OXO Equine's Travel Column (Frosted) sailed to an impressive 4 1/4-length debut win at Churchill Downs Friday and was quickly awarded the 'TDN Rising Star' label. Sent off at 9-2, the gray filly was third in the early strides as Off We Go (Air Force Blue) jumped out to the early lead. Off We Go briefly had a clear advantage, but Travel Column, racing keenly, rushed up to press the pacesetter through fractions of :21.27 and :44.42. She surged to the lead at the top of the stretch and was clear in an instant to become the third winner for her freshman sire (by Tapit) and his second Rising Star. Off We Go was second.
Larry Best's OXO Equine purchased Travel Column for $850,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Christina Welker purchased the winner's dam, Swingit (Victory Gallop), for $50,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. Travel Column's half-brother Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday) was third in the 2017 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, GI Woodward S. and G1 Dubai World Cup.
Swingit's yearling colt by American Pharoah is slated to sell next Thursday during the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase. The mare produced a colt by City of Light this year and was bred back to Audible.
Frosted's first winner, Inject, was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following her impressive debut victory at Ellis Park Aug. 15.
5th-Churchill Downs, $100,437, Msw, 9-4, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.03, ft.
TRAVEL COLUMN, f, 2, by Frosted#tot">Frosted
1st Dam: Swingit (MSW, $345,353), by Victory Gallop
2nd Dam: Free Ransom, Our Native
3rd Dam: Pay the Ransom, by J.O. Tobin
$850,000 Ylg '19 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,144. O-OXO Equine LLC; B-Mr. & Mrs. Bayne Welker Jr. & Denali Stud (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. *1/2 to Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday), G1SP-UAE, MGISP-USA, $2,278,028. Click for the Equibase.com chart or Equine.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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