insights | Horse Racing Free Tips

Insight Outcomes: Under Oath Is a ‘Rising Star’, Mo Town’s First Winner

From a new 'TDN Rising Star' to the first winner for a freshman sire, races highlighted in Insights were full of intrigue this past week. In addition, a runner-up at Keeneland on Saturday had such a spectacular gallop out that he'll be one to watch next out.

Wednesday's Insights: Well-Related Duo Debut at Keeneland

1st-Keeneland, $75,320, Msw, 4-13, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :53.09, gd, 1 3/4 lengths.

How fitting to see Motown record label founder Berry Gordy honored with namesake MR. GORDY (c, 2, Mo Town–Sky Trail, by Congrats) getting Coolmore's freshman Mo Town off the mark with his first winner as a sire. The 21-1 shot in the field of seven debuters went pillar to post for trainer John Hancock, outrunning the Wesley Ward-owned, -trained, and -favored Alibi Ike (Munnings), whose race was over when the gates opened. The chestnut broke last, hit a bit of traffic, and threw in the towel after making a move on the turn. Alibi Ike's dam is a half to champion Echo Zulu (Gun Runner), GISW Echo Town (Speightstown), and GSW J Boys Echo (Mineshaft). Ward has won just one of Keeneland's baby races this spring despite having entrants in all four to date, an uncharacteristically slow start for a trainer who usually dominates in this category. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

4th-Keeneland, $100,000, Msw, 4-13, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:18.10, gd, 1 1/2 lengths.

Victoria Oliver's BE LIKE WATER (f, 4, Majesticperfection–Mount Kellett, by Empire Maker) spoiled the coming-out party of Todd Pletcher's Charging Lady (Medaglia d'Oro). Be Like Water charged down the rail on her wrong lead to win, while Charging Lady never got involved. The latter is the first foal out of Whisper Hill's $2.2-million 2013 Keeneland September purchase I'll Take Charge (Indian Charlie), making her a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Florida Derby runner-up Charge It (Tapit). Her granddam is the influential Take Charge Lady (Dehere). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Thursday's Insights: Mopotism Full-Brother Debuts at Keeneland

5th-Keeneland, $100,000, Msw, 4-14, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:17.94, ft, 3/4 length.

First-time starter and $775,000 Keeneland September graduate Nabokov (Uncle Mo), a full-brother to GSW & MGISP Mopotism, looked a winner, yielding the early lead to RUNPAT (c, 4, Runhappy–Miss Mary Pat {MSW, $102,863}, by Service Stripe) and tracking from the rail before taking command down the lane. However, Runpat–who has had notes of “green” on the footnotes and chart comments of all three of his previous starts and once again acted far less experienced than he is in the stretch–overcame his antics this time, fighting back to don cap and gown for Brad Cox. Nabokov may not have won, but the Chad Brown-trained/Peter Brant-owned runner held second, showing plenty of upside as the lone 3-year-old in a field of older horses. The Shug McGaughey-trained East to the Dawn (Empire Maker) was another debuter in the field who got a race under his belt while connections will likely look to his future mindful of an immediate female family that specializes on turf at more distance. After a wide trip and getting bothered by a rival coming off the turn, the Joseph Allen and Helen Alexander runner wasn't a factor. He hails from the Aquilegia (Alydar) branch of Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee (Never Bend). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Saturday's Insights: Well-Bred Sophomores Debut on East Coast

4th-Keeneland, $100,000, Msw, 4-16, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.73, ft, 1 1/2 lengths.

In a face off of powerhouse homebred programs, it took a 'TDN Rising Star' performance from WinStar's UNDER OATH (c, 3, Speightstown–Jojo Warrior {MGSW & GISP, $396,231}, by Pioneerof the Nile) to tarnish the debut of Juddmonte's Artorius (Arrogate). The secret was out regarding Todd Pletcher's Under Oath, who was bet down to 6-5 based on his Mar. 12 Gulfstream unveiling that culminated in a third and an 85 Beyer Speed Figure. He ran to his price, closing wide into the stretch and driving clear. A chestnut with a chrome-splashed face, Under Oath had been offered at the 2020 Keeneland September sale, but WinStar brought him back home after he was an $170,000 RNA. Second choice at 3-1, Artorius, who had registered eight works at Payson for Chad Brown before shipping to Keeneland, also looks special as he circled the field to make a huge run late. He swapped to his wrong lead in mid-stretch and kicked into high gear, blowing past all but the winner with a huge gallop out that propelled him well past Under Oath after the wire. Artorius was always intended to race as a homebred for Juddmonte, who privately purchased his MGISW dam (Paulassilverlining {Ghostzapper}) mid-career in order to ensure she was part of the late Arrogate's first book. Another firster featured here was Kansas Comet (Uncle Mo), who broke slowly and was saved for another day after he lost touch with the field in the stretch. Trained by Dale Romans, he was purchased by the Albaugh family for $600,000 at the first session of Keeneland September in 2020. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

