Pedigree

While there are some elements within the pedigree of Elusive Lady to suggest she might be able to handle the nine-furlong trip of the Kentucky Oaks (G1), her own history, and that of many in her extended family, gives the impression a mile or thereabouts will be more to her liking. There is also plenty of evidence she might be a stronger filly if and when she ever gets to try the turf.

Elusive Lady, who has yet to win beyond a mile, is by Van Nistelrooy, a Group 2 winner in Ireland at two who also finished second in the National S. (Ire-G1) and was a modest fifth in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in his final start. A son of Storm Cat out of the Halo mare Halory, Van Nistelrooy is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Halory Hunter (Jade Hunter) and Grade 3 winners Prory (Procida) and Brushed Halory (Broad Brush). As can be expected with a stallion of such versatile pedigree, Van Nistelrooy has sired runners capable on a variety of surfaces. In addition to Elusive Lady, a Grade 3 winner on dirt, Van Nistelrooy has also been represented by Set Play, winner of the Del Mar Debutante (G1) on Polytrack, and Strike the Deal, a Group 2-winning sprinter on turf in England. Thus far, Van Nistelrooys appear to be at their best at a mile or less.

Elusive Lady's dam is the unraced Song of Royalty, a daughter of Unbridled's Song (Unbridled), whose only other foal to race was the Kelly Kip gelding Sir Silver Fox, who won at a mile on grass but was primarily a claiming-level sprinter on dirt. Claiming quality produce is also evident in the family of Song of Royalty, whose three half-siblings all competed in claiming or optional claiming events. Elusive Lady's second dam, Royal d'Or (Tour d'Or), was a multiple stakes winner, primarily in Ohio-bred events, and a winner four times on turf.

Unbridled's Song, winner of the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, started as the favorite in the 1996 Kentucky Derby (G1), and after a strong move to take the lead around the far turn, faded to fifth while racing in a bar shoe to alleviate a quarter crack. While generally getting precocious runners with good speed, most of Unbridled's Song's best offspring proved capable at 1 1/8 miles and beyond, on dirt as well as turf. Among these were Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Unbridled Elaine, Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) heroine Octave, Vanity H. (G1) winner Splendid Blended, Suburban H. (G1) hero Political Force, Wood Memorial (G1) victor Buddha, and Garden City S. (G1) victress Magnificent Song.

Unbridled's Song's career as a broodmare sire is still in its relative infancy. The best known produce from his daughters is Etched (Forestry), a son of Unbridled Elaine who captured the Nashua S. (G3) at a mile last fall, but who fell off the Kentucky Derby trail when a modest fourth in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) in February.