TDN RISING STARS

January 12, 2020 - Gulfstream Park, Race 6, Msw, USD $50,000, 1M, .0000

Spice Is Nice, f, 3, 2017 by Curlin

1st Dam: Dame Dorothy (GISW, $749,740), by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Vole Vole Monamour, by Woodman
3rd Dam: A Votre Sante, by Irish River (Fr)

Owner: Robert E. & Lawana L. Low
Breeder: B. Flay Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Spice Is Nice (Curlin) turned heads when hammering for $1.05 million at Keeneland September back in 2018, and turned many more Sunday at Gulfstream when running away to a double-digit debut graduation and 'TDN Rising Star' honors.

Drilling steadily at Belmont until late November, the chestnut missed a few weeks of breezes, but got right back to task with a half-mile bullet in :48 4/5 (1/5) Dec. 20 at Palm Beach Downs before recording a sharp five-furlong move in 1:00 1/5 (3/22) there nine days later.

Hammered early in the wagering debuting at a mile here before drifting up to 11-10 by post, the chestnut was jostled a bit early, but worked her way into the pocket to stalk from fourth behind a :23.68 quarter. Inching closer past a :46.47 half, she snuck through a rail opening midway on the turn and turned for home with ears pricked. Quickly slamming the door going by the three-sixteenths pole, she ran up the score in the final furlong and hit the wire 12 lengths to the good. Jeweled Princess (Cairo Prince) completed the exacta.

The winner is the first foal out of 2015 GI Humana Distaff S. heroine Dame Dorothy, who RNA'ed for $3.1 million two months ago at Keeneland November. A half-sister to MGISW turfer Mrs. Lindsay (Theatrical {Ire}), she produced a colt by Medaglia d'Oro last term before being bred to Uncle Mo.