Prospect Watch: 16 2-year-olds with elite pedigrees debut
This week presents an impressive collection of young horses making their racing debuts, headlined by five first-time starters carrying exceptional bloodlines.
It's high season for debuting 2-year-olds, and this week 16 of them with elite pedigrees are worth a watch as they debut at Saratoga, Del Mar and beyond. The spotlight falls on a diverse group that includes a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Red Carpet Ready to daughters of Grade 1-winning dams.
Thursday
Delaware Park race 4 features the debut of Marcilly, a 4-year-old Ireland-bred colt by Galileo making his first North American start. Out of Grade 3 winner Music Box, he will contest about one mile and 70 yards on turf in a maiden claiming race.
The Richard J. Hendriks trainee will have Angel Cruz aboard, and the morning line has set him at 15-1 odds. The claiming conditions suggest connections are taking a conservative approach with the European import, allowing him to gain experience against winners while potentially moving to higher levels based on performance.
Del Mar race 1 on Thursday features Donata, a 3-year-old filly by Uncle Mo making her debut over five furlongs on turf. This daughter of the influential sire is out of Grade 1 winner Cacciatora, who captured her stakes victory in Venezuela. Trainer Bob Baffert sends out the filly with Drayden Van Dyke aboard for owner Natalie Baffert. The morning line has established her at 6-1 odds from post 11.
Friday
Time to Dream debuts in Saratoga race 7, a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies going one mile on turf. This daughter of white-hot sire Not This Time carries impressive family credentials as the half-sister to Grade 2 winner Red Carpet Ready, who earned nearly $800,000.
Jose L. Ortiz takes the riding assignment for owner Repole Stable. The turf debut at Saratoga's demanding oval will provide an excellent test of the filly's potential, with the Not This Time bloodline showing effectiveness with fillies on turf surfaces.
Saturday
Saratoga race 2 presents Further Ado, a 2-year-old colt by Gun Runner making his career debut. This son of the top sire brings solid credentials as the half-brother to Grade 2 winner Kimbear, who earned over $800,000 racing in Dubai. Out of Grade 3-placed mare Sky Dreamer, Further Ado will contest six furlongs on dirt in a maiden special weight. Trainer Brad Cox has secured Irad Ortiz Jr. for the mount, racing for Spendthrift Farm. The Gun Runner bloodline has shown immediate success with 2-year-olds, and the Cox-Ortiz combination adds appeal to this debut effort.
Saratoga race 7 presents a compelling pair of 2-year-old fillies making their debuts in a maiden special weight at six furlongs on dirt. Academia leads the entries as a daughter of Into Mischief out of Grade 1 winner Wow Cat, who earned over $1.2 million during her racing career. The Chile-bred dam captured the Beldame (G1) and ran second to Monomoy Girl in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, establishing this as one of the week's most significant debuts.
Trainer Chad Brown sends out Academia with Manny Franco aboard for owner Peter Brant, a combination that has produced numerous graded-stakes winners with well-bred juveniles.
Immortalize provides formidable competition as a daughter of Gun Runner out of Grade 1 winner Dickinson, who earned over $780,000. Trainer Brad Cox has secured Irad Ortiz Jr. for the mount, racing for Godolphin as a homebred.
Dickinson's 3-year-old colt Chapman's Peak makes his long-awaited third start at Ellis Park Monday, going 1 1/8 miles on turf under Luan Machado.
Next week
Horseshoe Indianapolis race 3 on Wednesday showcases two notable first-time starters competing over 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. Struck makes his debut as a 2-year-old colt by Kitten's Joy, carrying impressive family credentials as the half-brother to Grade 2 winner New Year's Eve, who earned over $665,000. Out of the Brazil-bred mare Awesome Rafaela, Struck will start for trainer Brendan Walsh with Evin A. Roman aboard. The morning line has established him at 8-1 odds for owners Fergus Galvin and Marc Detampel.
