TDN RISING STARS

December 3, 2015 - Meydan Racecourse, Race 2, Msw, AED Dhs34,000, 1200m, .0000

Polar River, f, 2, 2013 by Congrats

1st Dam: Bayou Tortuga, by Empire Maker
2nd Dam: Tortuga Band, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Super Fan, by Lear Fan

Owner: Valentin Bukhtoyarov & Evgeny Kappushev
Breeder: Bob McCann, Mark Kelder & Doug Richards (KY)
Trainer: Doug Watson

Polar River turned in an absolutely stunning debut performance, trouncing a group of mostly older males by 13 1/2 lengths. Drawn on the fence in the field of 12 runners, the bay filly jumped on terms and argued what appeared to be a good pace while inside of a rival into the turn. Still holding more or less a share of the lead as they turned for home with 450 meters to race, Polar River delivered a powerful turn of foot, covering her final two furlongs in :22.66, according to Trakus data. The final time was 0.23 seconds off the track record set by Secret Circle (Eddington) in last year’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. “She is very useful,� said winning jockey Sam Hitchcott. “It was a very good performance, especially first time out. It would be nice to think she will build on this and hopefully she is a filly with a big future.� The winner’s multiple stakes-placed second dam is responsible for the talented Louisiana-bred duo of Tortuga Straits (Gold Tribute) and Tortuga Flats (Wild Zone), who between them won 13 black-type races and better than $1.4 million. Bayou Tortuga is the dam of a yearling filly by Flatter that made $100,000 at this year’s Keeneland September sale, while the mare’s weanling son of The Factor was knocked down for $200,000 at the Keeneland November sale. Sales history: $25,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP; $40,000 2yo ‘15 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $20,421. Click for the Racing Post chart or the Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
O-Valentin Bukhtoyarov & Evgeny Kappushev; B-Bob McCann, Mark Kelder & Doug Richards; T-Doug Watson.