Prospect Watch: Half-siblings to Thorpedo Anna, War Story

Posted by author February 24, 2025 Horse Racing

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Each week, we bring you an exclusive look at racing’s future stars before they hit the spotlight. These promising young horses carry the blood of champions in their veins, and smart racing fans will want to keep them on their radar.

Horse Racing Nation’s Prospect Watch scans all upcoming entries for starters early in their careers who sold for more than $500,000 at their most recent auction or whose dams or siblings are graded-stakes winners. Here’s our breakdown of this week’s most intriguing prospects with famous connections.

Monday

Half-sister to Grade 3 winner Just Cindy

At Oaklawn Park, race 7 features Mendela, a 3-year-old filly by Mendelssohn making her debut for trainer Chris A. Hartman. This well-bred youngster is a half-sister to Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes winner Just Cindy. Mendela will tackle six furlongs on the dirt in a maiden special weight with Rafael Bejarano in the irons. Her morning-line odds stand at 8-1. Owned by Chris Wilkins and bred by Clarkland Farm, Mendela faces a field of 12 in what appears to be a competitive maiden event.

Daughter of Grade 1 winner Mia Mischief

Also in Oaklawn Park race 7, Avery’s Mischief makes her second career start for trainer Steve Asmussen. This 3-year-old filly by Curlin is out of Grade 1 Test Stakes winner Mia Mischief, who earned over $1.27 million on the track. In her debut on Dec. 15 at Oaklawn, Avery’s Mischief finished fourth, beaten 8 1/4 lengths, earning a 75 HRN speed figure. With Erik Asmussen taking the mount at morning line odds of 10-1, she returns over the same six-furlong dirt course for owner-breeder Stonestreet Stables.

Thursday

Half-sister to Grade 1 winner Wet Paint

At Turfway Park, race 9 introduces Painted Desert, a 3-year-old filly by Medaglia d’Oro making her debut for trainer Brad Cox. This Godolphin homebred is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Wet Paint, who earned over $1.30 million on the track. Painted Desert will compete at one mile on the synthetic surface in a maiden special weight with Irving Moncada aboard. Listed as the 5-2 morning line favorite, expectations appear high for this well-bred filly’s first start.

Half-sister to Grade 3 winner Arella Rockstar

Also at Turfway Park, race 9 features Story Land, a 3-year-old filly by Candy Ride making her debut for trainer Michelle Elliott. This Machmer Hall-bred youngster is a half-sister to Matron Stakes (G3) winner Arella Rockstar. Story Land will compete in the same one-mile maiden special weight on synthetic as Painted Desert, with Hannah Leahey in the irons. At morning line odds of 12-1, she may be overlooked in the wagering despite her solid pedigree. Owned by Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds and Elliott Racing.

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Nutella Fella

At Gulfstream Park, race 9 features Thorsness, a 3-year-old colt by War of Will making his second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher. This promising youngster is a half-brother to Grade 1 Hopeful Memorial winner Nutella Fella. After finishing eighth in his debut on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park, Thorsness tries a maiden claiming event going 1 mile on turf with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. His morning line odds of 9-2 reflect some confidence in improvement for his second start. Owned by Team Penney Racing and bred by Ashview Farm.

Half-sister to Grade 1 winner Chocolate Gelato

At Aqueduct, race 1 introduces Ice Cream Boat, a 3-year-old filly by Outwork making her third career start for trainer Todd Pletcher. This regally-bred youngster is a half-sister to Grade 1 Frizette Stakes winner Chocolate Gelato, who earned over $300,000. After two educational outings, most recently finishing fourth beaten 12 1/2 lengths at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 13, Ice Cream Boat will compete in a one-mile maiden special weight on the main track with Kendrick Carmouche in the irons. Owned by Repole Stable and bred by Vincent Colbert.

Half-brother to champion Jaywalk

At Gulfstream Park, race 2 sees the third career start for Wheelhouse, a 4-year-old colt by Tapit and a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly Jaywalk, who earned over $1.67 million. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Harrell Ventures and Gainesway Stable, this well-bred colt looks to build on his third-place finish on Jan. 22 at Gulfstream Park. He competes in a 1 1/16-mile maiden claiming event on turf with Luis Saez aboard and is listed at 4-1 on the morning line. Wheelhouse was bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds.

Friday

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Kalypso

At Santa Anita, race 9 introduces Rowan August, a 3-year-old colt by Authentic making his debut for trainer Richard Mandella. This exciting prospect is a half-brother to La Brea Stakes (G1) winner Kalypso, who earned over $600,000 on the track. Rowan August will compete in a one-mile maiden special weight on the turf with Juan J. Hernandez aboard. Owned by Spendthrift Farm and bred by the same connections.