Wishmaster provides formidable competition in the same race as a 2-year-old colt by The Factor, who brings his own notable family connection as the half-brother to Grade 2 winner Heavenly Sunday, a mare who earned nearly $800,000. Trainer Caio Caramori sends out Wishmaster with Sergio Figueroa taking the mount for owners Caio Caramori and George A. Sharp. The morning line has made him the 3-1 favorite. The Kitten's Joy and The Factor bloodlines both show particular effectiveness on turf surfaces, setting up an intriguing matchup between two well-bred newcomers.
Here's the full list of Prospect Watch newcomers.
| Date | Track | Type | Horse | Div | Sire | Dam | Trainer | Top Sibling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time starters | ||||||||
| 7/21 | ELP 2 | MOC | Props | 2M | Street Sense | Gloryzapper (G3), 13YO, $225K | Keith Desormeaux | - |
| 7/21 | ELP 4 | MSW | Fulleffort | 2M | Liam's Map | Callmethesqueeze, 17YO, $324K | Brad Cox | Power Squeeze (G1), 4YO, $1.03M, by Union Rags |
| 7/21 | ELP 4 | MSW | Maginnesontap | 2M | Omaha Beach | Golden Ballad (IRE), 11YO, $0K | Brendan Walsh | Balladeer (G2), 6YO, $480K, by Distorted Humor |
| 7/21 | ELP 4 | MSW | Vulcan's Boots | 2M | Flameaway | Sistas Stroll (G3), 14YO, $235K | Kelsey Danner | - |
| 7/23 | DEL 2 | MCL | Mac Daddyness | 2M | Goldencents | Change Up (G3), 21YO, $375K | Jamie Ness | - |
| 7/24 | DEL 4 | MCL | Eryk Anthony | 3M | Not This Time | Flashy American (G3), 16YO, $779K | Blake Kelly | - |
| 7/24 | DEL 4 | MCL | Marcilly | 4M | Galileo | Music Box (G3), 11YO, $137K | Richard J. Hendriks | - |
| 7/24 | DMR 1 | MSW | Curtsy | 3F | Into Mischief | Bendable (G3), 12YO, $257K | Richard Mandella | - |
| 7/24 | DMR 1 | MSW | Donata | 3F | Uncle Mo | Cacciatora (VEN) (G1), 9YO, $11K | Bob Baffert | - |
| 7/24 | PRX 7 | MSW | Silent Wrath | 3F | Cajun Breeze | Rite Moment (G2), 21YO, $399K | Guadalupe Preciado | Mimi Kakushi (G3), 5YO, $233K, by City of Light |
| 7/25 | SAR 3 | MCL | Sharon Horizons | 3F | Wootton Bassett | Roca Rojo (G2), 13YO, $595K | Chad Brown | - |
| 7/25 | SAR 7 | MSW | Time to Dream | 2F | Not This Time | Wild Silk, 12YO, $0K | Todd Pletcher | Red Carpet Ready (G2), 5YO, $799K, by Oscar Performance |
| 7/26 | ELP 5 | MSW | Love Supreme | 3F | Tapit | Terra Promessa (G3), 12YO, $920K | Steve Asmussen | - |
| 7/26 | SAR 2 | MSW | Further Ado | 2M | Gun Runner | Sky Dreamer (G3 Placed), 16YO, $176K | Brad Cox | Kimbear (G2), 11YO, $807K, by Temple City |
| 7/26 | SAR 7 | MSW | Academia | 2F | Into Mischief | Wow Cat (CHI) (G1), 11YO, $1.20M | Chad Brown | - |
| 7/26 | SAR 7 | MSW | Come On Get Happy | 2F | Maclean's Music | Acting Happy (G2), 18YO, $262K | Michelle Nevin | - |
| 7/26 | SAR 7 | MSW | Immortalize | 2F | Gun Runner | Dickinson (G1), 13YO, $781K | Brad Cox | - |
