4th-BEL, $75K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, post time: 2:34 p.m. EDT
She'll have an awkward draw in gate 12 to deal with, but Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable's ASTICOU TRAIL (Hard Spun) is nicely bred to handle this–and any–surface. The homebred is a daughter of Carriage Trail (Giant's Causeway), who set a new Polytrack record when taking out the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. in 2008. Second dam Manoa (Seeking the Gold, MGSP), is the dam of turf GSP Forest Trail (Forest Wildcat), while accomplished turf performers such as Crimonologist (Maria's Mon, MGSW); Rescue Squad (Dynaformer, MGSP); and Party Now (Tiznow, MSP) reside under GSW & GISP third dam Deputation (Deputy Minister). Though most of the black-type in the family of Marc Keller's Jonquil (Kitten's Joy)–such as GSW Cause To Believe (Maria's Mon), SW Imaginary Sailor (Mizzen Mast), GISW Cuddles (Mr. Prospector) and her MGSW daughter Katz Me If You Can (Storm Cat)–is on the main track, this sire alone speaks for himself. And while her damsire Saint Ballado is better known for the likes of Horse of the Year Saint Liam, he is kin to the dam of such luminaries as Rahy and Singspiel (Ire). TJCIS PPs
4th-KEE, $60K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, post time: 2:50 p.m. EDT
EQUATOR (Bodemeister) kicks off his career for WinStar Farm, who paid $400K for the colt at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and stand this multiple Classic-placed sire. The May foal is kin to GSW Neversaidiwassweet (Eurosilver) from the same Unbridled sire line and is bred on the same Empire Maker/Storm Cat cross responsible for Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Pioneerof the Nile. Bodemeister himself is out of a Storm Cat mare. Another sire with first-crop runners this year is Tapizar and the Gainesway stallion is represented here by Hollywood Handsome. The bay summered at Saratoga and looked to have trained well and carried that over to Churchill, where he worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 4/5 (1/18) Sept. 11. An 8-1 chance on the morning line, the $200K FTKOCT graduate is drawn just to the outside of the WinStar runner. TJCIS PPs @EquinealTDN
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