Super Saver (USA)
March 18, 2007 – Living
Maria’s Mon (USA) x Supercharger (USA), by A.P. Indy (USA)
Family 1-x
March 18, 2007 – Living
Maria’s Mon (USA) x Supercharger (USA), by A.P. Indy (USA)
Family 1-x
After two Kentucky Derby wins in the preceding three years, everyone in racing was well aware of the rail-riding proclivities of jockey Calvin Borel, known jokingly as “Calvin Bo-Rail,” and no one was inclined to give him an easy path to victory in the 2010 Kentucky Derby. It didn’t matter, especially when given a mount who had already shown a liking for the Churchill Downs strip as a juvenile. An inside post position draw made Borel’s job that much easier. Steering Super Saver to the rail right from the start, Borel came off the rail just once, slipping his colt just wide enough to circle the fading early leader, Conveyance. After that, it was right back to the rail, and Super Saver did the rest, easily holding off the closing run of Ice Box. Unfortunately, it was all downhill for Super Saver after that; eighth in the Preakness Stakes (USA-G1), he never won again. While he sired three Grade 1 winners in his first crop, including 2015 American champion male sprinter Runhappy, he was an inconsistent stallion who was exported to Turkey in 2019.
Race record
10 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$1,889,766
2009:
2010:
Assessments
Rated at 122 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 2009, 4 pounds below co-highweights Lookin At Lucky (the official divisional champion) and Vale of York, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (USA-G1).
Rated at 120 pounds on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Kentucky Derby, 10 pounds below overall highweight Harbinger; 9 pounds below the top-rated dirt performer, Blame; and 4 pounds below the top-rated 3-year-old males on dirt, American champion 3-year-old male Lookin At Lucky (who earned his rating in the Izod Haskell Invitational Stakes, USA-G1) and Wood Memorial (USA-G1) winner Eskendereya.
As an individual
A well-made but light-bodied bay horse, Super Saver was an efficient mover with a clear affinity for the Churchill Downs racing surface. He handled both fast and wet tracks well. He was rather delicate in constitution but was game and determined in action. He was retired from racing after developing bone bruising in all four cannons.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Super Saver has sired 44 stakes winners and has progeny earnings of over US$52.1 million as of January 2, 2024.
Sire rankings
Per the Stud Book Argentino (https://www.studbook.org.ar/):
Notable progeny
Competitive Edge (USA), Embellish the Lace (USA), Happy Saver (USA), Jazz Seiver (ARG), Letruska (USA), Lindalevesolta (ARG), Runhappy (USA), Super Corinto (ARG), Super Nao (ARG), Super Turco (PER)
Notable progeny of daughters
Americanrevolution (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Super Saver was bred and owned by WinStar Farm, which acquired his dam Supercharger privately from the Phipps family with Super Saver in utero. He was trained by Todd Pletcher. He entered stud in Kentucky at Winstar Farm in 2011 and shuttled to Australia and later Argentina. He was sold to the Jockey Club of Turkey in November 2019 and stood his first Turkish season at Karacabey Pension Stud in 2020.
Pedigree notes
Super Saver is inbred 4x5x5 to the 1966 American Horse of the Year, Buckpasser, a four-time champion broodmare sire. He is also inbred 5x4 to 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native. He is a half brother to 2011 Sam F. Davis Stakes (USA-G3) winner Brethren (by Distorted Humor) and to 2016 Lone Star Park Handicap (USA-G3) winner Cyrus Alexander (by Medaglia d’Oro). He Is also a half brother to Quickest (by Forest Wildcat), dam of 2015 Las Virgenes Stakes (USA-G1) winner Callback (by Street Sense) and stakes winner Defy Gravity (by Bandini; dam of juvenile stakes winner Green Destiny, by Super Saver). In addition, he is a half brother to Lisa T. (by Awesome Again), second dam of Grade 3 winner Mommasgottarun.
