TDN RISING STARS

August 24, 2008 - Del Mar, Race 4, Msw, USD $65,000, 6f

Majormotionpicture, C, 2008, by Action This Day

1st Dam: Boa, by Rahy
2nd Dam: French Muff, by Roberto
3rd Dam: Befuddled, by Tom Fool

Owner: Bongo Racing Stable, Kagele Brothers Inc, Mel Schwartz & Lo Hi Stable
Breeder: Le Retro Bldstk & 12 Gates Racing Stable (KY)
Trainer: Michael Machowsky

Majormotionpicture, looking to become the fourth winner for his freshman sire (by Kris S.), was a heavily touted 9-5 favorite in his debut. A ground-saving fourth in the early going, the chestnut colt squeezed through an opening along the rail on the turn to take a narrow lead and held sway late to score by 3/4 lengths over Empire House (Adebaran). Empire House had a nose over Massone (Menifee) in third.

Majormotionpicture, a half brother to Liquidity (Tiznow, GISW, $197,200), was purchased at last year's Keeneland September Sale for $55,000 by bloodstock agent Bob Feld. Feld is also a principal in the racing partnership Bongo Racing Stable, which retained a 50-percent interest in the colt. Kagele Brothers Inc, Mel Schwartz and Lo Hi Stable own the remainder. Feld said the colt's purchase represented a meeting of the minds between himself and trainer Mike Machowsky.

"Mike Machowsky has a really good eye for a horse, and we worked the sale together a little bit," said Feld. "We both had him on our short list. The fact that he liked him got me pretty excited about him. I think the price comes from the fact that he was average sized, maybe a little below average size, and was out of a Rahy mare, and I think that scared some people off, thinking that he wouldn't grow that much more. But he wound up growing a lot--he's a good-sized, strong colt. Plus, Action This Day, being a first-year sire, probably had people on the fence. He was a really good individual, though. We thought he had all the tools."

As Majormotionpicture began training with Machowsky, their impressions seemed to be confirmed.

"About a week ago, Mike asked me after watching one of his five-eighths works, 'Have you ever seen a two-year-old work that good?' I said, 'Mike I don't think I've ever seen any horse work that good.' He really is special; he does things so effortlessly. He's got great action and a great mind, and Mike didn't really get a chance to crank him up. He's a really, really good horse. I think he'll move up a ton in his next start."

According to Feld, that start may come in the GI Norfolk BC S. at Santa Anita Sept. 28. "After that, we might take a shot at the Breeders' Cup [Juvenile, Oct. 25] if everything goes well." Feld has had previous success in the Juvenile. Along with Ron Ellis, he purchased '03 Juvenile hero Action This Day--sire of Majormotionpicture--as a yearling for B. Wayne Hughes.

Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $39,000.