Prospect Watch: Seize the Grey sibling tops week's debuts
Elite bloodlines and top summer tracks take center stage this week as a stellar collection of first-time starters prepares to make their racing debuts from Ellis Park to Saratoga.
The highlight attractions include Cirque Lodge, whose half-brother Seize the Grey captured the Preakness Stakes and earned over $2.4 million for the late D. Wayne Lukas. These elite connections showcase the quality breeding that defines this week's prospect watch.
Thursday
Bewitchingly debuts at Ellis Park in race 2, a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. This 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief carries exceptional breeding credentials as the half-sister to Grade 1 winner Nucky, who earned $223,000. Out of the Grade 3-placed mare Lady Ten, Bewitchingly represents a family that has produced stakes-level performers. Trainer Brendan Walsh has the filly ready for her debut with Luan Machado aboard. The morning-line makers have installed her at 6-1 odds for owners Barry and Judith Becker, who also bred the filly.
Cirque Lodge makes her career debut in Ellis Park race 9, going one mile on turf in a maiden special weight. A 3-year-old filly by Justify out of the mare Smart Shopping, Seize the Grey's half-sister enters with impressive family credentials that suggest immediate competitiveness. Brendan Walsh trains the filly, with Tyler Gaffalione taking the riding assignment. The morning line has her as the 3-1 favorite.
Friday
Western Warrior debuts at Ellis Park in race 7, a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on dirt. This 2-year-old colt by freshman sire Essential Quality is the half-brother to Grade 1 winner Blazing Sevens, who earned nearly $1 million during his racing career. Out of the mare Trophy Girl, Western Warrior represents a family known for producing high-class performers. Mark Casse trains the Tracy Farmer homebred, with Cristian Torres aboard for the debut effort.
Subito makes his first career start at Saratoga in race 7, contesting 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt. This 3-year-old colt by Speightstown is the half-brother to Grade 1 sprinter Obligatory, who earned over $1.3 million during her career. Out of the mare Uno Duo, Subito carries the bloodlines of a family that has produced elite-level performers. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has the colt ready for his debut, with Jose Lezcano taking the mount. The prestigious Juddmonte operation is both owner and breeder.
Saturday
Angelic Sense debuts at Ellis Park in race 2, going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt in a maiden special weight. This 3-year-old filly by Street Sense is the full sister to Starlet (G1) winner Street Fancy, who earned $228,000. Out of the mare Bold Angel, this filly represents proven family success at the highest levels. Kenny McPeek trains the filly, with James Graham aboard for the debut effort.
Ginger Ale makes her career debut at Saratoga in race 6, contesting one mile on turf. This 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief is the half-sister to Grade 1 winner Search Results, who earned nearly $2 million during her brilliant career. Out of the Grade 3-placed mare Co Cola, Ginger Ale carries elite breeding credentials from both sides of her pedigree. Rodolphe Brisset trains the filly, with Flavien Prat taking the riding assignment.
Sunday
Mykonos debuts at Ellis Park in race 4, going one mile on turf in a maiden special weight. This 2-year-old colt by freshman sire Beau Liam is the half-brother to Grade 1 winner Trikari, who has earned $1.4 million so far. Out of the Grade 3 winner Dynamic Holiday, this colt brings impressive credentials from both his sire and dam lines. Mike Maker trains the colt, with Edgar Morales aboard for the turf debut.
Notable second and third-time starters
Mo Expectations returns for her second career start Friday at Ellis Park in race 3. This 3-year-old filly by Uncle Mo is the half-sister to Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress, who earned over $2.1 million. In her debut on June 14th at Churchill Downs, she finished fourth while beaten just two lengths on turf, earning a respectable 93 Horse Racing Nation speed figure. The switch back to dirt for this maiden special weight could unlock her potential.
Midway Memories makes her third career start in the Wild Applause Stakes at Saratoga on Thursday. This 3-year-old filly by Cairo Prince is the half-sister to Grade 1 winner Zandon, who earned over $2.2 million. She broke her maiden impressively at Aqueduct on April 23, winning by one length on turf while earning a strong 104 HRN speed figure. Chad Brown trains the filly, as he did her half-brother, for her stakes debut.
