TDN RISING STARS

September 5, 2015 - Del Mar, Race 5, Msw, USD $70,000, 5 1/2F

Justin Squared, G, 2, 2013 by Zensational

1st Dam: Graciously Soft, by Vindication
2nd Dam: Siberian Fur, by Siberian Express
3rd Dam: Siksika, by Quack

Owner: Zayat Stables
Breeder: Sun Valley Farm (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Justin Squared earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status with an impressive front-running victory on debut at Del Mar Saturday. Possessed of a very speedy worktab that included a best-of-20 five panels breeze here in :59 2/5 Sept. 1 and a best-of-95 five-furlong move in :58 4/5 Aug. 22, the gray, who RNA’d for $130,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November sale, was sent off as the 3-1 second choice behind heavily favored stablemate and $575,000 OBSOPN purchase Arabian Leopard (Scat Daddy). Hustled from the outside stall in this nine-horse affair by Martin Pedroza, the juvenile instantly shot to the lead and doled out sharp opening splits of :21.90 and :44.87. Bowling along on the front end, Justin Squared proved not for catching in the lane and sailed home a 5 1/2-length winner over Iron Rob (Twirling Candy). Arabian Leopard was fourth. The winner is a half to My Name is Michael (Macho Uno), GSP, $170,224. His dam Graciously Soft is a half to MGISW Spoken Fur (Notebook) and MGSW and GISP Unbridled’s Note (Unbridled’s Song). She produced a colt by Unbridled’s Song last term and was bred back to Pioneerof the Nile this spring.