'Sara' has bloodlines to succeed

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, who are enjoying a big year with Grade 2 winners Posse and Lady Tak, are hoping for success close to home Saturday with Bluegrass Sara and Queen Trigger in the $75,000 Silver Spur Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park.

The fillies will be coupled in the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds, which also drew Churchill Downs maiden winner Crypto's Best, and the promising Royal Pet.

The Heiligbrodts, who make their home in Texas, bred Bluegrass Sara, who brings the best credentials into the Silver Spur. She won a trial race for the $138,000 fillies division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity from off the pace May 21, then came back and won the finale wire-to-wire June 7.

"She surprised us with her speed out of the gate," Bill Heiligbrodt said. "She ran very well.

"All of her family members, they've all just been nice racehorses."

Bluegrass Sara is out of the mare Saratoga Babe, a half-sister to Grade 1-winning millionaire Videogenic purchased by Heiligbrodt's daughter, Heather. She is one of 25 broodmares the Heiligbrodts keep in Texas.

In addition to Bluegrass Sara, Saratoga Babe has produced 2-year-old stakes winner Richbabe, as well as Tioga and Fortunate Bebe, who were both stakes-placed at 2.

Of the siblings, Bluegrass Sara is perhaps the best-bred, being a daughter of Tabasco Cat. That pedigree should serve her well as she is asked to go six furlongs for the first time in the Silver Spur.

Queen Trigger, who is by Confide, was a weanling purchase by the Heiligbrodts. She won her debut April 30.

Corey Lanerie will ride Bluegrass Sara, while Jeremy Beasley has the mount on Queen Trigger. Both fillies will be saddled by Kari Craddock. She is handling the horses for their regular trainer, Steve Asmussen, whose seven-day suspension for a medication infraction runs through Sunday.

Bluegrass Sara's chief competition could come from Royal Pet, a wire-to-wire winner in her debut June 19 at Lone Star.

"She broke sharp and was pressured up front and was able to put that horse away and go on and get the win," said trainer Cole Norman. "We thought we should give her a shot to try these."

Jamie Theriot has the mount on Royal Pet.