Ben's Legacy, First Defender Serve Notice

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. 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.

Oaklawn Park

At a cursory glance at his page, one would tell you Ben's Legacy  is bred for the turf—he’s by internationally acclaimed stallion More Than Ready and a full brother to the sensational Rushing Fall, the 2020 champion older turf female and a six-time grade 1 winner on the grass. This bit of pedigree background is what makes his decisive maiden score on the dirt Jan. 21 at Oaklawn Park all the more impressive.

The 3-year-old chestnut is a member of the antepenultimate crop of the late More Than Ready, who proved yet again he can sire a talented dirt horse with Ben’s Legacy. Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding, Ben's Legacy failed to meet his reserve as a yearling before blistering a :9 4/5 eighth during the under tack show at the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. The snappy breeze caught the attention of trainer James DeVito, who snapped up the colt for $360,000 on behalf of longtime client Doubledown Stables.

Tenth early after a sluggish start in his Dec. 31 Oaklawn debut, the colt closed willingly under David Cabrera and finished third behind fellow Maiden Watch choice Eyeing Clover  in a six-furlong maiden special weight. Running back three works later, with two five-furlong breezes sandwiched in between, Ben’s Legacy broke much sharper on Saturday second time out. Positioned within striking distance behind a :22.23 and :45.90 pace set by race favorite and $1 million Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale buyback Lark's Mischief , Ben’s Legacy powered four-wide on the turn and drove to the wire.

One and a quarter-lengths clear at the finish, he stopped the clock in a final time of 1:10.41 for six furlongs, the second fastest of six races run over that distance for the day and only a tick (:0.21) slower than Hot and Sultry  ran when capturing the $150,000 American Beauty Stakes on the same card.

Produced from the Forestry mare Autumnal, Ben’s Legacy is also a half-sibling to the multiple graded stakes-placed Milam (Street Sense  ).

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Three Chimneys Farm’s Bella Runner  drew the curtain on her 2022 campaign with a sparkling four-length tally in the Nov. 22 $250,000 Zia Park Oaks. With her connections’ eying bigger prizes into the new year, her little brother drew some attention of his own with a 5 ¼-length debut romp Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The favorite #3 FIRST DEFENDER (3.80) wins on debut in race #7 at the Fair Grounds. @Tyler_Gaff was aboard for Steve Assmussen. The Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes is up next at the Fair Grounds, Wager on it at https://t.co/nBYFHiPrdh. Watch the race on @fandueltv. pic.twitter.com/qBte6clDIZ

— TVG (@TVG) January 21, 2023

Charting some impressive morning works for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen leading into the six-furlong maiden special weight, First Defender , also owned by Three Chimneys, was sent off at less than even money in his career unveiling. The Quality Road   colt pressed a quick opening quarter mile of :21.48 before taking command at the half-mile pole and steadily widening his advantage throughout. Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who flew into New Orleans from Florida to ride Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Echo Again  in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) later on the card, First Defender was timed in 1:10.88 on a fast main track.

First Defender is the fifth foal out of the dual grade 1-winning mare Love and Pride, a daughter of classic sire A.P. Indy. Added distance shouldn't appear to be an issue for First Defender going forward, as his sire Quality Road boasts nine two-turn grade 1 winners and his dam notched her biggest victories over 1 1/16- and 1 1/8-mile trips.