10th-GP, $44K, OC ($75k)/N1X, 3yo, 1m, 5:05 p.m. ET
Shadwell Stable homebred SHAGAF (Bernardini) delivered the goods with a six-length score as the favorite in his one-mile unveiling at Aqueduct Nov. 22 and kicks off his sophomore campaign in this contentious spot. The bay received a boost when the runner-up from his maiden score, Its All Relevant (Hard Spun), returned to annex his next start by eight lengths here Jan. 15. Shagaf is the second foal to race out of SW Muhaawara (Unbridled's Song), herself a half-sister to MGSW Eldaafer (A.P. Indy). The Chad Brown trainee has posted a steady diet of four-furlong drills in company with GII Swale S. entrant Economic Model (Flatter) since the start of the new year and has been tabbed as the 8-5 morning line choice. Shagaf will be joined in the starting gate by Paul Pompa Jr.'s Rally Cry (Uncle Mo), who closed out his 2-year-old season with a trip-and-track score in his second career start Dec. 26. The $250,000 BARMAR juvenile buy, a half-brother to MGISP Alienation (Rock Hard Ten), completed his preparations for this third career start with a bullet four-panel drill in :48.05 at trainer Todd Pletcher's Palm Beach Downs base Jan. 24. Completing the triad of promising sophomore prospects is Bar None (Candy Ride {Arg}), a 2 1/2-length winner on debut here Jan. 2. The Mark Casse-trained bay is a half-brother to GSW & MGISP Santa Catarina (Unbridled) out of a dam who is herself a half to European champion and MG1SW Culture Vulture (Timeless Moment). TJCIS PPs
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