By Heather Anderson
6th-GP, $50K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 2:25 p.m. ET
TRAVIS COUNTY (Tapit) faces the starter for the first time representing the powerful Godolphin/Kiaran McLaughlin axis. A $850,000 KEESEP acquisition in 2014, the bay is a full-brother to 'TDN Rising Star' and GIII Monmouth Oaks heroine Cassatt. Second dam is bluehen MSW and GSP Justenuffheart (Broad Brush), a half-sister to champion turfer and MGISW Kitten's Joy (El Prado {Ire}) and MGISW Precious Kitten (Catienus). Justenuffheart is responsible for champion juvenile filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies victress Dreaming of Anna (Rahy) and MGSWs Lewis Michael (Rahy) and Justenuffhumor (Distorted Humor). Alto Racing's Conviction (Tapit) could also make some noise for hot-handed meet-leading trainer Todd Pletcher. He is a half-brother to GI Gazelle S. heroine Lear's Princess (Lear Fan). Click for the TJCIS PPs.
10th-GP, $50K, Msw, 3yo, 71/2fT, 4:27 p.m. ET
AZAREL (Street Boss) debuts in this debutante heat for Tami Bobo's Secure Investments and conditioner David Fawkes. By the same sire as undefeated MGSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Cathryn Sophia, the chestnut colt is a half-brother to SW and GI Hollywood Starlet S. runner-up Wynning Ride (Arg) (Candy Ride {Arg}), who won at first asking at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet in 2008 and also finished third in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks a year later. Click for the TJCIS PPs.
8th-SA, $60K, Alw. Opt. Clm., 4yo/up, 7f, 7:00 p.m. ET
Hall of Famer and part-owner Jerry Hollendorfer saddles the resuming 'TDN Rising Star' SEATTLE SERENADE (Smart Strike) in his 4-year-old bow. The Mark DeDomenico LLC and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc colorbearer employed stalking tactics en route to a first out graduation sprinting at Del Mar Nov. 12 and earned his 'TDN Rising Star' moniker with a 6 1/2-length romp in a six-panel Los Alamitos optional claimer Dec. 11, both times with fellow Hall of Famer Mike Smith in the irons. Smith has the call again Saturday. Purchased for a flat $1 million from the 2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the son of Canadian champion and GSW Serenading (A.P. Indy), herself a full to MSW & GISP Handpainted out of MSW & GISP Daijin (Deputy Minister), has been working steadily at Los Alamitos and fired back-to-back bullets there, including a six-furlong drill in 1:11 1/5 (1/5) Feb. 27. Daijin is a full-sister to Classic hero and MGISW Touch Gold. Bob Baffert sends out Whiskey Ticket (Ghostzapper">Ghostzapper), who landed the GIII Illinois Derby at Hawthorne last April, and returns from an eight-month plus layoff. He was last seen finishing eighth in the Ohio Derby at Thistledown June 20. Click for the TJCIS PPs.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
