Both are previous winners of the Hot Springs signature race, as the Fausto Gutierrez-trained Letruksa won the Apple Blossom in 2021 and the Mike McCarthy-conditioned Ce Ce took the 2020 edition. The two have otherwise taken divergent paths, so much so that in spite of twice running on the same card last year, they were in different divisions: on Nov. 6 at Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup, Letruska ran in the GI Distaff and Ce Ce won the GI Filly & Mare Sprint, while on Aug. 28 at Saratoga, Letruska won the GI Personal Ensign and Ce Ce finished third in the GI Ballerina.

In addition to both being previous Apple Blossom winners, both 6-year-old homebred mares were named champions for their outstanding seasons last year. Letruska's 2021 campaign included six graded wins, four of which were Grade Is as she dominated the division for the Older Dirt Female title, and Ce Ce won three graded races, culminating in a powerful Breeders' Cup win that propelled her to Champion Female Sprinter. Both mares have won their most recent starts as Letruska took Gulfstream's Feb. 26 GIII Royal Delta S. and Ce Ce won Oaklawn's Mar. 12 GII Azeri S.

Based on her dominance last year in the division, her proven prowess at two turns, and her devastating speed, Letruska will be the favorite. However, Ce Ce has proven time and time again that she can't be counted out with her tracking and pouncing style. She will also carry an impost three pounds under Letruska's. The latter's connections are looking long term with an end goal of rectifying her Breeders' Cup loss last year.

“The idea is to go back to the Breeders' Cup, especially now that it's on this side the country,” said Gutierrez Thursday. “We have more chances to check what mistakes we had last year and make much better decisions this year. The idea is to run here in the Apple Blossom and maybe three or four more races and try to win the Breeders' Cup. But we need to go step-by-step and now the most important race is the Apple Blossom.”

To add another splash of intrigue to the Apple Blossom field beyond the top two are a pair of Grade I-winning 4-year-olds, who have both signaled they are poised for big 2022 campaigns. Steve Asmussen's Clairiere (Curlin), winner of the 2021 GI Cotillion S. and a constant factor on the board in last year's 3-year-old division, shook off winter rust by tuning up for the Apple Blossom with a huge 6 1/2-length optional allowance score at Fair Grounds Mar. 16. Maracuja (Honor Code), victress of Saratoga's GI Coaching Club American Oaks for trainer Rob Atras, wore down the frontrunner in the stretch of her 2022 debut, an optional allowance over this track and trip Apr. 1.

The short field also has a deserving longshot in Jerry Hollendorfer's Miss Imperial (Maclean's Music), who is a multiple black-type winner at Assiniboia Downs. The former claimer has notched 14 career wins, which is difficult at any level, but she's never run against this type, nor in a graded event. However, her best races have come on the lead and she gets nine pounds from Letruska, so she could very easily change the complexion of the race if she and the champ get into a punishing speed duel.

If either Letruska or Ce Ce prevail, the winner will be just the fourth mare to win the Apple Blossom more than once, joining Paseana (Arg) (Ahmad {Arg}), Azeri (Jade Hunter), and Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}). All three of those mares are in the Hall of Fame.

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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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“She's doing really well but we had setbacks with how the weather has gone and we're not anticipating making the Azeri,” Atras told the New York Racing Association notes team. “We've played it safe down there with her. Usually by early February the weather starts to level out but they had a couple storms come through that hindered our progress.”

Atras was not completely ruling out a prep race in the interim.

“If we can get a race in and it works that's definitely a possibility. Right now, we're just focused on getting her ready,” he said.

A midpack seventh behind 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) in last year's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, The $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad turned the tables in the CCA Oaks, scoring by a head at better than 14-1. Well-beaten by the Kentucky Oaks winner in the GI Alabama S. in August, Maracuja was last seen finishing fourth in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx Sept. 25.

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“It's kind of the first time I've kind of really, officially, opened up a second string,” Atras said. “Obviously, in the summer we have to split our string up in Saratoga and Belmont, but this is the first time I've had a string out of state.”

Maracuja made seven starts in 2021, including a second in the GIII Gazelle S. in April at Aqueduct before besting Eclipse favorite Malathaat (Curlin) in the CCA Oaks. She also ran seventh in the GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs and later concluded her sophomore campaign with a fourth-place finish in the Sept. 25 GI Cotillion S. at Parx.

