By Christina Bossinakis
3rd-SAR $115k, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2fT, post time: 1:55 p.m.
Showcasing a plethora of seven-figure babies, the third race of the afternoon offers several of the best pedigrees in the stud book. Leading the bevvy of first-time starters, ART MUSEUM (Into Mischief) gets a start for the Coolmore partners, Peter Brant and Brook Smith. Trained by Chad Brown, the son of GSW and MGISP Point of Honor (Curlin) realized $1.5 million at Keeneland last September. Jockey Flavien Prat and Brown connect at 21% at the Spa over the past year. Brown also saddles Barrel Roll (Gun Runner), a $1.2-million buy for Tanglewood Thoroughbreds and Gainesway. The son of Acrobatique (Discreet Cat) was bred by Helen Alexander and H A B Stroud.
Another $1-million baby, No Time to Lose (Not This Time) kicks off for trainer Ken McPeek and relative newbie to the Thoroughbred racing game, Kjell Andersen. The Swiss resident purchased the colt for $1.4 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2025. Out of Classic Strike (Smart Strike), the colt is a half to GISW Union Strike (Union Rags). “He's done everything he's been asked in the morning,” McPeek said. “Probably needs longer than this sprint distance. Big expectations considering his price tag.”
Likely to garner favoritism in his return, Powerline (Flightline) was runner-up to The Good Life (Life Is Good), named a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', in a July 18 Spa maiden and he makes his second start here. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the $1.8-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale grad is campaigned by West Point Thoroughbreds, John Oxley, Summer Wind Equine and Bee Zee LLC.
“I thought it was a great education for him from start to finish,” West Point's Terry Finley said. “We like that. We always like to win but you could definitely see that he had trouble, and that he was talented, and that if we got lucky, we've got great upside with this dude. I saw Scott Blasi on the pony today and he gave me a big smile and a big thumbs up. I know one thing, we didn't pick an easy spot to run him back the second times, if you see the price tags of the other horses in there. We should be in the thick of things. We don't love the rail, but it is what it is.”
5th-ELP $100k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6fT, post time: 2:44 p.m.
Godolphin's JUMP SEAT (Flightline) marks her unveiling for trainer Brad Cox. A homebred son of GSP Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality), the dark bay is a half-sister to GI Belmont Stakes hero Essential Quality (Tapit), who was also trained by Cox. Harmoniously (Life Is Good), a $650,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, is out of Indian Gardens (Pioneerof the Nile), herself a daughter of MGISW Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie). TJCIS PPS
6th-SAR $115k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6 1/2fT, post time: 3:41 p.m.
FOREVER CARINA (Gun Runner) debuts for breeder Three Chimneys Farm and trainer Chad Brown. The daughter of GSP Always Carina (Malibu Moon), who was also trained by Brown, is a full-sister to another Brown trainee, Always a Runner, a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and winner of this season's GI Kentucky Oaks. Jose Ortiz gets the call.
Godolphin's Very Clever (Curlin) kicks off for trainer Brad Cox. Out of Godolphin homebred GSW Innovative Idea (Bernardini), the filly is a half-sister to MGISW Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile). Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. TJCIS PPS
4th-DMR $100k, Msw, 2yo, 1m, post time: 6:35 p.m.
Baoma Corp.'s MOTGA (Mo Town) and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood, Bob LaPenta and Suzanne and William Warren's Psalm (Into Mischief) make their debuts for trainers Bob Baffert and Michael McCarthy, respectively.
The former, out of Into Mischief's Reckon, was a $1.05 million buy at the OBS March Sale (video). Bred by William Lussky, the Kentucky-bred colt will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.
Having drawn outside in this field of seven, Psalm is out of Reina Marina (Songandaprayer), making him a full-brother to GII Remsen winner Maximus Mischief. Bred by Mulholland Springs, the bay sold for $1.25 million at Keeneland last September. Junior Alvarado rides.
Baffert also saddles firster Babe's Empire (Curlin), a half-brother to MGSW Avie's Flatter (Flatter). The son of Avie's Empire (Empire Maker) was a $525,000 KEESEP buy. TJCIS PPS
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