Arazi’s son, Congaree took the lead turning for home and left no doubt who was best in the rich Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) on Sunday July 13, pulling away to a powerful three-length win.

The five-year-old horse was content to sit off the fast pace set by Golden Ticket (Deposit Ticket), who took the field through the early stages before yielding to Congaree. Under a confident Jerry Bailey, Congaree completed the 2000 metre journey on a fast track in 2:00.25.

Harlan's Holiday (Harlan - Christmas in Aiken by Affirmed), ran on well for second, with another two lengths back to Kudos (Kris S - Souq by Damascus) in third.

Congaree added another quality win to his impressive list of victories, which include the Carter H. (G1), Cigar Mile H. (G1), Swaps S. (G1), Wood Memorial S. (G2), San Antonio H. (G2), San Pasqual H. (G2), Del Mar Breeders' Cup H. (G2) and Lone Star Park H. (G3). Along with placings in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Santa Anita H. (G1).

Congaree has had 20 starts with 11 wins, 1 second and 4 thirds and more than US$2.7 million in the bank.

Congaree is out of Mari's Sheba (Mari's Book), who was third in the 1995 Santa Anita Oaks (G1). Congaree is her first foal, and she has an unnamed two-year-old colt by Out of Place and an unnamed yearling filly by Coronado's Quest.

Mike Becker at the Independent Stallion Station is a happy man with the 2003 breeding season fast approaching the result of the Grade 1 Carter Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday, April 12, proved particularly significant.

The 3 ½-length winner was Arazi’s awesome 5yo son Congaree (ex Mari's Sheba by Mari's Book), which defeated Aldebaran (Mr. Prospector-Chimes of Freedom by Private Account) a half-brother to new recruit Good Journey and closely related to Coolmore’s champion miler Spinning World, while third place went to Peeping Tom (Eagle Eyed-Artful Pleasure by Nasty and Bold) a son of Danehill’s brother Eagle Eyed, who spent four seasons at stud in Australia.

It was the eighth stakes win and third Grade 1 victory for Congaree whose sire Arazi will stand his first Australian season in 2003 at Mike Becker’s The Independent Stallion Station.

Congaree adds the Carter to wins in the Cigar Mile H. (G1) Swaps Stakes (G1), Wood Memorial S. (G2), San Pasqual H. (G2), and San Antonio H. (G2).  Congaree has also placed in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness S. (G1), Jim Dandy S. (G1), San Diego H. (G2). At his last start Congaree was beaten a head by Milwaukee Brew in the Santa Anita H. (G1) on March 1. His record stands at 10 wins, 1 second and 4 thirds from 18 starts for earnings of $2,283,400.

Congaree was bred and is raced by Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable. He is the first foal of the stakes placed Mari’s Sheba (by Mari’s Brook) who the McNair’s purchased privately in 1997 along with Mari’s Sheba’s dam Sheba Little (by Known Fact) from Jack Kent Cook’s Elmendorf Farm.