New York Thoroughbred Breeders

Twenty Six Black adds second stakes victory to resume in the inaugural New York Turf Sprint on Empire Showcase Day. Coglianese Photo.

Horacio De Paz felt that Roger Cimbora Jr.’s homebred Twenty Six Black took a step back a bit last time out when third in the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint. He didn’t allow the 5-year-old War Dancer gelding’s loss dissuade him from continuing on to the $200,000 New York Turf Sprint Championship and was rewarded for that decision Saturday at Aqueduct.

Twenty Six Black ran to his 7-5 favoritism and back to the form that landed him a Grade 2 placing and a stakes victory at Saratoga with a rallying score in the inaugural New York Turf Sprint on Empire Showcase Day. Joel Rosario rode Twenty Six Black to his 1-length victory over the pacesetting Waralo in 1:08.20 for the 6 furlongs on firm turf.

“He just regressed a little bit from his efforts at Saratoga and he came back here with a great effort,” De Paz said. “We’ve liked him since he was a 2-year-old and it’s just nice to see him progress as an older horse. He’s a handsome horse and very solid, very honest, too.”

Twenty Six Black improved to 7-for-17 with Saturday’s victory and boosted his bankroll to $627,310. He’s won two of six with a second and third this season.

“He’s a very nice horse and finished very well today; he always does,” Rosario said. “Thank you to Horacio and the owner for the opportunity. I saved the ground and waited to make my move. There was no chance to come out on the turn, so I stayed in as much as I could and after that, he just ran by them with a really nice kick.”

Bet down from his 8-5 price on the morning line, Twenty Six Black settled into fifth early as Waralo took the lead in his stakes debut in search of his fourth win in five starts since moving to the grass in late May.

Waralo clicked off the opening quarter in :22.91, just a half-length in front of the pressing Dancing Buck with Twisted Filigree and Senbei chasing. The order remained unchanged around the far turn and to the half in :45.95 as Rosario stayed patient down on the inside with Twenty Six Black. Rosario tipped Twenty Six Black out in the lane, just as Waralo shrugged off Dancing Buck. Twenty Six Black made up 1 ½ lengths in midstretch with a strong finish in the final furlong to win going away. Waralo held second by a half-length over Run Curtis Run with Dancing Buck fourth. Bold Journey, Twisted Filigree and Senbei completed the field.

Twenty Six Black is the third foal and first stakes winner out of the First Dud mare Brazo de Oro. She’s also the dam of three-time winner and $116,978-earner Happy Hill Lil and stakes-placed $344,835-earner Can’t Fool Me, who was entered in Saturday’s Ticonderoga Stakes off the claim later on the Showcase Day card.

Twenty Six Black’s 2-year-old full brother, A Little At First, finished fifth in both of his starts this season for Cimbora and De Paz – an Aug. 31 maiden at Saratoga and Oct. 9 maiden at Aqueduct. He returned to the work tab on the morning of Showcase Day, breezing a half in :50.77 on the Belmont Park training track.

Cimbora also bred Brazo de Oro’s New York-bred yearling colt by Tourist and her New York-bred weanling full brother to Twenty Six Black born Jan. 30.

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Letmecounttheways puts on a show to win the Maid of the Mist Stakes on Empire Showcase Day at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

The Dr. Jerry Bilinski-bred Letmecounttheways caught the eye in her debut in September and a month later she made sure everyone knew she’s the new star on the scene with a 6-length romp in the $200,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes on Empire Showcase Day.

Going off as a heavy favorite off that maiden victory, the Mike Maker trainee was brushed at the start of the 1-mile Maid of the Mist by Grazie but quickly put that incident behind her. She shot straight to the lead with no one willing to challenge and set early fractions of :23.53 and :46.75 with a length on the rest of the runners.

Joel Rosario kept a tight hold on Letmecounttheways while looking confident going into the stretch with the rest of the field hustled by their riders. Rosario took a few looks under his arm in midstretch but when it was clear there was no chance of being caught, he let the filly gallop at her own pace to win by a widening margin.

Letmecounttheways won in 1:35.94. Grazie finished second with Victory Hall another 2 1/4 lengths back in third.

“She’s been training great,” said co-owner Paradise Farms Corp’s Peter Proscia, who celebrated an earlier win on the card with The Wine Steward in the Hudson Stakes. “We’ve had high hopes for her from the beginning, and she showed her form and did the job. Joel looked like he was just a passenger, but we were pleased about that and we’re looking forward to the future with her,”

Letmecounttheways is raced by Paradise Farms with JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, and Zilla Racing Stables with Sean S. Perl buying her for $190,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. That marked her second trip through the ring after Timothy Wickes bought her as a weanling out of the Stuart Morris consignment for $115,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November mixed sale in 2023.

By leading freshman sire Yaupon, Letmecounttheways is one of two winners from three to race out of Dialed In’s two-time winner Draft. That mare was bought by Bilinsky’s Waldorf Farm carrying her first foal by Army Mule from Sequel New York for $27,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

Draft foaled a Gun Runner filly in 2021, with that one selling for $180,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale before going on to win two races. Draft was barren the following year and Letmecounttheways is her third foal.

Draft is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Time’s Mistress and stakes placed Most Happy Fella with another half-sister producing the Grade 3 winning Dennis’ Moment. Grade 1 Belmont Derby winner Henley’s Joy Is among those under the filly’s third dam.

Draft foaled a Central Banker filly named McLight last year. She sold for $60,000 at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Draft is the dam of a New York-bred weanling Flameaway colt and was bred to Bucchero in 2025. – Melissa Bauer-Herzog

Bravaro stays perfect to open the Empire Showcase card with victory in the Sleepy Hollow. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

• If Bravaro felt any nerves while running in the first two races of his career this fall, you certainly wouldn’t know it by watching him. Owned by Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie Brennan, Shining Stable, BAG Racing Stable and Paul Braverman, Bravaro improved to 2-for-2 with a victory in the $200,000 Sleepy Hollow Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds on Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day at Aqueduct.

“He comes out and impresses,” Ciuffetelli said. “He’s been working great. He comes out here when it matters most and really shows everybody, which is awesome. He has that swagger, he has that confidence and when he does it, it seems he has more to go. The sky is the limit for him, so we’re excited.”

Breaking from the inside post as the 3-5 favorite, Bravaro and jockey Dylan Davis sat a stalking trip in fourth behind pacesetter Fourth and One through a quarter-mile in :22.60 and a half in :45.19. With nowhere to go turning for home, Bravaro swung five-wide and gradually made up ground, hitting the front with just over a sixteenth of a mile to go and running away to a 2 1/2-length score. The son of Upstart trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. finished the mile in 1:35.68.

“I just let him break comfortably and get into his stride and once I got across the chute, he started taking me into the race,” said Davis, who also rode the colt in his 1-length debut victory Sept. 28. “He was comfortable and within himself – I was happy with the way he was doing it. Just riding the rail and it was a small field, so I knew I’d find a spot sometime – they were four across at the quarter pole and I just wheeled him out and (he) had another gear for me.

“I knew he had a good turn of foot because in his first start the rail opened up and he just shot right through there like nothing. He does have that gear, I just didn’t want to use it too early.”

Bred by Stepanie Baltzan, Bravaro is the second foal out of the unraced Tamarkuz mare Opera Star. His older half-brother, the 3-year-old New York-bred Mitole colt Zakher Crown, is unplaced in two starts. Baltzan also bred Opera Star’s New York-bred yearling colt by Upstart and her New York-bred weanling colt by Practical Joke foaled April 30.

Bravaro picked up $110,000 for the Sleepy Hollow win to increase his career earnings to $154,000. – Alec DiConza

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Bucchero will stand the 2026 season for $12,500 with an early-bird discount available and a mare cap set for 140. Skip Dickstein Photo.

Ironhorse Stallions announced Saturday that Bucchero will stand the 2026 season for $12,500, with an early-bird discount available through Dec. 31 for mares foaling in New York and a breeder friendly mare cap of 140.

With the fewest named foals of the top 15 fourth-crop sires, Bucchero continues to distinguish himself among the elite of his generation. Competing alongside comparable rising stars such as Girvin, who will stand for $30,000 in 2026, and Army Mule, standing for $25,000, Bucchero has led both throughout the year, despite covering mares with a lower average quality index. The Comp. index (C.I.)  of mares bred to Girvin is 1.26, to Army Mule 1.18, and to Bucchero 1.03, demonstrating that Bucchero’s foals continue to perform well above expectations.

“While we recognize that Bucchero’s credentials and performance could justify a larger rise in his stud fee, we wanted to send a clear message,” said Harlan Malter, managing partner of Ironhorse Stallions. “With the top stallion in New York, our goal is to be partners with breeders, to make top-quality stallions accessible at a level that allows loyal New York breeders not just to survive, but to thrive. We believe that kind of collaboration is what will strengthen and grow this program for years to come.”

