TDN RISING STARS

August 3, 2019 - Saratoga, Race 6, Msw, USD $90,000, 6 1/2F, .0000

En Wye Cee, C, 3, 2016 by Declaration of War

1st Dam: Celtic Arch, by Arch
2nd Dam: Royal Sanction, by Royal Academy
3rd Dam: Northern Sanction, by Affirmed

Owner: Waterford Stable
Breeder: Waterford Stables, Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Newcomer En Wye Cee (Declaration of War) had been keeping good company in the mornings, and belied 10-1 odds Saturday afternoon at the Spa to best a strong-looking group of maidens while garnering the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction. The bay sported an upbeat tab that included a 1:01 flat breeze in company over the Oklahoma training track July 19 alongside GI Whitney S. third finisher Vino Rosso (Curlin) (Click for XBTV video) and fired a 1:01 1/5 bullet with well-bred Fort McHenry (Tapit) July 11 (Click for XBTV Video). Able to save some ground early from midpack behind splits of :22.02 and :45.19, En Wye Cee was taken very wide by Jose Ortiz for clear sailing entering the stretch. Even-money Free Enterprise (Curlin), a $485,000 yearling buy who was a good second in fast time first out, emerged from the cavalry charge in midstretch, but En Wye Cee gobbled up ground with impressive strides down the center to reel in the leader and get up by a half-length before galloping out with good energy. The winner's 2-year-old half-brother Eternal Summer (Summer Front) was seventh in the day's first race going two turns on the grass. Dam Celtic Arch (Arch), who cost just $3,000 in foal to Trappe Shot at last year's Keeneland November sale, is a half to a pair of overseas stakes performers and hails from the extended female family of Grade II winner Regal Sanction (Regal Classic). Celtic Arch was bred back to Pennsylvania-based Peace and Justice for 2020.