'Rising Star' Kaling Leads Coolmore-Sired 1-2 At Saratoga

It was a 1-2 finish for Coolmore-sired juveniles at Saratoga on Sunday when Kaling (2f Practical Joke x Proud Indian, by Indian Charlie) led home Rarify (2f Justify x Bella Jolie, by Broken Vow) well ahead of the rest of the field in a Maiden Special Weight.

Making her debut, the Todd Pletcher-trained Kaling had an early lead before settling just behind Rarify early in the six-furlong race with the two staying in those positions for much of the race. The filly entered the stretch a few paths wide and soon after made a serious bid for the lead.

Rarify grudgingly gave in with just over a furlong left and was 2 ¾ lengths behind the winner in the end with the third placed runner nearly four lengths behind in the end. Kaling earned Thoroughbred Daily News Rising Star status with her victory.

Bred by John and Frank Penn, Kaling was a $220,000 purchase by racing owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners from Penn Sales last September.

Kaling is the third winner out of Proud Indian, a half-sister to the graded stakes-placed dam of Grade I Kentucky Oaks winner Summerly. In all, there are 18 stakes performers under Kaling’s second dam Shufflin In Seattle.

Kaling’s dam Proud Indian had a full brother to the filly this year.

Practical Joke leads all second crop sires by winners in 2022 with 43. His runners this year include two graded stakes winners and seven stakes performers.