11th-KEE, $100k, Msw, 3yo/up, 7f, 6:18p.m. ET
Repole and St Elias Stable partner once again to send out OLD POINT (Curlin), half-brother to GISW & GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Collected (City Zip). Purchased as a yearling in 2020 for $475,000 at KEESEP, the chestnut is half to stakes-producer Helena's Triomphe (Arch) and hails from the family of GSP Koala Princess (More Than Ready). Bred by Three Chimneys, Runnymede, and Peter Callahan, Old Point took some time to get to the races but has made religious appearances on the work tab leading up to this debut. Todd Pletcher will send him out with Irad Ortiz Jr. getting the call for the seven panel sprint. TJCIS PPs

1st-BAQ, $95k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6fT, 12:35p.m. ET
Shipping in from Europe after being purchased for 420,000gns at TATOCT, EIN GEDI (IRE) (Oasis Dream {GB}) will carry not just the popular flag of MyRacehorse but those of Siena Farm, Peter Deutsch, Michael Kisber, and The Elkstone Group. Out of the stakes-winning Splashdown (GB) (Falbrav {Ire}), the filly is a half to Spanish Champion 2-year-old filly Reina Madre (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and is a full-sibling to 11-time winner, GSW Aktabantay (GB). This is the female family of Italian Champion 3-year-old filly and blue hen Proskona (Mr. Prospector), who counted nine black-type earners as the dam or granddam, and herself was half to German Highweight horse Keos. The Chad Brown barn will send Ein Gedi  to post with Manny Franco in the irons. TJCIS PPs

4th-SA, $61k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 5:34p.m. ET
RILEY G (Flatter) will carry not just the torch for Zedan Racing and Bob Baffert, but also another big tag after being secured for $625,000 at OBSOPN; zipping a furlong in :9 4/5 back in June. The grey is a half to three winners, but black-type makes an appearance underneath the second dam, who claims GI Darley Alcibiades victress Wickedly Perfect (Congrats). That mare later produced Japanese GSW Hartley (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in her adoptive country after selling for $800,000 KEEJAN to Katsumi Yoshida in 2011. Also in the pedigree is stakes-producer Wicked Mizz (Mizzen Mast) and GSP Ash Zee (Exchange Rate); the latter counts GSP The Reds (Tonalist) and Zee Drop (Lemon Drop Kid). Carrying the banner for Justify is $450,000 KEESEP stablemate California Rocket, a half-sister to MGSW Global View (Galileo {Ire}) and the dam of GSP Catch the Eye (Quality Road). TJCIS PPs

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But what about the mares? Are there any black-type events that stand out as key producer races? In this new series, we'll examine the past of upcoming filly/mare races and take a look at how the winners fared as broodmares.

We begin with Saratoga's traditional opening day feature, the GIII Schuylerville S. for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the dirt. Like many races dating back a century (it was first run in 1918), it's been run at different distances and occasionally even at different tracks. There were years it was run in two divisions (1959, 1965, and 1974) and one year it didn't run at all (2005). Overall, there have been 106 winners of the Schuylerville.

The Schuylerville winners are an illustrious bunch. Every single victress from 2015 to 1918 is a producer of winners, with the exception of six who died before getting their broodmare careers started and another seven (from 1941 and earlier) for whom records are sketchy. That alone is a phenomenal statistic.

There were two consecutive glory decades, a remarkable 20-year streak from 1985-2004 where every winner (except one who passed away before visiting the breeding shed) became a stakes producer.

Four future Broodmares of the Year won the Schuylerville. There are the ancestresses of future significant sires, like Exclusive Native; forebearers of blue hens like Leslie's Lady; and direct female lines leading to recent Saratoga winners like 2021's GI Flower Bowl/GII Glens Falls winner War Like Goddess (English Channel).

Who knew an early-summer race for 2-year-old fillies often making just their second career start, currently worth $175,000 and ranked as a Grade III, would weld such influence on the breed? Such is the power of Saratoga.

