TDN RISING STARS

January 20, 2014 - Santa Anita, Race 4, Msw, USD $56,000, 1m

Texas Ryano, c, 3, 2011 by Curlin

1st Dam: Blending Element (Ire) (GSW, $449,008), by Great Commotion
2nd Dam: Blue Wedding, by Irish River (Fr)
3rd Dam: Wedding, by French Deputy

Owner: Warren B Williamson
Breeder: Williamson Racing LLC (KY)
Trainer: Carla Gaines

Texas Ryano, dismissed at 24-1 in this debut, broke a tad awkwardly and was in no hurry as he trailed the field going under the wire the first time. He was well back behind fractions of :22.34 and :45.88. Still last at the top of the lane, he was forced to wait for running room and was bumped between rivals before finding a seam to run through. He came flying down the center of the course under apprentice rider Irving Orozco and surged to the lead in the shadow of the wire to win by half-length over Pantera Rojo (Sweet Return {GB}). It was a half-length back to favored Bury Pacer (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}). The winner is a half-brother to Tiz a Blend (Cee's Tizzy, SW, $186,354); Tiz Elemental (Cee's Tizzy, GSW, $483,740); Holladay Road (Street Cry {Ire}, GSP, $396,532); Excessive Blend (In Excess {Ire}, MSW, $173,175); and War Element (War Chant, GSP, $124,049). Texas Ryano is out of Blending Element, who won the 1999 GIII Yerba Buena H. for these same connections. The mare has produced four stakes winners for Warren Williamson, who also campaigned multiple Grade I winner Nashoba's Key (Silver Hawk). She produced a colt by Smart Strike in 2012. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $33,600.