Shadwell Stable's Tahaluf (Curlin) was no better than the 67-10 fourth choice in a field where just one of the 11 entrants had previous race experience and parlayed a perfect trip into a first-out score in a strong-looking maiden Monday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Content to settle just ahead of midfield as favored My Pal Al (Golden Pal)–the half-sister to GI Churchill Downs Stakes romper T O Elvis (Volatile)–vied for the early lead inside of longshot Sharply (Sharp Azteca). Handled patiently by Edgar Morales on the turn, the homebred chestnut came out three deep into the lane, tackled My Pal Al with a furlong to travel and kicked on to graduate decisively.
A half-sister to Ganaas (War Front), who debuted victoriously at this venue last July, Tahaluf is also kin to a yearling Gun Runner filly and a colt by Nyquist foaled May 13. The winner's second dam is Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), a stakes winner and twice group-placed for Sheikh Hamdan and John Hammond and later this country's Eclipse-winning turf female when taking out the 2007 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in bog-like conditions at Monmouth Park.
Lahudood is a half-sister to SW Aghareed (Kingmambo)–the dam of the sensational MG1SW Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G1 King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes hero Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})–as well as two-time New Zealand group scorer Mahrajaan (Kitten's Joy).
7th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 8-24, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:06.53, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
TAHALUF (f, 2, Curlin–Shurakaa, by Tapit) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-Shadwell Stable; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Andrew McKeever.
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