Following are the most significant winners of the Schuylerville in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what lasting impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Hot Dixie Chick (2007, Dixie Union–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}): From five foals to race, this Stonestreet mare has produced 2022 GI La Troienne S. winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), MSW & GSP Union Jackson (Curlin), and 2022 'TDN Rising Star' Marsalis (Curlin).

Meadow Star (1988, Meadowlake–Inreality Star, by In Reality): At first glance, this eye-catching chestnut hadn't produced much of note among her five lifetime foals. However, the six stakes winners already produced by her daughters and granddaughters include brilliant champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and MGISW Belle Gallantey (After Market).

Weekend Surprise (1980, Secretariat–Lassie Dear, by Buckpasser): The 1992 Broodmare of the Year produced Horse of the Year and leading sire A.P. Indy, MGISW Summer Squall, and GSW Welcome Surprise. Her descendants include MGISW Court Vision, GISW Happy Saver, and Canadian champion Moonlit Promise.

Mystical Mood (1979, Roberto–Mystery Mood, by Night Invader): She kicked off her broodmare career with U.S./Irish/English Grade/Group winner Fair Judgment, while her daughters and granddaughters went on to produce champions Stevie Wonderboy and Big Blue Kitten.

Talking Picture (1971, Speak John–Poster Girl, by Nasrullah): This mare produced five stakes winners, including Irish champions Easy to Copy and Trusted Partner, and is the ancestress of nearly 30 more, including Grade I/Group 1 winners Gallante (Ire), Dress To Thrill (Ire), Search For A Song (Ire), Free Eagle (Ire), Kyprios (Ire), Thunder Moon (Ire), and Vert de Grece (Ire).

Numbered Account (1969, Buckpasser–Intriguing, by Swaps): Her foals included MGISW and sire Private Account, as well as GISW Dance Number. Her female descendants have produced champion Rhythm, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and GISWs Imagining, Girolamo, Bluegrass Cat, and Frost Giant. The family remains active: Becca Taylor, winner of her second Grade II event on the 4th of July, is part of it.

Patelin (1968, Cornish Prince–Pontivy, by Battlefield): This mare is ancestor to 10 Grade I winners, including champion Pleasant Stage, plus A Phenomenon and Marsh Side. However, her pièce de ré·sis·tance has got to be 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie's Lady, dam of current breed shaper Into Mischief.

Pocahontas (1955, Roman–How, by Princequillo): The 1965 Broodmare of the Year left champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, as well as four more stakes winners (including sire Chieftain), and a long list of accomplished runners tracing to her.

Striking (1947, War Admiral–Baby League, by Bubbling Over): This Phipps family mare might be the most influential of all the Schuylerville winners. Named Broodmare of the Year in 1961, she produced five stakes winners, including Test S. winners Glamour. The sheer number of thriving families that trace to her boggles the mind. They include Numbered Account, whose own accomplishments are listed above, as well as the families of important sire Woodman, Horse of the Year Mineshaft, champion Smarty Jones, and so many more.

Red Shoes (1943, Easton {Fr}–Mistress Grier, by John P. Grier): This mare produced Ballerina (yes, the one who has the Grade I event at the Spa named after her) and champion Nasrina.

Ace Card (1942, Case Ace–Furlough, by Man o' War): Horse of the Year One Count was one of four stakes winners for this mare, who was named Broodmare of the Year in 1952. Among her best descendants were 1979-80 English champion Mrs. Penny.

Parade Girl (1933, Display–Panoply, by Peter Pan): A number of high-caliber runners trace to this mare, but she only needed one to cement her name in pedigrees: her great-grandson Exclusive Native. The dual stakes winner was the leading sire in the U.S. in 1978-79. Another two-time leading sire, Deputy Minister, also traces to this grand girl.

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Off at 3-10 while breaking from the fence, the $340,000 Keeneland September RNA broke well but had to work a bit early to eventually make the front narrowly. He doled out an opening quarter of :21.76, and was challenged through a :44.80 half by longshot Lagoon (Runhappy) as that one launched a sweeping move. Marsalis re-broke at the head of the lane, put his stubborn foe away by midstretch, and was wrapped up late to don cap and gown by 2 1/2 lengths. Vinco (Quality Road), last year's $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic topper, bounced back from a non-show last out to complete the exacta. Lagoon checked in fourth.

