Expensive and Well-Bred Sophomores Debut in NOLA

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency
BELGRADE MAKES FIRST START FOR NEW CONNECTIONS
1st-TAM, $35K, Opt. Clm. ($75K), 3yo, 7f, 12:13 p.m.
Carl and Yurie Pascarella went to $700,000 for KEEJAN sale topper BELGRADE (Hard Spun) with GI Kentucky Derby dreams and he makes his first start for his new owners and new trainer Graham Motion here. A $45,000 FTKSEL purchase by Randy Bradshaw, the chestnut romped by six lengths in his career bow at Fair Grounds Dec. 18 for trainer Brendan Walsh. His dam is a half to GSW & MGISP Medal Count (Dynaformer) and GSW Garden District (Dixie Union). TJCIS PPs

PRICEY FILLIES DEBUT IN NOLA
2nd-FG, $55K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:30 p.m.
Steve Asmussen unveils a $1.2-million (KEESEP) half-sister to his Grade I winner Yaupon (Uncle Mo) in Mike Rutherford's ROYAL FLOWER (American Pharoah). Out of GISP Modification (Vindication), the chestnut's talented half-brother Yaupon captured the GI Forego S. after a savaging by Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior) and took the GII Amsterdam S. He has been retired to the Spendthrift stallion barn. Royal Flower is also a half to MGSP Sawyer's Hill (Spring At Last). Larry Best's OXO Equine acquired the well-related Indigo Miss (Into Mischief) for $525,000 at KEESEP and she also makes her career bow here. Best purchased her blue hen dam Indian Miss (Indian Charlie) for $1.9 million in foal to Into Mischief two months later at Keeneland November. A half-sister to GSW Live Lively (Medaglia d'Oro), Indian Miss is also the dam of champion sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya) and Grade I winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow). TJCIS PPs

ASMUSSEN UNVEILS STONESTREET BLUE-BLOOD
4th-FG, $55K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 2:29 p.m.
Stonestreet Stables homebred MARSALIS (Curlin) makes his career bow in this spot for trainer Steve Asmussen. Out of Grade I winner Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union), the chestnut is a full-brother to MSW & GSP young stallion Union Jackson and a half to MGSW Pauline's Pearl (Tapit). His second dam is GSW & GISP Above Perfection (In Excess {Ire}), who produced MGISW Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and GSW Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile). Todd Pletcher unveils an intriguing firster in Momentous (Speightstown). His second dam is SW Dance Quietly (A.P. Indy), who is a half to Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado), GISW Funtastic (More Than Ready) and GSW Quiet Giant (Giant's Causeway), the dam of Horse of the Year and top freshman sire Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). TJCIS PPs