Prospect Watch entries
| Date | Track | Type | Horse | Div | Sire | Dam | Trainer | Top sibling (Highest GS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time starters | ||||||||
| 7/3 | DEL 1 | MCL | Polvellan | 2M | Divining Rod | Two Columbus, 21YO, $149K | Lynn Ashby | Double Crown (G2), 8YO, $947K, by Bourbon Courage |
| 7/3 | ELP 2 | MSW | Bewitchingly | 2F | Into Mischief | Lady Ten (G3), 16YO, $249K | Brendan Walsh | Nucky (G1), 8YO, $223K, by Ghostzapper |
| 7/3 | ELP 2 | MSW | Dutch Girl | 2F | Twirling Candy | Mom's On Strike (G3), 12YO, $595K | Brian Lynch | |
| 7/3 | ELP 9 | MSW | Cirque Lodge | 3F | Justify | Smart Shopping, 12YO, $44K | Brendan Walsh | Seize the Grey (G1), 4YO, $2.43M, by Arrogate |
| 7/3 | HAW 4 | MSW | No Ah A | 3M | Caravaggio | Fairway Road, 18YO, $120K | Chris M. Block | Just Grazed Me (G3), 10YO, $506K, by Grazen |
| 7/3 | IND 3 | MSW | Plaid Performance | 2M | Oscar Performance | Plaid (G3 Placed), 24YO, $568K | John Ennis | Senior Investment (G3), 11YO, $887K, by Discreetly Mine |
| 7/3 | PRM 5 | MSW | Vinno Ronnie | 2F | Vino Rosso | Elusive Raven, 17YO, $12K | Timothy E. Martin | Lost Raven (G3), 12YO, $359K, by Uncle Mo |
| 7/4 | ELP 7 | MSW | Western Warrior | 2M | Essential Quality | Trophy Girl, 12YO, $31K | Mark Casse | Blazing Sevens (G1), 5YO, $999K, by Good Magic |
| 7/4 | SAR 7 | MSW | Apalta | 3M | Authentic | Southern Ring (G3), 13YO, $344K | Todd Pletcher | |
| 7/4 | SAR 7 | MSW | Rebellious Type | 4M | Into Mischief | Teresa Z (G3), 11YO, $390K | Amelia J. Green | |
| 7/4 | SAR 7 | MSW | Subito | 3M | Speightstown | Uno Duo, 15YO, $171K | Bill Mott | Obligatory (G1), 7YO, $1.38M, by Curlin |
| 7/4 | SAR 7 | MSW | Worthy Charge | 3M | Liam's Map | Queen Bee to You (G3), 11YO, $659K | Chad Brown | |
| 7/5 | ELP 2 | MSW | Angelic Sense | 3F | Street Sense | Bold Angel, 21YO, $71K | Kenny McPeek | Street Fancy (G1), 12YO, $228K, by Street Sense |
| 7/5 | ELP 2 | MSW | Bells of Maranello | 3F | Nyquist | Believe You Can (G1), 16YO, $1.28M | Steve Asmussen | Conclude (G2), 5YO, $570K, by Collected |
| 7/5 | ELP 3 | MSW | American Debutante (IRE) | 3F | Starspangledbanner (AUS) | Height of Elegance (IRE), 13YO, $0K | Brendan Walsh | Zofelle (IRE) (G3), 9YO, $452K, by Zoffany (IRE) |
| 7/5 | SAR 1 | MSW | Bento Express (JPN) | 2M | Drefong | Tammy the Torpedo (G3), 13YO, $356K | Todd Pletcher | |
| 7/5 | SAR 6 | MSW | Ginger Ale | 2F | Into Mischief | Co Cola (G3 Placed), 14YO, $96K | Rodolphe Brisset | Search Results (G1), 7YO, $1.94M, by Flatter |
| 7/5 | SAR 7 | MSW | Gin's Beach Road | 3F | Quality Road | Yellow Agate (G1), 11YO, $292K | Mark Casse | Agate Road (G2), 4YO, $316K, by Quality Road |
| 7/6 | ELP 4 | MSW | Mykonos | 2M | Beau Liam | Dynamic Holiday (G3), 17YO, $267K | Mike Maker | Trikari (G1), 4YO, $1.40M, by Oscar Performance |
| 7/6 | ELP 4 | MSW | Too Big to Rig | 2M | Blame | Salsa Diavola, 12YO, $2K | Eddie Kenneally | Litigate (G3), 5YO, $183K, by Blame |
| 7/6 | ELP 7 | MSW | Integer | 3M | Candy Ride (ARG) | Magic Star (G3), 9YO, $181K | Steve Asmussen | |
| 7/6 | ELP 7 | MSW | Snowdrift | 3M | Medaglia d'Oro | Snowbell (G3), 14YO, $373K | Brendan Walsh | |
| Second-time starters | ||||||||
| 6/30 | FE 1 | MCL | Fromthewonderland | 3F | Ami's Holiday | No Wonder, 19YO, $43K | Patrick Dixon | God of Love (G3), 6YO, $218K, by Cupid |
| 7/3 | ELP 6 | MCL | Probably | 3M | Improbable | Frivolous (G2), 15YO, $751K | Victoria H. Oliver | |
| 7/3 | HAW 4 | MSW | Urban Ruler | 3M | War Front | Goodyearforroses (IRE) (G2), 13YO, $489K | Chris M. Block | |
