Prospect Watch: Fierceness's half-sister steps up into stakes
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
While the racing world's attention was focused on the Kentucky Derby this past weekend, our exclusive Prospect Watch data uncovered several exceptionally well-bred horses making their debuts or early career starts in the coming days. From siblings to Grade 1 winners to offspring of accomplished mares, these promising prospects could be tomorrow's stakes stars. Here's your insider's guide to the horses worth adding to your stable mail this week.
Thursday
Mendelssohn filly debuts for Colebrook
Churchill Downs race 2 will see Cheekwood, a 2-year-old filly by Mendelssohn make her debut for trainer Ben Colebrook. She's a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Legends of War, who earned $491,000 on the track. She'll be ridden by Luan Machado and is listed at 8-1 on the morning line for this five-furlong dirt maiden special weight. She was bred by a partnership of Hunter Valley Farm, Fergus Galvin and Golden Vale Farm and races for owner Robert Schaedle.
Copper Bullet filly returns with promise
Also in Churchill Downs race 2 is Chambourcin, a 2-year-old filly by Copper Bullet making her second career start for trainer John Ennis. She's a half-sister to stakes-placed More Ice. In her debut on April 6 at Keeneland, she finished third, beaten eight lengths, earning a 66 HRN speed figure. She'll be ridden by Sophie Doyle and is listed at 7-2 on the morning line. She was bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds and races for a partnership including her trainer.
Maclean's Music colt makes turf debut
At Churchill Downs in race 4, Our Starry Night makes his career debut for trainer Philip Bauer. This 3-year-old colt by Maclean's Music is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Sistas Stroll. He'll be ridden by Martin Garcia and is listed at 8-1 on the morning line for this five-furlong turf maiden special weight. He was bred by E.H. Beau Lane and races for Rigney Racing.
Zeitlos half-brother gets turf try
In Horseshoe Indiana race 7, Natural Rights makes his second career start for trainer Steve Asmussen. This 3-year-old Constitution colt is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Zeitlos, who has earned over $1 million. In his debut on April 10 at Keeneland, Natural Rights finished fourth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths on turf, earning a 95 HRN speed figure. He'll be ridden by Joseph Ramos and is listed at 4-1 on the morning line. He was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings and races for Stonestreet Stables, continuing their program of racing homebreds with strong pedigrees.
Friday
Cassatt's daughter ready for debut
In Belmont at Aqueduct race 1, Numbered makes her career debut for trainer Todd Pletcher. This 3-year-old Nyquist filly is out of Grade 3 winner Cassatt, who earned $715,000 during her racing career. She'll be ridden by John Velazquez in this six-furlong dirt maiden special weight. She was bred by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and races for Repole Stable.
Taxed's half-sister set for first start
Also in Belmont at Aqueduct race 1, Yankee Doodle makes her career debut for trainer Linda Rice. This 3-year-old American Freedom filly is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Taxed, who has earned over $1 million. She'll be ridden by Dylan Davis in this six-furlong dirt maiden special weight. She was bred by Brereton Jones and races for Black Swan Stable.
Cafe Americano's daughter aims for turnaround
In race 4 at Belmont at Aqueduct, Lavender Disaster makes her third career start for trainer Chad Brown. This 3-year-old Into Mischief filly is out of Grade 3 winner Cafe Americano. In her most recent start on Oct. 6 in the Miss Grillo Stakes (G2), she finished 12th, beaten 50 1/4 lengths, earning a 24 HRN speed figure. She'll be ridden by Flavien Prat in this 1 1/16-mile turf allowance optional claiming race. She was bred by White Birch Farm and is owned by Peter Brant.
Pappacap's half-brother getting surface change
In Gulfstream Park race 6, Our Souper Hero makes his third career start for trainer Mark Casse. This 3-year-old War of Will colt is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Pappacap, who earned $842,000. In his most recent start on April 5 at Gulfstream Park, he finished fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths on turf, earning a 92 HRN speed figure. He's now trying the synthetic surface for this one-mile and 70-yard maiden optional claiming race with Edwin Gonzalez in the irons. He was bred by Rustlewood Farm and races for Live Oak Plantation.
