By Alan Carasso
Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and partners appear to have another potential monster on their hands, as Gulfport (c, 2, Uncle Mo–Fame and Fortune, by Unbridled's Song) ran away from his rivals to graduate by seven lengths at first asking at Churchill Downs to become the afternoon's second 'TDN Rising Star' and the 10th overall for his successful stallion.
Pounded into 1-2 favoritism with a best-of-63 half-mile from the gate in :46 flat at Keeneland on display, the $275,000 Fasig-Tipton July acquisition by Joe Pickerrell and Courtney Roberts's Pick View LLC bounced well and improved from his wide draw to prompt the pace of 12-1 overlay Mataro (Maclean's Music x Lady Tak) to that one's outside through the opening quarter-mile in :22.35. Asked to claim that front-runner as they cornered into the stretch, Gulfport surged past and was ridden mostly hands and heels for the remainder, pulling clear with every one of his powerful strides while covering his final furlong in a strong :11.84. The Heiligbrodts also campaigned this sire's GI Forego S.-winning son Yaupon. The colt was cataloged as hip 2 for this year's Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale, but was scratched from the event.
Gulfport is out of Fame and Fortune, a winning full-sister to GISW Cross Traffic, who was purchased by Gainesway Farm in foal to Uncle Mo's late son Laoban for $320,000 at this year's Keeneland January Sale. That produce sadly passed away. Fame and Fortune is also a half-sister to SW Thirteen Arrows (Indian Charlie) and SW Exodus (Medaglia d'Oro). Breeder Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm was represented in last Saturday's G1 Cazoo Derby by Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
A half-brother to this year's GII TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks third-place finisher Favor (Pioneerof the Nile), GSP, $116,500, Gulfport has a yearling full-sister.
6th-Churchill Downs, $119,718, Msw, 6-10, 2yo, 5f, :56.85, ft, 7 lengths.
GULFPORT, c, 2, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Fame and Fortune, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Stop Traffic, by Cure the Blues
3rd Dam: Save My Soul, by I'ma Hell Raiser
Sales history: $275,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,460. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-L William & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm & Whispering Oaks Farm LLC; B-Diamond Creek Farm (KY); T-Steven M Asmussen.
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