Supercharger, the dam of Super Saver, is a winning full sister to 2010 Vosburgh Handicap (USA-G1) winner Girolamo, to 1996 Pilgrim Stakes (USA-G3) winner Accelerator, and to 2004 Top Flight Handicap (USA-G2) winner Daydreaming, dam of 2014 Man o’ War Stakes (USA-G1) winner Imagining (by Giant’s Causeway) and third dam of 2022 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Chocolate Gelato. Supercharger is also a full sister to She’s a Winner, dam of 2006 Haskell Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bluegrass Cat (by Storm Cat; sire in Kentucky, New York, California and Turkey), 2005 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2) winner Lord of the Game (by Saint Ballado), 2015 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (USA-G2) winner Dramedy (by Distorted Humor) and stakes winner Sonoma Cat (by Storm Cat) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Nonna Mela. In addition, Supercharger is a half sister to listed stakes winner Harborage (by Monarchos); to Malka (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2015 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (USA-G1) winner Got Lucky (by A.P. Indy); and to New Dice (by Capote), dam of Japanese stakes winner Molto Grande (by War Chant).
Supercharger and her siblings were produced from 1992 Affectionately Handicap (USA-G3) winner Get Lucky (by Mr. Prospector), a full sister to 1989 American champion 2-year-old male Rhythm and to stakes-placed Not for Love, a perennial regional leading sire in Maryland. Produced from 1983 Beldame Stakes (USA-G1) winner Dance Number (by Northern Dancer), Get Lucky is also a half sister to Oscillate (by Seattle Slew), dam of English stakes winner and 2006 Argentine champion sire Mutakddim (by Seeking the Gold); second dam of 2008 Suburban Handicap (USA-G1) winner Frost Giant, multiple South African Group 2 winner Kavanagh and Grade 3 winners Oregon Lady, Pacific Ocean and Sea Chanter; and third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Playwright.
Books and media
Footage of Super Saver’s win in the 2010 Kentucky Derby can be accessed in connection with Eric Mitchell’s Bloodhorse.com article, “Casner Relives the ‘Impossible’ With Super Saver” (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239762/casner-relives-the-impossible-with-super-saver).
Fun facts
Last updated: January 2, 2024
Race record
10 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$1,889,766
2009:
- Won Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Churchill Downs)
2010:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Arkansas Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Oaklawn Park)
- 3rd Tampa Bay Derby (USA-G3, 8.5FD, Tampa Bay Downs)
Assessments
Rated at 122 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 2009, 4 pounds below co-highweights Lookin At Lucky (the official divisional champion) and Vale of York, winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (USA-G1).
Rated at 120 pounds on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his performance in the Kentucky Derby, 10 pounds below overall highweight Harbinger; 9 pounds below the top-rated dirt performer, Blame; and 4 pounds below the top-rated 3-year-old males on dirt, American champion 3-year-old male Lookin At Lucky (who earned his rating in the Izod Haskell Invitational Stakes, USA-G1) and Wood Memorial (USA-G1) winner Eskendereya.
As an individual
A well-made but light-bodied bay horse, Super Saver was an efficient mover with a clear affinity for the Churchill Downs racing surface. He handled both fast and wet tracks well. He was rather delicate in constitution but was game and determined in action. He was retired from racing after developing bone bruising in all four cannons.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Super Saver has sired 44 stakes winners and has progeny earnings of over US$52.1 million as of January 2, 2024.
Sire rankings
Per the Stud Book Argentino (https://www.studbook.org.ar/):
- 6th on the Argentine general sire list in 2022; 9th in 2023.
