By J.N. Campbell
With a name like Will Happen (Vekoma–Walk of Fame, by Scat Daddy) you would think that a 'TDN Rising Star' would be in the offing. Of course, the filly had to sparkle in the fifth at Del Mar to earn her badge and sparkle she did. The 2-year-old turned and burned in her maiden-breaking debut on Sunday.
A $210,000 OBS March breezer (see Alan Carasso's Summer Breezes), the first-time starter was sent off as the 2-1 choice here. At the bell, Will Happen looked like a sharp stick and had nothing to lose as she tried to win the day. The Richard Baltas trainee proceeded to set the pace up the backstretch and she continued to run lights out around the far turn. Distancing herself from the rest, Will Happen flew home under a hand ride and basked in 'Rising Stardom' for her ownership group. Well-bred second choice Umbralle (Into Mischief) was the runner-up.
The winner's dam is responsible for a 3-year-old colt in-training with Todd Pletcher named Printer's Alley (Thousand Words) and a yearling filly by Magic On Tap. Walk of Fame visited Doppelganger for next term. The latest TDN honoree counts as a second dam Brandolynn (Bertrando), who is a full-sister to MGSW Liberian Freighter and a half to MSW Red Outlaw (Tribal Rule).
Will Happen is the sixth 'TDN Rising Star' for the red-hot second-crop sire Vekoma (by Candy Ride {Arg}).
5th-Del Mar, $82,500, Msw, 8-24, 2yo, f, 5fT, :57.61, fm, 4 1/2 lengths.
WILL HAPPEN, f, 2, Vekoma
1st Dam: Walk of Fame, by Scat Daddy
2nd Dam: Brandolynn, by Bertrando
3rd Dam: Anachristina, by Slewpy
Sales History: $30,000 Ylg '24 OBSWIN; $70,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $210,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Abbondanza Racing LLC and Roger Featherston; B-Loren Nichols (KY); T-Richard Baltas.
🔥 #8 WILL HAPPEN ($6.60) dominates on debut for trainer @TeamBaltas. @welfinontes rode the juvenile Vekoma (@SpendthriftFarm) filly to this victory in the 5th race at @DelMarRacing. pic.twitter.com/q4RmikCukG
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 24, 2025
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