Further underscoring his consistency, Bucchero leads all fourth-crop sires with 100 or more starters in two key productivity measures: over 60 percent winners from named foals, and an impressive 82 percent starters from named foals. These numbers highlight the hallmark of the Bucchero line, durability, soundness, and the ability to compete and win at a remarkably high rate.

“Bucchero just keeps showing up where it matters,” said John Dowd of of Ironhorse Stallions. “He’s proven he belongs in the same conversation as the top young sires in the country, and he’s done it the right way, through consistency, toughness, and results. When you pair that with the opportunities in the New York-bred and New York-sired programs, it’s an unbeatable formula for breeders who want both quality and value.”

Bucchero’s success has carried through to the sales ring, where demand for his progeny continues to surge. His 2025 yearlings sold strongly at Fasig-Tipton New York and OBS October, highlighted by a $240,000 yearling sold near Saratoga Race Course, the same venue where his star son Book’em Danno swept a historic trifecta of graded sprint victories this summer.

Along with multiple Grade 1 winner Book’em Danno, a leading contender for the Eclipse Award for champion male sprinter, Bucchero is also the sire of multiple graded stakes winner Queen Maxima and multiple stakes winner Buccherino. Bucchero is also on track to repeat his 2024 status as top synthetic sire in the US, further proof of his ability to sire fast, durable and versatile runners across all surfaces.

Standing at Ironhorse Stallions in Schuylerville, Bucchero offers breeders the rare chance to access a proven national-caliber sire while staying in-state and taking advantage of one of the most lucrative breeding incentive programs in North America.

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Hip 1593, a colt by Practical Joke bred by Lambholm South, brought highest price for a New York-bred at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale. Photo courtesy of Hunter Valley Farm.

The most expensive New York-bred and second leading New York-bred colt were sold during Thursday’s final session of the record-setting Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale in Lexington.

Ten New York-breds sold for $100,000 or more – significantly higher than the overall average – during the sale, including four on the final day.

Hip 1593, a daughter of Practical Joke and one of the last offerings through the ring, led the way on a bid of $225,000 from Mike Ryan, agent. Bred by Lambholm South and foaled at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, the filly is the first foal out of the winning Kitten’s Joy mare Joyous Times. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the filly originally sold to Rexy Bloodstock for $155,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale.

Out of the stakes-winning English Channel mare La Malaguena, Joyous Times went 2-4-1 in 11 starts and earned $86,630.

Lambholm, agent, purchased the mare for $20,000 at the 2023 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. She’s also the dam of a weanling Cyberknife bred by Lambholm South.

Hip 1293, a colt by Vekoma, ended the session as the top-priced New York-bred colt and wound up second overall. Arroyo Bloodstock, agent, purchased the colt out of the winning Discreet Cat mare Discreet Lady out of the Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds consignment.

Hip 1293, a filly by Vekoma bred by Christopher Shelli, sold for $180,000 Thursday at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds.

Bred by Christopher Shelli and foaled at his Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds in Fort Edward, the colt is the ninth foal out of Discreet Lady and a half brother to five winners led by the New York-bred Alpha geldings Taco Bean ($147,199) and Alphalfa ($121,848). Discreet Lady is also the dam of a weanling filly by Drain the Clock, also bred by Shelli, foaled April 4 in New York.

The sale of those two yearlings helped spark another strong session for New York-breds. Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 23 of the 29 through the ring for $1,056,500, an average price of $45,935 and median of $20,000.

Overall, Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 105 of the 132 New York-breds through the ring over the four days for a total of $4,124,500, an average price of $39,281 and median of $22,000.

The sale established records for total receipts of $71,843,500, average price of $65,491 and median of $30,000.

“The sale was a tremendous success,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Great crowd, great participation, great interest and great activity on the sales grounds from Saturday through the end of the sale tonight. We’re thrilled with the results.

“If you chart the growth of this sale over the last 10 to 15 years, it’s certainly solidified its place on the calendar as an important sale for both buyers and sellers. It’s very rewarding and very encouraging for breeders to be able to come to this sale and have outstanding results.”

The sale’s most expensive yearling by a New York-based stallion, Hip 666, a daughter of Mind Control, sold for $60,000 during the second session Tuesday. Legion Bloodstock, agent for JCE Racing, purchased the filly out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Paris Sunset. Bred by Constance Wickes, Amy Rabanal DVM and Collin Norton and foaled at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, the filly was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

Multiple Grade 1 winner 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.

 

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New York-bred Horse of the Year My Mane Squeeze headlines Saturday’s Empire Showcase card. Coglianese Photo.

One of the biggest and best events on the New York racing calendar arrives Saturday with the annual Empire Showcase Day program.

The 11-race Showcase card features nine stakes, an increase from the previous eight with the addition of the $200,000 New York Turf Sprint Championship going 6 furlongs. All the other staples of Empire Showcase Day return, including the co-featured $250,000 Empire Classic and $250,000 Empire Distaff. All told the day will be worth $2,018,000 in purses.

Everything starts at 12:10 p.m. ET and the Sleepy Holly Stakes for 2-year-olds leads it off.

The team at The Saratoga Special and This Is Horse Racing also returns with another edition of The Empire Showcase Special to celebrate all things New York-bred. Here’s to a safe and successful event. Cheers.

Enjoy Showcase Day at Equestris Restaurant

New York-bred owners and breeders with entrants on the Empire Showcase card are eligible for a $60 discount per adult (ages 13+) and $30 per child (ages 3–12) for the Equestris Restaurant buffet.

Offering breathtaking views with floor-to-ceiling windows, Equestris is Aqueduct’s premier venue for horsemen, owners and breeders. The perfect place to experience the excitement of the day in comfort and style. Guests will enjoy a premium buffet while taking in the 11-race Empire Showcase Day card. Premium buffet includes tax and gratuity.

Reservations can be made through NYRA’s Horsemen’s liaison, Davis Klein at DKlein@nyrainc.com or via the NYRA website using promo code PADDOCK to activate the discount. For additional assistance, contact NYRA’s Horsemen’s Relations Department at (718) 659-2206.

 

Worth Repeating

“Empire Showcase Day is the premier fall championship event for New York breeding and racing. With nine New York-bred stakes on the card, including the addition of the New York Turf Sprint Championship, the day highlights the remarkable depth, talent and competitiveness of horses bred in the Empire State. We’re proud to partner with NYRA and the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund to showcase our leading horses, breeders, owners and connections who continue to elevate our program each year.”
Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

“He’s a legend in the New York breeding ranks. We asked him to stay in, and he agreed and it’s worked out well. If things continue to work out, Iron Dome could be a top 5, top 10 horse [nationally] next year.”
L and N Racing’s Michael Levinson on Chester Broman, breeder and co-owner of Empire Classic contender Iron Dome

“He’s a great big horse and keeps his weight on. He’s been sound since Day 1. At Remington they said he weighed over 1,300 pounds, so a big horse like that it’s going to take him some time to get going. He’s probably a little smaller than Mr. Buff, but there’s a lot to him. He’s a big horse.”
Levinson on Iron Dome

Bank Frenzy returns for another run in the Empire Classic Saturday at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

“He’s doing great. I’m just very pleased the owners gave me the chance to back off a little bit [and target this race]. Day by day, we just keep him happy and healthy and hopefully everything goes good. He’s very happy.”
Trainer Rudy Rodriguez on Bank Frenzy, last year’s champion New York-bred older dirt male who runs in the $250,000 Empire Classic. He’s been off since the July 31 John Morrissey at Saratoga

“She was so brilliant as a 2-year-old and we were so excited. It’s been such a long wait to get her back to the races, so you just have to sit there and hope that she shows up. There’s no guarantees, but she was the champion New York 2-year-old filly and she showed up today.”
Trainer Linda Rice after last year’s champion With the Angels made a successful comeback Oct. 16 at Aqueduct

“She just breezed in :50 and galloped out in 1:02, and she looked pretty good. I babied her after the first race back when she finished second, and I didn’t breeze her for the second race [Athenia]. I think right now she’s where I want her to be.”
Trainer Jorge Abreu on Moonage Daydream, back to defend her title in the Ticonderoga after a fifth in the Athenia Sept. 14

“The New York breeding program is strong. He’s doing well and came out of his race really good. He’ll have one work in between, which will be (Oct. 26), and then he’ll ship to Del Mar on Saturday. All systems go as of right now.”
Trainer Will Walden on New York-bred Grade 1 winner Rhetorical, a major contender for next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Mile

 

By the Numbers

92: New York-breds entered for Saturday’s 11-race Empire Showcase Day card at Aqueduct.

