TDN RISING STARS

July 9, 2023 - Los Alamitos, Race 2, Msw, USD $45,000, 5F

Prince of Monaco, c, 2, 2021 by Speightstown

1st Dam: Rainier, by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Clay's Rocket, by American Chance
3rd Dam: Irene's Talkin, by At the Threshold

Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Tom Ryan
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Living up to both his price tag and his recent workouts, Prince of Monaco (Speightstown–Rainier by Medaglia d'Oro) earned 'TDN Rising Star' billing as the 2-year-old poured on the speed at Los Alamitos on Sunday afternoon en route to a maiden-breaking victory for trainer Bob Baffert.

Off at 1-20 for this debut, the $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select graduate broke a touch awkwardly from his wide draw in this compact field, but soon seized the lead heading into the far turn. Opening up at the top of the lane, the dark bay colt cruised along and extended his margin to eight lengths under a hand ride by jockey Juan Hernandez. Lord Bullingdon (Lord Nelson) at 18-1 odds was second.

The winner is out of a female family which includes GISW Adieu (El Corredor) and MSW Necker Island (Hard Spun). MSW Laurie's Rocket (Bluegrass Cat) is a half-brother to Prince of Monaco's dam, who is responsible for a yearling filly by Munnings and she foaled a filly by Constitution Apr. 22. This is sire Speightstown's eighth 'Rising Star'.