New York Thoroughbred Breeders

Minorinconvenience cruises to victory in Wednesday’s Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

By Julia Reedy

Trainer Amelia Green and co-owner Amanda Gillman sat side-by-side in their front-row clubhouse box, Green’s face obscured by her binoculars as she watched Minorinconvenience secure his second win in three starts in Wednesday’s Funny Cide Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds.

As soon as the race finished, Green shed both her binoculars and poker face and exchanged a smile with her longtime friend and co-owner.

“It’s amazing,” Gillman said of watching the New York-bred son of Mendelssohn win by 4 lengths. “I’m honestly struggling to find words. The first win was very cool, but (this win), I can’t put into words how cool it is. … He’s always been a little bit green, and to see him put it all together and do this, it’s very special.”

Bred by Steve Barberino and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Minorinconvenience broke his maiden at Saratoga Race Course July 31. That off-the-turf win at 7 furlongs gave Green just enough confidence to run him back in the $139,500 Funny Cide at 6 furlongs, though she still had some reservations about the cutback in distance.

“I thought it was (a concern) going in, but with how sharp he broke – I told Amanda after the race when he hit the top of the stretch and put his nose in front, I was quietly confident, because I knew the further distance would be the best for him,” Green said. “I was pretty confident when he found his stride at the top of the lane, but maybe I didn’t look like it, because I was still nervous, and in a stakes race, you never know. But I was quietly confident.”

The 5-2 third choice in the field of five, Minorinconvenience won by 4 lengths over 5-2 second choice Fourth and One with 4-5 favorite Toga Twist third. Ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Minorinconvenience won in 1:11.56.

For Green and Gillman, watching their 2-year-old colt progress has been nothing short of thrilling, having purchased him as a yearling for $20,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. It doesn’t hurt that the New York-bred supplied Green with her first stakes win at Saratoga.

“Very exciting, especially with this horse,” Green said. “We’ve owned him since he was a baby and have spoiled him rotten. It was very exciting. …He’s come a long way. He’s actually still one I don’t think has clicked yet. He’s still a big baby. I still think he’s got a lot of learning to do. To see him run like this, when he still seems like a horse that’s still figuring things out is very exciting.”

Minorinconvenience is the third foal and the first to race out of the Mission Impazible mare Skyler’s Lil Cutie. He came after Skyler’s Lil Cutie produced New York-bred fillies Dorthys Speedstre (by Tale Of The Cat) and Aggie (by Exaggerator).

Barberino bred those fillies and also Skyler’s Lil Cutie’s yearling colt by Early Voting named Rocky’s Early Vote and her Virginia-bred weanling filly by Bolt d’Oro.

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Wecanonlyimagine heads to victory in last week’s Princess Margaret Stakes at Century Mile in Alberta, Canada. Chris Tian Photo.

While their cohorts were in the spotlight in the Albany, Fleet Indian, Yaddo, West Point and Seeking the Ante last week at Saratoga Race Course, two other New York-breds took the spotlight more than 2,400 miles away in Canada at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta.

New York-breds Wecanonlyimagine and Playful finished 1-2 as the two longest shots in Friday’s $34,866 Princess Margaret Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

Wecanonlyimagine, a daughter of Omaha Beach bred by Cypress Creek Equine, improved to 3-for-3 in the 6-furlong stakes. Neville Stephenson rode the 5-1 Wecanonlyimagine to her 5 1/4-length victory over Playful, who earned her stakes-placing after a fifth last time out in the Kindergarten Stakes Aug. 2 at Century Mile.

Owned by her trainer, Jared Brown, and John Ganas, Wecanonlyimagine came into the Princess Margaret off a front-running win in the $36,489 Debutante Stakes at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She employed similar tactics in the Princess Margaret, vying for the lead early with 2-1 favorite Hiway Fortynine and holding a half-length advantage through the opening quarter-mile in :21.74.

Wecanonlyimagine opened up a 3-length advantage through the half in :44.55 and responded to the challenge of Playful to win in 1:11.11. Playful finished 1 ¼ lengths clear of Hiway Fortune.

Wecanonlyimagine earned $21,567 for her latest victory, boosting her bankroll to $52,532. Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s homebred Playful, now 1-1-1 in four starts for trainer Gonzalo Anderson, boosted her earnings to $22,239.

Brown purchased Wecanonlyimagine for $14,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Consigned by C & S Thoroughbreds, the filly is the fourth foal and third winner out of the winning Scat Daddy mare Swimsuit Issue.

Playful, a daughter of Violence out of the winning Bernardini mare Pleased, was foaled at Jack’s Farm on the Hill in Millbrook. She went through the ring at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale but did not meet her reserve on a $39,000 bid.

Two of Pleased’s other foals are New York-breds and winners – three-time winner and $126,703-earner Wanna Winna and the $61,680-earner Mischief Motion.

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Rhetorical cruises to victory in Sunday’s West Point Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo.

By Darby O’Brien

Rhetorical charged to victory in the $150,000 West Point Stakes at Saratoga Race Course Sunday afternoon.

“He’s very talented,” said Adam Wachtel, co-owner of the 4-year-old son of Not This Time. “We’re very excited about him and we think he’s got a very bright future. Will (Walden) has done a great job with him. He’s a nice horse.”

Rhetorical broke sharp from post six and settled into third as frontrunners Itsallcomintogetha and Gem Mint Ten led into the first turn. The leaders opened up a gap of 3 lengths as they travelled along the backside, with Rhetorical and Irad Ortiz Jr. biding their time. Ortiz angled the 4-year-old gelding to the outside as they entered the stretch and cut him loose.

Rhetorical blew by the frontrunners with ease, Bettrluckythangood rallying late with a fruitless challenge as the 2-5 favorite breezed to a 2 1/2-length victory in 1:39.71.

Rhetorical came into the West Point off back-to-back wins in allowance company. He most recently triumphed at Saratoga July 19. He debuted at the track last summer and won by 5 lengths. His lone defeat came in his second start exactly one year ago today, where he lost by three-quarters of a length to Clear Conscience, who finished fourth in the West Point.

“Every time we stepped up the company or the challenge, he does it. He handles it pretty easily,” said winning trainer Will Walden. “We just get him over here and he does the rest. That was the first time he really sat behind horses without fighting it. I do think it helped that they went 22, 45 in front of him. He was able to sit there. It’s his fifth start. He’s still got a long way to go but he’s doing good.”

Rhetorical sold for $320,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale out of the Denali Stud consignment. He’s owned by Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and Cheyenne Stables.

“There’s no better place to be than the winner’s circle,” said co-owner Everett Dobson of Cheyenne Stables. “It’s really special. … We’re partnered on a few with Adam (Wachtel) and Gary Barber. They’re great guys and I really enjoy partnering with them. So, when he made the recommendation, I said sure. That was an impressive effort. Incredible.”

Breeders Mallory and Karen Mort, who also bred multiple stakes winning New York-bred Sterling Silver out of the Distorted Humor mare Sheet Humor, agreed.

“It’s incredible, really,” said Mallory Mort. “We had his sister. We bred his sister, and she won a stake here last year. He was always pretty easy to get along with. He was a little tough as a yearling getting him prepped for the sale and stuff, but he was always a good boy. When he was born he was a little dis-mature, so he was a little behind when he was born. But he caught up and became a pretty nice horse.”

Foaled at Gallagher’s Stud in Ghent, Rhetorical is the fifth foal out of Sheet Humor, whose progeny include the stakes winning and graded stakes-placed Sterling Silver (by Cupid), who recently finished fourth in the Yaddo Stakes last Friday at Saratoga.

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Awesome Czech improves to 4-for-5 on the turf at Saratoga in Friday’s Yaddo Stakes. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Darby O’Brien

Peter Moore began working with Barry Schwartz of Stonewall Farm 20 years ago Friday, and Awesome Czech’s triumph in the $150,000 Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, going 1 1/16-miles on the turf, made the anniversary that much sweeter.

“Today is 20 years since I started with him (Schwartz),” Moore said. “To the day. He reminded me of that the other day. And he said, ‘If that horse wins, you better tell them.’ Yeah. Twenty years to the day.”

Awesome Czech stumbled at the break and settled in fourth along the inside as Spinning Colors surged to the lead. With heavy traffic on the rail, Ricardo Santana Jr. swung the 4-year-old daughter of Mendelssohn four wide into the upper stretch and dug in. With a strong rally in the final sixteenth, Schwartz’s homebred prevailed in the final jumps to score by a half-length over favored Moonage Daydream. Spinning Colors finished third.

Trained by Horacio De Paz, Awesome Czech won in 1:41.41 over the firm turf.

“She likes that track,” said Moore. “Santana loves this filly. He’s really good on her, and for a moment I thought he screwed that one up. Honestly, when he came around I thought he wasn’t going to be able to get out. … This guy (De Paz) is doing a great job. He wanted Santana on this filly for a long time. Between the two of them, and the fact that she likes it up here, we’re thrilled. Thrilled to have that.”

Out of the Awesome Again mare Marvelous Martina – thus the name for tennis legend Martina Navratilova – Awesome Czech won her second stakes and fourth race in five starts at Saratoga.

Awesome Czech won last year’s Suzie O’Cain Stakes in mid-August 14 following a win in allowance company. De Paz had no intention of messing with that formula, as the filly came into the race with a narrow win in a 1-mile allowance in her last start at Saratoga July 4.

Looking ahead, De Paz hopes to see the filly improve when faced with potentially tougher company.

“We’ll see how she comes out of this,” he said. “New York-bred company has good purses. I always thought she was an open-company horse. We tried the Virginia Oaks last year and didn’t get the trip we wanted. Options are open for her.”