“It could be the [GII] Azeri [S. Mar. 12] or it could be something else,” said Atras of the 4-year-old's next start. “I'm not exactly sure yet. We're just going to kind of see how things go. She got a real light breeze before she left, so we're kind of just starting up with her. She had a few months off at the farm in Kentucky. She had been galloping here in New York for a month, with a light breeze, and so we're just kind of starting to get her back going again. So, we don't have an exact time frame with her yet.”

Atras, who currently has 45 horses training in New York with an additional five at Oaklawn, indicated he may send a couple of more to the Hot Springs oval and could be “a little bit active” at the claim box. Jesse Sauder, an exercise rider who recently received his assistant trainer's license, will oversee Atras's  Arkansas division.

“Last year, I got a few horses out of Arkansas that came up here and we did well with them,” Atras said. “I had a few ideas. One was to, potentially, claim some horses to bring back to New York and another idea was to send a filly that won the Oaks, CCA Oaks, Maracuja, down and have her train down there and then, hopefully, run a couple of times. As things came together, I had a couple of horses that I didn't really have spots for up here, or I had trouble getting them in the right spot, so it kind of worked out well to send them down there.”

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Canadian-born trainer Rob Atras – with the support of his wife and assistant Brittney -went out on his own in 2019 following a tenure working as an assistant for Robertino Diodoro.

The 36-year-old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has steadily improved his stock over the course of three seasons, enjoying his best year yet in 2021 [336-70-51-51, $3,942,669] by securing his first graded stakes victory with American Power in the Grade 3 Toboggan in January at the Big A, which was followed in March by Chateau's score in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap. In July, Atras secured his first Grade 1 victory with Maracuja in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Race Course.

How would you describe your 2021 campaign?

Atras: “It's been a breakthrough year in a sense. We upgraded our stock quite a bit and that showed in the results. We won a couple of graded stakes races earlier in the year and capped it off with a Grade 1 win with Maracuja. We have a bigger barn, but we have a lot of quality in our barn as well. Last year we were in the high 30s and now we have close to 50 horses in the barn.”

Every trainer's business model is different – describe yours.

Atras: “We go for quality over quantity and we try to be competitive every time we enter. If a horse can win a race, they're good at any level in my book. We have some good 2-year-olds this year and we've had some owners send us homebreds as well as some bought from the sales – so, we have an all-around stable.

“There's so many things that go into the success. We have really good exercise riders, grooms and hotwalkers in the barn. Our foreman, Rafael Lechuga, has been with us since Day One. It's fun to win any race, just to have everyone smile, celebrate and be happy together. They put a lot of pride into their work.”

What was your favorite win this year?

Atras: “We had a lot of winners and a lot of memorable wins this year. But it's tough to not say Maracuja in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. The whole race was fun. She broke well and then I got to wondering if they were going a little quick. Then seeing her back up [down the backstretch] I was wondering, 'What's going on here, are we out of horse.' But then she starts picking up steam again. In that moment, I was thinking she could at least hit the board, so I felt relieved she wasn't stopping. Down the stretch, I was just thrilled to be in the race, and then for her to get her nose down and beat a filly like Malathaat is just out of this world.

“It was just a real heads up ride by Ricardo Santana, Jr. In a Grade 1 – under that much pressure – to make the decision to drop back like that was pretty impressive.”

What was it like being featured on America's Day At The Races?

Atras: “That was neat. It's a great program and it was cool to be featured on there. My mom and dad watch it, they don't miss a race. We came into the CCA Oaks as underdogs. We were a little disappointed that we couldn't replicate that in her next race in the Alabama, but that's alright.”

As someone who maintains a heavy division in New York all year long, what are the benefits of the New York racing and breeding program.

Atras: “If I had some land, I wish I could have a few mares out of New York. They run for great money and have great incentives for the breeders and owners. I think it's a great program. The quality is there, too. You can see it in the races with deeper fields and this year you get a 3-year-old horse like Americanrevolution to win a Grade 1 [Cigar Mile] against older horses. There's a lot of nice New York-breds here, for sure.”

What are your goals for 2022?

