Rising Star for Distorted Humor at the Spa

Fortify rolled to a 5 1/2-length debut win Saturday at Saratoga, earning the 2-year-old son of Distorted Humor the TDN “Rising Star” tag for the 6 1/2-furlong victory in a snappy 1:16.34.  Last year’s champion sire, Distorted Humor is once again in the top five this year, with nearly $4.7 million in progeny earnings, led by multiple graded stakes winner Alternation.

Fortify, a Darley Stable homebred, stalked the early pace set by Boss Man Rocket, then eased forward to draw even with the leader on the turn. After he straightened away for home, Joe Bravo gave his mount a nudge, and Fortify quickly drew away in the final furlong.

The winner is out of Kotuku (GB), a half-sister to the stakes-placed winner Anasheed and comes from the same family as Alabama S. (G1) winner Runup the Colors, King’s Bishop S. (G2) winner Top Account, and the multiple grade 1-winning filly Prospector’s Delite.