TDN RISING STARS

October 6, 2012 - Belmont Park, Race 3, Msw, USD $68,000, 6f

Darwin, c, 2, 2010 by Big Brown

1st Dam: Cool Ghoul, by Silver Ghost
2nd Dam: Single Blade, by Hatchet Man
3rd Dam: Single Track, by Stage Door Johnny

Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Breeder: Lansdon Robbins & Tom Hansen (PA)
Trainer: Todd A Pletcher

IEAH Stables purchased this first-crop son of their GI Kentucky Derby-winning sire for $220,000 out of the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, and turned him over to Ciaran Dunne to be prepared for the winter's under-tack sales. The athletic bay colt breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5 for this year's Fasig-Tipton Florida sale and was knocked down to Demi O'Byrne for a sales-topping bid of $1.3 million. He wasn't quite ready for the races at Saratoga, but knuckled down as of late and was sent off a prohibitive 7-10 favorite to give his sire (by Boundary) his second debut winner of the afternoon and eighth overall. Quickly into stride, Darwin was allowed a fairly easy time of it up front, covering the opening couple of furlongs in :22.80 while pressured lightly by Transparent (Bernardini). He arrived at the quarter pole after a half in :45.85 and quickened up nicely to best longshot Retrieve (Put It Back) by two lengths. Darwin is a half-brother to Dagnabit (Freud), MSW, $243,938. Sales history: $220,000 yrl '11 FTSAUG; $1,300,000 2yo '12 FTFFEB. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $40,800.