Juvenile Fillies S. Other notable progeny include Summer S. (G2) third-placer Wedding Singer and Golden Silk, who finished third in the Oak Leaf S. (G2). Over two years of racing, Songandaprayer prevailed in three of eight starts. In his juvenile year, the bay won both his starts, but he opened up his three-year-old campaign with a fifth-place outing in the Holy Bull S. (G3). He improved off that effort in his next outing, annexing the Fountain of Youth S. (G1) over fellow 2005 freshman sire City Zip. Songandaprayer went on to finish second in the Blue Grass S. (G1) to Millennium Wind. After a 13th place outing in the Kentucky Derby (G1), he ended his career with a third-place effort in the Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup H. (G3), retiring with $380,480 in earnings. Songandaprayer stood his first three seasons in Florida for $10,000, but will stand the 2006 breeding season at Walmac Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, for a live foal fee of $35,000.
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