Son of Grade 3 winner Sky Girl

Santa Anita race 9 also features Skyquist, a 3-year-old colt by Nyquist making his debut for trainer Patrick Gallagher. This well-bred youngster is out of Dogwood Stakes (G3) winner Sky Girl. Skyquist will compete in the same one-mile maiden special weight on turf as Rowan August, with Hector Isaac Berrios aboard. Owned by the partnership of Bowden, Fisher or Takamoto and bred by Mt Brilliant Farm & Ranch.

Daughter of Grade 1 winner Alice Springs

At Gulfstream Park, race 2 features Fleetingly, a 4-year-old filly by Justify making her third career start for trainer Chad Brown. This royally bred filly is out of multiple Group 1 winner Alice Springs, who earned over $1.22 million during her racing career. After finishing third beaten one length in her most recent start on Dec. 21 at Tampa Bay Downs, Fleetingly tackles a 1-mile maiden special weight on the turf. Tyler Gaffalione takes the mount on this Resolute Bloodstock-owned filly. She earned a solid 90 HRN speed figure in her last start and appears ready to break through with her first victory. Fleetingly was bred by Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt.

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Soul of an Angel

At Tampa Bay Downs, race 7 features Rapid Roy, a 4-year-old colt by Always Dreaming making his third career start for trainer Martin Paramo. This promising individual is a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Soul of an Angel, who earned over $1.21 million. After finishing seventh in his last start on Dec. 27 at Tampa Bay Downs, Rapid Roy tries a 1 1/16-mile maiden claiming event on turf with Jose Luis Alonso aboard. Owned by MPK Stable and bred by Westbrook Stables & Always Dreaming Syndicate.

Saturday

Daughter of Grade 2 winner Break Even

At Gulfstream Park, race 1 introduces Debt Free, a 3-year-old filly by Not This Time making her debut for trainer Cherie DeVaux. This promising youngster is out of Eight Belles (G2) winner Break Even, who earned over $534,000 during her racing career. Debt Free will compete in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on the main track with Luis Saez aboard. Owned by Klein Racing, this filly is a homebred for her connections, who also bred and raced her accomplished dam.

Half-sister to Grade 1 winner Randomized

Also in Gulfstream Park race 1, La Neige, a 3-year-old filly by Frosted is making her debut for trainer Riley Mott. This well-bred youngster is a half-sister to Acorn Stakes (G1) winner Randomized, who earned over $1.29 million on the track. La Neige will compete with John Velazquez taking the mount. Owned by Connie and Richard Snyder and bred by Cove Springs.

Half-brother to Grade 2 winner Rhyme Schemes

At Gulfstream Park, race 6 introduces Meritorious, a 3-year-old colt by Honor A.P. making his debut for trainer Riley Mott. This promising youngster is a half-brother to Lake Placid (G2) winner Rhyme Schemes. Meritorious will compete in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on the dirt with John Velazquez aboard. Owned by Pin Oak Stud and bred by Parks Investment Group.

Son of Grade 2 winner Leigh Court

At Oaklawn Park, race 6 features Arthur’s Court, a 3-year-old colt by Nyquist making his debut for trainer Lindsay Schultz. This well-bred youngster is out of multiple Grade 2 winner Leigh Court, who earned over $779,000 during her racing career. Arthur’s Court will compete in a six-furlong maiden claiming event on the main track with Fernando Jara aboard. Owned by Larry Nafe and bred by Speedway Stables.

Half-brother to Grade 2 winner Toinette

At Turfway Park, race 1 introduces Day Money Deegan, a 3-year-old colt by Improbable making his debut for trainer Michael Puhich. This promising youngster is a half-brother to Goldikova Stakes (G2) winner Toinette, who earned over $581,000 on the track. Day Money Deegan will compete in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the synthetic surface with Carlos Barbosa aboard. Owned by Mark Dedomenico and bred by WinStar Farm, J. D. Stuart, P. C. Bance & A R Enterprises.

Son of Grade 1 winner Pretty Girl

At Aqueduct, Race 8 features Pagode, a 3-year-old colt by Constitution making his second career start for trainer Paulo Lobo. This well-bred youngster is out of Copa de Plata (G1) winner Pretty Girl, who earned over $229,000 during her racing career in South America. After winning his debut by a nose on Jan. 25 at Turfway Park, Pagode steps up to stakes company in the one-mile Gotham, which offers 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner. Owned by Bonne Chance Farm, this colt is a homebred for his connections.