1.9 million: Dollars in stakes purses offered on Showcase Day.

7: Runners entered by trainer Mike Maker, including last year’s New York-bred Horse of the Year My Mane Squeeze in the Iroquois.

5: Entries apiece for trainers Jorge Abreu, Horacio De Paz and Linda Rice.

5: Runners bred or co-bred by Sequel Stallions/Sequel Thoroughbreds.

4: Runners sired by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds’ Solomini.

4: Runners bred or co-bred by Fred Hertrich III.

3: Entrants bred by Chester and Mary Broman.

3: Entrants bred by Lawrence Goichman.

3: War Dancer-sired runners in the New York Turf Sprint Championship – Twenty Six Black, Waralo and Dancing Buck.

704: Number of live foals projected for New York in 2025 by The Jockey Club, third most of any state.

4.8: Percentage increase in the number of New York foals in 2025 compared to 2024. The Jockey Club reported 672 foals in 2024.

2: States ranked in the top 10 of foal producers showing an increase from 2024 to 2025. New York and New Mexico, which showed a 0.8 percent gain, hold that distinction.

192: Mares bred in 2025 to Bucchero, tops in New York and 16th most in North America.

113: Mares bred in 2025 to New York-bred Horse of the Year Americanrevolution, second most in the state.

29: New York-based stallions who bred at least one more in 2025.

 

How to watch

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

 

As for the races …

Race 1. Sleepy Hollow Stakes. $200,000, 2-year-olds, 1 mile. Post time 12:10 p.m.
Kick things off with the first of nine stakes. Field of six entered includes Bravaro and Funny Cide Stakes runner-up Fourth and One, who finished second to Bravaro in Sept. 28 maiden race.

The Wine Steward, here winning the Fifth Season in late January at Oaklawn, returns to New York-bred company in the Hudson. Coady Photography/Renee Torbit

Race 2. Hudson Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, 6 1/2 furlongs. Post time 12:41.
The Wine Steward returns to the state-bred ranks and shortens up looking for his first win since late January. Second in the John Morrissey going 7 furlongs at Saratoga, Grade 1-placed son of Vino Rosso could won his only other two tries against New York-breds back in 2023. Vettriano sports 4-for-5 record at Aqueduct. Hit the Post shortened up and shipped to Finger Lakes for much needed win last time. He could be a player taking on older horses for the first time.

Race 3. New York Turf Sprint Championship Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, 6 furlongs, turf. Post time 1:12.
New event added to the lineup for 2025 attracts field of seven led by open stakes winners Senbei, Twenty Six Black, Dancing Buck and Bold Journey. Twenty Six Black won the Disco Partner on closing weekend at Saratoga before a third in the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint, while Bold Journey exits a runner-up finish in the Belmont Turf Sprint. Solid field also includes Waralo, the winner of three of four on the turf, with a second in his last start.

Race 4. Maid of the Mist Stakes. $200,000, 2-year-olds, fillies, 1 mile. Post time 1:43.
Field of eight includes Liberty’s Advance, runner-up in the Lady Finger Stakes in her debut last time out for Charlton Baker; Victory Hall, who brings 2-for-3 record and makes first start for trainer John Ortiz; and impressive Aqueduct maiden winner Letmecounttheways for trainer Mike Maker.

Race 5. Maiden claiming. $38,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 6 1/2 furlongs, claiming price $30,000. Post time 2:16.
Ten runners for short break in the stakes action.

Race 6. Mohawk Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles, turf. Post time 2:49.
First grass event of the day and group of eight and a main track only runner. Here’s hoping it stays dry and on the turf. With Rhetorical headed to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup it’s time for the locals to make some hay. Sounds Like a Plan has put together a strong season with 2-1-2 record in six starts, including back-to-back wins on the course for Horacio De Paz. Others in the mix have stakes experience, including Cab Calloway winner George Briggs, West Point third-place finisher Conman and Kingston third Itsallcomintogetha.

Kay Cup takes on seven other fillies and mares in the Empire Distaff. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

Race 7. Empire Distaff Stakes. $250,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 1 1/8 miles. Post time 3:21.
Vehemente, Kay Cup and Valtellina – the first three finishers in the Fleet Indian – take on older foes in co-featured event. Boxed Win, the winner of her last two starts including the Jack Betta Be Rite Stakes Oct. 13 at Finger Lakes, leads the older contingent that also includes multiple stakes winner Bernietakescharge.

Race 8. Iroquois Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 6 1/2 furlongs. Post time 3:53.
Multiple graded stakes winner and 2024 New York-bred Horse of the Year My Mane Squeeze looks to rebound from eased finish in Grade 1 Ballerina in late August at Saratoga. Buck Butler’s homebred daughter of Audible has won three of five at Aqueduct, including three stakes during her juvenile and sophomore campaigns. Strong field also includes last year’s Empire Distaff runner-up Sterling Silver and multiple stakes winners Sunday Girl, Stonewall Star and Stone Smuggler.

Race 9. Ticonderoga Stakes. $200,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 1 1/16 miles, turf. Post time 4:24.
Moonage Daydream returns to defend title that helped her lock up champion New York-bred turf female honors last year. Chris Larsen’s homebred Candy Ride mare comes in with a second to fellow Ticonderoga contender Awesome Czech in the Yaddo and a fifth in the Athenia last month. Awesome Czech sports strong record this year – 2-1-2 in five starts – and looks for her own title. Spinning Colors figures to bring her front-running game again from the rail with new rider Dylan Davis.

Albany winner Iron Dome looms large in the Empire Classic. Coglianese Photo.

Race 10. Empire Classic Stakes. $250,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles. Post time 4:53.
The headliner and co-feature closes the stakes portion of the card. Iron Dome dominated three starts at Saratoga, including the Albany, then finished a good second in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby. Now the 3-year-old son of Into Mischief returns to native state for return engagement against older foes Bank Frenzy, Doc Sullivan, Chief Liam and others.

Race 11. Maiden special weight. $80,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 mile, turf. Post time 5:22.
Field of 10 closes the card. Will it finally be graduation day for New York Scrappy, Askingforafriend, Oat Coutour and Inspeightofcharlie, who have all come close at least once? Or will Dormello rebound from disappointing run at 5-2 in debut in mid-August at Saratoga Race Course? Answer some questions and make some dinner money.

The post The 2025 Empire Showcase Special appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Hip 932, a colt by Yaupon bred by 3C Stables, sold for $220,000 Wednesday at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Mulholland Springs.

A trio of New York-breds sold for six figures as the strong demand continued during the third session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale Wednesday in Lexington.

Returns for New York-breds increased for the second straight day Wednesday as Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 32 of the 38 New York-breds through the ring for a total of $1,317,000, an average price of $41,156 and median of $25,000.

Overall, 81 New York-breds have sold for $3,044,500, an average price of $37,586 and median of $25,000. The buyback rate for New York-breds comes in at 21.4 percent through the first three sessions.

The highest-priced New York-bred of the sale sold during Wednesday’s session when trainer Mike Maker went to $220,000 for Hip 932, a colt by Yaupon out of the Mulholland Springs consignment.

Bred by 3C Stables LLC and foaled at Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater, the colt is the second foal out of the Tiznow mare Acushla. She’s out of the Footstepsinthesand mare Sabel Browne, the dam of Imprint, who produced stakes-placed winner Ivory and Ebony. The Yaupon colt originally did not sell on a bid of $65,000 at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Hip 983, a daughter of Golden Pal bred by Edmund C. Young, brought the top price for a New York-bred filly Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Colin Brennan Bloodstock at Highlander Training Center.

Hip 983, a daughter of Golden Pal from the family of New York-based stallion King for a Day, brought the session’s top price for a New York-bred filly. Mike Ryan, agent, signed the $190,000 ticket for the filly that also is the top-priced New York-bred filly so far at the sale.

Bred by Edmund C. Young and foaled at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater, the filly is the third foal out of the unraced Orb mare Angelic Spirit. Consigned by Colin Brennan Bloodstock at Highlander Training Center, agent for Loves Equine Stables, the filly originally sold for $80,000 to Horsin Around at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.

Angelic Spirit is the dam of four-time winner Steel Curtain and the 2-year-old Mo Town filly Indy Mo. She’s also the dam of a weanling filly by Mo Donegal.

HTC/Voric Stables purchased the session’s third six-figure yearling, going to $120,000 for Hip 960, a filly by Omaha Beach. Bred by Charlie F. Engel and consigned by Knockgriffin Farm, agent, the filly is out of the Distorted Humor mare Alma Llanera. She’s the dam of New York-bred winners Holiday Jazz and Artistic Success and the unraced Kentucky-bred 2-year-old Tiz the Law colt Cop a Plea who sold for $110,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale.

