Verifire

Having been nothing less than spectacular in two prior starts, 'TDN Rising Star' Verifire (Authentic) took his step up to stakes company with aplomb, taking Sunday's closing day Maxfield Stakes at Churchill Downs. A $1-million OBS March purchase for Resolute Racing after selling for $260,000 at Keeneland the previous September, the son of Authentic debuted with a TDN Rising Star-earning 6 1/4-length victory at Colonial Mar. 15. Pounded down to 1-20 favoritism in his return, he rolled home a 6 1/2-length winner over next out winner Saxton (Mosler) in a...

1st-Pimlico, $54,810, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($50,000-$62,500), 5-16, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.65, ft, 6 1/2 lengths. VERIFIRE (c, 3, Authentic--Ruby Trust {SP, $145,212}, by Smart Strike), named a 'TDN Rising Star' when thrashing Colonial maidens by 6 1/4 lengths on career debut going this distance on the Virginia Derby undercard Mar. 15, easily repeated the dose when pulling clear through the final furlong to take the Black-Eyed Susan Day opener at Pimlico by 6 1/2 lengths. Off at a nickel on the dollar, the $260,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $1-million OBS...

1st-PIM, $54K, OC62K/N1X, 3yo, 6f, 11:30 p.m. ET. In what amounted to a smart debut at Colonial Downs Mar. 15, VERIFIRE (Authentic) was confirmed as a 'TDN Rising Star' after the colt won by 6 1/4 lengths and posted a 92 Beyer. Initially a $260,000 Keeneland September purchase, John Stewart went to a $1-million to acquire the chestnut during the 2024 OBS March Sale. Verifire is out of SP Ruby Trust (Smart Strike), whose own dam is GSW Queen Ofthe Castle (Tale of the Cat). Resolute's second out starter is...

Sporting an afterburner that would make any jet jock high-five over the need for speed, Verifire (Authentic--Ruby Trust, by Smart Strike) went Mach 1 with his hair on fire en route to a successful unveiling at Colonial Downs. The score gave trainer Brad Cox his second 'TDN Rising Star' on Saturday afternoon. Initially sold for $260,000 during Keeneland September, Verifire was taken home by John Stewart of Resolute Racing for a cool $1 million at last year's OBS March Sale. Sent to Cox, the chestnut drilled at Payson Park in...

3rd-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, 5fT, 1:50p.m. ET Profiled last year by our colleagues at TDN Europe, Benny The Waiter (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) has been shipped to the states to make his US debut in a turf dash at Gulfstream Park. A 280,000gns Craven Breeze-Up purchase by Repole Stables, this is the half-brother to GSP-Eng Space Legend (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) while his dam, unraced Newton's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), is herself a half-sister to SW-Ire & GSP-Fr Treasure Isle (Ire) (No Nay Never). The group black type...