Less than 24 hours before FIRST SAMURAI’s Bal Harbor lines up in the Monmouth Cup (G3), his juvenile full sister Wand Of Power got the weekend started at Monmouth Park with a 1 ¼ length debut victory.
Racing for breeder Red Oak Stable, Wand of Power broke strongly to race just off the leader in the 5 ½ furlong dirt race. She started pushing that one along as they ran toward the quarter pole before taking over as they passed that pole.
Wand of Power wasn’t asked for her best by Issac Castillo as she raced down the stretch and she galloped home well in hand. Miss Yum Yum closed late to cut her margin down to x but Wand of Power had plenty left in the tank to fend that one off if it was needed with the third place finisher over six lengths behind.
In addition to her stakes winning, Grade 1-placed full brother, Wand Of Power is a half-sister to multiple stakes placed Charleymillionaire and is one of six winners from six to race out of stakes winner Casino Transaction (Carson City). Casino Transaction is also a daughter of stakes placed Final Proposal, who herself is a half-sister to five other stakes performers, led by multiple stakes winner Mighty Magee.
Wand of Power was one of two juvenile winners for FIRST SAMURAI on Friday with Baytown Warrior taking control early in his own maiden breaker an winning by an easy 4 1/4 lengths as the favorite at Charles Town.
The sire of seven stakes horses and three stakes winners in 2021, FIRST SAMURAI has 70 winners this year, more than Distorted Humor, Maclean’s Music, Medaglia d’Oro, Empire Maker, Tiznow, and others.