First starter becomes first winner for G1 winner Wicked Strong

Secretly Wicked, Wicked Strong’s first ever starter, wins on debut at Keeneland | Coady photo

Spendthrift Farm freshman sire Wicked Strong was represented by his first winner in the opener Sunday at Keeneland when his two-year-old filly Secretly Wicked won on debut in a $60,000 Maiden Special Weight race WATCH.

Owned and trained by Jack Hancock, the chestnut filly overhauled the pacesetter on the turn and proved best in the stretch of the 4 ½-furlong race, turning back all challenges to win by a half-length. She stopped the clock in 54.05 seconds over the Keeneland main track, earning $36,000 for the victory.

Bred in Kentucky by Nancy Shuford, Secretly Wicked is out of the Congrats mare Secret Congrats.

Wicked Strong, whose winning time of 1:49.31 remains the fastest in the Wood Memorial (G1) since 2005, retired to Spendthrift as Hard Spun’s most accomplished son at stud with earnings of $1,994,460.

His first crop of two-year-olds have sold for up to $425,000 already at this year’s two-year-olds-in-training sales.

Wicked Strong, who’s standing 2019 for a fee of $7,500 S&N, is one of six freshman sires that are participating in the “Safe Bet” program – Spendthrift’s new breeding program for 2019.

For more information about Wicked Strong or the Safe Bet program, please visit SpendthriftFarm.com/SafeBet or SpendthriftFarm.com/WickedStrong, or contact Des, Mark, or Brian at 859-294-0030.