Grade 1 winner Sidney’s Candy has been purchased by a partnership headed by WinStar Farm and turned over to trainer Todd Pletcher for the remainder of the colt’s racing career. The 4-year-old son of Candy Ride will be pointed for major races on the East coast, and he’ll race in the colors of WinStar Farm LLC. Sidney’s Candy will stand at WinStar upon retirement.
“It’s an exciting time when you can add a horse like Sidney’s Candy to the racing stable, and eventually to the WinStar stallion roster,” said Elliott Walden, WinStar President and Racing Manager. “He’s one of the truly brilliant horses in racing when you consider what he’s accomplished. This colt has recorded triple-digit Beyers on all three surfaces and set two track records – one of them at two going 5 ½ furlongs. He’s run a mile in 1:33 3/5 on the dirt, and won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles. Not many horses of this generation have his versatility or speed. He has been first or second in 52 out of 60 points of call so far in his racing career, which shows you he is not only fast but can carry it around two turns. He’s truly an impressive horse and we feel fortunate to have him.”
A five-time graded stakes winner, Sidney’s Candy was considered by most as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby a year ago after sweeping the San Vicente S. (G2), San Felipe S. (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita. In the latter, he decisively defeated two-time champion Lookin At Lucky.
As a 2-year-old, Sidney’s Candy set a Del Mar track record breaking his maiden at 5 ½ furlongs, stopping the clock in 1:02.71 over the local Polytrack. In his first start on turf last summer, he established another Del Mar course record while easily winning the La Jolla H. (G3), running 1 1/16 miles in 1:39.52. In his final start at three, Sidney’s Candy dominated in the Sir Beaufort S. (G3), which has been his only try over a fast dirt track. He zipped through three-quarters in 1:08.45 before finishing strongly to stop the clock in 1:33.70 for a mile. Daily Racing Form’s Mike Watchmaker currently ranks Sidney’s Candy No. 3 in the Older Males division in North America.
Sidney’s Candy holds a record of 13-6-4-0 with earnings of $953,560 to date. He hails from the Storm Cat mare Fair Exchange, and his second dam is three-time Grade 1 winner and millionaire Exchange. He was bred by the late Sidney Craig and Jenny Craig, who previously campaigned Sidney’s Candy with trainer Jon Sadler.
