Tuesday, August 1, 2023
It was a first Thoroughbred Daily News ‘Rising Star’ on Saturday for Highgate when Heartland overcame trouble in his debut to win by two lengths at Del Mar.
Heartland had registered a bullet two works before this start and went off as a heavy favorite in the race. Finding some trouble coming out of the gate, Heartland raced over five lengths behind the leader in the 5 ½ furlong dirt event with plenty to do as they entered the final quarter. Showing an impressive closing kick, he raced up the rail to pass those in front of him with less than a furlong left to run and motored home to a two-length win.
#1 HEARTLAND ($3.60) overcomes a bobbled break with @JJHernandezS19 aboard to convincingly win the opener at @DelMarRacing for trainer @BobBaffert. This 2-year-old son of Justify is also a half-brother to Classic Empire.
A Pick 4 starts in Race 2. Bet on the TVG app. pic.twitter.com/HV4cd2VcgU
— TVG (@TVG) July 29, 2023
Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale last year for $575,000 on behalf of breeder China Horse Club, the Bob Baffert trainee races for his breeder and buyers Siena Farm and WinStar Farm.
“He dug in,” Baffert told Thoroughbred Daily News. “He got a lot of experience from that. We’re happy with him.”
Heartland is likely to head to the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on September 10 for his next start.
This year’s yearling sale season is underway now with Highgate consigning two at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. That duo can be seen on our sale page.
