By the numbers, a total of 175 yearlings sold for $3,240,000. The figures represented a decrease from 2022 when 161 sold for a record $3,416,000 in gross receipts. This term, the average was $18,542, while the median was $11,000 and 77 horses reported not sold.

Foster Bridewell, Director of Horse Sales for the TTA, said of the auction, “Three of our top five offerings were Texas-breds, so that was good to see,” he said. “This was one of our largest catalogs in the history of this sale and we had buyers from several key quadrants–Kentucky, Ocala, California and across the Lone Star State.”

A Practical Topper For Al Pike

Offered as hip 122, the dark bay was purchased by Al Pike, acting as agent. The Apr. 30 foal is out of SW Jan's Perfect Star (Imperialism), dam of UAE Jebel Ali Sprint hero Road Bloc (Street Sense). The native Texan from Palestine, and his wife Salley, relocated this past summer to Highlander Training Center, outside of Dallas. A regular on the pinhooking scene, Pike frequents a bevy of juvenile sales, including OBS March, Fasig-Tipton Midlantic and the Texas 2-Year-Old In-Training Sale.

Practical Joke colt (hip 122) | Olivia Friesen/TTA Sale

Pike said he saw this yearling as an opportunity.

“This one is for me and partners,” said Pike. “I thought he was a stunning Practical Joke, beautiful horse, and I think he's going to grow to be really special. It's just the Practical Joke that sold it and he had some pedigree too. I just thought he was a beautiful colt. This will be one to pinhook for the spring and we'll probably look to go to OBS March.”

Bred by Michael and Linda Mazoch of Texas, the colt was consigned by Scott Mallory, agent.

“He came from Buena Madera and they always do an excellent job in preparing the horses for the sale,” Mallory said. “And it makes it a whole lot easier when you get to the sale because they are well presented. With the recent success of Practical Joke, we kind of thought he'd be fairly popular with the sale. He vetted good, handled himself well up there. And with Texas coming up with the $40,000 maiden special weights, we knew that would add an extra bid or two. I didn't quite think he'd bring $110,000, but I'm happy about it. We thought he'd sell well–I thought he'd sell for $70,000 or $80,000, but $110,000 is excellent.”

Vekoma Colt Takes Home Silver

Late in the session, hip 260, a chestnut colt by Vekoma, brought $90,000 from pinhooker David Scanlon. Out of Winning Saga (Tale of the Cat), the May 12 foal was raised and prepped at Elm Tree Farm in Kentucky and consigned by agent Scott Mallory, who also consigned the topper.

“This colt just showed well the whole time, he had a great disposition, he just looks like he is going to turn into a really beautiful 2-year-old and he was bred by Dr. Fred Willis from Louisiana,” said Mallory.

Competitive Edge Colt Reminds Asmussen of Ryvit

The third highest-priced yearling of the session was taken home by Steve Asmussen's KDE Equine for $85,000. Hip 24, consigned by Highlander Training, was bred by Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas.

Ryvit schooling at Saratoga with Erik Asmussen up | Sarah Andrew

The Feb. 16 foal is the first foal out of unraced Better Than Mo (Uncle Mo), who counts MSW More Than Most (Indygo Mountain), MSW Worldventurer (Wimbledon) and GIII Miss Preakness S. scorer Red Ghost (Ghostzapper) as half-siblings. His third dam MGISP Alysbelle (Alydar) is a full-sister to Horse of the Year Alysheba.

Asmussen indicated Monday's purchase was prompted by another Texas sale graduate, GIII Chick Lang S. victor Ryvit (Competitive Edge).

“A couple of years ago, I got Ryvit out of this sale,” explained the Hall of Famer. “I think that there are blue collar horses and they have to earn their keep. And it had everything to do that he reminded me of Ryvit. Just a very sturdy and athletic-looking horse and, hopefully, we can create a similar circumstance.”

