TDN RISING STARS

September 5, 2016 - Del Mar, Race 9, Msw, USD $60,000, 6 1/2F, .0000

Big Gray Rocket, c, 2, 2014 by Tapit

1st Dam: Mistical Plan (GISW, $818,790), by Game Plan
2nd Dam: Mistical Bel, by Bel Bolide
3rd Dam: Mistical Mist, by Mehmet

Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc.
Breeder: Blue Heaven Farm (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Big Gray Rocket backed up a monster effort when finishing second in his debut with a dominant score in the penultimate race of the Del Mar summer season to become the newest ‘TDN Rising Star’. Completely blowing the break as the 3-5 favorite Aug. 13, the $450,000 KEESEP grad made a huge, sustained run all the way from there to finish a fast-closing and unlucky runner-up. Bet down to 2-5 accordingly here, Big Gray Rocket broke much better, albeit still a half-step slowly. Moving through between rivals to be the outside marker in a three-way pace scrum through a :22.13 quarter, he easily went on with it midway on the turn. Challenged briefly by Antioch (Tiz Wonderful), Big Gray Rocket quickly put away that foe at the head of the stretch and bounded clear to romp by seven lengths. Antioch held to be second. The winner’s dam captured the GI Princess Rooney H. sprinting and the GII Fair Ground Oaks going a route of ground. She is responsible for a yearling colt by Medaglia d’Oro and was bred to Bernardini this term. Sales History: $450,000 Ylg ‘15 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $48,600. O-Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc.; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert.