Cutting Humor to Stand at McDowell Farm in Arkansas

Cutting Humor, the winner of the 2019 Sunland Park Derby (G3) in track-record time, has been retired to Bill McDowell's McDowell Farm in Sparkman, Ark., Jay Goodwin announced Sept. 2.

Goodwin organized the group of breeders that will stand the horse at stud.

Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Cutting Humor ran the nine furlongs of the Sunland Park Derby in 1:46.94 and is the current title holder of the track record at Sunland Park. In that race he defeated Mucho Gusto, who went on to win the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1). Following the Sunland Park Derby, Cutting Humor finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) after a troubled trip. He finished on the board in six of nine starts and earned $525,467.

Cutting Humor was bred in Kentucky by Dell Hancock and Bernie Sams Jr. The son of First Samurai  is out of the Pulpit mare Pun, a half sister to multiple grade 1 winner and sire Zensational. Pun also produced stakes winner and multiple graded-placed Irish You Well. Cutting Humor is from the immediate Claiborne Farm family of multiple grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro , multiple graded stakes winner Global Campaign, and multiple stakes winner Sonic Mule. 

The dark bay was originally purchased as a short yearling at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale by Bloodstock Investments IV for $135,000 from the Claiborne Farm consignment. He was subsequently resold as a yearling at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale in New York, where Frankie Brothers, agent for Starlight Racing, bought him for $400,000 out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.

"Cutting Humor presents a tremendous opportunity for Arkansas breeders to get access to an awesome physical specimen, from a great Claiborne family, who raced at the highest level," Goodwin said. "He was picked out by Frankie Brothers, who is one of the best judges in the horse business, at the most boutique horse sale in the country, and then competed with the best colts in his generation. What's not to love?"

Goodwin also said Arkansas racing has continued to flourish, and he sees that trend continuing.

"I have put together a group of the best breeders in the region, including: Bill McDowell, Staton Flurry (Flurry Racing), JR and Rita Young (breeders of this year's top Arkansas-bred Man in the Can), leading Texas breeders Jim and Heidi Maikranz, and Cloyce Clark Jr. (breeder of Sharp Azteca  and Dr Post). Bill McDowell gave me my first job in the horse business and taught me a lot that I carry with me still to this day. His family farm has been the preeminent operation in Arkansas for nearly 50 years, and I'm excited that he not only agreed to stand Cutting Humor but that he also took an ownership stake as well. This horse will receive every opportunity to be successful." 

A stud fee will be announced at a later date.