TDN RISING STARS

February 19, 2011 - Fair Grounds, Race 3, Msw, USD $49,000, 6 f, ft

Bind, c, 3, 2008 by Pulpit

1st Dam: Check, by Unbridled
2nd Dam: Watch The Time, by Timeless Moment
3rd Dam: Innocent Lady, by Pancho Villa

Owner: Adele Dilschneider & Claiborne Farm
Breeder: Claiborne Farm (KY)
Trainer: Albert M Stall Jr

Bind was offered as a yearling at Keeneland September in 2009, but the bidding stalled at $180,000, and he went home to Claiborne. The dark bay had compiled an eye-catching worktab, and went postward as the even-money chalk. After breaking cleanly, the three-year-old was allowed to settle into stride by rider Rosie Napravnik, and raced in third as Saracen (Orientate) gunned through a :21.39 opening quarter. Bind began to take closer order on the turn and came to Saracen's throatlatch as they straightened for home. Napravnik threw a few crosses at him and Bind responded readily, leveling off smartly while opening up daylight. It was a good start to the day for his connections, who also had Apart (Flatter) running later on the card in the GIII Mineshaft H. "We're tickled to death," said Dell Hancock. "We tried to sell him at the Keeneland sale, and I couldn't believe it when we didn't get the job done there. We hope we have some fun with him--we've sure been encouraged so far." Bind acted up a bit in the paddock, but Hancock wasn't worried. "He kind of got himself pumped up in the paddock, like he was saying, 'I'm the man.' He reminded me of Pulpit." Bind's granddam, the North Carolina-bred Watch the Time, was acquired privately by Claiborne in time for her to produce Fob (The Prime Minister) in 1996. In the meantime, her earlier foals War Thief (Lord At War {Arg}) and Prime Meridian (The Prime Minister) developed into graded stakes winners, and the mare later foaled GSW Watch (Lord At War {Arg}) and SW Remind (DeputyMinister) for Claiborne. Bind's younger brother by First Samurai sold at Keeneland last September for $150,000, and his dam was covered by Pulpit again last spring. Meanwhile, in Florida yesterday, Claiborne enjoyed another stylish win by a three-year-old when Escort (First Samurai) won impressively at Gulfstream. The colt cleared the maiden hurdle in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for trainer Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,600.