By Brian DiDonato
Shadwell Stable's Mahaamel (Into Mischief) became the 23rd 'TDN Rising Star' for his super sire and second to exit an Apr. 24 track-and-trip heat as he posted a popular front-running victory at Belmont Friday. The $700,000 KEESEP yearling was a close second here on debut to regally bred $1.5-million purchase First Captain (Curlin), who came back to take an allowance last Saturday and get the 'Rising Star' nod himself. Donning blinkers for this, he was favored at 4-5 while taking on some pricey and well-bred foes. Ridden clear from a pesky longshot early, the bay posted splits of :22.68 and :45.89 with $500,000 Askin for a Baskin (Distorted Humor) ranging up to challenge heading for home. He spurted clear at the head of the lane, and leveled off well from there to score by 3 1/4 lengths. Askin for a Baskin held off well-bred firster Cody's Wish (Curlin–Dance Card) for second. The winner stopped the clock in 1:22.46 in the mud.
Mahaamel is the second foal out of accomplished New York-bred Hot Stones (Bustin Stones), who took the GIII Bed o' Roses H. over this same track and trip in 2014. Her prior foal Hot Mist (Tonalist) was a debut winner for West Point Thoroughbreds and Christophe Clement at Tampa Bay Downs last May but has not been seen since. Hot Stones's 2-year-old filly Rome's Burning (Classic Empire) was third on debut for Wesley Ward in a $50,000 maiden claimer at Churchill about an hour before Mahaamel's victory. She was not claimed. Hot Stones has not yet produced another live foal.
4th-Belmont, $90,000, Msw, 6-4, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:22.46, my, 3 1/4 lengths.
MAHAAMEL, c, 3, Into Mischief
1st Dam: Hot Stones (GSW, $521,356), by Bustin Stones
2nd Dam: Steamed Up, by Freud
3rd Dam: Midnight Tank, by Tank's Prospect
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $67,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart, VIDEO, sponsored by TVG or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Shadwell Stable; B-Clarkland Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. *$700,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP
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