Prospect Watch: Half-siblings to Vahva, Two Phil's debut
The future stars of horse racing often reveal themselves through the brilliance of their bloodlines before they ever set hoof on track. This week's prospects showcase some of the most promising young horses making their debuts or early career starts, each carrying the genetic legacy of Grade 1 champions.
Churchill Downs is the place to be for elite youngsters, with 13 making their first career start and 12 others entered for a follow-up start, three in stakes.
Wednesday
Where Luck Lives
Churchill Downs race 4 showcases the debut of Where Luck Lives, a 2-year-old filly by Nyquist who brings exceptional breeding credentials to the starting gate. She is the younger sister of Grade 1 winner Vahva, who has earned nearly $2 million and just captured her second Chicago (G2) at Churchill Downs. Out of the Grade 1-placed mare Holiday Soiree, Where Luck Lives represents a powerful female family that has produced multiple high-level performers. Trainer Brian Lynch has the filly ready for her first start in this five-furlong dirt maiden special weight, with Cristian Torres taking the mount. The morning-line makers respect her breeding, installing her at 4-1 odds for owner Flying Dutchmen stable. This filly could be special, given her exceptional family.
Thursday
No Ah A
Churchill Downs race 8 presents the debut of No Ah A, a 3-year-old son of Caravaggio making his first career start. This colt is the younger brother of Grade 3 winner Just Grazed Me, who earned over $506,000 during his career. Out of the mare Fairway Road, No Ah A will contest 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in this maiden special weight, a surface that should suit his Caravaggio breeding. Trainer Chris Block has secured the services of Florent Geroux for the mount, a positive sign for the colt's chances. Despite his family credentials, the morning line has him at 20-1 odds, making him an interesting long shot for owner M Bar O. The turf debut could unlock his potential.
True Wood
Charles Town race 8 features the return of True Wood, a 3-year-old son of Authentic making his second career start. This colt is the younger brother of Grade 1 winner True Timber, who earned over $1.2 million and captured the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct. Out of the mare Queen's Wood, True Wood showed promise in his debut six weeks ago at Charles Town, finishing fifth in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden claiming race while earning a 66 HRN speed figure. Trainer Stacey R. Viands moves him up to a maiden special weight and stretches him out to seven furlongs on dirt. Christian Maldonado takes the mount as the colt looks to improve on his debut effort and begin fulfilling his exceptional breeding potential.
Friday
Sina
Churchill Downs race 3 presents the debut of Sina, a 2-year-old filly by Gun Runner making her first career start. She is the younger sister of Grade 1 winner Alva Starr, who earned over $1 million and captured the Madison at Keeneland. Out of the Grade 3-placed Louisiana-bred mare Sittin At the Bar, Sina is another exceptional filly from this breeding program. Trainer Brett A. Brinkman has the filly ready for six furlongs on dirt in this maiden special weight, with Jareth Loveberry aboard. The morning line has her at 8-1 odds for owner P. Dale Ladner. With Gun Runner as her sire and a Grade 1-winning sister, Sina has all the tools to be a star.
Only Phil
Churchill Downs race 11 features the debut of Only Phil, a 3-year-old son of McKinzie making his first career start. This colt is the younger brother of Grade 3 winner Two Phil's, who earned over $1.58 million during his stellar, though shortened, career. Out of the Grade 3-placed mare Mia Torri, Only Phil represents a family that has consistently produced high-level performers. Trainer Wayne Catalano has the colt ready for 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt in this maiden special weight, with Abel Cedillo taking the mount. The morning line has him at 15-1 odds for owner Phillip Sagan Racing. The breeding suggests this colt could be much better than those odds indicate.
Saturday
Streetcar
Churchill Downs race 2 showcases the debut of Streetcar, a 3-year-old son of Street Sense making his first career start. This colt is out of the Grade 2 winner Proctor's Ledge, who earned $768,000 during her racing career and has produced one other winner, Proctor Street, a 4-year old filly by Street Sense. Trainer Brendan Walsh has the colt ready for an ambitious 1 1/8-mile turf debut in this maiden special weight, with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Being a homebred for Patricia L. Moseley adds extra sentiment to this debut. The distance and surface suggest connections believe this colt has stamina and class, making him an intriguing prospect despite the challenging debut conditions.
