Vekoma’s Anakarina named TDN Rising Star following dynamic victory

Anakarina streaked to a three-length victory Wednesday at Churchill Downs in a $120,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies to become the first TDN Rising Star for Vekoma.

Vekoma has racked up nine individual winners, the most to date for any First-Crop sire of 2024. The nine winners have come at seven different tracks, all in maiden special weight races. Vekoma’s first winner, Fortuna Mia, will make her next start in the $225,000 Debutante S. June 30 at Churchill Downs.

Anakarina, bred and owned by Dream Team Racing and trained by Dallas Stewart, shot to the front right from the break and established a two-length lead in the first quarter-mile. She opened the gap under a hand in the stretch and was not threatened at any point down the lane as she stopped the timer at :51.35 for the 4 ½-furlongs on a fast track.

Out of the Tapit mare Tacit Approval, Anakarina is a half-sister to Cigar Mile (G2)and Phoenix S. (G2) winner Hoist the Gold.