Speightstown ‘Rising Star’ Remains Unbeaten at Ellis
2nd-Ellis, $52,460, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($40,000), 7-10, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:16.18, gd, 4 1/2 lengths.
CARRIBEAN CAPER (f, 3, Speightstown–Checkupfromzneckup {SP, $187,470}, by Dixie Union) continued to justify the ‘TDN Rising Star‘ distinction with her third win from as many starts Saturday. An eight-length romper at Fair Grounds Feb. 13, good for an 87 Beyer Speed Figure, the dark bay took a Keeneland optional claimer by 4 1/2 lengths going seven panels Apr. 2 and was pounded down to 1-5 off the brief freshening here. She was off a half-step slowly and then shuffled back further to trail her four foes before rushing up into third down the backside. Carribean Caper ranged up three deep ominously after a :44.90 half, and outclassed her competition from there to cruise home 4 1/2 lengths to the good. Queen Bridget (Verrazano) edged Recoded (Honor Code) for second. Winning trainer Al Stall, Jr. said that his charge could make her stakes debut in the Aug. 15 Audubon Oaks. “That’s not 100%,” Stall told Ellis Park media. “But if she could be a stakes winner or stakes-placed horse, she’s got a wonderful pedigree and she’s pretty. It’s definitely under consideration. She’ll come out of the gate better. She got pinched today. I’m not sure if the other jockeys were riding the 1-5 shot or whatever leaving there. But she showed a good little versatility, and, boy, she sure closed the gap on them quickly. I liked that, too.” The winner’s now 2-year-old half-sister Bombdiggity (Into Mischief) was a $600,000 Keeneland September purchase. Checkupfromzneckup has a yearling filly by Tapit and a Quality Road foal colt. For more, see Impressive Maiden Winners Begin to Take ‘Charge’ in Stall Barn. Sales history: $250,000 Ylg ’19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $116,920. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
Caribbean Caper is a Camden Training Center graduate, and you can read the entire article about her win here.