Pretty in a Dress
Churchill Downs race 6 presents the debut of Pretty in a Dress, a 3-year-old filly by Constitution making her first career start. She is the younger half-sister of Grade 1 winner Curalina, who earned over $1.54 million and captured multiple Grade 1 victories, including the Coaching Club American Oaks. Out of the Grade 2-placed mare Whatdreamsrmadeof, this filly represents exceptional family credentials from top to bottom. Trainer Brendan Walsh has her ready for 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, with Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the mount. The ownership group includes Bradley Thoroughbreds and several other prominent partnerships, indicating significant investment in this prospect. With her sister's proven Grade 1 ability, Pretty in a Dress could be something special.
Sunday
Aventus
Gulfstream Park race 3 features the debut of Aventus, a 3-year-old son of Curlin making his first career start. This colt is out of the Grade 2 winner Fiftyshadesofhay, who earned over $1.1 million and captured the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) during her racing career. The dam has not produced any stakes winners. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has the colt ready for five furlongs on the synthetic surface, with Edgard J. Zayas aboard. Racing for owner Tami Bobo, Aventus represents the classic combination of a champion sire in Curlin and a Grade 2-winning dam, suggesting he could have ability from day one.
| Date | Track | Type | Horse | Div | Sire | Dam | Trainer | Top sibling (Highest GS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time starters | ||||||||
| 6/24 | FL 5 | MSW | Salty Ryan | 3M | Tom's d'Etat | Exonerated, 20YO, $145K | William H. Bartlett | Skye Diamonds (G2), 12YO, $690K, by First Dude |
| 6/25 | CD 4 | MSW | Where Luck Lives | 2F | Nyquist | Holiday Soiree (G1 Placed), 16YO, $406K | Brian Lynch | Vahva (G1), 5YO, $1.99M, by Gun Runner |
| 6/25 | CD 6 | MCL | My Kentucky Lily | 3F | Frosted | My Kentucky Rose, 16YO, $37K | John Ennis | Uncharacteristic (G3), 7YO, $183K, by Texas Wildcatter |
| 6/26 | CD 8 | MSW | No Ah A | 3M | Caravaggio | Fairway Road, 18YO, $120K | Chris M. Block | Just Grazed Me (G3), 10YO, $506K, by Grazen |
| 6/27 | CD 3 | MSW | Sina | 2F | Gun Runner | Sittin At the Bar (G3 Placed), 15YO, $706K | Brett A. Brinkman | Alva Starr (G1), 5YO, $1.03M, by Lord Nelson |
| 6/27 | CD 11 | MSW | Only Phil | 3M | McKinzie | Mia Torri (G3 Placed), 12YO, $315K | Wayne Catalano | Two Phil's (G3), 5YO, $1.58M, by Hard Spun |
| 6/27 | CD 11 | MSW | Unitas | 3M | Speightstown | Achira, 11YO, $152K | Peter Eurton | Medoro (G3), 4YO, $357K, by Honor Code |
| 6/27 | DEL 7 | MSW | Epic Style | 3F | Good Magic | Final Mesa (G3), 17YO, $212K | Michael Stidham | |
