Prospect Watch: Promising debuts at Ky. Downs, Churchill

Prospect Watch spotlights young Thoroughbreds who are bred to make their mark on the sport. Each of these horses have exceptional credentials in their pedigrees and are either out of graded-stakes winners or have siblings who have made the grade.

This week presents an exceptional lineup of first-time starters highlighted by siblings to Grade 1 winners, including a full brother to Grade 1 winner Slow Down Andy and a half-sister to Power Broker. The quality of bloodlines entering the sport this week suggests several future stars could emerge from these debuts.

Wednesday

Shane's the Brains leads Wednesday's prospect watch. She is a 2-year-old filly by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, making her debut in the Kentucky Downs opener. Out of the Square Eddie mare Edwina E, she is a full sister to Slow Down Andy, who earned over $1.28 million and captured the Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita. Trainer Doug O'Neill unveils her in a maiden special weight at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf, with Antonio Fresu taking the mount. The morning line has her at 12-1 odds for owner and breeder Reddam Racing.

Making Daisys debuts in the same race. She is a 2-year-old filly by Gun Runner out of the Rockport Harbor mare Stayclassysandiego. This makes her a half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Pretty N Cool, who earned almost $563,000 during her career. John Velazquez will ride Making Daisys in her debut going 6 1/2 furlongs on the lawn for trainer Wesley Ward. Morning-line odds are 8-1 for owner Thomas Bachman. The Gun Runner bloodline has proven exceptionally successful with 2-year-olds, though he has fewer juvenile turf performers compared to dirt.

Buck O Five, a 2-year-old colt by War Front, makes his first career start in Wednesday's second race at Kentucky Downs. Out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Yellow Boat, he is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Fast Boat, who earned over $706,000 and captured the Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs. Fast Boat also notched a win at Kentucky Downs in a starter allowance going 6 1/2 furlongs, the same distance as Buck O Five's debut. Keith Asmussen rides for trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Benjamin Grase, and he is 20-1 on the morning line.

Thursday

Baracca, a 2-year-old filly by Oscar Performance, headlines Thursday's debuts. She will be unveiled in the sixth race at Churchill Downs, going six furlongs on dirt. She is out of the Wild Again mare Shop Again, making her a half-sister to Power Broker, who earned almost $866,000 and captured the FrontRunner (G1) as a juvenile at Santa Anita. Baracca represents a proven female family that has consistently produced stakes performers. Trainer Brendan Walsh trains for owner Heider Family Stables, with Tyler Gaffalione taking the mount.

Sugar Doll, a 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief, enters the same six-furlong dirt race as Baracca. Out of the Distorted Humor mare Flourish, she is a full sister to four-time Grade 3 winner Fulsome, who earned over $1.24 million. Trainer Brian Lynch conditions Sugar Doll for owner BC Stables, and Cristian Torres has the riding assignment. The Into Mischief bloodline has been remarkably successful with 2-year-old fillies, and his juveniles on a whole win 17% of starts.