Prospect Watch: Thorpedo Anna half-brother enters Derby trail

Horse Racing Nation’s Prospect Watch scans all upcoming entries for starters early in their careers who sold for more than $500,000 at their most recent auction or whose dams or siblings are graded-stakes winners.

Newly-turned 3-year-olds step into competition for the first time as the calendar flips to 2025, while Horse of the Year candidate Thorpedo Anna's half-brother McAfee tries for his first stakes win and Kentucky Derby points in the Jerome Stakes. Get to know these and more notable youngsters below.

Wednesday

Half-brother to Grade 3 winner Beer Can Man

In Fair Grounds Race 5, Twenty Four Grand seeks her first win in a maiden claiming event going six furlongs on the dirt. The 3-year-old daughter of Instagrand is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Beer Can Man, who earned over $601,000. Coming off a Dec. 12 try at Fair Grounds where she finished seventh, beaten 35 lengths, she'll look to improve for trainer Whitney Zeringue Jr. Jarred Journet takes the mount, and she's listed at 15-1 on the morning line.

Thursday

Daughter of Grade 3 winner Hessonite

In Turfway Race 9, Starship Reality debuts in a maiden claiming event at 1 1/16 miles on synthetic. The 5-year-old Union Rags mare is out of Grade 3 winner Hessonite ($880,000). Adam Beschizza rides for trainer Kelsey Danner, listed at 12-1 on the morning line.

Half-sister to Grade 1 winner Duopoly

In Gulfstream Park Race 7, Jam's Paper Moon stretches out to 1 3/16 miles on the synthetic surface in a maiden special weight. The 4-year-old homebred daughter of Oscar Performance is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Duopoly ($308,000). In her last start Dec. 8, she finished ninth beaten 7 1/4 lengths in a turf maiden special weight. Tyler Gaffalione rides for trainer Brendan Walsh, and she's listed at 8-1 on the morning line.

Friday

Half-brother to Grade 2 winner Ms Locust Point

In Aqueduct Race 2, Chowser debuts going 1 1/8 miles on dirt in a maiden special weight. The 3-year-old Constitution colt is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Ms Locust Point ($676,000). Eric Cancel rides for trainer Jorge Duarte Jr.

Half-sister to Grade 2 winner Dorth Vader

In Gulfstream Race 6, John Ropes' homebred Empressstrikesback debuts in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. The 3-year-old Adios Charlie filly is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Dorth Vader ($554,000). John Velazquez rides for trainer Lauren Robson.

Half-brother to Grade 2 winner First Mission

In Aqueduct Race 2, Foil tries 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in a maiden special weight. The 3-year-old Street Sense colt is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner First Mission, who has earned over $1.33 million. His last start on Nov. 20 at Parx resulted in a seventh-place finish. Chris Elliott rides for trainer Jorge Duarte Jr.

Half-sister to Grade 1 winner Brightwork

In Santa Anita Race 2, Just as Fancy competes in a one-mile maiden special weight on the dirt. This 3-year-old daughter of Volatile is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Brightwork ($646,000). In her last start on Nov. 8 at Del Mar, she finished third beaten 10 1/4 lengths. Flavien Prat rides for trainer Mike McCarthy.

Saturday

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Thorpedo Anna

In Aqueduct Race 8, McAfee enters the Jerome stakes ranks off a strong runner-up finish at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old son of Cloud Computing is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Thorpedo Anna, who has earned an impressive $3.84 million. His last race resulted in a head defeat going a mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24. Jose Antonio Gomez rides for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. The Jerome Stakes is the first Kentucky Derby points prep of the year at Aqueduct, offering 10-5-3-2-1 to the top 5 finishers.

Son of Grade 1 winner Dream Tree

In Oaklawn Race 1, Hypnus debuts in a one-mile maiden special weight. The 3-year-old Into Mischief colt is out of Grade 1 winner Dream Tree ($530,000). Julien Leparoux rides for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Son of Grade 1 winner Gomo

In Gulfstream Race 8, Genuine Gomo debuts in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. The 3-year-old Authentic colt is out of Grade 1 winner Gomo ($349,000). Luis Saez rides for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Son of Grade 1 winner Starship Jubilee

In Turfway Park Race 5, Starship d'Oro tries for his first win in a maiden special weight at one mile on the synthetic surface. The 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro colt is out of multiple Grade 1 winner Starship Jubilee, who earned over $2.09 million on the track. He finished sixth beaten 7 lengths in his last start at Turfway on Dec. 6. Carlos Barbosa rides for trainer Thomas Molloy.

Sunday

$700K purchase, daughter of Grade 1 winner Centre Court

In Gulfstream Race 10, El Zain makes her debut in a one-mile turf maiden special weight. The 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly, a $700,000 Keeneland September purchase, is out of multiple Grade 1 winner Centre Court ($961,000) and is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Navratilova. John Velazquez rides for trainer Brendan Walsh.