Prospect Watch: 9 promising debuts at Belmont, Ellis Park
Royal Ascot might be drawing most of the racing world’s attention right now, but in the U.S., a series of classy maiden special weights at Belmont Park and Ellis Park are loaded with promising first-time starters.
Let’s analyze the entries and review nine new names to know.
Thursday
Belmont Park race 1: Maiden special weight (seven furlongs, 1:05 p.m. EDT)
No. 5 Honor King
3-year-old colt
Pedigree: Always Dreaming–Lantern Glow, by Mineshaft
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Jorge Abreu
A son of Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, Honor King was produced by the unraced Mineshaft mare Lantern Glow, previously the dam of Remsen (G2) winner Leave the Light On. Honor King is getting off to a late start, but he’s put together a lengthy work tab at Belmont Park and has the potential to factor under high-percentage jockey Flavien Prat.
No. 6 Coalville
3-year-old gelding
Pedigree: Into Mischief–Cathryn Sophia, by Street Boss
Purchase price: $675,000Trainer: Chad Brown
One of the best-bred horses debuting this week is Coalville, a son of four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief out of Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Cathryn Sophia. Sold for $675,000 as a yearling, Coalville enters off a long series of half-mile workouts on the New York circuit and can’t be dismissed from win consideration. It helps that trainer Chad Brown has been hot at Belmont this year, winning at a 25 percent rate.
Ellis Park race 2: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 1:14 p.m.)
No. 2 Golden Symphony
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro–Sound the Trumpets, by Bernardini
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
A half-brother to Discovery winner and Travers (G1) third-place finisher Miles D, Golden Symphony is a son of multiple Grade 1 winner and highly successful stallion Medaglia d’Oro. This is a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long, so Golden Symphony is unlikely to be at his best sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs as a juvenile. But watch out for this well-bred bay colt down the road.
No. 4 Daily Grind
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro–Walk Close, by Tapit
Purchase price: $1.35 million
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
As a son of Medaglia d’Oro out of Modesty Handicap (G3) winner Walk Close, Daily Grind is a full brother to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) runner-up Anneau d’Or. Purchased for $1.35 million as a yearling, Daily Grind has the pedigree to run long for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas (who rarely wins with first-time starters), so look for Daily Grind to improve as the year goes on.
No. 5 Hey Joe Joe
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Constitution–Peach Brew, by Milwaukee Brew
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
The fast-working Hey Joe Joe has twice breezed a half-mile in less than 48 seconds, suggesting he has ability. Constitution is the sire of early-maturing Champagne (G1) winner Tiz the Law, and dam Peach Brew won a stakes at age 2 and previously foaled juvenile stakes winner Sydney Freeman. So don’t be surprised if Hey Joe Joe vies for victory in his debut.
No. 8 Lambo
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Uncle Mo–Sunshiny Day, by Bernardini
Purchase price: $950,000
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Purchased for $950,000 early this year, Lambo is a son of champion 2-year-old male and successful sire Uncle Mo out of a mare by Preakness winner Bernardini. Lambo has encouraging workouts under his belt, and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has won with 28 percent of his starters at Ellis this year, so all signs suggest Lambo can challenge for top honors under red-hot jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Friday
Ellis Park race 2: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 1:14 p.m.)
No. 4 Mystical Chant
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Liam’s Map–Musical Mystery, by Concerto
Purchase price: $345,000
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Another Asmussen juvenile debuting this week is Mystical Chant, a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map. Sold for $345,000 as a 2-year-old in training, Mystical Chant has turned in several quick half-mile workouts on the Kentucky circuit and is slated to be ridden by Florent Geroux, who has gone 4-for-8 teaming up with Asmussen over the last two months, according to Brisnet stats. Don’t count Mystical Chant out of the mix.
No. 5 Saratoga Secret
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Arrogate–Sister, by Fort Larned
Purchase price: $200,000
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Saratoga Secret is a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate out of an unraced mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, so it’s safe to say she’s bred to thrive running long on dirt. Saratoga Secret has turned in quick workouts at Churchill Downs for D. Wayne Lukas (including a swift half-mile from the starting gate in 48 seconds), so she has the potential to be something special in the long run. Remember, Lukas won the 2022 Kentucky Oaks with a daughter of Arrogate, Secret Oath.
Saturday
Ellis Park race 2: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 1:14 p.m.)
No. 6 In a Jam
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Preservationist–Yankee Union, by Yankee Gentleman
Purchase price: $50,000
Trainer: Mark Casse
In a Jam sold for only $50,000 as yearling, but that was before his half-sister Taxed won the Black-Eyed Susan (G2). Hailing from the first crop of foals sired by Woodward (G1) winner Preservationist, In a Jam boasts an encouraging series of half-mile workouts but has the pedigree to run long, suggesting any ability he shows sprinting on debut is only a preview of what’s to come.