Half Sister to Frank's Rockette Scores on Debut

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.

Saratoga 

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' homebred American Rockette  went from last to first July 21 to win her debut at Saratoga Race Course by 2 1/2 lengths for trainer Bill Mott. The American Pharoah   filly is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner and Spinaway (G1) runner-up Frank's Rockette .

Ridden by Junior Alvarado, American Rockette was last out of the gate and brushed another rival at the start of the off-the-turf, 5 1/2-furlong maiden race for 2-year-old fillies. After early fractions went in :22.07 and :46.17 for a half-mile, American Rockette moved up two places on the turn, swung five wide in the stretch, and rallied past the leaders to stop the clock in 1:05.93 on a track labeled good.

American Rockette is the fourth foal to race and the fourth winner out of the grade 3 winner, Rocket Twentyone  (by Indian Charlie). Frank Fletcher Racing bought the mare for $300,000 at the 2011 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Selected Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training and then campaigned her to four wins, including the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (G3) in the second start of her juvenile year.

Ellis 

Stone Bridge Farm's Justa Warrior  won her debut for trainer John Alexander Ortiz the following day at Ellis Park. The Justify   filly took on eight other 2-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt.

Through the opening half-mile, Justa Warrior, under jockey Reylu Gutierrez, sat a half-length behind Bonanza Grade, who set fractions of :22.25 and :45.13, but by the time they reached the stretch, Justa Warrior was already 1 1/2 lengths ahead. She closed to finish five lengths in front in a final time of 1:03.88 on the fast track.

Bred by Triemore Stud, Justa Warrior is out of the Bernardini mare A Z Warrior , winner of the 2010 Frizette Stakes (G1) in her fourth start. The filly was purchased by Stonebridge Farm for $150,000 from the Eaton Sales consignment at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

July 23 at Ellis Park, Hooties Racing's Boss Lady Bailey  took a seven-furlong maiden test for 2-year-old fillies in her debut. The Connect   filly, also trained by Ortiz and ridden by Gutierrez, got a neck in front to prevail.

Racing from the outside post 8, Boss Lady Bailey raced in third as a quarter-mile went in :23.31 and moved into second as a half-mile went in :47.36. She vied with Fun and Feisty through the stretch, stopping the clock in 1:24.76 on a fast track.

Bred by White Fox Farm, Boss Lady Bailey is out of the Officer mare Special Dream . She was purchased earlier this year by her owner for $550,000 from the Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Woodbine 

Spruce Stable's One for Chap  won his second start July 24 for trainer Mark Casse, taking a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race over the grass at Woodbine. The Ransom the Moon   colt finished third in his July 3 debut, also on the Woodbine turf.

With jockey Rafael Hernandez aboard, One for Chap quickly took the lead and set fractions of :23.29, :46.60, and 1:10.12 through six furlongs, and then galloped out to finish up in 1:16.37 on a firm course, winning by a length.

Bred by Jim Dandy Stable in Ontario, One for Chap is out of the Housebuster mare Destroy, who also produced grade 3 winner Mrs. Barbara , Canada's champion 2-year-old filly of 2021.

*Denotes 2-year-old