7th-Churchill Downs, $138,210, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-30, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:21.54, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
EXTRA ANEJO (c, 4, Into Mischief–Superioritycomplex {Ire}, by Hard Spun), unseen since a well-beaten fourth in last year's GI Haskell S., returned to the races with authority Thursday night for trainer Steve Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Dubbed a 'TDN Rising Star' first out, the $1.35m Keeneland September yearling buy won two of his first three, yielding the win only once behind another Grade I-runner in Federal Judge (Constitution) in his 3-year-old unveiling at Churchill last May. Back at seven furlongs for the first time since that 'Rising Star'-worthy debut, the 2-1 second choice flashed early speed but was outfooted by Eyeing Clover (Lookin At Lucky) from the rail draw as the field came out of the chute and onto the backstretch. Content to track that leader from second, Extra Anejo, patiently handled by regular pilot Tyler Gaffalione, began to move up into the far turn until the pair was head and head past the quarter pole. Clearly the class of the group once straightened away, he came home 3 1/2 lengths in front of a calvary charge for second won by Call Me Fast (Dialed In). The 96 Beyer Speed Figure earned in this win was a career best by two points. Mt Brilliant, who bought into Extra Anejo's dam for 400,000gns at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, bred Extra Anejo as her first foal. The mare herself is a daughter of Justlookdonttouch (Ire) who brought 1,200,000gns from the same sale and also produced GSW Francesco Clemente (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and MSW/MGSP Abingdon (Street Cry {Ire}). This is also the family of American champion grass mare Islington (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Extra Anejo has a 2-year-old Tapit half-brother who sold for $525,000 as a yearling at Keeneland last September and Superioritycomplex foaled a full-sister to the 'Rising Star' this year. Sales History: $1,350,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $288,065. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Mt. Brilliant Farm, LLC & Orrin H. Ingram (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.
#7 Extra Anejo wins off the bench in R7 at Churchill Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen with @tyler_gaff aboard! 🏇
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/yP4deka1HF
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 31, 2024
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