BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Techstar, a runner-up in her first start, takes a step up against added-money company in search of her first victory in Thursday’s $75,000 Blue Hen Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Delaware Park. The Orlando Rose-trained daughter of Instagrand is 8-1 on the morning line in the field of eight scheduled for six furlongs.

Techstar debuted against maiden special weight fillies going five-and-a-half furlongs on July 3 at Delaware Park, finishing second to Jumping the Gun, who also returns in the Blue Hen. Although Techstar was away from the gate a bit slow, she promptly put daylight on the field down the backstretch, leading Jumping the Gun by three lengths through a quick :21.74 quarter mile. Jumping the Gun began to close the gap around the turn but could not get by a determined Techstar until they were inside the sixteenth pole, finished a length-and-a-half clear of the Florida-bred filly.

 

Owned by Von A. Stables LLC, Techstar earned $9,000.

A graduate of this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training where Peter Norman Haferkamp purchased her for $20,000 out of the Ordonez Thoroughbreds consignment, Techstar is out of the unraced mare Rebooted, by Mr. Greeley. Rebooted has produced five winners from 11 foals and is a full sister to stakes-placed Rebuttal and a half-sister to stakes-winning, stakes-producer Summer Cruise; graded-stakes producers Bluegrass Phenom and Rebuke; and stakes-producer Winter Dawn. 

 

Techstar will be ridden by Angel Cruz from post five.

In addition to Jumping the Gun, the second choice in the program at 3-1, the Blue Hen field also includes 2-1 morning line favorite Lillies N Paradise for trainer Michael Maker.

A first out winner going four-and-a-half furlongs against special weight maiden fillies at Churchill Downs on June 6, Lillies N Paradise was fifth in one start since in the $225,000 Debutante won by Percy’s Bar racing six furlongs at Churchill on June 29.

Jaime Rodriguez will guide Lillies N Paradise from post two while trainer Andrew Simoff has named Julio Herandez aboard Jumping the Gun.

Completing the entries for the Blue Hen are Blames Honey with Arnaldo Bocachica riding, Martin Chuan has the assignment on Lunar Buzz, Edy’s Flame and Marshall Mendez, Sassy Fox and jockey Kevin Gomez and Thirst for Hope with Carol Cedeno up.  

Return to the August 12 issue of Wire to Wire