Unusual Heat (Nureyev x Rossard by Glacial) was one of the primary beneficiaries of a poor group of top horses in 2011. His son, Acclamation, was able to win the Charlie Whittingham Memorial, Eddie Read and Pacific Classic; all Grade 1 races. The sire is also boosted by Grade 2 winner Burns. Likely emboldened by the success of Acclamation, Harris Farms has raised his stud fee to $20k.

Thanks, but no thanks. There are too many low priced sires in California to pay that much for Unusual Heat.

The first place I would look is Golden Eagle Farm where Stormin Fever (Storm Cat x Pennant Fever by Seattle Slew) is standing for $4.5k. Some of his recent progeny include Grade 1 Garden City Stakes winner Check The Label, Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner A Little Warm and Biofuel, a Grade 3 winning filly who finished second in the CCA Oaks. He has sired over 31 stakes winners overall.

With Stormin Fever you are just as likely, if not more so to get a fast race horse than with Unusual Heat, who is priced over 4 times higher. Check out the video above to learn more about the Grade 1 winning son of arguably the most successful sire of all time, Storm Cat.

The next place to go is Legacy Ranch, the home of Papa Clem (Smart Strike x Miss Houdini by Belong To Me). I love his pedigree and as a millionaire winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, the sky could be the limit. We haven’t got any data on him yet as his progeny haven’t hit the track, but at $6.5k he is worth a risk.

This might surprise you, but I really like Grazen (Benchmark x Hazen by Rubiano) who is standing at Rancho San Miguel. His career was cut short by injury, but before that he won the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap which included future Big Cap winner Misremembered. The gray colt was very, very quick. California breeders should give him a chance at the bargain basement price of $2k.

Also standing at Rancho San Miguel is The Pamplemousse (Kafwain x Comfort Zone by Rubiano). When he destroyed the Grade 3 San Rafael field by 6 lengths and then won the Grade 3 Sham Stakes, he got people talking Kentucky Derby. He would have vied for favoritism in the Santa Anita Derby, but didn’t make the gate because of an injury. A tremendously talented colt, it’s a shame we didn’t get to see him release he full potential. We might see it come out in his progeny though! If you are going to breed in California then I urge you to check out this stallion for a mere $2.5k.

Are you a California breeder? Just interested in sharing your opinion? Leave a comment below. I’d love to discuss California racing and breeding.