Prospect Watch: She Feels Pretty sibling debuts at Saratoga

Breeding can provide clues to who may emerge as a racing superstar before a horse ever sets a hoof on the track. This week's prospects feature an outstanding collection of early-career horses, each carrying the genetic legacy of Grade 1 champions and stakes-producing families.

Among the highlights are siblings to champion runners that include She Feels Pretty, Serengeti Empress, Hawkbill and Arklow. From sprints to routes, on turf and dirt, these are where to find the stars of tomorrow.

Tuesday

Mo Expectations steps up to allowance company in race 8 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. This 3-year-old filly by Uncle Mo is the half-sister to Grade 1 winner Serengeti Empress, who earned over $2.1 million and captured multiple graded stakes, including the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Trained by Brad Cox, Mo Expectations broke her maiden on July 5 at Ellis Park, winning a one-mile turf maiden by a head and earning a solid 100 HRN speed figure. She will go 1 1/16 miles on turf with Fernando De La Cruz aboard. The morning line has her as the 2-1 favorite for owner and breeder Stonestreet Stables.

Wednesday

Protonic Mission debuts at Horseshoe Indianapolis race 5. This 2-year-old Protonico colt has earned his prospect status through his half-brother First Mission, a Grade 2 winner who earned over $2.2 million during his career. Out of the mare Elude, Protonic Mission will contest one mile on turf in this maiden special weight, a distance that should suit his stamina-influenced breeding. Trainer Brad Cox has the colt ready with Marcelino Pedroza Jr. aboard. The morning line has him at 6-1 odds for owner Sumaya U.S. Stable, making him an intriguing value play given his family credentials. The turf debut aligns with his Giant's Causeway sireline.

Thursday

Dr. Agne makes his stakes debut at Saratoga race 7, the With Anticipation for 2-year-olds. This son of the prolific stallion Into Mischief is out of Grade 1 winner Lady Eli, who earned nearly $3 million and captured eight graded-stakes victories, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Dr. Agne earned his stakes opportunity with an impressive maiden victory on July 11th at Saratoga, winning a seven-furlong dirt maiden by one length and earning an 87 HRN speed figure. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides from post 5 in a field of eight in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. The morning line has him at 7-2 odds, making him one of the favorites for the ownership partnership of Madaket Stables, Twin Brook Stables, and Belladonna Racing. His dam's turf excellence and his own debut victory suggest significant potential for the step up in class.

Heeere's Johnny, a 2-year-old colt by Oscar Performance, also makes his stakes debut in the With Anticipation (G3). This colt is the half-brother to Grade 1 winner World Beater, who just won the Saratoga Derby and has earned over $826,000 during his career. Heeere's Johnny showed promise in his most recent start on Aug. 10 at Saratoga, finishing second by 1 3/4 lengths in a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden. The rapid turnaround suggests trainer Ray Handal believes he's ready for this stakes opportunity. He breaks from post 2 in the eight-horse field, with Javier Castellano taking the mount. The morning line has him at 10-1 odds for the partnership of Magic Carpet Racing and Catherine W. Coyle.

Riotous makes her debut in Kentucky Downs race 1. The 2-year-old filly by Charlatan has exceptional family credentials. She is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Arklow, who earned over $3 million and captured multiple graded stakes, including the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) and back-to-back runnings of the Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) at this course. Out of the mare Unbridled Empire, Riotous will tackle one mile on turf in this maiden special weight, starting from post 5 in a field of 12. Trainer Wayne Catalano has her ready with Ben Curtis taking the mount for owners Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. The morning line has her at 9-2 odds, reflecting respect for her breeding while acknowledging the difficulty of debuting at Kentucky Downs.

Next Award also debuts on Thursday in race 2 at Kentucky Downs. She is a 2-year-old filly by Not This Time and a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Oscar Performance, who earned over $2.7 million and captured 11 graded-stakes victories during his stellar career. Out of the mare Devine Actress, Next Award will compete over 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in this maiden special weight, drawing post 11 in an oversubscribed field. Trainer Brian Lynch has secured Jose L. Ortiz for the ride, with morning line odds of 5-1 for owner Amerman Racing Stables. The filly is a homebred for Mrs. Jerry Amerman, who also campaigned Oscar Performance. Her half-brother's versatility across distances suggests she could excel on turf going short or long.

Mousseline, a juvenile daughter of Hard Spun, makes her first start in the second race at Saratoga. This filly is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Hawkbill, who earned nearly $5 million and captured seven graded-stakes victories in Europe and Dubai, including the Eclipse (G1) and Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). Out of the Grade 3-placed mare Trensa, Mousseline brings proven turf breeding to this 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on turf. Trainer Bill Mott has her ready with Junior Alvarado aboard, starting from post 8 in a field of 13. The morning line has her at 6-1 odds for owner Helen C. Alexander, who also bred the filly.

Friday

She Feels Stunning, a juvenile filly by American Pharoah, headlines Friday's debuts in Saratoga's eighth race. She is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty, who has earned over $2.5 million and captured six graded-stakes victories, including the E. P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine two weeks ago. Out of the mare Summer Sweet, She Feels Stunning will make an ambitious debut over 1 1/16 miles on turf in this maiden special weight. Trainer Cherie DeVaux has secured John R. Velazquez for the mount, starting from the rail in a field of 11. The filly races for Lael Stables and was bred by Payson Stud Inc. The distance and surface suggests that her connections think she has turf stamina like her half-sister.

Lonesome Road makes his second start in Friday's fourth race at Colonial. A 3-year-old colt by Maclean's Music, he looks to build on his debut effort. This colt is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Mindframe, a headliner in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) Saturday at Saratoga. Lonesome Road made his debut on July 16 at Colonial, finishing seventh in a one-mile turf maiden while beaten six lengths and earning a 64 HRN speed figure. Trainer Michael Trombetta has freshened him up for six weeks and now switches him to a mile on the dirt. Mychel J. Sanchez takes the mount. The morning line has him at 6-1 odds for his owner, the estate of R. Larry Johnson, who also bred the colt. The surface switch could unlock his potential.

Complete Prospect Watch entries