TDN RISING STARS

January 24, 2009 - Gulfstream Park, Race 5, Msw, USD $40,000, 7 f, .0000, ft

Dunkirk, c, 3, 2006 by Unbridled's Song

1st Dam: Secret Status (MGISW, $1,053,705), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Private Status, by Alydar
3rd Dam: Miss Eva (Arg), by Con Brio II

Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Breeder: W S Farish, James Elkins & W T Webber Jr (KY).
Trainer: Todd A Pletcher

A strapping grey son of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Status, Dunkirk entered the ring at the 2007 Keeneland September sale with plenty of fanfare and lived up to advanced billing, sparking a bidding duel between Coolmore representative Demi O'Byrne and Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. O'Byrne won the battle that day on a sale-topping $3.7-million bid, and the colt was subsequently turned over to trainer Todd Pletcher (click to read sales coverage). Dunkirk sported a solid worktab in advance of this debut and was no secret as Gulfstream's faithful sent him postward as the 7-5 choice. Dunkirk didn't get off to the best of starts, but rushed up into contention on the backstretch, circled the field on the turn, hit the front in midstretch and pulled away to score by 5 3/4 lengths. Pacesetter Santana Six (Hold That Tiger) stayed on for second over Spanish Fortune (Spanish Steps). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $21,000.