TDN RISING STARS

December 26, 2008 - Santa Anita, Race 3, Msw, USD $46,200, 6.5f, ft

Point Encounter, c, 2, 2006 by Point Given

1st Dam: Rita Rucker (MSW, $249,767), by Dmitri
2nd Dam: Darlease, by Temperence Hill
3rd Dam: Miss Danalee, by

Owner: Kentucky West Inc
Breeder: Kentucky West Inc (KY)
Trainer: Carla Gaines

Point Encounter, a 3/4-brother to 2005 Anoakia S. and Moccasin S. heroine Private World (Thunder Gulch), MSW, $166,058, had two sharp six-furlong drills over this surface and was bet down to 6-5. Breaking alertly from post six with Mike Smith in the irons, the big chestnut held a narrow advantage through splits of :21.80 and :44.54 while shadowed by Surprise Minister (Pulpit). Point Encounter shook loose from that rival in front of the stands and held sway late by 1 3/4 lengths over fellow firster Unionize (Dixie Union--Silent Sighs). The winner's dam was a hard-knocking mare based mostly at Mountaineer, compiling a record of 72-21-10-9 while capturing four stakes at the West Virginia oval. Surprise Minister tired to fifth. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,000.