More Than Ready first-time starter Lyrical Lady a TDN Rising Star at Saratoga

Lyrical Lady 5 3/4-length maiden special weight victory on opening day of the Saratoga meet earned the 2-year-old More Than Ready filly a a TDN Rising Star tag in her career debut.

Sent to the lead by Rafael Santana, Jr., Lyrical Lady rolled through a half-mile in :45.49 seconds, then poured it on in the stretch, drawing off to stop the timer in 1:04.24 for the 5 1/2-furlongs on a fast main track (VIDEO).

The winner is trained by Steve Asmussen for Phoenix Thoroughbred III, who purchased the filly for $625,000 at the OBS March 2-year-old sale. Lyrical Lady is the first foal out of La Song, who placed in the Arlington-Washington Lassie (G3) and is from the same family as Hopeful S. (G1) winner Currency Swap.

More Than Ready has been enjoying one of his best years at stud in 2018, with Catholic Boy winning the Belmont Derby Inv. (G1) and Funtastic taking the United Nations S. (G1) in the past month.