Schwartz bred Awesome Czech and she was foaled at his Stonewall Farm in Westchester County. Moore was there every step of the way.

“I was in Keeneland buying mares in foal and we’re both big fans of Mendelssohn,” Moore said. “And at the time, he wasn’t commanding huge money. We only paid 25 or 30 (thousand) for that mare. And we kind of felt it was a steal, even at the time. Obviously, it worked out. The first foal is, as you know, a multiple stakes winner.”

Awesome Czech is the first foal out of Marvelous Martina, a 9-year-old mare who won twice in her career and sold for $25,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Marvelous Martina is also the dam of the 3-year-old Central Banker filly Rare Society, who makes her second career start for Schwartz and trainer Linda Rice in Sunday’s fifth race at Saratoga.

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Iron Orchard crushes the field to stay perfect in the Seeking the Ante Stakes Friday at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Julia Reedy

When Danny Gargan and Jimmy Gladwell saw Iron Orchard at the OBS April sale, they knew they couldn’t leave without her.

The 2-year-old filly was promptly purchased for $500,000 for owners Edward Childs and Randy Hill of R.A. Hill Stable – and has since rewarded her connections with back-to-back wins, including a 6 3/4-length score over fellow New York-bred Oriole Way in Friday’s $150,000 Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

“We liked the fact that she was fast and she was pretty,” Gladwell said of his first impression of the Authentic filly. “We had some dear friends of ours selling her and they were extremely high on her. They gave us even more confidence. And the New York-bred program, we love the program. We love to run up here. We’re just happy today and happy for all the connections.”

Gladwell was introduced to Childs through the late Hall of Fame trainer and mutual friend D. Wayne Lukas.

Lukas called Gladwell a few years prior asking him for a favor: could he help Childs pick out a few horses at the 2-year-old sales? Not one to deny an old friend, Gladwell agreed.

“He (Lukas) was a dear friend, and it’s been a great partnership with Mr. Childs,” Gladwell said. “Our main business is 2-year-olds in training, and our main clients are Dean and Patti Reeves at Reeves Thoroughbred Racing that have a large stable.

“It’s all been a lot of fun, and this has been a great day to see this filly do so well. … We came up and watched her run the first race and watched her run today. She’s grown. She’s filled out. Danny Gargan and his whole team have done an outstanding job with her and have been patient with her. She’s got a bright future ahead of her.”

For Edward Childs and his son, Alex, the journey has been nothing short of rewarding.

“He’s (Edward) been in it a long time and then we all got involved here probably three or four years ago,” Alex said. “We kind of went the Quarter Horse route and broke off from that, got into Thoroughbreds and then some partners and friends of ours jumped in there with us. It’s been a fun deal. It’s got its ups and downs, right? But it’s huge fun.”

As for Iron Orchard’s next start, Gargan said she could run in open company.

“She’s just lightning fast,” Gargan said. “Now, we’ll figure (it) out. We could end up in the Frizette next time (October 4 at Aqueduct). I wanted to get this, and she looks like she shows everything in the mornings like she’ll stretch. I think going a mile, she’ll break and when horses come to her, she gets faster. She does it so easy, so we’ll see who’s all going to show up there, but that’s what we’ll point her towards and hopefully we end up there.”

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable LLC and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Iron Orchard commanded the top price for a New York-bred filly and second most expensive price for a New York-bred overall at the OBS April sale. She originally went through the ring at the 2023 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, bringing $140,000 as a weanling from Castleton Way. A $97,000 RNA at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Iron Orchard later sold for $78,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.

She’s the fourth foal out of the Brethren mare Onebrethatatime, a three-time winner who earned $133,283 and is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Wonderlandbynight and Gilded Miracle, the dam of Grade 1 winner Exaulted.

Onebrethatatime’s third foal, the New York-bred Not This Time 3-year-old filly Backcheck, won in her third start in June at Aqueduct and is entered in a $95,000 allowance on Saturday’s Travers Day undercard at Saratoga.

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Iron Dome romps to victory in Thursday’s Albany Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

By Darby O’Brien

Iron Dome stormed home for his third straight win in Thursday’s $200,000 Albany Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

“With him running two weeks ago, he was well away,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains the Into Mischief colt for L and N Racing and his co-breeder Chester Broman. “I was worried he would be a little flat, as big as he is. When he jumped away from the gate so well. Jose (Ortiz) knows him and has a lot of confidence in him. He let him do his thing.”

Iron Dome hustled out of the gate and settled into a stalking second as Hit the Post took an early 4-length lead. Ortiz angled Iron Dome wide as the field came around the far turn, taking the lead as they came to the five-sixteenths pole and took an undeniable command as they entered the stretch. He kicked clear of rivals with ease, scoring by 6 3/4 lengths over Hit the Post. King’s Leap finished third.

Iron Dome came into the Albany off back-to-back wins at the Saratoga meet. He broke his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths July 16 in a 1 1/8-mile maiden and returned August 7 to romp in an allowance at the same distance by 8 lengths. A $500,000 Keeneland September sale purchase, he proved unsuccessful in his first four starts. But the colt stepped it up July 16 and only continues to improve for his connections.

“Obviously, off of his other-than-win and his two 1 1/8 miles here I wanted to give this a chance. But then this morning with the key scratch (Train The Trainer), it kind of fell in his lap. I’m very proud of the horse,” said Asmussen. “He’s obviously a big, beautiful horse. Very nice (Chester) Broman New York-bred that’s coming into his own. Obviously just very excited about getting him when we did at Keeneland September, and being Mr. Buff’s brother, and always being a fan of his and all the success that he had up here. He’s making the family proud.”

Bred by the Bromans and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, Iron Dome is the seventh foal out of the Grade 3-placed Speightstown mare Speightful Affair.

Consigned by Sequel New York, agent for the Bromans, he went through the ring at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale and brought a $500,000 bid from the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based partnership L & N Racing, which includes Lee Levinson, his sons Andy and Michael and family friend Don Nelson. Chester Broman bought back in for 25 percent after the sale.

“It’s hard to say when they born, you think they’re all going to be champions right?” said Gregg Falk, Chestertown’s farm manager. “We had high hopes for him though. The mare has always had good babies. They’ve always been big, good frame like him, good bone on them. Being a half to Mr. Buff, he had some big shoes to fill. It’s hard to say, but this guy might be going in that same direction.”

Bred in Ontario and third in the Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct in April of her 3-year-old season, Speightful Affair won two of 12 starts with eight placings and earned $142,182. The Bromans added her to their star-studded broodmare band on an $80,000 bid at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.

Three of Speightful Affair’s first four foals, including multiple stakes winner and New York-bred champion Mr. Buff, were by the Broman’s stallion Friend Or Foe. Mr. Buff won 17 of 48 starts and earned $1,403,536 in the Bromans’ colors. She’s also the dam of the winning Friend Or Foe New York-bred Cain Is Abel, nine-time winner and $504,413-earner Daddy Knows (by Scat Daddy) along with the stakes-placed duo Quick to Accuse (by Accelerate) and Organic Gemini (by Sir Whimsey).

Iron Dome is Speightful Affair’s last foal.

“She’s been pensioned. She’s living the good life right now,” Falk said. “The last few foals, she had had some complications. It was her time. She’s earned it. She’s got a nice big paddock, in there with Unbridled Star, Stolen Star, some of those other ones that have a lot of stripes on their jackets, too. It’s great they’re together.”

– Additional reporting by Tom Law

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Vehemente scores first stakes victory in Thursday’s Fleet Indian at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo.

By Julia Reedy

Vehemente lived up to her name in Thursday’s $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes going 9 furlongs on the dirt at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Joe Sharp, the New York-bred daughter of Vekoma finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the Jorge Abreu-trained favorite Kay Cup in 1:51.75.

Owned by International Equine, bred by Hibiscus Stables and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, the 3-year-old out of the winning Stormy Atlantic mare Resoundingly improved her record to 5-for-11 and boosted her bankroll to $320,050.

“It’s been really great,” said Hibiscus Stables’ Jon Taisey of the filly’s progress. “I know Clark Shepherd, who bought the horse, really well. I met him out of coincidence probably a couple months before he bought this filly. We became good friends, met with each other down in Baltimore, had dinner with each other a couple nights, played tag buying each other dinner. He showed up at the sale a couple months later up here at Saratoga, and his team ended up falling in love with her.”

A graduate of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, Vehemente was purchased for $40,000 out of the Hibiscus consignment by Shepherd for International Equine – an outcome that both Taisey and Shepherd were content with.

“We were actually really happy, and I remember high-fiving when they only paid $40,000 for her,” Taisey said. “I think they would have been willing to go double on that. I know we were hoping for double on that, but that’s the game you play.”

The Fleet Indian marked the first time Vehemente had run at the 1 1/8-mile distance.

“The distance is honestly super questionable for this one and for Train the Trainer,” Taisey said of the Hibiscus-bred colt who was entered by scratched out of Thursday’s Albany Stakes.  “There is a little bit of distance in both of their breeding, but to go 1 1/8 miles, you really never know. Sort of hope for it, but I don’t think they expected it. I talked to them before the race, they said, ‘If she has a safe race, and we hit the board, we’ll be so happy.’ We could never even imagine being here. Now they won the race, and they obviously have a filly that has a lot of value, breeding value in the future, too. It’ll be fun to watch her retire eventually and breed, and see those babies come along, too.”

Vehemente is the fifth foal out of the $132,586-earner Resoundingly, who is also the dam of winners Lucille, Tapalong and She Takes Cash, and an unraced 2-year-old New York-bred colt by Street Boss who sold for $53,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale.

