2nd-Belmont, $90,000, Msw, 6-12, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:36.94, ft, 2 1/4 lengths.
MILES D (c, 3, Curlin–Sound the Trumpets, by Bernardini) made a single visit to the races last season, a well-bet and close-up fourth at Aqueduct Oct. 11, in an event that has turned out to be no ordinary maiden. Next-out 'TDN Rising Star' and Smarty Jones S. winner Caddo River (Hard Spun) was runner-up to Godophin's Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) and a half-length better than Greatest Honour (Tapit), who would go on to annex the GIII Holy Bull S. and GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. ahead of a third in the GI Curlin Florida Derby. Behind Miles D that day were the sixth-placed Bourbonic (Bernardini), this year's GII Wood Memorial S. upsetter, as well as Original (Quality Road), last of the octet, but since Grade III-placed on the turf. The late money came for Miles D, who was sent off the 1.15-1 chalk in advance of 8-5 fellow second-timer Southern Flag (Union Rags), and proved spot on. Settled back on the fence as Absolute Courage (Into Mischief) set the pace from off the rail, Miles D–in receipt of first-time Lasix–was asked to come after that one at the quarter pole, stuck a neck in front a furlong from home and kicked on nicely to take it by 2 1/4 lengths. Absolute Courage boxed on gamely at the rail to claim second spot, a head better than Southern Flag, who was slowly into stride, raced three and four wide the trip and was forced to settle for third. Miles D is the first foal for his unraced dam, a half-sister to champion Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) who was purchased with this colt in utero for $675,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. Sound the Trumpets's 2-year-old son Trumpets Blare (Pioneerof the Nile) breezed three-eighths of a mile in :37.40 at the Skylight Training CenterSaturday morning and her most recent produce include a yearling Quality Road filly and a colt foal by Medaglia d'Oro. Miles D's third dam was the irrepressible Personal Ensign (Private Account), who was also responsible for Grade I winners Miner's Mark (Mr. Prospector) and Traditionally (Mr. Prospector) as well as MGSP Salute (Unbridled), whose produce include Lane's End stallion and GISW Mr Speaker (Pulpit), GSW Fire Away (War Front) and SW/GSP Vigilantes Way (Medaglia d'Oro). Miles D is bred on the same cross as GISW Paris Lights and other graded winners Point of Honor, Clairiere, 'TDN Rising Star' Spice Is Nice and Cezanne. Sales history: $470,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $53,280. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Peter M Brant & Robert V LaPenta; B-River Bend Farm (KY); T-Chad C Brown.
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