TDN RISING STARS

December 26, 2010 - Santa Anita, Race 4, Msw, USD $54,000, 6f, ft

The Factor, c, 2, 2008 by War Front

1st Dam: Greyciousness, by Miswaki
2nd Dam: Skatingonthinice, by Icecapade
3rd Dam: Rain Shower, by Bold Forbes

Owner: Bolton & Fog City Stable
Breeder: H&W Thoroughbreds (Ky)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

The Factor was much-hyped going into his Nov. 28 debut at Hollywood Park, but disappointed when only fourth as the 3-5 favorite. Since that opener, the gray colt had turned in two bullet works, going five furlongs in :58 2/5 at Hollywood Dec. 12 and three furlongs at Santa Anita in :36 1/5 Dec. 23. Sent off the 7-5 favorite in this move to conventional dirt, The Factor bounded out of the gate and blitzed through fractions of :21.62, :44.11 and :55.42. He turned back the upper stretch challenge of Houston Harbor (Rockport Harbor) and strode clear under a hand ride to best that rival by 8 1/4 lengths in track-record time. The Factor, a $50,000 KEENOV weanling, $40,000 FTKJUL yearling and $250,000 BESMAY juvenile, is the 20th winner for his freshman sire (by Danzig). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $34,680.