| 6/27 | GP 2 | MSW | On My Time | 2F | Not This Time | Conquest Angel, 14YO, $0K | Heather Smullen | Rushie (G2), 8YO, $698K, by Liam's Map |
| 6/27 | PRM 6 | MSW | Winning Chance | 2F | Tapwrit | Oprah Winney (G2), 22YO, $594K | Tanner Tracy | |
| 6/28 | CD 1 | MSW | Track Legend | 2M | Charlatan | Moonlit Promise (G2), 12YO, $507K | D. Wayne Lukas | |
| 6/28 | CD 2 | MSW | Streetcar | 3M | Street Sense | Proctor's Ledge (G2), 11YO, $768K | Brendan Walsh | |
| 6/28 | CD 6 | MSW | Pretty in a Dress | 3F | Constitution | Whatdreamsrmadeof (G2 Placed), 21YO, $137K | Brendan Walsh | Curalina (G1), 13YO, $1.54M, by Curlin |
| 6/28 | LS 1 | MSW | Under Contract | 3M | Into Mischief | Streaming (G1), 14YO, $349K | Robertino Diodoro | |
| 6/29 | CD 4 | MSW | Blackout Time | 2M | Not This Time | Beauty Parlor (G3), 14YO, $209K | Kenny McPeek | |
| 6/29 | CD 4 | MSW | Devilish Act | 2M | Gun Runner | Tapit Today (G3), 10YO, $232K | Steve Asmussen | |
| 6/29 | CD 4 | MSW | I Did I Did | 2M | Curlin | Ithinkisawapudycat, 16YO, $46K | Mike Maker | Sweet Loretta (G1), 11YO, $387K, by Tapit |
| 6/29 | CD 4 | MSW | Quality Spirits | 2M | Quality Road | Ghostslayer, 12YO, $34K | Eddie Kenneally | Biddy Duke (G3), 8YO, $324K, by Bayern |
| 6/29 | GP 3 | MSW | Aventus | 3M | Curlin | Fiftyshadesofhay (G2), 15YO, $1.10M | Saffie Joseph, Jr. | |
| 6/29 | PRM 6 | MSW | Clearly Clover | 2F | Thousand Words | Solid Scam, 16YO, $24K | Lynn Chleborad | Chancheng Glory (G3), 5YO, $2.38M, by Mor Spirit |
| Second-time starters | ||||||||
| 6/23 | IND 4 | MCL | Bravitas | 3M | Constitution | Bragging (G2), 14YO, $190K | Andrew McKeever | |
| 6/23 | IND 5 | MSW | Gotanotiontodrink | 3M | Notional | Tanquerray, 16YO, $129K | Randy Klopp | Leave No Trace (G1), 5YO, $749K, by Outwork |
| 6/24 | IND 6 | MSW | Nanina (GER) | 2F | No Nay Never | Naseej (GB), 11YO, $0K | Brad Cox | Goldenas (IRE) (G2), 5YO, $315K, by Golden Horn (GB) |
| 6/24 | MNR 8 | MSW | Game Maker (IRE) | 4M | Runhappy | Stanwyck (G3), 16YO, $474K | Eric R. Reed | |
| 6/25 | CD 2 | MCL | Reaction | 3M | Uncle Mo | Lastofthsummerwine, 19YO, $10K | Joe Sharp | Conquest Panthera (G2), 13YO, $570K, by Kitten's Joy |
| 6/25 | IND 3 | MSW | Emissary | 3F | Cloud Computing | Peace Opportunity, 10YO, $12K | Anna M. Meah | First Peace (G2), 5YO, $779K, by Funtastic |
| 6/26 | CD 8 | MSW | Operation Sunrise | 3M | War Front | Shuruq (G2), 15YO, $659K | Bill Mott | Antoinette (G3), 8YO, $676K, by Hard Spun |
| 6/26 | CT 8 | MSW | True Wood | 3M | Authentic | Queen's Wood, 17YO, $0K | Stacey R. Viands | True Timber (G1), 11YO, $1.22M, by Mineshaft |
| 6/26 | IND 2 | MSW | Globalist | 3M | Global Campaign | Livi Makenzie (G2 Placed), 16YO, $354K | Brad Cox | Tawny Port (G3), 6YO, $1.32M, by Pioneerof the Nile |
