The speedy Silvertoni (Tapit) returns to dirt after a disappointing run at Royal Ascot to take on a pair of impressive debut winners in Friday's GII Adirondack S. at the Spa.
The Silverton Hill colorbearer, a first-out winner at Keeneland in April, followed up with a game front-running tally against the boys in Churchill's Kentucky Juvenile S. going five furlongs May 5. Thirstforlife (Stay Thirsty), a rallying third after missing the break that day, resurfaced with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance beneath the Twin Spires June 4 and was third in last Saturday's GII Best Pal S. at Del Mar. The gray was further flattered when that races fourth-place finisher “TDN Rising Star” Con Te Partiro (Scat Daddy), who is also her stablemate, romped in this venue's grassy Bolton Landing S. Wednesday. Silvertoni was last seen finishing ninth at 25-1 over the soft going in the G2 Coventry S. June 14, her first try on grass.
“I think she can grass as well, but she caught soggy turf over there,” trainer Wesley Ward said. “She's a big filly and she was just kind of sinking into it. She's only going to get better as she goes further. She has a big, strong, lengthy stride and it's tough to get by her because she just keeps running.”
Ever So Clever (Medaglia d'Oro) earned the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction after airing in Louisville in her six-furlong unveiling July 1. Away last of nine from her rail draw, the dark bay advanced within her own restraint to set her sights on the leaders entering the far turn and exploded down the lane once sat down to win going away by 7 1/4 lengths.
Libby's Tail (Tiz Wonderful), a $375,000 OBSAPR graduate, also caught the eye with a very smart come-from-behind debut win going 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont July 2.
“To tell you the truth, I thought we were dead,” trainer Rudy Rodriguez said of Libby Tail's unveiling. “She had shown us a lot of potential, but she didn't break that good and she was getting sand in the face, but she was very, very professional. She has to step up [Friday], but she's showed class right from the beginning and she's improving.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