Saturday
American Pharoah filly debuts in stakes company
In Gulfstream Park race 6, Bibi Dahl makes her career debut for trainer Jorge Delgado in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies stakes. This 2-year-old American Pharoah filly is out of Grade 3 winner Just Louise and is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Forbidden Kingdom. She'll be ridden by Jose Morelos in this five-furlong turf stakes race. She was bred by Springhouse Farm and races for AMO Racing USA, which has been investing significantly in high-quality bloodstock.
Fierceness's half-sister returns in stakes
Also in Gulfstream Park's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies, Nonna's Love makes her second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher. This 2-year-old Caravaggio filly is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Fierceness, who just set a track record at Churchill Downs. In her debut on April 23 at Keeneland, she finished third, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, earning a 57 HRN speed figure. She'll be ridden by Edgard Zayas in this five-furlong turf stakes race. She was bred by her owner Repole Stable, making her a homebred with significant upside.
Midnight Stroll's half-brother debuts for Baffert
In Santa Anita race 6, Southern Gentleman makes his career debut for trainer Bob Baffert. This 3-year-old Mitole colt is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Midnight Stroll, who has earned $447,000. He'll be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke in this 6 1/2-furlong dirt maiden special weight. He was bred by Carolin Von Rosenberg and races for Speedway Stables.
Promise Me Silver's son looks to build on strong debut
Also in Santa Anita's race 6, Sierra Silver makes his second career start for Baffert. This 3-year-old Game Winner colt is out of Grade 3 winner Promise Me Silver, who earned $487,000 during her racing career. In his debut on April 6 at Santa Anita Park, he finished third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths, earning an impressive 116 HRN speed figure. He'll be ridden by Juan Hernandez in this 6 1/2-furlong dirt maiden special weight. He was bred by Chester and Mary Broman and races for Golden Bear Racing.
Gun Runner colt steps into stakes in second start
In Belmont at Aqueduct race 11, Lordship makes his second career start for trainer Chad Brown in in the Peter Pan (G3). This 3-year-old Gun Runner colt is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Hall of Fame. In his impressive debut on March 22 at Tampa Bay Downs, he won by 1 1/4 lengths, earning a 102 HRN speed figure. He'll be ridden by Dylan Davis in this 1 1/8-mile dirt stakes race. He was bred by his owner Earle I. Mack, making him a homebred with classic potential.
Simplification's half-sister looks to improve
In Gulfstream Park race 7, Bon Vivant makes her second career start for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. This 3-year-old Union Rags filly is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Simplification, who has earned $873,000. In her debut on March 16 at Gulfstream Park, she finished fourth, beaten 10 1/4 lengths, earning a 76 HRN speed figure. She'll be ridden by Francisco Arrieta in this seven-furlong dirt maiden special weight. She was bred by Bloodstock Investments and races for Tami Bobo, who also campaigned Simplification.
Brilliant Berti's sister aims for stakes success
In Belmont at Aqueduct Race 9, Hey Bertie makes her third career start for trainer Cherie DeVaux in the Take a Train stakes. This 3-year-old Kantharos filly is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Brilliant Berti, who has earned $1.81 million. In her most recent start on March 21 at Fair Grounds, she won an allowance optional claiming race by 3/4 of a length, earning a 91 HRN speed figure. She'll be ridden by Javier Castellano in this six-furlong turf stakes race. She was bred by her owner Klein Racing.
Mr. Misunderstood's half-sister tries synthetic
In race 4 at Gulfstream Park, Starship Maximus makes her third career start for trainer Heather Smullen. This 3-year-old Maximus Mischief filly is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Mr. Misunderstood, who earned $968,000 on the track. In her most recent start on April 10 at Gulfstream Park, she finished seventh, beaten 31 1/4 lengths, earning a 50 HRN speed figure. She'll be ridden by Leonel Reyes in this five-furlong synthetic maiden claiming race. She was bred by Reagan Toothaker & Spotted Pony Stable and races for Starship Stables.
