TDN RISING STARS

September 1, 2014 - Saratoga, Race 7, Msw, USD $83,000, 5 1/2f

Carpe Diem, c, 2, 2012 by Giant's Causeway

1st Dam: Rebridled Dreams (SW & GSP, $134,663), by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Key Cents, by Corridor Key
3rd Dam: Centimeter, by Aloma's Ruler

Owner: WinStar Farm LLC & Stonestreet Stables LLC
Breeder: Coffeepot Stable (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Carpe Diem--a $550,000 KEESEP yearling turned $1.6-million OBSMAR co-topper after breezing an eighth in :10.1--lived up to his name with this smart debut score. He fired a five-furlong bullet in :59 3/5 (1/34) at the Spa Aug. 25 and was backed accordingly as the 3-5 chalk. Gunned to the front from his rail draw, the chestnut was hounded by Louisiana Brown (Big Brown) through a live opening quarter in :21.88. Still under fire at the top of the stretch, Carpe Diem was taken on by longshot Ready for Rye (City Zip), who sat a perfect trip just behind the leaders in third. With Johnny Velazquez aboard, Carpe Diem dug down deep after being eye-balled by Ready for Rye in the stretch, and turned back that rival to win going away by 2 1/2 promising lengths. Louisiana Brown was third. Carpe Diem is a half-brother to J. B.'s Thunder (Thunder Gulch), GISW, $280,130; and Doncaster Rover (War Chant), MSW & MGSP-Eng, $349,932. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,800.