Well-Related Medaglia d'Oro Colt Off the Mark for Wests

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 graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners. Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Gary and Mary West's homebred Hot Property kept it all in the family with a convincing debut score Nov. 24 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. A son of the aging but influential stallion Medaglia d'Oro, Hot Property claimed his real estate just as a closely related family member, Hit Show, vies for his fourth straight graded stakes win in this weekend's $600,000 Clark Handicap (G2). Hot Property's ties to Hit Show trace through his dam, the Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew). Victorious in the prestigious Woodbine Oaks, Canada's prize jewel for sophomore fillies, Milwaukee Appeal has produced four winners on the track, led by grade 2 winner Actress. Unlike her dam, who was a stakes winner at 2, Actress broke her maiden in her third start as a 3-year-old in the 2017 Black Eyed-Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico Race Course. In what would be her first of two graded stakes wins, the Gary and Mary West runner rallied from far off the pace and splashed to a head victory at 12-1 odds. The daughter of Tapit later captured the Comely Stakes (G3) at the end of her sophomore campaign. Returning as a 4-year-old, she placed twice in graded company before retiring to the Wests' broodmare band. Hit Show was her first foal. Trained by Brad Cox, Hit Show, a grade 3 winner last year as a 3-year-old, has proven to be an even better competitor as a 4-year-old. A $1.2 million earner, the Candy Ride (ARG) colt most recently registered the highest Equibase Speed Figure of his career when landing Keeneland's Fayette Stakes (G2) on the closing day of the fall meet. Hot Property, also trained by Cox, stepped up to the plate more than ready for his debut off a series of noteworthy drills at Turfway Park. In his final pre-race work, he logged five furlongs from the gate in :59.80 over the Tapeta. Breaking on top from the inside post in his first race, the colt scampered to the front without missing a beat. Facing some mild pressure through the first six furlongs, Hot Property shook free turning for home and widened his advantage with every stride through the wire. Receiving the occasional reminder from jockey Marcellino Pedroza Jr., Hot Property won by 3 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:45.27 over a fast main track.