On behalf of his client Whispering Oaks, Asmussen also purchased hip 110, a Louisiana-bred colt by Spun to Run out of SP Hilarious Brown (Big Brown) for $80,000, in addition to a dark bay filly by Competitive Edge out of Conquest Bebop (Scat Daddy) (hip 51), who also brought $80,000.

Complete sales results can be found here.

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This season's GII San Vincente S. and GIII Bob Hope S. winner was euthanized, while jockey Luis Saez was taken to Sinai Hospital in Baltimore for further evaluation. He was stable and conscious upon his departure from the track.

Ryvit's regular rider, Steve Asmussen's son Keith, was unable to ride the colt Saturday due to injury. When asked if the winb was bitterwseet, the elder Asmussen said, “No. It's great that the horse won and proved himself. I think it's unfortunate that Keith broke his finger on Thursday. I'm proud of him for making the decision of putting the horse in front of himself. I think it says a lot and proves who he is. Somehow, I think he'll have plenty of my support when he comes back.”

According to winning rider Tyler Gaffalione, “That was very unfortunate and hopefully, Luis [Saez] is okay. We were kind of heads up, and he just kind of disappeared. I looked back and I saw Luis coming off the side. Hopefully, nothing serious. I feel terrible Keith [Asmussen] wasn't able to ride him [Ryvit] today. He's a great young kid and an up-and-coming rider, so he'll get plenty of those.”

As for what's next, Asmussen added, “Coming off of here is everything we've wanted to see. Obviously the sprint stakes at Saratoga are lucrative and what we will aim for next.”

On the board in both starts at two, including a third in Churchill's Kentucky Juvenile S. last spring, Ryvit was sixth going six furlongs against Oaklawn maidens in February before breaking through over that track and trip Mar. 25. Back on top facing first level allowance company Apr. 14, he made it three straight with a score over GIII Sanford S. winner Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) in the Apr. 29 Bachelor S.

“The key to him has been getting away from the gates,” explained Asmussen. “Keith working him in the mornings and getting him to break is what turned him around. That's the only thing I said to Tyler, 'If you can get him to jump well from the gates, you'll like how he responds.' And that his what he did.”

Pedigree Notes:
Ryvit is the fifth graded winner for the Texas-based sire Competitive Edge (Super Saver). A $70,000 purchase out of the Texas Mixed August sale is the first foal to race out of the winless She Is Bedazzling, a $140,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase. She produced a colt by Collected last season.

Havnameltdown Update from 1/ST racing:
In response to Havnameltdown's condition following the race, 1/ST racing issued a press release: “During the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico, the number one horse, Havnameltdown, sustained an injury and immediately received on-track medical attention from an expert team of veterinarians, led by Dr. Dionne Benson. During the subsequent evaluation, she observed a non-operable left fore fetlock injury.”

“Due to the severity and prognosis of the injury, Dr. Benson and her counterparts made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Havnameltdown.”

“The loss of Havnameltdown will be felt across the entire horse racing community, and everyone at the Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing extends our heartfelt condolences to Havnameltdown's connections.”

“Over the past year, 1/ST Racing has worked tirelessly to implement numerous industry-leading reforms, including additional medication restrictions and new operational requirements, to enhance the existing health and safety measures with the intent of providing the safest racing environment possible. In addition, 1/ST racing and the Maryland Jockey Club observe the most stringent medication practices and restrictions, pre- and post-race testing protocols, equine security and surveillance measures, veterinary exams, injury management protocols and racing surface testing.”

“These measures are re-evaluated and expanded every year to ensure our athletes are fit to compete safely in any race associated with 1/ST Racing.”
Saturday, Pimlico
CHICK LANG S. PRESENTED BY CASE TRACTOR-GIII, $200,000, Pimlico, 5-20, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.33, ft.
1–RYVIT, 124, c, 3, by Competitive Edge
              1st Dam: She Is Bedazzling, by Medaglia d'Oro
              2nd Dam: Melissa Jo, by Fusaichi Pegasus
              3rd Dam: Takeaway, by Fly So Free
   1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($70,000 Ylg '21 TTAYHR).
O-L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt; B-Curt Leake (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 7-4-1-1, $348,068. Werk Nick Rating: C.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Prince of Jericho, 120, c, 3, Munnings–Golden Review, by
Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 Ylg '21
FTKJUL; $85,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Michael Dubb and Morris
Bailey; B-Edward Seltzer (KY); T-Brittany T. Russell. $40,000.
3–Frosted Departure, 124, c, 3, Frosted–Undeterred, by More
Than Ready. ($50,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '21
KEESEP). O-C and H Diamond Racing, LLC; B-Alastar
Thoroughbred Company, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek.
$20,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 4, 3/4. Odds: 5.40, 6.20, 5.80.
Also Ran: Prove Right, Super Chow, Bristol Channel, Havnameltdown.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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BROADWAY LADY (m, 6, Constitution–Livi Makenzie) booked to Munnings
This mare, purchased late last year, is a very attractive daughter of Constitution who happens to be a half-sister to MGSW Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile). She is from the family of Surf Cat, and the mare will visit Munnings this year. This mating has an interesting breeding connection to Holy Bull.

COMPETITVE SPEED (m, 5, Competitive Edge–Shopped Out) booked to Justify
A MGSP daughter of Competitive Edge, who was third in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks and GII Davona Dale S. with earnings of $190,000. She just foaled a nice colt by the exciting young stallion Maxfield and will visit Justify this year.

CORE VALUES (m, 5, Honor Code–Sweet Awakening) booked to Curlin
This young daughter of Honor Code has all the breeding in the world to be a quality broodmare sire. She's a half-sister to MGSW Are You Kidding Me (Run Away and Hide), and was a SW under trainer Vicki Oliver with earnings of $222,000. We plan to have her visit Curlin this year, and this is a cross that has already produced MGISW Malathaat and MGISW Nest.

DIAMOND SPARKLES (m, 6, War Front–Diamondsandrubies) booked to Uncle Mo
A very attractive daughter of War Front from a deep family that has produced the likes of G1SW Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and her full-sister, G1SW Yesterday (Ire), is out of Diamondsandrubies. She who won the G1 Sea The Stars Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh, and is currently in foal to Quality Road. Our plan is to have her visit Uncle Mo this year.

GLITTER AND GOLD (m, 8, Bodemeister–Expo Gold) booked to Essential Quality
A winning daughter of Expo Gold, who produced the Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Swiss Skydiver. We currently have a nice yearling filly called Cajun Curls (Curlin). Glitter and Gold is in foal to Tapit and will visit the exciting young stallion Essential Quality here in 2023.

MIND OUT (m, 6, Tapit–Kid Majic) booked to Curlin
A big and strong daughter of Tapit from the family of GISW J P's Gusto and MGISW Letruska. She is half-sister to GSW Miss Mischief, who won the Sovereign Award in 2015 for Champion Female Sprinter. The mare is currently in foal to Into Mischief, and we know that are a pair of GSW underneath the first dam by him. So, it is safe to say that this family has an affinity for Spendthrift's number one. The mare will visit Curlin this year.

QUERELLE (m, 7, Violence–Orbital Affair) booked to Tapit
A stunning GSP daughter of Violence, hails from the family of the phenomenal Seattle Meteor. Currently in foal to Constitution, she will go back to Tapit this year.

SWEET SAMI D (m, 7, First Samurai–Treaty of Kadesh) booked to Flightline
This strapping daughter of First Samurai was GSP with earnings of over $250,000. She is currently in foal to the stallion of the moment, Gun Runner. On a very similar mating that has produced some of his best runners from in-breeding to Storm Cat, you cannot argue with the success of MGISW Echo Zulu and GISW Gunite. She will visit newly-minted Horse of the Year Flightline this coming season. It's very exciting to be a part of his first book. And, you can only imagine what that is going to look like.

Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com.

