America's Surprise Returns; Cezanne Set for Debut

While 2-year-old racing is just beginning to take off in June, maiden 3-year-olds continue to roll out in late spring with two of note running June 6.

America's Surprise, a half sister to dual champion Songbird, and Cezanne, a $3.65 million purchase who will debut for trainer Bob Baffert, will be of great interest to fans and bettors alike.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, America's Surprise is set to take on a field of eight other fillies in a seven-furlong maiden special weight June 6 at Churchill Downs. Hollendorfer also trained Songbird.

The American Pharoah  filly raced once in an Aug. 11 maiden test going 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar, finishing third behind Inspiressa and Bast—who reversed that order to finish 1-2 in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) later last summer. America's Surprise finished ahead of K P Dreamin in that test.

The singular performance of America's Surprise was further complimented when Bast went on to win the Chandelier Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park in which K P Dreamin ran third. Bast then finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and won the Starlet Stakes (G1) before taking the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) in her season debut this year.

Hollendorfer worked America's Surprise twice after her debut but then stopped after an Aug. 25 breeze. She began timed works again Feb. 29 and has been working regularly at Los Alamitos Race Course through May. She was recently shipped to Churchill Downs, where she has had one timed half-mile work in :48.

America's Surprise has been slated at program odds of 8-1 and will be ridden by Martin Garcia. Her competition includes Tipsy Gal, who has finished second or third in three starts; It's Mine, a Medaglia d'Oro  half sister to grade 2 winner Majestic River who placed second in her only start; and Kapiolani, an Empire Maker half sister to group 1 winner and Canadian sire Balmont and grade 1 winner and sire Eskendereya who has raced twice.

On the West Coast, Cezanne is set to make a much-anticipated debut at Santa Anita Park. The Curlin  colt was purchased by M.V. Magnier at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select 2-year-old in training sale, last year where he was consigned by Crupi's New Castle Farm.

Cezanne is listed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite among a field of seven colts and geldings. He most recently worked a bullet half-mile May 30, stopping the clock in :47 3/5 to be the fastest of 47 at the distance that day.

He will be ridden by Flavien Prat from the rail.

"I finally got a race for him," Baffert said. "He's a pretty nice horse, but he drew the 1 hole."

Despite his lack of experience, some bettors have pounced on the colt in future-book wagering for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), postponed this year to Sept. 5. Circa Sports in Las Vegas had him as the 18-1 eighth choice, according to Ron Flatter of VSiN.com.

Cezanne was bred by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holding and St. Elias Stable, who stayed on as a partner with Coolmore interests Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. The colt is out of Achieving, a Bernardini  half sister to grade 1 winner Streaming who has two stakes winners from three runners.

Baffert has also entered Brazen, a Ghostzapper 3-year-old colt who will also be making his first start. He drew post 2 and will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke.

Other races with horses of note looking to break their maidens include Belmont Park race 11 that features the $600,000 2-year-old buy Red Flag Alert. The race also includes Bay Street Money, a half brother to grade 1 winner Stately Victor, and the also-eligible and $1.1 million yearling purchase Johnnypump. Woodbine's fourth race Saturday features $875,000 yearling purchase Feeling Funny and Karakontie Flyer, a half sister to grade 1 winners Lear's Princess and Pretty City Dancer.