TDN RISING STARS

November 29, 2014 - Churchill Downs, Race 10, Opt. Clm., USD $43,000, 1m, NW1X

Dortmund, c, 2, 2012 by Big Brown

1st Dam: Our Josephina (SW & GSP, $190,584), by Tale of the Cat
2nd Dam: Ropa Usada, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Lakeville Miss, by Rainy Lake

Owner: Kaleem Shah Inc
Breeder: Emilie Gerlinde Fojan (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Dortmund looks like he could be on his way to following in his Kentucky Derby-winning sire's hoofprints after a spectacular first-level allowance victory going Churchill's one-turn mile. The chestnut was sent off the 11-10 favorite for his 6 1/2-furlong debut sprinting at Santa Anita one day after fellow Shah runner Bayern (Offlee Wild) took down the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and bolted up by 4 3/4 lengths. Dortmund was given an entry for the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., but was allowed to take his chance in the allowance instead and turned it into a procession despite doing it toughest. Drawn out in 12, Dortmund argued the pace through the opening furlong before easing back a few spots, but was never closer than four off the rail. The massive chestnut cruised up to the leaders while under a Martin Garcia stranglehold on the turn, led into the stretch and strode away with a minimum of fuss to take it by 7 3/4 lengths in 1:35.75 (final quarter in :24.82), then galloped out with terrific energy. Bought back on a bid of $85,000 as a Keeneland November weanling in 2012, Dortmund fetched $90,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling the next summer. Consigned to the latter company's Midlantic Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, he breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5 and was hammered down for $140,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $59,400.