Hibiscus Stables bought Vehemente for $25,000 in foal to Goldencents for $25,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

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George Briggs, a son of Fog of War bred and raced by Peter Brant, edges Buttah to win Thursday’s NYSS Cab Calloway. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Darby O’Brien

No downpour could stop Peter Brant’s homebred George Briggs in the $150,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Series Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.

Originally carded at 1 mile on the turf, the race ran at the same distance on a sloppy main track following a brief downpour shortly before the fifth race that saturated the immediate area in and around the track.

“We felt very confident,” Brant said in the winner’s circle. “We were a little upset that it came off the turf. He really looks like a turf horse. But it rains, like it always does.”

But even Brant agreed that the colt handled the slop well.

After a chaotic beginning, the son of Fog of War settled in third early, behind pacesetting Buttah and River of Time. The colt revved up under Irad Ortiz Jr. as the field headed into the turn. Five wide at the top of the stretch, the New York-bred dug in, fending off Moe Eighty Eight as he gained on Buttah. Thanks to a final late kick as they reached the sixteenth pole, George Briggs took the lead in the final strides and scored by a neck in 1:38.27.

“I was disappointed,” said winning trainer Chad Brown on the race being taken off the turf. “Because this horse was training so well off the layoff and he’s definitely better on the turf. I thought enough of him to run in open company down at Gulfstream before I had to rest him for getting sick. I thought it was just really unlucky that little cell came through but he was able to get there anyway.”

Despite the late surface change, Brown never considered scratching the colt.

“There just wasn’t a whole lot on paper here,” he said. “Obviously, the horse to beat was the one that we just got by (who) had a little dirt form. With the purse the way it is and no guarantee that there will be another turf race next time we go – maybe it could rain – we briefly discussed it, but I was always going to stay in. He trains solid on the dirt, I just know that he’s better on the turf.”

As for what’s next, Brown expects to see Brant’s homebred take a step up.

“If we could find a New York-bred race for him and develop him that way, it’d be just fine,” Brown said. “At some point, he’ll find open company. He’s good enough on turf.”

George Briggs was bred by Brant’s White Birch Farm. He is by Fog of War, a Grade 1 winner campaigned by Brant and trained by Brown before standing at Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater from 2021 to 2024. He won two of seven starts, including the Grade 1 Summer Stakes in 2018 at Woodbine. George Briggs relocated to continue his stud career at the Jockey Club of Turkey Stud Farm prior to the 2025 season.

George Briggs is named for a New York politician from the 1800s who served in the Vermont House of Representatives and was a member of the U.S. House from 1849-53 and 1859-61. He also owned a summer home, Woodlawn, in Saratoga Springs.

The equine George Briggs is out of the unraced Irish-Muhtathir mare Bamboiselle. She’s also the dam of the 4-year-old Demarchelier filly French Bob, who is winless in two starts. Bamboiselle sold in foal to Demarchelier for $6,500 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton October digital sale. She produced a filly, named My Lady Gabrielle, by that sire in 2024.

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Trail of Gold, a daughter of McMahon of Saratoga’s Solomini, wins Wednesday’s Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes. Coglianese Photo.

By Julia Reedy

David Donk trainee Trail of Gold rewarded her connections handsomely in Wednesday’s $150,000 Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series going 1 mile on the inner turf at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by Donk, John and Theresa Behrendt, Charles Marquis, Gerald Donk, William Punk Jr., Philip DiLelo, Peter Hayes and Suzanne Haslup, the New York-bred daughter of Solomini had more than a few expectations to live up to, but fulfilled each one with a 1 3/4-length win over the Chad Brown-trained Nonna Lynne. Trail of Gold won her first stakes in 1:36.66 over the firm turf.

“I loved to see just the way she finished,” Donk said. “She’s putting it together. She’s a little more professional today, and I know we haven’t gotten the best of her yet. I’m just hoping now we have some fun with her. It’s fun to have a New York-bred, especially on the grass.

“We had one a number of years ago, Hessonite, who won nine stakes. Those (New York-breds) are fun. Especially the way she runs, it’s easy on herself. I’m just happy for everybody, all the partners. It’s really fun. Irad (Ortiz Jr.) had a lot of confidence. And if he’s got confidence, we’ve all got confidence.”

America’s Pastime Stable’s Brian Spagnola, who bred Trail of Gold along with Spruce Lane Farm, Copper Beech Stable and other partners, felt a similar confidence in the filly as he watched her progress.

“We always loved her,” Spagnola said. “We were just showing the people that own her the pictures of her as a baby. We still own the mare and the weanling, so it’s really great for us. It’s great to see her develop.

Originally sold for $15,000 as a short yearling at the 2023 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, Trail of Gold later sold for $100,000 to Punk at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

“Every time we saw her, she looked more and more athletic,” Spagnola said. “When I saw her at the sale here (Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale) after we had sold her at the mixed one, we were like, ‘Wow.’ She became really athletic. And David Donk’s done a great job with her. Every time I see him, he raves about her.”

Trail of Gold is the fourth foal out of the Bernardini mare Bene Pista. She’s the dam of the New York-bred winning Hightail filly High Track, 2023 Manitoba Derby winner Mano Dura and winner Dorita’s Happy. Bene Pista is also the dam of the 2-year-old New York-bred Daredevil colt Trail Blaze, who sold for $120,000 as a yearling at last year’s Saratoga New York-bred sale and is entered for his debut in the third race Saturday at Del Mar.

Trail of Gold improved to 3-for-10 with the Statue of Liberty victory and boosted her bankroll to $227,535.

Solomini, a 10-year-old son of Curlin out of the Storm Cat mare Surf Song, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs. The leader of New York’s freshman sire list in 2023, Solomini came into the day ranked third in the general sire list with more than $2.09 million in progeny earnings in 2025.

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Hip 502, a colt by Practical Joke bred by Stone Bridge Farm, brought the sale’s co-top price at $525,000 Monday. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

The two-day Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale posted significant gains over last year and concluded an extremely strong summer auction season in upstate New York for 2025.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 199 of the 254 yearlings through the ring over the two days for a total of $23,870,000, up 23.9 percent from last year’s $19,273,000 for 185 sold. The sale’s average price of $119,950 also increased 15.1 percent from last year’s $104,178, while median held steady at $85,000. The sale’s buyback rate finished at 21.7 percent, down from 26.3 percent in 2024.

The New York-bred sale followed a blockbuster select sale, which saw total sales soar past $100 million and records across the board.

“Four spectacular days of sales in Saratoga. I don’t know any other way to describe it,” said Boyd Browning Jr., Fasig-Tipton president and chief executive officer. “Fantastic marketplace. We had a really, really strong group of horses on the grounds for the New York-bred sale as well as the main sale. And that’s what happens when you have quality horses. This New York-bred program is, I don’t think there’s any question, the best state-bred program in the United States.”

Browning praised the Empire State’s breeders and the New York Racing Association for continuing the build on past successes of the program and take it to the next level.

“There continues to be concerted and a collected effort to improve it with the breeders and with NYRA,” Browning said. “We also have to be cognizant and give some gratitude to the political arena, who have supported Thoroughbred racing in the state of New York. It’s thriving and that’s reflective in these sales results. Virtually everybody you talk to that’s involved in the New York-bred program is very optimistic about the future of it.”

Buyers combed the grounds all weekend and into Monday looking for future racing prospects that will compete in the lucrative New York-bred races and open-company events around the world.

Hip 502, a colt by Practical Joke out of the unraced Cherokee Run mare Cuello de Luna, commanded the top price Monday and finished as the co-leading seller on a $525,000 bid from Sallusto and Kimmel, agent for MWG.

Bred by and foaled at Stone Bridge Farm LLC in Gansevoort and consigned by Indian Creek, agent, the colt is the ninth foal out of the half-sister to stakes winner Neck of the Moon. Cuello de Luna is the dam of six winners, including $329,263-earner Sundaeswithsandy and $144,888-earner Crack Shot.

“We’d totally be lying through our teeth if we told you we expected it,” Indian Creek’s Sarah Sutherland said of the price. “I think we saw in the first sale and then again last night, the horses that people want, those (that have) really nice physicals with some sire power, the market is very strong behind them. Then you’re rewarded in multiples if you line up that way. Nice horses bring in a whole lot of money, and anything below that, it starts to get a little trickier.”

While Sutherland might not have expected the co-top price, she did know the colt would be in demand from his presale activity.

“He was well received from the get-go, just from our initial all shows all the way through, re-looks in the vetting process,” she said. “He was staying on lists for everybody. We had a great level of support from pinhookers and end users and trainers and everything else. We knew we were in good shape, but it takes a special horse for people to line up and spend that money on, and we’re just happy to be in that position for his breeder.”

Hip 522, a daughter of Street Sense bred by Thirty Year Farm, sold for $400,000 Monday. Susie Raisher Photo.

Hip 522, a daughter of Street Sense out of the winning Galileo mare Evening Primrose, brought the top price of the day for a filly on a bid of $400,000 from Alan Quartucci, agent for Ed Swyer’s Hudson River Farm.

Bred by and foaled at Thirty Year Farm LLC in Saratoga Springs and consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, the filly is the second foal out of Evening Primrose. She’s also the dam of the New York-bred 2-year-old Twirling Candy filly Cosmic Candy Girl, a $130,000 purchase out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. She finished second in her debut July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.

“We love the filly’s pedigree and she’s got a great walk,” Quartucci said. “I know Joe DiRico owns the half-sister who placed here at Saratoga, so I think the family’s young. We hope she can be a nice two-turn filly on the grass. Galileo mare, we like that. Street Sense is a very solid stallion and very good with fillies.”

