WinStar Farm captured its second classic for 2010 when Drosselmeyer won the G1 Belmont Stakes in New York on Saturday. WinStar had claimed the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) in May.
Drosselmeyer (3c Distorted Humor – Golden Ballet by Moscow Ballet) gave trainer Bill Mott his first Triple Crown triumph when he rallied down the outside to defeat Fly Down (Mineshaft) and First Dude (Stephen Got Even).
Mott did reveal he had already saddled a Belmont Stakes winner when quizzed by reporters as jockey Mike Smith brought his colt back to the enclosure. “People may not know it, but this is my second Belmont winner. I actually saddled Victory Gallop in 1998 Belmont for Elliot Walden when he had a broken leg.”
Drosselmeyer was bred by Aaron and Marie Jones in Kentucky and was sold for $600,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was placed at Saratoga, Belmont and Keeneland last year before breaking his maiden by six lengths at Churchill Downs. He returned this term to win at Gulfstream Park in January 31 and then stepped up to stakes company for placings in the G2 Louisiana Derby and G2 Dwyer Stakes.
Drosselmeyer is by Distorted Humor who stood two seasons at Independent Stallions in Victoria in 1999 and 2000. The best of his Australian stock was G1 SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink.
His G1 winners in North America includes Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide and Any Given Saturday. The latter also won at G2 level in the Dwyer Stakes and now shuttles to Darley Australia. He will stand his third season at Darley’s Victorian base at Northwood Park for a $13,750 fee this year.
Drosselmeyer’s dam Golden Ballet was a G1 winner of the 2001 Santa Anita Oaks and Las Virgenes Stakes. She also foaled Stage Luck (Unbridled’s Song), a Listed winner of the Affectionately Hcp at Aqueduct.
WinStar Farm’s Elliott Walden woouldn’t be drawn into who he considers is the better colt between Super Saver and Drosselmeyer. “It’s hard to really differentiate between them until we get into the Haskell and the Travers and the Breeder’s Cup Classic,” he said. “Super Saver is doing great and he will get an opportunity to redeem himself.”