Sierra Blanca Equine Year One Sire US National Anthem gave birth to his first winner when his daughter American Angel won his first race on August 2 in a five-furlong track trial at The Downs in Albuquerque.
Bred in New Mexico by Kim Saunders, American Cherub sold for $31,000 to owners Bobby McQueen and Glen Robertson from Sierra Blanca’s consignment at the 2023 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Foal Auction. The mare was sent to trainer Dick Cappellucci.
American Cherub faced seven competitors in the New Mexico-bred 2-year-old mare trial nominated and qualified for the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity. She latched on to leader Lucky Shot Annie from the start, then took the lead early in the stretch and won by two lengths. Her final time was :59.37.
McQueen certainly knows his first winner’s family well, as he has raced American Cherub’s dam Be My Angel and her second dam, the winner Glory Be Mine, alongside Dale Taylor and trainer Todd Fincher.
American Anthem is a 10 year old son of Bodemeister from Indy’s Windy, a half-sister to five-time Grade 1 winner Banshee Breeze. As a racehorse, American Anthem won the 2017 Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) and 2018 San Carlos Stakes (G2) while competing well in Grade 1s with third-place finishes in the 2017 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1), 2017 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G1) and 2020 Carter Handicap (G1). She retired with a 6-3-4 record in 21 starts and earnings of $848,490.
This year, American Anthem is on sale for $3,000.
