$650K Colt Rewards Crane Family's Labor of Love

Just a few hips into the May 18 first session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Clovis Crane of Crane Thoroughbred Services and his family were overcome with emotion as they watched an $18,000 yearling become a remarkably lucrative pinhook. The Volatile colt named Mi Explosivo, consigned as Hip 13, ultimately went to $650,000 from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, who was bidding on behalf of Zedan Racing. As the price on the board climbed, Crane hugged his daughter, Amara, and watched the colt exit the ring. His son Coy gave him a congratulatory pat on the back, as the whole family reveled in the accomplishment—a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire family. "It's unbelievable," Crane said. "My team does an amazing job. My daughter took over for me. I'm running for state senator right now. I won't be here tomorrow, but she took over and has been running the shedrow all winter, and she got it done." Amara Crane returned home in December after working in Ocala, Fla., for Greg Martin and Arroyo Bloodstock. Clovis Crane of Lebanon, Pa., is running to represent Pennsylvania Senate District 48. He runs Crane Thoroughbred Services with his wife, Joanna, and their four children. He said he is a true believer in the "American Dream." Crane Thoroughbreds specializes in breaking, breeding, pinhooking, sales preparation, and horse sales. Crane purchased the colt in partnership at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Eastern Yearling Sale. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Joe Wert, and is out of the Pulpit mare Yadira, who is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Mr Freeze and three other stakes winners. "He had as good a breeze as a horse could have. Anything can happen when they breeze like that," he said. "Explora, last year, she breezed the same time as him, but he went around the dogs and had the same time as her, so when you breeze that well, anything goes." Crane Thoroughbred Services consigned Explora at last year's sale, who sold for $350,000 to Three Amigos. The daughter of Blame is now a multiple grade 1-placed graded stakes winner with career earnings exceeding $1.1 million. She also ran a game fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), behind Always a Runner. Crane reflected with great pride on the true family legacy that defines Crane Thoroughbreds. "I've been in this business since 2000, my family has been in the business since the '70s," Crane said. "It's an unbelievable feeling. I'm so proud of my family. That's why we do it."