TDN RISING STARS

June 30, 2016 - Churchill Downs, Race 3, Msw, USD $46,500, 6F

Bitumen, c, 2, 2014 by Mineshaft

1st Dam: Kobla Cat, by Tale of the Cat
2nd Dam: Kobla, by Strawberry Road (Aus)
3rd Dam: Winglet, by Alydar

Owner: Joseph W. Sutton
Breeder: Jamm Ltd. (KY)
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally

Bitumen, produced by an unraced half-sister to MGISW Quality Road (Elusive Quality), stamped himself as one to watch with this ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance at first asking. Not off to the sharpest of beginnings from his rail draw here, the 6-1 chance rushed up to vie for early command through fractions of :22.48 and :46.37. Under plenty of pressure while four of them lined up across the track at the top of the stretch, the dark bay had plenty left in the tank beneath Brian Hernandez Jr., and took off impressively down the lane to win going away by a visually impressive 6 3/4 lengths. Casses Story (Bernardini) was second. The winner is a half-brother to Meshell (Elusive Quality), SW & GSP, $179,030. Kobla Cat, a $380,000 KEENOV purchase from the Edward P. Evans dispersal while carrying the aforementioned Meshel in 2011, produced a full brother to the winner earlier this year. Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway), a half-brother to GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile hero Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song), could do no better than fifth as the 7-5 favorite after a tardy beginning. Sales history: $110,000 Ylg ’15 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo ’16 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,900.