Liberty National

D'code (Speightstown), a jaw-dropping 8 1/4-length debut winner sprinting at Oaklawn Park Dec. 14, will make his highly anticipated two-turn debut in Friday's postponed $1-million GIII Southwest S. in Hot Springs. The Tom Durant homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' earned a field-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure while defeating 10 rivals that day. He recorded the fastest six-furlong time in Oaklawn history for a 2-year-old stopping the clock in 1:09.57. D'code exits from post two with Luis Saez at the controls in the 1 1/16-mile affair, good for...

Last week's news that juvenile champ and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) was off the GI Kentucky Derby trail because of bone bruising resulted in a No. 1 vacancy. I went right down to deadline trying to figure out which of the top three listed below should be the new kingpin. I felt I could have made a cogent case for any of them being No. 1. However, I also feel that from No. 4 on down right now it's a kaleidoscopic free-for-all to round...

We're inside the 16-week mark for the May 2 GI Kentucky Derby. These initial rankings are largely based on 2-year-old form, but a speculative element is baked into the equation with an eye toward projecting how these still-developing contenders will blossom over the winter and early spring. 1) TED NOFFEY (c, Into Mischief--Streak of Luck) 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $650,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MGISW, 4-4-0-0, $1,657,963. Last start: WON Oct. 31 GI...

Liberty National (Maxfield), named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' following an impressive maiden victory on the Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs Nov. 29, could make his next start in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Dec. 20. A well-beaten sixth on debut for trainer Ken McPeek in a live maiden special weight at Keeneland Oct. 16, the Brookdale Racing, Inc. and Fern Circle Stables colorbearer took to two turns with aplomb at second asking with a 4 1/4-length, come-from-behind decision beneath the Twin...

Liberty National (c, 2, Maxfield--Virtuoso, by Awesome Again) became the fourth 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' for his freshman sire (by Street Sense) with an impressive performance at second asking around two turns at Churchill Downs Saturday afternoon. The 4-1 chance was bumped by a rival at the start and found a fantastic spot in a ground-saving sixth beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. through a half mile in :48.57. Locked and loaded on the far turn, he was tipped out at the quarter pole and took off impressively down the...