2nd-BEL, $77K, Alw, N1X, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, post time: 12:47 p.m. ET
COPPER TOWN (Speightstown), a debut second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Blue Buff (Unbridled's Song) at Gulfstream Feb. 25, earned his own 'TDN Rising Star' designation with a runaway maiden tally going a mile at Belmont Sept. 10. Owned in partnership by WinStar Farm LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC, China Horse Club and SF Racing LLC, the sophomore is trained by Todd Pletcher. The 4-year-old Patternrecognition (Adios Charlie), a sharp debut winner for Chad Brown at the Big A in the spring, has finished second in his last three attempts at this level behind 'TDN Rising Stars' Coal Front (Stay Thirsty), Takaful (Bernardini) and Mr. Crow (Tapizar). He is the 6-5 morning-line favorite. TJCIS PPs
3rd-KEE, $65K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 2:15 p.m. ET
All eyes will be on $2.45-million OBS April topper CONQUISTADOR (Tiznow) as he lines up for the first time here. Owned in partnership by Magnier, Tabor, Oxley, Smith and Jooste and trained by Mark Casse, the striking bay zipped through an eighth in a bullet :9 3/5 at the under-tack show. He also fired a four-furlong bullet in :46 3/5 (1/73) at Churchill Downs Sept. 24. Fellow newcomer Tricks to Doo (Into Mischief), a $600,000 OBSMAR graduate (:9 4/5), also looks well-meant. The Lael Stables colorbearer has been working bullets at Fair Hill for trainer Arnaud Delacour. TJCIS PPs
6th-BEL, $75K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, post time: 3:03 p.m. ET
The highly regarded MONTAUK (Medaglia d'Oro&log=">Medaglia d'Oro) launches his career against this salty looking group. The bay was knocked down to Robert LaPenta, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, et al, for $850,000 at the OBSAPR 2-Year-Old Sale after covering an eighth in :10 1/5. The bay, produced by the talented Indian Vale (A.P. Indy), MGSW & MGISP, $838,601, has been working bullets at trainer Todd Pletcher's Belmont Park base. Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable homebred Personal Time (Malibu Moon), a full-brother to GI Kentucky Derby hero Orb, also makes his career debut. Their 3-year-old full-brother Emancipation lit up the tote board with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance at first asking with a 29-1 upset at Belmont Park in early June. Labeq (Tapit&log=">Tapit), a son of 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Life Is Sweet (Storm Cat), debuts for Shadwell Stable and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The gray brought $575,000 as a KEESEP yearling. TJCIS PPs
10th-KEE, $65K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 6:18 p.m. ET
Breeze Easy LLC and John C. Oxley's CURLIN'S HONOR (Curlin">Curlin), the $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training topper after breezing a co-bullet in :10, will be unveiled by trainer Mark Casse. The 2-1 morning-line favorite geared up for this with a four-furlong bullet in :46 3/5 (1/73) at Churchill Downs Sept. 24. TJCIS PPs
For more on the Mark Casse-trained firsters Conquistador and Curlin's Honor, click here for our Debutants column from earlier this summer.
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