Down the Shedrow with Johnny Burke

Looking to be named the belle of the maiden ball after a Gulfstream dance, Prom Queen (Quality Road–Miss Bling Bling, by Tapit) garnered the right number of votes to wear a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', crown on Thursday afternoon. A runner-up on debut as the well-regarded favorite going a mile in Hallandale Jan...

Looking to be named the belle of the maiden ball after a Gulfstream dance, Prom Queen (Quality Road–Miss Bling Bling, by Tapit) garnered the right number of votes to wear a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', crown on Thursday afternoon. A runner-up on debut as the well-regarded favorite going a mile in Hallandale Jan. 23, the 3-year-old was ready to try out her two turn moves as the 80 cents on the dollar favorite here. In the mix from the bell, Prom Queen was fighting for position from third into the first turn. The Gary & Mary West color bearer was shuffled to last up the backstretch, but she was not going to let a crowded floor get in her way. Shifting to the outside, Prom Queen got into action and effectively navigated through traffic around the far turn. At the top of the lane the homebred cut a rug and sailed home for the prize by eight lengths. Squander (Quality Road) took the place. The second of four foals, the winner's older half-sister is Money Game (Candy Ride {Arg}), who was a perfect two for two at Oaklawn last spring and is currently back in-training along the same shedrow as Prom Queen. Dam Miss Bling Bling is also responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Candy Ride (Arg) and yearling filly by Maximum Security. She was booked to Into Mischief for this current foaling season. Prom Queen's second dam, Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew), produced West homebred & MGSW Actress (Tapit), the dam of Wathnan Racing's G1 Dubai World Cup victor Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). Bred on the same Quality Road-Tapit cross as a GI Cotillion Stakes heroine Clicquot, Prom Queen is the 21st 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' for her venerable sire.