What's in a Name? Taraz

TARAZ (f, 3, Into Mischief–Silk Route, by Empire Maker) Oaklawn, 2-1, Martha Washington S., 1m, 1:38.64.
The unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' and Oaklawn winner owes her name to a smart historical/geographical connection. The 3-year-old is out of the mare Silk Route. The 2000-year-old city of Taraz (now in Kazakhstan) was a major trade center in the inland regions of the Silk Route, which was a series of ancient trade networks that connected China and the Far East with countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Sharp, sophisticated name.
An Italian native, Andrea Branchini now lives in Lexington, Ky. where he works in the equine transport industry.