By Stefanie Grimm
Last year's OBS June topper Feminism (Curlin) became the latest 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for her super-sire with a professional debut at Oaklawn Park Thursday.
A $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling grad turned $975,000 OBS 2-year-old after breezing in :10, Feminism drew outside in a field of nine and broke nicely with the frontrunners to establish position as the pack sorted themselves out through the opening furlong.
Sandwiched in a three-wide charge down the backstretch wtih Muskoka Katt (Vekoma) to her inside and Blondie'sincharge (Global Campaign) on the outside, the 7-2 shot was asked to ration her speed with Erik Asmussen aboard, settling nicely around the far turn even as she began to gain a narrow advantage. As the inside runner dropped out of things passing the half in :46.22, Feminism looked poised to kick on but had to deal with a determined Blondie'sincharge who refused to yield with less than a quarter-mile to run. Ultimately, under only minimal urging from Asmussen, Feminism began to pull away and cleared off professionally in the final strides to win.
Trainer Steve Asmussen was prepared for the solid performance from his newest 'Star'.
“Yes we were [expecting it],” Asmussen said in a message following the race. “[She's a] class act with a ton of ability.”
Both by and out of a 'TDN Rising Star', Feminism is the 31st runner to earn the honor for Curlin. First dam Mufajaah, herself a Shadwell-owned 'Rising Star' and $375,000 Keeneland September yearling who won the GIII Bayakoa, has already produced the likes of stakes-placed Mejthaam (Pioneerof the Nile) and now has four winners from as many to race. The mare is a full-sister to another graded stakes runner in Scratch It who recently tired for Kentucky Oaks points but was seventh in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park March 21.
Feminism was a $975,000 purchase for Gus King at OBS, with agent Randy Miles signing the ticket.
“Gus has been a client of ours for maybe five years and he really just wants top quality,” Miles said following the filly's purchase. “He had Publisher in the Derby and he just wants to continue on that line with really top, solid horses. And he thought [Feminism] was the best horse in the sale.”
Mufajaah has a 2-year-old Uncle Mo filly named Aunt Tia and a yearling Epicenter colt. She is due this season to Practical Joke.
6th-Oaklawn, $110,000, Msw, 4-2, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.28, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
FEMINISM, f, 3, Curlin
1st Dam: Mufajaah (GSW, $267,140), by Tapit
2nd Dam: Carolyn's Cat, by Forestry
3rd Dam: People's Princess, by Meadowlake
Sales History: $200,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $975,000 2yo '25 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $66,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Gus King; B-Lynch Bages LTD/Camas Park Stud (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. *1/2 to Mejthaam (Pioneerof the Nile), SP, $154,403.
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