WinStar sells interest in Sidney's Candy to Argentinean stable

WinStar sells interest in Sidney's Candy to Argentinean

stable

WinStar Farm, which recently purchased Grade 1 star SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy

Ride [Arg]), has sold an interest in the four-year-old colt to the

Argentina-based Rubio B Stable. The brilliant chestnut will race for the

partnership until his retirement following the 2011 racing season.

Plans call for Sidney's Candy to enter stud in 2012 at WinStar near

Versailles Kentucky, and then shuttle to Ricardo Benedicto's Haras La Pasion in

Argentina for the 2012 Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

"Rubio B has acquired a significant interest in Sidney's Candy, and he will

shuttle to Haras La Pasion in Argentina after his initial season at WinStar,"

said Elliott Walden, WinStar President/CEO & Racing Manager.

"We've been impressed with Haras La Pasion for a long time and like what they

bring to the table. They're a leader in Argentina and have a great program. So

we're thrilled to be working with one of the best that South America has to

offer, and it's especially important that we happen to share the same passion

for Sidney's Candy and his great potential."

Earlier this month, Sidney's Candy was acquired by WinStar and turned over to

trainer Todd Pletcher, who is pointing the colt for several marquee races the

second half of the year. Antonio Bullrich and John Fulton helped consummate the

deal between WinStar and Rubio B, a perennial leading Thoroughbred owner in

Argentina.

"Candy Ride is special to Argentina because he was the best horse to ever

leave the country," Benedicto said of Haras La Pasion, which is located in the

Providence of Buenos Aires. "Sidney's Candy is his best son, and we're excited

about our relationship with WinStar."

Sidney's Candy has compiled a 13-6-4-0 record with $953,560 in earnings,

reflecting five graded stakes wins on dirt, turf and synthetics, and two track

record-setting performances. The Craig Family Trust homebred was trained by John

Sadler prior to his sale.

At two, Sidney's Candy broke his maiden in track-record time over Del Mar's

Polytrack when speeding 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.71. During the first half of his

three-year-old campaign, he captured the San Vicente S. (G2) and San Felipe S.

(G2) and romped by 4 1/2 lengths in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Later that

summer, Sidney's Candy dominated the La Jolla H. (G2) on the turf at Del Mar,

blitzing 1 1/16 miles in a course-record in 1:39.52. He concluded 2010 with a 7

1/4-length conquest of the Sir Beaufort S. (G3), which was transferred to the

main dirt track at Santa Anita.

Sidney's Candy has finished second in both of his starts this season at

Hollywood Park, in the May 7 Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) over the Cushion Track and in

the May 28 American H. (G2) on turf. The August 6 Whitney H. (G1) at Saratoga

has been mentioned as a possible first outing for his new connections.