Bandita (f, 3, Gun Runner–Tricky One, by Unbridled’s Song), coming off her first set of works for now-eight-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, cemented her status as a ‘TDN Rising Star’ at Gulfstream Park on Sunday afternoon. The bay filly, backed down to even-money favoritism, did not disappoint her connections or the bettors in what was a sparkling debut.
Breaking alertly, the Bass Stables colorbearer set the tone early by controlling the pace up front. Despite being challenged by Arrow Bolt (Arrogate) just before the far turn, the $350,000 KEESEP purchase moved professionally, and at the eighth pole poured it on by showcasing a new set of gears as the rest of the field faded into the background. Bandita hit the wire 8 3/4-lengths ahead of 7-2 shot Ocean Club (Curlin) who was second.
The first runner to win at the races for her dam Tricky One, from the family includes SW Optionality (Gun Runner) and SW Simple Surprise (Cowboy Cal), whose own produce includes the winner of Saturday’s King Cotton S. at Oaklawn and the possible Dubai-bound MGSW & MSW Gunite (Gun Runner). The first-time winner has an unnamed 2-year-old half-sister by Flatter and her mare visited Practical Joke last year. Bandita is the sixth ‘TDN Rising Star’ for last year’s leading sophomore sire.
4th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-29, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.77, ft, 8 3/4 lengths.
BANDITA , f, 3, Gun Runner
1st Dam: Tricky One, by Unbridled’s Song
2nd Dam: Simplify, by Pulpit
3rd Dam: Classic Olympio, by Olympio
Sales History: $350,000 Ylg ’21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Bass Stables, LLC; B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
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