This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.
Aqueduct
When it comes to 2-year-old racing on the east coast, trainer Todd Pletcher has definitely left his mark this year, and Tapit Trice added to that record Dec. 17, winning a one-mile maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack in his second start.
The Tapit colt, out of stakes winner Danzatrice (by Dunkirk), was offered by his breeder Gainesway Thoroughbreds at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale where Whisper Hill Farm went to $1.3 million for the colt. Gainesway partnered with Whisper Hill to campaign Tapit Trice.
In his Nov.6 debut, Tapit Trice finished third under Flavian Prat after racing midpack over the same course and distance.
Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche on Friday, favored Tapit Trice broke slow from the gate and then raced next to last as fractions clicked off in :23.65 and :47.76 through a half-mile. With coaxing around the turn and then after swinging four wide in the stretch, Tapit Trice found his best stride and rallied to win by a neck in a final time of 1:39.05 on a sealed, muddy track.
The next day at Aqueduct, Alpha Delta Stables' Occult won her second start for trainer Chad Brown taking a one-mile maiden test by 4 1/4 lengths.
The Into Mischief filly finished fourth in her Sept. 17 debut while racing six furlongs at Belmont at the Big A. On Saturday, she raced under Manny Franco. After being bumped at the start, she settled in fourth as a quarter-mile went in :23.77 and moved into third as a half-mile was clocked in :48.05. Occult mounted a challenge in the turn, took the lead in the stretch, and pulled clear to finish in 1:40.86 on a track labeled good.
Bred by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Occult is out of the grade 2-winning Empire Maker mare Magical Feeling, who also produced stakes winners Exulting and Magical among her three other winners. Occult was purchased by agent Steven Young at the Keeneland September Sale for $625,000 from the Bridie Harrison consignment.
Turfway
Besilu Stables celebrated the win of First Strike Dec. 16 at Turfway Park after the Medaglia d'Oro colt battled through the stretch of a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight for juveniles to win his second start by a nose.
Trained by Paulo Lobo, First Strike finished fourth in his Oct. 18 debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis. In Friday's race, he was guided by Joseph Ramos and after settling behind the pace near fourth, First Strike battled with Onasa through the stretch until that rival gave way and was replaced by Global Surprise, who just missed after rallying gamely. The final time was 1:45.71 on a fast track.
Bred by Godolphin and Mt Brilliant Farm and Ranch, First Strike is out of the multiple graded stakes winner Strike Charmer (by Smart Strike). Buffolo Bloodstock purchased the colt for $210,000 from Mt Brilliant Farm at the Keeneland September Sale.
Gulfstream
Jim and Susan Hill's Emperor's Appeal found the winner's circle in his second start. The Empire Maker colt, who finished third in his Nov. 13 debut at Churchill Downs, won a one-mile maiden test for 2-year-olds Friday at Gulfstream Park.
Emperor's Appeal, ridden by Luis Saez as the favorite, tracked the pace from third after hopping at the start and made the lead near the sixteenth pole heading down the stretch. He finished the distance in 1:38.37 on a fast track, a half-length in front.
The homebred is trained by Brian Lynch and is out of the Successful Appeal mare Solid Appeal, Canada's 2013 Champion Grass Mare and grade 2 stakes winner.
