Northern Afleet

STALLION OF THE WEEK

JULY 30

by Jennifer Caldwell

Northern Afleet leaves his mark

It was only a matter of time before NORTHERN AFLEET (Afleet)

had his first graded stakes winner. On Thursday, Afleet Alex gave

his sire that much anticipated first victory when taking the

Sanford S. (G2) at Saratoga in stakes record time. The juvenile

colt, who is now perfect from three lifetime starts, just did

what seems to come natural to Northern Afleet foals -- he won.

Northern Afleet displayed the same winning attitude during

four seasons of racing, taking the San Fernando Breeders' Cup S.

(G2), San Carlos H. (G2) and San Diego H. (G3) in 1997. That year

also saw him finishing a close third, just a length back of

winner Langfuhr, in the Metropolitan H. (G1). He retired in 1998

with $626,670 in earnings from a 21-5-3-5 career mark.

A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Tap To Music (Pleasant Tap),

Northern Afleet is out of the unraced Nureyev mare Nuryette. The

18-year-old mare is herself a half to 1990 Hollywood Starlet S.

(G1) victress, Cuddles (Mr. Prospector).

Northern Afleet has produced three crops of racing age so far.

His foals have shown an affinity for finishing first, doing so at

a 40 percent rate.

Among the bay horse's most successful offspring is

Unforgettable Max, who captured two starts as a juvenile before

taking on graded rivals as a three-year-old. The bay colt, a full brother to the

Sanford winner, posted

his closest finish against stakes company in the Discovery H.

(G3), only a nose back of multiple Grade 2 victor During

(Cherokee Run).

Unforgettable Max actually finished first in the Frisk Me Now

S. earlier this year, but was disqualified to fifth. So far this

season he has placed in the General George H. (G2), Tom Fool H.

(G2), Jim McKay Breeders' Cup H. and Salvator Mile H. (G3), with

the last coming on Sunday.

Northern Afleet is also represented by the sophomore Saint

Afleet, who captured the Sunshine Millions Dash S. at Santa

Anita, and this year's Brooks Field S. hero, Native Hawk. To

date, his progeny have earned $2,620,182.

The nine-year-old stallion's foals are a bargain in the sales

rings. Last year saw two weanlings sell for an average $11,500

and seven yearlings go for an average $14,986. For this year,

three yearlings have brought an average of $7,667. His

two-year-olds do sell for a bit more, with a lifetime total of 16

juveniles bringing an average of $65,844.

Northern Afleet, who is the co-leading second crop sire by

stakes winners in Florida, stands at Double Diamond Farm near

Ocala in the Sunshine State for a live foal fee of $5,000.