+IRISH FREEDOM (c, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–Island Striker, by Smart Strike), a $285,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, took all the money for this debut and got up late to reward his backers. Sporting a strong-looking worktab, most recently going five furlongs from the gate in :59 2/5 on this oval Aug. 14, the dark bay was hammered down to 11-10 by post and came away in the second flight, several lengths off a trio of dueling leaders speeding through a :22.20 quarter. Driven past the quarter pole by Rafael Bejarano, Irish Freedom appeared to be one-paced in early stretch, but found his best stride in the final sixteenth, surging to score by three-quarters of a length over Royal Mo (Uncle Mo). The winner's unraced dam is a full-sister to GSW High Strike Zone. His second dam is a half to MGSW, GISP & G1SP turfer Sharrood (Caro {Ire}). Third dam Angel Island was a MGSW juvenile and is a half to the dam of MGISW Jolie's Halo (Halo). Island Striker is responsible for a yearling colt by Tizway and foaled a filly by Flat Out this term before being bred back to Honor Code. Sales History: $285,000 Ylg '15 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $37,800. O-Donegal Racing; B-Philip & Brenda Robertson (KY); T-Bob Baffert.[bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”][bullet ad=”performance-genetics-sales-select”]
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