Kimari (f, 2, Munnings–Cozze Up Lady, by Cozzene) put on a show at Keeneland Thursday afternoon, becoming the latest 'TDN Rising Star' for the loaded Wesley Ward barn.
Favored at 1-5 while taking on the boys here, the $152,000 FTKJUL yearling purchase wasn't away to the sharpest of beginnings leaving the stalls, but quickly rushed up on the outside to speed off through an opening quarter in :22.33. In hand at the top of the stretch, John Velazquez shook the reins and tapped her on her right shoulder two times and the response was devastating, as she drew off in jaw-dropping fashion to win by 15 lengths.
Kimari stopped the clock for 4 1/2 furlongs in a very sharp :51.02, while clocking her final quarter in :23 flat. Halfmoon Reef (Half Ours) was second.
Kimari is out of 2013 GIII Chicago H. heroine Cozze Up Lady. She produced a colt by Exaggerator in 2018 and was bred back to Quality Road. Cozze Up Lady was purchased by China Horse Club for $300,000 at the 2014 FTKNOV Sale.
The Ten Broeck Farm colorbearer is the sixth 2-year-old winner for Ward at the current Keeneland Spring Meet and his fourth 'Rising Star.' Fellow juveniles Lady Pauline (Munnings), Nayibeth (Carpe Diem) and Anna's Fast (Fast Anna) also received the nod.
6th-Keeneland, $56,544, Msw, 4-25, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :51.02, ft.
KIMARI, f, 2, by Munnings&log=">Munnings
1st Dam: Cozze Up Lady (GSW, $407,169), by Cozzene
2nd Dam: The White Lady, by Johannesburg
3rd Dam: Maha Al Iman, by Pulpit
Sales history: $152,000 Ylg '18 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,944. Click for the Equibase.com chart, free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Ten Broeck Farm Inc; B-China Horse Club International Limited (KY); T-Wesley A Ward.
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