Atras: “Keep winning! We had a great year this year and I'd love to carry that into next year and build on it. I'm also sending a small string to Oaklawn for the winter. Maracuja will be there and hopefully her first start or two will be down there before she comes back to New York. We'll bring a few local horses to run in some of the claiming races and maybe pick up some horses to bring back up to New York in the spring.”

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Atras said he is targeting a spring-to-summer return for the sophomore daughter of Honor Code, who handed leading 3-year-old filly Malathaat her only loss in the CCA Oaks three starts back. Maracuja was previously seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks following a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct.

“She'll get roughly 60 days and start some light training before coming back,” Atras said. “She hasn't had a break since late in her 2-year-old year, so we decided to give her one.”

Owned by Beach Haven Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, and Barry Fowler, Maracuja was a troubled fourth last out in the Grade 1 Cotillion on September 25 at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., finishing 3 ¼ lengths behind Clairiere.

“Things just didn't work out her way,” Atras said. “Unfortunately, she got bumped at the break forcing her down to the rail and she doesn't like to be there. She ran a good race, but she just didn't quite have it.”

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Breaking from post six under Ricardo Santana, Jr., Clairiere settled in sixth around the first turn behind Always Carina on the lead and Obligatory and Maracuja rounding out the top three. Into the far turn of the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion, Clairiere made up ground on the outside of horses, going three-wide into the stretch with Obligatory, Always Carina, and Maracuja to her inside.

Down the Parx straight, Army Wife loomed up between horses to Clairiere's inside, but none of them had enough to get by the Steve Asmussen filly. Clairiere dug in, taking the lead in late stretch to win, with Obligatory, Army Wife, and Maracuja completing the top four.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.1. Find this race's chart here.

Clairiere paid $7.20, $3,60, and $2.60. Obligatory paid $4.20 and $3.00. Army Wife paid $2.80.

Bred in Kentucky by owner Stonestreet Stables, Clairiere is by Curlin out of the Bernardini mare Cavorting. The G1 Cotillion is her second win in seven starts in 2021 and her first Grade 1, for a lifetime record of three wins in eight starts and career earnings of $1,190,992.

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Here's the proof. The other day, Carmouche was asked what's his best finish he has ever had in the Pennsylvania Derby? The 37-year-old rider smiled – he's always smiling – and snapped back.

“Saturday,” he said. “It will be on Saturday.”

For the record, Carmouche's best finish in the signature race at Parx Racing came in 2017 when he checked in fourth aboard Game Over. That was his sixth career mount in the Derby.

Saturday, he'll be aboard Calumet Farms' Bourbonic in the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, a horse he rode to a stunning victory in the Wood Memorial in April at odds of 72-1.

“I will need some pace,” Carmouche said about his partner, who is 12-1 on the Derby morning line. “Hopefully, he will have the same kick that he had in the Wood and we can run them down.”

Being back in the saddle are soothing words for the native of Louisiana, who had a bummer of a summer.

Two races after riding Bourbonic to a fifth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes on June 5, Carmouche broke his right ankle when his mount Kentucky Pharoah leapt in the air and unseated the rider. The horse landed on his ankle, breaking it. Goodbye, summer.

Now he's back. And loving every second of it.

“I am ready. I am hungry,” Carmouche said. “I just want to succeed.”

Carmouche returned to the saddle on Sept. 5 and started his comeback at Parx, a place he has had plenty of success at.

He owns seven riding titles at Parx, including four straight from 2008-11.

In his second start back from the injury, he won. In 56 starts since his injury, Carmouche has seven wins, four seconds and six thirds.

Saturday, he'll have nine rides on the 13-race Parx card. Besides Bourbonic, he is also being reunited with Beach Haven Thoroughbreds LLC, Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds and Barry Fowler's Maracuja in the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion.

Carmouche rode Maracuja three times earlier this year before getting hurt. He missed the mount when Maracuja won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 24.

“I am happy to have Kendrick back on her,” Rob Atras, Maracuja's trainer, said. “He knows the filly. Obviously, he knows Parx. I know that definitely can't hurt.”

Carmouche's upbeat nature didn't sour when he watched Ricardo Santana Jr. win the Coaching Club American Oaks. It's not his way.

“I am always looking forward,” he said. “Life goes on, man. It's part of the game. Nobody wants to get hurt, but it happens. I just kept on pushing, kept on fighting. I am always in a good mood, you can never get me down. It's just the way I've always been.”

