Aptly Named More Than Looks One to Remember for Victory Racing

eFive Racing Thoroughbred's Grayscale (c, 2, Frosted–Petunia, by Into Mischief) was pegged as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's seventh race at Gulfstream, but his worktab–which included a bullet half-mile in :44 4/5 last month and other morning trials that screamed ready–dictated that he'd jump a much-shorter price for his career debut...

eFive Racing Thoroughbred's Grayscale (c, 2, Frosted–Petunia, by Into Mischief) was pegged as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's seventh race at Gulfstream, but his worktab–which included a bullet half-mile in :44 4/5 last month and other morning trials that screamed ready–dictated that he'd jump a much-shorter price for his career debut. Crunched into 3-10 for the Breeders' Cup-winning connections of trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. and jockey Drayden Van Dyke, the gray colt made no mistake en route to being named the afternoon's second 'TDN Rising Star'. Away in mid-division from his low draw, Grayscale–equipped with a shadow roll for the debut–was ridden positively by Van Dyke to head off his rivals through an opening quarter mile that was timed in :22.28 over a surface that has been yielding below-par times over the last few days. Galloping along nicely in hand while maintaining a safe margin on his rivals, he turned for home having gone the half in :46.68 and kicked home with powerful strides to score handily, covering the six furlongs in 1:11.42, a time that should grade out well. On behalf of Bob Edwards's operation, Joseph paid $240,000 for Grayscale at last year's Keeneland September Sale, the second-priciest of 66 Frosted yearlings (75 ring) reported as sold in 2023. Inbred 4 x 4 to A.P. Indy and therefore 5 x 5 to Seattle Slew, Grayscale is a half-brother to Zoe's Prime (Bolt d'Oro), runner-up in Keeneland's Listed Limestone Stakes this past April. Grayscale is the second winner from as many runners for his unraced dam, whose youngest offspring include a yearling filly by Connect and a weanling colt by Mo Donegal. Petunia was most recently bred back to Frosted. Grayscale is the fourth 'TDN Rising Star' for Frosted, who was also represented this season by Maymun.