Spendthrift Farm's freshman sire and multiple grade 1 winner Vekoma sired his first winner when his appropriately named daughter Fortuna Mia (translated as "my luck") won her racing debut by four lengths May 13 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
The filly is the first starter for Vekoma, who stands for $15,000.
Owner/trainer Rey Hernandez campaigns Fortuna Mia, who dispatched her rivals handily in a 4 1/2-furlong $32,000 maiden special weight. The filly stopped the timer in :53.60.
Tyler B. Jones bred Fortuna Mia out of her homebred winner Windy Lane, a daughter of Cairo Prince . Windy Lane is a half sister to grade 2 winner Fioretti (Bernardini) and stakes winner Louisville First (Girolamo). Fortuna Mia is Windy Lane's first foal. The mare has a yearling by Blame and was bred back to Upstart .
Vekoma is an 8-year-old son of Candy Ride , who was bred by Alpha Delta Stables. He was purchased by R.A. Hill Stable for $135,000 out of Lane's End's consignment at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
R.A. Hill and Gatsas Stables campaigned Vekoma with trainer George Weaver. The colt won the Nashua Stakes (G3) at 2, the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at 3, and at 4 captured the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and Carter Handicap (G1). He retired with a 6-0-1 record from eight starts and earned more than $1.2 million.
Vekoma's first crop has been well received at the juvenile sales, where they've averaged $138,000 and produced an $800,000 sale at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
