TDN RISING STARS

May 17, 2015 - Santa Anita, Race 9, Msw, USD $56,000, 5 1/2F

Stringent, G, 3, 2012 by Lemon Drop Kid

1st Dam: Saltendipity, by Salt Lake
2nd Dam: Fantastic Look, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Fantastic Girl, by Riva Ridge

Owner: Golden Eagle Farm Investment LP
Breeder: Larry Mabee (KY)
Trainer: Bruce Headley

Golden Eagle Farm Investment's Stringent was sent off at 12-1 for his debut Sunday afternoon over a 5 1/2-furlong distance that seemed too sharp and over a surface that may not ultimately turn out to be his best. Nevertheless, the Mabee Family homebred turned in a jaw-dropping performance to become the latest ‘TDN Rising Star.' The bay gelding, produced by a half-sister to Grade I-winning turfer Designed For Luck (Rahy), trained brilliantly over this surface for trainer Bruce Headley, with a best-of-53 five furlongs in :58 flat May 4 and a near-bullet five-eighths in :58 1/5 May 11. The bettors weren't biting at the windows, however, and things did not look especially promising through the opening quarter mile, as Stringent wasn't off especially fast and lingered at or near the rear while way out into the middle of the track. With Hall of Famer Alex Solis looking over his left shoulder, he finally dropped down a few paths towards the inside and visibly accelerated as they flew into the turn. Picking off rivals inside leaving the three-eighths, he was steered out full of fun and four wide into the stretch, and, despite being asked nearly a half-mile from home, managed to sustain that big run and raced away to score by 2 1/4 lengths. Hook Em Kurt (Tale of the Cat) was second best. Stringent also hails from the female family of Grade II-winning 3-year-old Macho Macho (Macho Uno). Saltendipity is the dam of 2-year-old Cloud Nova (Fusaichi Pegasus), and was purchased by the Don Alberto Corp. for $220,000 in foal to Congrats at Keeneland November in 2013 as part of the Golden Eagle dispersal. She produced a filly by that WinStar stallion in 2014 and foaled a filly by Distorted Humor this year. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $33,600.