Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds

Naohiro Sakakuchi's Demian (c, 2, Flightline--Mira Alta, by Curlin) was produced by the visiting Damian Lane with a bit less than a furlong to race and quickened up nicely to become the first winner from the much-anticipated initial crop of his freshman sire (by Tapit) in Saturday's sixth race for unraced 2-year-olds going 1400 meters on the turf at Tokyo Racecourse. Favored at odds-on in ante-post wagering, the $1.7-million Keeneland September acquisition was ultimately away as the 19-10 second pick, but jumped only fairly and raced near the back of...

White Smoke (f, 2, Essential Quality--Mira Alta, by Curlin), whose barn already celebrated when first-time starter Golden Tempo (Curlin) was named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', after winning the third race on the card in New Orleans, was backed by the betting public as the 8-5 choice for her unveiling here. The filly was left at the gate by the field, which put her at a distinct disadvantage up the backstretch. Seemingly out of it around the far turn, the 2-year-old was able to get back into the...

Another son (hip 45) from the first crop of Horse of the Year Flightline broke the seven-figure mark when Japan's Naohiro Sakaguchi went to $1,700,000 to secure the half-brother to GSW Promise Keeper (Constitution), SW/GSP Wicked Awesome (Awesome Again) and GSP War Stopper (Declaration of War). Bred by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, the colt was consigned by Warrendale Sales. His first dam is a half-sister to GI Lane's End Breeders' Futurity Stakes winner Great Hunter (Aptitude) while another half-sister produced MGSW/MGISP Owendale (Into Mischief). Rock Ridge purchased the mare for $200,000...