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie

At Fair Grounds, race 1 includes Sargent Sully, a 3-year-old colt by Instagrand making his second career start for trainer William Walden. This regally-bred youngster is a half-brother to Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Hot Rod Charlie, who earned over $5.98 million during his illustrious career. After finishing fifth in his debut on January 20 at Fair Grounds, Sargent Sully tries a turf sprint going about 5 1/2 furlongs with Axel Concepcion aboard. At morning line odds of 6-1, this OXO Equine-owned homebred gets another chance to show his potential. His famous sibling was a classic-placed Grade 1 winner who competed at the highest levels throughout his career.

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Thorpedo Anna

At Aqueduct, race 8 features McAfee, a 3-year-old colt by Cloud Computing making his third career start for trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. This promising individual is a half-brother to reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna. After finishing second by a head in a stakes race Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs, earning an 86 HRN speed figure, McAfee appears poised to step forward in the Gotham, and is on the hunt for the winner’s 50 Kentucky Derby points with Lane J. Luzzi aboard. Owned by Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Judy B. Hicks and Scott C. Rice, this colt was bred by Judy Hicks.

Emergence: Half-brother to Grade 2 Winner War Story entered in two stakes

Trainer Brad Cox has entered promising 3-year-old Emergence in two different stakes races this Saturday, giving his connections options for the talented colt’s second career start.

At Gulfstream Park, race 7 features one option for Emergence, a 3-year-old colt by Uncle Mo making his stakes debut after an impressive maiden victory. This well-bred youngster is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner War Story, who earned over $3.27 million during his-illustrious career. Coming off a dominant 3 1/4-length victory in a maiden special weight on the Gulfstream synthetic track on Feb. 1, Emergence would step up to face stakes company in the Colonel Liam Stakes, a one-mile turf event. Luis Saez is named to ride for owners Qatar Racing, C H C. and Trilogy USA. Bred by Summer Wind Equine, this promising colt appears to have a bright future ahead.

Alternatively, at Fair Grounds, race 9 also features Emergence cross-entered in the Black Gold Stakes, going about 1 1/16 miles on the turf. With morning line odds of 9-2, Cox has named Marcelino Pedroza Jr. to ride in this spot.

Weather in either spot will determine where he runs.

Daughter of Grade 1 winner Rosalba Maria

At Fair Grounds, race 2 introduces Rosalba the Wicked, a 3-year-old filly by Bobby’s Wicked One making her third career start for trainer Al Stall, Jr. This interesting prospect is out of Clasico Prensa Hipica Nacional (G1) winner Rosalba Maria. After finishing second beaten 3 1/2 lengths in her last start Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds, Rosalba the Wicked will compete in a six-furlong maiden special weight on the main track with Erica M. Murray aboard. At morning-line odds of 9-5, this Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables homebred appears ready for a breakthrough performance.

Half-brother to Grade 1 winner Mozu Ascot

At Turfway Park, race 1 features Tap Em’ Out, a 3-year-old colt by Tapit making his third career start for trainer Brittany Vanden Berg. This well-bred youngster is a half-brother to Yasuda Kinen (G1) winner Mozu Ascot, who earned over $2.7 million primarily racing in Japan. After finishing fifth in his last start on Oct. 10 at Indiana Grand, Tap Em’ Out returns in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the synthetic surface with Christopher A. Emigh aboard. Owned by AJMAC and Family Thoroughbreds and bred by Summer Wind Equine.

Sunday

Son of Grade 3 winner Gamble’s Ghost

At Gulfstream Park, race 11 introduces Fateful Lightning, a 3-year-old colt by Tapit making his debut for trainer Brad Cox. This well-bred youngster is out of multiple Grade 3 winner Gamble’s Ghost, who earned over $788,000 during her racing career. Fateful Lightning will compete in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight on the turf with Luis Saez aboard. Owned by Talla Racing and St. Elias Stable and bred by Tall Oaks Farm and Tapit Syndicate.

Son of Grade 1 winner Negligee

Also at Gulfstream Park race 11 features Murabeh, a 3-year-old colt by Bernardini making his third career start for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. This regally-bred youngster is out of Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner Negligee, who earned over $381,000 on the track. After finishing sixth beaten 15 1/2 lengths Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, Murabeh tries turf for the first time in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight with Edgard Zayas aboard. Owned by Fortune Racing and bred by Al Shaqab Racing.