| 7/26 | SAR 7 | MSW | Tennessee Belle | 2F | Yaupon | Belle Gallantey (G1), 16YO, $1.13M | John Ortiz | - |
| 7/26 | SAR 11 | MSW | Starship Pegasus | 3F | Uncle Mo | Khancord Kid (G3), 18YO, $167K | Michelle Nevin | Spirit of St Louis (G1), 6YO, $1.82M, by Medaglia d'Oro |
| 7/27 | ELP 2 | MCL | Rich Vino | 3M | Vino Rosso | Rich Mommy (G3), 11YO, $245K | Kenny McPeek | - |
| 7/27 | ELP 5 | MSW | Dewy's Denali | 2M | Violence | Snow Top Mountain (G3), 18YO, $525K | Kelsey Danner | Greyvitos (G3), 10YO, $321K, by Malibu Moon |
| 7/27 | ELP 5 | MSW | Street Beast | 2M | Street Sense | Flower Party (IRE) (G3), 10YO, $335K | Ben Colebrook | - |
| 7/27 | ELP 8 | MSW | Clear the Beach | 3M | Omaha Beach | Spring Party, 19YO, $202K | Kelsey Danner | Marzo (G3), 10YO, $313K, by Medaglia d'Oro |
| 7/27 | ELP 8 | MSW | Heroic Act | 3M | Curlin | Fighting Mad (G1), 9YO, $472K | Brad Cox | - |
| 7/28 | IND 2 | MSW | Mayzforcebewithu | 2F | Unified | Zaphia, 17YO, $31K | Larry Rivelli | Hazelbrook (G3), 7YO, $449K, by Bayern |
| 7/30 | IND 3 | MCL | Struck | 2M | Kitten's Joy | Awesome Rafaela (BRZ), 15YO, $12K | Brendan Walsh | New Year's Eve (G2), 6YO, $665K, by Kitten's Joy |
| 7/30 | IND 3 | MCL | Wishmaster | 2M | The Factor | Alien Giant, 12YO, $60K | Caio Caramori | Heavenly Sunday (G2), 5YO, $794K, by Candy Ride (ARG) |
| Second-time starters | ||||||||
| 7/21 | ELP 3 | MCL | Sunset Lines | 3F | Good Magic | Win McCool (G3), 22YO, $219K | Rusty Arnold | - |
| 7/21 | ELP 4 | MSW | Collecting | 2M | Collected | Heidi Maria, 17YO, $221K | Michael McCarthy | Vegas Magic (G2), 5YO, $247K, by Good Magic |
| 7/21 | ELP 9 | MSW | Streetcar | 3M | Street Sense | Proctor's Ledge (G2), 11YO, $768K | Brendan Walsh | - |
| 7/22 | LAD 6 | AOC | Autie | 4M | Audible | You Laughin, 17YO, $3K | Steve Asmussen | Zenden (G1), 9YO, $1.13M, by Fed Biz |
| 7/23 | CNL 4 | MSW | It's Electric | 3M | Liam's Map | Amazement, 14YO, $0K | Jorge Duarte, Jr. | Colonel Liam (G1), 8YO, $1.81M, by Liam's Map |
| 7/23 | DEL 2 | MCL | Polvellan | 2M | Divining Rod | Two Columbus, 21YO, $149K | Lynn Ashby | Double Crown (G2), 8YO, $947K, by Bourbon Courage |
| 7/23 | MNR 8 | MSW | Jammersnextattack | 4F | Liam's Map | Swirls, 17YO, $33K | Eric R. Reed | Churn N Burn (G2), 8YO, $250K, by Liam's Map |
| 7/24 | CNL 7 | MSW | Montador | 3M | Nyquist | Lady Montdore (G2), 11YO, $319K | Michael Stidham | - |
| 7/25 | CNL 6 | MSW | Epic Style | 3F | Good Magic | Final Mesa (G3), 17YO, $212K | Michael Stidham | - |
| 7/25 | GP 6 | MSW | Starship Nautilus | 3F | Liam's Map | Olorda (GER) (G3), 13YO, $332K | Steven Dwoskin | Gala Brand (G3), 4YO, $166K, by Violence |
| 7/26 | ELP 5 | MSW | Bodacious Beauty | 3F | Violence | Bodacious Babe (G3 Placed), 12YO, $154K | Bret Calhoun | Royal Spa (G3), 5YO, $829K, by Violence |
