Congaree's first winners score Father's Day double

Multiple Grade 1 star and $3.2 million earner CONGAREE (Arazi) received a Father's Day present courtesy of his juvenile colt For All Who Conga, who became

his freshman sire's first winner on Sunday at Calder. Just about 90 minutes

later at Louisiana Downs, another Congaree two-year-old, Zigaree, gave his sire

a quick double by landing his debut as well.

A first-time starter

trained by William White, For All Who Conga raced within striking distance in

the early going, delivered his challenge in the stretch, and swept to a 2

1/2-length tally beneath Wesley Henry Sr. The bay colt stopped the teletimer in

1:13 3/5 for the fast-track, six-furlong event, which was

carded as the 1ST race.

Zigaree tracked the pace, took a slim lead in midstretch, and showed terrific

resolve to prevail by a neck in the 3RD race at the Bossier City, Louisiana,

oval. With Randall Toups aboard, the Brandon Marks pupil completed five furlongs

on a fast track in :59.

Congaree, a homebred campaigned by Stonerside Stable, rapidly established

himself as one of the leading lights of his generation. As a sophomore in 2001,

the Bob Baffert charge captured his first two outings by a combined 13 lengths,

followed by an emphatic score in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) in his stakes debut.

Congaree ran a brave race in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to finish a battling third

behind Monarchos, whom he had beaten in the Wood Memorial, after being involved in the scorching pace. He likewise placed third in the

Preakness S. (G1), but rebounded with a four-length stroll in the Swaps S. (G1)

next time out.

At four, Congaree added the Cigar Mile H. (G1), Del Mar Breeders' Cup H. (G2) and Lone Star

Park H. (G3) to his resume, cementing his position as a premier miler. He was to

enhance his reputation still further as a five-year-old. In addition to

garnering the seven-furlong Carter H. (G1), and defending his title in the Cigar

Mile, the strapping chestnut successfully carried his speed 1 1/4 miles in the

Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). Congaree also claimed the San Antonio H. (G2) and

San Pasqual H. (G2), while just missing in the Santa Anita H. (G1). He retired

with a record of 25-12-2-4, $3,267,490, having won or placed in a total of 16

stakes.

Congaree is the first foal from the Grade 1-placed Mari's Sheba (Mari's

Book), and his fourth dam is Long Look (*Ribot), heroine of the 1965 Oaks at

Epsom and runner-up in the Irish Oaks.

The 10-year-old stallion stands at Adena Springs near Paris, Kentucky, for

$15,000, live foal.