This might be the most overlooked new sire of 2022

One of the more underrated first-year sires is City of Light, who shows eight winners out of 21 starters, according to BloodHorse's list of leading 2-year-old sires, based on earnings. City of Light is 14th on the list with $1,031,941 in earnings.

Who are two active runners sired by City of Light to watch?

Chop Chop

The connections took a shot by entering Chop Chop in the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland after she captured two turf races at Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs. Chop Chop rewarded their faith with a closing runner-up finish. She lost by a nose to Wonder Wheel, who is highly regarded.

Watch as Chop Chop initially lags in 11th before working her way forward and rallying with a wide move in the stretch run. Because Wonder Wheel shook loose with an uncontested lead after the first quarter, she had a major advantage as they rounded the far turn. 

For the solid runner-up effort, Chop Chop earned a 99 on TimeformUS.

Besides City of Light on top, Chop Chop is also out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Grand Sofia, who is a half sister to the multiple graded-stakes winner Rail Trip. In 2009, Rail Trip took the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at the traditional 1 1/4-mile distance. Given the dam's successful sibling, there is reason to believe she can go longer.

Look for Chop Chop to improve as time goes on. If she heads to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, she can contend for the win with the right pace and trip. With proven success on dirt and turf in her record already, Chop Chop has many paths open afterward.

Gaslight Dancer

After fading off the board in his career debut at Churchill Downs on dirt, the connections switched Gaslight Dancer to turf for his next two starts.

Gaslight Dancer took a step forward on the surface switch by dominating the field by five lengths in his Sept. 3 maiden win at Kentucky Downs. He then lost by a only neck in the Futurity Stakes (G3) at the Belmont at Big A meet.

The clustered finish is typical of crowded turf sprints. Gaslight Dancer fought on well from start to finish. 

Gaslight Dancer’s pedigree indicates he can route. His second dam Rahy Rose is a half sister to Wild Rush, who deadheated with Silver Charm in the 1998 Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap (G3) at nine furlongs. Wild Rush also won the 1998 Metropolitan Handicap (G1), among other races. In addition, Gaslight’s Dancer’s damsire is the route influencer Medaglia d’Oro.

Of course, City of Light himself was a great miler who could stretch out his speed to nine furlongs. The winner of the 2018 Breeders' Cup Mile also won the 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), among other races.

Trainer Michael Maker excels with turf routers, but he might want to attempt another dirt route with this colt. Although Gaslight Dancer faded out of the picture in his only dirt try, that start came in his career debut. Many horses throw a clunker in their debut because they need the learning experience.

If Gaslight Dancer cannot handle dirt, then his turf future looks bright. His five-length maiden win came in a seven-furlong maiden sprint at Kentucky Downs. He should handle at least eight to nine furlongs.