Bob Baffert, whose juvenile colts made up the superfecta in Saturday's GI American Pharoah S. led by 'TDN Rising Star' Cave Rock (Arrogate), unveiled yet another potential superstar Sunday at Santa Anita in the form of Zedan Racing Stables Inc.'s $600,000 OBSAPR acquisition Arabian Lion (Justify). The :10 flat breezer was pounded down to 3-5, with workmate Elwood Blues (Justify) next in the betting at 5-2. The wagering public got it right. Arabian Lion emerged with the early advantage as Elwood Blues rushed up in between foes to be second as they entered the bend. Arabian Lion posted a half in :44.90, shrugged off his seemingly much smaller stablemate fully by midstretch and strode out a three-length winner worthy of the 'Rising Star' tag. Elwood Blues held second to complete the exacta for his trainer and Triple Crown-winning sire, who of course was also a 'Rising Star' for Baffert and who has now sired four horses from his first crop to earn this publication's distinction. Arabian Lion is his sire (by Scat Daddy)'s 18th individual winner.
The winner's third dam is none other than legendary runner and producer Personal Ensign. Arabian Lion's dam Unbound (Distorted Humor) began her career in Japan before being imported by SF Bloodstock and running second in a restricted sprint stakes at Belmont. She was later sold for $310,000 at KEENOV '15 in foal to Tiznow. After failing to produce a foal in the next two seasons following Arabian Lion, Unbound visited Frosted this term. Unbound's stakes-placed full-sister Mary Rita is responsible for a standout juvenile colt in her own right–her $550,000 son Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) took to the turf when annexing the GII Pilgrim S. a week earlier.
6th-Santa Anita, $62,000, Msw, 10-9, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.78, ft, 3 lengths.
ARABIAN LION, c, 2, Justify
1st Dam: Unbound {SP, $359,826}, by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Possibility, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Personal Ensign, by Private Account
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. *$600,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR.
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