Notable progeny
Competitive Edge (USA), Embellish the Lace (USA), Happy Saver (USA), Jazz Seiver (ARG), Letruska (USA), Lindalevesolta (ARG), Runhappy (USA), Super Corinto (ARG), Super Nao (ARG), Super Turco (PER)
Notable progeny of daughters
Americanrevolution (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Super Saver was bred and owned by WinStar Farm, which acquired his dam Supercharger privately from the Phipps family with Super Saver in utero. He was trained by Todd Pletcher. He entered stud in Kentucky at Winstar Farm in 2011 and shuttled to Australia and later Argentina. He was sold to the Jockey Club of Turkey in November 2019 and stood his first Turkish season at Karacabey Pension Stud in 2020.
Pedigree notes
Super Saver is inbred 4x5x5 to the 1966 American Horse of the Year, Buckpasser, a four-time champion broodmare sire. He is also inbred 5x4 to 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native. He is a half brother to 2011 Sam F. Davis Stakes (USA-G3) winner Brethren (by Distorted Humor) and to 2016 Lone Star Park Handicap (USA-G3) winner Cyrus Alexander (by Medaglia d’Oro). He Is also a half brother to Quickest (by Forest Wildcat), dam of 2015 Las Virgenes Stakes (USA-G1) winner Callback (by Street Sense) and stakes winner Defy Gravity (by Bandini; dam of juvenile stakes winner Green Destiny, by Super Saver). In addition, he is a half brother to Lisa T. (by Awesome Again), second dam of Grade 3 winner Mommasgottarun.
Supercharger, the dam of Super Saver, is a winning full sister to 2010 Vosburgh Handicap (USA-G1) winner Girolamo, to 1996 Pilgrim Stakes (USA-G3) winner Accelerator, and to 2004 Top Flight Handicap (USA-G2) winner Daydreaming, dam of 2014 Man o’ War Stakes (USA-G1) winner Imagining (by Giant’s Causeway) and third dam of 2022 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Chocolate Gelato. Supercharger is also a full sister to She’s a Winner, dam of 2006 Haskell Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bluegrass Cat (by Storm Cat; sire in Kentucky, New York, California and Turkey), 2005 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2) winner Lord of the Game (by Saint Ballado), 2015 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (USA-G2) winner Dramedy (by Distorted Humor) and stakes winner Sonoma Cat (by Storm Cat) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Nonna Mela. In addition, Supercharger is a half sister to listed stakes winner Harborage (by Monarchos); to Malka (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2015 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (USA-G1) winner Got Lucky (by A.P. Indy); and to New Dice (by Capote), dam of Japanese stakes winner Molto Grande (by War Chant).
Supercharger and her siblings were produced from 1992 Affectionately Handicap (USA-G3) winner Get Lucky (by Mr. Prospector), a full sister to 1989 American champion 2-year-old male Rhythm and to stakes-placed Not for Love, a perennial regional leading sire in Maryland. Produced from 1983 Beldame Stakes (USA-G1) winner Dance Number (by Northern Dancer), Get Lucky is also a half sister to Oscillate (by Seattle Slew), dam of English stakes winner and 2006 Argentine champion sire Mutakddim (by Seeking the Gold); second dam of 2008 Suburban Handicap (USA-G1) winner Frost Giant, multiple South African Group 2 winner Kavanagh and Grade 3 winners Oregon Lady, Pacific Ocean and Sea Chanter; and third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Playwright.
Books and media
Footage of Super Saver’s win in the 2010 Kentucky Derby can be accessed in connection with Eric Mitchell’s Bloodhorse.com article, “Casner Relives the ‘Impossible’ With Super Saver” (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239762/casner-relives-the-impossible-with-super-saver).
Fun facts
- Super Saver was the first Kentucky Derby winner for trainer Todd Pletcher, who had failed to take the roses with 24 previous starters. Super Saver was part of a four-horse entry for Pletcher in 2010, and none of the other three finished better than ninth.
- Super Saver’s Derby win made his sire Maria’s Mon (previously the sire of 2001 winner Monarchos) the first stallion to have sired two Kentucky Derby winners since Alydar, who scored with Alysheba (1987) and Strike the Gold (1991).
Last updated: January 2, 2024