Sweet Ducky enters Tyro off strong debut win

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Sweet Ducky lived up to expectations in his debut, winning by five lengths as an even-money favorite. Now he gets to spread his wings in the $100,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

The Tyro is the prep for the meet’s top juvenile event, the Grade 3, $150,000 Sapling Stakes on Sept. 4.

Trainer Kelly Breen sends out Sweet Ducky and Brother in Arms as an uncoupled entry for owners George and Lori Hall.

Following his stylish win, Sweet Ducky figures to be favored in the field of eight.

The Sweet Ducky buzz started long before the first start on June 20. A son of Pulpit, he turned in a string of bullets works that signaled both speed and readiness.

He did not disappoint, ringing up a Beyer Speed Figure of 73.

“Sweet Ducky could possibly be a special horse,” Breen said. “He ran well, but he’s still like an immature kid that screws around a little bit. We see him buck and play out on the track, but he was all business when it came down to the race. Even in the post parade, he was hollering like a colt looking for his mother. He’s still a baby. With the right preparation, he could develop into a good horse.”

His stablemate also had a solid upside. Brother in Arms ran once at Belmont Park, finishing strongly to miss by only a half length after a flat-footed start.

“Brother in Arms is no slouch,” Breen said. “Although he was closing, he did not break well. Since that run, he has shown a lot of maturity.”

Vengeful Wildcat also captured his debut here, winning by a neck at 20-1 for trainer Ben Perkins, Jr. while posting a 70 Beyer.

“I thought it was a really tough race,” Perkins said. “I thought he would run well

A homebred for New Farm, Vengeful Wildcat nicely made up for lost time after coming off a farm on May 1.

“He was a little behind early but you could see he has some talent,” Perkins said. “We knew he could run. He always something left in his works. Hopefully, we can move up off the win. You have to step it up at every level.”

Trainer Jason Servis has an entry of Bravo Romeo and Christiesborntorun. Firepole, Mr. Proud Allen and Ghost Black complete the field.