TDN RISING STARS

January 11, 2020 - Gulfstream Park, Race 4, Msw, USD $50,000, 6F, .0000

Violent City, C, 3, 2017 by Violence

1st Dam: Dazzletown, by Speightstown
2nd Dam: Dazzle, by Slewacide
3rd Dam: Special Test, by Hawkin's Special

Owner: Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (Bob Lothenbach)
Breeder: Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Ian R. WIlkes

Lothenbach Stables Inc.'s Violent City (Violence), given a 7-1 chance for his first go for the notoriously patient Ian Wilkes barn, showed good speed and promise Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream to comfortably best $1-million fellow firster Palm Springs (Uncle Mo) and be named a 'TDN Rising Star'. Scrubbed on by Julien Leparoux to vie for early command, the dark bay poked a head in front down the backside and posted a :22.50 opening quarter as Palm Springs was steadied out and dropped back. Violent City appeared to be going much better than his two nearest pursuers through a :45.54 half, and quickly left those foes in the dust with minimal encouragement, cruising away by four lengths at the wire as Palm Springs figured things out and rallied into second.

The winner's dam Dazzletown (Speightstown) is a half to SW and MGSP turfer Yate's Black Cat (Black Minnaloushe). This is the extended female family of speedy Canadian champion Roxy Gap (Indian Charlie). Dazzletown, who was claimed for $5,000 out of her final start at Sunland in 2014, produced a Not This Time colt who brought $150,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September sale. She foaled a full-brother to Violent City this past season before visiting another precocious son of Medaglia d'Oro in Bolt d'Oro.

A reverse of the Medaglia d'Oro-Speightstown cross has been particularly potent, producing Grade I winners Rock Fall (Speightstown) (also a 'Rising Star') and Competitionofideas (Speightstown), as well as graded-winning 'Rising Star' Strike Power (Speightstown) and 2019 GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint third Dawn the Destroyer (Speightstown).