WinStar to be eventual home of Bodemeister

Jun 28, 2012 - 8:13 PM Versailles, KY (Sports Network) - Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister isn't done racing but when he's retired the colt will stand stud at WinStar Farm. The colt's owners Ahmed Zayat and Michel and Tiffany Moreno have formed a partnership with the farm.

"Bodemeister is brilliant by design," said Elliott Walden, WinStar Farm President/CEO and Racing Manager. "The raw speed he shows, combined with his freakish numbers, makes him the best stallion prospect on the market. I can't remember the last time a three-year-old colt ran three straight triple-digit Beyers around two turns before the Kentucky Derby like he did. And he's by leading sire Empire Maker, out of a million-dollar Storm Cat mare. He is truly brilliant by design.

"Bodemeister will be in an advantageous situation when he retires to stud. Mr. Zayat and Mr. Moreno have built quality broodmare bands and are very active in the marketplace. I think breeders will love the fact they start off with three potential bidders on his babies. We are excited about the possibilities and the relationship."

Trained by Bob Baffert, Bodemeister won the Arkansas Derby by 9 1/2 lengths over stablemate Secret Circle at Oaklawn Park. He was the 4-1 Kentucky Derby favorite when he set the pace in the 1 1/4 mile classic before being caught just before the wire by I'll Have Another.

The two colts met again two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes when Bodemeister lost by a neck after setting most of the pace. With the Haskell Invitational next on his schedule, the three-year-old was back on the track last Sunday at Santa Anita Park.

"Bodemeister is a brilliant horse, and this industry needs more sires that can carry their speed a mile-and-a-quarter," said Baffert.

Bodemeister has won two of six career starts for $1,304,800.