By Brian DiDonato
Murray (Street Sense), the most fancied of a trio of Bob Baffert-trained juveniles owned by the stallion-making conglomerate most easily referred to as “The Avengers” and seeking their diplomas in Del Mar's second race Sunday, blew past the buzzed-about even-money Peter Miller newcomer Drink the Wind (More Than Ready) en route to 'TDN Rising Star'-dom.
The $300,000 Keeneland September yearling broke on top at 5-2 but Drink the Wind was ridden along to seize a clear lead. Murray was content to sit second under Flavien Prat and began to ratchet up the pressure after a :21.54 opening quarter. Drink the Wind backed out of it abruptly heading for home, and Murray was soon several lengths in front. He poured it on from there under minimal encouragement, dusting his competition by 10 3/4 lengths and stopping the clock in 1:04.37. Second timer Clampett (Flatter) came on for second. Murray's stablemates Carbonite (Union Rags) and Barossa (Into Mischief) rounded out the trifecta and super, respectively, while the favorite crossed the line last.
Murray is out of a half-sister to MGSW juvenile Listen Here (Gulch) and three other stakes performers, including the dam of 2017 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner La Coronel (Colonel John). This is the female family of MGISW Listening, et al. Dam Now Now (Tiznow) produced a Gun Runner filly last year and a Good Magic filly this Valentine's Day.
Murray is the14th 'Rising Star' by Street Sense, who himself garnered that honor. Baffert has trained other members of that esteemed 14 like MGISW McKinzie and this year's GII San Vicente S. and GII Rebel S. winner Concert Tour.
2nd-Del Mar, $70,500, Msw, 7-25, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.37, ft, 10 3/4 lengths.
MURRAY, c, 2, Street Sense
1st Dam: Now Now, by Tiznow
2nd Dam: Listen Now, by Storm Bird
3rd Dam: Listen Well, by Secretariat
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the
Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Golconda Stable, Madaket Stables LLC, SF Racing LLC, Siena Farm LLC, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan, Robert E. Masterson & Jay A. Schoenfarber; B-Kim & Rodney Nardelli & William Werner (KY); T-Bob Baffert. *$300,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
