TDN RISING STARS

December 26, 2004 - Calder Race Course, Race 8, Msw, USD $24,000, 7f

Andromeda's Hero, c, 2, 2002 by Fusaichi Pegasus

1st Dam: Marozia, by Storm Bird
2nd Dam: Make Change, by Roberto
3rd Dam: Equal Change, by Arts and Letters

Owner: Robert V LaPenta
Breeder: Barnett Enterprises (KY)
Trainer: Nicholas P Zito

Andromeda's Hero, a $310,000 KEESEP yearling, was away slowly at Keeneland Oct. 17, but made up good ground to rally for third sprinting about-seven furlongs. Here, the Nick Zito trainee, with Cornelio Velasquez up, allowed Bond King (Anees) an uncontested lead before reeling in that one in upper stretch. Hitting the front at the furlong grounds, Andromeda's Hero turned on the afterburners and justified his 3-5 favoritism with an eye-catching seven-length success. Bond King was clearly second best. The victor, whose stakes-winning second dam was second in five Grade I events and third in three others, was a $725,000 buy-back at this year's KEEAPR two-year-olds in training sale. He represents the 16th winner for his freshman sire (by Mr. Prospector). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $17,300.