Grade I winner of $2,533,910 possessing immense speed,
great heart, and superb looks, Flower Alley is the best son at
stud by one of the world's best stallions.
Racing for Eugene Melnyk's Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
and trained by Todd Pletcher, Flower Alley consistently
competed at the highest levels, making 10 of 14 starts in
races worth at least $500,000.
A May foal, he placed in his only start at two, over
six furlongs. He easily took his first start at three, a
one-mile maiden special at Gulfstream, where he was
tested throughout.
His next start and win came in the $500,000 Lane's End
S.-G2, a signature prep for the Kentucky Derby. Racing over
a muddy track for the first time, Flower Alley powered to the
lead with 100 yards to go, despite steadying at the quarter pole.
Three weeks later, Flower Alley was second in the
$1,000,000 Arkansas Derby-G2 to eventual three-year-old
champion Afleet Alex, while earning a career best Beyer.
In the Kentucky Derby, Flower Alley got caught up in the
brutal early pace, and finished a respectable ninth. In fact,
Flower Alley finished higher than any runner who was first,
second or third through the first three quarters of the race.
Flower Alley re-emerged July 4 in the Dwyer S.-G2 at
Belmont, running a bang-up second to Roman Ruler,
while posting yet another career high Beyer.
Three weeks later Flower Alley won the $500,000 Jim
Dandy S.-G2 at Saratoga. Giving four to six pounds to
the entire field, he took command after a half mile, and
cruised home by 5 1/4 lengths. His 112 Beyer was the
second best by any three-year-old beyond a mile. Afleet
Alex, in the Preakness, only matched that number.
Flower Alley went into the $1,000,000 Travers S.-G1,
racing's "Midsummer Derby" with confidence and momen-
tum. Grade I winner Bellamy Road bounded to an early
lead, then slowed down the pace for the half mile. Under
jockey John Velazquez, Flower Alley moved to challenge,
forcing a testing six furlongs of 1:10.92.
The two colts battled neck and neck down the Saratoga
stretch, until Flower Alley shook clear for a 2-1/2 length
victory. Final time was 2:02.76, and Flower Alley earned
his third consecutive Triple Digit Beyer.
Flower Alley closed out his sophomore season with a
monster effort in the $4,000,000 Breeders' Cup Classic-G1.
Facing nine other millionaires and six other G1 winners,
Flower Alley ran second by just a length to Horse of the
Year Saint Liam, whose winning time was 2:01.49. The
closest three-year-old was seven lengths back.
His 111 Beyer from the Classic made him the only colt in
his crop to run 110 or higher three times around two turns.
Flower Alley was an Eclipse Award finalist, and ranked
second to Afleet Alex among intermediate Three-Year-Olds
on dirt by World Thoroughbred Rankings.
After 10 tough races in 11 months, Flower Alley was
given time off, and came back strong in the Salvator
Mile-G3 in June at Monmouth Park. Once again utilizing
his superior tactical speed, Flower Alley drove to a 3 1/4
length victory in 1:35.87.
Flower Alley is the best son at stud by Distorted Humor,
one of the world's pre-eminent sires. In just seven crops,
Distorted Humor has sired 79 stakes winners and earners
of $62-million.
Flower Alley is from a family that features both speed and
classic influences. His dam is a half sister to a champion
two-year-old; his second dam is by Sadler's Wells; his third
is by *Vaguely Noble; and his fourth dam is a half sister to
Chef de Race Lyphard.
Flower Alley is an exceptionally handsome horse
with a high turn of speed, great heart, and a pedigree
suited to dirt and turf. He bred full books of fine mares
his first three seasons at stud, and his first sale weanlings
averaged a healthy $49,857.
The first yearlings by Flower Alley sold in 2009, and they
were well received, bringing $200,000, $150,000,
$100,000, etc. Buyers include some of the nation's most
astute horsemen, including Ken McPeek, Jim Crupi, Dick
Schosberg, Niall Brennan, Fred Seitz, George and Lori Hall,
Cheyenne Stables, and Barry Berkelhammer.
