Whatstheconnection became the first winner for freshman sire Connect (Curlin) at Indiana Grand Tuesday. Given an 8-1 chance in this debut, the chestnut broke on top from his rail draw and shot out to a clear lead, clicking off a :22.31 opening quarter. Turning for home in front, the homebred held off a pair of late challengers to win by a half-length. Mowins, a son of freshman sire Mohaymen, completed the exacta.
Connect was a four-time stakes winner, topped by a victory in the 2016 GI Cigar Mile for the late Paul Pompa. His dam Decorator is a half to MGSW & MGISP sire E Dubai (Mr. Prospector) and GISW No Matter What (Nureyev), who is the dam of European champion Rainboow View (Dynaformer), GSW & MGISP Just As Well (A.P. Indy) and GSW Utley (Smart Strike). Decorator produced a City of Light filly in 2020 and an Arrogate filly in 2021.
7th-Indiana Grand, $31,000, Msw, 5-25, 2yo, 5f, :59.78, ft, 1/2 length.
WHATSTHECONNECTION (c, 2, Connect–Decorator, by Storm Cat) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,600. O/B-Knowles Farm, LLC (KY); T-John Ennis. *$27,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP.
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