Caddo River (Hard Spun), a promising runner-up in a live-looking maiden race last out, went to the front and widened throughout for a dominant, 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy graduation Sunday at Churchill.
Second on debut Sept. 5 at Saratoga, he filled the same slot after dueling on a scorching pace Oct. 11 at Belmont and was pounded down to 3-10 to break through stretching out to a mile here. Away in good order, the homebred made the lead on his own power and dictated terms through sharp splits of :22.38 and :44.59. Scooting further clear after straightening for home, he slammed the door by mid-stretch and coasted home 9 1/2 lengths to the good. Alejandro (Curlin) completed the exacta.
The victor, named for a river in Arkansas, has a yearling half-sister by Into Mischief and his thrice graded stakes-placed dam produced a Nyquist colt this term before being bred back to Hard Spun. Second dam It's True Love was a SW as well.
8th-Churchill Downs, $83,789, Msw, 11-15, 2yo, 1m, 1:35.22, ft, 9 1/2 lengths.
CADDO RIVER c, 2, Hard Spun&log=">Hard Spun
1st Dam: Pangburn {SW & MGSP, $338,480}, by Congrats
2nd Dam: It's True Love, by Yes It's True
3rd Dam: Lovin Spoonful, by Dixieland Band
Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, $76,092. Click for the Equibase.com chart, VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
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