Dec. 26 Insights

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency
HALF TO ALWAYS DREAMING MAKES CAREER BOW
4th-FG, $45K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:30 p.m.
Mike Ryan will be represented by the latest foal out of his and the late Gerry Dilger's blue hen Above Perfection (In Excess {Ire}) in BEYOND PERFECTION (Curlin). The Grade III winner is also responsible for GI Kentucky Derby and GI Florida Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister); GSW Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile); and GISW Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union), who in turn produced GSW Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) and MSW & GSP freshman sire Union Jackson (Curlin). Gosolphin homebred Omkara (Ghostzapper) is out of stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro). She in turn is a daughter of MGSW India (Hennessy), who also produced MG1SW Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). This is also the family of Grade I winners To Honor and Serve (Bernardini) and Angela Renee (Bernardini). TJCIS PPs

PRICEY COLTS DEBUT IN ARCADIA
4th-SA, $67K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 3:30 p.m.
Bob Baffert unveils a pair of expensive sophomore colts on an action-packed opening day Santa Anita's winter meet. Michael Lund went to $1.1 million at the 2020 EASMAY sale to acquire SHAAZ (Uncle Mo) after he breezed in :10 flat. The dark bay is a half to MGSW Azar (Scat Daddy) and hails from the family of MGSWs Coal Front (Stay Thirsty) and Woodlander (Forestry). Shaaz displays the speedy worktab typical of a Baffert pupil with three bullets in his last four breezes, most recently covering six panels in 1:12 4/5 Dec. 19 (1/14). Baffert also saddles one for the Avengers in $900,000 KEESEP acquisition Hopkins (Quality Road). Out of SP Hot Spell (Salt Lake), the bay is a half to SW Saratoga Heater (Temple City) and SP Malocchio (Orb). Also making his career bow here is Spendthrift homebred Q B One (Uncle Mo), the first foal out of four-time champion Beholder (Henny Hughes), a half- to GISW and stallion sensation Into Mischief and GISW young sire Mendelssohn. TJCIS PPs

DRURY UNVEILS HALF TO ART COLLECTOR
6th-FG, $45K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 3:31 p.m.
Tom Drury unveils a half to his former pupil and GI Woodward S. winner Art Collector (Bernardini) in LEGIONNAIRE (Into Mischief). They are out of SW & GISP Distorted Legacy (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPs