Arqana Graduate Ete Indien Finds Success on Derby Trail

Powerstown Stud's rewarding pinhook Ete Indien made considerable progress Feb. 29 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an impressive gate-to-wire victory in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Tom and Alexandra Whitehead's County Kilkenny operation bought the handsome son of Summer Front  for $80,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Although not immediately well related, the colt is from the family of Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Raven's Pass, and he found plenty of interest when he returned to the ring at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale with U.S.-based trainer Patrick Biancone landing the final bid at €240,000 (US$269,640).

Bred in Kentucky by Robert Tillyer and Eric Buckley, Ete Indien is owned by a large group that includes Biancone, Linda Shanahan, and Sanford Bacon. He has won three of his five starts.

He was second last month in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), earning four points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, over the same extended mile. He showed huge improvement Saturday, bustled along by Florent Geroux to overcome his wide draw by the first bend and stretching 8 1/2 lengths clear by the wire.

The victory secured 50 points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), launching him to the top of the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with a total of 54 points, which should see him qualify for the May 2 event, and Biancone will now decide future outings.

Powerstown's most notable breeze-up graduate to date is Quiet Reflection, who went on to land the Commonwealth Cup (G1) and Haydock 32red Sprint Cup (G1).

It was to be a good day at Gulfstream for graduates of last year's Arqana event with No Nay Never colt Vitalogy also obliging in the Palm Beach Stakes (G3T). 

Hunter Valley Farm had picked him up for €120,000 ($134,820) from Mocklershill and the breakthrough win for Brendan Walsh was in the colors of Qatar Racing.