| 7/26 | ELP 5 | MSW | Putonahappyface | 3F | Mo Town | Acting Happy (G2), 18YO, $262K | Richard Dutrow, Jr. | - |
| 7/26 | PRM 10 | STK | Winning Chance | 2F | Tapwrit | Oprah Winney (G2), 22YO, $594K | Tanner Tracy | - |
| 7/27 | ELP 8 | MSW | Cuban Cowboy | 3M | Twirling Candy | Heart Stealer (G2), 15YO, $312K | Kenny McPeek | - |
| 7/27 | ELP 8 | MSW | Only Phil | 3M | McKinzie | Mia Torri (G3 Placed), 12YO, $315K | Wayne Catalano | Two Phil's (G3), 5YO, $1.58M, by Hard Spun |
| 7/27 | ELP 10 | MSW | Operation Sunrise | 3M | War Front | Shuruq (G2), 15YO, $659K | Bill Mott | Antoinette (G3), 8YO, $676K, by Hard Spun |
| 7/30 | IND 3 | MCL | Plaid Performance | 2M | Oscar Performance | Plaid (G3 Placed), 24YO, $568K | John Ennis | Senior Investment (G3), 11YO, $887K, by Discreetly Mine |
| Third-time starters | ||||||||
| 7/21 | ELP 9 | MSW | Bravitas | 3M | Constitution | Bragging (G2), 14YO, $190K | Andrew McKeever | - |
| 7/21 | ELP 9 | MSW | Chapman's Peak | 3M | Quality Road | Dickinson (G1), 13YO, $781K | Brad Cox | - |
| 7/23 | BTP 4 | MCL | My Kentucky Lily | 3F | Frosted | My Kentucky Rose, 16YO, $37K | John Ennis | Uncharacteristic (G3), 7YO, $184K, by Texas Wildcatter |
| 7/24 | SAR 4 | MCL | Yankee Doodle | 3F | American Freedom | Yankee Union, 16YO, $164K | Linda Rice | Taxed (G2), 5YO, $1.13M, by Collected |
| 7/25 | CNL 4 | MSW | Housebuster Dude | 2M | First Dude | All Night Labor, 21YO, $514K | Giovanni M. Salinas | Queen Nekia (G3), 10YO, $599K, by Harlington |
| 7/25 | DEL 3 | SOC | Major Offensive | 4M | War Front | Seek and Destroy (G3), 9YO, $266K | Richard J. Hendriks | - |
| 7/25 | DMR 6 | MSW | French Moonlight | 3F | Liam's Map | Claire de Lune (IRE), 12YO, $23K | Leonard Powell | Full Count Felicia (G1), 6YO, $1.23M, by War Front |
| 7/25 | MTH 1 | MSW | Mildred Pierce | 4F | Uncle Mo | War Flag (G1), 12YO, $475K | James Toner | Capture the Flag (G2), 5YO, $336K, by Quality Road |
| 7/25 | SAR 1 | MSW | Miss Im Pulsive | 3F | Into Mischief | Miss Mo Mentum (G3), 10YO, $281K | Amelia J. Green | - |
| 7/26 | ELP 5 | MSW | Jewel Box | 3F | Street Sense | Ivory Empress (G3 Placed), 19YO, $189K | Ian Wilkes | McCraken (G2), 11YO, $870K, by Ghostzapper |
| 7/26 | ELP 5 | MSW | Quick to Charm | 3F | Goldencents | Trophy Girl, 12YO, $31K | Mark Casse | Blazing Sevens (G1), 5YO, $999K, by Good Magic |
| 7/26 | ELP 5 | MSW | Temperate | 3F | Constitution | Spring in the Air (G1), 15YO, $910K | Michael McCarthy | - |
Legend: Div: Age and sex. 2F for 2-year-old fillies, 2M for 2-year-old males (colts/geldings), etc.
Top sibling (highest graded stakes): The sibling with the highest level of graded stakes won (G1, G2, G3) followed by the most money won if two siblings are at the same level.
Bolded names are mentioned in the article.