First Samurai
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First Samurai is a thoroughbred race horse born February 2, 2003. He was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006, but after his defeat due to a starting gate incident in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes he was ruled unlikely to race in the Kentucky Derby. Two weeks after the race, First Samurai was diagnosed with two broken ribs following an ultrasound. His entry was not submitted by the deadline for the Kentucky Derby...presumably due to this injury.
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[edit] Connections
First Samurai is owned by Bruce Lunsford and Landson Robbins II and is trained by Frank Brothers. He has been ridden by Pat Day and Jerry Bailey, both jockeys now retired, and the still racing Edgar Prado. First Samurai was bred in Kentucky by John Gunther.
[edit] Breeding
First Samurai is the son of Giant's Causeway who is the son of Storm Cat. His breeding line includes such notable horses as Secretariat, Bold Ruler, Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, Dr. Fager, and Graustark. First Samurai was one of the best juveniles of his year, winning the Champagne (gr. I) and Hopeful (gr. I) Stakes in New York. He is out of the stakes-winning Dixieland Band mare, Freddie Frisson.
[edit] Races
| Finish | Race | Distance | Track | Condition |
| 5th | Blue Grass Stakes | One and One-Eighth Miles | Keeneland | Fast |
| 1st (by disqualification) | Fountain of Youth Stakes | One and One-Eighth Miles | Gulfstream Park | Fast |
| 2nd | Hutcheson Stakes | Seven and One-Half Furlongs | Gulfstream Park | Sloppy |
| 3rd | Breeders' Cup Juvenile | One and One-Sixteenth Miles | Belmont Park | Fast |
| 1st | Champagne Stakes | One Mile | Belmont Park | Sloppy (Sealed) |
| 1st | Hopeful Stakes | Seven Furlongs | Saratoga Race Course | Fast |
| 1st | Allowance | Six Furlongs | Saratoga Race Course | Fast |
| 1st | Maiden | Six Furlongs | Churchill Downs | Fast |
In his career, cut short by injury, he started 8 times, winning 5 , placing in 1, and showing in 1. He earned almost a million dollars, to be precise: $915,075
[edit] Standing at stud
First Samurai is beginning his career at stud at the Hancock Family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky. His starting fee in 2007 will be $40,000 and he'll stand with Claiborne's other stallions, among whom are: Pulpit, Seeking the Gold, During, Eddington, Monarchos, and Strong Hope.
