TDN RISING STARS

January 20, 2024 - Fair Grounds, Race 5, Msw, USD $60,000, 1 1/16M

Hall of Fame, C, 3, 2021 by Gun Runner

1st Dam: Flag Day, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Pashamin, by My Babu
3rd Dam: Tir An Oir, by Tehran (GB)

Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Gandharvi LLC & Rocket Ship Racing, LLC
Breeder: Earle I. Mack LLC (KY)
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen

Hall of Fame (c, 3, Gun Runner-Flag Day, by Giant's Causeway), a $1.4-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, ran to his lofty purchase price with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen at second asking at Fair Grounds Saturday.

The 4-5 favorite was ridden early while passing the stands for the first time and secured a tracking trip in a joint second through a quarter mile in :23.30. He turned up the heat beneath Joel Rosario while racing on the inside of the leader heading into the far turn, hit the front approaching the quarter pole and opened daylight from there to win by 10 1/4 lengths over Sweetalkingbourbon (Twirling Candy). He becomes the 10th 'Rising Star' for Gun Runner.

Hall of Fame, one of seven by Gun Runner to bring seven figures at the 2022 yearling sales, finished second as the favorite on debut going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 26. He was racing with first-time Lasix on Saturday.