TDN RISING STARS

December 15, 2007 - Aqueduct, Race 2, Msw, USD $52,000, 6f

Saratoga Russell, C, 2007, by Trippi

1st Dam: Prologue, by Theatrical (Ire)
2nd Dam: Shivering Six, by Saratoga Six
3rd Dam: Shivering Gal, by It's Freezing

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Briggs/Cromartie & John Lankshear (FL)
Trainer: Richard A Violette Jr

A $70,000 OBSAUG yearling purchase, Saratoga Russell breezed an eighth of a mile in an effortless :10.1 and was purchased by bloodstock agent Buzz Chace for $170,000 out of this year's OBSMAR sale. Given time to mature, the Florida-bred colt made a favorable impression in his Nov. 17 debut, leading through fractions of :44.88 for the half and :56.87 for five-eighths, but was caught late and ended up second behind J "TDN Rising Star" J National Pride. It was another eight lengths back to the third that afternoon. Hammered down to 1-2 to get the job done here, the bay settled in midpack and was taken to the rail for the run around the far turn. Patiently handled by Eibar Coa, he found room at the fence in upper stretch and breezed home a 7 1/2-length winner while not fully extended. Laysh Laysh Laysh (Whywhywhy) was second best. The winner's second dam has produced SW & GSP Ever Elusive (Forestry) and SW Saratoga Summer (Time for a Change). Excess Capital (Distorted Humor) vied for the early lead before fading to sixth. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $41,600.