TDN RISING STARS

September 6, 2020 - Del Mar, Race 7, Msw, USD $55,000, 5 1/2F, .0000

Superman Shaq, C, 2, 2018 by Shackleford

1st Dam: Drumette, by Henny Hughes
2nd Dam: Endless Parade, by Williamstown
3rd Dam: Mnemosyne, by Saratoga Six

Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Frankfort Park Farm & Michael Hernon (KY)
Trainer: Peter Miller

Superman Shaq (Shackleford), a half-brother to champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), disappointed with a dull effort in his debut, but made amends with a 'TDN Rising Star' worthy graduation at Del Mar Sunday. Shedding blinkers and sent off the 5-2 favorite for this second start, the chestnut colt strode out to the early lead and had company through a quarter in :22.08. He began inching clear turning for home, spurted further away after a half in :45.77 and bound home a 3 3/4-length winner. Parnelli (Quality Road) was second and Hot Pastrami (Dominus) was third. The time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:04.25.

Superman Shaq was beaten 23 1/4 lengths when sixth after pressing the pace in his six-furlong debut at Del Mar Aug. 8, but had put in a solid string of three works since that Aug. 8 effort, most recently going five furlongs in 1:00 flat (3/58) Aug. 30.

"I thought I did, but I didn't have him fit for the first race," trainer Peter Miller admitted Sunday evening. "The blinkers off today helped him relax, too."

Miller said the colt could make his next start in the Sept. 26 GI American Pharoah S., a Win and You're in race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Superman Shaq was a $230,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and put in a sizzling quarter-mile work in :20 3/5 before reselling for $550,000 at this year's OBS Spring sale. In addition to Monomoy Girl, who continued her illustrious career with a victory in Friday's GI La Troienne S., the colt is a half to fellow 'TDN Rising Star' and graded winner Mr. Monomoy (Palace Malice). Drumette, in foal to Mastery, sold for $1.85 million at the 2018 Keeneland November sale. She produced a filly by Mastery in 2019 and a colt by Tapit in 2020.