'He is as advertised; we're excited' - million-dollar yearling dazzles on debut

Thirteen months after starring in the Keeneland sales ring, where he was a $1.35 million September Yearling Sale purchase, Extra Anejo shined again at Keeneland, this time on the racetrack.

Debuting on Thursday in a long one-turn maiden sprint over Keeneland's Beard course of seven furlongs and 184 feet, the Into Mischief two-year-old shot to the front under Tyler Gaffalione, and after opening up a length lead after a quarter-mile readily widened his advantage. Up two lengths after half a mile, he extended his stride down the stretch for a nine-and-a-half-length win under confident handling.

He earned $58,125 in winning the $99,588 race for Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said. "He is as advertised. Obviously, extremely proud of who the horse is.

"Winchell Thoroughbreds stepped up and bought an outstanding physical - raised by Mt Brilliant, the Goodmans - they raised another good horse. Can't tell you about how excited we are about who he is and what he can do in the future."

Bred in Kentucky by Mt Brilliant Farm & Ranch, Extra Anejo is the first foal out of the winning Hard Spun mare Superioritycomplex, whose only other produce is a Tapit colt born this year.

The dam, a half-sister to stakes winner and Group 2-placed Abingdon, is from the family of Greek Dance and Islington, the latter the champion grass mare in the US in 2003.

That pedigree was part of the Mt Brilliant Farm-consigned colt's draw at auction, as was his physical make-up.

"He appealed to everybody on our team that we use to evaluate," said Winchell Thoroughbreds racing manager David Fiske. "Steve liked him a lot. I couldn't fault him. Dr [David] Lambert's team, Equine Analysis [Systems] - he scored very high on their testing protocols.

"So it gives you a little more confidence to reach a little further. Dig down a little deeper."

Extra Anejo would appear to be yet another talented horse with an owner and trainer already loaded with numerous fast runners. Winchell Thoroughbreds also owns or co-owns active Graded stakes winners Wicked Halo, Gunite, Echo Zulu and Epicenter - all with Asmussen.

"Like Steve told me one day, 'It's almost like an embarrassment of riches,'" Fiske said with a smile.

Asmussen did not outline specific plans for Extra Anejo immediately after the race, but North America's winningest trainer regularly participates in autumn racing at Churchill Downs before sending many of his top prospects to stable at Fair Grounds over the winter. Epicenter, for example, readied for the Triple Crown this past winter and spring in New Orleans after a maiden win at Churchill Downs in November.

Asmussen also runs another top division at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

"He's got all the talent in the world, got a great mind. Wise beyond his years and [we] expect great things from him," he said of Extra Anejo.

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