'Rising Star' Stretching Out at the Big A

2nd-BAQ, $100k, Alw, 3yo/up, 1m, post time: 2:06 p.m. EDT
The word was out on DONEGAL MOMENTUM (Uncle Mo) for his local debut over six muddy furlongs May 16, and he ran to the money, shooting clear in the stretch to graduate by a whopping 8 1/4 lengths and earning a strong 92 Beyer Speed Figure to become a no-brainer 'TDN Rising Star'. A $375,000 Keeneland September purchase in 2022, the dark bay colt looks to negotiate a mile from the inside gate Thursday afternoon. Javier Castellano has a return engagement aboard the 4-5 morning-line favorite for trainer Tom Morley. TJCIS PPs

3rd-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 5:58 p.m. EDT
Bred by the late Bob Lothenbach, SANDMAN (Tapit) only galloped under-tack ahead of this year's OBS March Sale, but was purchased by West Point Thoroughbreds, D J Stable and C J Stable for $1.2 million as part of the owner's dispersal. That transaction took place about six weeks after this colt's Grade III-winning half-sister She Can't Sing (Bernardini) was sold to Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for $1.1 million and 14-year-old dam Distorted Music (Distorted Humor) fetched $375,000 from Springhouse Farm at Fasig-Tipton in February. Distorted Music is a half-sister to Grade III-placed Zinzay (Smart Strike), the dam of SW & MGSP Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon) and the third dam includes G1 Dubai World Cup winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper). Voodoo Daddy (Good Magic) sold for $49,000 at Keeneland November in 2022 before blossoming into a $370,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling. Tap Into This (Tapit), a half-brother to 'TDN Rising Star' Extra Anejo (Into Mischief), cost Doug Scharbauer $525,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale and has the rail for his career unveiling. TJCIS PPs

1.2 Milly – Hip 173 out of Tapit & Distorted Music @OBSSales @RenCarothers @LuisAtTampa @Mannysanz_53 @EZNickStables @HorseRaceSite pic.twitter.com/U1Zs83lVrQ

— Bucket Bomber (@Bucket_Bomber) March 12, 2024