TDN RISING STARS

July 21, 2024 - Del Mar, Race 4, Msw, USD $75,000, 5F

Casalu, F, 2, 2022 by Caracaro

1st Dam: Key d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Key of Sea, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Key Phrase, by Flying Paster

Owner: Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman
Breeder: LLP Performance Horses, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Freshman sire Caracaro collected the first 'TDN Rising Star' trophy for his case when Casalu (f, 2, Caracaro-Key d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro) sailed home a debut winner on Sunday afternoon at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Spotlighted in the Sunday edition of TDN's Summer Breezes and Racing Insights, the Three Amigos-owned juvenile who went off at sixty cents on the dollar here was looking to make good on a bullet workout she posted at Santa Anita July 8 when she went four furlongs in :46.40 (1/54).

The heavy favorite blazed out of the gate and clearly announced her presence with authority up the backstretch. The $775,000 OBS April grad felt some hoofbeats around the far turn, but entering the lane her jets kicked in. The bay ended up winning by 5 1/2 lengths over Oveta's Hobby (Army Mule).

Casalu zipped a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 before selling for $775,000 at this year's OBS Spring sale. The filly was bred and sold by Rafael Celis, who campaigned Caracaro in partnership with Lucas Noriego's Top Racing.

Out of an extended female family which includes sire Yankee Gentleman (Storm Cat), the winner is a half-sister to Twirled (Twirling Candy), SP, $267,984. Key d'Oro is responsible for a yearling colt by Vekoma. She was not bred for this past season or for next year.

Casalu, one of 49 foals of racing age for her freshman sire (by Uncle Mo), is his fourth worldwide winner. Caracaro's third came in Russia on Saturday.