TDN RISING STARS

March 19, 2023 - Fair Grounds, Race 6, AOC, USD $51,000, 1M 70Y, NW2L

Bishops Bay, C, 3, 2020 by Uncle Mo

1st Dam: Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by Pioneerof the Nile
2nd Dam: Drift to the Lead, by Yonaguska
3rd Dam: Drifa, by Tabasco Cat

Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, Martin S. Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing, LLC, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Winners Win, Michael Caruso, and WinStar Farm, LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox

Bishops Bay (c, 3, Uncle Mo-Catch My Drift, {SW & GISP, $280,540}, by Pioneerof the Nile) posted a noteworthy 97 Beyer Speed Figure on debut Feb. 18 at the Fair Grounds, defeating next-out 'Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense) in the process and showed his own 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy determination Sunday at the venue in his first trip at two-turns.

Breaking in line with First Defender (Quality Road) and keen to go with that one, the Triple Crown-nominated bay was forced to take back when that early leader crossed over in front of him and wound up clipping heels going into the first turn. In an excellent display of athleticism to stay on his feet, he overcame the early trouble to recover and return to applying pressure from two wide in that leader. The colts locked horns around the far turn and Bishops Bay eventually got the best of that one inside the furlong grounds. Inching away from that challenge, he had to fend off a second from stablemate Demolition Duke (Good Magic) as that one loomed large in the late stages. Rising to meet yet another question, he gamely provided an answer and held off the charge by a neck on the line.

The year younger half-brother to 2021 $825,000 KEENOV procurement Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $282,340 hails from the female family of GSP Mindy Sue (Pleasantly Perfect), who herself produced MSP Malibu Max (Malibu Moon). Bishops Bay commanded a handsome tag of $450,000 at KEESEP from the BSW/Crow Colts Group back in 2021. Dam Catch My Drift hit the board in the GI Beldame S., and as a broodmare has also produced a 2-year-old colt by Constitution as well as a yearling filly by Improbable. She's due to Not This Time for 2023.