Marsalis is the sixth foal out of his connections' speedy 'Rising Star' Hot Dixie Chick, winner of the 2009 GI Spinaway S. and already the dam of Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), MGSW, $1,038,500; and 'Rising Star' Union Jackson (Curlin), MSW & GSP, $273,874. The former took the GIII Houston Ladies Classic S. Jan. 30 and was most recently a close second in the GII Azeri S. two weeks ago; while the latter, who stands at Sequel Stallions in New York, was represented by his first black-type winner earlier this month. Hot Dixie Chick is also a half to 2017 GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and Grade II winner Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile). She produced a Constitution colt last term before being bred back to both Tapit and Quality Road.

A 'Rising Star' himself, Curlin has now sired 20 horses to earn that moniker. For more on Marsalis as part of Steve Sherack's Second Chances series, click here.

7th-Fair Grounds, $65,000, Msw, 3-26, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.40, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
MARSALIS, c, 3, Curlin
1st Dam: Hot Dixie Chick (GISW, $343,252), by Dixie Union
2nd Dam: Above Perfection, by In Excess (Ire)
3rd Dam: Something Perfect, by Somethingfabulous
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $50,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. *$340,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP.

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In a race that didn't deserve a loser, Stonestreet homebred Marsalis (c, 3, Curlin–Hot Dixie Chick, by Dixie Union) came up a head short on debut after running hard the entire way on the GII Risen Star S. undercard Feb. 19 (video).

The well-bred chestnut's worktab was highlighted by a five-furlong bullet from the gate in :59 4/5 (1/47) at Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen's Fair Grounds base Jan. 30 and he was off as the 7-5 favorite.

Drawn wide in post nine with Joel Rosario in the irons, Marsalis flashed smart early speed and was immediately hounded to his outside by fellow firster Momentous (Speightstown) through an opening quarter in :22.29. Head and head with that Todd Pletcher-trained rival as they approached the quarter pole, Marsalis continued to fight on gamely from the inside with neither giving an inch down the stretch and crossed the wire a painful second in an absolute thriller. It was 5 1/4 lengths back to Major Contender (Distorted Humor) in third.

The final time for six furlongs was 1:09.58. Marsalis earned a solid 75 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“Two really good horses–he ran super,” Stonestreet's bloodstock advisor John Moynihan said.

“He showed a lot of promise last year as a 2-year-old, but he bucked his shins, so we decided not to press on and try to run him at two. Ever since Steve's had him, he's really liked him. But he's one of those horses that from the time we've had him at the farm, he always trained super. [Stonestreet trainer] Ian [Brennan] really really liked him. He went on to Steve and he expected him to really run well.”

Marsalis's pedigree is Stonestreet and Asmussen top and bottom. Hailing by the duo's two-time Horse of the Year and leading sire Curlin, Marsalis is out of 2009 GI Spinaway S. heroine Hot Dixie Chick, a $435,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Old purchase by Barbara Banke's Grace Stables.

The half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) has also produced young Sequel stallion Union Jackson (Curlin), MSW & GSP; and MGSW Pauline's Pearl (Tapit). The latter lines up in Saturday's GII Azeri S. at Oaklawn.

Hot Dixie Chick had a colt by Constitution in 2021 and was bred back to Quality Road.

“Hot Dixie Chick was a great 2-year-old–she was a really good filly,” Moynihan said. “We bought her out of a 2-year-old sale. It was actually the first horse that Barbara bought on her own while Mr. Jackson was still alive. Hot Dixie Chick has really come on–she had Pauline's Pearl, who ran in the Kentucky Oaks last year. Her first foal Union Jackson was quite talented as well.”

Marsalis has since returned to the worktab with a pair of four-furlong breezes for Asmussen in NOLA, including a :50 flat (19/27) move Mar. 7. Anything penciled in for his next start yet?

“We'll let Steve dictate that, but I'm sure it will be another maiden race,” Moynihan concluded.

