Montauk – TDN Rising Star
October 7, 2017 – Belmont Park, Race 6, Msw, USD $75,000, 7F
Montauk, c, 2, 2015 by Medaglia d’Oro
1st Dam: Indian Vale (MGSW & MGISP, $838,601), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Marley Vale, by Forty Niner
3rd Dam: Waggley, by Hagley
Owner: LaPenta, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC et al.
Breeder: Whisper Hill Farm (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Montauk (Medaglia d’Oro) came into this unveiling with a serious reputation already, and he did not disappoint, turning in one of the best juvenile debuts of the season while earning the ‘TDN Rising Star’ nod. Hustled a bit from his outside post to track third perched in the clear, the even-money shot took over after a half in :45.10 while pilot John Velazquez exuded confidence. From there it was just a question of how far, and Montauk high-stepped his way to the line to run up the score by 10 lengths. Allured (Flatter), a $600,000 OBS March grad who was second on debut at Saratoga for Chad Brown Aug. 19, was best of the rest.
A $300,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Bluewater, Montauk blossomed into an $850,000 OBS March juvenile after a :10 1/5 breeze. Montauk’s dam Indian Vale won four graded stakes events and placed in both the GI Beldame S. and GI Personal Ensign S. Second dam Marley Vale won the GI Test S. This is the same female family of Eugene Melnyk’s that has produced GSW Glenville Gardens (Street Cry {Ire}).