TDN RISING STARS

January 24, 2010 - Santa Anita, Race 1, Msw, USD $45,800, 1 1/16m, ft

Nextdoorneighbor, c, 3, 2007 by Lido Palace (Chi)

1st Dam: Fencelineneighbor (GSW, $612,588), by Wild Rush
2nd Dam: Let Fly, by Flying Paster
3rd Dam: B. T's Baby, by Folk's Pride

Owner: Amerman Racing Stables LLC
Breeder: John & Jerry Amerman (FL)
Trainer: Michael Machowsky

Nextdoorneighbor was a good second, beaten 3/4 lengths, in his debut going seven panels at Hollywood Nov. 14. He just missed third to "TDN Rising Star" Concorde Point (Tapit) in a 6 1/2-furlong dash on opening day here Dec. 26, and was the 6-5 choice trying two turns for the first time. Up to shadow the pacesetter under Rafael Bejarano, the Amerman homebred powered to the front two furlongs out and strode clear with authority to post the four-length tally over longshot Viva Macho (Macho Uno). "It was a very impressive win," said winning trainer Mike Machowsky, who also conditioned Nextdoorneighbor's graded stakes-winning dam Fencelineneighbor. "He's a big horse, like she is, and put together very well. He has all the assets she had, and he's always acted like a very talented horse. The Amermans sent him to me, I believe, last May. I thought I had him ready to run over the summer, but he got a bit of a shin one day coming out of a breeze and we backed off him." Machowsky added that the colt's first two starts were good learning experiences. "First time out he ran real well, then in his second start, he drew the one hole, and he got bothered by another horse," he explained. "When they passed by the temporary rail, another horse came in on him, and Rafael said it spooked him, and they dropped back a little farther than he would have liked. But I always thought he'd be better going around two turns, and today he just put everything together. We'll see how he comes out of it, and may look at the GIII Sham S. [at Santa Anita Feb. 27]." Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0, $36,840.