TDN RISING STARS

January 29, 2023 - Gulfstream Park, Race 4, Msw, USD $84,000, 7F

Bandita, F, 3, 2020 by Gun Runner

1st Dam: Tricky One, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Simplify, by Pulpit
3rd Dam: Classic Olympio, by Olympio

Owner: Bass Stables, LLC
Breeder: Internaitonal Equine Holdings, Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Bandita (f, 3, Gun Runner-Tricky One, by Unbridled's Song), coming off her first set of works for now-eight-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, cemented her status as a 'TDN Rising Star' at Gulfstream Park on Sunday afternoon. The bay filly, backed down to even-money favoritism, did not disappoint her connections or the bettors in what was a sparkling debut.

Breaking alertly, the Bass Stables colorbearer set the tone early by controlling the pace up front. Despite being challenged by Arrow Bolt (Arrogate) just before the far turn, the $350,000 KEESEP purchase moved professionally, and at the eighth pole poured it on by showcasing a new set of gears as the rest of the field faded into the background. Bandita hit the wire 8 3/4-lengths ahead of 7-2 shot Ocean Club (Curlin) who was second.

Tricky One, who was purchased by International Equities Holdings for $275,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, is a half-sister to MSW Optionality (Gun Runner) and SW Simple Surprise (Cowboy Cal), whose millionaire son GISW Gunite (Gunite) won Saturday's King Cotton S. at Oaklawn and could be Dubai-bound. The first runner to win at the races for her dam has an unnamed 2-year-old half-sister by Flatter and her mare visited Practical Joke last year. Bandita is the sixth 'TDN Rising Star' for last year's leading sophomore sire.