| 7/3 | SAR 6 | MSW | Winrooski | 2F | Win Win Win | Siren Cove, 22YO, $92K | Fernando Abreu | Puntrooskie (G3), 14YO, $804K, by In Summation |
| 7/3 | SAR 11 | MSW | Mystic Sea | 3F | McKinzie | Part the Seas (G2), 16YO, $401K | Bill Mott | |
| 7/4 | PRM 10 | MSW | Shan's Quest | 4F | Nyquist | Shandra Smiles, 27YO, $30K | Tanner Tracy | Smiling Tiger (G1), 18YO, $1.48M, by Hold That Tiger |
| 7/4 | SAR 4 | MSW | Dirand (IRE) | 3M | Sottsass (FR) | Unaided (GB), 16YO, $0K | Chad Brown | Uni (GB) (G1), 11YO, $2.65M, by More Than Ready |
| 7/4 | SAR 7 | MSW | Fort Nelson | 3M | Bernardini | Seventh Street (G1), 20YO, $716K | Bill Mott | Lake Avenue (G2), 8YO, $574K, by Tapit |
| 7/4 | SAR 7 | MSW | Gamebred | 3M | Honor A. P. | Omaticaya (IRE) (G3), 14YO, $214K | Charlton Baker | |
| 7/5 | ELP 3 | MSW | Mo Expectations | 3F | Uncle Mo | Havisham, 13YO, $0K | Brad Cox | Serengeti Empress (G1), 9YO, $2.18M, by Alternation |
| 7/5 | ELP 7 | MSW | Spicy Princess | 2F | Tapit | Apache Princess (G3), 9YO, $316K | Patrick Biancone | |
| 7/5 | GP 1 | MSW | Chucky's Ride | 2F | Uncle Chuck | Jim's Lonesa, 16YO, $45K | Mark Casse | Two Sixty (G3), 8YO, $544K, by Uncaptured |
| 7/5 | LS 5 | STK | Golden Mane | 2M | Goldencents | Wolfblade, 10YO, $143K | Jayde Gelner | Coal Battle (G2), 3YO, $1.23M, by Coal Front |
| 7/5 | SAR 1 | MSW | She's On a Roll | 2F | Charlatan | Summersault (G3), 13YO, $503K | Wesley Ward | |
| 7/5 | SAR 4 | ALW | Ragtime | 3F | Union Rags | Burmilla (G2), 22YO, $170K | Bill Mott | Snowbell (G3), 14YO, $373K, by Tapit |
| 7/5 | SAR 7 | MSW | Trango Tower | 3F | Curlin | Lewis Bay (G2), 12YO, $1.17M | Chad Brown | |
| 7/6 | ELP 9 | AOC | Yes It Tiz | 3F | Tiz the Law | Entangle (GB) (G3), 19YO, $636K | Brad Cox | |
| Third-time starters | ||||||||
| 7/1 | FL 7 | ALW | Annunciate | 3F | Speightstown | Whispering Angel, 13YO, $49K | Jonathan B. Buckley | Wells Bayou (G2), 8YO, $935K, by Lookin At Lucky |
| 7/1 | IND 3 | MSW | Lifes Reward | 3M | Into Mischief | Beach Walk, 12YO, $31K | Brad Cox | Life Is Good (G1), 7YO, $4.54M, by Into Mischief |
| 7/3 | CT 3 | MSW | True Wood | 3M | Authentic | Queen's Wood, 17YO, $0K | Stacey R. Viands | True Timber (G1), 11YO, $1.22M, by Mineshaft |
| 7/3 | ELP 3 | MCL | Beeville | 3M | Authentic | Stage Stop, 21YO, $252K | Steve Asmussen | She Digs Me (G3), 16YO, $196K, by Henny Hughes |
| 7/3 | ELP 3 | MCL | Zohere | 3M | Twirling Candy | Brownie Points (G3), 22YO, $951K | Eddie Kenneally | Synchrony (G2), 12YO, $972K, by Tapit |
| 7/3 | ELP 8 | ALW | Fact | 3M | Instagrand | Bazinga Baby, 13YO, $0K | William Walden | Estilo Talentoso (G3), 8YO, $533K, by Maclean's Music |
| 7/3 | IND 6 | MSW | Surprise | 3F | Good Magic | Devious Intent (G3), 16YO, $279K | Brad Cox | |
| 7/3 | SAR 8 | STK - Wild Applause | Midway Memories | 3F | Cairo Prince | Memories Prevail, 11YO, $0K | Chad Brown | Zandon (G1), 6YO, $2.20M, by Upstart |
| 7/4 | EVD 7 | ALW | Moon Mist | 4F | Girvin | San Antonio Stroll, 11YO, $75K | Bret Calhoun | Damon's Mound (G2), 5YO, $735K, by Girvin |
| 7/4 | SAR 4 | MSW | Orgonite | 3M | Liam's Map | Hessonite (G3), 17YO, $880K | David G. Donk | |
| 7/4 | SAR 8 | STK - Manila (G3) | Uncatalyzed (GB) | 3M | Kingman (GB) | Queen's Code (IRE), 12YO, $0K | Chad Brown | Umm Kulthum (IRE) (G3), 7YO, $139K, by Kodiac (GB) |
| 7/5 | ELP 1 | MCL | Maxima | 3M | Authentic | Supreme (G3 Placed), 18YO, $163K | Bill Mott | Silver State (G1), 8YO, $1.93M, by Hard Spun |
| 7/5 | ELP 7 | MSW | Red Beretta | 2F | Catalina Cruiser | Dontgetinmyway, 22YO, $0K | Michel Douaihy | Dorsett (G1), 15YO, $468K, by Artie Schiller |
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.