Juddmonte's Touch of Fire (Constitution) ran off to a convincing seven-length score to become his sire's newest TDN Rising Star, sponsored by Hagyard, in his career debut at the Fair Grounds on Thursday.
The 4-1 chance broke from the outside and eased up into a forward stalking position as Robert Lee (Omaha Beach) led through initial fractions of :23.40 and :49.08. Starting to put the screws to that rival entering the home stretch, the Juddmonte homebred drew off late to score by seven lengths over the early leader.
The winner's dam, Mexican Gold, is a Group 3 winner in France who also finished third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas).
In addition to Touch of Fire, the sister to Group 1 winner Announce (GB) (Selkirk) is also responsible for a juvenile filly by Tapit in addition to a yearling filly by Flightline. She was bred back to the Horse of the Year.
9th-Fair Grounds, $54,000, Msw, 1-8, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.85, fm, 7 lengths.
TOUCH OF FIRE, c, 3, Constitution
1st Dam: Mexican Gold {GSW & G1SP-Fr, GSP-USA, $234,810}, by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Hachita, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Choice Spirit, by Danzig
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
🔥 TOUCH OF FIRE with a big performance on debut going two turns on the turf in R9 at @fairgroundsnola! @bradcoxracing trains the @JuddmonteFarms homebred. @jockeypedrozajr was in the saddle.
A nice 4/1 top pick for @joeydakracing!
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/PZ6qo7cXKC
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 8, 2026
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