Bodemeister moves into Top Five on Freshman Sire list

American Anthem surged in the final furlong of his maiden special weight debut Saturday at Del Mar to win the six-furlong contest by a neck after making up four lengths from mid-stretch to the wire.

The 2-year-old colt is the 12th overall winner for his sire Bodemeister and moved the WinStar stallion to fifth on this year’s First-Crop Sire list. Following a successful year with his progeny both on track and in the sales ring, Bodemeister’s 2017 fee was recently announced at $25,000 stands and nurses.

American Anthem was always well-placed while in the three path most of the way, but early leader Little Juanito pulled away coming into the stretch and looked like a winner with a furlong to run. American Anthem wasn’t done though, finding his best stride in deep stretch to get to the wire first in 1:10.37 on a fast track (VIDEO).

The winner is owned by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm, who is also his breeder, and trained by Bob Baffert. 

American Anthem is out of the A. P. Indy mare Indy’s Windy, who is a half-sister to four-time Grade 1 winner and champion mare Banshee Breeze.