Giacomo fillies stand out in futurity

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas − Giacomo, whose greatest win on the racetrack came at 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby, could have a lot of success at five furlongs Saturday. Now a sire, his daughters Lady Giacamo and Blushing Sis are set to start as the top two choices in the $66,090 fillies division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park.

The race will share a card with the $60,280 colts and geldings division of the TTA, which drew the undefeated Aces N Kings.

Lady Giacamo has won her two starts by a combined 10 lengths. She was knocked sideways out of the gate in her debut before winning off by more than four lengths. Lady Giacamo backed up the effort with a 5 1/4-length win in her TTA trial race May 20.

"She's done everything we've asked her to do," said Allen Milligan, who trains Lady Giacamo. "For her to overcome what she did in her first race and run the way she did in the trials, I have to think she's one of the standouts in there."

Lady Giacamo will be a strong favorite in the nine-horse field. She drew gate 6, and the outside draw might give her rider, Martin Escobar, some options Saturday.

"I think she can sit behind the early pace or go with it," Milligan said. "We'll have to see who's serious about going."

Blushing Sis was Giacomo's first winner as a stallion when she romped by eight lengths in her career debut April 3. The race was a trial for the $50,000 Manor Downs Futurity, and she came back and finished second in the finale. From there, Blushing Sis used stalk-and-pounce tactics to win her TTA trial May 20.

She is coupled with Lady Primal, who won the Manor Downs Futurity over males, with Tony McNeil named on both halves of the entry by trainer Cash Asmussen.

Aces N Kings has been an odds-on choice in his two starts, taking a maiden special weight at Lone Star by more than six lengths April 16, then returning to win his TTA trial by two lengths May 21.

"He's a nice colt, and I think he'll be tough in there," said Bob Young, who trains Aces N Kings for Caroline Dodwell.

Aces N Kings will face nine, including Tamtastic, a half-brother to stakes winner Taptam.