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Forbes' Firsters

Forbes’ Firsters is a series that takes a glance at the pedigrees and sales histories of select 2-year-olds who are making their debuts in maiden special weight races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, or Saratoga Race Course. Many of history’s best horses have commenced their careers in New York, and Forbes’ Firsters will help fans find the stars of tomorrow as they head postward for the first time.

FORBES’ FIRSTERS FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Jon Forbes

RACE 2, ALL TWO-YEAR-OLDS, ONE MILE, 12:58 P.M.

INMYFATHERSIMAGE (chestnut colt, Curlin—Friendly Michelle, by Artax) is out of a mare who won the Grade 1 Prioress and Grade 3 La Troienne. From two foals to race, Friendly Michelle has one winner, Da Vinci, who has three victories to date. Da Vinci is by A.P. Indy, the sire of Curlin.

Owner: Jennifer Contessa & Carl Bowling
Trainer: Gary Contessa
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

FORBES’ FIRSTERS FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Jon Forbes

RACE 3, TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLIES, ONE MILE & 70 YARDS, 1:26 P.M.

HOPE RULES (chestnut filly, Sky Mesa—Fun Crowd, by Easy Goer) is a half-sister to Funny Moon, who won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and Grade 2 Shuvee Handicap. A half-brother, Throng, captured minor stakes at Laurel Park and Arlington Park. Their dam is an unraced half-sister to Vanlandingham, who was named Champion Older Horse after winning races like the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and Grade 1 Washington, D.C. International. Hope Rules was the most expensive of 37 yearlings by her sire to sell at auction in 2011.

Owner: Waterville Lake Stable
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Sales history: $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling

FORBES’ FIRSTERS FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Jon Forbes

RACE 1, TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLIES, SEVEN FURLONGS, 12:30 P.M.

BARAGAH (bay filly, Awesome Again—Golden Apples, by Pivotal) is out of a turf runner who posted Grade 1 wins in the Del Mar Oaks, Beverly D., and Yellow Ribbon. Golden Applies, a half-sister to turf stakes winners La Piaf and Alexander Three D, has produced two winners from as many foals to race, including Habaya, who took the Grade 3 Miesque on the grass as a juvenile.

Owner: Shadwell Stable
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Jockey: Pablo Morales

FORBES’ FIRSTERS FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8

Friday, December 07, 2012

Jon Forbes

RACE 6, ALL TWO-YEAR-OLDS, SEVEN FURLONGS, 2:50 P.M.

ELNAAWI (dark bay/brown colt, Street Sense—Pilfer, by Deputy Minister) is a half-brother to To Honor and Serve, who won the Grade 2 Remsen and Grade 2 Nashua as a 2-year-old, the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap and Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby as a 3-year-old, and the Grade 1 Woodward and Grade 3 Westchester as a 4-year-old. Their dam captured a listed route stakes at Delaware Park and is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner India. Elnaawi was the second most expensive of 47 yearlings by his sire to sell at auction in 2011.

Owner: Shadwell Stable
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Jockey: Channing Hill