Aug. 4 Insights

Wandering Eyes · August 3, 2019

AIRDRIE STALLIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN SPA OPENER

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

1st-SAR, $90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:00p.m.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart went to $525,000 to acquire DAPHNE MOON (Cairo Prince) at the OBS April Sale on behalf of Gold Square and Double O Racing Stable and she makes her career bow in this spot. The dark bay, who breezed in :21 flat at OBS, is a half-sister to stakes winner Perfect Wife (Majesticperfection). Cairo Prince’s barnmate at Airdire Creative Cause is also represented by an intriguing firster here in Lucky Dime, who is a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning millionaire sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya). Her dam is a half to GSW Live Lively (Medaglia d’Oro). TJCIS PPs

PRICEY EMPIRE MAKER COLT DEBUTS AT ELLIS

1st-ELP, $50K, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 1:50p.m.

Ian Wilkes unveils a pricey first timer in FRANK SENIOR (Empire Maker), who summoned $550,000 from Lothenbach Stables at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. His unraced dam is a full-sister to GISW Mr. Sidney (Storm Cat) and daughter of MGISW millionaire Tomisue’s Delight (A.P. Indy), who is out of MGISW Prospectors Delite (Mr. Prospector). Frank Senior is a half to GSW Term of Art (Tiznow). Steve Asmussen saddles another firster in $375,000 KEESEP buy Code Runner (Honor Code). Out of GISW Nereid (Rock Hard Ten), the bay is a half to SW & GSP Figarella’s Queen (Medaglia d’Oro). TJCIS PPs

SEVERAL FIRSTERS OF INTRIGUE IN SARATOGA TURF TEST

4th-SAR, $90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 2:45p.m.

Barry Schwartz was pushed to $650,000 to secure SPARKLING SKY (More Than Ready) at the Keeneland September Sale and she makes her career bow for Todd Pletcher in this test. Out of GSP Bet to Win (Pulpit), the chestnut is a full-sibling to SW & GSP Justa Lady. She hails from the family of GISW Behrens and MGSW Hot Novel. Peter Brant traveled across the pond to purchase Sketches of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) for 400,000 guineas at the Tattersall’s October Sale. The Chad Brown pupil is out of GSP Janicellaine (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}), who is a half-sister to European Highweight and dual Grade I winner Chriselliam (Ire) (Iffraj {GB}) and MGSW Very Special (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Brown also saddles first timer Situation Room (Summer Front) for Klaravich Stables here. A half to GSW Silver Reunion (Harlan’s Holiday), the $275,000 KEESEP buy is out of GSW Silver Comic (Silver Hawk), who is a half to English, Irish and European Highweight Lucayan Prince (Fast Play) and MGSW Comic Strip (Red Ransom). Shug McGaughey unveils a granddaughter of GISW Carriage Trail (Giant’s Causeway) in this event in Bridal Path (Hard Spun). TJCIS PPs

HALF-BROTHER TO TWIRLING CANDY MAKES CAREER BOW IN HALLANDALE

5th-GP, $47K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 2:47p.m.

John Oxley’s $500,000 KEESEP purchase DANZAR (Will Take Charge) looks to open his account for trainer Mark Casse in this race. The bay is a half to Grade I-winning sire Twirling Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}) and graded winners Dubai Sky (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Ethnic Dance (Tribal Rule). TJCIS PPs

ROMANS UNVEILS EXPENSIVE UNCLE MO

3rd-ELP, $50K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 2:46p.m.

Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift teamed up for $850,000 KEESEP buy FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT (Uncle Mo) and he makes his first trip to the post at Ellis Park Sunday. His dam Dawn Chorus (Unbridled’s Song) is a daughter of SW & GSP Dawn Princess (Polish Numbers). Brendan Walsh sends out a Godolphin firster in Banks Island (Tapit), a half to SW Sunset Wish (Malibu Moon). His second dam is GISW Cara Rafaela (Quiet American), who produced champion and top sire Bernardini (A.P. Indy) and GISP Ile de France (Storm Cat), who is the dam of MGISW Love and Pride (A.P. Indy). Phoenix Thoroughbred’s $325,000 KEESEP buy Something Super (Super Saver) also debuts in this spot. The chestnut is out of MSW & GSP Somethinaboutbetty (Forestry), who is a half to the dam of MGSW Eskenformoney (Eskendereya). This is also the family of GISW My Trusty Cat (Tale of the Cat) and GISW Include Betty (Include). TJCIS PPs

BEST REPRESENTED BY ANOTHER WELL-RELATED MEDAG COLT

11th-SAR, $90K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1mT, 6:57p.m.

Larry Best has picked up quite a few expensive and well-bred horses by Medaglia d’Oro over the past few years and first timer CARDIFF CAY is no exception. Out of SW Lemon Kiss (Lemon Drop Kid), a full-sister to MGSW Kiss the Kid, the $560,000 KEESEP acquisition is a full-brother to GISW turfer Lochte. The bay hails from the family of Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair (Ire) (Miswaki), and Italian Group 1 winner Great Palm (Manila). Click here to watch XBTV footage of her five-panel work at the Spa in 1:02.26 (27/36 July 28. Meet leader Chad Brown also sends out an intriguing firster in Good Governance (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a son of GSW Please Sing (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}), who hails from the family of MGSW Belvoir Bay (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). TJCIS PPs

PAIR OF PRICEY COLTS DEBUT AT DEL MAR

5th-DMR, $61K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 7:00p.m.

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert can never be ignored with a first time starter and he saddles the morning-line favorite here in EIGHT RINGS (Empire Maker). The $520,000 KEESEP purchase is out of a daughter of MGISW November Snow (Storm Cat) and hails from the family of New Zealand champion Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and Group 1 winner Anthony Van Dyke (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Click here to watch his five-furlong bullet breeze from the gate in 1:00 flat (1/50) at Del Mar July 25. John Shireffs also unveils an expensive KEESEP buy in $500,000 Express Train (Union Rags), who is a son of GSW Purely Hot (Pure Prize).

TJCIS PPs