TDN RISING STARS

December 26, 2021 - Gulfstream Park, Race 8, Msw, USD $60,000, 7F, .0000

American Icon, C, 2, 2019 by Gun Runner

1st Dam: Sky America (MSP, $102,978), by Sky Mesa
2nd Dam: Chalmette, by Quiet American
3rd Dam: Sunset Song, by Dixieland Band

Owner: WinStar Farm LLC & Siena Farm LLC
Breeder: Elm Tree Farm, LLC, Curt Leake, Time Will Tell, LLC & Warren Harang (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

American Icon (Gun Runner), sent off at 6-5 in this unveiling after a steady series of works at Palm Beach Downs, led from flagfall to finsh and scampered home to a 8 1/2-length win, good for the 'TDN Rising Star' nod.

Sold as a yearling from the draft of Denali Stud, agent, the April foal brought $400,000 from Maverick Racing, the buying arm of WinStar. He duly made his career bow for WinStar Farm and Siena Farm in the white WinStar silks Sunday. The last horse to load, American Icon broke like a shot and raced about a length in advance of the field through splits of :22.75 and :45.75. A trio of challengers loomed leaving the turn, but American Icon slammed the door when asked by pilot Luis Saez. He poured it on from there to wrack up a visually impressive win. Red Line Overdrive (Nyquist), who broke poorly, closed to take second. The same connections were represented by 'Rising Star' Emmanuel (More Than Ready) at Gulfstream Dec. 11. American Idol is the third of his sire's produce to become a 'Rising Star.'

American Idol's MSP dam is a full-sister to SW and GI Santa Anita Oaks second Third Dawn (Sky Mesa). Sky America has a weanling colt by Runhappy and was covered by the winner's sire this spring. The third dam, the unraced Sunset Heat (Dixieland Band), was a full-sister to Grade III winner and sire Dixieland Heat (Dixieland Band). Sunset Heat left Brazilian Group 2 winner Estrela Byrnhild (Lion Cavern), who was also placed in the G1 Roberto e Nelson Grimaldi Seabra.