By Alan Carasso
Favored at 12-5 in the Travers Day dirt maiden that more times than not produces horses to watch down the road, Jim Bakke's Tip Top Thomas (c, 2, Volatile–Attempt To Name, by Consolidator) narrowly outlasted a couple of well-meant rivals to become the first 'TDN Rising Star' and eighth winner overall for his freshman sire (by Medaglia d'Oro).
A $160,000 purchase out of last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale, the Apr. 17 foal was coming into this debut off a pair of bullet half-mile breezes in which he outworked no fewer than 232 horses, adding to the appeal.
Quickest into stride, Tip Top Thomas led through the opening exchanges, but he was soon joined and passed to his inside by Rookie Card (Adios Charlie)–bet from a 9-2 morning line to be off as a 5-2 chance–and he covered the first couple of furlongs in :21.95 with Tip Top Thomas content to do the chasing from second. Tracking the front-runner's every move for the run around the turn, Tip Top Thomas was asked to come after Rookie Card once heads were turned for home and the battle was joined in earnest. Stride for stride with neither giving an inch into the final furlong, Tip Top Thomas finally gained the upper hand approaching the sixteenth pole and bravely went on to score narrowly.
Previous winners of the Travers Day maiden include this owner's Jack Christopher, Uncle Mo and Discreet Cat.
OXO Equine's Keewaydin (Instagrand), who took some nibbles at 7-1 on his career debut, tracked the top two from third and was getting to them late, just missing the place spot. Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief), drawn widest in the field of 10, was last to make the far turn, but steamed home to finish fourth, then blew past the top three on the gallop out.
A half-brother to three-time stakes winner Gray Attempt (Graydar), $517,099; and to Dua (Arrogate), third in last year's GIII Sorrento Stakes and GII Chandelier Stakes, $104,022; Tip Top Thomas is the sixth winner from eight to race out of a half-sister to nine scorers, including the stakes-placed dam of MSW Duff (Candy Ride {Arg}) and SW Bold Curlin (Curlin). The third dam includes the graded winners Tower of Texas (Street Sense) and Street Sounds (Street Cry {Ire}).
Attempt to Name is also represented by a yearling filly by Runhappy and a filly foal by Classic Empire.
7th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-24, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.46, ft, head.
TIP TOP THOMAS, c, 2, by Volatile
1st Dam: Attempt to Name, by Consolidator
2nd Dam: Capacity, by Capote
3rd Dam: Rare Opportunity, by Danzig Connection
Sales history: $160,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-James J Bakke; B-Wynnstay Inc, Donna Moore & Jim Richardson (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.
TIP TOP THOMAS, the 2YO son of @Three_Chimneys stallion Volatile, breaks his maiden in the seventh race with @iradortiz up for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/5GCePwCdfU
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024
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