TDN RISING STARS

August 11, 2013 - Saratoga, Race 2, Msw, USD $80,000, 5 1/2f

Sweet Whiskey, f, 2, 2011 by Old Fashioned

1st Dam: Baby Betty, by El Corredor
2nd Dam: Third Street, by Salt Lake
3rd Dam: Bisque Doll, by Quadrangle

Owner: Alto Racing LLC
Breeder: Machmer Hall (KY)
Trainer: Todd A Pletcher

Sweet Whiskey was the subject of much talk prior to this contest, and she did not disappoint as the 1-2 favorite, setting a rapid pace and drawing off to win in near record time. A $75,000 FTKJUL purchase by Bradley Thoroughbreds, Sweet Whiskey was pinhooked for $300,000 at OBSMAR, where she was picked up by agent Steve Young after breezing in :10.1 (video). The bay had compiled a strong worktab at the Spa, and lived up to expectations in her first outing. Hustled to the lead from the break, Sweet Whiskey set blazing fractions of :22.15 and :45.08 before drawing off under a John Velazquez hand ride in the lane. She won by 5 1/4 lengths from Knacque (More Than Ready). "We felt she had been training very well; there were a couple of other fillies she'd been training with who had already started at the meet and ran well," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "We had a good line on her and she lived up to our expectations. I was impressed by the time; it was very fast. She seemed like every time they got to her a little bit she had a little response, and I was particularly pleased with the way she galloped out. I don't know what else she could have done in her debut to be more impressive than that. She's a very talented filly, and we were just happy she ran as well as she trained. Obviously, [we'll] go to a stakes, it just depends on which one." Sweet Whiskey becomes the third winner from three foals to race for her unraced dam. She is the second smart-looking maiden winner bred by Machmer Hall over the weekend, following Stonetastic (Mizzen Mast), who aired by 12 1/2 lengths on debut at Monmouth Saturday. She becomes the second winner for her freshman sire (by Unbridled's Song). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000.