Flashy First-Out Winners Clash in Bashford Manor

Nine juvenile males–eight who were debut winners–square off in the GIII Bashford Manor S. under the lights at Churchill Downs Saturday. Sagamore Farm's Recruiting Ready (Algorithms) looks to justify 'TDN Rising Star' status as he breaks from the outside post. The $110,000 KEESEP yearling became the first U.S. winner for his freshman sire (by Bernardini) when he essentially raced in isolation first up at Pimlico May 28, leading by a wide marging throughout before reporting home 10 1/4 lengths clear, good for a 78 Beyer Speed Figure. The bay has returned with a pair of bullet drills at Laurel for young trainer Horacio DePaz, and figures to take his fair share of support at the windows.

Steve Asmussen already owns four Bashford Manor trophies, and could make it five with morning-line chalk Tip Tap Tapizar (Tapizar). Dismissed at 8-1 here June 11, the Whispering Oaks Farm representative rushed up to set the pace and fended off a heavy favorite en route to a comfortable 3 1/4-length score.

Riv (Iqbaal) owns the field's best Beyer of 81 for his 4 1/4-length front-running success at Arlington June 3.

John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) boasts the benefit of more time between his debut and this outing, which frequently proves an advantage for juveniles early in the year. The $475,000 KEESEP yearling leveled off nicely for a professional score in the local slop May 4. Capt. Grider (Astrology) has also had ample time to recover from his initial race. Conditioned by Dante Zanelli, who has worked more as a bloodstock agent than trainer in recent years, the bay colt flew home at the end of a Keeneland heat Apr. 27 to get up in the final jump. He was flattered when the runner-up from that race broke through third out here June 23.

Lone Star invaders have fared well in this race and its filly equivalent in recent years, and trainer Danny Pish ships in a pair in U S Officer (U S Ranger) and My Golden Aura (My Golden Song).