5th-Laurel, $56,654, Msw, 4/16, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:37.98, 3 lengths.

Graham Motion's Mrs. Postman (Pioneerof the Nile) made her career debut in this spot, hesitating slightly out of the gate to get away last. The dark bay, a My Meadowview homebred and a half-sister to MGSW Tin Type Gal (Tapit), trailed the field, made a mild move while wide on the turn, and finished evenly midpack. Her Grade I-winning dam, Miss Shop (Deputy Minister), is a half-sister to GSW Trappe Shot (Tapit) and to the dam of GISW Power Broker (Pulpit). The Maryland-bred winner, I'M BLUSHING (f, 3, Mosler–Blushing Bride, by Miesque's Son), is a homebred for John and Cheri Banner. Her young conditioner, Brittany Russell, is third among trainers by number of wins at the current Laurel spring meet. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Sunday's Insights: Arrogate Filly Debuts for Bridlewood

3rd-Gulfstream, $50,000, Msw, 4/17, 3yo/up, f/m, about 1 1/16mT, 1:42.75, 1 length.

Ralph Nicks pupil OGLALA (f, 4, Social Inclusion–Naughty Matilda, by Indian Charlie) last saw competition more than 10 months ago, but shook off the rust under strong handling in the stretch to score her first win at the cost of 'Insighted' Usurped (Arrogate). The big-striding Usurped, a Brendan Walsh-trained Bridlewood homebred, took a left turn out of the gate and never got uncorked, simply getting outrun in her unveiling against older fillies. She is a half-sister to MGISW and $2.8-million Keeneland November purchase Iotapa (Afleet Alex). Like Arrogate's GI Kentucky Oaks prospect, Secret Oath, Usurped has a broodmare sire from the Mr. Prospector line. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Insight Outcomes: Maracuja, Mendenhall, More Hint at Bright 2022

An abundance of well-bred runners went to post this week with some very satisfying visits to the winner's circle. A Grade I winner kickstarted her 2022 campaign with a win before facing tougher company, while a number of first-time starters ran with promise, perhaps foreshadowing bigger things down the road.

Thursday's Insights: Mandy Pope Starts Pair at Oaklawn

4th-Oaklawn, $90,000, Msw, 3-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.99, gd, head.

Regally bred SALUTE THE FLAG (f, 4, Curlin–Private Ensign {GSP, $124,384}, by A.P. Indy) gamely wore down a loose-in-the-stretch late leader to win by a head with the rest of the field more than 10 lengths behind. The Larry Jones trainee for Fox Hill and Siena Farms traces back to undefeated champion and Broodmare of the Year Personal Ensign (Private Account). Meanwhile the Whisper Hill-owned pair of Dance It (Tapit), a $500,000 purchase at Keeneland September, and Goldena (Medaglia d'Oro) finished off the board. Dance It was making her career debut only to hop awkwardly out of the gate and prove a bit rank early, but finished evenly. Goldena had added blinkers for what was her third start after working two bullets at Oaklawn in a month. Like winner Salute the Flag, both also hail from exceptional female families, with Dance It tracing to Starlet Storm (Storm Bird), dam of and granddam of, respectively, champions Flanders (Seeking the Gold) and Surfside (Seattle Slew); and Goldena tracing to Numbered Account (Buckpasser), 1971's champion 2-year-old filly and the dam of both GISW Dance Number (Northern Dancer), the ancestress of several GISWs, and MGISW Private Account (Damascus), sire of the aforementioned Personal Ensign. In spite of the results of this maiden race, Mandy Pope and her Whisper Hill operation didn't fare too badly over the weekend, with homebred 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit) finishing a green but exciting second in the GI Florida Derby. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Friday's Insights: Maracuja Begins 2022 Campaign at Oaklawn

8th-Oaklawn, $108,000, Alw (NW4L)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 4-1, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.51, ft, 2 lengths.