Previous standouts featured in 'Second Chances' include: two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner and Lane's End stallion Honor A. P. (Honor Code), MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags), last weekend's GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. winner Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), GIII Las Virgenes S. heroine Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GII Los Alamitos Futurity winner and MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and GI Frizette S. third-place finisher A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo).

The post Second Chances: Well-Bred Marsalis One to Watch for Stonestreet & Asmussen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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A close second choice on the morning line at 5-2 is G2 Black-Eyed Susan winner Army Wife, trained by Mike Maker. The Declaration of War filly will break from the rail under top jockey Joel Rosario.

Winner of the listed Busanda Stakes in January, The Grass is Blue also ships west for trainer Bill Mott. The Broken Vow filly most recently finished sixth in the Black-Eyed Susan.

The full field is as follows:

1. Army Wife – Maker – Rosario
2. Pauline's Pearl – Asmussen – Ricardo Santana, Jr.
3. Sister Annie – Brad Cox – Florent Geroux
4. Shesa Mystery – Jeff Hiles – David Cabrera
5. The Grass Is Blue – Mott – Junior Alvarado
6. Oliviaofthedesert – Ken McPeek – Shane Laviolette
7. Windwill – Larry Jones – Alex Birzer

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“I would love for there to be a Stonestreet trifecta,” she said. “That would be my dream.”

It sounds like quite the feat, but a trio of sophomore fillies foaled and raised at Stonestreet Farm are shaking out to be some of the strongest contenders expected to be vying for the garland of stargazer lilies on the last Friday of April.

GII Rachel Alexandra S. victress Clairiere (Curlin) and GIII Fantasy S. winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) both aim to get Stonestreet Stables its first trip to the Oaks winner's circle, while GI Ashland S. heroine and 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin), a daughter of Stonestreet homebred Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy), will sport the silks of Shadwell Stable.

What's Stonestreet's secret to molding such a potentially-historic state of affairs?

“It's pretty simple,” the farm's owner explained. “We take super speedy mares and we breed them to great stallions, and then we raise them right.”

That formula is fulfilled in all three of the Oaks-bound fillies as each is out of a Grade I winner that was once raced by Stonestreet connections.

“All three of the broodmares were really, really fast,” Banke said. “We raced them and saw what they could do, and then we treated them like horses. They're rough and tough and we raise their babies the same way. They stay outside and they spend their early years running around in paddocks and behaving like normal horses. So we think we have all the ingredients to have really spectacular foals that can eventually bear that out on the track.”

One of the top choices going into the Oaks, Clairiere is the first foal out of Stonestreet's three-time Grade I winner Cavorting (Bernardini).

A daughter of GSW Promenade Girl (Carson City), Cavorting was a $360,000 weanling purchase for Stonestreet in 2012. Banke vividly remembers the future star's early days.

“Cavorting was very rambunctious,” she recalled. “When we bought her, she leaped out of the trailer and we thought she was dead. She was down on the ground, but she got up eventually and went on to the farm where she leaped out of her paddock. Eventually we had to put her in her own paddock earlier than most fillies because she was very bossy. But, she was a great racehorse. She won going short. She won going long. She did everything.”

It wasn't until the summer of Cavorting's 4-year-old season, when she had already racked in five stakes victories including the 2015 GI Test S., when trainer Kiaran McLaughlin decided to stretch her out past a mile in the GI Ogden Phipps S.

“We didn't expect her to win because she had never gone long before,” Banke admitted.

But of course she did win, and she backed that victory with a second over a 1 1/8 miles in the GI Personal Ensign S. in her career finale.

Cavorting was initially bred to a second multi-million-dollar earner for Stonestreet in their flagbearing sire Curlin. When the bay filly arrived, Banke said she knew early on that the youngster would grow to be something special.

“Clairiere was a beautiful foal,” she recalled. “She's of course by Curlin, who is my  favorite sire of all time. She's like many Curlins where she was good, but she gets better and better as she goes forward into her 3-year-old year and hopefully 4-year-old year and beyond.”

