Sunday Insights: Pricey Liam's Map Filly Among Well-Bred Group in Spa Opener

Point of Honor | Horsephotos

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

1st-SAR, $90k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:00 p.m. ET

An auspicious group of juvenile fillies tackle Sunday's opener at the Spa. WICKED WHISPER (Liam's Map) boasts the lethal trainer/rider combo of Steve Asmussen and Ricardo Santana Jr, who have together captured five maiden special weight events this meet with 2-year-old runners, the most recent being Lotta Ott (Tapiture) Aug. 11. The chestnut dropped the hammer for $500,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale–the most expensive of 64 first-crop yearlings reported as sold–and is a half-sister to Point of Honor (Curlin), the winner of this year's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and runner-up in last weekend's GI Alabama S.

Godolphin's homebred Sea of Blue (Midshipman&log=">Midshipman) is out of the successful broodmare Surf Club (Ocean Crest), a $950,000 purchase at the 2007 Keeneland November Sale who produced Emcee (Unbridled's Song), GISW, $479,900, Surfer (Distorted Humor), GSW & GISP, $440,329, Spring Party (Smart Strike), SW, $202,077 and Baffled (Distorted Humor), the dam of MGISW and freshman sire Constitution (Tapit). Sea of Blue has been training consistently over the surface here for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, breezing a half-mile out of the gate Aug. 17 in :48 2/5 (34/108) (Click for XBTV Video).

The regally bred Stop Shoppin Tammy (Tapit&hid=28277">Tapit) will attempt to follow in the hoofprints of her Grade I winning-dam Miss Shop (Deputy Minister). Miss Shop broke her maiden first time out in impressive fashion as a juvenile before going on to earn $1,126,038 and capture six stakes races for Hall of Fame conditioner Allen Jerkens. Stop Shoppin Tammy is a full sister to MGSW Tin Type Gal (Tapit).

Strike Magic (Into Mischief) was picked up by Lee Lewis for $200,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale. The Mark Hennig trainee hails from the family of GISW J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal), MGSW and Canadian ch. older mare Miss Mischief (Into Mischief) and recent 'TDN Rising Star' Mind Out (Tapit), who launched a stirring stretch run en route to her maiden victory at Del Mar Aug. 21. Strike Magic drilled a half-mile out of the gate here Aug. 4 in :50 flat (71/94) (Click for XBTV Video). TJCIS PPs

7th-ELP, $50k, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 4:40 p.m. ET

PLEASANT ORB (Orb) is a half-sister to the dam of 'TDN Rising Stars' Guarana (Ghostzapper), the undefeated victress of the July 21 GI Coaching Club American Oaks and June 8 GI Acorn S.; and Magic Dance (More Than Ready), who annexed the Debutante S. and was third in the GII Adirondack S. last month. Her dam Pleasant Home (Seeking the Gold), from the family of MGISW Point of Entry (Dynaformer) and Pine Island (Arch), is best known for her stunning 30-1 upset in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in which she demolished a top field of runners by
9 1/4 lengths. TJCIS PPs

 

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