TDN RISING STARS

March 24, 2024 - Tampa Bay Downs, Race 3, Msw, USD $53,000, 7F

Cartucho, C, 3, 2021 by Gun Runner

1st Dam: Malibu Prayer, by Malibu Moon
2nd Dam: Grand Prayer, by Grand Slam
3rd Dam: Lyrical Prayer, by The Minstrel

Owner: Three Chimneys Farm, William H. Lawrence and Walmac Farm
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

The partnership of Three Chimneys Farm, William Lawrence and Walmac Farm went to $1,200,000 to secure Cartucho (Gun Runner) as a yearling at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale and were quickly rewarded when their buy graduated on debut in 'TDN Rising Star'-style at Tampa Sunday. Favored at 6-5 as one of only three first-time starters in the field, Cartucho was slow from the gate and got squeezed back from the early frontrunners to be last in the opening jumps. Quickly into stride, Javier Castellano stayed along the rail inside of Faith's Spirit (Violence) as that pair began to gradually reel in the trio of leaders who were content to race three abreast through an opening quarter in :22.69. Tipped outside of Faith's Spirit heading into the far turn, Cartucho stayed covered up behind the widest of the three leaders but had a head of steam passing the quarter pole and was let loose by Castellano with a furlong to run. Up to take command with a sixteenth to run, the favorite ran up the score to win ridden out by 6 1/4 lengths.

The 11th 'TDN Rising Star' for Gun Runner, Cartucho is out of GI Ruffian Invitational H. winner Malibu Prayer who sold to Besilu Stables for $2,000,000 at KEENOV in 2011. The second winner from his dam in as many to race, he is also a half to the dams of Japanese stakes winner Cros Parantoux (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and stakes placed Awesome Ruta (Mendelssohn). Malibu Prayer is herself a half to MGSW/GISP Valid (Medaglia d'Oro), MGSP Grand Love (Gun Runner) and to the dam of Saturday's Tom Benson Memorial S. winner Delahaye (Medaglia d'Oro). Malibu Prayer has produced back to back colts by Volatile in 2022 and 2023 and is due to GI Preakness S. winner Early Voting this year.