Insight Outcomes
On an action-packed stakes weekend, insights were relatively light, featuring an upset of perennial 2-year-old powerhouse Wesley Ward in the Keeneland meet opener Friday and the unveiling of a $1.25-million purchase on the Aqueduct turf Saturday. Friday's Insights: Laoban Full-Sister Debuts at Keeneland 1st-Keeneland, $60,904, Msw, 4-8, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :53.16, ft, 5 lengths. The annual tradition of Wesley Ward dominating Keeneland's April 2-year-old races early and often was immediately interrupted by emerging California juvenile trainer Luis Mendez--starting his first-ever horse at Keeneland--and Flavien Prat thanks to five-length winner KING...
An abundance of well-bred runners went to post this week with some very satisfying visits to the winner's circle. A Grade I winner kickstarted her 2022 campaign with a win before facing tougher company, while a number of first-time starters ran with promise, perhaps foreshadowing bigger things down the road. Thursday's Insights: Mandy Pope Starts Pair at Oaklawn 4th-Oaklawn, $90,000, Msw, 3-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.99, gd, head. Regally bred SALUTE THE FLAG (f, 4, Curlin--Private Ensign {GSP, $124,384}, by A.P. Indy) gamely wore down a loose-in-the-stretch late leader...
It was a stellar week of racing, but not a single 'Insighted' horse won! That's racing. All runners appeared to come back well with bright futures ahead. A number of other new winners stepped up, including the first of five Saturday Fair Grounds scorers for the dynamic duo of Steve Asmussen and Joel Rosario, as well as a sharp-looking LNJ Foxwoods homebred at Santa Anita. Wednesday's Insights: $1.1-Million Filly Debuts for Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm 5th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-23, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:37.63, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. It was...
Only two races were profiled this week and they featured opposite ends of the spectrum: a returning Grade I winner and a colt just kicking off his career. One is slated to face a champion next while the other will meet winners for the first time. However, they have a common thread as both are by Hill 'n' Dale's leading sire Curlin. Wednesday's Insights: GISW Clairiere Returns at Fair Grounds 7th-Fair Grounds, $56,000, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 3-16, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.21, ft, 6 1/2 lengths. After closing out...
This week featured three busy days of profiled runners, with Into Mischief's Gina Romantica the undisputed headliner of the "Insighted" horses. Two others to keep an eye on are a pair of Upstart fillies: Micro Share, who won at Santa Anita, and Green Up, who was victorious at Gulfstream. Micro Share had been a subject of Insights earlier in her career and Green Up was named a 'TDN Rising Star' based on a facile romp. Friday's Insights: Into Mischief Filly Stretches Out for Baffert 4th-Santa Anita, $67,000, Msw, 3-11, 3yo,...
Welcome to Insight Outcomes, where we take a look at how the previous week's "Insighted" horses fared. Insights generally focus on well-bred and/or well-sold horses early in their careers, but occasionally we also have a returning older horse that's made a splash. That was the case this week. Thursday's Insights: GISW Kimari Looms Large in Gulfstream Allowance 3rd-Gulfstream, $55,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-3, 4yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:16.10, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. If her 5 1/4-length tour de force in this Gulfstream allowance is any indication, 'TDN Rising Star'...