Prospect Watch: California Chrome’s half-sister debuts
A half-sister to fan favorite California Chrome is among the most notable juveniles slated to debut at tracks across the country this week.
She’s one of a half-dozen newcomers I'm highlighting in this week’s edition of Prospect Watch.
Friday
Aqueduct race 1: Maiden special weight (6 1/2 furlongs, 12:20 p.m. EST)
No. 4 Corporate Power
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Curlin–Road to Victory, by Quality Road
Purchase price: $925,000
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
The beautifully bred Corporate Power is a son of two-time horse of the year and elite sire Curlin out of Road to Victory, winner of the Golden Rod (G2) and one of only two horses to reach a finish line ahead of two-time Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Monomoy Girl. Corporate Power has put together a sharp work tab for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and has the pedigree to shine over classic distances, so add this bay colt to your list of possible road to the Kentucky Derby contenders.
No. 6 Sardis
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Into Mischief–Endless Chat, by Bernardini
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Chad Brown
A son of four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief out of Endless Chat, Sardis is a half-brother to Cecil B. DeMille (G3) winner Verbal. The latter proved best on turf, but then his sire is 2016 champion turf male Flintshire. Into Mischief is more inclined to sire dirt horses than turf stars, so don’t be surprised if Sardis produces a strong dirt debut for the hot jockey-trainer duo of Manny Franco and Chad Brown. Keep in mind, Brown has debuted talented dirt horses at Aqueduct in the past, including Preakness winners Cloud Computing and Early Voting.
Saturday
Aqueduct race 8: Maiden special weight (1 1/16 miles on turf, 3:15 p.m.)
No. 3 Celtic Elegance
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro–Love the Chase, by Not for Love
Purchase price: $90,000
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Arguably the most exciting horse debuting this week is Celtic Elegance, a half-sister to 2014 Kentucky Derby winner and two-time horse of the year California Chrome. Celtic Elegance has been working steadily in New York for trainer Kenny McPeek, who has saddled 12 trifecta finishers from 21 starters at Aqueduct since 2021. Love the Chase has foaled four turf winners from seven starters, which includes California Chrome thanks to his win in the Hollywood Derby (G1) on grass, so there are reasons to believe Celtic Elegance can produce a competitive debut.
No. 8 Spendalot
2-year-old filly
Pedigree: More Than Ready–Siempre Mia, by Scat Daddy
Purchase price: $650,000
Trainer: Chad Brown
Trainer Chad Brown is thoroughly familiar with the pedigree of Spendalot, since he’s saddled Spendalot’s full sister Consumer Spending to win the Wonder Again (G2), Eatontown (G3), Matchmaker (G3) and two other stakes. Spendalot sold for $650,000 as a yearling and hasn’t missed a beat in training since joining the work tab back in May. With two dozen timed workouts under her belt, Spendalot ought to be fit for her debut.
Sunday
Churchill Downs race 7: Maiden special weight (six furlongs, 4:01 p.m.)
No. 9 Carbone
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Mitole–Treasure in Heaven, by Street Sense
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Fast workouts at Ellis Park, including a pair of bullet half-mile moves from the starting gate in 47.4 and 47.2 seconds, suggest Carbone has speed befitting a son of 2019 champion male sprinter Mitole. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen conditioned Mitole and likewise trains Carbone, who looks ready to challenge for victory in his first run under colors.
No. 10 Decatur Street
2-year-old colt
Pedigree: Street Sense–Caramel Snap, by Smart Strike
Purchase price: N/A
Trainer: Bill Mott
Bill Mott has enjoyed success over the past couple of years with Caramel Swirl, a Godolphin homebred who has won the Raven Run (G2), Gallant Bloom (G2) and Vagrancy (G3). Now Mott is debuting Caramel Swirl’s half-brother Decatur Street, a Godolphin homebred son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. Decatur Street has put together an encouraging work tab capped off by a half-mile in 48.6 second at Churchill Downs, so don’t count him out of the mix.