| 6/27 | PEN 5 | STK - Penn Oaks | Accent (GB) | 3F | Pinatubo (IRE) | Dreamlike (GB), 13YO, $13K | Chad Brown | Program Trading (GB) (G1), 5YO, $1.32M, by Lope de Vega (IRE) |
| 6/28 | CD 6 | MSW | Field Song | 3F | McKinzie | Vielsalm (G3 Placed), 15YO, $329K | Kenny McPeek | Post Time (G2), 5YO, $1.29M, by Frosted |
| 6/28 | CD 6 | MSW | Temperate | 3F | Constitution | Spring in the Air (G1), 15YO, $910K | Michael McCarthy | |
| 6/28 | LS 1 | MSW | Countthecarats | 3M | Gormley | Garnet, 12YO, $16K | Jon W. Newbold | Bye Bye (G3), 7YO, $131K, by Into Mischief |
| 6/29 | CD 1 | MSW | Buckle Chaser | 3F | Curlin | Bellera (G3), 9YO, $327K | Kenny McPeek | |
| 6/29 | CD 6 | STK - Bashford Manor | Spice Runner | 2M | Gun Runner | Simple Surprise, 12YO, $185K | Steve Asmussen | Gunite (G1), 6YO, $2.49M, by Gun Runner |
| 6/29 | CD 7 | STK - Debutante | Americathegreat | 2F | Curlin | America (G3), 14YO, $581K | Mark Casse | First Captain (G3), 7YO, $662K, by Curlin |
| 6/29 | CD 7 | STK - Debutante | Essential Coffee | 2F | Nyquist | Winding Way (G3), 16YO, $208K | Steve Asmussen | Skinner (G3), 5YO, $417K, by Curlin |
| 6/29 | CD 11 | MSW | Maple Syrup | 3F | The Factor | Snow Cone, 21YO, $353K | Riley Mott | Salute With Honor (G3), 11YO, $443K, by To Honor and Serve |
| 6/29 | GP 1 | MSW | Rammaas | 2M | Speightstown | Rayya (G3), 10YO, $658K | Antonio Sano | |
| Third-time starters | ||||||||
| 6/23 | IND 4 | MCL | For Your Pleasure | 4M | Enticed | Tranquil Song, 18YO, $43K | Brad Cox | Isolate (G2), 7YO, $1.85M, by Mark Valeski |
| 6/24 | IND 6 | MSW | Red Beretta | 2F | Catalina Cruiser | Dontgetinmyway, 22YO, $0K | Michel Douaihy | Dorsett (G1), 15YO, $468K, by Artie Schiller |
| 6/25 | CD 2 | MCL | Guardian | 3M | Constitution | Two Sixty (G3), 8YO, $479K | Brad Cox | |
| 6/26 | BAQ 1 | ALW | Flat Out Time | 3F | Not This Time | Flat Out Speed (G3), 8YO, $365K | George Weaver | |
| 6/26 | CD 8 | MSW | Il Cavallino | 3M | Into Mischief | Daisy (G3), 10YO, $163K | Mike Maker | |
| 6/26 | WO 6 | MSW | English Actor | 4M | English Channel | Ambitious Cat (G2), 24YO, $704K | Rachel Halden | |
| 6/26 | WO 6 | MSW | Highly Potent | 3M | War of Will | Exit Three, 18YO, $0K | Mark Casse | Untrapped (G3), 11YO, $857K, by Trappe Shot |
| 6/27 | CD 1 | MCL | Mo Moe Mow | 4M | Uncle Mo | Coffee Clique (G1), 15YO, $1.06M | Brian Lynch | |
| 6/27 | DEL 5 | MCL | Committed Games | 3M | Complexity | Ack Naughty, 13YO, $310K | Brittany Russell | Practical Move (G1), 5YO, $923K, by Practical Joke |
| 6/27 | PEN 5 | STK - Penn Oaks | Midway Memories | 3F | Cairo Prince | Memories Prevail, 11YO, $0K | Chad Brown | Zandon (G1), 6YO, $2.20M, by Upstart |
| 6/29 | LRL 9 | ALW | Salty Senorita | 3F | Speightstown | Taking Aim, 10YO, $25K | Brittany Russell | Taking Candy (G3), 5YO, $395K, by Twirling Candy |
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.