Exchange Rate’s 2-year-old filly Hooligan launched an excellent day for her sire with a maiden-breaking victory in the $60,000 Jamestown S. on the Laurel Park turf course. About an hour later, Ball Dancing would win her U. S. debut in the Sands Point S. (G2) at Belmont Park.
Hooligan, who had a troubled debut at Saratoga in late July, benefited from that experience with a professional-looking outing in the Jamestown. Showing some speed, she chased Awake the Day through a half-mile in :45.42. Overtaking the pacesetter, Hooligan faced a new challenge from Secret or Not, but shook her off as well to win by a length in 1:03.81 on a firm course.
“She’s young and still learning but she definitely has some talent,” said Trevor McCarthy, who rode for owner/trainer Wesley Ward. “I think she’ll be something down the road. She had one race under her belt and the experience helped. I kept her out of trouble and when I asked her at the top of the stretch, she made her run.”
Hooligan was a $95,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings sale. The Virginia bred filly is out of the El Prado mare Exceptionally, whose siblings include Beaumont S. (G2) winner Swingin On Ice and stakes winner Queen of the Ice.
