TDN RISING STARS

January 9, 2010 - Aqueduct, Race 2, Msw, USD $40,000, 6f

Eightyfiveinafifty, C, 2010, by Forest Camp

1st Dam: Lifeinthefastlane, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Inthefastlane, by Once Wild
3rd Dam: K. A. Party, by Cutlass

Owner: Moirano, Team Stallion Racing Corp, Lerner, Contessa & McConnell Racing Stable
Breeder: A Lakin & Sons & James Kintz (KY)
Trainer: Gary Contessa

The aptly named battled through a :44 1/5 half in an Aug. 1 maiden at Saratoga before settling for third as a 27-1 shot. The winner that day, Dublin (Afleet Alex), went on to capture the GI Three Chimneys Hopeful S., and also-ran Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft) was later runner-up in the GI Champagne S. Trainer Gary Contessa was understandably excited about his charge's future (click here), but the colt missed some time with a hock injury, and he revved up for his return with a bullet in :59 1/5 at the Big A Jan. 4. Hammered down to 1-5 here, the bay was soon in front, and Avenging Spirit (Tapit) gave chase through a :23.04 opening quarter. Jockey Jorge Chavez let out a notch in the reins turning for home, and that was that. Eightyfiveinafifty opened up at will, despite not switching leads until the sixteenth pole, and galloped home clear by 17 1/4 lengths, with Chavez sneaking peeks for competition in vain. Avenging Spirit held on for second. Sales history: $40,000 RNA yrl; '08 FTKJUL; $100,000 2yo '09 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $29,500.