Summer Applause has already proven her capabilities at a distance of ground, which is not surprising considering she is by multiple Grade 1 winner Harlan’s Holiday. All but two of the stallion’s victories came at a mile or longer.

Harlan’s Holiday earned a shot at Kentucky Derby glory in 2002 with easy victories in the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes, both going nine furlongs. The bay runner wound up seventh in the Derby, but returned to be a nice fourth in the Preakness going 1 3/16 miles just two weeks later.

Harlan’s Holiday would go on to capture the Donn Handicap as a four-year-old and also placed in such 1 ¼-mile contests as the Dubai World Cup, Jockey Club Gold Cup and Hollywood Gold Cup.

The offspring of Harlan’s Holiday offer up an average winning distance of seven furlongs, but have triumphed as far as 13.8 furlongs. One of his top progeny, Denis of Cork, actually ran third in the Kentucky Derby before placing second in the 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes in 2008.

Summer Applause displayed her sire’s tendency to sit just off the pace before coming with a furious run to claim victory in the Rachel Alexandra Stake at Fair Grounds, but also proved capable on the front end when romping by seven lengths in her juvenile finale at the New Orleans venue in December.

Summer Applause’s dam, Summer Exhibition, never competed on track, but the mare is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Recoup the Cash, who rose from the claiming ranks to capture back-to-back editions of the Stephen Foster Handicap in the mid-1990s.

This female family has also produced a trio of Canadian Horses of the Year in Canadiana, Victoria Park and Viceregal.

Summer Exhibition is by Royal Academy, who shipped over from England to capture the Breeders’ Cup Mile on the turf in 1990. The stallion stood overseas upon the completion of his career, siring the likes of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Bullish Luck, among other champions.