TDN Rising Star Doncho Secures First Stakes Victory in Gold Fever at Aqueduct

Doncho, a ‘TDN Rising Star,’ won his first black-type race in the Gold Fever Stakes at Belmont, proving adept on a wet surface and showcasing his sprinting talent, with potential future races at Churchill and Saratoga being considered by his trainer Michelle Lovell.

– ‣ “TDN Rising Star” Doncho won his first black-type in the Gold Fever S. at the Belmont at the Big A meet, demonstrating his capability on a wet surface.
– ‣ Doncho has shown consistent performance, achieving his “Rising Star” badge previously and now securing a significant win, with his trainer Michelle Lovell highlighting his natural speed and strength.
– ‣ The horse’s breeding background is notable, with an unraced dam contributing to a lineage that includes multiple GISWs, indicating potential for continued success in racing.

DONCHO, the 3YO son of @coolmoreamerica stallion Mo Town, wins the Gold Fever Stakes under @jaimetorresjcky for trainer @_MichelleLovell. pic.twitter.com/LrJx9oqt7W

— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) May 5, 2024

“Doncho, that ‘TDN Rising Star,’ didn’t blink at the sight of a wet track. Nope, not one bit. It was Sunday afternoon at the Belmont at the Big A meet, and he was all set to make a splash in the Gold Fever S. His first black-type win was on the line.

The dark bay colt, oh, he was the crowd’s darling as the 2-1 favorite. Right from the get-go, he was in it to win it, vying for the lead with Buccherino, a longshot who dared to challenge him. But as they hit the backstretch, it was clear who was boss.

Around the far turn, Doncho showed what he’s made of. He left his rival in the dust, sizzling down the lane. Past the eighth pole, he kicked hard for the wire. And, oh boy, did he get there, collecting his prize like it was no big deal.

This wasn’t Doncho’s first rodeo, though. He snagged his ‘Rising Star’ badge against optional claimers at Fair Grounds back in February. That day, he won by a whopping 4 1/2 lengths. And let’s not forget his maiden-breaking win in New Orleans, closing out his juvenile campaign with a bang.

The last time we saw JAL’s gelding was in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland on April 5. He finished fourth, but that’s just a minor blip in his journey.

Post-race, Michelle Lovell, his trainer, couldn’t hide her pride. “He’s naturally fast, easy,” she said, all smiles. She was thrilled to see him stay focused right through the finish line, not losing his stride for a second. “Sprinting’s his jam,” she added, hinting at future plans. Churchill Downs is on their radar, but Saratoga? That could be a blast, especially the GI Woody Stephens S.

Now, let’s talk about Doncho’s family for a sec. His dam, never raced herself, but she’s proving to be quite the producer. There’s a 2-year-old filly by Lord Nelson that fetched $100,000 at this year’s OBS March Sale. And just this April, Sassy Redhead welcomed a colt by Idol. It’s clear, talent runs deep in this family, with a lineage boasting of GISWs like Madcap Escapade and Dubai Escapade.

The Gold Fever S. itself was a spectacle. A $150,000 purse, with 3-year-olds sprinting 6f in 1:09.77 on a track that was just good enough. Doncho, carrying 118 pounds and guided by Jaime A. Torres, clinched the victory. His earnings? A cool $82,500, pushing his lifetime record to an impressive 4-3-0-0, $168,000.

Maximus Meridius and Buccherino rounded out the top three, but the day belonged to Doncho. The odds, the competition, none of it mattered. He was the star, shining bright for all to see.

And there you have it, folks. A race day that’ll be talked about for a while, especially on Twitter. The folks at @coolmoreamerica and @_MichelleLovell must be over the moon, and rightly so. Hats off to Doncho, a true ‘TDN Rising Star.’