Prospect Watch: Songbird, Havre de Grace foals debut

This week's Prospect Watch features young horses with elite bloodlines making their debuts across the U.S., including a parade of foals of champion dams.

Hall of Famer Songbird's 2-year-old Curlin filly Soaring High is the co-headliner with Havre de Grace's last foal, the Into Mischief colt Graced. Also of note is a full brother to Clairiere, the Curlin colt Courting. Miss Temple City, a Grade 1 winner on turf, is represented by the Uncle Mo filly Ramayana. There's a half-brother to champion Unique Bella, Rebel Instinct, as well as Unique Bella's own 2-year-old, the Into Mischief colt Umbralle. Get the scoop on these and more below.

Thursday

Soaring High, a daughter of Curlin out of champion mare Songbird, makes her debut Thursday in Churchill Downs race 5. The 2-year-old filly represents the combination of champion sire and Grade 1-winning dam, as Songbird earned over $4.69 million during her brilliant racing career and captured 12 graded-stakes victories. Trainer Cherie DeVaux has the homebred filly ready for 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt for owner Whisper Hill Farm, with morning-line odds of 6-1.

Also competing in that same Churchill Downs race is Bella Ballerina, a 2-year-old filly by Street Sense who earned her prospect status through her half-sister Pretty Mischievous, a Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner who earned over $2.11 million. Out of Grade 1-placed mare Pretty City Dancer, this Godolphin homebred represents a powerful female family. Trainer Brendan Walsh has her ready for Tyler Gaffalione, with morning-line odds also set at 6-1 for the 16-horse field.

Friday

Essential Lady headlines Friday's action in Santa Anita race 3, making her debut for trainer Tim Yakteen. This 2-year-old filly by Essential Quality brings exceptional family credentials through her half-brother Golden Pal, a Breeders' Cup-winning turf sprinter who earned $1.83 million and seven graded stakes victories. Out of Grade 3-placed mare Lady Shipman, Essential Lady will tackle six furlongs on turf with Kazushi Kimura aboard for owner Ranlo Investments. The turf surface aligns with her breeding profile, as both Lady Shipman and her most famous offspring excelled there.

Saturday

Courting brings perhaps the most impressive family credentials of the week when he debuts Saturday in Belmont at Aqueduct race 1. This 2-year-old colt by Curlin is out of Grade 1 winner Cavorting, who earned over $2.06 million and captured six graded stakes. Even more impressive is his full sister Clairiere, a Grade 1 winner who has earned over $3.27 million. Trainer Todd Pletcher has secured John Velazquez for the mount as the colt tackles one mile on dirt for the partnership of Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables and Windancer Farm.

In that same race, Rebel Instinct makes his debut for trainer Chad Brown with Flavien Prat aboard. This 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief is out of Grade 1 winner Unrivaled Belle, who won the Breeders' Cup Distaff and earned $1.85 million during her racing career. His half-sister Unique Bella captured Grade 1 victories and earned over $1.27 million. The colt is a homebred for Whisper Hill Farm in partnership with Resolute Racing.

Sunday

Graced caps the week's debuts Sunday at Churchill Downs race 10, bringing the highest-profile dam connection of any prospect. This 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief is out of the late champion mare Havre de Grace, who earned over $2.59 million and captured six graded stakes, including the Woodward (G1) and Delaware Handicap (G1). His half-sister Graceful Princess won the Shuvee (G3). Trainer Kent Sweezey has the Whisper Hill Farm homebred ready for one mile on dirt, with Luan Machado taking the mount.

Second- and third-time starters

The full sisters of Authentic and Life Is Good return for their second starts - in the same race - once more.

Elite returns for her second career start Thursday at Churchill Downs race 5 after finishing sixth in her debut at Ellis Park on Aug. 23. This 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief earned her prospect status through her full brother Authentic, the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner who earned over $7.2 million. She earned a 72 HRN speed figure in her debut effort and will be ridden by Luan Machado for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Fashion Designer also makes her second start in that same Churchill Downs race after finishing eighth in the same Ellis Park debut on Aug. 23. This 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief is the younger sister of champion Life Is Good, who earned over $4.54 million and nine graded stakes victories. Despite a disappointing debut that earned just a 68 HRN speed figure, the champion sibling connection keeps her firmly on the prospect radar. Brad Cox trains for Gary and Mary West, with Florent Geroux aboard at 4-1 morning-line odds.

Umbralle makes her third career start Friday at Santa Anita race 3 after showing promise in her most recent effort. This 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief is out of Grade 1 winner Unique Bella, who earned $1.27 million during her career. The filly finished second, beaten 4 1/2 lengths, in her last start at Del Mar on Aug. 24 while earning a 60 HRN speed figure. Trainer John Sadler moves her back to six furlongs on turf with Hector Berrios aboard for Don Alberto Stable.