Lincoln's Law Impressive First-Out Winner at Gulfstream

This column highlights the performances of 3-year-old 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 graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

A half brother to grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick  broke his maiden on first asking to earn this week's Maiden Watch focus.

Lincoln's Law, a son of Liam's Map, won his 6-furlong racing debut by 2 1/2 lengths Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Phil Bauer, the bay colt recovered from an awkward start and quickly pressed the pace set in :22.34, :45.64, and :57.81 under jockey Luis Saez. He made a move for the lead in the stretch, easily taking it away from Quentin B. He was under a drive to the wire and won in a final time of 1:10.44. He paid $15.60 for the win.

Lincoln's Law is out of the Bernardini mare Bernadreamy. She is the dam of four foals to race, all of them winners and including multiple grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick, who at 2 won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and the Champagne Stakes (G1). At 3, he won the Curlin Stakes and wrapped up his year third in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar before retiring to stud at Spendthrift Farm. Lincoln's Law is a homebred for Rigney Racing, who also bred and sold Chancer McPatrick. Bernadreamy's one win from nine starts was under the same connections, trained by Bauer and owned by Rigney Racing.

Lincoln's Law earned a 91 Equibase Speed Figure and an 83 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory. 

Candy Rockette breaks her maiden at second asking

A day later, Hall of Famer Bill Mott sent out Candy Rockette also at Gulfstream Park. 

She broke her maiden March 1 in her second start, going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Under jockey Junior Alvarado, she broke slowly and settled off the pace in modest fractions of :23.06, :47.26, 1:11.63, and 1:35.84. She ran in the sixth position down the backside, under a steady hold. Around the far turn, she began to progress through the field and took the lead at the eighth pole. In the stretch, challengers confronted her on both sides, but she fended them off to win by a neck over Paseo in a final time of 1.47.63. She paid $15 to win. 

Candy Rockette is by Constitution  and out of the Uncle Mo mare Moana, who was third in the Mother Goose Stakes (G2). She is also the dam of four runners who are all winners. Candy Rockette was purchased at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale for $500,000 for her owner Frank Fletcher. 

Candy Rockette earned an 84 Equibase Speed Figure and a 71 Beyer Speed Figure.