Happy Holidays from 

Rising Star Thoroughbreds!

Photo credits: Samantha Decker

Song of the Lark '21 Update

Trainer Keith Asmussen reports that our Uncle Mo yearling is doing well in his initial stages of training at El Primero Training Center in Texas. 

Asmussen, the father of Steve Asmussen who will train the colt once he reaches the racetrack next year, said Song of the Lark ’21 is currently getting a routine and brief respite — which is typical during this time of year during the breaking process for yearlings — and will be back under saddle soon. 

We'll keep you updated on his future progress.

Magical Ways Post Race Update

Magical Ways enjoyed a few easy mornings following Thursday’s race. 

The 3-year-old earned a 76 Beyer Speed Figure for his fifth place effort. This number appears above average given the margin he was beat. 

Pending all things continue well, it would be expected Magical Ways next target will be on Jan. 15th, a maiden special weight going one mile and one-eighth at Aqueduct.

One Last Night '21 Introduction

We recently added this French bred filly to our roster after purchasing shares in December. Go to her profile page to read about her exciting pedigree, trainer, and future plans. 

This is an update of activity on One Last Night '21 over the last few months:

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022

One Last Night '21 arrived from the Arquana Sale in France at Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Farm in Lexington on September 28, 2023 where she began her journey to the racetrack. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation about this yearling daughter of top European stallion Wootton Bassett arriving in the Bluegrass State. She will now begin the breaking process that will lay the groundwork for her training.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2022

One Last Night ‘21 is currently at Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. His team there reported that the  daughter of Wootton Bassett has settled in well since arriving from France, and they are pleased with how the filly has adapted to her new surroundings. Currently, One Last Night '21 is being turned out for 2 to 3 hours each morning. They plan is to start exercising her in the round pen next week. 

UPDATE DECEMBER 2022

Our yearling daughter by Wootton Bassett has transferred to Florida and is moving along in her training at trainer Ken McPeek’s farm in Ocala. At the first MRH Owner Experience farm tour last weekend, McPeek’s assistant introduced the filly to partners. She really is a stunner. The report included video where the handlers described her as "one of the favorites" and that she is nicknamed "Meg The Colt" because she acts more like a colt than a filly. We hope that translates into boldness on the track at a later date. This weekend marks the second event at McPeek’s farm and we are awaiting a new report. 

Pioneer Prince Workout Pattern

As we approach a potential debut for Pioneer Prince in the next month or so, here's a look back at his workout patterns, all at Santa Anita. The partnership is excited to see him run his first race!

Pioneer Prince

Workouts

Date Time Rank Tr .Dist Sf

2022-12-15 0:59.80 1/28 SA 5F Dirt

2022-12-07 1:02.001 4/21 SA 5F Dirt

2022-11-30 0:49.40 15/22 SA 4F Dirt

2022-11-23 0:49.80 17/28 SA 4F Dirt

2022-11-18 0:36.20 1/7 SA 3F Dirt

2022-11-11 0:50.80 33/41 SA 4F Dirt

2022-11-05 0:36.00 1/11 SA 3F Dirt

2022-10-31 0:25.40 1/2 SA 2F Dirt

2022-10-24 0:24.80 2/5 SA 2F Dirt

Magical Ways Finishes 5th in 2nd Start

Magical Ways ran a great opening to his race today at Aqueduct, staying with the three other leaders until they were coming out of the turn onto the stretch, and then he let the other horses get by him and seemed to maintain his pace as the others accelerated. 

The post race commentary by the jockey was that he never stopped trying and that, all in all, he thought it was a good race experience and he probably learned from the race.

We'll see how he comes back before we give a sigh of relief for a safe trip...and then look ahead to his next start. 

Here he is in a screen shot before the turn. He's #7 and though you can't see him well in the photo, the numbers at the bottom of the screen show his position in second place. 

Race Day for Magical Ways!

See details posted above in "Upcoming." He's got a tough race today. It's scheduled for 2:08 PM Mountain time (4:08 PM Eastern). 

We're hoping for a safe and productive experience for his 2nd start.

Go, Magic! 

Pioneer Prince - Naming Celebration Photo

A "Naming Celebration" photo of Pioneer Prince (known previously as I'm A Looker '20), a son of Pioneerof the Nile (sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah) out of I'm A Looker by Henny Hughes (the sire of the great Beholder). What a pedigree this guy has! He's currently training in Southern California with Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.

