9th-GP, $48k, Alw. Opt. Clm. (N1X), 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 4:32 p.m. EDT
Sumaya US Stables and trainer Todd Pletcher teamed up to send out the 'TDN Rising Star' colt Malagacy (Shackleford) to the second dominant win of his career in as many starts Sunday, and look to repeat the same feat with GHALIA (Medaglia d'Oro) in this counterpart optional claimer for fillies. Acquired for $600,000 as a KEENOV weanling, the bay was bet down to 3-5 favoritism in her Jan. 22 debut and did not disappoint, leading wire-to-wire in a 6 3/4-length romp. The daughter of GSW Verdana Bold (Rahy) posted an intervening bullet four-panel drill in :48.80 at Palm Beach Downs Feb. 8 and stretches out a half-furlong for this second start. Ghalia will face a number of other promising 3-year-olds, including fellow first-out graduate Modacious (Uncle Mo)–a decisive winner of a 6 1/2-furlong maiden heat at Parx Racing Dec. 26 for Cash is King and LC Racing and trainer Butch Reid. Three runners from that event have returned to annex their next starts, and the filly figures to secure a stalking trip similar to her debut. Trainer Ian Wilkes looks to keep the ball rolling with Champagne Problems (Ghostzapper">Ghostzapper) four days after capturing the GIII Sam F. Davis S. with another Ghostzapper progeny in 'TDN Rising Star' McCraken. The former displayed steady progression in her first three appearances as a juvenile–culminating with a gritty half-length score going seven panels at Keeneland Oct. 8–and figures to have a say off the layoff if a fast pace materializes. Champagne Problems' dam Coral Sun (A.P. Indy) is a half-sister to MGISW Southern Image (Halo's Image), GSW Black Bar Spin (Put It Back) and Dixieland Event (Wild Event)–herself the dam of GISW Turbo Compressor (Halo's Image). TJCIS PPs
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