These are just a few of the noteworthy newcomers in the entries this week.
| Date | Track | Type | Horse | Div | Sire | Dam | Trainer | Top sibling (Highest GS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time starters | ||||||||
| 5/8 | CD 2 | MSW | Cheekwood | 2F | Mendelssohn | Madera Dancer, 16YO, $1K | Ben Colebrook | Legends of War (G3), 9YO, $491K, by Scat Daddy |
| 5/8 | CD 4 | MSW | Our Starry Night | 3M | Maclean's Music | Berncredit, 19YO, $0K | Philip A. Bauer | Sistas Stroll (G3), 14YO, $235K, by Stroll |
| 5/9 | BAQ 1 | MSW | Numbered | 3F | Nyquist | Cassatt (G3), 14YO, $715K | Todd Pletcher | |
| 5/9 | BAQ 1 | MSW | Yankee Doodle | 3F | American Freedom | Yankee Union, 16YO, $164K | Linda Rice | Taxed (G2), 5YO, $1.08M, by Collected |
| 5/10 | GP 6 | STK | Bibi Dahl | 2F | American Pharoah | Just Louise (G3), 17YO, $98K | Jorge Delgado | Forbidden Kingdom (G2), 6YO, $684K, by American Pharoah |
| 5/10 | SA 6 | MSW | Cheever | 3M | Into Mischief | Electric Forest (G3), 10YO, $166K | Mark Glatt | |
| 5/10 | SA 6 | MSW | Southern Gentleman | 3M | Mitole | Midnight Magic, 12YO, $0K | Bob Baffert | Midnight Stroll (G3), 6YO, $447K, by Not This Time |
| 5/10 | SA 9 | MOC | A Friend of Mine | 4F | Mineshaft | Ashley's Glory, 21YO, $67K | Philip D'Amato | Desert Dawn (G2), 6YO, $1.07M, by Cupid |
| 5/12 | FL 6 | MSW | Annunciate | 3F | Speightstown | Whispering Angel, 13YO, $49K | Jonathan B. Buckley | Wells Bayou (G2), 8YO, $935K, by Lookin At Lucky |
| Second-time starters | ||||||||
| 5/7 | EVD 6 | MSW | Miss Rosie T | 3F | Improbable | Dancing Alone, 21YO, $0K | Benard Chatters | Dancing Solo (G3), 16YO, $173K, by Giant's Causeway |
| 5/8 | CD 2 | MSW | Chambourcin | 2F | Copper Bullet | Coal and Ice, 14YO, $34K | John Ennis | More Ice , 9YO, $189K, by More Than Ready |
| 5/8 | IND 7 | MSW | Natural Rights | 3M | Constitution | Thyme For Roses (AUS) (G3), 12YO, $104K | Steve Asmussen | Zeitlos (G2), 5YO, $1.04M, by Curlin |
| 5/9 | EVD 5 | MCL | Gypsy Squall | 3M | Apriority | Irish Gypsy (G2), 19YO, $386K | Lee Thomas | |
| 5/9 | PIM 5 | MCL | Teddy's Lucky Girl | 3F | Madefromlucky | Chrusciki, 25YO, $323K | Timothy L. Keefe | Eastern Bay (G3), 11YO, $1.07M, by E Dubai |
| 5/10 | BAQ 11 | STK | Lordship | 3M | Gun Runner | Flag Day, 9YO, $0K | Chad Brown | Hall of Fame (G3), 4YO, $497K, by Gun Runner |
| 5/10 | GP 6 | STK | Nonna's Love | 2F | Caravaggio | Nonna Bella, 11YO, $64K | Todd Pletcher | Fierceness (G1), 4YO, $4.32M, by City of Light |
| 5/10 | GP 7 | MSW | Bon Vivant | 3F | Union Rags | Simply Confection, 13YO, $125K | Saffie Joseph, Jr. | Simplification (G2), 6YO, $873K, by Not This Time |
| 5/10 | GP 7 | MSW | Humor Me Brother | 3F | Brethren | Alexandra Rylee, 17YO, $111K | Michael Lerman | Clapton (G2), 6YO, $978K, by Brethren |
