Prospect Watch: 5 noteworthy debuts at Ellis Park, Belmont
The first foal produced by the two-time Grade 1-winning mare Elate is among the many promising 2-year-olds slated to debut this week.
After analyzing the entries at Ellis Park and Belmont Park, I’ve identified five of the most noteworthy newcomers to know.
Friday
Ellis Park race 6: Maiden special weight (five furlongs, 3:18 p.m. EDT)
No. 2 Hot Beach
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Omaha Beach–Hot Water, by Medaglia d’Oro
Purchase price: $400,000
Trainer: Brian Lynch
A daughter of three-time Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach (who is siring 43 percent winners from first-time starters, according to Brisnet stats), Hot Beach was produced by Hot Water, previously the dam of Challenger (G3) and Ben Ali (G3) winner Scalding plus the graded stakes-placed stakes winners Tracksmith and Hot and Sultry. Hot Beach has posted a series of sharp half-mile workouts at Churchill Downs and looks like a win threat under hot jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Saturday
Belmont Park race 1: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 1:05 p.m.)
No. 3 Exhilarate
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: War Front–Elate, by Medaglia d’Oro
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Bill Mott
One of the best-bred horses debuting this week is Exhilarate, a daughter of internationally successful stallion War Front out of Elate, who won the Alabama (G1), Beldame (G1) and two editions of the Delaware Handicap (G2) during her decorated career. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott conditioned Elate and likewise trains Exhilarate, whose lengthy work tab includes a bullet half-mile over the Saratoga training track in 48.45 seconds.
Ellis Park race 2: Maiden special weight (five furlongs, 1:14 p.m.)
No. 5 Collins
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Into Mischief–Lady Lavery, by Elusive Quality
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief is responsible for an excellent 16 percent debut winners, which bodes well for Godolphin homebred Collins. The Brendan Walsh trainee is a half-sibling to Meru, an early-maturing juvenile who won his debut and the Smoke Glacken before finishing second in the Nashua (G3). Collins is bred top and bottom to win from an early age and has a shot to take home top honors.
Sunday
Belmont Park race 5: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 2:40 p.m.)
No. 9 Haul
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Army Mule–Western Kitty, by Western Fame
Purchase price: $260,000
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is set to debut Haul, a son of Pletcher’s Carter Handicap (G1) winner Army Mule, who sires 20 percent winners from first-time starters per Brisnet stats. Haul enters off four consecutive half-mile workouts over the Saratoga training track, including a near-bullet exercise from the starting gate in 48.15 seconds, so he looks ready to challenge under four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
No. 10 Falfurrias
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Runhappy–Dancing to Town, by Speightstown
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pletcher also entered Falfurrias, a son of 2015 champion male sprinter Runhappy out of Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf winner Dancing to Town. Falfurrias breezed a half-mile from the Belmont Park starting gate in 47.80 seconds on June 25 and followed up with an identical exercise in a bullet 47.23 seconds Sunday, so all signs suggest this dark bay colt is ready for a competitive showing.