It is still very early days yet but Harnesslink always likes to have a look at this stage of the harness racing season in North America just to see how the first season sires are tracking.
Several are putting their hand up early in the season and showing their potential and we thought we would review them.
Shadyshark Hanover
A son of Cams Card Shark who was a really smart two and three year old without being a champion.
One of his big pluses is that he is one of the best looking stallions you could ever lay eyes on.
Stood his first season in Indiana and was late arriving so missed out on a few mares due to that.
He has 87 two year olds in his first crop and 44 have made an appearance to date.
The best of them without doubt is the very smart filly Ginger Shark 1:53 ($47,500).
Her first two dams are non race winners and she only made $11,500 at last years Harrisburg Sale so Shadyshark Hanover can take most of the credit for that one.
His top four money winners at this early stage are all fillies
Currently sits sixth on the national two year old sires list which is a great start and looks a stallion to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.
Big Bad John
A son of Western Hanover who was a smart two year old and a top three year old with a Little Brown Jug win in his resume.
Like a lot of the Western Hanovers, Big Bad John is a very good looking stallion.
Stood his first season in Ohio at Midland Acres and served a big book which resulted in 108 two year olds and 61 have made an appearance to date.
No stars to date although Big Bad Cam was very impressive in winning his one and only start in 1:53.2
The dam of Big Bad Cam has three $100,000 winners from her first three foals so he can't take all the credit there.
He has seven $20,000 winners at this early stage of the season so he has started like a top sire.
Currently sits at the top of the national list which is a great way to announce your self to breeders throughout North America.
Another one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Roll With Joe
A nice enough two year old but nothing special who came out and was a sensational three year old.
In many breeders eyes, being a full brother to a champion sire such as Bettor's Delight is a negative as a lot of breeders believe that lightning doesn't often strike in the same place twice when it comes to sires.
Stood his first season in the ultra competitive state of New York which has resulted in 88 two year olds of whom 42 have made an appearance to date.
Joe Larry N Curly 1:55.3 looked very smart in his only start to date and looks like a horse with a big future.
The dam of Joe Larry N Curly has done an ok job at stud but Joe Larry N Curly only made $18,000 at Lexington last year so Roll With Joe must get a lot of the credit.
Currently sits third on the national two year old sires list and as New York is only starting to really wind up now, that is a great start.
Maybe lightning will strike twice in the same place.
Harnesslink Media