Prospect Watch: 7 debuting during Preakness week
Amid all the Preakness coverage, we would be remiss if we failed to highlight a few of the numerous maiden special weights taking place across the country this week.
I’ll focus my attention on a handful of contests at Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs, highlighting seven well-bred youngsters racing for the first time.
Thursday
Gulfstream Park race 2: Maiden special weight (five furlongs, 1:20 p.m. EDT)
No. 2 Las Colinas
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Mohaymen–Cool Moves, by Hold Me Back
Purchase price: $11,500
Trainer: Antonio Sano
A son of early-maturing four-time Grade 2 winner Mohaymen (who sires 13 percent debut winners, according to Brisnet stats), Las Colinas is a half-sister to California Oaks winner Lily Poo. She enters off a trio of half-mile workouts at Gulfstream since April 29 and is eligible to outrun her $11,500 purchase price.
No. 4 Sugar N Spice
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Adios Charlie–Travelator, by A. P. Jet
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Fernando Abreu
Sugar N Spice hails from a productive family. Her half-brother Hollywood Jet won nine of 18 starts, including the Fishtown at Parx, and her full-sister Stone Silent won Santa Anita’s Debutante sprinting five furlongs as a juvenile. Sugar N Spice breezed a sharp three furlongs in 35.94 seconds at Gulfstream last Saturday and warrants respect on debut.
Churchill Downs race 1: Maiden special weight (five furlongs, 5:00 p.m.)
No. 7 Stormquist
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Nyquist–Cajun Dawn, by Awesome Again
Purchase price: $100,000
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
A son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Stormquist was produced by Cajun Dawn, the dam of Sunshine Millions Distaff winner Mom’z Laugh, three-time stakes-winning sprinter Cajun Delta Dawn, Carry Back (G2) third-place finisher Peace At Dawn and the three-time stakes-placed sprinter Cajun Breeze. Stormquist enters off a trio of bullet three-furlong workouts at Hawthorne and looks like a top-tier win threat.
Friday
Churchill Downs race 1: Maiden special weight (five furlongs, 6:00 p.m.)
No. 1 George’s Honey
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Jimmy Creed–Que Chulo, by Bernardini
Purchase price: $170,000
Trainer: Mark Casse
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse is set to debut George’s Honey, a daughter of Malibu (G1) winner Jimmy Creed. George’s Honey has twice breezed four furlongs in less than 48 seconds at Churchill Downs (including once from the starting gate), so there’s a lot to like about this $170,000 yearling acquisition.
No. 3 Deboisblanc
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Munnings–Tensas Cowgirl, by Cowboy Cal
Purchase price: $290,000
Trainer: Brad Cox
High-percentage trainer Brad Cox is unveiling a promising prospect in Deboisblanc. The daughter of accomplished sprinter-miler Munnings clocked a bullet half-mile from the Keeneland starting gate in 47.8 seconds on May 2 and followed up with the same distance in 49 seconds May 11. Cox has been hot at Churchill Downs this spring, going 9-for-26 (35 percent), so it’s easy to understand why Deboisblanc is the 2-1 morning-line favorite.
Saturday
Churchill Downs race 6: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 3:18 p.m.)
No. 4 Saucy Secret
3-year-old filly
Pedigree: Into Mischief–Tiz Miz Sue, by Tiznow
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Steve Hobby
A daughter of four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief, Saucy Secret is the sixth starter produced by Ogden Phipps Handicap (G1) winner Tiz Miz Sue, whose first five starters all visited the winner’s circle. Saucy Secret has put together a lengthy work tab in preparation for her debut, including a recent five furlongs in one minute at Churchill Downs, stamping the bay filly as one worth watching in the long run.
No. 5 Ruby Tap
3-year-old filly
Pedigree: Tapit–Majestic Jewel, by Cindago
Purchase price: $300,000
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen saddled Concept to win the Kip Deville at Remington Park two years ago. Now Asmussen is debuting Concept’s half-sister Ruby Tap, a daughter of three-time leading North American sire Tapit. Ruby Tap sold for $300,000 as a weanling and enters off seven workouts at Turfway Park this year. If this Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer lives up to her pedigree, she’ll be a factor on debut.