Saturday’s Racing Insights: Classic Empire Half-Sis Debuts at Gulfstream

[Wandering Eyes]

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1st-BEL, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 5fT, post time: 1:30 p.m. ET
KARAK (Karakontie {Jpn}) looks to become the first winner for freshman sire and GI Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Karakontie when she makes her debut against the boys in the grassy opener at Belmont Saturday. The Wesley Ward-trained filly commanded a $375,000 price tag after blitzing an eighth in :9 4/5 at the OBS March Sale. Owned by Breeze Easy LLC, she is a half-sister to stakes winner Aqua Frio (Uncle Mo). “She’s a very beautiful filly,” Ward said. “She’s by a first-year sire with a great pedigree and she shows an affinity for grass. The owners were successful last year with [unbeaten G2 Norfolk S. heroine and $200,000 OBSMAR purchase] Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) and we’re just looking to duplicate that purchase at the sale.”

Ward will also be represented by fellow first-time starter No Nay Maybe (Ire) (No Nay Never). The gelding is out of the Group 3-placed mare Al Ihsas (Ire) (Danehill) and comes from the family of group stakes winners Windsor Palace (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Battle of Marengo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rabatash (Johannesburg). TJCIS PPs

5th-GP, $65k, Msw, 2yo, f, 5fT, post time: 2:49 p.m. ET
CLASSIC GIRL (Candy Ride {Arg}) lines up for her career debut Saturday sharing the same John Oxley/Mark Casse connection as her champion 2-year-old half-brother and 2016 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile). Classic Girl retrieved a final bid of $775,000 at the 2018 FTSAUG Sale. Her 4-year-old half-brother Exclamation Point (Concord Point) recently finished second in the Oaklawn Mile S. TJCIS PPs

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