Those two yearlings were among 11 who sold for $300,000 or more in the final session.

The final session also posted strong gains over last year. Fasig-Tipton reported 132 yearlings sold Monday for $15,172,000, an average price of $114,939 and median of $80,000. The total rose 26.9 percent and average increased 3.9 percent for the second session.

“Hopefully we’ll continue to see more and more activity, better and better quality horses, more stallions coming to New York and more racing in terms of New York-bred opportunities,” Browning said. “Particularly with the new Belmont coming on track. Lots of reasons for optimism for New York. … People are enthusiastic to own quality racehorses right now. We’re fortunate to that that’s what we bring to this area, have the ability to offer in Saratoga is quality racehorses. As I said, you’ve heard me describe it as the quinella. The gross is up, the average is up, the RNA rate in down, the medium is up.

Hip 552, a daughter of Bucchero and half-sister to stakes winner Kay Cup, commanded the top price for a yearling by a New York-based sire on a bid of $240,000 from Corbin Blumberg, agent.

Bred by Robert Cotran, foaled at Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh and consigned by Denali Stud, agent, the filly is out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Gypsy Jo. She’s the dam of two winners led by Kay Cup, winner of the Bouwerie Stakes during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in June at Saratoga and most likely headed for the August 21 Fleet Indian Stakes. Cotran purchased Gypsy Jo in foal to Bucchero for $15,000 out of the 2024 OBS winter mixed sale.

Bucchero, a 13-year-old son of Kantharos out of the General Meeting mare Meetmeontime, stands for $10,000 at Ironhorse Stallions in Stillwater; Hip 552 was conceived in Florida before his move to the Empire State.

Hip 539, a daughter of four-time leading New York sire Central Banker out of New York-bred champion and stakes winner Frosty Margarita, sold for $160,000 to Whisper Hill Farm.

Bred by Gabrielle Farm and Saratoga Glen Farm, foaled at Saratoga Glen Farm in Schuylerville and consigned by C & S Thoroughbreds, agent, the filly is the third foal out of $599,876-earner Frosty Margarita. She earned New York-bred champion 2-year-old filly honors in 2015. Frosty Margarita is the dam of Power Dam, a New York-bred son of Yaupon who sold for $250,000 in the 2025 Fasig-Tipton February Digital sale and then for $700,000 in the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Central Banker, a 15-year-old son of Speightstown out of the Go for Gin mare Rhum, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs.

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Hip 502, a colt by Practical Joke bred by Stone Bridge Farm, sold for $525,000 Monday at the Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Susie Raisher Photo.

The Saratoga Special’s editorial team of Miles Clancy, Alec DiConza, Darby O’Brien and Julia Reedy covered Monday’s second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grounds and talked with buyers, sellers and sales company officials about the results:

Boyd Browning Jr., Fasig-Tipton: “It was an improved sale, or an improved sales result. … It’ll be fun to start recruiting for next year. We always try to improve the selection process, we always try to improve the recruiting process. It’ll be a little tougher task to have significant meaningful improvement for 2026, but we’ll try. We’ll hope our game stays really healthy. We’ve been doing this since 1898, 127 years, so to say we’re invested in the Thoroughbred industry would be a pretty significant understatement.”

Sarah Sutherland, Indian Creek: “We love it. The New York-bred program is a really important part of what we do. We’re obviously based in Kentucky, but it’s a program that we have a lot of owner support and we’ve really enjoyed being a part of over the years. So to come up here with one that we didn’t necessarily foal but we raised, it feels neat to have that joint effort with the breeders.”

Buyer John Eaton, who purchased Hip 408, a Constitution filly, for $390,000: “Loved her pedigree, love the fact she’s supported by the owners of the mare. She’s got athletic ability, hope so. She’ll fit in my broodmare band very nicely. She checked all the boxes, as far as I’m concerned.”

Reiley McDonald, Eaton Sales: “We thought (Hip 400) would bring in the $300,000 to $400,000 range and she brought $390,000. At the top end of the market, it seems to be very strong. The middle end might be a little soft here. She’s by Constitution, who’s having a great year, and this is the first foal out of a stakes winning mare. I thought that was right in line with what she should’ve brought. Physically, a very nice filly. John Eaton followed her all along from Day 1 and he saw what we saw. Really lovely filly with a good pedigree. … It’s been a good sale. The middle is a little soft and the lower end is a little softer than it was last year.”

Trainer Chad Brown, representing Klaravich Stable on its four purchases Monday along with Mike Ryan, including Hip 403, a Nyquist filly that sold for $370,000: “That’s about where we appraised her. We’ve had luck with Nyquist before with Randomized, particularly the fillies. Mike and Mary Ryan do all the work for us, and they both graded the horse very high. When I relayed that to Mr. Klarman, he said ‘Make this one of our top choices.’ It’s right exactly where we appraised her. …We’re familiar with what the best Nyquist fillies look like, and you have to pay for them. The sire is doing fabulous, and she’s got a little bit of an extra bonus being a New York-bred, in case we need to do that.”

Browning: “Everyone always says how do you all put together the catalog? New crops, new sires … We’re not smart enough to do any of that stuff. We had Mind Control that came on board this year that was strongly represented in the catalog. We’ll have some Americanrevolution coming on board with some other interesting horses. We try to be supportive and recognize that there’s a time and a place for all the horses. And we want good Mind Controls and we want good Americanrevolutions. And we also want good New York-bred Practical Jokes and good New York-bred Nyquists and things of that nature. We’re striving. We’re a physicals-first sales company and that’s in our DNA and will continue to be our DNA.”

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Hip 331, a daughter of Preakness winner Early Voting bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC and Tuscany Bloodstock, sold for $525,000 to top the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale Sunday. Susie Raisher Photo.

The momentum from last week carried into Sunday night’s opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Fresh off a record-setting Saratoga sale of selected yearlings, the first session of the New York-bred sale saw gains in total sales, average price and median, along with a slight increase in buyback rate.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 64 of the 84 offered for $8,338,000, up 21.5 percent from last year’s opening session when 66 yearlings sold for $6,860,000. The opening night average price came in at $130,281, up 25.3 percent from last year’s $103,939, while median rose 18 percent from $89,000 in 2024 to $105,000 this year.

“An outstanding opening session of the 2025 New York-bred yearling sale,” Fasig-Tipton President and CEO Boyd Browning Jr. said. “The positive momentum from the Saratoga Sale last week clearly continued tonight. It really is a result of having an improved quality of horses on the sales grounds in terms of pedigrees and physical conformation. The quality of the New York-breds that we’re exposed to in our inspection process continues to improve each and every year and it’s indicative of the results tonight. The sale started off very, very strong and ended very, very strong. It was a very good night.”

Six yearlings commanded bids of $350,000 or more, including a pair of fillies that sold for $525,000 and $500,000.

Hip 331, a filly from the first crop of 2022 Preakness winner Early Voting, landed the top price of the session from a group that included trainer Danny Gargan, bloodstock agent Megan Jones and Hal Mintz of Sabby Racing.

“Beautiful filly, best one of the sale,” Mintz said. “Didn’t really want to get into a bidding contest with Mr. (Tom) McCrocklin, but that’s what happens. The market is really hot and when people see a really nice filly it can get a little out of control. Even at the New York-bred sale. I’m happy to have her. There will be a couple partners that Danny (Gargan) will bring to the table. Hopefully next year we’ll be excited come summertime with her.”

Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC and Tuscany Bloodstock, the filly is out of the winning Ghostzapper mare Owl Moon. She was sold by a pinhooking partnership by Thorndale Farm, agent, after originally bringing $150,000 as a weanling at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

“The market is bullish,” Jones said. “We thought she was the best filly in the sale. Amazing body, great physical. She had a lot of Gun Runner in her, I thought. We just loved her. She’s very smart. We just liked her all the way, and now we’re going to take her home. One of the best New York-breds that we can celebrate.”

Hip 329, a filly by Practical Joke bred by Dutchess Views Farm, SGO Thoroughbred LLC and Winding Road Thoroughbreds, sold for $500,000 Sunday at the New York-bred yearling sale. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

Hip 329, a daughter of Practical Joke who sold as a weanling at last year’s Saratoga fall mixed sale for $62,500, commanded a $500,000 bid from bloodstock agent Jacob West for Mike Repole’s Repole Stable. Bred by Dutchess Views Farm, SGO Thoroughbred LLC and Winding Road Thoroughbreds and consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the filly is out of the Gemologist mare Our Hope Diamond.

“The beauty of it was that she’s a very nice filly, but she’s also a New-York-bred,” West said. “It gives you a little bit more confidence that you can bid away, knowing that you’ve got a strong New York-bred program behind you. Physically she was very nice. She’s out of a family that seemed precocious and could run and she seems like it.”

Hunter Valley also sold the third highest-priced yearling, Hip 393, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro that went to $410,000 to Phil Hager’s Taproot Bloodstock, agent, for Lee Lewis. Bred by Rockridge Stud, LLC, the filly is out of stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Archarcharch mare Strategic Dreams.

“Really pretty Medaglia filly; the owner loves Megdalias,” Hager said. “There are some updates in the pedigree, which was nice. The New York-bred is always good, too. We liked some Medaglias in the last sale, and I would put her up with some of those as well. It’s nice to get one for a little bit less than what some of those were bringing.

“We were feeling like (it would be in) that range. The average price for Medaglias so far has been $415,000 for the year. I told him it was going to be around there.”

Hip 400, a colt by Life is Good, sold for $400,000 as the final yearling through the ring Sunday. Susie Raisher Photo.

