Old Friends Farm Fundraiser - Alphabet Soup

All about the horse.... Alphabet Soup’s victory over the great Cigar in the 1996 Breeder’s Classic was one of the most thrilling runnings of that race in its entire history. Bred in Pennsylvania by Southeast Associates, the son of Cozzene began racing at the age of three and the following year won his first stakes, the Brubaker Handicap at Del Mar (G2), ridden by Chris McCarron, who teamed with him again to win the Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup H. Chris Antley rode the grey colt for his three-stakes win streak in the 1995 Native Diver H (G3), 1996 San Pasqual H (G2) and 1996 San Antonio H (G2) at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, and a victory in the Pat O’Brien H (G3). His 1996 campaign established Alphabet Soup as a worthy contender in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Woodbine, but his opponents were one of the strongest fields ever to compete in the race: Cigar, Preakness winner Louis Quatorze, Will’s Way, Formal Gold… Alphabet Soup and McCarron defeated Louis Quatorze by a nose and Cigar by a head and set a track record of 2:01 for a mile and a quarter. His career earnings for Ridder Thoroughbred Stable and trainer David E. Hofmans were $2,990,270 in 10 wins, 3 seconds and 6 thirds from 24 starts. At Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs, Alphabet Soup sired 48 stakes winners including Sovereign Champion Alpha Bettor, millionaire Our New Recruit, and G1 winning filly Egg Drop. In 2015 he retired to Old Friends, which extends thanks to Mr. Stronach and Adena Springs for entrusting us with his care.