Ancient Warrior turned in a very impressive performance in winning his debut Saturday at Del Mar, rolling to a 4 1/4-length victory in the six-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds.
The Constitution colt stopped the timer in 1:09.72 on the fast track, earning him a TDN Rising Star nod. Ancient Warrior is the fourth Rising Star for Constitution, more than any other First-Crop sire. He also leads all first-crop sires by graded stakes winners with four and is second to American Pharoah with 21 individual winners.
Ancient Warrior, in post 1, broke very smoothly and made his way to the front in the first sixteenth of a mile. He led the field through a half-mile in :45.13 and easily dispatched Garth in upper stretch to win geared down.
Owned by his breeder Al Graziani, Ancient Warrior is the first foal out of Wellington Beauty.