The final yearling through the ring, Hip 400, brought the highest price of the session for a colt. Kenny McPeek, bidding on the phone, went to $400,000 to purchase the son of Life Is Good out of the unraced Tapit mare Tapas.

Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC and Magnolia Mares LLC and consigned by Sequel New York, agent, the colt is a half-brother to three winners, including the stakes-placed Editor in Chief and Tawaret, a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile that sold in foal to Life Is Good for $175,000 at last year’s Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The first yearling through the ring, Hip 301, a colt from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control, sold for $110,000 and ended the night as the leading seller by a New York-based stallion.

Mike Ryan, agent for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, signed for the first foal out of the winning Ghostzapper mare Madera. Bred by James Hogan and Harry Landry, the colt sold as a weanling for $25,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. He was consigned at this year’s sale by Paramount Sales, agent.

Mind Control led the way for a yearling by a New York-based stallion when Hip 301, a colt out of the Ghostzapper mare Madera, sold for $110,000 to lead off the session. Susie Raisher Photo.

Mind Control, a 9-year-old son of Stay Thirsty out of the Lightnin N Thunder mare Feel That Fire, stands for $8,000 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson for the Rockridge Stud/Irish Hill Dutchess Views Venture.

Sackatoga Stable went to $80,000 to purchase the session’s second highest price for a yearling by a New York-based sire – Hip 327, a colt by Honest Mischief and half-brother to Grade 1 winner Haveyougoneaway.

Bred by Andy and Susan Beadnell and consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, agent, the colt is out of the unraced Wiseman’s Ferry mare One Wise Cowgirl. She’s the dam of 11-time winner and $907,425-earner Haveyougoneaway, who sold for $1.1 million at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale. One Wise Cowgirl is also the dam of five other winners, including the Central Banker gelding and $127,750-earner Top of the Mint and the Girolamo mare and $116,698-earner She’sakittykat.

Honest Mischief, a 9-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-winning Seattle Slew mare Honest Lady, stands for $7,500 at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson.

The sale continues with the final session at noon Monday. The catalog features 204 yearlings and Browning knows the true test of the market comes on the final day of the Saratoga summer sales season.

“We’re not even at halftime. In hockey terms, we’re not through the first period. We’ve got two more periods to go, there’s a third of the catalog tonight and two-thirds of the catalog tomorrow,” Browning said. “But a very, very encouraging start. It gives continued confidence in the marketplace, to not only say that this is a very elite level like we saw last week. Very encouraging results. Our July yearling sale had encouraging results. It should provide confidence to the marketplace as we continue throughout the yearling process, which should translate into the mixed sales beginning in October and November. It’s fun selling horses right now.”

– Reporting by The Saratoga Special’s Julia Reedy, Darby O’Brien and Miles Clancy

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Hip 518, a Karakontie colt from the Gainesway consignment, shows ahead of the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling sale. Susie Raisher photo.

The Saratoga Special’s editorial team of Miles Clancy, Alec DiConza, Darby O’Brien and Julia Reedy combed the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grounds to talk with consignors in advance of the two-day New York-bred yearling sale that opens Sunday and continues Monday:

Ron Blake, Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services: “We have a couple of Mandaloun’s, McKinzie’s, Munnings’ and Drain The Clocks’, some very popular stallions … The Munnings’ sold very well in the select sale, so I suspect she (Hip 455) is going to do well. She’s a May foal so she’s maybe not as forward as the ones that were in the select sale, but she’s a good filly.”

Brian Graves, Gainesway: “We have six horses here and they’re all solid horses by different sires. We have some young new sires like Epicenter — his first crop — and Drain The Clock. And then we have some proven sires like Vekoma, and an especially fast-looking nice colt by a sire who’s the leading second crop sire and doing very well. So we’re excited about him. We’ve got a nice Twirling Candy, and he’s just having another great year on the track and just a proven stallion. We’ve got a Karakontie and a Blame. So hopefully we have a little something for everybody.”

Lili Kobielski, The New Hill Farm: “The main sale was so amazing and record-breaking. I hope it just keeps rolling and I would expect it to. There’s a lot of energy — we’ve been busy all morning. It’s been nonstop … Honestly, across the board, it’s (the crop) a very consistent group. The feedback we’ve gotten so far is that it’s a nice group overall. We only started selling our own horses that we either bred or raised at the farm so we can stand behind what we’re bringing to the sale. So they were all foaled, raised and kept with us.”

Jonathan Thorne, Thorndale Farm: “I try to bring a select group up here. They’re all really nice horses being well-received. I’m excited. I’ve got two homebreds and two horses that I got as babies. I’ve got a lot of first crop sires that I like — Corniche, a champion 2-year-old, his first crop; Drain The Clocks, he’s been stamping them pretty well, so they’ve been popular. Early Voting is an exciting horse by Gun Runner who’s doing great. So those horses I expect to do real well.”

Sarah Seitz, Brookdale: “We have two nice fillies that are a little bit different. The Runhappy (Hip 556) has a nice update, with being a half to the New York Derby winner (Train The Trainer), so that’s a nice update to have right before the sale. It’s always exciting to be in Saratoga and bring horses up here. The weather’s been great, the atmosphere is fantastic. It seems like there’s a lot of energy around the sales grounds and the races.”

Joe McMahon watches as Hip 327 heads to show at the McMahon of Saratoga consignment. Susie Raisher photo.

John McMahon, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds: “I think it will be a very good sale. We’re predominantly a New York-sired New York-bred farm. We have a couple of Kentucky-sired New York-breds in this group. I have a couple very young mares who are represented by their first foals, with Hip 536, a Bolt d’Oro filly out of a mare named Free Chickens. I’ve got a proven producer with a Yaupon who has a nice, standout physical. We have a Central Banker colt out of a multiple stakes producer. He’s Hip 477, a very good bodied, fast, precocious, 2-year-old type. I’ve got a really solid consignment top to bottom.”

Conrad Bandoroff, Denali Stud: “This is the best group that we’ve personally brought up here. We have a very strong group with some real sire power. We have a very nice Not This Time colt, a couple Constitutions. Some really top individuals and I think it will be a very strong market. It’s just a very consistent group of physicals and in addition to the New York stallions, we have a strong representation of some top Kentucky stallions as well.”

Frank Taylor, Taylor Made Farm: “I would think the sale will be good, just judging from the previous sale. There’s a lot of nice horses here. We have a really nice Cyberknife, Hip 322, out of My Favorite Day. That’s a really nice colt. We’ve got a really good Twirling Candy, Hip 336, out of Pharoah Fawcet. That’s a nice horse. We’ve got a real nice Drain The Clock, Hip 337, out of Picturesque. They’re very nice individuals and look like runners. In this sale, people look for horses that have a little pedigree but also good physicals. It’s a little bit of a larger group this year. I think each year, the sire power gets a little better. The horsemanship, the prepping and raising these horses is getting better by the year. Everything’s trending positive here.”

Fergus Galvin, Hunter Valley Farm: “We’ve a really nice Medaglia d’Oro filly. We just got a nice update, her half-sister was second in a stake at Presque Isle the other night. We have a Practical Joke filly that’s very nice. Great mover. It changes from year to year. About half of them are pinhooks, half of them are homebred, some are owned, some are clients. We’ve been selling up here for a number of years. This is a pretty strong group.”

Carl McEntee, Ballysax Bloodstock: “We’re just coming off the heels of a very, very good sale in the select sale. Obviously, different kind of horses, but still. There’s a vibrancy to the market and just being here the last couple weeks, there seem to be a lot of young people in town. Looks like racing is becoming cool again, which is really exciting for everybody in this industry. I brought three really nice New York-breds up here. A very good Corniche, obviously freshman sire stands at Coolmore. Mo Donegal stands at Spendthrift Farm, really sort of typey, early-looking horse. Sharp Azteca out of Truth Goddess. Truth Goddess is the dam of Her Laugh, who had 30 points on the Kentucky Oaks trail this year. She got hurt in the Fair Grounds Oaks and she just went back into training here last week. A lot of exciting things. They’re the right horses for the marketplace, but overall activity has been steady. It should be a positive sale. All the regular crowd are here, and some people I haven’t seen before.”

Kerry Cauthen, Four Star Sales: “We’ve got a number of good horses here. I’ve got a Good Magic that I really like, an Early Voting that I like, that people are picking up. We’ve got quite a nice group of horses overall and we’re looking forward to seeing which ones they decide they like the most.”

Buyers at the Indian Creek consignment. Susie Raisher photo.

Sarah Sutherland, Indian Creek: “Everybody is pretty optimistic and has a little bounce in their step off of last week. I’m sure you’ll see that enthusiasm carry over here and on to the sales in September and October as well. It’s been very steady all morning. With more horses on the grounds here, everybody has a place where they like to start and a way they organize themselves. We’re not slammed, but we’re very steady and consistent. This is probably one of the best groups top to bottom that we’ve brought here. We’re represented by some really nice stallions, some proven horses as well as some young freshman sires, so it’s kind of a good mix. There’s a little bit of something for everybody. It’d be hard to sort of peg a couple over the others.”

Chris Shelli, Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds: “We’re just really excited after the showing at the select sale. We’re very optimistic and we’re hoping some of that transcends into the New York-bred sale. From the beginning of this morning, we’ve been very busy, so we’re very happy with the traffic and the showings so far. We have a really nice Nyquist in this consignment and as hot as Vekoma is, we’re excited to have two Vekomas as well.”