A debut winner last October, Clairiere has since gone head-to-head with another top Oaks contender, Travel Column (Frosted), in each of her three graded starts, besting her rival by a neck with a come-from-behind performance in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Banke said it was a full-circle moment for the connections to get the win in a race honoring their Hall of Fame mare.

“It was fabulous when she won the Rachel Alexandra,” Banke said. “She really put it together and managed to make her Curlin-esque move at the end. She's going to be a really good horse in the Oaks and I think she'll just continue to improve as the year goes on.”

Banke said that Cavorting's second daughter, La Crete, is not far from seeing the starting gate. | Stonestreet Farm

Banke reported that Cavorting has checked in foal to Into Mischief this year, but in the meantime, it won't be long to wait before her second daughter, named La Crete, makes it to the starting gate.

“Clairere is named for a spectacular Pinot noir vineyard that I have in Oregon and La Crete is her 2-year-old half-sister by Medaglia d'Oro,” Banke explained. “La Crete is another spectacular Pinot noir vineyard in Oregon, so we're keeping it all in the family, so to speak. She's at our training center and she's doing well. She's strong- I think maybe even a little stronger earlier than Clairiere.”

Stonestreet's second star sophomore filly, Pauline's Pearl, is a daughter of Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union).

Purchased as a juvenile for $435,000 in 2009, Hot Dixie Chick was the first colorbearer for Banke's Grace Stable. Fulfilling the ownership's acronym of 'Girls Rule and Competently Endure,' the daughter of GSW Above Perfection (In Excess {Ire}) ran in the money in each of her seven career starts, earning her most notable win in the 2009 GI Spinaway S.

“Hot Dixie Chick was the most mellow racehorse of all time,” Banke recalled. “She would fall asleep in the saddling paddock and then go out and break the track record. She was fun to watch and she has gone on to produce great babies for us.”

Her first foal, Union Jackson (Curlin), was a dual stakes winner for Stonestreet. The same year as Union Jackson's retirement to Sequel New York, Hot Dixie Chick's half-brother Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) won the GI Kentucky Derby.

In the spring of Always Dreaming's sophomore campaign, Hot Dixie Chick was bred to champion sire Tapit, a mating that produced the current Oaks hopeful.

“Pauline's Pearl is a beautiful Tapit filly,” Banke said of the subsequent foal. “When she went to the training center, we thought she was one of our best for the year and she has developed over time.”

It took some patience from trainer Steve Asmussen to get all the pieces to fall into place for Pauline's Pearl, but by her third start she made it to the winner's circle and next gave a runner-up effort in the GIII Honeybee S. before taking the GIII Fantasy S.

“She was a little bit behind in terms of racing experience, but she's making up for it fast,” Banke said. “She's named for my mother and every time we name a horse after my mother, it's a graded stakes winner.”

Banke reported that Hot Dixie Chick produced a full brother to Union Jackson that is now a juvenile in training at Keeneland with Steve Asmussen and this February, she foaled a colt by up-and-coming young sire Constitution.

“He's quite fast and very agile,” Banke said of the youngster. “He's really going to be something special, I think, so he's one to keep an eye open for later in life.”

Banke added that Hot Dixie Chick will visit Tapit again this year.

While Malathaat, the third Stonestreet-bred Oaks hopeful, races under a different ownership banner, she is the only one of the three to come from a Stonestreet homebred.

Dreaming of Julia (A. P. Indy) was the first foal out of dual Grade I winner Dream Rush (Wild Rush) and was named after Banke's daughter. She was undefeated in her first three starts at two, including the GI Frizette S., but Banke said that the race she most frequently looks back on was the Todd Pletcher trainee's 21 3/4-length victory in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks.

“She was just so much better than anything else that day,” Banke said. “She was favored in the Kentucky Oaks but then she got creamed coming out of the gate so she lost all chance of winning, but still managed to get up for fourth.”

Malathaat's full sister will be staying home from the sales this year, Banke reports. | Katie Ritz

When Dreaming of Julia produced her third foal, it was decided that the Curlin filly would go through the auction ring. As a yearling, she sold for $1.05 million to Shadwell Stable at the 2019 Keeneland September Sale.