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Miles Ahead will be recognized at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) annual awards dinner on Sept. 10. The Claiming Crown–designed to give the blue-collar workhorses their own championship day–is sponsored by the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, TOBA and the host track.

Miles Ahead was purchased in 2019 for $175,000 at the OBS March 2-year-old in training sale by trainer Eddie Plesa, Jr. and the ownership partnership of David Melin, Leon Ellman and the trainer's wife, Laurie. After winning the Gulfstream Park Sprint S. in February, they accepted an offer to sell the gelding, who now races for Jay Em Ess Stable and is trained by Paul McGee. Miles Ahead most recently finished second by a neck to GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West in the Kelly's Landing S.

Eric Hamelback, NHBPA CEO, said Miles Ahead epitomizes what the Claiming Crown and the Claiming Crown Horse of the Year were created to recognize.

“The committee zeroed in on Miles Ahead and felt as if the horse and the connections were indeed the horse to be recognized for their accomplishments,” Hamelback said. “We are pleased that we can recognize and award a trophy to Miles Ahead at this year's TOBA awards ceremony.”

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“I watched her run, obviously, she runs really good races,” said Velazquez, who notched his third stakes win of the young meet and who was aboard for the first time on Sunday. “Today, the strategy was to chase them or chase me.  I broke (well), let her run to the lead and let them catch me. … When I asked her to run she responded right away, so I'm very proud.”

Most recently second in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 6, Edgeway was off at 2-5 in a field of four older fillies and mares and with no show wagering, she paid $2.80 and $2.10.

“That was really good,” said Kosta Hronis, of Hronis Racing, LLC. “She bounced out of the Breeders' Cup really well. I think the plan was to give her a little bit more of a break, but she's been asking to run, John (Sadler) had her all trained up and ready to go. It's an honor to have John (Velazquez).  Any time we can have jockeys like this on the West Coast, we're always happy to see that.”

Out of the Stormin Fever mare Magical Solution, Edgeway, who took the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Stakes two races back on Aug. 20, is now a two-time stakes winner.  With the winner's share from today's win of $47,160, she increased her earnings to $596,360.

Merneith, who had been idle for Bob Baffert since winning the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes Feb. 13, stalked the winner to the top of the lane, but was unable to keep up when Edgeway opened up three lengths turning for home. Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, she kept to her task and finished 5 ½ lengths clear of Stellar Sound while paying $2.40 to place.

Fractions on the race were 22.15, 44.96 and 1:09.95.

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The Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained 4-year-old gelding, who captured the Grade 3 Smile Sprint on the July 3 Summit of Speed program at Gulfstream, closely stalked the pace set by Legal Deal before moving to the lead at the top of the stretch and prevailing by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths in the $85,000 Rapid Transit.

The seven-furlong Rapid Transit was one of nine starter stakes in the Saturday's Claiming Crown, an annual event that celebrates the blue-collar horses that support daily racing programs at racetracks throughout the country.

Miles Ahead ($4.60) broke his maiden for a $12,500 claiming price by 12 ¼ lengths in January 2020 after being eased in his debut over turf. The son of Competitive Edge has steadily improved with age while establishing himself as one of the top sprinters on dirt in South Florida.

Miles Ahead ran seven furlongs in 1:21.99 to give jockey Paco Lopez his fourth victory of the day, including three Claiming Crown wins.

Legal Deal, ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, finished second, two lengths ahead of Pudding and jockey Leonel Reyes.

Miles Ahead is likely to return to open stakes company for his next start.

“There's a $100,000 race in Maryland (Dec. 26 Dave's Friend), and there's a race here (G3 Harlan's Holiday, Dec. 19) that's coming up a little too quick,” Plesa said.

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The 4-year-old daughter of Competitive Edge covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.80 under Joe Bravo and won her race in easier fashion than the margin would indicate. She also gave her trainer, John Sadler, his sixth victory in this distaff sprint going back to a fine filly named Track Gal the conditioner saddled to win the race in 1995, '96 and '97.

