TDN RISING STARS

December 13, 2013 - Betfair at Hollywood Park, Race 4, Msw, USD $45,000, 7 1/2f

Midnight Hawk, c, 2, 2011 by Midnight Lute

1st Dam: Miss Wineshine (SW & GISP, $189,080), by Wolf Power (SAf)
2nd Dam: Miss Mississippi, by Cormorant
3rd Dam: Wonderful Flight, by Sunrise Flight

Owner: Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc (J G Sikura), Kitchen, Pegram, Quenneville & Tice
Breeder: Michael E Pegram (Ky)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Sporting an upbeat worktab both locally and most recently on the Santa Anita dirt, Midnight Hawk made his 6-5 debut odds look like a gift despite a very eventful journey. Breaking awkwardly from the gate to spot the field a length or two, the grey tugged his way up to lead through a :23.17 opening quarter before settling into third just off the pace and well off the rail. He came with a three-wide bid to assert at the top of the lane and, despite giving pilot Mike Smith a tough time as he tried repeatedly to bear in towards the fence, kicked home a head-turning 6 1/4-length winner. Snuggley Bear (Sharp Humor) was second. The winner is a half to Mayor Marv (Distorted Humor), SW, $151,644. He is owned in partnership by Hill 'n' Dale Farm's John Sikura, defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and assistant coach Mike Kitchen, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice and breeder Mike Pegram. "I thought the horse was very professional," offered Sikura, who partnered with trainer Bob Baffert and Edward McGhee to take the GI Hollywood Starlet with Streaming (Smart Strike) last week. He got left at the gate and had really no reason to win. He fell back to third and ran on well in a very classy performance. I think he overcame a lot of adversity. It was an unusual distance and that takes a lot of stamina. I'm thrilled for those guys, it's a big thrill for them." Of long-time friend Quenneville, he said, "We're in awe of what he does with the Blackhawks and he's in awe of what we do in the horse business. We get to do things like go into the Hawks' locker room for a Cup celebration and he gets to go watch good horses and attend the Kentucky Derby." Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,000.