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Kantharos to stand at Vinery in Florida

Kantharos will join Vinery's Florida stallion band (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography) Undefeated juvenile KANTHAROS (Lion Heart) will stand at Vinery near Summerfield, Florida, for 2011, according to an announcement made by Vinery President Tom Ludt. "We think the breeders in Florida will love Kantharos," Ludt said. "He is an attractive individual with a very viable pedigree. It was apparent to anyone who saw him that he had talent -- he won his three races by nearly 30 lengths." Raced by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and trained by Steve Asmussen, Kantharos marked himself early on as one of the best two-year-olds on the East Coast this year. He scintillating 7 1/4-length victory in the Saratoga Special S. (G2) was his third win in as many starts and his second graded score. Kantharos launched his racing career in May at Churchill Downs when he romped to an 11 3/4-length win as the even-money favorite. After a seven-week layoff, he made his next start in Churchill's Bashford Manor S. (G3), where he turned in another eye-popping performance while running away from the field to win by 9 1/2 lengths.

The colt was retired after suffering a career-ending injury while galloping out during a workout at Saratoga on August 30. A press release sent out by Stonestreet Stable described the injury as a fracture, but no specific details were provided.

"Kantharos was an amazing talent," Asmussen said. "It's as if he came into the barn already knowing what to do. You hear people say a horse has 'unlimited potential,' but in the case of Kantharos I believe it's true."

Bred in Kentucky by Hedberg Hall Inc., Kantharos sold for $80,000 as a Keeneland September yearling before going to Jackson as a $250,000 OBS March two-year-old.

He is out of the winning Contessa Halo (Southern Halo), making him a half-brother to Grade 3 victor Ikigai (Whywhywhy) as well as an Speightstown weanling filly. Also hailing from this family are Grade 1 winners First Samurai (Giant's Causeway) and A Huevo (Cool Joe), this year's Strub S. (G2) victor Jeranimo (Congaree) and Grade 3 vixen Sky Blue Pink (Strawberry Road [Aus]).

Kantharos will stand for $5,000, stands and nurses. For more information contact Declan Doyle at Vinery Florida 352-307-8485.

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