Friends Lake:  Taking Outrageous to New Levels

     It's been quite a while since we've seen a first year stallion with such a ridiculous stud fee, but Airdrie Stud raised the bar on absurdity when they set Friends Lake 2005 fee at $15,000, payable September 1st no less.

     The term 'one-race wonder' has become somewhat of a cliché, but may have found it's calling in Friends Lake.  After breaking his maiden in his second out against New York-breds, he returned a month later to win a restricted stakes at Belmont.  In his next start, he was beaten over 12 lengths by Second of June in the Holy Bull Stakes.

     His claim to fame came in his next start, The Florida Derby where he won by ¾ of a length over future stars The Cliff's Edge and Tapit.  According to Airdrie's website, "…he defeated The Cliff's Edge and Tapit, who both were at the top of their games…".  What they fail to mention is that Tapit coughed 10 times as he left the track and The Cliff's Edge suffered multiple lacerations after a tight, inside trip. 

     Most importantly was the dismal time of 1:51.1 and resulting Beyer of 92.   The Beyer rating became prophetic in Friends Lake's final two starts, defeating a total of 6 horses and losing by a combined 52 lengths.  Early speed was another problem for Friend's Lake, who was off the first call by an average of over 3.5 lengths.

     Airdrie goes on to outright deceive breeders when they claim "His fractions for (his maiden victory) were a 1/2 in :45 and 3/4 in 1:10:2".   The reality is that he was a neck off the :45 and half a length off the 1:10.2. 

     In considering Friends Lake, mare owners might want to look between the lines of a recent quote by Airdrie Stud owner Brereton Jones:

     "I want a horse who can stand for $10,000 or $20,000 and be well received by the public so that by the time his 2-year-olds race I've got my investment back.  Then, if the horse hits, you're in good shape.  And if he doesn't, you find another home for him in a lesser market and move on to something else."

     Translated:  Jones wants mare owners to subsidize his investment so that in effect, it becomes a no-risk scenario with only upside potential.  If Friends Lake succeeds, Jones wins.  If Friends Lake fails, Jones breaks even and mare owners are left holding a $15,000 bag.

     Lightning can certainly strike anywhere, but we're confident that it won't land anywhere near Friends Lake.  We're not saying that the horse doesn't deserve some type of opportunity to succeed, but breeders who remain interested should demand better terms.  Those who don't might find their bottom line in a very precarious situation come sales time in 2007. 

For a response from Brereton Jones, click here (Nov. 17th entry)