Hip 906, a daughter of Mind Control that sold for $35,000, brought the day’s top price for a yearling by a New York-based stallion. Photo courtesy of Hunter Valley Farm.

Hip 906, a daughter of Mind Control, landed the day’s top price for a yearling by a New York-based stallion on a bid of $35,000 from Grassroots Training and Sales.

Bred by Fazio Stables LLC and Red Oak Stable LLC, foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs and consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the filly is out of the unraced Candy Ride mare Wy Not Candy. She’s the dam of winners Shanghai Candy and Sweet Spite and a 2-year-old New York-bred filly by Central Banker, who was co-bred by Fazio Stables and McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds LLC.

Multiple Grade 1 winner 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.

The sale concludes with the final session at 10 a.m. Thursday.

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Three New York-breds were among the pre-entered fields released Wednesday for next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

Rhetorical, Iron Orchard and Whatchatalkinabout fly the flag for the Empire State in the two-day festival that features 14 races worth $34 million in purses and awards. They look to join the other three New York-bred Breeders’ Cup winners – Bar of Gold in the 2017 Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar, Dayatthespa in the 2014 Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita Park and London Bridge in the 2013 Marathon at Santa Anita.

Pre-entry is the first of a two-step process for all owners intending to start a contender in the Breeders’ Cup. The entry stage takes place Monday, when post positions will be drawn at 7 pm ET. All three figure to make the body of their respective races should their connections look to continue.

Iron Orchard, recently purchased out of a Fasig-Tipton digital flash sale for $2.5 million, was pre-entered by owners KatieRich Stables in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The 2-year-old daughter of Authentic was one of nine entered for the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Fillies, part of the Future Stars Friday program and the seventh race at 6:25 p.m. ET.

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Iron Orchard brings a 3-for-3 record to the Breeders’ Cup after victories over state-breds in a 5 ½-furlong maiden and the 6-furlong Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga Race Course before a nose victory in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct.

Trained by Danny Gargan, Iron Orchard previously raced for Edward Childs’ CSLR Racing Partners and R A Hill Stable. A $500,000 purchase out of the OBS April sale, Iron Orchard has earned $352,000 in her three starts.

The other two New York-breds are entered for Championship Saturday – Rhetorical in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile and Whatchatalkinabout in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Rhetorical earned an automatic bid in the Mile as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge winner in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile Oct. 4 at Keeneland Race Course. Rhetorical is one of 15 runners pre-entered in the Mile.

Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable’s 4-year-old Not This Time gelding won the West Point Stakes in his previous start on Saratoga Showcase Day at Saratoga. Trained by Will Walden, Rhetorical is 5-for-6 with a third in his career for earnings of $824,700.

Bred by Mallory and Karen Mort and foaled at Gallagher’s Stud in Ghent, Rhetorical is out of the Distorted Humor mare Sheet Humor. He’s a half-brother to multiple stakes winner and 2022 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint competitor Sterling Silver.

The Mile goes as the 10th race Nov. 1 with post time of 7:05 p.m. ET.

Ice Wine Stable’s Grade 3 winner Whatchatalkinabout did not land a spot in the main field for the 6-furlong Sprint. The 4-year-old Dialed In gelding is one of 17 pre-entries and is listed second by order of preference.

Three runners in the main body of the field were pre-entered with first preference in other races – Kopion and Tamara are part of the Sprint field but have first preference in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and Japan’s Puro Magic with first preference in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. If those three wind up in those first preference spots, Whatchatalkinabout would make the field.

Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, foaled at Jack’s Farm on the Hill in Millbrook and out of the unraced Super Saver mare Super Savvy, Whatchatalkinabout sports a 4-3-2 record in 10 starts with earnings of $388,853. He’s won two of five starts this year – the Grade 3 John A. Nerud and an allowance at Aqueduct – along with a third in the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes Oct. 3 at Keeneland for trainer Wesley Ward.

The Sprint goes as the sixth race Nov. 1 with post time of 4:21 p.m. ET.

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Hip 703, a colt by Olympiad bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds, Robert Cromartie and Tuscany Bloodstock, sold for $165,000 Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. Photo courtesy of St George Sales.

Demand for New York-breds continued during the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale as a pair of New York-breds brought six figures Tuesday in Lexington.

Mark Stanley bought the top-priced New York-bred of the day when he went to $165,000 for Hip 703, a colt by Olympiad out of the graded stakes-winning Rock Hard Ten mare Summersault.

Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Robert Cromartie and Tuscany Bloodstock and consigned by St George Sales, agent, the colt is the fourth foal out of Summersault and a half to the winning Westhampton and placed $53,526-earner She’s On a Roll. The colt originally sold for $175,000 to Teddy Town at last year’s Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Summersault won seven of 34 starts, including the Grade 3 Orchid Stakes in 2017 at Gulfstream Park, and earned $503,443. She sold carrying the Olympiad colt in utero for $170,000 to Wildridge, agent, at the 2023 Keeneland November sale. Summersault is also the dam of a weanling colt by Gunite, bred by Sequel, Cromartie and Milan Bloodstock, foaled last April in New York.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 30 of the 38 New York-breds through the ring Tuesday for a total of $1,101,000, an average price of $36,700 and median of $27,000.

Overall, 49 New York-breds have sold for $1,727,500, an average price of $35,255 and median of $25,000.

Hip 624, a filly by Vekoma bred by Seth Gregory, sold for $110,000 Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Four Star Sales.

Hip 624, a daughter of Vekoma, brought the session’s top price for a New York-bred filly on a bid of $110,000 from Hoppel LLC.

Bred by Seth Gregory and consigned by Four Star Sales, agent, the filly is the third foal out of the winning Discreetly Mine mare Sonora. Sonora, who went 6-7-2 in 46 starts and earned $212,943, is the dam of the 2-year-old New York-bred Rock Your World filly that sold for $50,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale. Gregory also bred Sonora’s weanling colt by Americanrevolution, foaled March 28 in New York.

Hip 666, a daughter of Mind Control, commanded the day’s high price for a yearling by a New York-based stallion on a bid of $60,000 from Legion Bloodstock, agent for JCE Racing.

Bred by Constance Wickes, Amy Rabanal DVM and Collin Norton and consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the filly is the fourth foal out of the winning Kitten’s Joy mare Paris Sunset. She’s the dam of two winners and a 2-year-old New York-bred Dialed In filly that sold for $55,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

The Dialed In filly originally sold to Calhoun Investments for $30,000 at last year’s Keeneland November sale.

The sale continues with the third of four sessions at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

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Hip 75, a colt by Vekoma bred by Sandee Schultz, sold for $100,000 Monday at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Photo courtesy of Nardelli Sales.

A colt by Vekoma sold for $100,000 to lead all New York-breds at Monday’s opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale in Lexington.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners purchased the colt, Hip 75, out of the Nardelli Sales consignment. Bred by Sandee Schultz and foaled at Twin Creeks Farm in Marcy, the colt is the first foal out of the winning Maclean’s Music mare Late Nite Music.

Schultz purchased Late Nite Music, carrying the Vekoma colt in utero, for $15,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

A $20,000 yearling at Keeneland September in 2020, Late Nite Music was a winner in 2022. She’s out of the Touch Gold mare Reggae Rose, who is the dam of graded stakes winners Whatmakessammyrun and Shakhimat from the family of champion turf female and graded stakes producer Perfect Sting.

Hip 271, a filly by Yaupon, brought $85,000 from Kings Equine and the top price of the day for a New York-bred filly.

Hip 271, a filly by Yaupon bred by Richard Nicolai’s Fortune Farm, sold for $85,000 Monday at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Legacy Bloodstock.

Bred by Richard Nicolai’s Fortune Farm, foaled at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater and consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent, the filly is the first foal out of the winning Practical Joke mare Muy Chistosa. Fortune Farm purchased Muy Chistosa for $50,000 at the 2023 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. She’s also the dam of a weanling New York-bred filly by Maclean’s Music foaled March 28.

A $170,000 purchase out of the 2021 OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale, Muy Chistosa went 1-1-1 in 12 starts in 2021-22. She’s a half-sister to multiple stakes winner and $210,570-earner Late September and Grade 3-placed Malloy.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 19 of the 27 New York-breds through the ring during the opening session for a total of $626,500, an average price of $32,974 and median of $20,000.

Hip 161, a filly by 2023 leading New York freshman sire Solomini, commanded the top price for a yearling by a New York-based sire on a bid of $40,000. Amanda Gillman purchased the filly for High Step Racing out of the Paramount Sales consignment.

Bred by and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, the filly is the seventh foal out of the winning Majestic Warrior mare Majestique. She’s the dam of four winners including five-time winner and $175,853-earner Determined Fury. McMahon of Saratoga purchased Majestique in foal to McKinzie for $47,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale.

