Summer Promise Another Winner for Dream of Summer

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Churchill Downs

BC Stables' Summer Promise  had a successful debut June 25 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who paid $500,000 for the Uncle Mo   filly out of multiple graded stakes producer Dream of Summer at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where she was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

Bred by James Weigel, Summer Promise is a half sister to grade 1 winner and sire Creative Cause  , grade 2 winner and 2016 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) runner-up Destin , and Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) winner Vexatious .

In Saturday's five-furlong maiden special weight, David Cohen guided Summer Promise to the lead where she set fractions of :22.95 and :45.97 through a half-mile. The filly held a two-length advantage at the top of the stretch and widened that margin to five under a steady drive. She completed the distance in :57.98 on a fast track.

Kaleem Shah's Arman  also won his debut June 23 at the Louisville track. The Bolt d'Oro   colt earned his victory in a five-furlong maiden race under jockey Martin Garcia. Arman broke slightly behind the others, raced in fourth early on, moved into second by the time four furlongs went in :45.87, and then took over to post a 2 1/2-length score in a final time of :58.14 on a fast track.

Bred by Loren Nichols, Arman is the second foal out of the unraced Uncle Mo mare Beautissimo. Shah purchased the colt for $600,000 from Top Line Sales at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training this year.

Winner for Havre de Grace 

Among new 3-year-old winners this week is Whisper Hill Farm's homebred Saint Tapit , a son of Tapit   and 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace . The colt trained by Todd Pletcher won the 6 1/2-furlong maiden race at Belmont Park by four lengths on Sunday.

Racing under jockey Luis Saez, Saint Tapit had an eventful trip while in second as a quarter-mile went in :23.07 and a half-mile went in :46.59. Rounding the turn, he moved up, took over, and pulled clear of the field at the top of the stretch. Saint Tapit finished up in a final time of 1:17.20 on a fast track.

Havre de Grace has also produced grade 3 winner Graceful Princess  (Tapit).

*Denotes 2-year-old