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Sidney's Candy to race for WinStar, Pletcher

Last updated: 6/7/11 3:14 PM

Sidney's Candy could make a major impact on the East Coast

for new trainer Todd Pletcher

(Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

Grade 1 winner SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) has been purchased by a

partnership headed by WinStar Farm and turned over to trainer Todd Pletcher for

the remainder of the colt's racing career. The four-year-old will be pointed for

major races on the East Coast, and he'll race in the colors of WinStar Farm.

Sidney's Candy will stand at WinStar upon retirement.

"It's an exciting time when you can add a horse like Sidney's Candy to the

racing stable, and eventually to the WinStar stallion roster," said Elliott

Walden, WinStar President and Racing Manager. "He's one of the truly brilliant

horses in racing when you consider what he's accomplished. He's run a mile in

1:33 3/5 on the dirt, and won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. Not

many horses of this generation have his versatility or speed. He has been first

or second in 52 out of 60 points of call so far in his racing career, which

shows you he is not only fast but can carry it around two turns. He's truly an

impressive horse and we feel fortunate to have him."

A five-time graded stakes winner, Sidney's Candy was considered by most as a

leading contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1) a year ago after sweeping the San

Vicente S. (G2), San Felipe S. (G2) and Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita. In the

latter, he defeated two-time champion Lookin at Lucky.

As a two-year-old, Sidney's Candy set a Del Mar track record breaking his

maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs, stopping the clock in 1:02 3/5 over the Polytrack. In

his first start on turf last summer, he established another Del Mar course

record while easily winning the La Jolla H. (G2), running 1 1/16 miles in 1:39

2/5. In his final start at three, Sidney's Candy dominated in the Sir Beaufort

S. (G3), which has been his only try over a fast dirt track. He zipped through

three-quarters in 1:08 2/5 before finishing strongly to stop the clock in 1:33

3/5 for a mile.

Sidney's Candy holds a record of 13-6-4-0 with earnings of $953,560 to date.

He's run second both starts this season, missing by 1 1/4 lengths in the May 7

Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) and a nose in the May 28 American H. (G2).

He hails from the Storm Cat mare Fair Exchange, and his second dam is

three-time Grade 1 winner and millionaire Exchange (Explodent). He was bred by

the late Sidney Craig and Jenny Craig, who previously campaigned Sidney's Candy

with trainer John Sadler.

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