Hollywood Talent, the first starter for freshman sire Talent Search, opened a clear lead from the rail early, held off a challenge in mid-stretch, and cruised to a 3 1/2-length victory in Friday's (April 19) juvenile race at Keeneland (VIDEO).
A homebred for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Hollywood Talent is the first starter for their 10-year-old Catienus stallion Talent Search. Talent Search stands for $2,500 at Ramsey Farm.
Talent Search won two stakes races while competing from 2004-08 and placed in six other stakes, including a runner-up finish in the 2007 Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I) and a third-place finish in the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) that year. Hollywood Talent is the second starter and winner out of the Johannesburg mare Intrinsic Value.
With Joel Rosario, the meet's leading rider, in the irons, Hollywood Talent opened a clear lead through a quarter-mile in :21.97, held off some challengers mid-stretch, then opened back up for the easy win. He completed 4 1/2 furlongs in :51.25.
The victory continued the winning ways for trainer Wesley Ward, who has saddled winners in four of the first five "baby races" at Keeneland this spring. On April 18, Ward sent out filly Mary At the Cove to a front-running victory for owner-breeder Brereton Jones. In her first start, Mary At the Cove, by Brother Derek , completed 4 1/2 furlongs in :51.71 to register a 2 1/4-length win (VIDEO).
Keeneland is scheduled to wrap up its juvenile racing for the spring April 25 with an open race and a race for fillies.