TDN RISING STARS

October 20, 2017 - Belmont Park, Race 3, Msw, USD $75,000, 6 1/2F, .0000

Mask, c, 2, 2015 by Tapit

1st Dam: Hidden Expression, by Yonaguska
2nd Dam: The Hess Express, by Lord Carson
3rd Dam: Turcomedy, by Turkoman

Owner: Lane's End Racing
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY)
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Mask (Tapit) missed the break, but came with his run in the stretch for an impressive first-up success at Belmont Friday worthy of the ‘TDN Rising Star’ distinction. Last in the early going, the $685,000 KEESEP acquisition finally found his stride into the turn after an opening quarter in :22.72. Pushed along for more through a half in :46.02, he split foes at the top of the lane and blew by $900,000 OBSMAR purchase Navistar (Union Rags), running up the score to three lengths in 1:17.13. Out of a stakes-winning juvenile who won her first two starts by a combined 8 3/4 lengths, Mask’s stakes-placed second dam The Hess Express (Lord Carson) also produced Grade I winner Bullsbay (Tiznow), GSW Our Khrysty (Newfoundland) and MSW/GSP Vegas No Show (Hard Spun). Dam Hidden Expression, acquired for $360,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, has a yearling filly by Lemon Drop Kid. She was bred to Anchor Down this season.