TDN RISING STARS

July 13, 2019 - Monmouth Park, Race 6, Msw, USD $45,000, 5F

Meru, C, 2, 2017 by Sky Mesa

1st Dam: Lady Lavery, by Elusive Quality
2nd Dam: Painted Lady, by Broad Brush
3rd Dam: Nastique, by Naskra

Owner: Colts Neck Stables LLC
Breeder: Godolphin LLC (KY)
Trainer: Jorge Duarte, Jr

With a decidedly unassuming worktab at nearby Colts Neck Stables showing, newcomer Meru (Sky Mesa) didn’t take a ton of money to be off at 9-2 in his Monmouth unveiling Saturday, but the youngster put on a very impressive afternoon display to garner the ‘TDN Rising Star’ distinction. Not off particularly sharply, the bay tugged his way up to chase Embolden (The Factor) through a :22.42 opening quarter. Poking his head in front at the top of the lane, he leveled off powerfully from there and widened his edge to 6 1/2 lengths on the frontrunner, stopping the clock in a sharp :57.32. A $75,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling, Meru blossomed into a $300,000 OBS April grad after breezing a co-quickest :9 4/5 during the sale’s second under-tack session. His dam, a half to two-time Grade II winner Skylighter (Sky Mesa)–responsible herself for GSP juvenile Sky Painter (Street Cry {Ire})–produced a Hard Spun filly last term and a colt by Frosted earlier this season. Meru’s third dam is MGISW Nastique (Naskra).