February 15, 2023 - Turfway Park, Race 5, Msw, USD $70,000, 6 1/2F
1st Dam: Silvertoni
2st Dam: Somasach
2st Dam: Easy Now
Owner: Lael Stables
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Lael Stables' Sunday Shoes (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile-Silvertoni, by Tapit) was forced to cover stacks of ground when making her career debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden under the Wednesday night lights at Turfway and turned in a spectacular effort to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction.
A $500,000 acquisition by Michael Hernon on behalf of Roy and Gretchen Jackson's operation from the Woodford draft at Keeneland September in 2021, Sunday Shoes was sent off as the 9-2 third choice on debut and was one of the first to break the line from her double-digit draw before easing back to sit in about midfield, albeit well out into the track. Waited with into the final three-eighths of a mile, the bay uncorked an eye-catching rally around the turn while still trapped out and was no better than five deep at the entrance to the stretch. Sunday Shoes wanted to have a good look around once she made the lead, but she was kept to her task and pulled nicely clear of what appeared on paper to be a strong group. OXO Equine's second-time starter Upper Case (American Pharoah), well-beaten behind future GISW Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) at Saratoga last August, was runner-up here as the 9-5 chalk, while firster Chelsea Pier (Arrogate) spiced up the triple at 24-1.
Sunday Shoes is a sixth 'Rising Star' for the much-missed Pioneerof the Nile, who is the sire of Lael's gifted turf sprinter Arrest Me Red, also a Ward trainee. Woodford Thoroughbreds acquired the winner's stakes-winning dam-also second in the 2016 GII Adirondack S.-for $800,000 in foal to Quality Road at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.
Silvertoni, herself a $230,000 KEESEP yearling, is a grand-daughter of Grade I winner Easy Now, a half-sister to the legendary champion and nine-time Grade I winner Easy Goer (Alydar) and GI Ballerina S. heroine Cadillacing (Alydar). Fourth dam Relaxing (Buckpasser) was the champion older mare of 1981 and Broodmare of the Year in 1989.
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