Date	Track	Type	Horse	Div	Sire	Dam	Trainer	Top sibling (Highest GS)
First-time starters
2/24	OP 7	MSW	Mendela	3F	Mendelssohn	Jenda’s Agenda, 11YO, $173K	Chris A. Hartman	Just Cindy (G3), 5YO, $174K, by Justify
2/27	TP 9	MSW	Painted Desert	3F	Medaglia d’Oro	Sky Painter (G3 Placed), 14YO, $170K	Brad Cox	Wet Paint (G1), 5YO, $1.30M, by Blame
2/27	TP 9	MSW	Story Land	3F	Candy Ride (ARG)	Story Untold, 14YO, $0K	Michelle Elliott	Arella Rockstar (G3), 11YO, $160K, by Astrology
2/28	SA 9	MSW	Rowan August	3M	Authentic	Malibu Cove, 12YO, $10K	Richard Mandella	Kalypso (G1), 7YO, $608K, by Brody’s Cause
2/28	SA 9	MSW	Skyquist	3M	Nyquist	Sky Girl (G3), 15YO, $172K	Patrick Gallagher
3/1	GP 1	MSW	Debt Free	3F	Not This Time	Break Even (G2), 9YO, $534K	Cherie DeVaux
3/1	GP 1	MSW	La Neige	3F	Frosted	French Passport, 13YO, $0K	Riley Mott	Randomized (G1), 5YO, $1.29M, by Nyquist
3/1	GP 6	MSW	Meritorious	3M	Honor A. P.	Katherine, 10YO, $40K	Riley Mott	Rhyme Schemes (G2), 4YO, $196K, by Ghostzapper
3/1	OP 6	MCL	Arthur’s Court	3M	Nyquist	Leigh Court (G2), 15YO, $779K	Lindsay Schultz
3/1	TP 1	MSW	Day Money Deegan	3M	Improbable	I Bet Toni Knows, 16YO, $129K	Michael Puhich	Toinette (G2), 10YO, $581K, by Scat Daddy
3/2	GP 11	MSW	Fateful Lightning	3M	Tapit	Gamble’s Ghost (G3), 12YO, $788K	Brad Cox
Second-time starters
2/24	MVR 1	MSW	Beer Time	4M	Fast Anna	Cheesecake, 13YO, $5K	Tommy C. Short	Beer Can Man (G3), 7YO, $601K, by Can the Man
2/24	OP 7	MSW	Avery’s Mischief	3F	Curlin	Mia Mischief (G1), 10YO, $1.27M	Steve Asmussen
2/27	GP 1	MCL	Princess Ny	3F	Nyquist	Project Whiskey (G3), 8YO, $306K	Christopher Davis
2/27	GP 8	AOC	Grande	3M	Curlin	Journey Home (G3), 11YO, $226K	Todd Pletcher	Ticker Tape Home (G3), 5YO, $405K, by Medaglia d’Oro
2/27	GP 9	MCL	Thorsness	3M	War of Will	Krissy’s Candy, 11YO, $6K	Todd Pletcher	Nutella Fella (G1), 4YO, $315K, by Runhappy
2/28	AQU 1	MSW	St. Addie	3F	Authentic	Halo Dolly (G2), 17YO, $1.02M	John Kimmel	Barraza (G3), 7YO, $262K, by Into Mischief
3/1	AQU 8	STK	Pagode	3M	Constitution	Pretty Girl (ARG) (G1), 14YO, $229K	Paulo Lobo
3/1	AQU 10	MSW	Merica’s Back	3M	Practical Joke	Golden Mystery (G3), 19YO, $537K	Mike Maker
3/1	FG 1	MSW	Sargent Sully	3M	Instagrand	Indian Miss, 16YO, $6K	William Walden	Hot Rod Charlie (G1), 7YO, $5.98M, by Oxbow
3/1	FG 9	STK	Emergence	3M	Uncle Mo	Belle Watling, 20YO, $8K	Brad Cox	War Story (G2), 13YO, $3.27M, by Northern Afleet
3/1	GP 2	AOC	Chicago Theatre	4M	Medaglia d’Oro	Theatre Star (G3 Placed), 15YO, $260K	Bethany Baumgardner	Ocean Club (G3), 5YO, $514K, by Curlin
3/1	GP 7	STK	Emergence	3M	Uncle Mo	Belle Watling, 20YO, $8K	Brad Cox	War Story (G2), 13YO, $3.27M, by Northern Afleet
3/1	HOU 2	MSW	Momissioner	3M	Uncle Mo	Westside Singer, 17YO, $48K	Steve Asmussen	Secret Message (G2), 10YO, $695K, by Hat Trick (JPN)