Marshall Silverman, Marshall Silverman: “I’m optimistic. It is what it is. They like the Drain The Clocks and I know he’s as nice as any of them that are here. I’m optimistic that he sells well. He’s a very well-balanced horse, he’s correct, he’s got plenty of bone. Just a good colt. He’s the only one I had this year to bring. I like coming up here. I could’ve sold him in the Maryland sale, but I figured I’d just come up here since he is a New York-bred. We’ll see what happens. You get a bigger audience.”

Colin Brennan, Colin Brennan Bloodstock: “We’ve brought a pretty solid group up here. I’m really looking forward to it. … We scratched down to nine (from 11). Probably the Mandaloun filly, Hip 600, is probably going to be the standout. Hip 326, by Cyberknife out of One Time Baby, should also do quite well. But it’s a solid group and it’s hard to pick apart the rest of them. I’m quite happy with what we brought up here. They all deserve to be here … Hip 344, Cyberknife out of Queen Bess, (after saying hello to some kids through the fence) is very sweet. My sister and I both have little kids that are always in the barns, and we prepped all but one of these yearlings so they’re quite accustomed to little kids and getting pets on a regular basis.”

Sarah Estrada, C&S Thoroughbreds: “The Drain The Clock (Hip 360) filly is a very useful horse. Not only for pinhookers but for end users as well. The Central Banker filly (Hip 539), her half-brother sold for $700,000 as a 2-year-old. And the Pinehurst (Hip 595) is very forward … There’s plenty of foot traffic and people are here to buy horses. We haven’t stopped since 8 a.m.”

Tom Eastham, Legacy Bloodstock: “I’m really encouraged. Generally, I’m an optimist, so you’ll probably get more of a positive spin off me. But I’m really encouraged about the enthusiasm with the horse business. Now, some people are saying it’s the depreciation. The tax depreciation that has motivated sales and boosts that we’ve had. We’re doing a good job with our product. The tracks are getting more aware of the customer service aspect of it and the owner experience. This sale’s going to be good, but I think it’s an accumulation of a lot of different factors. It’s good timing for us to be good and tax depreciation is going to make it be really great.”

Becky Thomas accompanies buyers examining Hip 359 at Sequel New York. Susie Raisher photo.

Becky Thomas, Sequel New York: “I have two Yaupons that have been very popular so far. We have a Nashville and a nice Life is Good that have both been very nice. It’s hard because I’m a 2-year-old consignor. It’s hard for me to decide which horse to sell or which horses to train and raise. For me, it’s mostly driven by cashflow. Do I need money? We’ve got to put some horses in here. That’s about it. I love training. Every one of these horses are homebreds. All of them live at our farm except one. It allows us to see how to breed the mare next time, how they mature and what we’re looking at. We get so much more money for the regional horses the further we go, and the closer we are to racing. People want horses to be ready to go for Saratoga and the Belmont Fall meet. It’s much more effective as these horses are ready to go.”

Bill Johnson, Turning Point Bloodstock: “We’ve got a lot of sire power in our group this year. Really good physicals. We’ll see how the market likes us … This is overall a really solid group. They’re just different physicals, different horses in general. We have the brother of Mo Plex (Hip 316) going in the ring. We have Hip 374, a Twirling Candy out of Sister Margaret. We’ve got a lot of updates just across the board. Almost half of our horses have something that did something somewhere recently. We’re excited about those. There’s always those horses that everybody is looking at. Then there’s a handful of horses that will kind of sneak up on people. I have a Volatile out of Lemon Drop Kitty (Hip 592) that I think is going to make somebody very happy as an owner. Liam’s Map (Hip 509) and Nashville (Hip 409), too. These horses are definitely checking the boxes here. … Everybody gets excited about the sale. We’re ready to start selling.”

Martha Jane Mulholland, Mulholland Springs: “There are several that I love. Hip 500, the Uncle Mo out of Cry Value, is exquisite. She’s quite beautiful, lovely walk. Big hip, nice family, half to a stakes horse. The way Uncle Mo’s were received last week, there’s no telling what this horse could bring. I’m looking forward to it.”

Pat Costello, Paramount Sales: “Especially after last week, you have to feel confident it’s going to be a good market. The other thing, too, is they’re going to be running for the same purses as the open horses next year, so that has to encourage people with the New York-breds, too.”

Jim Perrone, Perrone Sales: “We’ve got two nice horses, they’ve been well received thus far, and just about everybody from the first sale is still here looking. We’re in the perfect spot, the weather is beautiful, we like it. The market is wonderful. This is a little bit different, but I do think it’s going to carry over. People are anxious to get nice horses. The Speaker’s Corner is out of a mare Passe. She’s produced a really nice Grade 1 horse who also produced a Grade 1 winner. The family is wonderful, good racehorses.”

Jorge Gonzalez, Point of Gravity Thoroughbreds: “I think I have a well-balanced horse (Hip 370). She’s going to become a really nice, athletic filly. Obviously, she’s got a long way to go because she’s a May foal, but I love her. She’s got a good mind, discipline. I think she’s going to be a great horse.”

Austin Winfrey, Straight Line Equine Sales: “Pretty high expectations. We brought a good group up here. We bought most of them out of the sale up here last year in October. They have all come together really well. They’ve got good pedigrees, good physicals. They stand out really well with the group that’s up here.”

Francis Vanlangendonck, Summerfield: “The number of people and the quality of people that are looking today are really good. I watched the horses ship in, and there were so many good horses. The New York breeders do such a great job of bringing in good pedigrees and raising them where they look like an athlete that can compete. And then, they have the program with the New York-breds running for the same money as open horses. With all of those things together, I expect this to be a good sale.”

The post What they’re saying at the sales appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

New York-breds take center stage Sunday and Monday at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

Boyd Browning Jr. walked the balcony of Fasig-Tipton’s Humphrey S. Finney pavilion Tuesday night, not long after the dust settled from the most spectacular Saratoga select sale in history and let his mind look ahead. 

Asked in joking way about what the auction house might do for a follow-up to the $100 million Saratoga sale, Browning didn’t look to next year’s boutique auction. He looked a lot closer on the calendar.

“New York-breds, of course,” Browning said. 

The select sale saw records for total sales, average price and median. Now it’s the New York-bred sale’s turn, coming off strong yearling sales in Kentucky in July and this week in Saratoga, and on the heels of solid 2-year-old markets to start the year. The New York-bred sale featured a catalog of 304 yearlings before the 31 scratches as of Friday night. 

Browning and the Fasig-Tipton team, members and leaders of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., along with a local and national group of consignors, are ready. 

“Our chests will be puffed out tomorrow morning, no doubt,” Browning said after the select sale. “But guess what? We’ll have a crew out there tomorrow morning cleaning the grounds and getting ready for the New York-bred sale. Because we’ve got 300 New York-breds shipping in Thursday morning. They’ll be showing Friday and Saturday and come Sunday at 7 o’clock, we’re going to go in there and do the absolute very best we can for those 100 that sell Sunday night and the 200 that sell Monday. We’re lucky we get to do something we love to do. I hope that’s evident.”

“We’re anticipating an exceptional sale, especially following the results of how New York-breds performed in the select sale last week,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of the NYTB. “It’s a tremendous credit to our breeders, consignors and Fasig-Tipton with the depth and quality of New York-bred yearlings in the catalog.  Building off the strength of the program it’s evident that now is the time to breed and race in New York.”

Consignors with yearlings in the New York-bred sale share Browning’s and Thompson’s enthusiasm and hope the final stop on the Saratoga auction calendar continues the momentum set this week. 

“The main sale was so amazing and record-breaking. I hope it just keeps rolling and I would expect it to,” said Lili Kobielski of The New Hill Farm in nearby Hoosick Falls in Rensselaer County. “There’s a lot of energy – we’ve been busy all morning. It’s been nonstop.”

The New Hill Farm cataloged eight yearlings, sired by established stars as Hard Spun and Practical Joke along with newcomers Golden Pal, Cyberknife and Epicenter. 

“Honestly, across the board, it’s a very consistent group,” Kobielski said. “The feedback we’ve gotten so far is that it’s a nice group overall. We only started selling our own horses that we either bred or raised at the farm so we can stand behind what we’re bringing to the sale. They were all foaled, raised and kept with us.” 

Indian Creek, one of a few consignors to sell at both the select and New York-bred sale, cataloged 15 yearlings for Sunday and Monday. 

“Everybody is pretty optimistic and has a little bounce in their step off of last week,” said Indian Creek’s Sarah Sutherland. “I’m sure you’ll see that enthusiasm carry over here and on to the sales in September and October as well. It’s been very steady all morning. With more horses on the grounds here, everybody has a place where they like to start and a way they organize themselves. We’re not slammed, but we’re very steady and consistent. 

“This is probably one of the best groups top to bottom that we’ve brought here. We’re represented by some really nice stallions, some proven horses as well as some young freshman sires, so it’s kind of a good mix. There’s a little bit of something for everybody. It’d be hard to sort of peg a couple over the others.”

Longtime Saratoga consignor Summerfield returns for another New York-bred sale.

Francis Vanlangendonck, who runs the Florida-based operation with his wife Barbara, praised the local breeders heading into the Empire State’s major yearling market. 

“The number of people and the quality of people that are looking today are really good,” Francis Vanlangendonck said. “I watched the horses ship in, and there were so many good horses. The New York breeders do such a great job of bringing in good pedigrees and raising them where they look like an athlete that can compete. And then, they have the program with the New York-breds running for the same money as open horses. With all of those things together, I expect this to be a good sale.”

The success of the select sale continued to be a common theme Friday morning and afternoon throughout the sales grounds, which were packed with trainers, bloodstock agents and owners scouting prospects. 

