By Christina Bossinakis
Facing a couple of starters from barns that typically hold hot hands in Keeneland's baby races at this time of the year, Percy's Bar (Upstart) overcame trouble in the early going of her 4 1/2-furlong career debut before rolling past her competition late to win by an emphatic margin at Keeneland Wednesday afternoon.
Pinched back as In the Aggregate (Raging Bull {Fr}) veered over on her at the onset, Percy's Bar found trouble at the hooves of that rival again, forcing to check while passing the gap as the free-flying favorite Gracie's Delight (American Pharoah), from the Wesley Ward barn, opened a clear lead. Taking it to the frontrunner approaching the home turn, Repole Stable's Nonna's Love (Caravaggio), sent off the 9-2 third choice for Todd Pletcher, caught the pacesetter at the quarter pole and it appeared that either one of those were in position to win. However, steadily making up ground from the back, Percy's Bar narrowed the margin on the frontrunners, drove up the inside to catch them in the final sixteenth and drew clear to score by four widening lengths. Cat Island (Catalina Cruiser) closed to catch second while Nonna's Love held on to third.
A $52,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, the filly is out of the unraced Honestly Deb, who is also responsible for a yearling filly by Cairo Prince.
2nd-Keeneland, $89,629, Msw, 4-23, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :52.54, ft, 4 lengths.
PERCY'S BAR, f, 2, by Upstart
1st dam: Honestly Deb, by Super Saver
2nd Dam: Deb's Charm, by Silver Charm
3rd Dam: Ms. Cuvee Napa, by Relaunch
($52,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $52,313. O-Hat Creek Racing; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Ben Colebrook.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Percy's Bar gets the rail trip to take the second at Keeneland! 🤩@luanmachado85 was in the saddle for trainer Ben Colebrook.
🎥TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/9eK24GHDh2
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 23, 2025
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