TDN RISING STARS

June 20, 2014 - Santa Anita, Race 5, Msw, USD $56,000, 5f

Bad Read Sanchez, c, 2, 2012 by Warrior's Reward

1st Dam: Past Twilight, by Pulpit
2nd Dam: Jazz Rags, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Averell, by Restless Native

Owner: Reddam Racing LLC
Breeder: Joe Mulholland Sr, Joe Mulholland Jr & John Mulholland (KY)
Trainer: Doug O'Neill

Bad Read Sanchez was knocked down for $130,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and, entered for that auction house's April Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, scarcely damaged his reputation when he breezed his eighth of a mile in a sparkling :9 4/5. But bidding stalled on the colt at $340,000 and he was originally a high-profile buyback before this owner struck a deal to acquire him. His worktab from late April and through the month of May was more steady than it was spectacular, but his final two drills--a bullet half-mile from the gate in :46 2/5 June 9 and three-eighths in :36 3/5 June 16--smacked of a horse ready to strike at first asking. Sent away as the 2-1 favorite, Bad Read Sanchez won the break from the two hole, but was immediately taken on by Masters Circle (Stormy Atlantic), and that duo sizzled through an opening quarter in :21.98. The latter led narrowly around the bend, but Bad Read Sanchez countered once heads were turned for home and the race was over in a matter of strides, as the Reddam runner scampered away to score by 10 lengths. Red Button (Distorted Humor) closed off well for second. The winner is the fourth in as many runners for his freshman sire (by Medaglia d'Oro), each of which has landed its debut. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $33,600.