Derby Runner-Up Journalism Favored at 8-5 From Gate 2 In 150th Preakness

The Equibase chart detailing the running of race 2 at Churchill Downs Wednesday summarized Sassy C W (Yaupon)'s performance very succinctly: 'rocket ship, hand ride'. Yup, that pretty much summed up the TDN Rising Star-earning performance. Appearing to be catapulted out of post 7, Sassy C W instantly opened up by three lengths as third choice Wakuda (Gun Runner), her closest rival, gave futile chase...

The Equibase chart detailing the running of race 2 at Churchill Downs Wednesday summarized Sassy C W (Yaupon)'s performance very succinctly: 'rocket ship, hand ride'. Yup, that pretty much summed up the TDN Rising Star-earning performance. Appearing to be catapulted out of post 7, Sassy C W instantly opened up by three lengths as third choice Wakuda (Gun Runner), her closest rival, gave futile chase. Still churning her piston-like legs approaching the quarter pole, the Larry Rivelli-conditioned filly pivoted off the turn nine lengths in front, and was as good as gone, crossing the wire a geared-down 5 1/4-length winner over the Steve Asmussen-trained Wakuda. Second choice Baffle (Violence), from the Todd Pletcher barn, closed to grab third. Final time for the 4 1/2-furlong test was :51.34. Out of Grade III winner Sue's Good News, Sassy Miss Sue is a full-sister to Grade I scorer and millionaire Tiz Miz Sue in addition to a half to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Bulletin (City Zip). With this filly in utero, the mare was purchased by Horun Kahraman for $37,000 at Keeneland November in 2022. She followed up with a full-sister to Sassy C W in 2024. In the sale's ring, Sassy C W was a $30,000 weanling purchase in November of 2023 before realizing $190,000 at the Keeneland September Sale the next season. Most recently, she brought $375,000 from Carolyn Wilson at this spring's OBS March Sale. 2nd-Churchill Downs, $92,550, Msw, 4-30, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :51.34, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. SASSY C W, f, 2, by Yaupon 1st Dam: Sassy Miss Sue, by Tiznow 2nd Dam: Sue's Good News, by Woodman 3rd Dam: Montera, by Easy Goer Sales history: $30,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $190,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $375,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. O-Patricia's Hope LLC and Carolyn Wilson; B-Harun Kahraman (KY); T-Larry Rivelli.