Wilgerbosdrift’s well bred young sire Fire Away hails from an outstanding female line, and this female line received yet another boost when high-class three-year-old Major Dude won the G3 Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream on Saturday afternoon.
Winner of the G2 Pilgrim Stakes at two, Major Dude showed his well being when storming home on Saturday to claim his second graded win by one and a half lengths.Major Dude got an ideal trip under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and powered through the stretch to overtake pacesetting stablemate Dude N Colorado and capture Saturday’s $175,000 Kitten’s Joy (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Candidate, unbeaten in three previous turf starts including the Jan. 7 Dania Beach at Gulfstream over Major Dude, got up to be second ahead of Dude N Colorado. They were followed by Boppy O, Souzak, Congruent, Lights of Broadway, and Moon Cat.
The winner made his first three starts on dirt last summer, running third in the Sapling at Monmouth Park. He won the Pilgrim (G2) at Aqueduct in his turf debut and has remained on grass since, finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and second in the Dania Beach.
A son of Bolt D’Oro, Major Dude is out of the stakes placed Distorted Humor mare Mary Rita, whose granddam is the unbeaten champion Personal Ensign, the granddam of Fire Away.
The latter has made a great start to his stud career, with Fire Away’s first five runners headed by impressive winners Fire ‘N Flames and Luna Halo.
The son of War Front has six lots on offer at this month’s Cape Yearling Sale.