Later named Malathaat, the 'TDN Rising Star' is now undefeated in four starts, most recently taking the GI Ashland S. by a head for the same trainer who oversaw her dam's career.

So why was this the filly Stonestreet decided to take to market?

“You know, we have to sell some; we cannot race them all,” Banke said with a laugh. “We have about 80 babies each year so there's no way we can keep everything. She was one where we said, she's spectacular but we do need to bring in the revenue this year, so she was on the list to sell. But I'm excited to see what she will do and while I was sad to hear that Sheik Hamdan [owner, Shadwell Farm] had passed away, I hope his family can enjoy watching her.”

Banke said she is fairly confident they won't be selling other daughters of Dreaming of Julia any time soon.

“Dreaming of Julia actually had a few that have died, so I'm glad to see Malathaat doing so well,” she said. “Malathaat may be the last one we ever sell from that mare because she really has nice babies and we're looking forward to great things from her in the future.”

Malathaat's yearling full sister is one that Banke said she will definitely be holding onto.

“She looks like a queen and she moves really well,” Banke said. “She will be staying home from the sale, but I'm glad to show her off because she is really something.”

Another sister, this one by Medaglia d'Oro, was foaled earlier this month.

“She already looks spectacular to me,” Banke said of the new filly. “I've loved that sire ever since Rachel Alexandra and I'm really hoping for great things for her, but I'm going to have to wait a few years to see it come to fruition.”

This year, Dreaming of Julia is expected to go back to Curlin.

This Quality Road half-brother to Midnight Bourbon could one day become the fifth graded stakes winner out of Catch the Moon. | Katie Ritz

The 2008 Horse of the Year has potential for a monumental year at stud if he were to earn his first win as a sire in either the GI Kentucky Derby or the GI Kentucky Oaks. Two of his sons, GI Florida Derby winner Known Agenda and recent GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. victor King Fury both have points on the road to the Kentucky Derby, while Malathaat and Clairiere are among five daughters of Curlin with points on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard.

To top off everything else that the farm has going for itself heading into Derby weekend, Stonestreet will also be represented by a colt in the Kentucky Derby. Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) was bred and raised at Stonestreet before selling to Winchell Thoroughbreds as a yearling for $525,000.

Stonestreet purchased his dam, Catch the Moon (Malibu Moon), at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale for $240,000 in foal to Shanghai Bobby. The resulting foal, named Pirate's Punch, went on to become a Grade III winner.

“This is a mare who has had four graded stakes winners in her first four foals,” Banke said. “So you can't beat her as a broodmare. Midnight Bourbon is a beautiful horse and he's by Tiznow, so that would be exciting if he does well because we need that sire line in Kentucky.”

Catch the Moon had a Curlin colt sell for $500,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale and she also has a yearling Quality Road colt and a Curlin colt, foaled this February, in the pipeline.

“It's been really fun for me to see this homebred success,” Banke said. “We're aiming for the top end of the market, we're aiming for the top races and we're aiming for the stars. We want to see something really spectacular come off of this farm.”

The post All in the Family with Stonestreet’s Oaks Fillies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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A homebred for Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke) and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Pauline's Pearl earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 89, a career best, for her one-length victory over Ava's Grace to secure a spot in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 30 at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Oaks is the nation's biggest race for 3-year-old fillies.

The royally bred Pauline's Pearl, by Tapit out of Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick (a half-sister to 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming), was exiting a troubled second-place finish in her stakes debut, the $300,000 Honeybee (G3) March 6 at Oaklawn. Her Beyer figures, a numerical representation of performance, have improved throughout her five-race career, rising from 61 in her debut sprinting Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds, to 70, 74, 81 in the Honeybee and now 89. The last four starts for Pauline's Pearl have come at 1 1/16 miles.

“Just a tremendous pedigree,” Asmussen said. “Her mother, we had won a Grade 1 with, the Spinaway. Grade-1 winning mare for Stonestreet and the class shows.”

Pauline's Pearl ($3.80) represented Asmussen's record 94th career Oaklawn stakes victory and record fourth in the Fantasy. She was the 4-5 favorite after going off 18-1 in the Honeybee.

