Pricey Authentic Colt Airs Rivals in Laurel Park Debut

This column highlights the performances of 2- and 3-year-old 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.

Laurel Park

Lionel ran to his odds May 4 at Laurel Park, powering through the slop for a commanding victory as the 4-5 favorite in his debut performance for trainer Brittany Russell.

Purchased for $875,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables on behalf of the "Avengers" partnership, Lionel became the group's second son of Authentic  to top the Maiden Watch list following Rodriguez's coming-out party in January. An impressive gate-to-wire winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), Rodriguez was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby last week with a foot bruise but has reportedly been targeting a start in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1).

Lionel joined Russell's Laurel Park string ready to fire off a series of strong works at Santa Anita Park, including a five-furlong move in 1:00 out of the gate April 7.

Breaking alertly in the one-mile maiden special weight, jockey Jevian Toledo eased the colt just behind the more experienced leader, Frosted Bull, as the pacesetter took the field through early fractions of :24.40 and :47.83. Lionel began to advance on the frontrunner into the far turn, and by the time they swung for home, the dark bay had bulled his way to the front. Under steady encouragement from Toledo, Lionel splashed to the wire, driving clear by 9 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:39.45.

A late foal born in May, Lionel is the youngest offspring to race out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Street Sense  mare Sweetgrass. The hardy race mare had earned over $330,000 in her career, hitting the board in stakes from 6 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles for trainer Ian Wilkes. Three of her foals have been winners.