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. He ranks third on the 2025 New York general sire list with progeny earnings of more than $3.1 million through Monday.

The sale continues with the second of four sessions at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

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Nineteen Oysters, here during his racing days at Aqueduct, led the New York-bred contingent at this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park. Coglianese Photo/Walter Wlodarczyk

By Melissa Bauer-Herzog

New York-breds enjoyed another successful showing at this year’s Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover with the 33 entrants competing led by Empire State Success Story winner Nineteen Oysters.

The 5-year-old Bolt d’Oro gelding Nineteen Oysters, ridden by Christine Olver, showed his versatility as a two-discipline competitor. He finished 30th in Competitive Trail but excelled in Freestyle. Check out the video below from Christine Olver:

Nineteen Oysters finished just a tick off leaving the preliminaries in first with his 112.500 just .250 points behind the preliminary leader. The championship round saw the scoreboard wiped clean of the preliminary scores for the top 10 horse during Saturday’s competition. Returning to the ring looking to impress the judges, Nineteen Oysters scored a 113.000 under one judge and 105.000 under another for a total of 109.000. That wasn’t enough to top the leaderboard but saw Nineteen Oysters finish fourth and secure the top New York-bred award.

Bred by Forty Oaks, foaled at Mahoney Eden Manor in Saratoga Springs and out of the stakes-winning My Golden Song mare Platinum Song, Nineteen Oysters won two of 10 starts and earned $76,071 in two seasons on the track. He won his debut Feb. 24, 2023 in a 6 1/2-furlong New York-bred maiden special weight under Christine Olver’s daughter, Maddy Olver.

Nineteen Oysters was also one of five New York-breds to make the championship round in at least one of their chosen disciplines.

Mansueto, a 5-year-old gelding by Cloud Computing bred by Howard Nolan and Greenleaf Farm, and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, proved a solid dual-discipline horse for Alcina Rawles, who showed him in both Freestyle and Dressage.

An earner of $1,350 who didn’t hit the board in his three starts as a racehorse, Mansueto has fared much better in his second career. Competing against Nineteen Oysters in Freestyle, Mansueto earned his way into the championship round with an eighth-place finish in the preliminaries. He put in a solid second routine Saturday to earn 106.500 from one judge and 100.500 from the other for a final score of 103.500 – good enough for sixth.

Mansueto also competed in Dressage and impressed the judge in the preliminaries well enough to finish sixth, less than 6 points behind the leader. His championship test was another solid performance to place him seventh among all horses in the discipline.

Jazz Napravnik was aboard Way too Fast for both his Show Jumper and Field Hunter performances with the gelding making it to the final in both disciplines.

Bred by and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, the 4-year-old Redesdale gelding won two of five starts during his lone season on the track in 2024.

Just over a year after finishing fourth in his final start, Way too Fast was entered in two disciplines and showed his talent translated well off the track. The gelding was one of 45 placed horses in Show Jumping and finished the preliminary round in eighth to qualify for Saturday’s final. That performance was another solid one to see Way too Fast finish seventh, just over 2 points out of sixth

Taking on another discipline in Field Hunters, Way too Fast was also consistent throughout both rounds in that event. Finishing ninth in the preliminary round, the three judges in the final scored him just .500 points behind a pair of horses finishing on a score of 128.000 to see Way too Fast finish 10th overall in the discipline.

Two other New York-breds competed in the championship round in one discipline each with Silver Tempest, a 3-year-old unraced daughter of Honest Mischief bred by Thomas/Burleson, foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson and ridden by Bridgey Hollern, finish seventh in Ranch Work; and the $127,735-earner Reunion Tour, a 7-year-old gelding by Super Saver and bred Fred Hertrich III and foaled at Waldorf Farm in Valatie, finished ninth in Eventing for rider Aubrey Graham.

For all the Makeover results, go to www.therrp.org.

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Out On Bail (inside) edges Cyclonite at the finish to win Sunday’s Carle Place Stakes at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

The $150,000 Carle Place Stakes at Aqueduct proved worth the wait for the connections of Out On Bail.

The 3-year-old son of Tiz the Law picked up his second open-company stakes win in Sunday’s 6-furlong Carle Place, pushed a week back after live racing was canceled last Sunday due to a powerful coastal storm that delivered high winds. Under Joel Rosario, Out On Bail held off longshot Cyclonite to win by a nose for his first win in four starts this year.

Rosario, aboard Out On Bail for the first time, saved ground most of the way before tipping out in the stretch to run past pacesetters Fire Pit and No Evidence in midstretch. Out On Bail, the 3-1 second choice in the field of nine, won in 1:08.64 over the firm turf.

“I was in a good spot,” Rosario said. “The way the trip was working out, it looked like I had to come out at some point because there was no room inside. The horse responded and it looked for a second like that horse [Cyclonite] was coming to get us, but my horse kept fighting. A lot of credit to the horse.”

Out On Bail went 2-3-1 in six starts, including a victory in the Skidmore Stakes, during his juvenile campaign for trainer Mike Maker. He ended the season with back-to-back runner-up finishes in open stakes – the Exacta Systems Rosie’s at Colonial Downs and Indian Summer at Keeneland Race Course.

Out On Bail picked up where he left off in early 2025, finishing second in the William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs and third in the Grade 3 Penn Mile at Penn National Race Course. The lone off-the-board effort followed that, a seventh in the Grade 1 Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs in early September.

Off since that run and prepped for his return to New York with Maker’s string at Churchill, Out On Bail returned to his native state in early October. He breezed a half mile over the Belmont Park training track last Sunday.

Bred by Matthew Nestor, foaled at Rockridge Stud in Hudson and out of the winning Street Cry mare Judge Lee, Out On Bail originally sold for $40,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He later sold for $110,000 to Case Chambers at the 2024 OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Judge Lee is also the dam of the Bolt d’Oro gelding D C’s Boy, who sold for $355,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale; and the unraced 2-year-old Tiz the Law gelding Phil the Barber.

Out On Bail picked up $82,500 for the Carle Place victory to boost his bankroll to $409,420 from a record of 3-4-2 in 10 starts.

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The 8-year-old Power Broker mare Showmethemagic topped the Saratoga fall mixed sale on a $260,000 bid from Jonathan Thorne’s Thorndale Farm. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

By Mary Eddy

The strength of the New York-bred program and its sires was again on full display at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, which saw considerable increases in total sales, average price and median Tuesday at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs.

“The market has been strong all year, and with the positive buzz leading into the sale, we were excited, but seeing the final numbers is tremendous,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “All credit goes to our breeders and program participants for continually raising the quality of New York-breds, and to Fasig-Tipton for their ongoing commitment to our program and another outstanding sale.”

Gross sales totaled $6,177,500 for 133 horses sold, up from just over $3.9 million when 148 horses sold at last year’s auction. The average sale price rose from $26,663 to $47,438 with median rising from $15,000 to $23,500.

“It was a tremendous sale with lots of interest, and it is reflective of the quality of horses that were on offer today, in terms of both their physicals and their pedigrees,” said Boyd Browning Jr., Fasig-Tipton president and chief executive officer. “Average was up 80 percent, the median was up 67 percent, and gross sales were up about 57 percent. We’ve seen a strong marketplace throughout 2025. We all had high expectations and optimism coming into this sale, but I don’t think any of us thought it would be this strong.

“The New York-bred program is so strong, and has such recognition around the United States. Obviously, it helps when you had two Grade 1-winning New York-breds earlier this month, and it just shows the type of horses that can be produced and raised in New York. We are very thrilled with the results today.”

The sale was topped by the 8-year-old broodmare Showmethemagic, Hip 98, who hammered for $260,000 to Thorndale Farm. Showmethemagic, along with her Golden Pal weanling colt (Hip 99) that sold for $210,000 to Cherry Knoll Farm, were part of the first consignment at a Saratoga fall mixed sale for Garrencasey Sales, which sold 14 horses for a combined $954,000.

Emma Quinn, who owns Garrencasey Sales with her husband Dermot, expressed satisfaction with their first foray at this sale, which she chose to enter because of the growing popularity of the New York-bred program.

“This is my first consignment here and I wanted to come up with something special – we felt this package would do it,” Quinn said. “The foal is a nice, correct foal that came up here and presented himself very well. He was extremely busy, and each time he did a fantastic job. The mare is a beautiful physical and her first foal is now black type, so what more would you want? We thought it would be smart to come here, and we are absolutely thrilled with the result.

“We normally do small consignment and not normally regional ones, so this was our maiden voyage, and I am delighted with the results. The New York breeding program is so exciting. People are becoming more involved and we just felt this was a good package to present here.”

