Second-Timer Golden Gamble Romps for McPeek in 'Rising Star' Performance Beneath the Twin Spires

Golden Gamble | Coady Media

By

Golden Gamble (f, 2, Laoban–Me and Mine, by Bernardini) stamped herself as a filly to watch for trainer Ken McPeek with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance at second asking traveling around two turns in the Churchill nightcap Saturday.

The 5-2 chance found a perfect spot beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. in an outside fourth through fractions of :23.60 and :48.17. Traveling nicely rounding the far turn, she made a flashy, three-wide move to stick her head in front approaching the quarter pole, and, despite racing a bit green as they straightened, opened daylight to win with ease by nine impressive lengths. Heavily favored Girl Math (McKinzie) was second.

Golden Gamble, a very solid closing third on debut over the same track and trip Oct. 27, becomes the first 'Rising Star' for the gone-too-soon Laoban. Golden Gamble was the second-most expensive of 36 yearlings by Laoban to change hands in 2023, bringing $200,000 from McPeek on behalf of owners Fern Circle Stables and Cypress Creek Equine at the Keeneland September sale.

The winner's dam Me and Mine, a maiden of three career starts, produced a filly by City of Light in 2023 and a filly by Street Sense this year, who brought $250,000 from Fastrac at the recently concluded Keeneland November sale. Me and Mine was bred back to Nyquist.

Me and Mine brought $80,000 from Baccari Bloodstock with Golden Gamble in utero at the 2021 KEENOV sale. This is the extended female family of Grade/Group 1 winners Hold That Tiger and Editor's Note.

11th-Churchill Downs, $120,000, Msw, 11-23, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.17, ft, 9 lengths.
GOLDEN GAMBLE, f, 2, by Laoban
                1st Dam: Me and Mine, by Bernardini
                2nd Dam: Oneofacat, by Deputy Minister
                3rd Dam: Beware of the Cat, by Caveat
Sales history: $80,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $81,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Fern Circle Stables & Cypress Creek Equine; B-Tuscany Bloodstock (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek.

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

Liked this article? Read more like this.

  1. Loaded With Leading Kentucky Oaks Candidates, Promising Muhimma Up Next for Cox in Demoiselle
  2. Top Level Starpower Shines In Grade I-Quality Cigar Mile On Saturday
  3. Letter To The Editor: Hooked On The Coach's Kindness
  4. CDI and NYRA Tag-Team in Federal Lawsuit, Alleging HISA'S Purse-Based Assessments Are 'Illegal'
  5. Saturday Sires: Medaglia d'Oro
X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.