TDN RISING STARS

November 16, 2012 - Betfair at Hollywood Park, Race 4, Msw, USD $45,000, 1 1/16m

Eblouissante, f, 3, 2009 by Bernardini

1st Dam: Vertigineux (Broodmare of the Year), by Kris S.
2nd Dam: For The Flag, by Forli
3rd Dam: In The Offing, by Hoist the Flag

Owner: Eric Kronfeld
Breeder: Maverick Productions Ltd (KY)
Trainer: John A Shirreffs

The wild popularity of Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire})--retired after earning the 2010 Horse of the Year title--ensured that her little sister Eblouissante would attract attention, and the nearly black filly had over 3,000 Facebook fans before trainer John Shirreffs finally deemed her ready to face the starter. She was 4-1 on the morning-line, and though the money came fast and early enough to make her 1-2 at one point, the toteboard read 7-5 when the gates sprang open. Jockey Corey Nakatani secured a ground-saving spot as the rangy Eblouissante settled into stride. Saturday Nite Ride (Flower Alley) was eager to get things underway up front through splits of :23.87 and :45.07. Eblouissante still had plenty to do approaching the half-mile pole, but, guided to the outside, made a sweeping move on the far turn to reach contention. Though it took her a while to put away the persistent pacesetter, Eblouissante drew off smartly under a hand ride once she shifted gears to score by 4 1/4 lengths. Chestnut Moon (Corinthian) rallied to nip Saturday Nite Ride for second. "She has so many mannerisms like Zenyatta, so when she left and Eblouissante came in, it was like she was still there," said a relieved Shirreffs. "It's a thrill, it really is. We're very excited about her. She's such a beautiful racehorse." Shirreffs didn't unveil Zenyatta until Thanksgiving of her 3-year-old season, so Eblouissante beat her sister to the punch by a week. "Each succeeding workout was a little better than the prior one and we saw that turn of foot in the mornings," Shirreffs added. "We've been waiting for this day a long time." Nakatani was equally thrilled. "It felt so easy it was scary," he said. "She did everything I asked. Anytime you get to ride a sister of a champion like Zenyatta, it's a pleasure, especially at this stage in my career. I'm excited right now, and that's an understatement." In addition to three-time champion older mare Zenyatta, MGISW, $7,304,580, Eblouissante is a half-sister to Balance (Thunder Gulch), MGISW, $1,048,491; and Where's Bailey (Aljabr), SW, $116,313. Owner/breeder Eric Kronfeld (click here for an in-depth TDN feature) campaigned Vertigineux before selling her offspring. Balance was a $260,000 KEESEP yearling before Zenyatta made $60,000 at the same venue. Their exploits saw later offspring Treasure Trail (Pulpit) and Souper Spectacular (Giant's Causeway) sell for $550,000 and $1.15 million, respectively. Kronfeld retained Eblouissante before selling Vertigineux privately to Coolmore, and the mare has 2-year-old and yearling fillies by Henrythenavigator; those fillies were in turn sold privately to Australian Ric Jamieson, best known as the breeder of Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}). The 2011 filly, offered as a weanling at KEENOV, was bought by Adena Springs for $1.5 million. Vertigineux was covered by Street Cry this past spring. Zenyatta made a successful debut on Thanksgiving in 2007, and captured a first-level allowance in December before making her presence felt on the stakes stage. Kronfeld and Shirreffs plan on a similar approach with Eblouissante. "Let's see how she comes out of the race and make sure that she's a happy filly," Kronfeld said yesterday. "We'll give it about a week and then start looking for an allowance race at the same distance or a bit further. If she does well, she would follow the same series that Zenyatta did, with the first goal the [GII] La Canada S. [at Santa Anita Jan. 20]." Betfair Hollywood has Cushion Track as its main racing surface, while Santa Anita has since returned to conventional dirt. "It's nothing you can know about until she runs on it," Kronfeld added. "Knowing John, if her next race is at Santa Anita, he'll probably take her to Santa Anita and give her a workout. If she handles it, we press on, and if not, we focus more on Hollywood and Del Mar." Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,000.