There are few more lucrative ways to leave the maiden ranks than graduating at Kentucky Downs. Saturday at the Simpson Co. racecourse, Cigarette Boat came very close.

The 3yo colt missed by a whisker after leading the seven-furlong MSW field into deep stretch before losing the bob to fellow Kantharos offspring Straight and Level.

In the process however, the Hurstland Farm product pushed his career earnings ahead of his $100,000 Keeneland September purchase price by placing 3rd or better for the 5th time in eight starts.

Cigarette Boat is the first foal out of Double Cast (Broken Vow), winning full-sister to Gr1 winner and black-type producer Rosalind, whose Twirling Candy colt is Hip 687 in Book One of next week's September Sale.