Backed into 2.45-1 favoritism for his career debut in the Saratoga lid-lifter on Travers Day, Dahman's Bottas (c, 2, Vekoma-Iadorakid, by Lemon Drop Kid) became the second 'TDN Rising Star' for his dam as he was ridden quietly from the back of a six-horse field by Flavien Prat and exploded through the final furlong and a half to defeat the well-meant Franklin Delano (Liam's Map) by 2 1/4 comfortable lengths in solid time.
A $300,000 OBS April breezer (see Summer Breezes), the dark bay-a 7-2 chance on the morning line and bet down-was taken in hand right from the break by Flavien Prat and was put to sleep at the tail, as Ambassador Blue (Charlatan) railed through inside of a wayward Amador (Constitution) to take up the running into the clubhouse turn. Franklin Delano was carried out and took the 'worst' of it into the turn before angling back down to the inside.
Ambassador Blue was by the half-mile in a moderate :47.43, and all the while, Bottas traveled smoothly from behind, waiting for his cue. Prat had a fistful of horse on the turn and when he asked Bottas to sprint in upper stretch once produced off the heels of the debuting Quiet Power (Tapit), he accelerated sharply, confronted Franklin Delano inside the final furlong and shot clear despite racing on his incorrect lead through the line while covering his final 2 1/2 furlongs in a slick :29.60, per DRF Formulator. Franklin Delano, who enjoyed the run of the race and entered the final furlong with every chance if good enough, held for second ahead of Feral (Volative) in third.
Bottas is the second 'TDN Rising Star' to be produced by Iadorakid, joining Parenting (Justify), SW, $139,200, a $750,000 OBS April grad in 2023 and undefeated winner of the 2024 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita.
The mare hails from a typically classy Sam-Son Farms family and is a half-sister to Sovereign Award and GI Woodbine Mile winner El Tormenta (Stormy Atlantic) as well as Grade III-winning turf sprinter Zero Tolerance (Mizzen Mast). The colt's third dam Fleet of Foot was a half- of full-sister to three additional winners, including champion Hello Seattle (Deputy Minister), SW Sail From Seattle (Gone West) and SP Go Classic (Gone West), the dam of top Japanese dirt horse Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior). The female family also includes Sam-Son luminaries Smart Strike, Dance Smartly, Dancethruthedawn, the late Speightster, etc.
Iadorakid, who was bought back on a bid of $80,000 with this colt in utero at Keeneland November in 2022, did not produce a foal in either of the last two seasons and was covered by Life Is Good this term.
1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:41.70, fm, 2 1/4 lengths.
BOTTAS, c, 2, by Vekoma
1st Dam: Iadorakid, by Lemon Drop Kid
2nd Dam: Torreadora, by El Prado (Ire)
3rd Dam: Fleet of Foot, by Gone West
Sales history: $300,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Dahman; B-BCS Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Miguel Clement.
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