MARACUJA (f, 4, Honor Code–Patti's Regal Song {SP}, by Unbridled's Song), vanquisher of both champion Malathaat (Curlin) and GISW Clairiere (Curlin) in last year's GI Coaching Club American Oaks, kicked off her 2022 campaign by overcoming a bumpy start–literally, as she ricocheted repeatedly off her inside rival out of the gate–and circling the field wide with enthusiasm to storm past all by two lengths. It was the classy filly's first start since fourth behind Clairiere in the Sept. 25 GI Cotillion S. Trainer Rob Atras is reportedly considering Oaklawn's Apr. 23, $1-million GI Apple Blossom S. as a next start for the gray. Both Clairiere and reigning Eclipse older female champion Letruska (Super Saver) are also pointing to the race. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Saturday's Insights: Karen With an I Flies Beholder's Colors on Debut

8th-Santa Anita, $68,500, Msw, 4-2, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.27, ft, neck.

Debuting MY KENTUCKY GIRL (f, 3, American Pharoah–Easy Living {SP, $153,300}, by Big Brown) raced very wide, failed to change to her proper lead until late stretch, and got no more confidence from the public than 20-1, but none of it mattered as she rallied late to win by a neck. The dark bay sold for $475,000 as a 2020 Keeneland September yearling, making her among the top 10 highest-priced yearlings by her sire that year. The Jonathan Wong pupil had been working steadily over the Golden Gate all-weather surface for this unveiling. Bred by Stonehaven Steadings and owned by Tommy Town, My Kentucky Girl beat another filly also 'Insighted' in the race, Karin With an I (Curlin). The latter has had a close following since birth as the second foal and first daughter of superstar mare Beholder (Henny Hughes). A Spendthrift homebred, Karin With an I had been working nicely for this debut, but broke from the rail and never quite got involved. For the record, Beholder didn't win first-time out either and things worked out just fine for her. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

8th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 4-2, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.97, ft, 1/2 length.

The highest-priced 2-year-old by her now-sophomore sire when she hammered for $575,000 at Fasig-Tipton's Gulfstream sale last year after working in a sharp :10, WISH YOU WELL (f, 3, American Freedom–Listen to Libby, by Indian Charlie) debuted accordingly. The Brereton Jones-bred chestnut leaped eagerly out of the gate, pricked her ears, led the field through :22.10 and :44.75 fractions, and held off fellow 'Insighted' filly Inventing (Union Rags) to win gamely. The George Weaver trainee is a half-sister to GSW Chanteline (Majesticperfection). Their dam is undoubtedly named for Libby Jones, co-proprietor of Airdrie Stud, where this filly was bred and where American Freedom stands. Fellow firster Inventing, a $390,000 Keeneland September purchase now in Todd Pletcher's barn, targeted Wish You Well on the turn and was closing with every stride, but couldn't quite catch her rival. She had stumbled at the start and will surely be stretched out down the road, as she's had family members appreciate a little extra distance, including GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Status (A.P. Indy) and GI Alabama S. winner Dunbar Road (Quality Road). Easy to Love (Empire Maker) also debuted in this spot. The Bill Mott-trained Gainesway homebred broke inwardly from the outside and set off a chain reaction of bumps. All seven of her siblings are winners, including half-brother Lukes Alley (Flower Alley), who is a Canadian champion and U.S. GISW, and another half-sister who is a SW and GSP, so don't count her out yet. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Sunday's Insights: Hall of Famer-Trained Maidens in at Gulfstream

7th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 4-3, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.50, ft, 1 1/2 lengths.

Pedigree handicappers may have had a tough time with this race, as a slew of well-bred and/or expensive sophomores contested this spot. MENDENHALL (c, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Mamma Kimbo {GSW, $242,250}, by Discreet Cat) got the job done at second asking after two bullets at Payson since his Mar. 5 seventh-place debut for Bill Mott. He had dwelt at the start that day and was never an active part of the race, but what a difference a little experience makes. The $675,000 Keeneland September OXO Equine purchase took command early and never left the result in doubt with Tyler Gallalione riding him confidently to a 1 1/2-length win after easing up late. His GII Fantasy-winning dam is a granddaughter of Canadian champion Deputy Jane West (Silver Deputy) and has produced two stakes winners from her six foals to race. Mendenhall was also a part of 'Insights' for his first career start. Logico (Violence) closed from last to second after being bumped at the start and has been knocking heads with some major players in his previous starts, including Saturday's GI Florida Derby winner White Abarrio (Race Day) and runner-up Charge It (Tapit) in their respective maiden wins. The debuting Stuart Janney III homebred Breakwater (Flatter) finished third. That left other 'Insighted' horses Days of Yore (Street Sense), Gate Runner (Arrogate), and Broken Spur (American Pharoah) off the podium in their respective unveilings. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

