TDN RISING STARS

April 23, 2018 - NAVAN, Race 1, Alw, EUR €20,000, 5.0F, .0000

Sergei Prokofiev, c, 2, 2016 by Scat Daddy

1st Dam: Orchard Beach, by Tapit
2nd Dam: Song And Danz, by Unbridled's Song
3rd Dam: Danzig Til Dawn, by Danzig

Owner: Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor
Breeder: Anderson Farms (Ontario) Inc (ON)
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Sergei Prokofiev ran green when an Apr. 11 debut second over this trip atop Dundalk’s synthetic surface last time, but was an entirely different proposition in this first attempt on turf. Racing prominently after a slick getaway here, the 2-5 lock quickened to the fore approaching the final furlong and surged ever clear thereafter to easily account for previous winner Pride of Pimlico (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) by a mightily impressive 7 1/2 lengths. “Donnacha [O’Brien] loved him when he rode him in Dundalk and we’re delighted with him,� said trainer Aidan O’Brien. “He’s a big, powerful horse and has plenty of speed. He hadn’t been away before Dundalk and has obviously come on for that run. That was nice for his second race, but we don’t have the novice races so are limited after winning a maiden. We always thought he was very nice and between now and [Royal] Ascot we’d like to get another race into him. We’ll look at the [Listed] Marble Hill [S. at The Curragh] or the [Listed] Rochestown [S. at Naas]. Ryan [Moore] doesn’t think six [furlongs] will be a problem as he went to the line strong.� The $1.1-million KEESEP yearling is the lone performer out of a half-sister to GIII Hollywood Juvenile Championship victress Necessary Evil (Harlan’s Holiday), from a family which also includes GI Spinaway S. and GI Matron S. heroine Over All (Mr. Prospector). His dam Orchard Beach has also produced a yearling filly by Hard Spun and was bred to Air Force Blue last year. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $18,692.