“We’re just coming off the heels of a very, very good sale in the select sale,” said Carl McEntee of Ballysax Bloodstock, which cataloged three yearlings. “Obviously, different kind of horses, but still. There’s a vibrancy to the market and just being here the last couple weeks, there seem to be a lot of young people in town. Looks like racing is becoming cool again, which is really exciting for everybody in this industry.”

Tommy Eastham of Legacy Bloodstock, which cataloged four yearlings, agreed. 

“I’m really encouraged. Generally, I’m an optimist, so you’ll probably get more of a positive spin off me,” he said. “I’m really encouraged about the enthusiasm with the horse business. Now, some people are saying it’s the depreciation. The tax depreciation that has motivated sales and boosts that we’ve had. We’re doing a good job with our product. The tracks are getting more aware of the customer service aspect of it and the owner experience. This sale’s going to be good, but I think it’s an accumulation of a lot of different factors. It’s good timing for us to be good and tax depreciation is going to make it be really great.” 

– Additional reporting by Alec DiConza, Julia Reedy and Darby O’Brien

The post Empire Horses: New York-breds take stage as Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sales grounds shift appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

By Alec DiConza

Four New York-breds sold during the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings, headlined by the $400,000 purchase of Hip 167. A chestnut son of Charlatan, Hip 167 was consigned by Archie St. George’s St. George Sales and sold to Pete Bradley’s Bradley Thoroughbreds, agent for Rodeo Creek Racing.

“He was an absolute athlete, he exuded class and he was in my price range,” Bradley said. “Well balanced, had a hip on him like a washer woman and was a physical specimen.”

Out of the More Than Ready mare More Than Speed, Hip 167 is a half-brother to Baby Yoda, the winner of last year’s Grade 2 True North at Saratoga Race Course. Hip 167 was bred by Town & Country Farms and was born at Mahoney Eden Manor in Saratoga Springs.

St. George was pleased with the interest shown in Hip 167.

“It was a very good sale,” St. George said. “He was very popular. First of all, I’d like to thank the buyers, Pete Bradley and Devon Bradley. I wish them the best of luck. He’s a very nice horse. The main thing now is he goes and runs for the buyers.”

Charlatan is a freshman sire this year and has produced two winners. Bradley is excited about purchasing a New York-bred by the young stallion.

“His first crop as 2-year-olds, he’s had a couple of nice winners, but I think he’s one of those horses that people are a little iffy to buy at this point. I think that could change in two or three winners, it usually does,” Bradley said. “He’s a lovely horse. The New York-bred program, the way it’s shaping up right now, has some of the best money in the United States. You’ve got to be looking at those kinds of horses.”

In total, eight New York-breds sold during the two-day sale, up from five in 2024.

Hip 152, a chestnut daughter of Jackie’s Warrior, sold to Amerman Racing through agent Bob Feld for $350,000.

“She was very correct and I liked everything about her,” Feld said. “It’s always a gamble on first-year sires. I’ve had a lot of luck buying first-year sires. My son and I have done very well doing that. You always roll the dice, but Jackie’s Warrior was a pretty impressive racehorse. She’s very nice.”

After selling for $200,000 as a weanling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale, Hip 152’s success Tuesday pleased Kitty Day of Warrendale Sales.

“Very much satisfied,” Day said. “She was a $200,000 weanling, she more than realized a profit for the owners. We’re very pleased, they’re pleased. She was bought by a great family to race, so we’re very happy.”

Bred by Emcee Stable and Fortune Farm, Hip 152 was born at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, N.Y. Feld said the filly out of the Yes It’s True mare Martini would likely travel to Barry Berkelhammer’s Abracadabra Farm in Ocala, F.L. to start preparing for a racing career next year.

Hip 181, a filly by Golden Pal bred by Fred Hertrich III and Rob Tribbett, sold for $375,000 to Mike Ryan Tuesday night. Susie Raisher Photo.

Hip 181, bred by Fred Hertrich III and Robert Tribbett, sold for $375,000 to Mike Ryan, agent for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds. Out of Prisoner’s Dilemma, the dark bay filly by Golden Pal was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. She was born at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, N.Y.

Taylor Made Sales Agency also consigned Hip 141, who went to China Horse Club, Maverick Racing and First Go Racing for $175,000. The dark bay son of Charlatan is out of Lark Rise, by More Than Ready. She was born at Mill Creek Farm and bred by Mill Creek and Fortune Farm.

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Hip 102, a daughter of Flightline bred by Kathleen Burke Schweizer and Daniel Burke, sold for $625,000 Monday at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Susie Raisher Photo.

By Alec DiConza

Four New York-breds sold during the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings Monday.

Hip 102, a chestnut daughter of Flightline, headlined Monday’s New York-bred offerings when she sold for $625,000 to Chad Schumer, agent for KGS. The filly is out of the Grade 3-winning Bellamy Road mare Georgie’s Angel, which makes her a half-sister to two-time Grade 1 winner Cave Rock.

“She’s a lovely filly,” Schumer said about Hip 102. “She’s by an absolute superstar in Flightline. It’s rare that you see a group of yearlings by the same stallion, a new stallion, that you like them all. They’ve all been fantastic, so I really wanted to get one for the client. She’s a half to a Grade 1 winner, so she’s got tremendous residual. Really good breeders, she came from a great home. She’s just a lovely filly. Ticked all the boxes, as they say.”

Monday’s top New York-bred is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Cave Rock. Susie Raisher Photo.

Bred by Kathleen Burke Schweizer and Daniel Burke and foaled at Longford Farm in Elmira, the filly was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. The filly’s high price generated a lot of excitement for Eaton Sales’ Pamela Rider.

“Her physique is beautiful, her temperament is even better and she’s got the pedigree to back it up, as well,” she said.

Schumer came into the sale equally impressed with Hip 102.

“Tremendous walk on her, full of class,” he said. “She’s just one of those horses when you look at her, you might not know her pedigree, but you’d know she’d be well bred.”

Schumer entered the Saratoga sale with plans to buy top-class yearlings, so he’s pleased to have bought a member of Flightline’s highly anticipated first crop.

“This is the best yearling sale in America,” he said. “It’s a flagship. If you want to race at the top, this is where you have to buy. So, here we are.”

Hip 46 sold for $500,000 to new owner Josh Isner’s Cha Cha Chestnuts. Agents Liz Crow and Brad Weisbord picked out the colt by Maclean’s Music.

“He looks like he has a lot of speed, and he’s a New York-bred, so we’re hoping to run him up here next summer at Saratoga,” Crow said. “We’re excited about him.”

Out of the Speightstown mare Bay Harbor, the colt was bred by Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding and Robert Tribbett and foaled at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Hip 46, a colt by Maclean’s Music bred by Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding and Robert Tribbett, sold for $500,000 Monday at the Saratoga sale. Susie Raisher Photo.

“We thought he would bring $400,000 to $500,000,” Hertrich said. “Liz Crow and Brad Weisbord bought him and they’re very astute horse people. We’ve had luck selling them horses, and they’ve had luck buying from us. We’re very happy. They’re good people and they’ll do a great job.”

Hip 82, daughter of Cyberknife and half-sister to recent Grade 1 Test Stakes competitor and graded stakes winner Cash Call, sold for $300,000 to Mike Ryan.

Bred by Jerry Bilinski and foaled at his Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, the filly was consigned by C & S Thoroughbreds after selling for $230,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. She’s out of the winning D’wildcat mare D’Fashion.

“She’s a half-sister to two good fillies, one that’s current. Cash Call is a stakes winner this year,” Ryan said. “She’s the first crop of Cyberknife. She’s an outstanding physical. She’s got plenty of family on the female side, two half-sisters that are good stakes winners, so that always helps. She’s a New York-bred, but she looks like she’ll hold her own very well in open company. And the fact that she’s a New York-bred is just icing on the cake. She’s a quality filly. There’s a lot of nice horses here, but she was very high on my list.”

Hip 43, the first New York-bred to sell Monday, went for $190,000 to Robbie Medina, agent for Snake River Stables. The bay colt by Jack Christopher out of the stakes-winning Flatter mare Baby Nina was bred by Sunset Ridge Farm, foaled at River Valley Farm in Gansevoort and consigned by Ballysax Bloodstock, agent.

“I liked Jack Christopher a lot as a racehorse, and that horse looks pretty fast. I was kind of attracted to him, so I think he’s a good buy,” Medina said. “It’s uber competitive, especially tonight. Everything is at above premium price, so when you get something, you’re pretty happy.”

The sale continues with the second session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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Diversify at Old Friends at Cabin Creek on July 29. Susie Raisher photo.

By Teresa Genaro

New York lost one of its more storied racehorses on June 27, when New York-bred Commentator was euthanized as a result of long-term complications from Potomac horse fever. His death stunned those closest to him.

“We thought he was going to be OK,” said JoAnn Pepper, who with her husband Mark owns and manages Old Friends at Cabin Creek, where Commentator has lived since 2016. From 2009 to 2016, he lived at Old Friends in Georgetown, KY. “He was a fighter, and he was doing so great. He beat the Potomac horse fever, and he basically beat an abscess and laminitis. But the abscess affected his joint, and he couldn’t recover.”

In 2008, Commentator joined the great Kelso and Discovery as the only multiple winners of the Whitney at Saratoga Race Course. He won the race for the first time in 2005, opening up a five-length lead on odds-on favorite St. Liam, who would go on to win that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic and earn Champion Older Horse and Horse of the Year honors. That five-length lead disappeared at the wire, but Commentator held on to win by a neck.

Three years later, the chestnut gelding was back at Saratoga for the Whitney, and back in the winner’s circle, this time prevailing by 4 3/4 lengths. He tried again the following year, too, finishing third by three lengths in his final start.

