Alder (Hard Spun)'s first trip to the gate July 15 at Ellis Park resulted in him being declared a non-starter after he became tangled and unseated Gerardo Corrales just as the bell sounded. With Corrales back aboard, no such issues plagued this 2-year-old colt as he sparkled down the lane to win on debut at Ellis Park on Sunday afternoon. The bold effort earned him 'TDN Rising Star' honors.
Off at 9-5 here, the Godolphin homebred settled midpack up the backstretch as a trio vied for the lead into the far turn. Taking aim at that bunch, Alder took the overland route with a sweeping four-wide move before the quarter pole, shifted to another gear running down the lane and won impressively by 6 1/4 lengths over fellow firster Honky Tonk Highway (City of Light).
The winner's dam foaled a colt by Street Boss Mar. 2 and she was bred to Mystic Guide for 2024. Second dam Forest Heiress (Forest Wildcat) is a multiple Grade III winner and counts GI Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash S. hero Wildcat Heir as a full-brother. This is Hard Spun's 13th 'TDN Rising Star'.
Alder's victory capped a productive weekend for the Godolphin operation, which was represented Saturday by maiden winners at Ellis Park and Colonial Downs and an allowance winner–as well as impressive debut runner-up Hunt Ball (Into Mischief) and GI Alabama S. runner-up Wet Paint (Blame)–at Saratoga.
7th-Ellis, $70,000, Msw, 8-20, 2yo, 5f, :58.42, ft, 6 1/4 lengths.
ALDER, c, 2, Hard Spun
1st Dam: Arbol by Elusive Quality
2nd Dam: Forest Heiress by Forest Wildcat
3rd Dam: Penniless Heiress by Pentelicus
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $40,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
#6 Alder dominates in R7 at Ellis Park, making it back-to-back wins for both @bradcoxracing and Gerardo Corrales! 💪
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/3cFnzfWgIv
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 20, 2023
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