TDN RISING STARS

August 14, 2016 - Saratoga, Race 4, Msw, USD $83,000, 6 1/2F

Aspen Hilltop, f, 2, 2014 by Bernardini

1st Dam: Home Sweet Aspen (GISW, $359,822), by Candy Ride (Arg)
2nd Dam: My Gal Groovy, by Groovy
3rd Dam: Lady Trickery, by

Owner: Lee Pokoik
Breeder: SF Bloodstock (KY)
Trainer: Gary C. Contessa

Aspen Hilltop captured her debut in last-to-first fashion and became the newest ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sunday at the Spa. The juvenile prepared steadily for this debut here dating back to early June and was let go at odds of 14-1 despite working a bullet five furlongs over the Oklahoma track in 1:01.73 Aug. 8. Lagging well off the pace in last behind a scorching quarter-mile in :21.75, the bay began to make progress with a sweeping, wide bid on the turn and reached contention as the field turned for home in a wide-open scramble. Following a move made by Berned (Bernardini) into the final furlong, Aspen Hilltop kept on well down the center of the strip and grinded past that rival to notch a half-length victory. The winner, the first foal produced by GI Santa Monica S. heroine Home Sweet Aspen, sold for $350,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. The mare produced a filly by Pioneerof the Nile earlier this year and was bred back to Super Saver.