9th-Gulfstream, $43,000, Moc ($50K), 4-3, 3yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:31.02, fm, neck.

Great Uncle (Uncle Mo) debuted in this softer spot while not in for a tag and just missed the win against a bevy of more seasoned competitors. He broke from the rail, set all the pace with ears flicking back and forth early, and got a good education, as he was pressed most of the way and repelled that protracted challenge to pull away from the field before just getting caught at the wire by MR MAC QUHAE (g, 3, Classic Empire–Starlight Lady, by Elusive Quality). The Live Oak homebred, a half to MGSW Souper Tapit (Tapit), is trained by Mark Casse and is the second foal to race out of GISW Zo Impressive (Hard Spun), who is out of GISW Zoftig (Cozzene) and is a half-sister to GISW Zaftig (Gone West). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Insight Outcomes: Half to Gronkowski and More ‘Set Sail’

It was a stellar week of racing, but not a single 'Insighted' horse won! That's racing. All runners appeared to come back well with bright futures ahead. A number of other new winners stepped up, including the first of five Saturday Fair Grounds scorers for the dynamic duo of Steve Asmussen and Joel Rosario, as well as a sharp-looking LNJ Foxwoods homebred at Santa Anita.

Wednesday's Insights: $1.1-Million Filly Debuts for Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm

5th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-23, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:37.63, ft, 5 1/4 lengths.

It was MISSY GREER (f, 3, Nyquist–Four Sugars, by Lookin At Lucky), a half-sister to Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus})–runner-up in both the 2018 GI Belmont S. and the 2019 G1 Dubai World Cup–who got off the duck in this Gulfstream maiden by a daylight margin. Seven of the eight fillies in the field had at least one start under their belt, with the lone exception being debuter I'm Baffled (Medaglia d'Oro), a $1.1-million yearling purchase for Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill at the 2020 Keeneland September sale. I'm Baffled stumbled out of the gate and rider Tyler Gaffalione had already made the decision to save her for another day before the final turn. Her half-brother, young sire sensation Constitution (Tapit), won both the GI Florida Derby and the GI Donn H. over this track, so don't count her out in her next start. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Saturday's Insights: Curlin Well Represented by Pricey Debuters

1st-Fair Grounds, $65,000, Msw, 3-26, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.14, ft, 1 length.

Favored firster BELLE REBELLE (f, 3, Upstart–Iboughtheranyway, by Dixie Union) got the win over $600,000 OBS graduate Catch Magic (Curlin), Juddmonte homebred Patna (Into Mischief), and Claiborne homebred Misread (Blame), all fellow debuters. She had worked a bullet four furlongs in :47 1/5 (1/110) Mar. 19 in preparation for the win for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who teamed up with Joel Rosario Saturday at Fair Grounds for five wins together including Epicenter (Not This Time)'s GII Louisiana Derby and Echo Zulu (Gun Runner)'s GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Belle Rebelle led pillar to post, while Misread and Patna both closed to fill out the trifecta. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

4th-Fair Grounds, $65,000, Msw, 3-26, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:38.70, fm, 1/2 length.

Whether it was third time the charm, the stretch out to a mile from 5 1/2-furlong sprints, or blinkers off for FANCY MARTINI (f, 3, Klimt–Miss Canada, by Distorted Humor), she was the dueling half-length winner at 16-1. The 'Insighted' Forgotten Realm (Curlin) broke widest of all and dawdled at the back of the field, but made up ground late while about eight paths wide. The $625,000 Keeneland September buy's dam is a full-sister to the dam of MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), a Brad Cox stablemate and a $5-million purchase at Fasig-Tipton November for Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing, and Whisper Hill Farm. Shedaresthedevil partner Qatar Racing also owns Forgotten Realm. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Sunday's Insights: Sale-Topping Nyquist Colt Makes Second Start at Santa Anita

6th-Santa Anita, $67,500, Msw, 3-27, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:37.99, ft, 7 1/2 lengths.

