In Spite Of Debby Delay, Million Day Is Anything But a Downer

Clearly ready for her unveiling, it was Quietside (Malibu Moon–Benner Island, by Speightstown) who used her breakaway ability to envelop a field of juveniles and garner 'TDN Rising Star' honors after the opener at Saratoga on Sunday. Sent on her way as a 7-2 shot here, the homebred initially vied for the lead up the backstretch between Insight runner First Class Lady (Uncle Mo) and Ivory and Ebony (Spun to Run)...

Clearly ready for her unveiling, it was Quietside (Malibu Moon–Benner Island, by Speightstown) who used her breakaway ability to envelop a field of juveniles and garner 'TDN Rising Star' honors after the opener at Saratoga on Sunday. Sent on her way as a 7-2 shot here, the homebred initially vied for the lead up the backstretch between Insight runner First Class Lady (Uncle Mo) and Ivory and Ebony (Spun to Run). Well-handled by Luis Saez, Quietside backed off and allowed the pacesetters to trade blows. The dark bay was then roused three wide around the far turn and she entered the lane full of gusto. Cruising by her opponents, the filly took control and graduated at first asking by 6 1/4 lengths. The winner is her dam's first to the races. Benner Island was purchased by John Ed Anthony's outfit at the 2015 Keeneland September Sale for $200,000 and her subsequent campaign included a win in the 2017 GII Eight Belles Stakes. Sent to the breeding shed after a third-place finish in the GI Acorn Stakes that same year, this dam produced a filly by Bolt d'Oro Feb. 28 and she was bred back to him for next term. Out of GSW Spacy Tracy (Awesome Again), Benner Island is a half-sister to both MSW High North (Midnight Lute) and GISP Ohana Honor (Honor Code). She is a full-sister to two-time GIII Vagrancy Handicap heroine Victim of Love, and her extended female family includes champion 2-year-old filly Eliza (Mt. Livermore). Quietside is the 24th 'TDN Rising Star' for the late Malibu Moon and his first since 2021. The last Shortleaf color bearer to earn the badge was Caddo River (Hard Spun) in 2020.