Doncho A ‘Rising Star’ for Mo Town

It was a Thoroughbred Daily News’ Rising Star-worthy performance for Mo Town’s Doncho (3g Mo Town x Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes) on Tuesday when the sophomore won his second straight race at Fair Grounds.

Breaking his maiden on debut by five lengths last out, Doncho showed that performance wasn’t a fluke when racing on the same track over the same six-furlong distance. Doncho had a rocky start but quickly got into gear to challenge the leader as the field raced around the turn.

Jockey Jaime Torres handled his mount confidently with Doncho responding well when asked in the stretch. Pulling away throughout that portion of the race, Doncho won by 4 ½ lengths as the odds-on favorite.

Bred by Susan Young and trained by Michelle Lovell for JAL Racing, Doncho is one of three winners out of Sassy Redhead.

That mare is out of a half-sister to Grade I winners Madcap Escapade and Dubai Escapade. Madcap Escapade is the dam of Grade I winner Mi Sueno as well.

Mo Town has the second most winners of any third crop sire in 2024 with 17 and also has the sixth most cumulative winners of his generation overall with those 76 led by six stakes winners and 12 stakes performers.