Showmethemagic, a daughter of Power Broker, is from a strong female family. Her second dam, Malibu Magic, is a half-sister Grade 1 winner Imaginary Lady, the second dam of 2021 champion older dirt female Letruska. Her family also includes 2008 champion 3-year-old filly Proud Spell and Grade 1 winner J P’s Gusto.

Showmethemagic sold in-foal to popular first-year sire Cogburn, and caught the eye of bidders as her juvenile Not This Time filly, Believe in Magic, finished third in Kentucky Downs’ Untapable Stakes in September. The foal she carries is of close relation, with Cogburn being a son of the red-hot Not This Time.

“I tell you what, she’s a young mare and her 2-year-old can really run,” said Jonathan Thorne, who signed the ticket for the mare. “I love Cogburn and it’s the same cross as the 2-year-old. It’s hard to come across mares that have that much going on. The whole female family is riddled with champions, and I think this will pay off in the long run. A beautiful horse, and it’s hard to find those types.”

First-crop stallions again proved popular, with Spendthrift Farm’s Arabian Lion siring three six-figure weanlings. Among them was Hip 58 from The New Hill Farm consignment, a bay colt out of the Gemologist mare Our Hope Diamond that hails from the family of Grade 2-winner Inside Straight.

Agent Ricardo Gonzalez signed the $150,000 ticket on behalf of buyer Mahmud Mouni, and said he and his client are pleased to get in on the action early with new stallions.

“First crop, and it’s a nice-looking colt,” Gonzalez said. “He has a lot of quality.”

The colt was bred by Dutchess Views Farm, SGO Thoroughbred LLC and Winding Road Thoroughbreds.

Just a few horses later, Mouni also purchased Hip 62, the highest-priced weanling of the sale as the Yaupon colt hammered for $240,000. The bay colt was bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds and Milan Bloodstock, and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, which also consigned him.

Gonzalez noted the colt’s professionalism in the sales ring.

“A lot of class,” he said. “He’s really smart and in the ring, he acted like an older horse.”

Five weanlings sold for more than $200,000, starting early with Hip 4, a Vekoma colt out of the Trappe Shot mare Kathryn’s Sky that sold to En Fuego Stables for $230,000. The chestnut was consigned by Rhapsody Farm, who bred and foaled him at their Plymouth farm. Progeny of Vekoma weanlings were in high demand, and each of the leading freshman sire’s three weanlings that sold did so for six figures.

Hip 170, a daughter of Vekoma bred by Highclere Inc., brought the sale’s top price for a weanling filly at $210,000 from MWG. Consigned by Gracie Bloodstock and foaled at Saratoga Glen Farm in Schuylerville, the filly is the second foal out of the winning Midshipman mare Bella Figura.

Leading the New York-based sires was Americanrevolution, whose first weanlings were met with an enthusiastic response and were topped by Hip 85 from the Vinery Sales consignment, a chestnut filly out of the unraced Union Rags mare Royal Rags that hammered for $100,000 to Amanda Gillman. The filly’s second dam is the dual stakes-winner Career Oriented, and hails from the family of graded stakes-placed Kept Waiting. She was bred by Denlea Park Ltd.

Gillman worked for trainer Todd Pletcher during Americanrevolution’s Grade 1-winning tenure with the Hall of Fame conditioner, and said the filly demonstrates the young sire’s best qualities.

“She is gorgeous and stood out from the first day I saw her,” Gillman said. “She has all the parts to be a good horse and I really like Americanrevolution. He’s throwing a lot of nice foals, and I’m excited to get one. They’ve very similar. I think he’s throwing a lot of himself, which is good – you want to see that with young sires. He was very good-looking and still is.”

Hip 4, a colt by Vekoma bred by Rhapsody Farm, got things going when he sold for $230,000 in the first few minutes. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

Other top sellers for the son of Constitution include Hip 64 from Vinery Sales, a $50,000 dark bay filly out of the First Samurai mare Paris Cruise bred by Pure Bred Funding LLC that went to Bronco Bloodstock, and Hip 101, a colt bred by Jeremiah Desmond and a $90,000 purchase for Magnolia Lane Farm from The New Hill Farm consignment. Americanrevolution stands at Rockridge Stud in Hudson.

Additionally, New York stallion Honest Mischief is the sire of Hip 132 from the Sequel New York consignment, a colt out of Tiznowornever bred by Sequel New York and Barone’s Sunny Crest Farm that sold for $70,000 to Seth Morris, agent for Sabby Racing. Honest Mischief stands at Sequel Stallions New York.

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Inspections were busy on the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sales grounds leading up to Tuesday’s fall mixed sale. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

By Mary Eddy and Tom Law

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale Tuesday kicks off the season’s autumn breeding stock slate and an overall sense of optimism could be seen and heard throughout the grounds this past weekend and into Monday.

The single-session sale starts at 10 a.m. and with a catalog of 281 horses before scratches, including nearly 230 New York-bred weanlings, there figures to be something for every potential buyer. Those prospective buyers scoured the sales grounds over the weekend and consignors hope the increased traffic leads to increased interest in the ring.

“The market in general has been really good across the board, so we had high hopes coming up here that this sale would be strong,” said Matt Bowling of Vinery Sales. “A lot of guys that bought babies last year and brought them back to the preferred sale did really well, so I know they were eager to get back here.

“There’s been a lot of new faces that we typically don’t see, so maybe it’s that some guys weren’t able to get a yearling in September because the market is so strong or how well the New York program has been here the past few years, but our foot traffic and showings have been up probably 20 percent from what they normally are, so we’re very optimistic that it will be a good sale.”

“Yesterday was a very strong day of showing,” said Turning Point Bloodstock’s Bill Johnson. “I expected maybe a slow-down [Monday, due to weather], but we’re not seeing that. People are pushing through the weather to come see the horses and we’ve been non-stop all morning. A strong yearling market means a strong weanling market, and I don’t see any slowdown here.”

Results at the Saratoga fall sale have been strong the last few years, including last year when 148 horses sold for $3,920,500, an average price of $26,490 and median of $14,500.

Other recent editions:

• 2023: 157 sold for $4,597,200, an average price of $29,282 and median of $20,000;

• 2022: 142 sold for $4,599,700, an average of $32,392 and median of $20,000

• 2021: 163 sold for $3,657,800, an average of $22,440 and median of $10,000;

• 2020: Sale not conducted (COVID-19);

• 2019: 134 sold for $3,384,700, an average of $25,259 and median of $15,000; and

• 2018: 115 sold for $3,381,200, an average of $29,402 and median of $20,000.

“Saratoga fall is New York’s breeding stock sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning Jr. “With purse parity beginning next year, the New York-bred program will go from strength-to-strength. New York-bred weanlings offered at Saratoga fall will be eligible to compete for these higher purses when they reach the track as 2-year-olds. The same applies to foals carried by mares cataloged in this sale. Now is the time to get involved in New York – the future is bright.”

The sale offers the opportunity for buyers to purchase weanlings from the first crops of promising sires based in New York and beyond, including New York-bred Horse of the Year and Grade 1 winner Americanrevolution. He’s represented by 14 weanlings after updated scratches through early Monday morning. Americanrevolution stands for $12,500 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson.

Other sires with weanlings from their first crops include Annapolis, Arabian Lion, Arcangelo, Country Grammer, Dr. Schivel, Elite Power, Fulsome, Gunite, Loggins, Mage, Mullion, Pappacap, Taiba, Two Phil’s, Up to the Mark and Zandon.

“I think it’s even better than last year. I’m very optimistic,” said Mill Creek Farm’s Anne Morgan. “I would like to see it do well. New York has become a big part of nationwide racing, and I think it needs to be shown to be competitive. This sale is a great pinhook sale. People pick up nice, quality weanlings and get a chance to move on with them. First year sires are always a big deal.”

Mullion, a full brother to Kentucky Derby Mandaloun, stands at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson and is also represented by weanlings from his first crop.

“Very happy with the interest we’ve seen in him,” said Sequel New York’s Becky Thomas. “I’ve looked at a couple that are really nice. We’re cautiously optimistic. Enthusiasm gets better as yearlings and 2-year-olds come along. It’s harder with babies because no one ever wants to take the first step with a regional sire, and this sale starts off the market.”

New stallions aren’t alone in the spotlight at the Saratoga fall mixed sale, which also features weanlings by New York’s four-time leading sire Central Banker, 2025 leading sire Bucchero and top sires Solomini and Honest Mischief.

Hidden Lake Farm is the consignor of a late entry in Hip 281, a colt by Bucchero who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contender Argos.

“I got lucky buying a mare a year and a half ago in foal to Olympiad, and then her 2-year-old won a Grade 1 in Canada and is going to the Breeders’ Cup,” Hidden Lake’s Chris Bernhard said. “We sold the mare in the digital sale the other day for $100,000, and I was happy. She is 16, so I thought it was a good, solid play, and I decided to bring the baby over here and see how it shakes out.”

