By Steve Sherack
In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. In this edition, the blue-blooded Prairie Wings (Tapit)–from the family of late leading sire Giant's Causeway–is highlighted after a strong debut second at Gulfstream Park Sunday. Previous runners featured in this column include: MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway) and MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
Between the $800,000 Keeneland September pricetag and loaded catalog page, sophomore filly Prairie Wings (Tapit) certainly entered the starting gate with her share of expectations at Gulfstream Park Sunday afternoon (video).
The Shadwell Stable colorbearer, produced by an unraced daughter of bluehen mare Mariah's Storm (Rahy), had posted nine workouts at trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's Palm Meadows base since mid-November, headed by a four-furlong breeze in :49 (9/48) Jan. 31 ahead of her 6 1/2-furlong unveiling.
The 8-1 chance was off last of seven from her rail draw and was under a ride through an opening quarter in :22.72. Kept out in the clear by Luis Saez, she began to advance rounding the far turn and set her sights on the leaders approaching the quarter pole while four wide. The chestnut leveled off nicely once switching to her right lead in the stretch and came rolling late to gain place honors, finishing 2 1/4 lengths adrift the winner while earning a respectable 72 Beyer Speed Figure.
“We were very pleased with her,” Shadwell Farm's Vice President/General Manager Rick Nichols said. “With that experience and a little more distance, I think good things will happen. We are excited. She is a gorgeous filly–strong, good balance and correct. Her pedigree speaks for itself. She will be a wonderful addition to our broodmare band some day.”
Breeder Summer Wind Equine purchased Prairie Wings's dam Love Me Only (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) for $2.1 million while carrying future Group 2 winner and G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby/G1 Investec Derby placer Storm the Stars (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at the 2011 KEEENOV Sale. Love Me Only is a half-sister to the legendary “Iron Horse” Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat) as well as MGSW You'resothrilling (Storm Cat), dam of champions Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
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