By J.N. Campbell
Muth (c, 2, Good Magic–Hoppa, Uncle Mo), a $2 million purchase back in March at OBS, certainly lived up to expectations Sunday afternoon at The Great Race Place as he won convincingly in his debut at odds of 1-5 and stamped himself as a newly-minted 'TDN Rising Star' for his efforts.
After settling down in the gate, the bay colt briefly broke outward, but flashed some strong early foot to seize the lead up the backstretch. Immediately distancing himself from the rest of the field, the Bob Baffert trainee poured on the power around the far turn. Into the stretch, despite the efforts of El Magnifico (Street Sense) and Harry Houdini, Juan Hernandez geared his mount down en route to break his maiden by 8 3/4 lengths.
The winner, who tied and OBS sale record when he was purchased by Amr Zedan, breezed during the under tack show in March going a furlong in :9 3/5.
The first of Hoppa's offspring to make the races, she also has a yearling filly by Violence and foaled a filly by Tacitus May 10. Second dam Handoverthecat (Tale of the Cat) passed away in 2017. Third dam Frayne (Red Ransom), who was sent to Saudi Arabia in 2011, is a full-sister to GSW Wandering Star.
Muth is the second 'Rising Star' for sire Good Magic, with other being Blazing Sevens, who was second in this year's GI Preakness S.
2nd-Santa Anita, $61,500, Msw, 6-18, 2yo, 5f, :57.29, ft, 8 3/4 lengths.
MUTH, c, 2, by Good Magic
1st Dam: Hoppa by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Handoverthecat by Tale of the Cat
3rd Dam: Frayne, by Red Ransom
Sales History: $190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Bob Baffert.
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