Dublin gets off the mark fast with first starter

The aptly named Dr Blarney became freshman sire Dublin's (Afleet Alex) first

starter and first winner on Sunday, driving to a 3 1/2-length victory in the

1ST

race at Monmouth. The Thomas McCooey Jr. colt stalked in third early, challenged

in midstretch and drew off to complete five fast-track furlongs in :58.82.

Jockey Tommy Turner was aboard the 9-2 chance, who raced for a $30,000 tag here

but was not claimed.

Bred by Joseph DiRico in Massachusetts and owned by Alfred DiRico, Dr Blarney

is out of Dr. Capote (Capote), herself a half-sister to multiple stakes scorers

Dr Disco and Dance Gal Dance (both by Disco Rico).

Dublin, a $525,000 Keeneland September yearling, was a leading juvenile of

2009 by virtue of his victory in the Hopeful (G1). The D. Wayne Lukas trainee

placed in all three legs of Oaklawn's graded three-year-old series, the 2010

Southwest (G3), Rebel (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1), and retired with a record of

11-2-1-2, $438,949.

Out of Grade 1 star Classy Mirage (Storm Bird), the eight-year-old Dublin

stands at Keane Stud near Amenia, New York, under the Spendthrift banner, for

$6,500, stands and nurses.

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