This is the sort of maiden special weight that holds a similar type of appeal as a Saturday afternoon black-type event. LNJ Foxwoods homebred SET SAIL (c, 3, Malibu Moon–Fleet of Gold {SP, $109,892}, by Medaglia d'Oro) likely needed the race when he debuted with a third Feb. 26 at a sixteenth shorter and an 81 Beyer for Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who isn't known for cranking up his first-time starters. The bay went straight to the front in company Sunday, was tested first by Bletchley Park (Nyquist) and then another rival, but put all comers away to draw off by 7 1/2 lengths in a minimalistic ride by Juan Hernandez. Set Sail shares a champion granddam–Fleet Indian (Indian Charlie)–with champion and young sire Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}). Mandella's other race entrant, Q B One (Uncle Mo), improved to third from his Dec. 26 unveiling. Q B One, the first foal out of multiple champion Beholder (Henny Hughes), had been gelded in the interim. The race favorite, the aforementioned Bletchley Park, was the $2.6-million topper at last year's Fasig-Tipton's Gulfstream sale after working :9 4/5. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Insight Outcomes: Clairiere Looks Poised for a Big 2022

Only two races were profiled this week and they featured opposite ends of the spectrum: a returning Grade I winner and a colt just kicking off his career. One is slated to face a champion next while the other will meet winners for the first time. However, they have a common thread as both are by Hill 'n' Dale's leading sire Curlin.

Wednesday's Insights: GISW Clairiere Returns at Fair Grounds

7th-Fair Grounds, $56,000, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 3-16, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.21, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.

After closing out her 2021 campaign with a close-up fourth and a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 6, CLAIRIERE (f, 4, Curlin–Cavorting {MGISW, $2,063,000}, by Bernardini) had no problem getting back on track in an optional allowance at Fair Grounds, only the second time in her 11-race career she hasn't competed in a Grade I or Grade II race. The Steve Asmussen trainee was last early, tipped wide into the lane, and won easily under a nearly motionless Joel Rosario ride despise switching to her wrong lead and lugging in. If the effort is indicative of her campaign to come, Clairiere will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022.

The Stonestreet homebred–already a winner of the GI Cotillion S. and GII Rachel Alexandra S., as well as on the board in five other graded events–got a 96 Beyer for the race, identical to the numbers for the 2022 debuts of other division leaders Letruska (Super Saver) and As Time Goes By (American Pharoah). Both Clairiere and Letruska, who was named Eclipse champion older female for 2021, are targeting the $1-million GI Apple Blossom S., slated for Apr. 23 at Oaklawn.

Clairiere is the first foal for Cavorting, a $360,000 purchase as a weanling for Stonestreet at the 2012 Keeneland November sale. She won the 2015 GI Test S., the 2016 GI Ogden Phipps S., and the 2016 GI Personal Ensign S., as well as three Grade II events. Cavorting's fifth dam was Goofed (Court Martial {GB}), who was best known as the dam of Lyphard (Northern Dancer). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Saturday's Insights: Pletcher Unveils Pair of Curlin Colts

9th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-19, 3yo, 1m, 1:35.48, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.

How often have we seen a Hall of Fame trainer send out a pair of contenders, only to have the longer price of the two come home the winner? Such was the case with Todd Pletcher's BRIGHT FUTURE (c, 3, Curlin–Sophia's Song {SW & GSP, $155,892}, by Bellamy Road) Saturday. Both Bright Future and Gasoline (Curlin) were making their career debuts, with Gasoline setting the pace until collared by his stablemate, who won in a visually impressive performance. Gasoline–the first foal out of 2016 GI Frizette S. winner Yellow Agate (Gemologist)–held for third.

Bright Future was one of 15 yearling colts purchased in partnership between Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable at the 2020 Keeneland September sale, not including a $1.2-million colt with additional partners. Four of those 15–or five of the 16 if including the $1.2-million colt, who is as yet unnamed–were by Curlin, with Bright Future the second from the bottom of their Curlin purchases in terms of price at $350,000.

The other debuter in the field was Bill Mott's Dual Threat (Into Mischief), a George Krikorian homebred who got bumped at the start. Mott isn't known to crank up his first-time starters, so it's safe to say he'll likely benefit from the experience. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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