By Elaine Belval
As mentioned in this space in 2012, for many years, Put it Back was one of my favorite stallions in the USA. A son of Champion Honour and Glory, Put it Back was a very solid racehorse, winning five sprints at three, including the G2 Riva Ridge S. for owner-breeder Hobeau Farm and trainer Allen Jerkins. An injury sent him to Bridlewood Farm to stand the 2002 breeding season.
Put it Back was a consistent sire in Florida, with over 80% starters, 60% winners, 20% two-year-old winners, and a solid 6% SWs. Put it Back sired runners capable of competing in Graded stakes on the national stage, including G1 winners In Summation and Jessica is Back and G2 SWs Smokey Stover and Yara.
From 2003, Put it Back shuttled to Haras Santa Maria de Araras in Brazil. After Bridlewood changed hands in 2013, Put it Back did not return from Brazil for the first time.
This In Reality-line sire has established himself as a leading sire in South America, and the 2013/14 season in particular has been a breakout year for him.
Earlier this season, his best runner, Bal a Bali, won the Brazilian Triple Crown (the one-mile Estado do Rio de Janeiro in January, the Grande Premio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado at 10 furlongs in March, and the 12-furlong GP Cruzeiro do Sul later that same month. In June, Bal a Bali won the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You Are In” Grande Premio Brasil. Bal a Bali has now won 11 of 12 starts and is aiming for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Also in the month of June, Put it Back has sired G2 Clasico Particula (11 furlongs on the turf) winner Most Advanced. In the G1 GP Major Suckow at five furlongs on the turf, Put it Back got the winner Blind Ambition and the second-place finisher Desejado Put, who had won the race in 2013. And Billy Girl (a multiple GSW) finished second in the G1 GP Roberto e Nelson Grimaldi Seabra at 10 furlongs on the turf.
In South America, Put it Back has over 80% starters, 60% winners, 20% two-year-old winners, and a remarkable 10% SWs. Considering the sprinting (and dirt) bloodlines of his family, it is interesting that many of his best runners (aside from Bal a Bali) have competed at 10 – 12 furlongs on the turf.
Haras Santa Maria de Araras has a real gem, one that Florida breeders missed this season.