Progeny Winning Big-Purse Grade 2s Aid Sires' Ranking

It's not just big-purse grade 1 races that make a difference in a sire's ranking. There are many ways to skin a cat, as the saying goes, when it comes to racking up progeny earnings. 

Sires can make big strides with the grade 1s, but they can also cover a lot of ground in the standings by having their offspring collect non-top-tier graded races that carry big purses. 

Take, for example, Tiz the Law . Over the last two weeks, his offspring have collected grade 1 and 2 victories. Because of those wins, he's the second-biggest gainer in this latest review of the North American General Sires List. Tiz the Law moved up five spots from No. 13 and into the top 10 at No. 8. He stood this year for $40,000 at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.

Fully Subscribed, who has never finished off the board in nine career starts, recently won her first grade 1. In the Aug. 28 $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), she raced off the pace before taking the lead on the approach to the stretch. Ultimately, she pulled away for a 9 3/4-length romp. While she hasn't matched the earnings of sibling Tiztastic, Fully Subscribed is a class act.

As nice as grade 1s look on the resume, so are races with six times the purse.

Meanwhile, the sire's top earner this year is Caroline St. Beat. He captured the Sept. 5 $3 million Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs. The 3-year-old out of the Scat Daddy mare Myhartblongstodady, took home a little more than $1 million of the total purse.

The biggest mover among those sires who were in the top 25 two weeks ago is Yaupon . Last year's top rookie sire and this year's top sophomore leaped six places from No. 23 to No. 17.

Over these last two weeks, there was no grade 1 win for his progeny, but he did have his daughter Niche win the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2), which was held Aug. 28. She nearly went gate to wire, but after starting just off the lead at the start, she quickly established control of the 7-furlong contest and held off a late challenge for her first graded win.

The next day, Yaupon's son Local Knowledge finished third in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. 

All in all, it was a productive two weeks for Yaupon, who stood this year for $60,000 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington. 

Usually, when a sire moves into or returns to the top 25, they land at Nos. 24 or 25. But not McKinzie . The Gainesway sire climbed all the way to No. 21. Standing for $75,000 this year, he was singing the praises of Hymn. His gelded son captured the Aug. 29 $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1). 

Stalking the lead for the first half mile of the race's 7 furlongs, Hymn grabbed the lead and held off game challengers. It proved a great follow-up to his second in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2) earlier this summer. 

And just as Fully Subscribed was much the best in the Personal Ensign, second in that race was McKinzie's daughter, Scottish Lassie, who added $100,000 to her dad's progeny earnings total.