Kupuna demonstrated his class and resilience on February 22, 2025, by powering home to an authoritative victory in Race 7 at Sam Houston Race Park, an Allowance Optional Claiming event contested over six furlongs. Guided confidently by jockey Jose L. Alvarez and expertly trained by W. Bret Calhoun, Kupuna circled the field impressively from near the back, winning by 2¾ lengths and clocking an exceptional final time of 1:09.90, good for a robust Equibase Speed Figure of 107.
Purchased as an OPTIMAL Matings Selection by pedigree analyst and bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd of Shepherd Equine Advisers at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Kupuna has proven an exceptional investment. Bought for $140,000 for owners Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch from Elm Tree Farm, Kupuna has now amassed career earnings of $478,502, demonstrating the power and reliability of Shepherd’s data-driven approach to thoroughbred selection.
The gelding by Hard Spun out of Hanalei Hailey (Malibu Moon) has compiled an impressive career record, finishing in the money in 14 of his 21 lifetime starts, including five wins, seven seconds and two thirds. His career-best Equibase Speed Figure of 111, achieved in his victory in the Evangeline Mile Stakes (Black Type) on April 6, 2024, highlights his substantial class and competitive ability at higher stakes levels.
Kupuna’s victory at Sam Houston marked an impressive return to form in his first start of 2025, earning $21,720 in purse money. It is particularly notable as the gelding had previously overcome adversity, requiring a lengthy recovery period following his run in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in March 2022. The careful management, strategic placement and thoughtful recovery plan by Kupuna’s connections have clearly paid dividends.
Kupuna’s consistent performances, coupled with Shepherd Equine Advisers’ pedigree-driven selection process, offer compelling proof that strategic, science-backed approaches like OPTIMAL Matings significantly enhance the likelihood of success on the track. Owners Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch have clearly benefited from their partnership with Clark Shepherd, whose track record includes mating designs and purchases of multiple graded stakes winners, most notably Kentucky Derby champion Animal Kingdom.
Looking ahead, Kupuna’s recent victory signals he’s poised for continued success in competitive company, offering his connections opportunities to further capitalize on their astute investment. To learn more about how Shepherd Equine Advisers and OPTIMAL Matings can enhance your breeding or buying strategy, schedule your consultation today and join the winner’s circle.
You can’t fake pedigree. But you can optimize it. The best breeders and buyers don’t chase hot sires or flashy yearlings. They use pedigree science to breed and buy winners. The OPTIMAL Matings Blueprint shows you how. Get the system here: https://shepherdequineadvisers.kit.com/4e9b69495f
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