Pauline's Pearl was reunited with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. for the Fantasy. Santana had ridden Pauline's Pearl in her career debut, but was aboard stablemate Willful Woman in the Honeybee (Will's Secret was a three-quarter length winner).

“She's a nice filly,” Santana said. “We've expected a lot from her since Day 1. I rode that filly short the first time at Fair Grounds and she ran good. We always expected to run her long. The last four races she's run long, she's improved every time.”

Pauline's Pearl collected 100 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points for her Fantasy victory and ranks No. 4 on the leaderboard with 120, according to Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks is limited to 14 starters, with starting preference given to horses with the highest point totals earned in designated races like the Fantasy. Will's Secret is No. 8 with 80 points. She also won Oaklawn's $200,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 30.

Last year's Fantasy winner, Swiss Skydiver, finished second in the rescheduled Kentucky Oaks (COVID-19) en route to an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly. Fantasy third Shedaresthedevil won the Kentucky Oaks for co-owner Staton Flurry of Hot Springs.

Santana, Asmussen and Stonestreet teamed to win the 2016 Fantasy with Terra Promessa, who finished 10th in the Kentucky Oaks.

Asmussen won Oaklawn's $60,000 Prima Donna Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters in 2010 with Hot Dixie Chick.

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A royally bred daughter of Tapit and Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick, Pauline's Pearl possesses a gray coat, with reddish tint and a tiny white dot on her right hip.

“She's gorgeous,” Brooke Stillion said.

Stillion is the regular exercise rider of Pauline's Pearl, who is the 9-5 program favorite for the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Oaklawn. The 1 1/16-mile Fantasy is Oaklawn's final major prep for the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 30 at Churchill Downs. Probable post time for the Fantasy, the 11th of 12 races, is 5:54 p.m. (Central).

The Fantasy will offer 170 points (100-40-20-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks, the country's biggest prize for 3-year-old fillies. Swiss Skydiver, last year's Fantasy winner, finished third behind Honeybee Stakes winner Shedaresthedevil in the rescheduled Kentucky Oaks (COVID-19) en route to an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly.

A homebred for Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke) and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Pauline's Pearl exits a runner-up finish, beaten three-quarters of a length by Will's Secret, in the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) March 6 at Oaklawn. With Will's Secret (2 for 2 in stakes races at the meeting) passing the Fantasy in favor of the $400,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) Saturday at Keeneland, the improving Pauline's Pearl is poised to become Oaklawn's new leading lady.

“I feel like she's filled out more, just in the short time she's been here,” Stillion said. “I've heard Steve say she's kind of been a late developer. She's slowly gotten better, though. Each race she comes back better and stronger. I've breezed her and love the way she trains. It's a short field and she's beaten two of the horses, already, in there. I'm hoping.”

The Fantasy will mark the fifth career start for Pauline's Pearl, who debuted sprinting Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds. She broke her maiden at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 12 at Fair Grounds and just missed at 18-1 in the Honeybee – also 1 1/16 miles – after being in traffic on the second turn. It was her stakes debut and first start outside Fair Grounds.

“Beautiful filly that seems to be going the right direction,” Asmussen said. “We're excited about running her. Quality field.”

Also returning from the Honeybee are Sun Path and Coach, third and fifth, respectively, for trainer Brad Cox. West Side Girl, Ava's Grace, Sylvia Q and Take Charge Lorin, a stablemate of Will's Secret, complete the projected seven-horse Fantasy lineup.

“If I could, I'd come tomorrow and offside Pearl because I'm really excited about her race,” Stillion said. “Tomorrow, I have to drive home for Easter, so I'm going to miss her race. I'm really, really bummed.”

The Fantasy field from the rail out: West Side Girl, Francisco Arrieta to ride, 117 pounds, 12-1 on the morning line; Ava's Grace, David Cohen, 117, 8-1; Sylvia Q, Martin Garcia, 117, 5-1; Coach, Fernando De La Cruz, 121, 5-1; Take Charge Lorin, David Cabrera, 117, 6-1; Sun Path, Joe Talamo, 117, 2-1; and Pauline's Pearl, Ricardo Santana Jr., 117, 9-5.

