TDN RISING STARS

July 29, 2012 - Del Mar, Race 3, Msw, USD $70,000, 6f

Switch to the Lead, F, 2012, by Songandaprayer

1st Dam: Dressed for Succes (MSP, $116,446), by Tricky Mister
2nd Dam: I'll Be Along, by Notebook
3rd Dam: Glide Along, by Great Above

Owner: Kona Stables
Breeder: Kona Stables (KY)
Trainer: Patrick Biancone

Switch to the Lead was let go at 7-1 off an eye-catching bullet three-furlong blowout from the gate here in :34 3/5 four days earlier, and she rated kindly from second in the early going despite that sharpener. She pulled pilot Yuichi Fukunaga to the front at the head of the lane, bobbled briefly while switching leads, but was always doing enough after leveling off to secure to decisive 1 3/4-length success from second timer Scarlet Strike (Smart Strike). This was the first win for Fukunaga since he moved his tack to the U.S. from Japan earlier this summer. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000.