Having a strong broodmare band helped lead Clearsky Farms to be named outstanding breeder of the year for 2017, and on Sept. 5 one of its star mares, Justwhistledixie, will be represented by her second Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) starter in Enforceable, whose full brother Mohaymen finished fourth in 2016.
"She's such a good mare and such a big part of the family here at Clearsky now with the good runners she's had," farm manager Barry Robinette said. "To get another shot at the Derby is great. Hopefully we can finish better than Mohaymen did."
Clearsky Farms was established in Lexington in 2009 by the late Irishman Eamon Cleary and is operated by his sons, Bernard and Eamonn Cleary. Clearsky privately purchased Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union—General Jeanne, by Honour and Glory) after her race career, which was highlighted by wins in the Davona Dale (G2) and Bonnie Miss (G2) stakes. As a broodmare she has produced Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year's Day (now best known as the sire of champion Maximum Security ), multiple grade 2 winner Mohaymen, La Jolla Handicap (G3T) winner Kingly, and Enforceable, the most recent to be in the spotlight.
The 3-year-old Tapit colt was a private purchase by John Oxley and is trained by Mark Casse. He placed in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at 2 and broke through this year in the Lecomte Stakes (G3). He also rallied wide from last of 11 to finish second in a division of the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) and last out made a late run from the seven path to finish fourth in the July 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2), missing a placing by a neck.
"He was a little bit different type horse. He was rangier than some of her other foals," Robinette said. "They were always a little immature and it seemed like when September was over with, they just blossomed. They always do better the more time you give them. Mr. Casse has done a good job of training him and picking him out and securing him."
Enforceable, Kingly, and Mohaymen are all sired by Tapit.
Mohaymen, a gray like Enforceable, was undefeated at 2, taking the Nashua (G2) and Remsen (G2) stakes, and at 3 added the Lambholm South Holy Bull (G2) and Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth (G2) stakes. Shadwell purchased Mohaymen for $2.2 million from Clearsky at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The horse's first foals are yearlings this year.
Justwhistledixie's first five foals have all hit the racetrack and won. The first two, New Year's Day and Winslow, are by Street Cry and Distorted Humor, respectively. Winslow ran oversees and won in England.
"They're just really mentally tough and smart. They don't get rattled," Robinette said of her foals. "They're late-maturing horses, so I think the fixture of time has really helped Enforceable. It's given him some time to develop, and hopefully that will make the difference. That Tiz the Law 's going to be tough to beat, though."
Tiz the Law is the 3-5 morning-line favorite for the Derby from post 17. Enforceable will break from post 3 under Adam Beschizza and is listed at 30-1 on the morning line.
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Justwhistledixie is also the dam of a 2-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt named Irish Unity working in Southern California and a yearling filly by Arrogate, the late Juddmonte stallion and champion bred by Clearsky. The mare foaled a colt by Quality Road in April and is back in foal to the Lane's End stallion.
"She's great. She's never been a bother. She takes everything in stride." Robinette said. "You wouldn't know she was on the place if you didn't see her every day. She's a really classy girl."
Enforceable is the second Derby starter for his dam, but he will be the third bred by Clearsky. The farm also bred Firing Line, who finished second to eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Derby. Other top performers to come out of the Clearsky program are three-time grade 1 sprint winner Lord Nelson and champion 3-year-old filly Abel Tasman, the winner of the 2017 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
"I think you got to start with having some nice mares, then Bernard and Eamonn—they do a good job of mating these horses. They give us here on the farm everything to work with," Robinette said. "The land's great, we take good care of it. We got some great guys working here. Handling them every day, I think they're pretty much ready to go to the track when they leave here. Mentally, they're ready to go. I think that gives them a leg up being not only healthy and happy but mentally tough. I think it makes a big difference."
