After missing the Nov. 4 NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Keeneland reportedly due to a fever, Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' American Rockette returns to racing action in the $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.
The homebred daughter of American Pharoah out of the Indian Charlie mare Rockeytwentyone drops from top-level stakes company, having been fourth in both the Oct. 2 Frizette Stakes (G1) and Sept. 4 Spinaway Stakes (G1) following a debut maiden victory July 21 at Saratoga Race Course.
Though she is a half-sister to graded-winning sprinter Frank's Rockette (Into Mischief ), her history of finishing strongly in her races seemingly bodes well for her stretch out to the Golden Rod's 1 1/16-mile distance. The Golden Rod for juvenile fillies serves as a prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, providing qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale.
Florent Geroux picks up the ride on American Rockette, who has twice worked a half-mile for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott since being scratched from the Breeders' Cup. Mott is a two-time Golden Rod winner.
The Golden Rod is the tenth race of 12 on the special "Stars of Tomorrow" program that features all 2-year-old races, including the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).
The Golden Rod includes the 1-2 finishers from the Oct. 30 Rags to Riches Stakes in Hoosier Philly and T Max. That race was was also contested at 1 1/16 miles.
Video: Rags to Riches S. (BT)
Hoosier Philly, a gray daughter of Into Mischief trained by Tom Amoss, splashed her way to a 7 1/2-length victory. That race followed a debut win at Churchill Downs Sept. 25 which she won on a fast track.
Backed to just over even money in each of her two starts, she could be favored again by the betting public. Edgar Morales is aboard.
A new shooter to stakes company is Godolphin's Pretty Mischievous, another daughter of Into Mischief. The Brendan Walsh trainee is 2-for-2 while racing exclusively at Churchill Downs. Pretty Mischievous broke her maiden Sept. 18 by 2 1/4 lengths and returned Oct. 30, where she scored to a 1 3/4-length allowance in the slop. Her first race came at 6 1/2 furlongs, her second at seven furlongs.
Her dam, the Tapit mare Pretty City Dancer, was at her best around one turn, taking the seven-furlong Spinaway Stakes in 2016 as her top achievement.
Leading rider Tyler Gaffalione will retain the mount from the rail.
Other well-bred 2-year-old fillies in the Golden Rod include Pure Pauline (Curlin ), who is out of the grade 2-winning Pulpit mare Keen Pauline, and Knockyoursocksoff (Kitten's Joy), a stakes-placed grass-running filly who is a half sister to 2021 San Gabriel Stakes (G3) winner Bob and Jackie.
Entries: Golden Rod S. (G2)
Churchill Downs, Saturday, November 26, 2022, Race 10
- Grade II
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $400,000
- 2 yo Fillies
- 5:27 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Pretty Mischievous (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 122 | Brendan P. Walsh | 5/2 |
| 2 | 2Mustang Lady (KY) | Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Troy Newton | 15/1 |
| 3 | 3American Rockette (KY) | Florent Geroux | 122 | William I. Mott | 10/1 |
| 4 | 4Hoosier Philly (KY) | Edgar Morales | 122 | Thomas M. Amoss | 1/1 |
| 5 | 5Black Forest (KY) | Gerardo Corrales | 122 | Fausto Gutierrez | 20/1 |
| 6 | 6Knockyoursocksoff (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 122 | Chris M. Block | 12/1 |
| 7 | 7T Max (KY) | Jack Gilligan | 122 | William Walden | 12/1 |
| 8 | 8Pure Pauline (KY) | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 122 | Todd A. Pletcher | 15/1 |
| 9 | 9Take Charge Briana (KY) | Luis Saez | 122 | D. Wayne Lukas | 15/1 |
| 10 | 10Defining Purpose (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 122 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 15/1 |
