6th-Keeneland, $99,588, Msw, 10-14, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:45, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.
DORNOCH (c, 2, Good Magic–Puca {SW & GSP, $299,406}, by Big Brown) had run well in each of his first two career starts, including a runner-up effort in the Sapling S. in his most recent trip to the races Aug. 26, and made good on a promise of 1-2 favoritism to break his maiden in style Saturday at Keeneland. The full-brother to GI Kentucky Derby hero Mage, GISW, $2,507,450; and half to Gunning (Gun Runner), MSP, $278,835, was away in good order from gate two and led into the first turn as they stacked up six deep to his outside. Pressed along by Lat Long (Liam's Map) as they raced into the backstretch, the $325,000 Keeneland September grad was past the half-mile in :47.70 for Luis Saez and was quietly and confidently ridden into the second bend. Asked to stretch passing the three-sixteenths marker, Dornoch raced a touch greenly and a bit awkwardly on his left lead, but pulled readily clear despite wandering about to score by a widening 6 1/2 lengths. The final time was 1.34 seconds faster than what was recorded by Stretch Ride in the first division of this two-turn maiden in race three. Former 'TDN Rising Star' Puca was a stakes winner and runner-up in the 2015 GII Gazelle S. and was purchased by Robert Clay's Grandview Equine for $475,000 carrying the filly that would become Gunning at Fasig-Tipton November in 2018. A half-sister to GISW Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}), Puca is also the dam of a yearling McKinzie colt that sold to Mayberry Farm for $1.2 million at last month's Keeneland September sale and the mare sells at the upcoming Keeneland November Sale carrying a full-sibling to Mage and Dornoch through Case Clay Thoroughbred Management as hip 191. Sales history: $325,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SP, 3-1-2-0, $119,900. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-West Paces Racing LLC, R A Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stables; B-Grandview Equine (KY); T-Danny Gargan.
(2) Dornoch is all class in race 6 with @luissaezpty aboard. (4) Django finishes second and (3) Lat Long takes third.
Dornoch is a full brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Look for his dam Puca selling as hip 191 at #KeeNov! pic.twitter.com/9MaQxS7TpF
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 14, 2023
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