Debutants

With the 2-year-old racing season in full swing and the prestigious Saratoga meeting (7/22-9/5) right around the corner, TDN's first installment of 'Debutants' highlights several promising unraced juveniles–including the OBS March and Fasig-Tipton Midlantic toppers–on which to keep an eye this summer. Trainers Shug McGaughey, Mark Casse and Linda Rice kick things off.

Formula One, c, 2, Smart Strike–Glamorista, by Unbridled's Song
Projected Debut: Saratoga
Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is optimistic that the $1.7-million OBSMAR sale topper, now named Formula One, could make the races at Saratoga this summer. The long-striding son of late two-time champion sire Smart Strike posted five workouts–including a four-furlong move in :49.40 (5/14) from the gate at Fair Hill June 24–before recently joining McGaughey's Belmont string. “He's a big, growthy colt,” McGaughey commented. “We're going forward with him, but we're not pressing hard.” The Illinois-bred is the first foal from the Unbridled's Song mare Glamorista, a three-time winner and third-place finisher in the 2012 GII A Gleam H. at Hollywood.

Glamorista, also a first out winner in Inglewood, is a half-sister to MGISW Critical Eye (Dynaformer). Formula One was offered on behalf of breeders R.J. and Kelcey Roberts' Brinker Hill Farm from the Eddie Woods consignment at OBS March. Bloodstock agent David Ingordo had the winning bid on behalf of the Farish family.

Recollection, f, 2, Distorted Humor–Daydreaming, by A.P. Indy
Projected Debut: Saratoga Early
Trainer: Shug McGaughey

After posting four breezes at Fair Hill, Phipps homebred Recollection covered three furlongs at Belmont Park in a smart :35.20 (3/8) June 28 much to the delight of conditioner Shug McGaughey. “She worked [Tuesday] morning and she's doing really well,” McGaughey reported. “Should be ready to run by the first part of Saratoga.” The half-sister to GISW Imagining (Giant's Causeway) and the 3-year-old stakes-placed 'TDN Rising Star' Browse (Medaglia d'Oro) is out of MGSW and MGISP Daydreaming, who aired at first asking as a juvenile at the Spa back in 2003. That 15-year-old daughter of Get Lucky (Mr. Prospector) is a full-sister to GISW Girolamo, as well as the dams of GISWs Super Saver (Maria's Mon) and Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat).

Gloaming, f, 2, Malibu Moon–Vespers, by Known Fact
Projected Debut: Saratoga Early
Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Stuart S. Janney III homebred Gloaming, a Malibu Moon half-sister to 2012 GI Donn H. hero Hymn Book (Arch), is also nearing a debut. The chestnut has seven listed workouts dating back to early May and most recently worked three furlongs in :36.21 (5/8) at Belmont June 28. “I've got a filly called Gloaming, who is a half-sister to Hymn Book, that should also be ready to run the first part of Saratoga,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. Gloaming's multiple stakes winning dam graduated at first asking as a 3-year-old going seven furlongs at Saratoga in 2001. This is also the family of GISW Data Link (War Front). McGaughey, of course, campaigned Malibu Moon's leading earner, 2013 GI Kentucky Derby winner Orb.

Strident, c, 2, Street Cry (Ire)–Storm Flag Flying, by Storm Cat
Projected Debut: Saratoga Middle
Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Produced by champion Storm Flag Flying, Strident should be ready to launch his career by the middle portion of the Saratoga meeting, trainer Shug McGaughey reports. The blue-blooded Phipps homebred worked an easy four furlongs in :51.60 (18/19) at McGaughey's Fair Hill base June 28. Following a debut win at Saratoga, Storm Flag Flying, a daughter of 1995 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine My Flag (Easy Goer), captured three straight Grade I events, headed by a tally in the 2002 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Arlington Park. Strident's third dam is the brilliant Hall of Famer Personal Ensign, who capped her 13-for-13 career for McGaughey with an unforgettable decision in the 1988 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Speedmeister, c, 2, Bodemeister–Blossomed, by Deputy Minister
Projected Debut: Saratoga Late/Churchill September
Trainer: Mark Casse

Produced by an unraced half-sister to graded winner Cinemine (Mining), Speedmeister was the most expensive juvenile to go through the ring for freshman sire Bodemeister when bringing $650,000 from owner John Oxley at this year's Fasig-Tipton Florida sale. The dark bay is currently based in Florida with Mark Casse's Ocala string. “He had some serious shins after the sale and it's taken us a little while to get him over that, but he's breezing three-eighths now,” Casse said. “I'd say he'll spend another two or three weeks in Ocala, then most likely head for Saratoga. We've also had a lot of luck keeping horses in Kentucky for the summer and getting ready for the September meet [at Churchill]. We may decide, depending on how he progresses, that he stays there and does that. We'll see.” Speedmeister, bred in Kentucky by Justin Spaeth and Kalvert Spaeth, was also a $140,000 KEENOV weanling and a $250,000 FTKJUL yearling.

Oxley and Casse will be well-represented in Saturday evening's 2-year-old stakes at Churchill Downs with impressive recent maiden winners Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GIII Bashford Manor S. and Pretty City Dancer (Tapit) in the Debutante S., respectively.

