Trainer Bob Baffert unveiled yet another potential superstar Sunday at Santa Anita in the form of Zedan Racing Stables Inc.’s $600,000 OBSAPR acquisition Arabian Lion. Sold by Hidden Brook Farm, the colt by Triple Crown hero Justify was also prepared for his :10 flat sale breeze at the famed Hidden Brook Florida training facility and was pounded down to 3-5, with workmate Elwood Blues next in the betting at 5-2.
The wagering public got it right. Arabian Lion emerged with the early advantage as Elwood Blues rushed up in between foes to be second as they entered the bend. Arabian Lion posted a half in :44.90, shrugged off his seemingly much smaller stablemate fully by midstretch and strode out a three-length winner worthy of the ‘Rising Star’ tag. Arabian Lion is his sire’s 18th individual winner.
The winner’s third dam is none other than legendary runner and producer Personal Ensign. Arabian Lion’s dam Unbound (Distorted Humor) began her career in Japan before being imported by SF Bloodstock and running second in a restricted sprint stakes at Belmont. She is being offered with Hidden Brook Farm at this year´s Keeneland November sale as Hip #2213. Unbound’s stakes-placed full-sister Mary Rita is responsible for a standout juvenile colt in her own right–her $550,000 son Major Dude (Bolt d’Oro) took to the turf when annexing the GII Pilgrim S. a week earlier.
