By J.N. Campbell
2nd-KEE, $100K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 1:05 p.m.
At the end of last year, it was Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) that reigned supreme over Good Magic (Curlin) and Justify (Scat Daddy) in the first-crop sire race when Spendthrift's own sewed up the title by more than $275,000 in world-wide earnings.
Now second-croppers, they come together in Race 2 at Keeneland for another battle on Saturday. Bred by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, LE BAR (Bolt d'Oro) carries the flag for the 2022 first-crop leader and is part of a female family which includes GSW Emotional Kitten (Kitten's Joy). Ridden by Luis Saez, the bay colt was a $350,000 Ylg FTNAUG purchase up at Saratoga in 2021 for Starlight and Harrell Ventures.
He will face-off against Good Magic's EQUIVOQUE, an Ontario bred out of Unreachable (Giant's Causeway) who is responsible for Japanese star Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), victor in the G1 February S. Second dam Harpia (Danzig) is a full-sister to G1SW Danehill. The chestnut colt, who sold outright to the CHC for $240,000 '22 KEENOV after partnering with Gandharvi when they bought him for $325,000 as a yearling at the FTNAUG sale, is also trained by Pletcher. Irad Ortiz will pilot when he breaks from the extreme outside.
Not to be left out, Justify is represented by Dixiana homebred JUST A PHOTO. The dark bay colt is the first to make the races for his mare Photographer (War Front), whose second dam MGSW Hostess (Chester House) is a half-sister to Pretty 'n Smart (Beau Genius). She is responsible for Santa Anita GI Gold Cup hero, Cupid (Tapit). From post nine, jockey Brian Hernandez has the call for trainer Kenny McPeek. TJCIS PPS
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