Stallion Spotlight on Handsome Man

Handsome Man is an eight-year-old bay stallion standing at Hopeful Farm and this will be his fourth year standing at stud. He has produced 18 foals - 10 colts and 8 fillies - over the past three years, with 6 of them at racing age.

Handsome Man is a name that many players may never have heard of, except as some old champion who was retired to stud. But it was a name that was known by many in a not too distant past.

Handsome Man amassed a record of 43:10-16-11 with $3,792,500. Not as great as some stallions that we may see, but still a very good record all around. In fact, this stallion raced on the board over 86% of the time, in fact, he placed out of the money only 4 times in his 3 year campaign; meaning he ran in the money over 93% of the time.

At 3 years old Handsome Man ran under MillarBrooke's colors and made $1,210,000 in 17 starts, not too bad for a colt who trainers claimed would be too immature at 3.

After MillarBrooke's owner and trainer disappeared, Handsome Man came to Hopeful Farm in 2004, a newly opened stable. He was raced only 10 times that year, from 5 furlongs to 10 furlongs and even managed a track record. It was clear that this young colt was starting to hit his peak, amassing a record of 10:1-5-3 with $1,076,250 in G1 and G2 company.

With his win in the G1 Lightning Stakes, and placings in G1 races, Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Handicap, Breeder's Cup Sprint, and Hong Kong Sprint (and nomination for Eclipse Sprinter of the Year) the owner/trainer at Hopeful Farm was starting to learn the dyanamo of a sprinter that she had in her barn.

But this star sprinter could also run and place in races with top competition up to 10 furlongs. In the G1 Pacific Classic, this bay four year old ran second to legend Revenge, less than 2 furlongs behind the great champion with a time of 1:59.66 - a very good time, especially for this champion sprinter.

In 2005, Hopeful Farm made the decision to run Handsome Man in races under a mile. Racing 12 times, Handsome Man won 6, came home second 3 times, showed third once, and placed fourth once as well, with just under $1.5 million dollars in earnings. That year Handsome Man won 2 out of 3 legs of the Sprinter's Triple Crown, and broke the world record for 5.5F on the turf in G1 The Galaxy with a time of 1:03.0.

But what about his success as a breeding stallion?

Handsome Man currently has 6 racers from his 1st crop at stud, and three of them have made their racing debuts.

Most notably is HANDSOMELY KEPT, the filly out of Safely Kept (bred and owned by Hoepful Farm). This filly won her debut race, the UG Grimcrack Stakes - 6 furlongs on turf - by 6 lengths. Handsome Man has another 2 year old winner in HANDSOME PROBLEM - another Hopeful Farm foal - the colt out of Soviety Problem. In his first race the colt placed 3rd, and in his last race (Madien at 5.5F) he won by 5 lengths. Handsome Man's other racer a filly bred and trained at History's Own HANDSOME IMAGE recently ran 4th in the G3 Natalma Stakes.

Overall his progeny has a record of 5:2-0-1-1, not bad for a young group of 2 year olds who should get better with age. Chelsey, owner and trainer at Hopeful Farm, said that another Handsome Man baby should be making his debut soon, but that not all of Handsome Man 2006 crop may not see the racing ovals as 2 year olds.

According to training reports from Hopeful Farm, Handsome Man has produced a long distance loving yearling who may be their next Kentucky Derby hopeful. So keep your eyes open for this highly toted colt.

STUD FEE: $10,000 ($5,000 New Stables)
Contact: Hopeful Farm

Ability Report for horse Handsome Man

Handsome Man, bay colt
By Manila out of Beautiful Pleasure by Maudlin

This horse will mature slowly, in time for the later handicap season.
This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.
This horse will be immature at Derby time, likely overpowered by more mature horses.
This horse is ok on hard dirt.
This horse is ok on soft dirt.
This horse is poor in mud.
This horse is ok on hard turf.
This horse is ok on soft turf.
This horse shows average fight if challenged at the wire.
This horse is of average soundness.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse has average curve handling abilities.
This horse cruises once it has the lead.
This horse handles traffic ok.
This horse has consistency problems.
Doesn't always meet expectations.
This horse has an average recovery rate between races.
This horse has average weight carrying capacity.
This horse is a front runner.
This horse accelerates like a bullet!
This horse breaks well out of the gate.
This horse has good speed. Could set records.
Handles 5f to 1.25mi, best distance 1 1/8mi.