Prospect Watch: Calumet homebred sired by Curlin debuts

Prospect Watch spotlights young Thoroughbreds making their early career appearances with elite bloodlines this week. 

Among the headliners: a 2-year-old Curlin colt out of the two-time Grade 1-winning mare Vexatious makes his debut for Calumet Farm, and a Jackie's Warrior filly out of multiple Grade 1-winning dam Ami's Mesa steps out for the first time Sunday at Churchill Downs. Second- and third-time starters with stakes credentials round out a compelling week of early-career action.

Wednesday

Cocked Pistol is a 3-year-old colt by Complexity whose half-sister Faiza, a daughter of Girvin, earned $672,000 and captured the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos. Out of dam Sweet Pistol, this colt makes his debut in a nine-horse maiden special weight going seven furlongs on dirt at Louisiana Downs. Steve Asmussen trains for the estate of Mike McCarty, with Juan Vargas in the saddle at morning-line odds of 7-2. The colt was bred by Brereton C. Jones.

Saturday

Arminius is a 2-year-old colt by Curlin out of the Grade 1-winning mare Vexatious, who earned $739,000 during her career and captured two graded-stakes victories. Bred and owned by Calumet Farm, this homebred enters one of the week's most prestigious debut slots in a 16-horse maiden special weight going six furlongs on dirt at Churchill Downs. Trainer Brendan Walsh has Tyler Gaffalione in the irons.

Sunday

Fast Amy is a 2-year-old filly by Jackie's Warrior out of Ami's Mesa, a Grade 2 winner who earned $706,000 and captured three graded-stakes victories. The filly enters a 16-horse maiden special weight going six furlongs on dirt at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Trainer Brendan Walsh has Flavien Prat up for owners Brad King, Jim Cone, Randy Andrews, B4 Farms, and R. Lee Lewis. The filly was bred by Tall Oaks Farm.

Red Square is a 3-year-old colt by American Pharoah whose half-brother Arrest Me Red earned $1.58 million and captured Grade 2 honors. Out of dam Maraschino Red, this colt takes on a 16-horse maiden special weight going five furlongs on turf at Churchill Downs. Wesley Ward trains the colt, bred by Mr. & Mrs. M. Roy Jackson, and Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount for owner Lael Stables.

Second-time starters

Several lightly raced horses with strong pedigrees return for second career starts this week, including a pair with Grade 1 dam connections making quick turnarounds.

Belle Amour is a 3-year-old filly by Justify out of Belvoir Bay, a Grade 1 winner who earned an impressive $1.7 million and captured five graded-stakes victories. In her May 30 debut at Churchill Downs, she finished fourth, beaten 17 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, earning a 78 Horse Racing Nation speed figure. She now returns to Churchill Downs in a 16-horse maiden special weight going five furlongs on turf, with Keith Asmussen taking the mount at 8-1 morning-line odds. Steve Asmussen trains the filly, bred by Julianna Hawn and Cross Triangle Farm, for owner Cross Triangle Farm.

Curlin's Charm is a 3-year-old filly by Curlin whose half-brother Rock Your World, a son of Candy Ride, earned $612,000 and captured Grade 1 honors. In her debut on June 6 at Churchill Downs, she ran second, beaten 2 1/4 lengths going seven furlongs on dirt, earning a 95 HRN speed figure — a promising effort. She steps back out in a 10-horse maiden special weight going 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Churchill Downs, with Axel Concepcion taking the mount at 6-1 on the morning line. Rusty Arnold trains for owner Deborah McAnally Trust, and the filly was bred by Ron McAnally, Deborah McAnally and The Curlin Syndicate.

Hey Tuff Guy is a 2-year-old colt by Life Is Good out of Hotshot Anna, a Grade 2 winner who earned $975,000 and captured three graded stakes. He broke his maiden in impressive fashion May 25 at Churchill Downs, winning by 7 3/4 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt and earning a 93 HRN speed figure. He is entered in the Bashford Manor stakes at Churchill Downs, stepping up in class for his second career start. Brian Lynch trains the colt for Big Cat Racing, with Mario Gutierrez in the irons. The colt was bred by Frederick and May Construction.

Third-time starters

A pair of third-time starters with Grade 1 family connections merit attention this week as they search for their first wins.

Bodacious Bay is a 3-year-old filly by Not This Time whose half-sister Royal Spa, a daughter of Violence, earned $1.11 million and captured Grade 2 honors. In her most recent start on May 22 at Churchill Downs, she finished second, beaten 3 1/2 lengths going one mile on dirt, earning an impressive 127 HRN speed figure. She now enters a 10-horse maiden special weight going 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Churchill Downs, with Cristian Torres up at 4-1 morning-line odds. Rodolphe Brisset trains the filly, bred by Breffni Farm, for Storyteller Racing and Breffni Farm.

Poise is a 3-year-old filly by Gun Runner whose full sister Society earned $2.01 million and captured Grade 1 honors. In her most recent start May 16 at Churchill Downs, she finished fourth, beaten 10 1/2 lengths going six furlongs on dirt, earning a 102 HRN speed figure. She now stretches out in a 14-horse maiden special weight going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt at Churchill Downs, with Jose Ortiz aboard. Steve Asmussen trains for owner-breeder Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. The strong HRN figure from her debut effort keeps her firmly on the prospect radar heading into this third start.

Ghost Protocol is a 3-year-old colt by Volatile whose half-brother Carson's Run, a son of Cupid, earned $1.64 million and captured Grade 1 honors. In his most recent start on June 11 at Churchill Downs, he finished seventh, beaten 14 lengths going six furlongs on dirt, earning a 72 HRN speed figure. He switches to five furlongs on turf in a 16-horse maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, with Gabriel Saez taking the mount. Kent Sweezey trains the colt for Starry Night Racing, and he was bred by Frankfort Park Farm.

Prospect Watch: June 23–28