Denny Crum, who racked up 675 victories during a Hall of Fame career as the basketball coach for the University of Louisville, scored in another setting Nov. 19, purchasing Strava for $825,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The 2-year-old Into Mischief colt topped the Horses of Racing Age section of the Friday sale.
Known for carrying a rolled-up program during his courtside days before his retirement 20 years ago, Crum consulted another item Friday—the sales catalog. He also had an advisor, trainer Dallas Stewart, who bid on his behalf when seated alongside Crum in the pavilion. Back and forth the bidding went, until Crum won out.
"I've decided at my age there is no reason to save any money," the 84-year-old Crum said with a smile. "So I wanted a good horse, and I think we got one. It cost us a little more than I thought it would but still, (he is) the best horse here."
Strava, consigned by WinStar Racing, agent, as Hip 3631, brought limited but flashy form into the HORA sale, having rallied from fifth to win at first asking in his lone start in an Oct. 9 maiden race at Keeneland. Though his winning time was not particularly quick, six furlongs in 1:11.25, he gained notice by overcoming trouble to win by a half-length for breeder WinStar Farm, who raced him in partnership last month with co-owner Siena Farm.
Stewart, who trained Strava to his debut victory, encouraged Crum to purchase the colt. He has trained horses for Crum previously, with graded stakes winner Nasty Storm being one of their top runners together.
Nasty Storm raced for Crum, Daryl Elser, Riley McDonald, Joseph Riccelli, and Stewart for much of 2000-02 before Frank Stronach bought her for $1.075 million at the 2002 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale from the Eaton Sales consignment.
"So we've had a lot of success," Stewart said, before adding that they've also "had some that weren't so good."
Another partnership could be in the works. WinStar Farm president/CEO Elliott Walden said WinStar might "stay in for a piece. Dallas loved the horse when he won, and it's exciting to get Coach Crum in on him."
Stewart is eagerly looking toward the future. Asked how far he thinks Strava wants to run, he replied, "Hopefully a mile and a quarter, at least."
The distance was a reference to the classic trip of next May's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs. That race is a common goal for owners of 3-year-old males, not to mention for Crum, given his ties to the city of Louisville, Ky.
The colt has some staying power in his bloodlines. His dam, the Pioneerof the Nile mare Catch My Drift, won the 1 1/8-mile Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in 2015. Strava is the first of her foals to race.
Stewart doesn't expect to run Strava until he sends his stable south to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans for the winter.
"He's kind of out of rhythm coming over here to the sale, and he's been around a lot of different types of horses, so we want to get him back and make sure he's good and get him ready for next year," he said.
