TDN RISING STARS

February 15, 2023 - Turfway Park, Race 5, Msw, USD $70,000, 6 1/2F

Sunday Shoes, F, 3, 2020 by Pioneerof the Nile

1st Dam: Silvertoni (SW & GSP, $141,330), by Tapit
2nd Dam: Somasach, by Johannesburg
3rd Dam: Easy Now, by Danzig

Owner: Lael Stables
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward

Lael Stables' Sunday Shoes (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile-Silvertoni, by Tapit) was forced to cover stacks of ground when making her career debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden under the Wednesday night lights at Turfway and turned in a spectacular effort to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction.

A $500,000 acquisition by Michael Hernon on behalf of Roy and Gretchen Jackson's operation from the Woodford draft at Keeneland September in 2021, Sunday Shoes was sent off as the 9-2 third choice on debut and was one of the first to break the line from her double-digit draw before easing back to sit in about midfield, albeit well out into the track. Waited with into the final three-eighths of a mile, the bay uncorked an eye-catching rally around the turn while still trapped out and was no better than five deep at the entrance to the stretch. Sunday Shoes wanted to have a good look around once she made the lead, but she was kept to her task and pulled nicely clear of what appeared on paper to be a strong group. OXO Equine's second-time starter Upper Case (American Pharoah), well-beaten behind future GISW Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) at Saratoga last August, was runner-up here as the 9-5 chalk, while firster Chelsea Pier (Arrogate) spiced up the triple at 24-1.

Sunday Shoes is a sixth 'Rising Star' for the much-missed Pioneerof the Nile, who is the sire of Lael's gifted turf sprinter Arrest Me Red, also a Ward trainee. Woodford Thoroughbreds acquired the winner's stakes-winning dam-also second in the 2016 GII Adirondack S.-for $800,000 in foal to Quality Road at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.