Commentator was bred by Michael Martinez, foaled at Blue Stone Farm, and owned throughout his career by Tracy Farmer, who paid $135,000 for him as a yearling. He began his racing career at age 3 and it ended when he was 8. Gelded as a juvenile because, as his trainer Nick Zito put it, “he was a wild horse,” Farmer opted to send him to Kentucky’s Old Friends.

A decade after Commentator arrived at Old Friends, he was joined by fellow New York-bred winner Diversify, who earned his own Whitney win in 2018. Trained by the late Rick Violette, who had been in treatment for cancer for several years, Diversify won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2017, and two months before he ran in the Whitney, he won the Commentator Stakes by a nose at Belmont Park on New York-bred Showcase Day.

The day of Diversify’s Whitney was one of weather extremes; as the horses walked in the paddock before the race, the skies opened and a deluge drenched everyone unable to take cover. After a delay of 40 minutes, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and, apparently unfazed by

Commentator’s grave at Old Friends at Cabin Creek. The plaque reads, “…The earth sings where he touches it… He is pure air and fire… He is indeed a horse…” Susie Raisher photo.

the change in routine, Diversify led wire to wire for a 3 1/2-length win, walking back to the winner’s circle with a rainbow arcing over the eastern end of the track.

He’d race once more, finishing fifth in that year’s Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the Whitney was the final stakes win for Violette, who died on Oct. 21in 2018.

Bred by Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding and foaled at Majestic View Farms, Diversify was purchased by Maverick Racing, the buying entity WinStar Farm, for $150,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of preferred New York-breds. He raced twice for WinStar, winning both starts, before being sold at the 2016 Keeneland breeding stock sale for $210,000 to Lauren and Ralph Evans, a father-daughter team that owned Diversify until his retirement.

In his 16-race career, Diversity won 10 times and earned $1.9 million. A gelding like Commentator with no stud career ahead of him, he lived for six years at Old Friends in Kentucky, then, like Commentator, he came home to New York, arriving at Cabin Creek on July 28.

Commentator was voted New York-bred Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male in 2005 and 2008, honors that went to Diversify in 2018.

“The Whitney connection, and he won the Commentator Stakes…it just seems like Diversify is supposed to be here,” said Pepper.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek is hosting its annual fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 3. A cocktail party and silent auction, it will be held at the Marriott Excelsior Springs Event Center, 11 Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs, at 6:30pm.

You can find more information and purchase tickets here.

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Doc Sullivan catches The Wine Steward late to win the $150,000 John Morrissey Stakes Thursday at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

By Darby O’Brien

The $150,000 John Morrissey Stakes belonged to Doc Sullivan Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.

“It feels so good,” said Glen Lostritto of winning owner Tristar Farm, stepping down to the winner’s circle after a raucous celebration with his family from their box in the clubhouse. “We lost my dad a month ago, and this was his whole life. It’s been a very emotional day today. We’re so proud, so excited. It’s simply amazing.”

The Solomini colt raced wide early, third behind Light Man and The Wine Steward. He angled wide entering the stretch as The Wine Steward began to lengthen his lead, but a determined Doc Sullivan wasn’t ready to quit. He rallied in the final furlong and dug in, racing close to the outside of The Wine Steward as they approached the wire and caught him in the final jump to score by a head.

“I thought for a second the other horse was going to get there,” said Joel Rosario, who piloted the 4-year-old to victory. “But he kept getting in there, and I kept riding and riding him, and he got there. He ran well. I never thought he’d get to the other horse, but he did.”

Previously trained by Michael Miceli, Doc Sullivan showed up in his first start for trainer John Ortiz. His brother and assistant, Daniel Ortiz, represented the team Thursday and was overjoyed by the gritty triumph.

“Honestly, we came into today very, very confident,” Daniel Ortiz said. “He hasn’t missed a single beat in training since he came in. We’re very happy. Amazing ride by Joel. We couldn’t be more appreciative to the owners, Mr. Glen and the whole family. I knew the horse was coming in prepared, and regardless of if he had won or lost, he was going to perform his eyes out. He ran big. He ran his heart out. I’m very happy with him.”

Doc Sullivan was bred in New York by Seamus Coughlan, at his Sleepy Hollow Farm 10 minutes from Saratoga Race Course. He first first sold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale in 2022 for $58,000.

Tristar Farm’s Glen Lostritto acquired the colt as a 2-year-old for $59,000 at the OBS June sale in 2023. He’s out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Queen Frostine and is a half-brother to four-time winner Seaver, 12-time winner Fix Me A Sandwich and the 2-year-old New York-bred Lookin At Lee filly Last Of My Kind, who broke her maiden July 21 at Finger Lakes.

Doc Sullivan improved to 5-5-2 from 15 starts, adding the Morrissey to his victory in last year’s Mike Lee Stakes at Saratoga, and boosted his earnings to $497,090.

Solomini, a 10-year-old son of Curlin out of the Storm Cat mare Surf Cat, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs. He came into the day ranked third on the New York general sire list with progeny earnings of more than $1.9 million.

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Wecanonlyimagine, a daughter of Omaha Beach bred by Cypress Creek Equine, wins the Debutante at Assiniboia Downs. J. Halstead/Assiniboia Assiniboia Photo.

Wecanonlyimagine delivered in her debut and again Thursday night, running her record to 2-for-2 with a front-running victory in the 36th running of the $36,489 Debutante Stakes at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Owned by her trainer, Jared Brown, and John Ganas, Wecanonlyimagine took the lead shortly after the start from The Wright Way and never looked back in the 5-furlong stakes for 2-year-old fillies. The daughter of Omaha Beach won by 1 ¼ lengths under Neville Stephenson in 1:01.12 on the fast track.

Bred by Cypress Creek Equine, foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson and out of the winning Scat Daddy mare Swimsuit Issue, Wecanonlyimagine was purchased by Brown for $14,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.

She’s the fourth foal out of the $48,825-earner Swimsuit Issue, who also produced winners La Funda (by Connect) and Smart With Heart (The Factor).

Cypress Creek Equine also bred the dam’s yearling colt by Keepmeinmind and her New York-bred weanling colt by Jackie’s Warrior.

Bet down to even-money in the field of six, Wecanonlyimagine came out well and took over from The Wright Way to lead through the opening quarter-mile in :23.86. She continued on the lead around the far turn toward the stretch, running a half in :47.38.

Wecanonlyimagine opened up a 3-length lead to that point and held off a late run rom Neytiri for the win. The Wright Way finished third. That result matched Wecanonlyimagine’s victory in her debut July 16 at Assiniboia, when she won by 4 3/4 lengths over Neytiri as the 3-2 favorite.

Wecanonlyimagine picked up $22,220 for the victory, boosting her bankroll to $30,965.

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New York-bred Horse of the Year My Mane Squeeze dominates in Wednesday’s Johnstone Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

By Alec DiConza

Reigning New York-bred Horse of the Year My Mane Squeeze made owner and breeder William “Buck” Butler proud when the 4-year-old filly dominated Wednesday’s $150,000 Johnstone Stakes at Saratoga Race Course by 6 1/4 lengths.

“She did a hell of a job,” said Butler, who owns My Mane Squeeze with WinStar Farm. “She did what she was supposed to do. Onward and upward.”

My Mane Squeeze, named for Butler’s wife Loretta, broke on top and established a comfortable 1-length cushion over Tricky Temper while running the opening quarter-mile in :23.42. The daughter of Audible cruised around the far turn through a half-mile in :46.12, and by the time she entered the stretch, she held an insurmountable lead over her competition.

My Mane Squeeze continued opening her advantage through the lane under Luis Saez and finished the 7-furlong race for New York-bred fillies and mares in 1:22.66. Tricky Temper came home second, followed by Sterling Silver. The Johnstone, originally carded with a field of 11, scratched down to a group of six. That allowed My Mane Squeeze, usually a closer, to use front-running tactics.

“That was perfect for us,” Butler said about the defections. “But, Luis had a plan and looks like he executed it perfectly.”

My Mane Squeeze is a two-time graded stakes winner with victories in last year’s Grade 2 Eight Belles and Grade 3 Dogwood for trainer Mike Maker. In addition to New York-bred Horse of the Year, she was awarded champion 3-year-old filly and champion female sprinter at this year’s New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ Annual Awards dinner. In 2025, My Mane Squeeze added two more graded stakes placings to her resume before her win in the Johnstone.

“She’s super special,” Loretta Butler said. “And you know what, we may be here in front of the cameras, but we’re really riding on the shoulders of everyone who has worked with this horse over the years. The barns, the farms, Mike’s staff, we’re really honored to be a part of it.”

My Mane Squeeze is one of several successful racehorses to come from the Speightstown mare In Spite Of Mama. A three-time winner for Butler, In Spite Of Mama has also produced Rotknee and Mama’s Gold, who runs in Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney. Both Rotknee and Mama’s Gold won state-bred stakes races in 2024, and the former was awarded champion male sprinter at the New York-Bred Divisional Awards. Needless to say, In Spite Of Mama has rewarded the breeding decisions made by the Butler family.

“She’s had a year and a half as far as 2024,” Buck Butler said about the 13-year-old mare who was also trained by Maker during her racing career. “She had a whole bunch of winners. And, we still have a couple of them and we’re enjoying them.”

In Spite Of Mama has also produced the multiple stakes-placed Lookin For Trouble. She is the dam of an unnamed 2-year-old by Runhappy.

With her win in the Johnstone, My Mane Squeeze won for the seventh time in 17 career starts with earnings of $1,207,785. Maker said he would consider Grade 1 Ballerina, run on Travers Day August 23, for My Mane Squeeze’s next race.

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