Stonestreet, Asmussen and Santana teamed to win the 2016 Fantasy with Terra Promessa. Asmussen won Oaklawn's $60,000 Prima Donna Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters in 2010 with Hot Dixie Chick.

The post Road To The Kentucky Oaks: Pauline’s Pearl Inherits Favorite Role In Fantasy appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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SIX-FIGURE MEDAG COLT MAKES FIRST START AT TAMPA

3rd-TAM, $27.5K, Msw, 2yo, 1m 40yds, 1:12 p.m.

Godolphin’s NEW DAWN (Medaglia d’Oro), a $600,000 KEESEP buy, will face the starter for the first time Saturday at Tampa. She is out of SW Wait Til Dawn (Giant’s Causeway), who is a full-sister to GSW Excited, who in turn is the dam of SW & MGSP Thrilled (Uncle Mo). This is also the family of MGISW Spain (Thunder Gulch). TJCIS PPs

PLETCHER UNVEILS PRICEY ‘CHROME’ COLT

5th-AQU, $80K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 1:45p.m.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable joined forces to secure INSPIRATION POINT (California Chrome) for $725,000 at the delayed OBS April Sale and the colt debuts here for Todd Pletcher. A $65,000 RNA at KEESEP, the gray became his sire’s most expensive offspring after breezing in a sharp :20 3/5. He has continued to breeze sharply for Pletcher, including a half-mile bullet in :47 flat (1/34) two works back over the Belmont training track Dec. 9. His unraced dam Diva Style (Unbridled’s Song) is a half to GSW Tizfiz (Tiznow), who is the dam of MGISW Tiz the Law (Constitution). TJCIS PPs

STONESTREET DEBUTANTE DEBUTS IN NOLA

8th-FG, $50K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 4:25 p.m.

Stonestreet homebred PAULINE’S PEARL (Tapit) looks to follow in the hoofprints of her talented dam Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union) as she gets her career started for the same trainer, Steve Asmussen, at the Fair Grounds Saturday. Barbara Banke purchased Hot Dixie Chick for $435,000 at the 2009 FTFFEB juvenile sale and she won four times, including the GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga. She is also the dam of Union Jackson, who carried the Stonestreet colors to a pair of stakes win and a graded-stakes placing during his tenure in the Asmussen barn. He now stands stud at Becky Thomas’ Sequel New York. Out of GSW Above Perfection (In Excess {Ire}), Hot Dixie Chick is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and GSW Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), who brought $1.5-million from Spendthrift at FTKNOV last month. Pauline’s Pearl enters off a best-of-21 five panels at Fair Grounds in 1:00 1/5 Dec. 10. Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider homebred Symptom (Runhappy) also makes her first trip to the post here. The bay is out of GSW Sign (Pulpit), who is a half-sister to GSW Vexed (Arch). She prepped for this with a half-mile bullet in :47 1/5, the best of 78 at the distance, in NOLA Dec. 11. TJCIS PPs

EXPENSIVE QUALITY ROAD COLT MAKES CAREER BOW

11th-GP, $50K, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 5:14 p.m.

John Oxley’s $625,000 KEESEP acquisition COURAGEOUSLY (Quality Road) debuts in this spot for trainer Mark Casse. Out of MSW Miss Red Delicious (Empire Maker), the dark bay is a half to GSW Nootka Sound (Lonhro {Aus}) and SP Follow No One (Uncle Mo). Miss Red Delicious is a half to MGSW & GISP Lady Apple (Curlin), who brought $1.2 million at FTKNOV; SW & GSP Dr. Diamonds Prize (Pure Prize); and the dam of SW & GISP Parlor (Lonhro {Aus}). Todd Pletcher saddles another intriguing firster in Ultimate Gift (Pioneerof the Nile). The $350,000 KEESEP buy is out of GSW Savvy Supreme (Distorted Humor), a full-sister to two-time GI Whitney S. winner Commentator.

TJCIS PPs

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