The 3-year-old Toy, a third-generation homebred for Dark Hollow Farm, toyed with the opposition when getting his first win on Feb. 21 at Laurel Park. Sent off the 1-5 favorite in the mile and a sixteenth maiden special weight with Alex Cintron in the saddle, Toy stalked the early leader before making his move to grab the lead around the far turn. From there it was just a matter of how much he’d win by as he drew off under a hand ride and crossed the wire six lengths in front.

The Mike Trombetta-trained chestnut gelding, a son of Tapizar, has never been worse than fourth in six starts; in 2020 he has a win and two seconds from three starts. He is out of Plum (by Pure Prize), named Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old filly of 2011 after winning three of four starts, including the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship Stakes. Plum was produced by multiple stakes-placed Bamba, a daughter of Not For Love who produced seven winners from seven starters, including Maryland Million Classic runnerup, course record setter and seven-time winner of $304,641 Southside Warrior.

Plum is the dam of two offspring to sell for six-figures at auction: her 2016 Bodemeister colt Classic Romeo, a $125,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Yearling and $300,000 Midlantic May sale 2-year-old; and her current 2-year-old Upstart filly who brought $120,000 at last fall’s Midlantic Yearling sale. Plum produced a Bodemeister colt last April and is due to foal to Twirling Candy this year.