Wrecking Crew Becomes First Winner for Sky Kingdom
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Wrecking Crew breaks his maiden at Del Mar
Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen's Wrecking Crew made his debut a winning one July 27 with a facile victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar, becoming the first winner for freshman sire Sky Kingdom .
Guided by Flavien Prat, Wrecking Crew settled in third in the field of five as the first quarter-mile went in :22.40, then moved up into second, a half-length off the pace, through a :46.23 half-mile. The dark bay/brown colt then opened up by three lengths in the stretch, getting five-eighths in :58.80, before keeping a late runner at bay to hit the wire in 1:12.22 on a fast track, 1 3/4 lengths in front.
Wrecking Crew worked swiftly in the mornings in Southern California for trainer Peter Miller in preparation for his initial start, including a brisk :59 3/5 workout through five-eighths July 18. Miller indicated after Saturday's race that the Aug. 10 Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar is a possibility for Wrecking Crew's next start ahead of the Sept. 2 Del Mar Futurity (G1).
Rockingham purchased Wrecking Crew for $875,000 from Wavertree Stables' consignment at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's March selected sale of 2-year-olds in training. It was his third time through the auction ring. First Magnolia Point Farm purchased Wrecking Crew as a weanling for $18,000 through Darby Dan Farm's consignment at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Paramount Sales then consigned Wrecking Crew at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearling sale in Kentucky, and Owls Bloodstock went to $115,000 for him.
Bred in Kentucky by Westrock Stables, Wrecking Crew is out of the Yes It's True mare Truelladeville.
Sky Kingdom was a two-time winner of the Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park, third in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Hollywood Park, and a stakes-winning track record-holder at Los Alamitos Race Course for trainer Bob Baffert and Westrock Stables. The 10-year-old son of Empire Maker is out of the Kingmambo mare Sky Beam, a full sister to grade 1-placed stakes winner Mambo in Seattle. His third dam is former Broodmare of the Year and blue hen mare Weekend Surprise, the dam of A.P. Indy and Summer Squall.
Sky Kingdom entered stud at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Ky., in 2016 and has since stood for a $5,000 fee.