Cool Bird Aims for Triple Crown
March 15, 2011 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Kent,March 15, 2011 - Seattle Thunderbirds minority owner Dean Street owns thoroughbred Stormin Kitty who gave birth to a foal in mid February sired by 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone. Street chose to name the foal after the Seattle Thunderbirds mascot Cool Bird.
"I have had a great long term relationship with the T-Birds organization," said Street."I thought a Cool Bird thoroughbred would be a great way to recognize and honor this relationship. Cool Bird has excellent bloodlines which makes him a top prospect for future Triple Crown races."
Grindstone has had a very successful career as a sire. One son, Birdstone, won the 2004 Belmont Stakes. Grandson Mine That Bird won the 2009 Kentucky Derby and grandson Summer Bird won the 2009 Belmont Stakes. Grindstone's father, Unbridled, won the 1990 Kentucky Derby and the 1990 Breeders' Cup Classic.
Grindstone Top Foals by Lifetime Earnings
Birdstone $1,575,600
Ekolu Place $1,326,760
Miss Grindstone $08,179
Organ Grinder $546093
Colita $454,708
Liliuokalani $394,825
Kid Grindstone $352,497
Choctaw Ridge $320,609
Florida Recount $304,632
Granite Head $234,257
Stormin Kitty has bloodlines on both sides of her family tree that trace back to Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner. The Triple Crown is awarded to a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes in the same racing season.
"We are honored that Dean has decided to name a foal with such a strong pedigree after our team mascot," said T-Birds Director of Public and Media Relations, Ian Henry. "We look forward to watching Cool Bird develop into a top flight thoroughbred in the next few years. We hope to watch Cool Bird compete in the Triple Crown series of races in 2014."
Cool Bird was born at Griffin Place, a thoroughbred breeding farm in Buckley, Washington. Griffin Place has a strong history of breeding, raising and selling top class horses. Griffin Place was Washington's leading breeder by money won in 2000. The farm also owns Cozzene's Angel which in 2002 was the second leading money winner for two-year olds in the nation and won several Grade 1 Stakes races. Griffin Place bred and owns Lady Golightly, the 2010 Washington champion two-year-old filly.
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