By Alan Carasso
Insights on the American Racing Scene, brought to you by Alex Nichols Agency, turns the spotlight on the best U.S. races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses, other horses of note returning to action and/or notable results from sales pavilions around the world. Saturday's Insights features high-quality maiden events from Aqueduct to kick off the day's action, a pair from Keeneland and another from Santa Anita.
1st-AQU, $60K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 12:45 p.m. ET
Bobby Flay's BRITAIN (Tiznow) is a gelded son of SP Lacadena (Nureyev), making him a half-brother to Flay's GSW & MGISP America (A.P. Indy). Lacadena is a granddaughter of Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and therefore from the wildly productive family of GI Belmont S. winners Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold); and European standouts Peeping Fawn (Danehill) and Thewayyouare (Kingmambo). Flay offered the mare shortly after Rags to Riches' Belmont score at the 2007 FTKNOV sale, but bought her back on a bid of $1.4 million. Lacadena was subsequently sold to Heider Family Stable for $1.3 million in foal to Bernardini at KEENOV in 2015. TJCIS PPs
4th-KEE, $70K, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 2:45 p.m. ET
Woodford Racing was represented Thursday by 'TDN Rising Star' Timeline (Hard Spun) and looks to have another promising sort in SWITZERLAND (Speightstown). The $175K KEESEP yearling turned $500K FTMMAY breezer was smashed into 2-5 favoritism for his Feb. 15 bow at Gulfstream, but finished a pace-pressing second. Dam Czechers (Indian Charlie) won a pair of stakes in Arizona and was MGSP in Southern California. Marshall Plan (Speightstown), a $375K KEENOV weanling acquisition by Stonestreet Farm, is a maternal grandson of Versailles Treaty (Danzig), dam of GI BC Juvenile Turf winner George Vancouver (Ire) (Henrythenavigator) and GSW & GISP Saarland (Unbridled). TJCIS PPs
2nd-SA, $54K, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:30 p.m. ET
Spendthrift Farm went to $225K for CHAMPAGNE GIRL (Into Mischief) at KEESEP in 2015 and the May foal has some works to recommend her, including a swift four-furlong move from the gate in :47 flat (3/44) Apr. 3. Leading rider Flavien Prat has the call on the bay, a half-sister to 2015 GI Las Virgenes S. third Light the City (Street Sense). Champagne Girl's sire is, of course, a half-brother to Spendthrift's four-time champion and 11-time Grade I winner Beholder (Henny Hughes). Hot Blooded Girl (Tapit) is a daughter of MSW Taste the Passion (Wild Again), the dam of three black-type winners, including the once-beaten Stopshoppingdebbie (Curlin). TJCIS PPs
11th-KEE, $70K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 6:50 p.m. ET
BOULE (Exchange Rate) looms one of the day's price plays from a pedigree standpoint, as the bottom side features two of breeder Juddmonte Farms best turf mares. The filly's second dam is Tates Creek (Rahy), a dual Grade I winner and victorious in the Jenny Wiley S., then a Grade III, over the Keeneland turf some 15 years ago. Boule's dam Routine is a daughter of Empire Maker, whose dam Toussaud (El Gran Senor) was a Grade I winner on the grass and has produced the likes of GISWs Chester House (Mr. Prospector) and Chiselling (Woodman) in addition to the class dirt mare Honest Lady (Seattle Slew). Additionally, Boule is kin to Module (Harlan's Holiday), a close third in the grassy Ginger Brew S. in 2016. TJCIS PPs
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