Yaupon’s first starter Sassy C W romps at Churchill Downs, named TDN ‘Rising Star’
April 30, 2025
Sassy C W flew out of the Churchill Downs starting gate in her debut on April 30 and never looked back, rolling to a 5 ¼-length maiden special weight win and earn a TDN ‘Rising Star’ tag.
The 2-year-old filly, the first starter for freshman sire Yaupon, got the Spendthrift stallion off to a fantastic start with dynamic performance. She opened up a four-length lead in just a few strides and rolled through a quarter-mile in :21.91. The bay filly was up by about seven lengths at the top of the lane and was hand-ridden all the way to the wire, finishing the 4 ½-furlongs on a fast track in :51.34.
Trained by Larry Rivelli for Patricia’s Hope LLC and Carolyn Wilson, Sassy C W sold for $375,000 a the 2025 OBS March 2-year-old sale.
Sassy C W was bred by Harun Kahraman and is out of Sassy Miss Sue, who is a full-sister to Grade 1 winner and millionaire Tiz Miz Sue and a half to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Bulletin.
Yaupon joined the Spendthrift Farm stallion roster in 2022 after winning the Forego S. (G1), Amsterdam S. (G2) and Chick Lang S. (G3). A son of leading sire Uncle Mo, Yaupon bred an average of 213 mares in his first three seasons at stud.