Black Canary, f, 2, War Front–Forty Moves, by Gold Fever
Projected Debut: Saratoga
Trainer: Mark Casse

Black Canary, a recent $425,000 OBS June selection by bloodstock agent Justin Casse, made a lasting first impression on trainer Mark Casse after recording her first breeze in Ocala. “I can't let the cat out of the bag with owns her yet, but we worked her the other day in Ocala and she worked super,” Casse said. “It's hard to say how far away she is from running, but she could make the Saratoga meeting.” The bay, out of graded stakes placed Forty Moves (Gold Fever), is a half-sister to multiple stakes placed Joe Tess (Macho Uno) and is also from the family of Grade I winner Cat Moves (Tale of the Cat). Black Canary was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm.

Noelle's Mischief, f, 2, Into Mischief–Lady Belsara, by Boundary
Projected Debut: Mid/late July
Trainer: Mark Casse

Noelle's Mischief, a $230,000 KEENOV weanling purchase by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, continues to train smartly in Kentucky for her upcoming debut. The bay, out of GIII Chicago H. heroine Lady Belsara, posted a five-furlong bullet from the gate in 1:00.20 (1/7) at Keeneland June 17. “We have a pretty nice filly for Stonestreet,” trainer Mark Casse said of Noelle's Mischief. “I'm not exactly sure where she's going to make her first start–we may even keep her around Kentucky–but she's shown a lot of talent.” Bred in the Bluegrass by James McDonald, Reiley McDonald and Paul Schwartz, this is also the extended female family of brilliant GISW Capote Belle.

Conquest Smartee, c, 2, Smart Strike–Forty Gran, by El Gran Senor
Projected Debut: Saratoga Late
Trainer: Mark Casse

Trainer Mark Casse also has high hopes for the well-bred Conquest Smartee, a full brother to GISW and promising young sire Square Eddie. The $425,000 KEESEP yearling graduate, currently with Casse's Ocala division, is owned by Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell's Conquest Stables. Conquest Smartee's breeder My Meadowview LLC went to $500,000 to acquire his multiple stakes placed dam Forty Gran at the 2008 KEENOV sale. “He's a really nice colt,” Casse said. “Whether we'll make the end of Saratoga, I'm not sure. But he's a horse that we're real high on.” Conquest and Casse teamed up for a win with the promising 2-year-old filly Conquest Vivi (Court Vision) in last weekend's Nandi S. at Woodbine.

Dance Strike, c, 2, Tapit–Apple Charlotte, by Smart Strike
Projected Debut: Saratoga
Trainer: Mark Casse

Dance Strike will carry the colors of GI Kentucky Derby-winning owner John Oxley when launching his career for trainer Mark Casse at the Spa this summer. The $410,000 FTKOCT yearling graduate is the second foal from grassy stakes-winning and multiple graded placed Apple Charlotte, who is a half-sister to the unraced dam of these connections' GI Stephen Foster H. hero Noble Bird (Birdstone). Bred in Kentucky by Jack Swain III, the gray most recently breezed four furlongs from the gate in :48.40 (9/60) at Keeneland June 29. Like his dam, Casse thinks that Dance Strike will show his best on the green stuff. “He's trained O.K. on the dirt, but we've also had the ability to breeze him on grass, and he seems like he's a pretty talented horse,” Casse revealed.

Modest Maven, f, 2, Uncle Mo–Dream Street, by Tale of the Cat
Projected Debut: Saratoga
Trainer: Linda Rice

The $1-million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old topper Modest Maven has already put in two works at Linda Rice's Belmont Park base. Produced by an unraced half-sister to champion sprinter Housebuster (Mt. Livermore), the half-sister to GII Forward Gal S. runner-up Lassofthemohicans (Indian Charlie) covered four furlongs in :51.85 (21/22) over the training track June 20. “I've had two breezes into her since we bought her in Maryland and we're gate schooling her now,” Rice commented. “I have hopes that she'd make the races at Saratoga.” Bred in Kentucky by T. F. VanMeter, Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds and Fox Strauss, the dark bay will be raced by Chester Broman. Modest Maven is one of three juveniles by leading sophomore sire Uncle Mo to bring seven figures at auction in 2016.

Unnamed, f, 2, Quality Road–Over Andover, by War Chant
Projected Debut: Saratoga Late
Trainer: Linda Rice

Still without a name, the highest-priced filly at the OBS April sale at $775,000 is another highly regarded 2-year-old prospect from the Linda Rice barn. Produced by a winning half-sister to GIII Discovery H. winner and GI Santa Anita H. third Called to Serve (Afleet Alex), the $112,000 KEENOV weanling was bred in Kentucky by South American Thoroughbred and Racing. “We're quite excited about her,” Rice said of the Quality Road filly. “This is one I bought for Sheila Rosenblum and Iris Smith. We have her here at Belmont. She just arrived. She hasn't gotten her first breeze in yet, but it's possible that she'd make a race at Saratoga as well at the end of the meet.”