'TDN Rising Star' Doncho did not mind a wet surface as he took home his first black-type in the Gold Fever S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet on Sunday afternoon.
The dark bay was sent on his way as the 2-1 choice and vied for the early lead with longshot Buccherino up the backstretch. Putting away his rival around the far turn, the chalk sizzled entering the lane, kicked for the wire past the eighth pole and got there to collect his prize.
Doncho achieved his 'Rising Star' badge at second asking against optional claimers when he won by 4 1/2 lengths at Fair Grounds Feb. 13, which followed his maiden-breaking performance by five lengths in New Orleans to close out his juvenile campaign. JAL's gelding made his last start in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland Apr. 5 when he finished in fourth place.
“He's naturally fast, easy.” said trainer Michelle Lovell after the Gold Fever. “I'm glad to see he put it all together and stayed collected through the wire and didn't lose his action. He's a very strong horse.
“Sprinting looks like his jam. We're at Churchill, so we have that to look at, but Saratoga is always fun. [The GI Woody Stephens S.] would definitely be something to consider.”
The winner's unraced dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Lord Nelson, who was purchased for $100,000 by BSW/Crow Colts Group at this year's OBS March Sale. Sassy Redhead foaled a colt by Idol Apr. 2. Mo Town's first 'Rising Star' hails from an extended female family of GISWs Madcap Escapade (Hennessy), Mi Sueno (Pulpit) and Dubai Escapade (Awesome Again).
GOLD FEVER S., $150,000, Belmont The Big A, 5-5, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.77, gd.
1–DONCHO, 118, g, 3, by Mo Town
1st Dam: Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes
2nd Dam: Sass Me, by Carson City
3rd Dam: Sassy Pants, by Saratoga Six
($12,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $32,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $72,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN). 'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-JAL Racing; B-Susan Young (KY); T-Michelle Lovell; J-Jaime A. Torres. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $168,000.
2–Maximus Meridius, 118, c, 3, Maximus Mischief–Quiet Virtue, by Quiet American. O-LC Racing LLC, Cash is King LLC and Robert E. Reid, Jr.; B-Westerly Farm (PA); T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. $30,000.
3–Buccherino, 120, c, 3, Bucchero–Bellimbusto, by First Dude. ($75,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Happy Tenth Stable; B-Blue River Bloodstock (FL); T-Alfredo Velazquez. $18,000.
Margins: 2HF, 4, NK. Odds: 2.00, 2.95, 25.00.
Also Ran: Pirate, Billal, Eliminate, Iridescent, Yo Yo Candy.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
DONCHO, the 3YO son of @coolmoreamerica stallion Mo Town, wins the Gold Fever Stakes under @jaimetorresjcky for trainer @_MichelleLovell. pic.twitter.com/LrJx9oqt7W
— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) May 5, 2024
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