Successful Affair, a 4yo gelding by Successful Appeal out of the Private Terms mare Private Pouf, won the $69k Gallant Fox at Aqueduct over 13f for back to back stakes wins. He previously won the 12f Coyote Lakes on December 2nd. Successful Affair was languishing until moving to Gary Contessa's barn and stretching out in distance - way out. He has won four straight with Contessa: a mile allowance race nine days after he was claimed, a two mile allowance race (it is great that this race was carded and drew eight runners), and the two stakes wins. That is four wins over a total of 49 furlongs (more than six miles).

This is a surprising for a horse that was running for a $16k tag in October and by a sire known for throwing precocious sprinters. There is not much to indicate that Successful Affair would prove his metal as a marathoner. His dosage is a sky high 5.00 with no stamina points (5-3-4-0-0). Successful Appeal, while a Grade II winner, never won around two turns and his offspring's average winning distance is only 6.59f. He has proved to be an excellent sire -- 2.49 AEI despite not seeing the best mares. He initially stood for $5k in Florida and after three solid racing crops is now in Kentucky for $40k.

Successful Affair might not be an anomaly as Closing Argument made a big move at the top of the stretch and nearly captured the 2005 Kentucky Derby. Perhaps Successful Appeal will resuscitate the Matchem sire line. I have my fingers crossed.