This column highlights the performances of young women who have started no more than five times and have sold for more than $500,000 in public auction, have a sibling who is a level/group winner, or have children smash is the level/group winner. BloodHorse’s research shows that exceptional first-time winners who meet these criteria are more likely to become graded bet winners.
Churchill Downs
The hybrid of G. Watts Humphrey Jr. Laver found the winner’s circle in the fourth start, one-mile 2-year-old special weight class on November 13 at Churchill Downs.
The Bernardini Colt, coached by Rusty Arnold, ran on grass in his first two starts, finishing second on 24 July at Ellis . Park and then placed fifth on September 14 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs. Moved to dirt for the 1/16 mile test on October 20 at Keeneland got him three-quarters of the length from the winner, but it all came down to Laver in Sunday’s race.
Dismissed by Luis Saez, Laver made his way out of the gate for the first time but after bumping into an opponent finished fourth at the first quarter of a mile: 23.01. At half a mile: 46.07, Laver advanced to second and caught the eye of the leader. He held the advantage going into the first leg and posted six hooks in 1:11.73 before extending his advantage over the long haul. Steppe sand dunes arrived late, but missed when Laver scored with his neck. The last time was 1:38.32 on the fast track.
Laver is the fifth pony among Humphrey’s purebred class 1 winners Court Center (by Smart Strike), making him half-brother to the level 3 winner Navratilova .
Del Mar
Coach Bob Baffert continues to pull new horses from the depths of his stable, and this week Michael Lund Peterson Faiza won the first point in the six-feathered girlhood test for 2-year-olds at Del Mar.
Faiza draws to win debut at Del Mar
Under the guidance of jockey Flavien Prat, Girvin she sped from outside at half a mile in: 44.76. She took the lead at half-turn and trailed all the challengers at the start of the ramp to win with a 3 1/2 length advantage in a final time of 1:09.28 on the fast track.
Agent Donato Lanni bought Faiza for $725,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale where Paul Sharp deposited her. Faiza is not a Florida-bred Smart Strike mare. Sweet Pistol, daughter of 2nd and 1st grade winners Pomeroy’s Pistol and half-sister with the 2nd grade champion Thousands of words .
Aqueduct race track
Allen Stable’s Talking about the nation beat two other 2-year-olds in the six-hair special weight class on November 11 at the Aqueduct Raceway.
The Quality Sugar The foal, coached by Shug McGaughey, won 4 1/2 over jockey Dylan Davis after a slow start left him in third. He took over just before half a mile with a score of 47.47 and finished the mile with a score of 1:13.47 on the well-labeled main track.
Bred by the China Horse Club, Talk of the Nation did not reach 2nd place she is not here (Street Crying).
Racing Parx
1st place winner voodoo dancer there was a winner Saturday on November 9 when her daughter Anna’s Gold Medal participated in the 6 and a half long maiden race at Racing Parx. Under Jonathan Ocasio, Fast Anna regroup from the side to the end to score 3 1/4 lengths.
Gold medalist Anna breaks her maidenhood at Parx Racing
Coached by Alfredo Velazquez, Gold Medalist Anna finished fourth on her October 24 debut at Parx after regrouping from afar too late.
Green Hills Farm, who lobbied Voodoo Dancers for 11 wins in 21 starts, won the Gold Medal for Anna. Voodoo Dancer, by Kingmambo, is the dam of the bet winner and $481,408 Voodoo Storm.
Laurel Park
Burning Daylight Farms and Rebecca Galbraith’s prowling tiger won the second start on November 13, taking the 1 1/8 mile turf test at 1 3/4 at Laurel Park. The pony trained by Arnaud Delacour finished second in his debut on October 23 in the same course at 1/16 mile.
Ridden by Jorge Ruiz, Prowling Tiger leads throughout except when Tidewater poke your head forward near the furlong six point. Prowling Tiger, son of the late Kitten’s Joy, finished the distance with a score of 1:52.12 in a track that is considered good.
Bred by Runnymede Farm and Catesby W. Clay Investment 2, Prowling Tiger did not win 3rd place. Alex’s Fleet mare Bizzy Caroline .
