By Alan Carasso
Untamed Domain (Animal Kingdom) is likely to emulate his sire–sooner rather than later–in an attempt to transfer his grass-tilted pedigree to the main track. But for the time being, the 'TDN Rising Star' will stick to what's familiar, as he kicks off his sophomore campaign in Saturday's grassy GIII Dania Beach S. at Gulfstream Park.
It could be argued that now is the time to try the dirt, given that the likes of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Good Magic (Curlin) have yet to return to action, but Untamed Domain tasted much success in 2017 on the green stuff, while hinting that there could be much better to come as a 3-year-old. Impressive in overcoming trouble to graduate at second asking at Saratoga last July, he won Woodbine's GII Summer S. almost in spite of himself in September and was a late-on-the-scene second to Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) when last spotted in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 3. John Velazquez is engaged over a trip at which he has raced well, but one that should ultimately prove well too short.
'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will have his fair share of backers as he tries to give his wildly successful sire a maiden graded stakes winner in this country. An €410,000 Arqana August yearling purchase on behalf of Zayat Stables, the gray was runner-up to next-out SW Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) on Saratoga debut last August and dusted a group of local maidens going five panels Dec. 23, good for an 84 Beyer. He's bred for this trip and beyond and is in the thick of it, providing he doesn't become involved in what looks a fast pace.
If able to work out a trip from his outside draw, Channel Cat (English Channel) looms an interesting play. Awarded cap and gown with the disqualification of Speed Franco (Declaration of War) over this course and distance Sept. 23, the homebred resumed in a first-level allowance Jan. 13, but raced very wide the entire trip. Six deep off the home turn, he stayed on gamely to be beaten a little more than two lengths in third while covering 50 feet more than the winner. Channel Cat continues to work well over the dirt at Palm Meadows and gets Javier Castellano back in the irons.
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