career debut

The Equibase chart detailing the running of race 2 at Churchill Downs Wednesday summarized Sassy C W (Yaupon)'s performance very succinctly: 'rocket ship, hand ride'. Yup, that pretty much summed up the TDN Rising Star-earning performance. Appearing to be catapulted out of post 7, Sassy C W instantly opened up by three lengths as third choice Wakuda (Gun Runner), her closest rival, gave futile chase. Still churning her piston-like legs approaching the quarter pole, the Larry Rivelli-conditioned filly pivoted off the turn nine lengths in front, and was as good...

6th-Santa Anita, $55,500, Msw, 10-12, 2yo, f, 1m, 1:40.10, ft, 3 3/4 lengths. HOWIN (f, 2, Gun Runner--Flora Dora {MSW & GISP, $607,152}, by First Dude), a $550,000 Keeneland September yearling, graduated on debut Saturday against three other fillies who also brought $500,000 or better at various sales. Favored at 6-5, the chestnut broke sharply and had a shot to set the pace, but backed off to let Watershed Moment (Omaha Beach) and Boujee Beach (Global Campaign) take the honors instead. Howin stayed in touch with the first two through...

1st-Del Mar, $61,000, Msw, 11-12, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.31, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. GRAZIA (f, 2, Uncle Mo--Tonasah {MGSP, $196,660}, by Malibu Moon), installed the hot 2-5 choice for this unveiling, broke alertly and was up to hound Girl of My Dreams (Kantharos) through an opening quarter in :22.26. Pulling on even terms with the early pacesetter exiting the far turn, Grazia inched ahead rounding the final turn, dispensed of that rival in early stretch and was 3 1/4 lengths clear of She's a Tempest (Connect) at the wire. The...

5th-Ellis, $67,900, Msw, 8-1, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.77, fm, 4 1/4 lengths. SONG OF NORWAY (f, 2, Flatter--Cougarstown {SW, $101,723}, by Speightstown) was installed the 2-1 favorite, her position only strengthened by the late scratch of the well-meant Pinotslilgirl (Jimmy Creed). Jumping to the front in a blink of an eye from her high draw, the Wesley Ward trainee led 3-1 chance Saltwater Taffy (Twirling Candy) and Midnight Angel (West Coast) through an initial quarter in :22.12. Rolling through the a half in :45.79, the blinkered filly opened up...