Following Sea (Runhappy) took the trip down to Hot Springs with his GI Arkansas Derby-bound stablemates for this lucrative maiden test and proved more than up for the task with a dominant debut victory, earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors. A $230,000 in utero purchase by Spendthrift Farm at the 2017 KEENOV sale, the bay crossed the line second behind stablemate and subsequent GI Runhappy Santa Anita fourth Defunded (Dialed In) on debut at Santa Anita Mar. 6, but he was demoted to third by the stewards for interference. Receiving Lasix for the first time here, the overwhelming 1-2 favorite bounded out to a clear lead, zipping through early splits of :21.89 and :45.18. Showing the way into the lane, Following Sea cruised further clear under a hand ride from Joel Rosario to win as he pleased by 5 3/4 lengths. Happymac finished second for a Runhappy exacta.
Following Sea's stakes-winning dam Quick Flip (Speightstown) is a half-sister to the Baffert-trained SW & MGSP Qahira (Cairo Prince) and SW Stormin' Lyon (Storm Boot). The first of her six foals is the SP mare Inspeightof (Orb). Quick Flip's recent produce includes a 2-year-old Into Mischief filly, purchased by Mike Ryan for $450,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Select Sale, and a 2021 Hard Spun colt born on St. Patrick's Day.
4th-Oaklawn, $93,000, Msw, 4-10, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.92, ft,
5 3/4 lengths.
FOLLOWING SEA, c, 3, Runhappy
1st Dam: Quick Flip (SW), by Speightstown
2nd Dam: Motel Lass, by Bates Motel
3rd Dam: Devil's Lass, by Devil's Bag
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $64,920. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or the VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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