MASTERY earned his 19th winner from his first crop on Saturday when Claiborne Farm-bred Zen Master broke his maiden in his second start in a Laurel Park Maiden Special Weight.
Racing over six furlongs on the dirt for Barbara Houck, Zen Master made it clear he was gunning for the win when pushing the leading Irish Boolum from the start. Jervian Toledo retrained the keen colt until the turn when he let him loose to go for the lead.
It was a brief tussle before Zen Master grabbed the lead and from there it was smooth sailing for the Brittany Russell trainee, who extended down the stretch when asked by Toledo. He crossed the line 4 1/24 lengths in front as the heavy favorite to become the 19th winner for MASTERY.
Zen Master was a $370,000 yearling purchase from the Claiborne consignment at the Keeneland September Sale as the first foal out of the Grade 3 winning Bendable.
Bendable is a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Clearly Now with their multiple stakes-placed dam Bend producing eight winners from 10 to race.
Bendable had a WAR FRONT filly last year for her second foal.
MASTERY is the sire of two stakes performers, led by UAE Oaks (G3) second Arabian Gazelles, and has had three others place fourth in stakes races.