February 13, 2024 - Fair Grounds, Race 7, AOC, USD $58,000, 6F, NW1X
1st Dam: Sassy Redhead
2st Dam: Sass Me
2st Dam: Sassy Pants
Owner: JAL Racing
Breeder: Susan Young (KY)
Trainer: Michelle Lovell
JAL Racing's Doncho (g, 3, Mo Town-Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes) backed up his big figure debut win with another eye-catching performance for trainer Michelle Lovell, this time for 'TDN Rising Star' honors in an optional claimer in the Big Easy on the Mardi Gras Tuesday program.
The even-money favorite forced the issue from an outside second, poked his head in front approaching the quarter pole and blasted off for home to win by an impressive 4 1/2 lengths while stopping the clock for six furlongs in a very sharp 1:09.52. Cats By Five (Audible) was second.
The 3-year-old gelding earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure in a front-running, five-length debut score at odds of 21-1 at Fair Grounds Dec. 30.
Doncho, a $32,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $72,000 OBS June bullet breezer (:9 4/5), is the first 'TDN Rising Star' for young sire Mo Town. The 2016 GII Remsen S. winner and 2017 GI Hollywood Derby winner also received the 'Rising Star' nod in his second career start. Doncho's unraced dam Sassy Redhead, a $14,000 RNA most recently at the 2019 KEENOV sale, is also represented by a 2-year-old filly by Lord Nelson. Sassy Redhead was bred to Idol for 2024. This is the extended female family of GISWs Madcap Escapade (Hennessy), Mi Sueno (Pulpit) and Dubai Escapade (Awesome Again).
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