Bernhard agreed with the other consignors about seeing increased activity and equally optimistic it will translate into strong trade Tuesday.

“The showing yesterday was very good; it’s been steady,” he said. “A lot of people were outbid on yearlings in September, and the scuttlebutt I’ve been hearing is that people didn’t get yearlings and are going to have to come back and get a little more aggressive on weanlings. Weanlings that have been bought [at this sale] have done well pinhooking, so I expect this to be a pretty solid sale.”

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Boxed Wine edges past Fabulous Fox late to win the Jack Betta Be Rite at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Flying P Stable’s Boxed Wine continued to show her affinity for racing on the dirt and gave jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. a stakes double Monday at Finger Lakes with a come-from-behind victory in the $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite Stakes.

The 4-year-old daughter of Vino Rosso, claimed by Jay Provenzano’s Flying P and trainer Jorge Abreu two starts back for $35,000 on the turf August 15 Saratoga Race Course, Boxed Wine made it back-to-back victories in the Jack Betta Be Rite. She won her first start off the claim 14 days later in a 9-furlong allowance on the main track

Bred by Repole Stable Inc. and out of the stakes-winning New York-bred Congrats mare Temper Mint Patty, Boxed Wine won her first stakes and improved to 3-for-16 with earnings of $179,551.

A $25,000 purchase out of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Boxed Wine made her debut in a 6-furlong auction maiden in mid-August 2023 at Saratoga. She made 13 straight turf starts from there, compiling a 1-2-1 record, for owners Lindy Farms and trainer Phil Antonacci.

Flying P and Abreu claimed Boxed Wine out of her eighth-place finish in a 1-mile open company turf race and moved her back to the main track.

Sent off as the 8-5 favorite in the field of nine New York-bred fillies and mares in the Jack Betta Be Rite, Boxed Wine raced toward the back of the field early while Fabulous Fox led uncontested through opening splits of :23.72 and :48.48.

Santana stayed patient on Boxed Wine up the backstretch and into the far turn before tipping out in the stretch. Fabulous Fox, the 13-1 fifth choice coming off a victory last month at Finger Lakes, stayed on into the stretch and opened up by 3 lengths at the eighth pole.

Boxed Wine cut into the advantage from there and took control inside the sixteenth pole and won going away in 1:46.70. Fabulous Fox held second, a neck ahead of Walk With Me. Midtown Lights, Shezanarticqueen, Shelly, Sweet Anniversary, Inouaintalkintome and Miss Lao completed the field.

Boxed Wine is the fifth foal out of Temper Mint Patty, winner of the 2014 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and 2015 New York Oaks and earner of $415,916. She’s a half-sister to winners Slow Decision and Kajus. Temper Mint Patty is also the dam of a yearling filly by Cyberknife who was a $72,000 RNA at the 2025 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale and a weanling colt by Maclean’s Music foaled March 5.

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Cut the Cord and Reylu Gutierrez cruise to the finish of Monday’s Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Cut the Cord returned to stakes company for the first time since early in his sophomore season and came away with a victory in Monday’s $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes at Finger Lakes.

Two starts removed from being claimed for $45,000 out of a victory in a 1-mile optional-claimer at Saratoga Race Course, Cut the Cord came up the inside to win the 1 1/16-mile Genesee Valley over multiple stakes winner Allure of Money and four others. Reylu Gutierrez rode the 6-year-old Creative Cause for trainer and co-owner Ilkay Kantarmaci and Gaiety Stables.

Bred by Michael Anthony Slezak, Cut the Cord improved to 8-for-27 with the victory, picked up $30,000 and boosted his bankroll to $393,192.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the field of six, Cut the Cord raced in fourth early as Mo Trump and Allure of Money vied for the lead into the first turn and to the opening quarter-mile in :23.71 over the fast track.

Mo Trump, the 5-1 second choice coming off three straight turf starts on the NYRA circuit, continued to lead past the half in :47.62 with Allure of Money just off the pace. The trio of Zeebear, Cut the Cord and Rhymes Like Dimes chased on the backstretch and toward the far turn.

Allure of Money took command coming off the turn while Cut the Cord stayed inside and Zeebear rallied on the outside. Cut the Cord accelerated from there and drew off to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:46.43. Allure of Money edged Zeebear by a neck for the place spot with Crypto Causeway, Rhymes Like Dimes and Mo Trump completing the field.

Cut the Cord won his debut Sept. 1, 2001 at Finger Lakes. He made his stakes debut in his next start, finishing fifth in the Rego Park Stakes in early January 2022 at Aqueduct. He followed that up with another fifth in the Gander Stakes a month later at Aqueduct.

Cut the Cord is the eighth foal out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Cable. He’s a half-brother to the New York-bred winning Redesdale gelding Cable Ready, the earner of $172,459; and winners Royale, Stephanies Jewel and Holy Kingdom.

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Arctic Beast proves too good ahead with victory in Monday’s New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Ricardo Santana Jr. looked back five times from the end of the far turn to the sixteenth pole of Monday’s $155,667 New York Breeders’ Futurity and saw the same thing every time – the competition getting further, and further away.

Santana’s mount and 1-9 favorite Arctic Beast helped provide that view with another dominating victory in a New York-bred stakes for 2-year-olds at Finger Lakes. The son of Yaupon improved to 3-for-3 in the Breeders’ Futurity with a decisive score, looking very similar to his win in last month’s Aspirant Stakes.

Arctic Beast, a $275,000 purchase out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, won the Aspirant by 7 1/4 lengths over Diamond Child. He won the Breeders’ Futurity by 5 3/4 lengths over Party in the Army, who finished third in the Aspirant, with Diamond Child third in the field of four. Hey Pal checked in fourth in the Aspirant and Breeders’ Futurity.

Owned by Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stables and Jennifer Rice and trained by Mike Maker, Arctic Beast returned to Finger Lakes for his third start from Maker’s string at Churchill Downs. He and Santana came away fast from the gate for 6-furlong Futurity before Diamond Child took over from his inside.

Diamond Child led by less than a length through the opening quarter-mile in :22.98. Party in the Army, who came away last from the gate and poorly for the second straight start, made up some ground on the backstretch and chased the top pair heading into the far turn.

Diamond Child clung to the lead past the half in :46.68 with Arctic Beast latched to his outside approaching the stretch. Arctic Beast took over in the lane, passed 5 furlongs in :58.82 and widened his advantage from there. Party in the Army finished well clear in second, 4 lengths in front of Diamond Child and Hey Pal, who were a nose apart at the finish.

Arctic Beast picked up $93,400 for his latest victory and boosted his bankroll to $205,503.

Bred by Rockridge Stud LLC, Saratoga Glen Farm and Beal’s Racing Stable LLC, Arctic Beast is the second foal out of the Frost Giant mare Frostie Anne, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner and earner of $584,443.

Originally a $120,000 weanling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, Arctic Beast returned to that same sales ring the following August and brought $275,000 from Maker on behalf of his current connections.

Frostie Anne, a finalist in 2018 and 2019 for champion New York-bred older dirt female honors, is also the dam of the unraced Malibu Moon colt Malibu Frost who sold for $65,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

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War of Will, here training before the 2019 Kentucky Derby, relocates to Rockridge Stud for the 2026 season. Coady Media.

War of Will, winner of the 2019 Preakness Stakes and currently ranked 10th on the North American second-crop sire list, will relocate from Kentucky to stand the 2026 season at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, the farm announced Sunday.

The 9-year-old son of War Front relocates from Claiborne Farm, where he stood the 2025 season for $15,000.

“We are honored to have this opportunity with Gary [Barber] on another stallion and thrilled to have Claiborne dipping a toe into the New York market,” said Rockridge President Lere Visagie.

Barber campaigned War of Will throughout his career, which featured five wins in 18 starts and earnings of $1,881,803. In addition to his Preakness victory, War of Will won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes on turf in 2020 at Keeneland Race Course and the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes in 2019 at Fair Grounds on the dirt.

“I am very much looking forward to supporting War of Will in the lucrative New York breeding program,” Barber said. “With the new Belmont facility coming online with three surfaces, I know War of Will can provide many opportunities for my mares and stable to become a large part of the New York program.”

Claiborne will continue to be a shareholder in War of Will’s new syndicate at Rockridge. Claiborne President Walker Hancock is optimistic War of Will will be successful in the Empire State.

“War of Will is classic winner on dirt and a Grade 1 winner on turf,” he said. “The new facility at Belmont will provide a continuation of the success we have already seen on all three surfaces, and we are very excited to be a part of this new chapter.”

