August 12, 2013 - Saratoga, Race 5, Msw, USD $80,000, 5 1/2f
1st Dam: Bema
2st Dam: Dhaka
2st Dam: Cloudy Day Sunny
Owner: Klaravich Stables Inc & William H Lawrence
Breeder: Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider (KY)
Trainer: Chad C Brown
Due Diligence, a full-brother to 4-year-old “TDN Rising Star” Console (video), who blitzed optional claiming foes over this same course and distance Wednesday, followed in big bro's hoofsteps with a good-looking debut here. Backed down to 3-5 for these always-dangerous connections, the $190,000 KEESEP yearling was hard-ridden from the gate to press an opening split of :21.65. He seized command midway on the turn, and at that point had the race won, reporting home 7 1/2 lengths clear at the wire while wrapped up late. First turfer Vigorish (English Channel) was second. “We expected him to run well; he had trained flawless all spring and summer, but with unraced 2-year-olds, you never know until you actually run them,” offered conditioner Chad Brown. “It's nice to see when they go ahead and run to their training, and this horse ran to his training today.” Of what could be next for the promising dark bay, Brown said, “We were thinking that if he ran well today I would think about running him in the [Sept. 14 GII] Summer S. up in Canada, a one-turn mile on the grass. It seems like it'd make sense to me, if he comes out of the race well.” The winner is also a half to Ocasta (Cherokee Run), GSP. He has a yearling half-brother by Horse Greeley. Claiborne resident War Front is also responsible for Diamond Bachelor, who earned the 'Rising Star' moniker at Del Mar Thursday. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000.
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