TDN RISING STARS

July 23, 2011 - Del Mar, Race 3, Msw, USD $63,000, 5 1/2f

Secret Circle, c, 2, 2009 by Eddington

1st Dam: Ragtime Hope (MSW, $127,715), by Dixieland Band
2nd Dam: Good 'n Smart, by Smarten
3rd Dam: Smiling Cece, by Forli

Owner: Karl Watson, Michael E Pegram & Paul Weitman
Breeder: Willmott Stables (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Secret Circle was RNAd for $17,000 as a KEESEP yearling, but zipped an eighth of a mile in :10.1 for this year's OBSMAR sale (video) and sold for $165,000, the highest-priced of seven juveniles by this sire to go under the hammer this season. He showed a sneaky-fast worktab for Bob Baffert and was backed down to 2-1 favoritism. He came out running from his inside draw pursued by speedy second timer Basmati (Borrego) through splits of :22.46 and :45.64. Secret Circle shook his pursuer off at the top of the lane, and cruised to an eight-length graduation with no encouragement. Basmati held for second. Sales history: $17,000 RNA yrl '10 KEESEP; $165,000 2yo '11 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $37,800.