Prospect Watch: 6 promising juveniles debut at 3 tracks
A half-brother to Kentucky Derby runner-up Bodemeister ranks among the best-bred juveniles slated to debut at racetracks across the U.S. this week.
Let’s dig into the entries and highlight half a dozen newcomers worth following.
Thursday
Fair Grounds race 8: Maiden special weight (six furlongs, 5:15 p.m. EST)
No. 3 Crafted
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Vino Rosso–Storm Raven, by Bodemeister
Purchase price: $375,000
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
A son of champion and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso, who is off to a promising start at stud, Crafted sold for $375,000 as a yearling. He has posted back-to-back bullet workouts at Fair Grounds under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, capping off his encouraging work tab with three furlongs from the starting gate in 35.6 seconds. This Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer may have a bright future.
No. 9 Snow King
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Tapit–Fifty Foot Woman, by Giant’s Causeway
Purchase price: $285,000
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Asmussen also is slated to debut Snow King, whose sire Tapit and dam sire Giant’s Causeway have ranked as North America’s leading sire three times apiece. Snow King’s work tab isn’t as flashy as the one belonging to stablemate Crafted, but a lengthy series of exercises capped off by a trio of five-furlong breezes at Fair Grounds should have him fit for his debut.
Saturday
Los Alamitos Race 7: Maiden special weight (six furlongs, 6:28 p.m.)
No. 1 March of Time
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Justify–Untouched Talent, by Storm Cat
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Bob Baffert
March of Time boasts a stellar pedigree. He’s a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify out of Untouched Talent, a Grade 1-placed Sorrento (G3) winner who previously foaled Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister plus two-time Grade 2 winner Under the Stars. March of Time has posted sharp workouts for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who trained Bodemeister, and is slated to be ridden by hot jockey Juan Hernandez, a 42 percent winner teaming up with Baffert over the last two months, according to Brisnet stats. A winning debut may be in the offing.
No. 2 Battle Cruiser
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Catalina Cruiser–Thatcher, by Giant’s Causeway
Purchase price: $300,000
Trainer: John Sadler
John Sadler trained Catalina Cruiser, a five-time Grade 2 winner who showed flashes of brilliance while winning seven out of nine starts. Now Sadler trains Catalina Cruiser’s son Battle Cruiser, a half-brother to stakes winners Our Super Freak and Cheertothenewyear. Both of those runners won multiple times at age 2, so Battle Cruiser has the potential to shine from an early age. A long string of five-furlong workouts at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita should have Battle Cruiser fit for a competitive debut.
No. 5 Scatify
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Justify–Broadway Run, by Prospective
Purchase price: $120,000
Trainer: John Sadler
The second Sadler trainee debuting in this field is Scatify, who sold for $120,000 earlier this year. Produced by Coronation Cup winner Broadway Run, Scatify has posted seven straight five-furlong workouts at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita. Many of the dates, distances and times match those posted by stablemate Battle Cruiser, suggesting the two have been working in company.
Sunday
Gulfstream Park race 6: Maiden special weight (seven furlongs, 2:34 p.m.)
No. 8 Princetown
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Speightstown–Maya Princess, by Street Sense
Purchase price: $220,000
Trainer: Bill Mott
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is unveiling Princetown, a son of champion sprinter and successful sire Speightstown out of Maya Princess, the dam of Mistletoe winner Mariah’s Princess. Princetown has posted a couple of bullet half-mile workouts over the slow training track at Payson Park, so this $220,000 yearling acquisition appears to have talent. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez is slated to ride, stamping Princetown as an exciting prospect.