By Heather Anderson
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Gun Barrel City during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on May 18.
Frankel Gelding Hits His Target
Bass Stables homebred Gun Barrel City (Frankel) graduated at second asking during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on Sunday (video). Trained by Todd Pletcher, he was gelded after his debut last September.
Out of GII Lake George Stakes and GIII Nobel Damsel Stakes heroine Mrs McDougal (Medaglia d'Oro), the 4-year-old is a half-brother to War Front's graded stakes winner Seal Team, as well as the 3-year-old gelding Ben Milam (Curlin), a juvenile colt named Fast Connection (Connect) and a yearling colt by Charlatan. Mrs McDougal's latest progeny is a colt foal by Annapolis, which arrived on April 28. His granddam, Distorted Passion (Distorted Humor), was a multiple stakes winner and placed in a pair of graded stakes.
Juddmonte's Frankel sports a strike rate of 51% in the U.S., with 35 winners from 68 runners. Of his winners there, he has sired 13 stakes winners anchored by Grade I winners McKulick, Measured Time, Inspiral and Lake Victoria.
Gun Barrel City breaks his maiden in R6 at BAQ for trainer Todd Pletcher with @iradortiz aboard! 🍀 pic.twitter.com/O3pCAESqtd
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 18, 2025
Repeat Winners
Dan Blacker trainee Lunar Impact (Zoustar) earned the first black-type win of her career in Santa Anita's Mizdirection Stakes on May 17 (video). Owned by D K Racing, Qatar Racing, Radley Equin, Rick Gold and Dave Odmark, the 5-year-old mare was making her 11th start.
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