Finishing second in the Rancho Bernardo was Gem Inc and Kagele's Proud Emma, while pulling in third was Don Alberto Stable's Stellar Sound.

Edgeway was winning her fifth race in her eighth start and the winner's share of $60,000 pushed her earnings so far to $379,200. With show wagering cancelled due to the short field, Edgeway returned $4.00 and $2.60, while Proud Emma paid $4.60.

In the track's Rainbow Pick 6 Single Ticket Jackpot wager, for the 18th straight time a single bettor couldn't tab all six winners on his or her own meaning there will be yet another carryover into Saturday's TVG Pacific Classic Day card where a “mandatory” payout awaits. Friday's carryover amount of $1,874,996 will be in the pool to start the day tomorrow and it and all the “new” money that comes in on the bet will go out to those who have the most winners, guaranteed.

Some projections put the likely “new” money amount in the $6- to $10-million range. If so, it will virtually ensure that the track will best its non-Breeders' Cup single-day betting record of $25,870,431 set on August 18, 2018, a TVG Pacific Classic Day.

Racing for the big TVG Pacific Classic Day card begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. Eleven races will be on tap with the Pick 6 wager beginning on Race 6, which is scheduled to go off at approximately 4:30 p.m.

JOE BRAVO (Edgeway, winner) – “She was feeling real positive from the break right on through. I was in the catbird seat pretty much all the way. At the three-eighths (pole) I just cut her loose and she got real brave then. She's a nice filly and good horses make my job easier. It'll be interesting to see what John (trainer Sadler) does with her next.”

JOHN SADLER (Edgeway, winner) – “This has been such a good race for me and it is fun to win it again; it has been a few years in between wins. This is a good filly, she has a great record. The only bad race was her last one and Gamine (who left Edgeway 11 ¼ lengths behind in the Great Lady M at Los Alamitos) is the best in the country. She came back from it today, so I'm very happy.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.31  :44.94  1:10.05  1:16.80

The stakes win was the third of the meet for rider Bravo, but his first in the Rancho Bernardo. He now has five stakes wins at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Sadler, but sixth in the Rancho Bernardo. He now has 79 stakes wins at Del Mar, second most of all trainers.

The winning owners, Hronis Racing, are Kosta and Pete Hronis of Delano, Calif.

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The chestnut filly is out of Tigress Tale, by Tale of the Cat, a half sister to graded stakes winner Stays in Vegas.

Two youngsters worked quarters in :20 3/5.

• Hip No. 257, consigned by Envision Equine, Agent, is a bay colt by Competitive Edge out of Stylish Quality, by Quality Road, a half sister to graded stakes winner Term of Art.
• Hip No. 286, a dark bay or brown colt by Maclean's Music consigned by Off the Hook LLC, Agent for Global Thoroughbreds, is out of System Time, by Girolamo, a half sister to graded stakes winner Animal Spirits.

Six horses shared honors for the session's fastest eighth, clocked in :9 4/5

• Hip No. 232, consigned by Centofanti Thoroughbreds, Agent, is a bay colt by Speightstown out of Stand Back, by Giant's Causeway, from the family of graded stakes winner Dance Colony.
• Hip No. 253, a dark bay or brown colt by Cairo Prince consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc, (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, is a half brother to graded stakes placed Red Cactus out of stakes winner Strut the Canary, by Mineshaft.
• Hip No. 262, a dark bay or brown colt by Twirling Candy consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales LLC, is out of Sumlin, by Eskendereya, a daughter of graded stakes placed Visavis.
• Hip No. 264, consigned by Parrish Farms, Agent, is a dark bay or brown colt by Midnight Storm out of Summer of Joy, by Sky Mesa, a full sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Spectacular Sky.
• Hip No. 288, consigned by Mayberry Farm, Agent, is a bay filly by Into Mischief out of Take Charge, by Hard Spun, from the family of champion Inside Information.
• Hip No. 395, a bay filly by Daredevil consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, is out of Why Oh You, by Yes It's True, from the family of graded stakes winner Casual Feat.

