By Steve Sherack
In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.
Think the word was out on Creative Minister (c, 3, Creative Cause–Tamboz, by Tapit) ahead of his unveiling on the GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. undercard at Gulfstream Park Mar. 5 (video)?
Hammered down to 5-2 favoritism off a 15-1 morning-line quote–having last year's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Rattle N Roll (Connect) as a regular workmate will certainly do that–Creative Minister was quickly outsprinted in a ground-saving 10th as they sped through an opening quarter in :22.14. The gray finally re-entered the picture with an eye-catching, four-wide rally leaving the five-sixteenths marker, and, despite switching back to his left lead in deep stretch, came blitzing home on the outside to finish just a neck short to second-time starter Felix (Cupid). The final time for seven furlongs was 1:23.63.
Creative Minister, the only runner in the field of 11 to shade :13 for his final eighth (:12.84), earned a 76 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.
“I was real pleased going that distance,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “We let him settle and take some dirt in his face. He showed a nice finish. He's gonna run next at Keeneland on opening weekend going a mile and a sixteenth.”
McPeek's deep bench of 3-year-olds already includes: GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Smile Happy (Runhappy) (second in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 19), the aforementioned Rattle N Roll (fourth in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 26) and Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb) (won GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Apr. 2).
How does Creative Minister potentially stack up with that group?
“He could work his way up into that level,” McPeek replied. “He needs to jump through a couple of conditions–certainly his maiden and a-other-than. If he does that, then maybe we'll get ambitious.”
Creative Minister has posted three works since his debut, including a four-furlong warning shot in a bullet :47.07 (1/113) in Hallandale Mar. 26.
As for his workouts in company with Rattle N Roll prior to his debut, McPeek added, “They went head and head–he handles his own with Rattle N Roll. Not necessarily one better than the other, but a good, even match. Rattle N Roll's race was respectable over in New Orleans. The winner was real impressive.”
Bred in Kentucky by Dell Ridge Farm, Creative Minister was the most expensive of 59 yearlings sold by his sire in 2020 when bringing $180,000 from Fern Circle Stables and Back Racing, LLC at Keeneland September. The winning Tapit mare Tamboz, a full-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Tapizar, brought $440,000 from Dell Ridge Farm at the 2012 Keeneland November sale. Tamboz has produced MGSP Oceanwave (Harlan's Holiday) and Battalion Runner (Unbridled's Song); GISP Dolder Grand (Candy Ride {Arg}) and a pair of additional stakes-placed runners. This is also the family of GISWs Olympio, Cuvee, et al.
“He's a big, handsome horse and has a good-looking frame on him,” McPeek concluded. “He's got a lot of upside. He could be a horse by summer that fits with some of the top 3-year-olds. He's got some work to do first though.”
The 'Second Chances' honor roll is headed by two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner and Lane's End stallion Honor A. P. (Honor Code) and MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags). This term's ultra-impressive GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. and GIII Fred W. Hooper S. winner Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), recent narrow GIII Michelob Ultra Challenger S. runner-up Cody's Wish (Curlin) and last year's comebacking GI Frizette S. third-place finisher A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo) have also been featured. Other standouts include: GSW Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW & MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway) and MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
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