TDN RISING STARS

April 20, 2023 - Keeneland, Race 2, Msw, USD $80,000, 4 1/2F

American Rascal, G, 2, 2021 by Curlin

1st Dam: Lady Aurelia, by Scat Daddy
2nd Dam: D' Wildcat Speed, by Forest Wildcat
3rd Dam: Velvet Panther, by Pentaquod

Owner: Stonestreet Stables LLC
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward

Stonestreet homebred American Rascal (c, 2, Curlin–Lady Aurelia, by Scat Daddy), the first foal out of international superstar and two-time Royal Ascot winner Lady Aurelia, romped on debut in a jaw-dropping 'TDN Rising Star' performance for Wesley Ward over the Keeneland main track Thursday afternoon. A trip to Royal Ascot could be in the cards for the mighty Curlin's 24th 'Rising Star.'

“He's a super fast horse,” Ward said in the winner's circle on FanDuel TV. “The good thing about running at Ascot is that they go in and out of the races completely sound. That turf course there and at Keeneland are ideal–just so safe for all these fast 2-year-olds early in their career. We'll center in on the [G2] Norfolk [going five furlongs at Royal Ascot June 22]. Of course, we'll talk it over with Ian Brennan and Barbara [Banke]'s team and Barbara herself. That's what he was given to me for. His mother did so great over there. I really look forward to this guy. He's gonna be something.”

American Rascal fired a three-furlong bullet in :35 3/5 (1/13) at Keeneland Apr. 9 and was hammered down to 1-2 in this nine-horse field. He broke sharply beneath a whipless Joel Rosario and was content to back off and chase Loudermilk (Bernardini) from second through an opening quarter in :22.21. American Rascal began to wind up on the far turn and blasted off down the stretch in eye-catching fashion with just a shake of the reins to graduate by 10 1/4 lengths. Prints Money (Munnings) was second.

The Stonestreet-bred and Ward-trained Lady Aurelia, a $350,000 KEESEP yearling purchase  campaigned by Stonestreet, George Bolton and Peter Leidel, brought $7.5 million from Stonestreet to dissolve a partnership at the 2018 FTKNOV sale.

Lady Aurelia romped on debut with a 'Rising Star' performance of her own over the same course and distance in Lexington in 2016. She captured Royal Ascot's G1 King's Stand S. and G2 Queen Mary S., the G1 Darley Prix Morny in France and the Giant's Causeway S. over the Keeneland lawn. She fell just a nose short in the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York. Lady Aurelia produced a filly by Into Mischief in 2022.