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Clairiere (Curlin) won the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds on her seasonal debut, but was second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks and a one-paced fourth to 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks Apr. 30. Third following a stumbling start in the GII Mother Goose S. June 26 and again when Maracuja (Honor Code) upset Malathaat in the GI CCA Oaks at Saratoga July 24, the Stonestreet homebred closed willingly to complete the exacta behind Malathaat in the Alabama, a half-length ahead of GII Black-Eyed Susan S. heroine Army Wife (Declaration of War) in third. Will's Secret (Will Take Charge), winner of Oaklawn's GIII Honeybee S. and third in the Oaks, attended the pace in the Alabama, but weakened to be fourth.

Maracuja finished one spot ahead of Army Wife in the GIII Gazelle S. Apr. 3 and was allowed to take her chance in the Oaks, finishing an even seventh. She made her next appearance in the CCA Oaks, where she was the recipient of a heads-up ride from Ricardo Santana, Jr. and outfinished Malathaat, who was forced to race closer to that pace than is her custom. The gray filly stumbled at the start of the Alabama, contested over a rain-affected track, but retreated late to finish at the tail.

Always Carina (Malibu Moon) was the popular winner of a key Aqueduct maiden on debut Apr. 11 and earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors with a 9 3/4-length thumping of first-level Belmont allowance foes May 20. Beaten into second after setting a manageable pace as the odds-on choice in the Mother Goose, the homebred cut back to no avail in the GI Longines Test S. Aug. 7, finishing a midpack fourth behind Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot).

“I really want to get her back out in a distance where she will be forwardly placed and in control of her own trip,” trainer Chad Brown said.

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But if nobody could be surprised to see fresh tendrils of class on the family tree developed by Ogden Phipps from Dorine (Arg) (Aristophanes {GB})–the Argentine matriarch imported to Claiborne in 1970–then few will perhaps be aware that both these colts also find a more literal “bond” in a second remarkable female.

For the dams of both Dynamic One and Miles D are among just eight mares grazing the pasture of River Bend Farm, on the banks of the Ohio River near Goshen, north of Louisville. And while the farm's owner Ina Bond is in a position at least to ensure quality, if not quantity, then it is pretty astonishing for so small a band of broodmares to account for two of the six rivals to Essential Quality (Tapit)–especially when you consider that Bond has already bred one Grade I winner at Saratoga this summer, in Coaching Club American Oaks winner Maracuja (Honor Code).

In fairness, this apparent Midas touch did not prevent the sale of Maracuja's dam Patti's Regal Song (Unbridled's Song) for just $50,000 at the Keeneland November Sale of 2019. But if that has turned into a windfall for Checkmate Thoroughbreds, then at that same auction Bond herself achieved a similar coup in buying an 8-year-old mare named Beat the Drums (Smart Strike) for $400,000. She must have been delighted that the Phipps Stable had been willing to cull a mare whose latest yearling had raised as much as $725,000 at the September Sale. After all, while Beat the Drums had shown little in two career starts, the Phipps Stable was glad to retain a stake in the yearling with his purchasers Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable. And this colt, of course, has turned out to be none other than Dynamic One.

Beat the Drums, moreover, has started to pay her way already. The Honor Code colt she was carrying that November was sold as a yearling to Centennial Farms for $260,000; Bond is very pleased with her weanling colt by Ghostzapper; and the mare is in meanwhile foal to Street Sense.

Miles D, for his part, similarly helped to recoup Bond's investment in his dam. Sound the Trumpets had cost $675,000 at the Keeneland November Sale of 2017, with the bonus of a Curlin cover. The resulting foal was Miles D, who was sold through Denali to White Birch Farm as a September yearling for $470,000.

The next foal out of Sound the Trumpets, a Pioneerof the Nile colt, did not achieve quite the same traction, as a $120,000 RNA, and has been retained to race. “He's called Trumpets Blare, he's with Ian Wilkes and just getting ready to run shortly,” explained Bond, adding that Sound the Trumpets was given this cycle off after the late spring delivery of a fine colt by Medaglia d'Oro. The mare, after all, is still only eight.

