Pricey Union Rags Colt Powers Home Like a Locomotive at Del Mar

6th-Del Mar, $61,351, Msw, 8-28, 2yo, 1m, 1:38.58, ft.
EXPRESS TRAIN (c, 2, Union Rags–I'm a Flake, by Mineshaft), a good second on debut to 'TDN Rising Star' Eight Rings (Empire Maker), had some anxious moments as a heavy favorite down the backstretch Wednesday at Del Mar, but turned it on in the stretch to crush a field of maidens. Debuting going 5 1/2 furlongs here Aug. 4, the $500,000 Keeneland September buy was beaten 6 1/4 lengths by the promising GI Del Mar Futurity-bound Eight Rings, while in turn finishing 9 1/4 lengths clear for the place and earning a solid 79 Beyer. Hammered down to 7-10 favoritism stretching out to two turns in this spot, the bay broke running under Mike Smith and made the pace through a :22.89 quarter. Pressed by longshot Can'tbetemall (Maclean's Music), he surrendered the lead to that rival midway down the backstretch before retaking command entering the far turn. Still pestered by his pace rival approaching the lane, Express Train found another gear once straightening toward the judges, and poured it on from there to romp by 14 1/4 lengths. Can'tbetemall held for the place. The winner's shares a second dam, MGISW November Snow (Storm Cat), with GISW and sire Morning Line (Tiznow). His dam was bred to Accelerate this season. Sales History: $500,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $48,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs.

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