WON: Breeders Bowl Juvenile(G1), North Fork Stakes(G2)

By- Badasboots

The voting has concluded. The results are in. It's my honor to announce the "2004 Two Year Old Colt Of The Year". CADER YDRIS(Ire) from the very proud barn of oldgraymar.

Cader Ydris is the second foal out of the mare Apotheosis, who was retired after a thirteen race career that concluded with only one maiden win and meager earnings of only 17,196. Oldgraymar's story goes like this:

"I was setting out to get some breeding done. I always look to see what I have in the breeding stable before I'm inclined to "scratch breed". Honestly, when I first saw Apotheosis I didn't think much. She's not a big impressive looking sort, but she had what I can only describe as a since of "freshness" to her. She looked like she was ready to do something, like maybe foal a nice baby. I still wasn't entirely convinced about what to do with her. Her first foal, a filly named Hobgoblin, was really a bit of a disappointment at the time. She was out of Touch Gold. But I couldn't help getting that giddy "maybe" feeling in my gut. I'm a sucker for my instincts and they were telling me to take the next step. Find a capable sire and I would get A.P. Indy & Sadler's Wells thrown in for a song.

I've always been a big Storm Cat fan, but he had an expensive, busy breeding schedule. When I saw a chance to grab Giant's Causeway(Ire), I jumped at it. Although he was fairly new to the breeding arena, he was a very successful son of Storm Cat. When he came to the stable, it was love at first sight. Both for me and Apotheosis. In a matter of days, the vet was giving me the thumbs up.

As Cader was developing, I started laying out some patient ground work. I really was starting to think I might have something special, but I didn't want to rush things. I wanted to start him off in a soft maiden allowance race to get a gauge on him. I didn't work him real hard, so I really didn't know what to expect. I found a nice six furlong spot for him in Missouri. I told the boy to just let the horse run and we'll take it from there. He showed his class. He broke on top and just eased out to win for fun. It was more than I could hope for. Harv said he never even asked him. He did it all on his own.

I was ecstatic, but I didn't want to deviate from my plan to take it slow. I wanted to stretch him a little further and I found a nice non winners of three spot in Alabama at seven furlongs. When I looked at the P.P.'s, I started to get nervous. There were some accomplished youngsters signed up. The bettors were all over him and that always scares me. I knew two things: that Cader would really have to improve to beat these and if he did, I had what I thought I had.

After some tense moments early, he started to pull away again. It was like I was watching a replay of his first race, except he won even easier. I was so happy with his performance I would have ran him a Grade One the next day. Thank Goodness there weren't any. Instead it gave me a minute to catch my breath and think about our next move. Cader came out of the race unblemished and was eating like, well, like a horse. I gave him two weeks off without asking him to do anything. I didn't see any Stakes races in the area that would be a challenge to him, so I waited.

Then I spotted the big one in California:  The North Fork Stakes. I started to get excited immediately. We got there a week early. He was so full of himself. Even more so than me. This was the big time. These were the best. But I got to tell you, after what I saw of him in his last race I knew he would be tough to beat. It's funny how I am. How I could be so confident... until the day of the race. Then the nerves. I just can't help it. But I was learning the game just like Cader was.

All I had to do was look at how much he had matured and my fears would diminish. He was relaxed and ready at the same time. There was a full field loaded in gate and it was time. I was worried I wouldn't get a good view, but, when the gate opened, Cader was so far in front he was easy to spot. No one went with him. He wouldn't let them. He had done it! Wire to wire! A Grade Two in California! Who's next! What's next!

That was my proudest day. Cader still looked loaded for bear after the race. Some of the other owners were congratulating me and asking me about the million-dollar Breeders Bowl Juvenile in Texas. Grade One in Texas? Hmmm... When? Five weeks. 'We just might be able to do that.' So my celebration was short lived. I was already thinking about the next race on the biggest day of my life. At the time I was a little upset with myself, but in retrospect, it was a blessing. By knowing about the Texas race I was able get settled there right away and land their number one jockey, J. Harzheim. As it turned out, that would be a huge coo.

I did notice that my nervousness was starting to rub off a little on Cader. I told him after this we would take a vacation: 'Just one more baby.' On the day of the race I noticed that some of the same horses we just beat in California had a more muscular look to them. The journey was taking it's toll on me. I was a wreck. After saddling Cader I had to stay away from him. That's where Harz' came in. He's the best. He was able to do the rest. I just had to find a good seat.

When the gates opened, it looked like any other race that Cader had run. He took the lead and began pulling away as usual. He looked good turning for home, but this race was longer. This time they were coming for him. I could hardly bare to watch as no less than five horses were flying at him in the stretch. Cader dug in and with all his heart, he held on. By a head no less.

This time, after the race, anyone could tell that both Cader and I were spent. When we got back home I put Cader in the stable next to his half sister Hobgoblin. He apparently told her all the stories of his stardom and they rubbed off on her. She won her next two starts.

Life is good and make sure you thank Mike for me."