“She also has a [Quality Road yearling] filly, that I think I'll keep,” Bond said. “I think I'd like to keep any fillies from that family. It just keeps producing, including in the last couple of years, not just runners but producers as well. And Sound the Trumpets is an extremely good-looking mare. We're very careful always to seek good conformation, because if they have an injury you're lost. Frankly I'm more of a commercial breeder than a racer, so I always try to get correct broodmares with a really strong pedigree–not just 'what have you done for me lately', the way a lot of people go for the hot new stallions. I spend a lot of time and get a lot of help doing the matings.”

There is hardly a stronger maternal line in the Stud Book, of course, than the sequence of three consecutive Breeders' Cup winners comprising Personal Ensign, My Flag (Easy Goer) and Storm Flag Flying. But if anyone should believe in pedigree, it is Ina Bond. For her own “page” is one of the most resonant in Kentucky: her great-grandfather George Garvin Brown founded Brown-Forman–think Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniels–and her grandfather Owsley Brown and father W.L. Lyons Brown both served as chairman. Bond in turn inherited an energetic commitment to both corporate and civic service, giving her time to a bewildering variety of business, community, educational and charity institutions. Now a septuagenarian, she admits that for much of her life, she has been too distracted to make the most of the sanctuary she has always relished on the farm since its acquisition in 1990.

“I got kind of overwhelmed,” she reflected. “I used to do a lot of volunteer work and was on a lot of different boards, commercial and non-commercial, I just got very busy and was always playing catch-up. Nowadays there are so many more tracks, so many horses and sires, everybody loves the betting. But it's a good thing, I suppose: it seems like whatever is going on in the world, the market for horses is very strong.

“I was always fascinated by horses, right from when I was little; in fact, I think I was in a horse show when I was in first grade. My mother was a good friend of Warner Jones, and I bought River Bend Farm from his son-in-law. It's a beautiful farm, but when I was starting out, the market was really bad. But though I had just a few mares, that first year one of them got us the second top price at the September Sale.

“I lived on the farm and it got me out a little bit, away from all these other things I was doing. But I also had children, and then eight grandchildren, as well as all those other different things stopping me from getting out with the horses as much as I'd like. But thankfully I did get some help. I have a nice crew who take care of the mares and foals; they never missed a day this summer no matter how hot it's been. And my farm manager Larry Weeden has helped me for 30 years; he's very good.”

Nurturing pedigrees is itself a task of conservation, and that is an area that has impassioned Bond's son Austin Mussulman–notably in the restoration of Ashbourne Farms in Oldham County, long part of the family and now a wedding, meeting and entertainment venue, securing the habitat alongside Harrods Creek. His wife Janie, meanwhile, comes from another storied Kentucky farm in Buck Pond, through which Maracuja–bred in partnership by Bond, her son and daughter-in-law–was sold as a Saratoga yearling for $200,000.

Buck Pond stands a surprise Travers winner in V.E. Day (English Channel) and now Bond, her family and her friends can root for another. The scrupulous standards of this boutique operation are certainly commensurate with the task facing Dynamic One and Miles D. Auspiciously, moreover, Bond reckons she has seldom had young stock on the farm of greater elegance and ease of motion than now. Look out, then, for the first foal of the young Ghostzapper mare Persephone's Dawn, an Into Mischief filly presented by Denali as Hip 488 at Keeneland September.

Aristocratic as these bloodlines are, any underdog can take legitimate inspiration from Bond's Saratoga summer: one mare cheaply culled after producing a subsequent Grade I winner, but promptly replaced by one whose own yearling son was even then embarking on a career that has meanwhile already taken in a shot at the Derby.

“That's what makes this business so attractive,” Bond observes. “You never know. When I sold the dam of Maracuja, she hadn't really produced much, but now she has a Grade I winner. I'm not a great big farm, like the ones around Lexington. We're not Juddmonte or Darley. I've basically been a small commercial breeder for 30 years. So needless to say, I'm quite excited by the Travers, though the competition is huge. I did not raise Dynamic One, but he's from that wonderful family; and I know Chad Brown is a great trainer, and he wouldn't have Miles D in there if he didn't think he had a shot, I think he really likes that colt. As I say, I've always been a small player. So this is a big deal for me, and I'd be thrilled if either of them were to be placed–or even give everyone a big surprise and win.”

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