| 5/10 | SA 6 | MSW | Sierra Silver | 3M | Game Winner | Promise Me Silver (G3), 13YO, $487K | Bob Baffert | |
| Third-time starters | ||||||||
| 5/7 | IND 6 | MCL | Karadia | 4M | Karakontie (JPN) | Saudia, 27YO, $5K | Michelle Nihei | Red Duke (G2), 16YO, $211K, by Hard Spun |
| 5/8 | GP 9 | MCL | Marabina | 3F | Far From Over | Bird Sense, 13YO, $131K | Ronald Coy | Pretty Birdie (G3), 6YO, $521K, by Bird Song |
| 5/8 | IND 7 | MSW | Grand Stan | 4M | Mo Town | Grand Slam Girl, 21YO, $7K | David M. Rider | Home Run Kitten (G3), 14YO, $514K, by Kitten's Joy |
| 5/9 | BAQ 4 | AOC | Lavender Disaster | 3F | Into Mischief | Cafe Americano (G3), 9YO, $179K | Chad Brown | |
| 5/9 | GP 6 | MOC | Our Souper Hero | 3M | War of Will | Pappascat (G3 Placed), 15YO, $166K | Mark Casse | Pappacap (G2), 6YO, $842K, by Gun Runner |
| 5/9 | GP 9 | MCL | Proud American | 3M | American Pharoah | Golden Award (G3), 10YO, $440K | Kathleen O'Connell | |
| 5/10 | BAQ 9 | STK | Hey Bertie | 3F | Kantharos | Believe in Bertie (G2 Placed), 12YO, $413K | Cherie DeVaux | Brilliant Berti (G3), 4YO, $1.81M, by Noble Mission (GB) |
| 5/10 | GP 2 | MCL | Princess Chloe | 3F | American Pharoah | Beholden, 22YO, $60K | Sal Santoro | Brazen Persuasion (G3), 14YO, $149K, by Indian Charlie |
| 5/10 | GP 4 | MCL | Starship Maximus | 3F | Maximus Mischief | Jodys Deelite, 25YO, $125K | Heather Smullen | Mr. Misunderstood (G2), 11YO, $968K, by Archarcharch |
| 5/10 | LS 5 | MSW | C'Mon Chaos | 3M | Authentic | Shane's Girlfriend (G3), 11YO, $419K | Terry Eoff | |
| 5/10 | LS 9 | MSW | Absolutely Certain | 5M | Always Dreaming | Letchworth, 14YO, $0K | Jon W. Newbold | We the People (G3), 6YO, $525K, by Constitution |
| 5/12 | FL 6 | MSW | Home Wrecker | 3F | Quality Road | Shoppers Return, 19YO, $56K | Rudy Rodriguez | Imprimis (G2), 11YO, $885K, by Broken Vow |
Legend: Div: Age and sex. 2F for 2-year-old fillies, 2M for 2-year-old males (colts/geldings), etc.
Top sibling (highest graded stakes): The sibling with the highest level of graded stakes won (G1, G2, G3) followed by the most money won if two siblings are at the same level.
Bolded names are mentioned in the article.
Read More
The exit of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty on Tuesday before anyone had a chance to enter Preakness 2025...
The Preakness media team provided the following notes about possible runners in next Saturday's race at Pimlico. Journalism...
White Abarrio worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday as he drills for an...
The Derby Alumni tracker checks in with the horses who raced in recent editions of the Kentucky Derby,...
Kentucky Downs’s 2025 meet will feature 18 stakes offering a total of $30.5 million in purses, led by...