TDN RISING STARS

November 23, 2024 - Churchill Downs, Race 11, Msw, USD $120,000, 1 1/16M

Golden Gamble, F, 2, 2022 by Laoban

1st Dam: Me and Mine, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Oneofacat, by Deputy Minister
3rd Dam: Beware of the Cat, by Caveat

Owner: Fern Circle Stables & Cypress Creek Equine
Breeder: Tuscany Bloodstock (KY)
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek

Golden Gamble (f, 2, Laoban–Me and Mine, by Bernardini) stamped herself as a filly to watch for trainer Ken McPeek with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance at second asking traveling around two turns in the Churchill nightcap Saturday.

The 5-2 chance found a perfect spot beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. in an outside fourth through fractions of :23.60 and :48.17. Traveling nicely rounding the far turn, she made a flashy, three-wide move to stick her head in front approaching the quarter pole, and, despite racing a bit green as they straightened, opened daylight to win with ease by nine impressive lengths. Heavily favored Girl Math (McKinzie) was second.

Golden Gamble, a very solid closing third on debut over the same track and trip Oct. 27, becomes the first 'Rising Star' for the gone-too-soon Laoban. Golden Gamble was the second-most expensive of 36 yearlings by Laoban to change hands in 2023, bringing $200,000 from McPeek on behalf of owners Fern Circle Stables and Cypress Creek Equine at the Keeneland September sale.

The winner's dam Me and Mine, a maiden of three career starts, produced a filly by City of Light in 2023 and a filly by Street Sense this year, who brought $250,000 from Fastrac at the recently concluded Keeneland November sale. Me and Mine was bred back to Nyquist.

Me and Mine brought $80,000 from Baccari Bloodstock with Golden Gamble in utero at the 2021 KEENOV sale. This is the extended female family of Grade/Group 1 winners Hold That Tiger and Editor's Note.