War of Will finished 2024 as North America’s ninth leading freshman sire with progeny earnings of $1,571,212. He sired 19 winners in his first season, including Grade 3 winner Will Then, stakes-placed $163,500-earner She’s Got Will, $112,291-earner Curahee and $102,500-earner Will Not Be Swayed. He’s sired the earners of $2,451,343 in 2025 through Sunday, including recent Grade 3 Matron winner Final Accord.

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Members:

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) election process is set to get underway!

NYTB serves as the official authorized representative of the Thoroughbred breeding industry in New York State—the unified voice of New York’s Thoroughbred breeders. We encourage your interest and participation in serving as a member of our Board of Directors.

Board Structure and Terms

According to the By-Laws of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., as revised and approved on April 28, 2021, there shall be two classes of directors:

• First Class: Five directors elected to a four-year term beginning in a year ending in an odd number.

• Second Class: Six directors elected to a four-year term beginning in a year ending in an even number.

Each four-year term shall commence on January 1 of the year following an election and shall conclude on December 31 of the fourth year thereafter.

Term limits: Board members may serve a maximum of three consecutive four-year terms (12 years total).

Election Guidelines

No NYTB election shall take place if there is an equal number of uncontested candidates for the available board seats.
If, in any given election year, each class of five or six directors is not contested by new candidates, the incumbent board members shall continue for a new term, provided they remain members in good standing with the organization.

Should there be more than five qualified candidates contesting for board seats this year, an election will be held.
The six directors elected during the 2025 election process will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.

No NYTB election shall take place should there be an equal number of uncontested candidates for board seats. In any year, if each class of five or six board members up for election is not challenged by new candidates, the current board members shall remain on the board for a new term, should they be in good standing with the organization.

Should there be more than five qualified candidates contesting for board seats this year an NYTB election will take place. The five class of directors that are elected during the 2025 election process will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.

Board of Directors Eligibility and Requirements

NYTB members may seek election to the Board of Directors if they meet the following criteria:

1. Are currently engaged in the Thoroughbred industry as a breeder or stallion owner in New York State, or as a lessee or lessor of mares or stallions domiciled in New York.

2. Submit a nominating petition with original or emailed signatures (to info@nytbreeders.org) of ten NYTB members in good standing.

3. Submit a brief curriculum vitae including pertinent data and a statement of qualifications.

4. Are members in good standing whose annual dues have been paid on or before April 2, 2025.

Deadline: Nominating petitions and curriculum vitae must be received by the NYTB office no later than the close of business on Friday, November 14, 2025.

After review and verification of eligibility by the NYTB Nominating Committee, the official election ballot will be mailed to eligible voters.

Any NYTB member in good standing as of November 1, 2025, will receive a ballot and be eligible to vote.

All completed ballots must be mailed in the reply envelope provided to:

Battaglia & Associates, CPA’s PLLC
Halfmoon, NY

Ballots must be postmarked by Friday, December 12, 2025. Battaglia & Associates will tabulate all ballots and notify NYTB of the elected candidates.

NYTB Election Timeline Event Deadline Board Eligibility (Membership paid in full) April 2, 2025 Voting Eligibility (Membership paid in full) November 1, 2025 Nominating Petitions & CVs Due November 14, 2025 Completed Ballots Postmarked & Mailed to Battaglia & Associates December 12, 2025

Nominating petitions received after November 14, 2025, will not be accepted and shall be considered null and void.

Election Documents

Click below to download the required forms:

• Nominating Petition Form

• Curriculum Vitae Form

Once completed, please return your candidate materials by mail or email to:

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.
P.O. Box 5120
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: (518) 587-0777
Email: info@nytbreeders.org

 

 

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Multiple graded stakes winner Arzak, here winning the Woodford Stakes at Keeneland, will stand for $6,000 at Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh. Courtesy of Amsterdam Two Farm/Equi-Photo

Multiple Grade 2 winner, millionaire and track-record setter Arzak has been purchased by Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh, where he will stand the 2026 season. The 7-year-old son of leading sire Not This Time will stand for $6,000 with special consideration to approved mares.

Out of the Tapit mare Delightful Melody, Arzak was a $575,000 OBS April 2-year-old and precocious enough to win gate-to-wire second time out as a juvenile versus maiden special weight company 6 furlongs on Woodbine’s synthetic surface.

Arzak went on to win the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes, earning a lofty 101 Beyer figure, and Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes — both times going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Keeneland Race Course. Arzak also scored victories in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes and Thorncliffe Stakes on the Tapeta at Woodbine at respective distances of 6 furlongs and 5 1/2 furlongs — setting a track record of 1:02.62 in the latter event — and the Tom Ridge Stakes going 6 furlongs at Presque Isle Downs.

Arzak was also runner-up in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Saratoga, just behind fellow Not This Time son Cogburn.

“If it wasn’t for an absolutely freakish, course-record performance by Cogburn that day, Arzak would’ve retired a Grade 1 winner,” said Michael Trombetta, who trained Arzak through the duration of his career and is planning to send at least one mare to breed to him in 2026.

Arzak, who raced in the colors of Marc Tacher’s Sonata Stable, retires with a record of 8-5-3 in 36 starts and earnings of $1,081,294.

“Physically, Arzak is an absolute rocket ship,” said Ken Williams, manager of Amsterdam Two. “He’s 16.2 hands, with tremendous bone, a powerful build and an absolutely monster walk — and he’s got arguably the three most important qualities sought by New York breeders: speed, soundness and precocity. We knew we needed a special horse to launch Amsterdam Two’s stallion operation, and Arzak fits that description to a tee.”

Michael Slezak brokered the deal to bring Arzak to New York and will stay involved to help Amsterdam Two sell shares and seasons.

“Just a few days ago Mike Repole himself tweeted that Not This Time is ‘the best American stallion right now,’ and with 21 black-type winners already this year, an average yearling price of almost $700,000, and a veritable armada of offspring headed to the Breeders’ Cup next month, it’s hard to argue otherwise,” Slezak said. “That’s exactly why now is the perfect time to stand a son of Not This Time in New York, especially one who’s out of a Tapit daughter of the explosively quick multiple Grade 2 stakes winner Bending Strings. And let’s not forget those 40 percent New York State Breeders’ Awards on New York-sired, New York-bred foals.”

Williams and Slezak will be shopping the fall breeding stock stables to ensure Amsterdam Two has a base of some 25 high-quality mares to support Arzak in his first season.

Slezak pointed out that Not This Time’s versatility — he has sired graded stakes winners this year on dirt, turf and synthetic; sprinting, at the mile, and going long — and Arzak’s graded wins on both turf and Tapeta, are a big selling point now that the New York Racing Association is set to conduct winter racing on an all-weather surface three months per year when Belmont Park reopens in 2026. To date, Not This Time has sired 59 black-type winners from six crops of racing age, with total progeny earnings exceeding $64 million, and an enviable AEI to CI ratio of 2.06/1.79.

Tacher said he knew Arzak was special from the time he laid eyes on him at OBS, and the horse exceeded those lofty expectations throughout his career, winning at five racetracks, recording 90-plus Beyer speed figures on 17 occasions, two of them over 100, and getting beat less than 2 lengths in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park.

“I’m excited to stay in for a piece of Arzak, and to get acquainted with the lucrative New York program,” Tacher said.

Trombetta noted the quality he appreciated most about Arzak was his genuineness.

“This horse was so sound and so willing — I never had a moment’s problem with him, and I say that with 100 percent sincerity,” Trombetta said. “Arzak was as clean-legged on retirement as the day he came to the barn. And I think based on his sire’s accomplishments and Arzak’s own win going a mile at Tampa Bay in his third career start, his offspring will be well-suited to most distances offered at the new Belmont Park.”

Williams said that Amsterdam Two has built a state-of-the-art stallion barn that he’s excited to show off at an open house after Thanksgiving.

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Leading New York-based sire War Dancer will relocate to Mill Creek Farm for the 2026 season. Photo courtesy of Sugar Plum Farm.

War Dancer, New York’s leading turf sire for three years and a leader on synthetic surfaces, will stand the 2026 season at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, War Dancer LLC announced Wednesday.

The leading New York-based turf sire in 2022, 2023 and 2024, War Dancer is a graded stakes winner with career earnings of $1,068,925. He brings a proven track record to breeders looking for consistency, soundness and versatility in their foals. Progeny have demonstrated success on both turf and synthetic tracks, reinforcing his value to the region’s competitive breeding landscape.

“We’re excited to be standing War Dancer at Mill Creek,” said Robin Malatino of War Dancer LLC. “His success with breeders continues to grow and with the addition of a synthetic surface at the new Belmont Park, we expect the demand to be strong. We believe Mill Creek’s nearby facilities and experienced team make it the perfect place for him.”

War Dancer’s 2026 stud fee will be released later this month.

For more information or to schedule a viewing, please contact Belinda Thomas 518-444-4015 (office) or 802-430-9959 (mobile).

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