Father Patrick sires his first qualifying winners

The siring career of the impeccably bred trotting stallion Father Patrick kicked off in scintillating fashion at a "Breakfast With The Babies" qualifying session at The Meadowlands on June 2 with two very impressive winners.

The first of his qualifying winners was the Jimmy Takter trained filly Whispering Oaks, who led throughout to take a comfortable two and a quarter length win in 1:58 flat.

A $100,000 purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale, Whispering Oaks is the first foal of the stakes-race placed Muscles Yankee mare Vintage Oaks.

The next of his qualifying winners, Greenshoe, looked like he could be a serious contender for some of the early 2-year-old features with a stunning all-the-way 1:55 performance to down fellow son of Father Patrick, Hudson River by two and three-quarter lengths.

The Marcus Melander trained colt was Father Patrick's top priced yearling last year, selling for $330,000 at Lexington.

He is out of the multiple world champion filly Designed To Be, a $660,000 earning daughter of Donato Hanover.

A further three juveniles by Father Patrick (French Cafe, Special Honor and Soul Strong) were qualifying winners for trainer Julie Miller at Gaitway Farm on June 4, with the colt Soul Strong the most impressive of the winning trio, scoring by over ten lengths in 1:57.8 in his heat.

The former US 2YO and 3YO Trotting Colt of the Year looks set to make a immediate impact with his debut crop once racing gets underway in the next few weeks.