TDN RISING STARS

August 23, 2013 - Saratoga, Race 1, Msw, USD $80,000, 5 1/2f

Havana, c, 2, 2011 by Dunkirk

1st Dam: Missy Turtle, by Kyle's Our Man
2nd Dam: Redding Ridge, by Screen King
3rd Dam: Burma Belle, by Vertex

Owner: Magnier, Tabor & Smith
Breeder: Harvey A Clarke Racing Stable LLC (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher

A $50,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling, Havana was purchased for $575,000 at Barretts March after breezing a furlong in :9 3/5 and his reputation preceded him in this unveiling as he was pounded down to 2-5. The grey broke on top and set the pace from the two path, zipping through fractions of :22.18 and :44.49. Coming a bit wide off the turn when challenged by Kendall's Boy (Sky Mesa) at the top of the lane, the Todd Pletcher trainee re-rallied to open up in the final furlong and win by 2 3/4 lengths. He hit the wire in 1:02.64, just shy of the 5 1/2-furlong track record of 1:02.51. Havana becomes the fifth winner for his freshman sire (by Unbridled's Song) and is the ninth 2-year-old firster to win for his trainer at this meet.  "Looking at the worktab of the horse who was second [Kendall's Boy], he looked like he had been training very well," said Pletcher. "It didn't surprise us [Havana] broke alertly and showed speed, and I was happy to see him put in the performance he did," said jockey John Velazquez. "He's trained well enough and he ran well enough today that something like the [GI] Champagne [at Belmont Park Oct. 5] might make sense. He's been working really good in the morning. We all liked him, and we were all wishing that when it comes to the races that he could do the same thing he's been doing in the morning. He did it, so we're very proud. We thought we had a fast horse, and we didn't want to give him such a hard race." Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000.