Issue link: http://nytbreeders.epubxp.com/i/609330
40 New York Breeder | nytbreeders.org | December 2015 adam coglianese/nyra photos Sudden Surprise earns his third stakes win of the year in the Notebook; below, Mike Repole with his blue and orange shoes and trainer Todd Pletcher (far right) Suddenly a Star Sudden Surprise bounces back in Notebook; Frosty Margarita wins Key Cents Owner Mike repOle beaMs with pride whenever his stallion Giant Surprise is the focus of conversation. Not only is Repole stoked by the son of Giant's Cause - way's frst crop of runners, which includes Super Surprise (winner of the $250,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes), but also by his decision to stand Giant Surprise, who re - sides at Rockridge Stud, after an injury-shortened career consisting of a single maid- en victory at Saratoga (see page 34). "I think a lot of people thought I was crazy, when you have a horse that only has one start (and you send him to stud). If you want to succeed at this game you have to take risks, take chances. This was a big risk," said Repole, clad in blue and orange sneakers—the colors of Repole Stable's silks inspired by his beloved New York Mets. "I'm blessed to own (champion and leading frst- crop and juvenile sire) Uncle Mo with Coolmore. I get as excited about Giant Surprise as I do Un - cle Mo. It's more impressive that Giant Surprise is the number seven frst-crop sire than Uncle Mo is the number one sire. That Giant Surprise would even be in the top 20 was probably (odds of) a thousand to one." The odds were considerably lower, however, on Repole Stable's homebred Sudden Surprise (by Giant Surprise), the 1-5 favorite in a feld of six New York-bred 2-year-olds Nov. 21 at Aq - ueduct in the $100,000 Notebook Stakes at six furlongs. Turning back from a fourth-place in the one- mile Sleepy Hollow Stakes (Sudden Surprise's frst defeat in four starts after three sprint tal - B y Pa u l V o l P o n i