So, Who's the Leading First-Crop Sire of 2019: Competitive Edge

Competitive Edge

It's always among the key questions on everyone's mind as 2-year-olds begin racing when Keeneland opens in April and the first-year sires have their first chance to show off their progeny. In this ongoing series, we have sought the opinion of several top judges as to who will be on top of the podium when 2019 is in the books.

Kip Elser, Kirkwood Stables

COMPETITIVE EDGE

“I'm hearing a lot of talk about Competitive Edge. People have been talking about him and they're getting the message out. I have two by Competitive Edge that I really like. They're good, well-balanced, good-minded horses that are doing everything right.

“For me, the sleeper in this group is Bayern. My Bayern, I like him a lot. If the rest of them are anything like this horse he's going to be a hell of a sire. I'll be selling him at Gulfstream. You might not turn the page in your catalogue beforehand to come see him, but they're going to turn their heads and say, 'Who's that?' That's why you go to 2 year-old sales. There's a lot of people that may not have the page turned on a horse when they get there, but there will be horses they'll see on the racetrack or at the barn and say, 'Wow, who's that?' This is that kind of horse.

“I also have a Tonalist colt that is right there with the Bayern colt. He is big, with a long stride and a good attitude, all the things people look for. It's a cliche, but those are the things people want and everyone is looking for the same thing.

“The Tonalist will also sell at Gulfstream and they will be in the Gulfstream Gallop group. That is a whole different deal in itself, but I think they will be well received.”

 

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