In quite a shot in the arm for New York breeding, multiple Eclipse Award-winning breeder Adena Springs announced it will move five of its stallions from its branches in Kentucky and Canada to McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

The move indicates that breeders are optimistic about the long-term health of the industry in New York. Dermot Carty, Adena's director of sales, cited improved purses in New York as a reason for the move, with VLTs hopefully operating at Aqueduct by early next year.

"Naturally, the slots initiative in the state of New York is very compelling," he said. "The prospect of improved purses as well as stallion and breeder’s awards was a strong motivation for Adena Springs Farm to support the New York State program with our stallions."

The stallions are:

Touch Gold, who denied Silver Charm the Triple Crown by taking the Belmont Stakes in 1997; he also continued on to win the Haskell that summer. As a stallion, Touch Gold has been represented by 29 stakes winners, including Composure, runner-up in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies who returned to be a Grade I winner at three; 2004 Forego winner Midas Eyes; 2008 West Virginia Derby winner Ready Set; and multiple graded winner Sugar Swirl.

Alphabet Soup, who defeated two-time Horse of the Year Cigar in the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic. He's the sire of 29 stakes winners, including 2004 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner and millionaire Our New Recruit; and the Grade I winner Alphabet Kisses. Alphabet Soup will be joining another of his most successful foals in Saratoga County, as the graded winner Watchem Smokey is a retiree at Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division in nearby Greenfield Center.

Silent Name, a Grade II winner in America and a stakeswinner in France. He'll be one of the few sources of Sunday Silence blood in North America; the 1989 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Classic winner stood his entire career in Japan. Silent Name's first foals are yearlings.

Tiago, the 2007 Santa Anita Derby winner and third-place finisher in the Belmont. He's a half-brother to 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. Tiago entered stud this year, meaning his first foals will arrive next spring.

Harlem Rocker, winner of the Prince of Wales, middle jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, in 2008. He will be standing his first season at stud next year.

"In all of my 45 years in the New York industry there has never been a group of Grade 1 horses assembled the likes of these," Joe McMahon said. "This is a grand opportunity for breeders to qualify their foals for what will arguably be the best purses and awards available anywhere in the United States. We are very excited to have North America’s eight-time leading breeder entrust us with their accomplished stallions."

McMahon will host a fall open house and stallion show Oct. 30 and 31. Stud fees will be announced at a later date.