TDN RISING STARS

June 13, 2008 - Churchill Downs, Race 4, Msw, USD $41,400, 5f

Ocean Colors, f, 2, 2006 by Orientate

1st Dam: Winning Colors (Ch. 3yo Filly, MGISW, $1,526,837), by Caro (Ire)
2nd Dam: All Rainbows, by Bold Hour
3rd Dam: Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark

Owner: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd (KY)
Trainer: Steven M Asmussen

Winning Colors made history with her front-running score in the 1988 GI Kentucky Derby, but the big grey's offspring in the ensuing years didn't add to her legend prior to her death this past February. That may have changed in the form of Gainesway homebred Ocean Colors, who has inherited her dam's color and, apparently, her style of running as well. Sent off as the 3-2 second choice, the grey broke like a shot and held a narrow advantage through the opening three-eighths of a mile. She shook loose from favored Jehan (Forest Wildcat) in midstretch and pulled away readily to hand that rival a 5 1/4-length defeat. "She sure has a lot of class," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "I didn't know she'd be that fast from the [starting] gate. Who knows how good she might be?" The winner is a half-sister to Golden Colors (Mr. Prospector), SP-Jpn, $509,963. Winning Colors's final foal is a yearling filly by Mr. Greeley. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,965.