By Stefanie Grimm
2nd-KEE, 110K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 1:32 p.m.
The 2-year-old half-brother to MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), LEADING CHANGE (Gun Runner) was an $800,000 acquisition for Case Clay Thoroughbred Management from Keeneland September last year and makes his debut Thursday for trainer Brad Cox, who also trained his Kentucky Oaks-winning half-sister. First dam Starship Warpseed, who sadly passed away last year, has a perfect six-for-six strike rate of runners to winners with GSP Mojovation (Quality Road) and GSP 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Star of Wonder (Uncle Mo) also amongst Leading Change's half-siblings. Yet another of his half-sisters, Moonstone (Gemologist), has produced GISP La Wally (Constiution) in her own broodmare career.
Leading Change will face several well-met and equally-pricey rivals including Refined Design (Twirling Candy) for Ken McPeek and N Theory Racing. This $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad (purchased by Resolute Bloodstock) is out of a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Furthest Land (Smart Strike) and SW/MGSP Luck Money (Looking At Lucky).
Maximum Effort (Maxfield), a $600,000 KEESEP purchase for Winchell Thoroughbreds, will be the first foal to the races out of a stakes-winning first dam who earned north of $400,000 in her own racing career.
Frank Fletcher homebred Forever Rocket (Into Mischief) is a full-brother to MGSW/MGISP Frank's Rockette. Riley Mott, whose father Bill trained that millionaire, takes the reins here for this son of GSW Rocket Twentyone, a mare purchased as a 2-year-old by Fletcher for $300,000 at OBS in 2011. TJCIS PPS
9th-KEE, 110K, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 1mT, 5:16 p.m.
Closing out the action in Kentucky Thursday, The Palace Girl (Ger) (Arelon {Ger}) makes her North American debut having last raced over one year ago in her sole start, a second after completely missing the break at the Curragh for Kevin Coleman behind this year's Oaks Trial winner Giselle (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), a daughter of Newspaperofrecord (Ire). First dam Tres Magnifique (Fr), who has already produced G1 winner Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), was picked up by Coolmore for €1,400,000 at the December Arqana Sale last year. TJCIS PPS
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