Yes He's Innocent breaks maiden at Calder

Yes He's Innocent was one of the first horses to debut from my 187-selection Sales-Tip Class of 2010, making his first lifetime start on June 18, 2010, at Calder Race Course. On that day, he nearly became one of the class' first winners, as well, losing a hard-fought battle by just a head to a son of Peace Rules named I'm A Playboy.

But injury must have intervened in the young career of Yes He's Innocent. He disappeared from the work tab at Florida's racetracks and training centers. It would be April 8, 2011, before he reappeared in a starting gate.

Four starts later -- in his fifth lifetime try, with two seconds and a third to his credit -- Yes He's Innocent finally grabbed that first win, which had eluded him so narrowly in June the year before. On Friday at Calder, Yes He's Innocent and rider Luis Saez prevailed by a length and a quarter over Urban Tiger and Isaias Enriquez.

Thus, Yes He's Innocent becomes the 82nd horse from my sales-tip class to break his maiden; that's 43.9 percent of all selections. With the win, he lifted his lifetime earnings to $19,446 for owner and trainer Steve Dwoskin, who bought him for $50,000 as Hip 282 at last year's Ocala April sale.

Yes He's Innocent (Yes It's True-Presumed Innocent, by Shuailaan) was bred in Florida by Luis de Hechavarria.

I liked the chestnut colt for more than just his "scintillating" 33.3 breeze, which was logged despite running green in the stretch. I noted that his sire gets 2-year-old runners and winners, with about half of all Yes It's True juveniles racing at 2 (check) and about 20 percent winning at 2 (almost check). On the dam's side, Presumed Innocent was a seven-race stakes winner of $315,190 and was G3-placed. Both her prior foals were already winners, and her dam was also a stakes-placer.

Dwoskin has a ways to go before getting his $50,000 back, perhaps in no small part because of this horse's 2-year-old setback. But Yes He's Innocent still has room to improve.

I thought the class might have another maiden-breaker today as Admitit -- with five seconds and three thirds in eight prior starts -- went to post once again among maiden company at Woodbine. Unfortunately, the $20,000 daughter of E. Dubai, who has already earned over $50,000 without winning, fell back on the turn, had no kick in the stretch, and finished unplaced for the first time in her career. I hope she isn't injured.

Though the link still requires updating, you can follow the sales class here.