By Christie DeBernardis
Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency
BAFFERT UNVEILS PRICEY STREET SENSE
1st-SA, $55K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 2:30p.m.
Bob Baffert and longtime owners Pegram, Watson and Weitman have enjoyed plenty of success with a son of Street Sense, courtesy of MGISW McKinzie, and they hope lightning strikes twice with MASTERING (Street Sense). The $500,000 FTKOCT buy prepped for this debut with a half-mile bullet in :47 2/5 (1/49) here Jan. 25. The dark bay is a half to GSP Sister Moon (Dixie Union), who is the dam of GSW Nolde (Pioneerof the Nile). Gary and Mary West's $200,000 KEESEP purchase West Sider (Uncle Mo) also makes his career bow in this spot for Baffert. The bay is out of a half-sister to GISW Overanalyze (Dixie Union) and GISW Meadow Breeze (Meadowlake), who is the dam of SW & GSP Magic Star (Scat Daddy) and GISP Royal Copy (Bodemeister). TJCIS PPs
EXPENSIVE WAR FRONTS DEBUT AT GP
5th-GP, $50K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 2:34 p.m. ET
Todd Pletcher unveils MESSINA (War Front), the first foal out of GSP Pine Needles (Giant's Causeway), Sunday at Gulfstream. A daughter of Group 1 winner Meridiana (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), Pine Needles is a half to SW & MGSP Chamois (Smart Strike) and SW Infinite Wisdom (Smart Strike); and a full to GISP Center Divider. Bloodstock agent Steve Young signed the $825,000 ticket on Messina 18 months ago at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and she runs for the partnership of Bass Stables and Cheyenne Stables. Wesley Ward saddles another daughter of the mighty War Front in Sunceri, a $400,000 KEESEP buy. Owned by Lindy Farms and St. Elias Stables, the bay is out of the Galileo (Ire) mare Often (Ire), who is a daughter of MGSW Mariah's Storm (Rahy). That blue hen is responsible for the likes of legendary sire and European Horse of the Year Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat); the dams of GSW & G1SP sire Storm the Stars (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and MG1SW Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}); and MGSW You'resothrilling (Storm Cat), who produced some of Galileo's best in European Highweight Gleneagles (Ire), MG1SW Happily (Ire), MGSW & GISP Taj Mahal (Ire), G1SW Marvellous (Ire) and GSW & GISP Coolmore (Ire). TJCIS PPs
CONSTITUTION RISING STAR RETURNS IN HOT SPRINGS
8th-OP, $86K, Opt. Clm. ($80K), 3yo, 6f, 4:52p.m.
Al Graziana homebred ANCIENT WARRIOR (Constitution#tot">Constitution) looks to take his record to two-for-two in this test. The bay earned the 'TDN Rising Star' nod for his 4 1/4-length debut win at Del Mar Nov. 23, for which he earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure. Phoenix Thoroughbreds' $460,000 FTSAUG buy Little Menace (Into Mischief) earned the same number for his 7 3/4-length graduation at second asking at Churchill Downs Dec. 1. TJCIS PPs
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