3/1	MVR 1	MSW	Beer Time	4M	Fast Anna	Cheesecake, 13YO, $5K	Tommy C. Short	Beer Can Man (G3), 7YO, $601K, by Can the Man
3/1	TP 9	MCL	Late for Mass	3F	Catholic Boy	Bel Air Beauty (G2), 21YO, $381K	Ethan W. West	Stacked Deck (G2), 14YO, $1.21M, by First Samurai
3/2	GP 4	AOC	Uncaged	3M	Curlin	Dark Nile (G3), 12YO, $250K	Todd Pletcher
3/2	GP 8	MSW	Bee Cat	3F	English Channel	Evil Kitten (G3 Placed), 16YO, $234K	Rusty Arnold	English Bee (G3), 9YO, $753K, by English Channel
Third-time starters
2/24	OP 7	MSW	Mia’s Mom	3F	Maclean’s Music	Twinkling, 12YO, $10K	Robert Medina	Skippylongstocking (G2), 6YO, $3.37M, by Exaggerator
2/27	AQU 1	MSW	Ice Cream Boat	3F	Outwork	Special Treat, 13YO, $33K	Todd Pletcher	Chocolate Gelato (G1), 5YO, $303K, by Practical Joke
2/27	FG 8	MSW	Miss Birkin (IRE)	3F	Profitable (IRE)	Fashion Line (IRE), 15YO, $16K	Thomas Morley	Bellabel (IRE) (G2), 6YO, $373K, by Belardo (IRE)
2/27	GP 1	MCL	Young and Pretty	3F	McKinzie	Livin Lovin (G3), 19YO, $162K	Victor Barboza, Jr.
2/27	GP 2	MCL	Dazzle A. P.	3M	Honor A. P.	Dazzle, 11YO, $3K	Christophe Clement	Accomplished Girl (G2), 5YO, $620K, by Street Boss
2/27	GP 2	MCL	Wheelhouse	4M	Tapit	Lady Pewitt, 21YO, $4K	Todd Pletcher	Jaywalk (G1), 9YO, $1.67M, by Cross Traffic
2/27	GP 8	AOC	Solid Left	3M	West Coast	Solid Appeal (G2), 16YO, $584K	Brian Lynch
2/27	TP 4	MCL	Bourbon State	3M	Army Mule	Bourbon Kitty, 16YO, $78K	Darrin Miller	Swinger (G2), 9YO, $18K, by Jersey Town
2/28	GP 2	MSW	Fleetingly	4F	Justify	Alice Springs (IRE) (G1), 12YO, $1.22M	Chad Brown
2/28	GP 9	STR	Talbingo	4M	Classic Empire	Northern Passion (G3), 16YO, $660K	Brian Lynch
2/28	TAM 7	MCL	Rapid Roy	4M	Always Dreaming	Factor One, 11YO, $4K	Martin Paramo	Soul of an Angel (G1), 6YO, $1.21M, by Atreides
2/28	TP 5	MCL	Upscuttled	3F	Game Winner	J. Quirk, 14YO, $112K	Richard Estvanko	Lady Mystify (G3), 7YO, $299K, by Bernardini
3/1	AQU 8	STK	McAfee	3M	Cloud Computing	Sataves, 10YO, $0K	Richard Dutrow, Jr.	Thorpedo Anna (G1), 4YO, $3.84M, by Fast Anna
3/1	FG 2	MSW	Rosalba the Wicked	3F	Bobby’s Wicked One	Rosalba Maria (VEN) (G1), 10YO, $0K	Al Stall, Jr.
3/1	GP 13	STK	Solid Left	3M	West Coast	Solid Appeal (G2), 16YO, $584K	Brian Lynch
3/1	TP 1	MSW	Tap Em’ Out	3M	Tapit	India (G2), 22YO, $631K	Brittany Vanden Berg	Mozu Ascot (G1), 11YO, $2.70M, by Frankel (GB)
3/2	GP 1	MSW	Grayleigh	3F	Tiz the Law	Well Monied (G2), 19YO, $394K	Anthony Mitchell
3/2	GP 11	MSW	Murabeh	3M	Bernardini	Negligee (G1), 18YO, $381K	Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Legend:

Div: Age and sex. 2F for 2-year-old fillies, 2M for 2-year-old males (colts/geldings), etc.

Top sibling (highest graded stakes): The sibling with the highest level of graded stakes won (G1, G2, G3) followed by the most money won if two siblings are at the same level.

Bolded names are mentioned in the article.