Hip No. 290, a son of Midnight Lute consigned by CM Thoroughbreds, Agent, worked three eighths in :33 2/5. The dark bay or brown colt is out of Taker Home, by Vindication, a daughter of graded stakes winner Toll Taker.

The Under Tack Show continues Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. with Hip No.'s 407 – 608 scheduled to breeze.

To view the full results from Tuesday's under-tack show, click here.

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Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Joel Rosario, Edgeway ran the six furlongs on a fast main track in 1:10.13 and paid $4.60 as the second wagering choice in the field of six fillies and mare, aged 4 and up.

Frank's Rockette closed to within three-quarters of a length of Edgeway at the wire to be second, with Casual another 1 1/4 lengths back third and Wildwood's Beauty fourth.

Edgeway, third to Kimari in just her second career start in the Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn last year, was coming off a Feb. 7 allowance win at Santa Anita, her first start since a runner-up performance in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs last June. She trained up to the Carousel at Santa Anita.

Mucho Amor jumped out to an early lead, with Edgeway to her outside, but that pair was quickly joined by Wildwood's Beauty who rushed up along the inside to put her nose in front. Those three raced as a team, with Edgeway three wide around the turn and Frank's Rockette track her while a couple of lengths further back. Early fractions were :22.54 for the opening quarter mile and :46.12 for the half.

Edgeway took command in the stretch, passing the furlong marker in :58.08 and sailed on to victory, her fourth in six starts.

Produced from Magical Solution, by Stormin Fever, Edgeway is a 4-year-old bred in Kentucky by Pope McLean, Valerie and David Blethen. She sold for $275,000 at the OBS April Sale of 2-year-olds in training in 2019, where she was consigned by Mayberry Farm.

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“This is going to be a big test, but I think she can make it,” trainer Javier Gonzalez said. “She's doing good and she is one of those horses that is never going to make you look bad,” he added. “I think she's going to run a very good race.”

Competitive Speed, sixth facing open maidens in the Gulfstream West slop Oct. 31, graduated by 1 1/2 lengths against $25,000 maiden claimers at Gulfstream West Nov. 12, beating a pair of next-out winners in the process. Shipped to Gulfstream for her next start Dec. 6, the chestnut came from off the pace to take a starter optional claimer by 4 1/2 lengths, then stepped up to add the 6 1/2-furlong Glitter Woman S. Jan. 2.

Competitive Speed, who failed to meet her reserve as a yearling at Keeneland in the fall of 2019, sold for $5,000 the following season at OBS in July.

“She's always doing better every day, and that's happened from the very first day that she came to the barn. When she came to us and started training and working and get condition, she was doing better,” Gonzalez added. “When we put her in company, she did better. Whatever we ask her to do, she did better. She's passed every test.”

Competitive Speed has breezed twice at Gulfstream West since the Glitter Woman, including a half-mile in :48.40 Jan. 16, third-fastest of 18 horses. Leonel Reyes will ride back from Post 3 in a field of eight.

“It was a little bit faster than I wanted, but she came back good. The next day she ate everything and she was happy,” Gonzalez said. “She's coming into the race really well.”

Shadwell Stable homebred Zaajel (Street Sense), enters the Forward Gal off a 7 1/4-length maiden special weight romp going seven panels at Gulfstream Dec. 20.

“She was very impressive in her debut and she's trained great since then,” Todd Pletcher said. “Ideally, I'd kind of like to run her in an allowance race, but we don't really have an option at the moment. Considering how well she ran at the distance and over the surface here, we'll give it a try. The seven furlongs was no problem in her debut.”

Luis Saez, up for her debut, gets the return call from Post 7.

Also one to watch is Coach Jer's Joy (Palace), who earned the top spot over a field that included Competitive Speed in the aforementioned Gulfstream West maiden Oct. 31. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the chestnut will be joined by freshly anointed Eclipse award winning rider, Irad Ortiz Jr.

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