As it turned out for this son of Unbridled's Song, his rookie season ended up being his best year at the races.

A confirmed router, he achieved a nice trifecta by getting into the win column at Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Santa Anita in the span of a few months. He also won on synthetic and turf during that period, and he did so while catching the leaders from behind.

And before the end of the year, he became a Grade II winner.

The next year may not have gone as hoped by the connections, but trainer John Shirreffs had a nice horse in Rookie Sensation during the second half of 2013.

Like his sire before him, the gray/roan horse wasted little time breaking his maiden. He did so on Hollywood Park's main track in start number two after initially being off the pace. He employed that same tactic against allowance optional claiming company at Del Mar next time out. He moved impressively, going from last in the far turn to second place after straightening in the last stretch. He finished the runner-up that day, but that does not take away the terrific rally Rookie Sensation put on despite not getting quick fractions.

In his second Del Mar outing, he again tried a mile and a sixteenth while taking on allowance optional claimers. With another moderate pace and a more strung out field, Rookie Sensation just did what he did the last time: he passed horses, but this time he raced wider turning for home. But it did not matter. He looked relaxed as he struck the front and got the win to close out his summer stand by the beach.

The recent form was enough for the connections to send Rookie Sensation to the Grade II Twilight Derby, which took place on the Breeders' Cup Friday undercard at Santa Anita on November 1. Trying the Santa Anita grass for the first time, Rookie Sensation settled in midpack before coming on in the stretch. There was no wide trip this time; he found an opening in the two path and overhauled the pacesetter to complete the journey from maiden special weight winner to graded stakes champion after just a few months at the races.

Exactly a month later, Rookie Sensation moved up to Grade I company when he tried the Hollywood Derby. Rather than take his normal position off the pace, Rookie Sensation set it instead. Perhaps the mile and one-quarter distance was too far for him, or maybe he just wanted to come on from behind, but there would be no win to complete 2013. Losing the lead in the stretch, Rookie Sensation finished fifth in his last start as a three-year-old.

No wins came Rookie Sensation's way in 2014, but he was also not devoid of good results. His two best finishes came on turf when he came on well to just miss an allowance win at Santa Anita before taking third in the Grade III Last Tycoon at the same venue. In his last career start, Rookie Sensation headed East for the Grade I Manhattan Stakes at Belmont Park. He never contended on that turf course, however, staying in the back the entire way and finishing eighth.

With a record of six finishes of third or better in ten starts, including three victories, Rookie Sensation was retired after the Manhattan. He moved on to stud duty afterwards, but as of 2022 has not produced any notable offspring.

But he can take pride in knowing that for a sizable part of 2013, he accounted well for himself in one of North America's premier racing circuits thanks to his willingness to race from behind and battle to the wire.