TDN RISING STARS

May 22, 2009 - Churchill Downs, Race 8, Msw, USD $48,300, 4 1/2f

Soundman, C, 2009, by Songandaprayer

1st Dam: Class Choice, by Peaks and Valleys
2nd Dam: Lady Ethel, by Sovereign Dancer
3rd Dam: Not So Careless, by Desert Wine

Owner: Westrock Stables LLC
Breeder: Nursery Place & Robert Manfuso (KY)
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Soundman made it three juvenile winners in the course of eight days and second in as many days for the fledgling Westrock operation and trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Purchased as a yearling for $100,000 at KEESEP last year, the attractive dark bay went in :10.2 at the under-tack show for Fasig-Tipton Calder over the winter (breeze-up video) and fetched $240,000 from the Westrock braintrust. Unlike the two recent winners, Soundman was not well-backed for his Apr. 29 debut, but outran his odds of 18-1 to finish a promising second over a sloppy surface Apr. 29. Sent off at even-money this time around, the colt was a bit slow into stride, but was in front by the end of one furlong. He repelled a bid from Gary D (Successful Appeal) in upper stretch, and, with Miguel Mena motionless in the saddle, strode impressively away, covering his final sixteenth in a smart :6.04 to score by an easy 7 3/4 lengths. Congor (Congaree), a bit washy in the preliminaries, ran on to finish runner-up. Westrock's other winners include Decelerator (Dehere), a $250,000 OBSFEB purchase who took a May 14 maiden; and Tidal Pool (Yankee Gentleman), a $220,000 OBSFEB graduate who scored this past Thursday. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $39,085.