By Brian DiDonato
Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency
2nd-GP, $50K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 12:34 p.m. ET
Ajhar (Tapit) brought $800,000 from Shadwell Stable at the 2018 Keeneland September sale–he was in fact one of three Tapit yearlings purchased by Shadwell for that amount at that auction and part of a $12,345,000 expenditure at that sale for Sheikh Hamdan's operation. The grey colt is out of 'TDN Rising Star', MGSW and GISP Jojo Warrior (Pioneerof the Nile), who herself is a half to Grade I-winning fellow 'Rising Star' A Z Warrior (Bernardini); GSW/GISP 'Rising Star' E Z Warrior (Exploit); and MSW/GSP 'Rising Star' J Z Warrior (Harlan's Holiday). Turned over to Kiaran McLaughlin, Ajhar appears to be working steadily at Palm Meadows (click to see his in-company work Jan. 11, courtesy XBTV).
WinStar Farm and China Horse Club's Ellis Island (Will Take Charge), a $180,000 KEESEP acquisition, is out stakes winner Holy Reina (Macho Uno) and hails from the extended female family of champion fillies Flanders and Surfside. Edge of Fire (Curlin) is the first foal out of GSP Leading Edge (Tapit) and is a member of a highly productive Chiefswood Stables family. Conformity (Honor Code), a $200,000 September grad, is out of MGSP turfer Maria Maria (Curlin). Speedy Mack (Tale of the Cat), $130,000 at the same auction, is out of an unraced half-sister to MGISW Belle Gallantey (After Market). TJCIS PPs
7th-GP, $50K, Msw, $50K, 3yo, 1m, 3:04 p.m. ET
WinStar Farm and China Horse Club's $1-million Keeneland September purchase Palm Springs (Uncle Mo) gets more ground to work with after finishing second on debut here over six panels behind 'TDN Rising Star' Violent City (Violence) Jan. 11. Additional distance figures to be to the Todd Pletcher pupil's liking–his dam Sweet Bliss (Street Cry {Ire}) was second in the 2014 GII Honeymoon S. over nine turfy furlongs. The colt's third dam is SW/GISP Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life (Kris S.), who was responsible for 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Life is Sweet (Storm Cat) as well as champion 2-year-old filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat).
Rogue Element (Honor Code), sixth sprinting here Jan. 11, was a $250,000 September buy and is out of 2015 GIII Bourbonette Oaks runner-up Sweet Success (Candy Ride {Arg}) from the family of A.P. Indy. Fellow Dale Romans trainee Bear Alley (Will Take Charge) was ninth in the same race. He cost $525,000 in September and is a half to GISW turfer Arklow (Arch) and MGSW Maraud (Blame). Awakened (Curlin), who dead-heated for seventh in between the two Romans pupils, will carry the famed Phipps Stable silks for Shug McGaughey while in receipt of first-time Lasix. He's out of MGSW and MGISP Daydreaming (A.P. Indy), making him a half to Grade I-wining grass router and young sire Imagining (Giant's Causeway). This is the huge female family of Grade I winners Super Saver, Rhythm, Girolamo, Got Lucky, Bluegrass Cat, Dance Number, et al. TJCIS PPs
2nd-SA, $55K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f, 3:59 p.m. ET
Don Chatlos trainee Clivetty (Into Mischief) topped last year's OBS June sale with a $900,000 bid from Larry Bests's OXO Equine after covering a quarter mile in a sharp :20 4/5. A $375,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling and $400,000 OBSMAR buyback, she is a full-sister to these connections' MGISP Rowayton. Unraced dam Rosemonde (Indian Charlie) is a half to Canadian champion female sprinter and older mare Miss Mischief (Into Mischief) and hails from the family of Grade I-winning juvenile J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal). She most recently worked from the gate Jan. 25 with older GSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Instagrand (Into Mischief), who is entered in Saturday's GII San Pasqual S. (6f, 1:17, 14/16 XBTV Video).
Bob Baffert saddles $300,000 KEESEP yearling My Happy Girl (American Pharoah) for Rosedown Racing. She is out of GSW and MGISP 'TDN Rising Star' My Happy Face (Tiz Wonderful), who was purchased by Clearsky Farm for $625,000 at KEENOV '14 and most recently sold for $425,000 at the same sale in 2018 while in foal to Union Rags. The grey worked alongside $500,000 colt and Sunday entrant Mastering (Street Sense) Jan. 25 (4f, :47.40, 1/49, XBTV Video).
Eyes Open (Street Sense), who cost $375,000 in September, looks to step forward off a third-place debut run here Dec. 29 behind the hugely impressive Venetian Harbor (Munnings). Her dam is a half to GISW Dancing Forever (Rahy) from the Phipps family of Heavenly Prize, Good Reward, Pure Prize, Dancing Spree, Fantastic Find, et al. TJCIS PPs
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