C R K Stable’s Remember Mamba Earns ‘TDN Rising Star’ Status With Impressive Keeneland Debut
Remember Mamba delivered a performance worthy of his namesake at Keeneland Saturday, powering to an emphatic 4 1/2-length victory in his racing debut to earn ‘TDN Rising Star’ status presented by Hagyard.
The 2-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy, owned by C R K Stable, was crunched from a morning line of 5-1 to 8-5 favoritism before the race. He handled the challenging nine-furlong turf distance with remarkable professionalism for a first-time starter.
Jockey Jose Ortiz positioned the $270,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase just behind the early leaders after breaking cleanly from post three. Remember Mamba traveled comfortably in the two path around the far turn before being asked for acceleration entering the stretch.
The colt responded decisively, drawing alongside his more experienced rival Maginnesontap (Omaha Beach) near the eighth pole before pulling away with authority in the final hundred yards.
“On debut #3 REMEMBER MAMBA ($5.52) kicks away late to win race 2 at @keenelandracing,” FanDuel Racing posted on social media following the victory.
The colt’s name carries special significance for owner Lee Searing of C R K Stable, a longtime Los Angeles Lakers fan. The stable’s silks pay homage to the NBA franchise and its legendary star Kobe Bryant, who died tragically in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
“When Kobe Bryant came to the Lakers I developed a passion for going and watching Kobe play,” Searing told the Lexington Herald-Leader in September 2020. “As a fan I go all the way back to Jerry West and Elgin Baylor and a lot of the great Lakers; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain. But, Kobe will always be my favorite.”
C R K Stable’s current marquee runner is Baeza (McKinzie), a $1.2-million Keeneland September graduate who captured the Grade I Pennsylvania Derby on September 20. Baeza is among the field of 10 horses set to compete in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 1.
Remember Mamba represents one of the final crops from perennial leading turf sire Kitten’s Joy, who died of an apparent heart attack in his paddock at Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa in summer 2022. The colt is the fifth winner from 14 starters (from 41 total foals) in Kitten’s Joy’s final crop.
A May 6 foal, Remember Mamba is the first winner from two starters out of his dam Gizmo, a half-sister to four winners including stakes winner Plentiful (Harlan’s Holiday). His third dam, Spring Meadow, was a Grade III winner who placed three times at Grade I level, most notably when narrowly defeated by You in the 2002 Test Stakes at Saratoga.
Gizmo is also the dam of a weanling filly by McKinzie and is due to Practical Joke for 2026.
The cross of Kitten’s Joy over Uncle Mo mares has now produced five winners from as many runners. The broader El Prado (Ire) cross over Uncle Mo mares has yielded Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna and current Grade I stakes winner Nitrogen, among others.
Remember Mamba completed the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:49.97 for trainer Cherie DeVaux, earning $62,233 for the victory.
On debut #3 REMEMBER MAMBA ($5.52) kicks away late to win race 2 at @keenelandracing. The 2yo son of Kitten's Joy was ridden by @jose93_ortiz and is trained by @reredevaux. C R K Stable owns.
Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/YQio79zxRC
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
On debut #3 REMEMBER MAMBA ($5.52) kicks away late to win race 2 at October 25, 2025
