I knew she was fast...
 

Apparently the "speed gene" traces back to a single mare in Britain, about 300 years ago:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...310755727.html

"The new analysis also traced modern variants of the original speed gene to the legendary Nearctic (1954–1973)"

Crossing Nearctic can be a powerful cross. His son Northern Dancer has really overshadowed Nearctic in pedigree analysis.

GR, Great article. Thanks for posting.