Insights on the American Racing Scene for Feb. 12

4th-GP, $48k, Alw/Opt. Clm, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 1:30 p.m. EDT
Ultra-impressive 'TDN Rising Star' MALAGACY (Shackleford) will get his first test against winners in this spot, with an eye on a potential stakes try to follow. Let go at a juicy 59-10 in his career bow here Jan. 4, the $190,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic grad buried his competition by 15 lengths with an 87 Beyer Speed Figure. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the chestnut has breezed three times in the interim, most recently covering a half-mile in :48 flat (1/14) at Palm Beach Downs Feb. 4. Malagacy's chief competition appears to come from another impressive maiden winner, Arindel Farm homebred Wait (Distorted Humor), who went wire-to-wire to score by 5 1/2 lengths against Florida-breds one day after Malagacy's big debut. The gray colt, out of champion and MGISW Wait a While (Maria's Mon), has been transferred from Ronny Werner's barn to the Stanley Gold outfit since earning his diploma, and blew out a half-mile in :47 1/5 (2/22) over the local main Jan. 26. TJCIS PPs

12th-GP, $46k, Msw, 3yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 5:35 p.m. EDT
Strong pedigrees abound in this turf dozen to close out the Sunday proceedings, led by Joyce Young's debutante HELLO DEARIE (Giant's Causeway), a full-sister to GSW/GISP Caroline Thomas out of GISW Bit of Whimsy (Distorted Humor). Second dam Kristi B (El Prado {Ire}) is also a half to GISW turfers Miss Josh (Nasty and Bold) and Royal Mountain Inn (Vigors). The chestnut has worked sharply over the Palm Meadows turf for trainer Barclay Tagg, most recently drilling a bullet half-mile in :47 flat (1/17) around dogs there Feb. 7. Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider unveil homebred Vigor (War Front) from the Bill Mott barn. The bay's dam is a full-sister to champion Blame (Arch), while second dam Liable (Seeking the Gold) is a half to G1SW Archipenko (Kingmambo). Also in Vigor's extended pedigree reside champions and foundational sires Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer) and Nureyev (Northern Dancer). Godolphin and Kiaran McLaughlin debut Lido (Street Cry {Ire}), a homebred half to GSW Imperia (Medaglia d'Oro) out of MGISW and dual Chilean champion Cocoa Beach (Chi) (Doneraile Court). Lido shows an above-average worktab, most notably going a half-mile in :48 flat (5/38) on the Palm Meadowsgrass Jan. 27. Sassy Sadie (Malibu Moon), a $340,000 KEESEP buy, makes her career bow for St. Elias Stable. Her stakes-winning dam is a half to GISW Emcee (Unbridled's Song) and GSW/G1SP Surfer (Distorted Humor). Sheep Pond Partners and Bradley Thoroughbreds' debutante Relentless Miss (Candy Ride {Arg}) is a half to GSW Mufajaah (Tapit) out of MGSW Carolyn's Cat (Forestry), while Game Factor (The Factor) is a $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic purchase out of a half to Canadian champion and GISW Spring in the Air (Spring At Last). TJCIS PPs

—@JBiancaTDN