Kiss the Toad Breaks Maiden in Frontrunning Style
Press Release by EverythingEQ.com
December 30, 2016 — Kentucky-bred Kiss the Toad put in his first effort at Fair Grounds Race Course, in New Orleans, LA., traveling 5 ½-furlongs in a Maiden Special Weight on turf on Thursday, December 29. Piloted by Robby Albarado, Kiss the Toad galloped to win in front-running style in only his fifth start.
Taking on ten other runners, Kiss the Toad broke from the 4-hole and was third to leave the gate. By the first quarter, he was dictating the pace, clocking 22.34, 47.16, and 58.58 with no less than a 1 ½-length lead over Gold Room Scotty and Colby Hernandez and Oliva’s Uncle and David Flores. On the stretch, under the steady urging of Robby Albarado, Kiss the Toad began to open up and hit the wire 6 ¼-lengths in front with a final time of 1:04.54. Wildcat Saint and It is Dejavu finished second and third, respectively.
Kiss the Toad is a two-year-old son of Exchange rate and Ms. Proud Destiny (by Artax), and was foaled March 24, 2014. The grey colt was purchased by current owners MMM Stables LLC for $150,000 out of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2015. From five starts, all in 2016, he has 1 first, 1 second and 1 third—Thursday’s win being his first career victory—and $53,600 in career earnings.
Trainer Tom Morley commented, “It was an enormously impressive performance by a colt with a very bright future. The sprint program on turf in the United States is very limited, so I am really considering running him in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. This is obviously something I will need to discuss with his owners.”
At this time, Kiss the Toad’s next start remains undecided.
