TDN Rising Star

Glen Bromagen II and Michael Dahir's Neon Icon (Arrogate) was given a 5-1 chance for an operation not typically known for its firsters, however, that price seemed like an overlay after the sophomore rattled across the wire an uncontested 4 1/4-length winner at Keeneland Wednesday, earning TDN Rising Star distinction in the process. Breaking from the inside stall, the $220,000 Keeneland September grad settled in a ground-saving fourth as a pair of 4-year-olds--Kara and Colleen (Bolt d'Oro) and Dynamism (Uncle Mo)--led through a :23.55 opening quarter. Finding herself behind a...

Ready for Shirl (More Than Ready), a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf upsetter Perfect Shirl (Perfect Soul {Ire}) from a wildly productive female family beautifully nurtured over the last 20 years by Charles Fipke and his team, jumped at odds of nearly 8-1 in a two-turn maiden over the Keeneland turf course Saturday afternoon. 8-1? 'Shirl'-y you must be joking, but the March-foaled bay rewarded her backers in becoming the second 'TDN Rising Star' out of the mare and the fourth from the first two dams...

Spendthrift Farm homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), sidelined with a fractured splint bone in her left hind leg after fading to seventh as the 4-5 favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, has begun to gear up for her sophomore campaign. The talented daughter of Hall of Famer Beholder (Henny Hughes) has posted a pair of two-furlong breezes for trainer Richard Mandella over Santa Anita's all-weather surface this month, most recently stopping the timer in :23.80 (1/1) Apr. 10. How are the initial reports so far?...

Champion 2-year-old Colt, 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Curlin Florida Derby hero Fierceness (City of Light) returned to action Friday with his first work following his 13 1/2-length romp in last month's Florida Derby. The Repole Stables-owned runner went four furlongs in :50.17 (13/22) under regular pilot John Velazquez with trainer Todd Pletcher looking on. "He's been great since the Florida Derby. His energy level is good. He's seemed to take the race really well," said Pletcher. "He had a nice easy breeze this morning and was moving great. Really,...

Alessandro and Giuseppe Botti trainee Gala Real (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) notched an 11-length tally when shedding maiden status at Lyon-Parilly last November and continued on the upgrade with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance in Friday's Prix Durban at Saint-Cloud. The 73-10 chance, who had previously finished last of seven runners in her July 16 debut over seven furlongs at Chantilly, employed patient tactics from flagfall in this 10 1/2-furlong distaffers' test and settled off the tempo in sixth for the most part. Inching closer on the home turn, the daughter...

With the European Classics around the corner, expect an explosion of activity over the next few days beginning at Deauville on Tuesday with the G3 Prix Imprudence and G3 Prix Djebel. TDN Rising Star Ramatuelle (Justify) lines up in the former, stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time after a storming juvenile campaign that saw her take the G2 Prix Robert Papin and G3 Prix du Bois and finish a narrow second to Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the G1 Prix Morny here in August. Godolphin's Listed...

The GII Louisiana Derby runner-up GSW Honor Marie (Honor Code) and fourth-place finisher GSW Track Phantom (Quality Road) returned to the work tab Sunday morning at Churchill Downs as they continue to train towards Kentucky Derby 150. In the early hours, Track Phantom breezed five furlongs in 1:02.00, the ninth fastest of 19 on the morning while sporting new equipment--a small set of blinkers. With Joel Rosario in the irons, the pair went in company with another Asmussen trainee and Track Phantom galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.20. "I thought...

Seven newcomers went to post for ParisLongchamp's opening contest of Sunday afternoon, the 10 1/2-furlong Prix Juigne for unraced 3-year-old colts and geldings, and it was Coolmore and Westerberg's Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Whatami {GB}, by Daylami {Ire}), who returned with a 'TDN Rising Star' after outpointing his rivals in the style of an above-average individual. Patiently ridden off the tempo in seventh for the most part, the 8-5 favourite eased forward off the home turn and lengthened clear in taking fashion once quickening to the fore at the furlong pole...

He wasn't the most cooperative at the stalls and he left himself plenty to do over a Keeneland main track that was playing kind to speed over the course of the afternoon, but 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (c, 3, Gun Runner--Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon) saved his best for last and cemented his status as one of the top couple of contenders for the GI Kentucky Derby with a fast-finishing victory in the 100th running of the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. Saturday afternoon. The victory, on the back...

Discreet Mischief (c, 3, Into Mischief--Brushwork, by Discreet Cat), a very solid second sprinting on debut with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure behind the highly regarded Drip (Good Magic) over a sloppy track at Fair Grounds Feb. 17, delivered a 'TDN Rising Star' performance for trainer Brad Cox to graduate impressively at second asking at Keeneland Saturday. The 4-5 favorite jumped well and secured a perfect spot pressing in an outside second through fractions of :22.47 and :45.54. He took over on the turn for home, was in complete control...

Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}--Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) entered the old Easter Stakes at Kempton on Saturday with a two-for-two record and a glowing reputation and exited as TDN Rising Star with a performance that oozed class. Held up last of the quintet early by a confident William Buick, the 4-7 favourite was slipped through the gaps to overwhelm Ralph Beckett's Derby entry Valvano (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) inside the final furlong and surge to a two-length success. The Hannon runner Persica (Ire) (New Bay...

Almostgone Rocket (f, 3, Into Mischief--Bound, by Jump Start) made it look easy on her debut at Oaklawn Park to the tune of 'TDN Rising Star' honors for the effort. Breaking well and keen to press the issue early, she took over at the half after :22.25 and :46.45 splits, and had opened up a notable margin coming into the lane. With no one coming close, she strolled home the easiest of winners by 11 3/4 lengths. Early leader 24-1 longshot Delacina (Dominus) was clearly second best. Out of multiple...