Prospect Watch: Half-brother to Shedaresthedevil debuts

This week's Prospect Watch highlights first-time starters at Keeneland and Belmont at Aqueduct with exceptional siblings or dams. Including a half-brother to Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil and a young horse out of the superstar broodmare Special Me, the dam of Grade 1 winners Gina Romantica and Gift Box, these prospects carry the genetic blueprint for success on racing's biggest stages.

Thursday

Leading Change debuts in Keeneland race 2, bringing perhaps the most impressive pedigree of the week. This 2-year-old colt by Gun Runner is the half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil, who earned $2.78 million and captured eight graded-stakes victories including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Clement L. Hirsch (G1). Trainer Brad Cox has the morning-line favorite ready for about seven furlongs on dirt with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for Wathnan Racing. The colt was bred by WinStar Farm.

Also competing in that same Keeneland race is Forever Rocket, a 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief who brings strong family credentials through his half-sister Frank's Rockette, a Grade 2 winner who earned $1.51 million. Out of the Grade 3 winner Rocket Twentyone, Forever Rocket is a homebred for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations with trainer Riley Mott. Jaime Torres has the riding assignment at 15-1 morning-line odds. 

Core Memories makes her debut in Keeneland race 5 for trainer Cherie DeVaux. This 2-year-old filly by Yoshida, a homebred for Domenic Savides, is out of the Grade 3 turf winner How Unusual. Jose Ortiz takes the mount for the one-mile grass debut at 8-1 morning-line odds. 

Love and Grace also debuts in that same Keeneland turf race. This 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief is out of the Grade 3 winner Zofelle, who won the Marshua's River (G1) for Heider Family Stables, who also campaigns Love and Grace as a homebred. Trainer Brendan Walsh has secured Tyler Gaffalione for the mount at 4-1 morning-line odds. The proven turf ability in her dam's family suggests this surface could be ideal for her debut. 

Friday

Starship Pegasus makes her third career start Thursday in Belmont at Aqueduct race 1 after showing promise in previous efforts. This 3-year-old filly by Uncle Mo earned her prospect status by being out of Khancord Kid, a Grade 3 winner who produced Grade 1-winning millionaire Spirit of St Louis. Starship Pegasus last ran at Saratoga on August 24 where she finished sixth beaten 2 1/2 lengths while earning a 93 Horse Racing Nation speed figure. Trainer Michelle Nevin has Javier Castellano aboard for the 1 1/16-mile turf test for Starship Stables.

The Albaugh Family's On Time Girl moves up into stakes company Friday in Keeneland's Myrtlewood, a six-furlong dirt sprint for juvenile fillies. The daughter of Not This Time out of Grade 3 winner Girl Daddy is undefeated in two starts. On Time Girl broke her maiden on debut at Ellis and then turned in a a sharp allowance victory at Churchill Downs Sept. 11. The Brad Cox charge turned in a 95 HRN figure for her most recent win. Irad Ortiz Jr has the ride.

Saturday

Keepsake Box headlines Friday's action at Gulfstream Park race 1, making her debut for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. This 2-year-old filly by Twirling Candy is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Special Me, a top-class producer. Special Me has produced four graded-stakes winners including a pair of Grade 1-winning millionaires. Keepsake Box is a half-sister to the Grade 1 turf winner Gina Romantica, and also a full sister to Grade 1 dirt winner Gift Box. Keepsake Box will tackle 7 1/2 furlongs on turf with Edgard Zayas aboard for Commonwealth Stable and Carrie Brogden. Bred by Machmer Hall and the Brogdens, she represents a powerful female family.

Also at Keeneland Saturday, Gallivant makes his stakes debut in the Bowman Mill going six furlongs on dirt. This son of Into Mischief out the Grade 3-winning mare Fancy Dress Party finished third on debut October 4 for trainer Ben Colebrook. Luan Machado has the ride for owner LNJ Foxwoods.