TDN RISING STARS

December 23, 2017 - Gulfstream Park, Race 7, Msw, USD $48,000, 5 1/2F, .0000

Strike Power, c, 2, 2015 by Speightstown

1st Dam: Gold d'Oro (GSP, $232,989), by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Gold Canyon, by Mr. Prospector
3rd Dam: Golden Treat, by Theatrical (Ire)

Owner: Courtlandt Farms (Donald & Donna Adam)
Breeder: Courtlandt Farms (Donald & Donna Adam) (KY)
Trainer: Mark A. Hennig

Strike Power (Speightstown–Gold d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro) went straight to the front and never looked back to graduate with ease at first asking and become the second ‘TDN Rising Star’ on the day at Gulfstream Park.

The Courtlandt Farms homebred, off at odds of 12-1, shot right out of the gate from his rail draw and quickly opened up a two-length advantage through an opening quarter in :22.33. He powered away from the challenge of favored Thunder’s Honor (Dialed In) at the quarter pole and ran up the score from there while racing on his left lead down the lane to graduate by eight impressive lengths, stopping the clock for 5 1/2 furlongs in a snappy 1:02.67, just .33 of a second off GSW & GISP Discreet Dancer (Discreet Cat)’s track record of 1:02.34.

The winner’s dam Gold d’Oro, third-place finisher in the 2012 GIII Suwannee River S. going 1 1/8 miles over the grass at Gulfstream, is a half-sister to MGSW Adriano (A.P. Indy). Gold d’Oro has a yearling colt by Lemon Drop Kid, who sold for $15,000 at this year’s Keeneland September sale, and a weanling colt by Bodemeister. She was bred back to Distorted Humor.

Strike Power’s second dam Gold Canyon (Mr. Prospector), a maiden winner from six career starts, was acquired by Courtlandt for $400,000 as a KEEJUL yearling. Strike Power’s GISW third dam Golden Treat (Theatrical {Ire}) is a half-sister to GI Belmont S. winner Bet Twice (Sportin’ Life).

Courtlandt Farms and trainer Mark Hennig were also represented by fellow promising debut winner My Miss Lilly (Tapit) earlier in the day in New York.