Smart Shopping '21 Photo Op

Photo taken by one of the partners in the last 48 hours of our soon-to-turn-two Arrogate colt, currently tagged as Smart Shopping '21 (later named Seize The Grey). She reports he's a total love bug who enjoys being petted! Here's hoping he's a successful legacy to his immortal sire.

Photo credits: Courtney Key

New Additions!

We have now entered partnerships on several promising yearlings, and our Magnificent Seven just became the Terrific Twelve. 

We currently have one 3YO (Magical Ways), four 2YOs (Coexist, Disdainful, Mo Temptation and Pioneer Prince) and eight yearlings all set to turn a year older on January 1st. 

2023 looks like it could be an exciting year!

We'll be introducing each of our new yearlings in the coming days, starting with Enchante '21, (now Simply Enchanting) who just had her page completed. 

Disdainful Update

After Disdainful cast in his stall prior to the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar last week, he has been gone over with a fine tooth comb to assess any potential injuries or setbacks. 

The results? Disdainful has a bruised pelvis.

This is about as best case scenario as we could get, and not a major setback, but he will need some time off to rest, recuperate, and thoroughly heal before returning to the track. 

Disdainful has been sent to a farm in Southern California where he is expected to get up to 60 days of rest before he is re-evaluated prior to returning to training just to ensure he has had all the time he needs to properly heel.

As always, the welfare of the horse is always our first priority and we expect this time off may end up being a blessing in disguise as it will allow Disdainful to grow and mature and hopefully return as an even better 3YO this coming spring.

We'll keep you posted as we get further reports. 

Earlier photo of Disdainful(IRE) taken in Ireland.

I'm A Looker '20 has been registered as PIONEER PRINCE

It's official! I'm A Looker '20 (temporary tag) has now been registered as Pioneer Prince.

His official page (at top) and all previous post label references (linked on the sidebar) will now be changed to Pioneer Prince though historic posts made before he was registered will still refer to him "I'm A Looker '20" temporary tag.

Magical Ways Entry

We have received the entry notice for Magical Ways! 

December 15th 

Aqueduct 

Race# 8 

1 mile turf MSW 

Post time: 4:08 PM Eastern (2:08 PM Mountain)

Romero Maragh is up

Go Magic!

Mo Temptation Enjoying Time Off at Kingfisher Farm

We received a report, photo and video of our Mo Town daughter, Mo Temptation, from Kingfisher Farm this morning.

According to their staff, Mo Temptation has been "a joy" to work around due to her quiet nature, and she is settling in well for her rest.

Mo Temptation's photo is posted below.

Magical Ways Workout Report - 12/08/22

Magical Ways had his final breeze this morning at Belmont Park, covering a bullet four furlongs in 47.62 seconds (1/24). The 3-year-old colt worked in company with Celestial Moon, a fellow 3-year-old maiden. 

The barn felt this was an improvement from last week, noting the few extra days he received in between works had him fresh. 

As long as Magical Ways looks good over the next two days, he will be entered in the one-mile maiden special weight on Dec. 15th. The entries draw on Saturday, Dec. 10th. 

Go Magic!

Photo of an earlier work in company.
Magical Ways is the outside horse.

 

Bullet Work for Magical Ways at Belmont

In his tune up for a possible start on December 15th, Magical Ways ran a bullet work this morning at Belmont Park. Go Magic! 

Horse Workout Notification 

Magical Ways (3-Year-Old Colt) 

Your comments for this horse were: Partnership - son of MacLean's Music 

Date: December 8, 2022 

Track: BELMONT PARK 

Distance: Four Furlongs 

Time: 47:62 Breezing 

Track Condition: Good 

Surface: Dirt training 

Rank: 1/24

Our Latest Yearling Acquisition

 Meet Song of the Lark '21, a bay colt by Uncle Mo and out of an impressive mare line. 

You can learn more about this promising youngster by clicking on the Song of the Lark '21 page.

Disdainful OUT of the G3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes

Well, it's definitely been a run of bad luck lately, but we were sent an alert that Disdainful cast in his stall yesterday, resulting in what is believed to be only superficial injuries. But a decision was to made to err on the side of caution and keep Disdainful out of the G3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar so he can be fully accessed and also to allow him a bit of time to heal his bumps and bruises. 

As always, the welfare of the horse comes first and we are in 100% agreement with this decision. 

Hopefully there will be another good spot for him in the near future. It's disappointing, but we're extremely grateful the injuries appears to be minor and should be fixed with a little TLC and rest.