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Flavien Prat swept both stakes on the day when he guided favored Fast Market to victory in the rescheduled $175,000 Pebbles Stakes (G3T) Nov. 23 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Gulfstream Park's Sunshine Meet concluded Nov. 23 with Saffie Joseph Jr. earning his 14th consecutive track title as leading trainer while Edgard Zayas secured his 10th riding title.

Doc Sullivan earned his third stakes win Nov. 22 in the Thunder Rumble division of New York Stallion Series Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack by a dazzling 5 1/2 lengths. The son of Solomini was the first stakes winner bred by Seamus Coughlan

It's been a long time coming for Jacob West. Watching 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Mindframe make it to the famed stallion barn at Claiborne Farm and settle into the stall once home to the likes of Bold Ruler, Secretariat, Easy Goer and Unbridled marks a full-circle moment years in the making.

One year after West joined Claiborne as their Stallion Seasons and Bloodstock Manager, the farm announced this summer that Mindframe would soon be headed to Claiborne. Weeks later, West was at Churchill Downs celebrating as the son of Constitution secured a third consecutive graded stakes win, defeating champion Sierra Leone in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes.

The connection between the two stretches beyond that. As part of the selection team for owners Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, West had a hand in purchasing Mindframe as a yearling and he has followed the Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables-campaigned colt every step of the way.

Over the past few weeks, West has split his time between the breeding stock sales and Claiborne's stallion division, where breeders have been stopping in to get a look at the farm's newest recruit. Adding a second Grade I winner to the roster in Johannes, the first son of Nyquist to stand in Kentucky, has made the stretch even more exciting.

In addition to those two newcomers, Claiborne has several other young stallions preparing to enter new phases of their stud careers next year. Prince of Monaco ($30,000) and Bright Future ($10,000) will both see their first foals in 2026 while Annapolis ($12,500) will be represented by his first crop of yearlings.

Out of a stakes-winning Street Sense mare, Mindframe was in the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale when West and team first got a look at him. West said it was the colt's striking physical that led to his $600,000 purchase.

“He was one of those horses that ranked near the top of our list,” recalled West. “The depth of family was an added bonus to just how good looking he was. Now he's basically a bigger version of what he was back then. He's a big horse, standing at 16.3 hands. He moves like a cat. He's correct, has good bone and a big, strong hip and shoulder. It all translated into having really fluid mechanics on the racetrack. He covered so much ground when he would stride out.”

Johannes | Sara Gordon

Bred in Maryland by prominent Mid-Atlantic owner Larry Johnson, Mindframe's sophomore season was highlighted by a 13 3/4-length debut win, which earned him Rising Star honors, and runner-up finishes in the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes. His breeder passed away early this year, just before the colt's breakout performance in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes.

“Larry had been in the business for a long time,” said West. “People had a lot of respect for him and his operation.”

Mindframe displayed his versatility while collecting back-to-back Grade I wins. In the seven-furlong GI Churchill Downs Stakes, the Todd Pletcher trainee bested a field that included future Breeders' Cup champion Nysos (Nyquist) and Grade I winners Book'em Danno (Bucchero) and Mullikin (Violence). Next out in the mile-and-an-eighth Stephen Foster, he earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in defeating Eclipse Award winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), GI Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}).

“He was so versatile and he had such a high cruising speed,” said West. “To win at seven furlongs and at nine furlongs against some of the best horses of his generation just shows how good he was.”

Mindframe made two more career starts this year at four. After an ill-fated break in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, where he lost jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. following a chain-reaction incident, he finished fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. He retired with earnings of $2.05 million.

West predicted that Mindframe's speed and versatility on the racetrack will translate into his career at stud.

“If you go back and analyze the history of Claiborne Farm, horses that were fast and could carry their speed over a route of ground have been successful here,” he explained. “This horse is no different. He's going to fall right in line with getting some incredible mares here on the farm. We have an incredible syndicate group that will back him in the likes of Repole Stable and St. Elias. They're going to be heavily invested in supporting him. The great thing about Mike and Vinnie and their operation is that they support them in the shed, in the sales ring and on the racetrack. They follow through with their stallions.”

West added that Mindframe's credentials are further bolstered by the success of his sire. Constitution is currently a top-five general sire in North America. Mindframe is set to become his third son in Kentucky. First-crop sire Independence Hall, who stands at WinStar alongside his sire, has produced several stakes performers from his first crop while Ashford Stud's Tiz the Law ranks third among second-crop sires in North America.

Johannes was hard to miss as a stallion prospect last year as he reeled off five graded stakes wins in eight months, dominating the turf division in California.

“A son of Nyquist from a very good family and a homebred for his owners, he was a horse that we had kind of kept an eye on,” explained West. “Serious negotiations started this spring and we were lucky that we got him. He was an incredible racehorse.”

Bred and raced by Joe and Debby McCloskey and trained by Tim Yakteen, Johannes developed into Nyquist's highest-earning son over the course of his four-year career.

After breaking his maiden by nine lengths going six furlongs as a 2-year-old, the following year he collected wins in the Baffle Stakes and Pasadena Stakes. He took his game to the next level at four, securing five graded stakes victories highlighted by the GI Shoemaker Mile Stakes. The only slight blemish on an otherwise perfect season was his second-place finish to More Than Looks (More Than Ready) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.

“To do what he did that year was truly remarkable,” said West. “[Jockey] Umberto Rispoli said coming into the Breeders' Cup that the horse gave him a certain feel when he was on his back with the way he ran and his style. He didn't care who he was running against. He showed up every time.”

Johannes made three starts this year at five, including a second straight win in the GII City of Hope Mile Stakes.

“His best race would probably have to be the Shoemaker Mile, winning the way he did,” West noted. “But the City of Hope this year was also impressive with the way he was able to sit off the pace and when they turned for home, if you watch him coming down the lane, it was basically just in a gallop.”

A half-brother to two other stakes performers, Johannes heads to stud on the heels of another standout year for his sire. Nyquist, the sire of four Grade I winners in 2025, will stand for $175,000 next season at Darley's Jonabell Farm.

“Being the first son of Nyquist to stand in Kentucky is very interesting,” said West. “Nyquist has such a strong following and, quite frankly, is a horse that some people might not be able to get to. So when you can get to his highest-earning son here, we feel like people will love that.”

Johannes will be part of Claiborne's new incentive program “Breed Twice, Breed for Life,” in which owners who breed two mares to the stallion in his first two breeding seasons, produce two live foals and pay two stud fees will be eligible for a lifetime breeding right.

“As a racehorse he was the real deal,” said West. “$10,000 is value for a horse like him with his race record, sire, family and his looks. We're very excited to have him here and offer him to breeders.”

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Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy–Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister), only the third filly in history to win the GI Belmont Stakes, died due to infirmities of old age, Coolmore announced Monday. Owned by Coolmore's Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Rags to Riches etched her name into the annals of American racing history when she outbattled Curlin in a dramatic stretch duel to take the final leg of the Triple Crown in 2007, becoming the first filly in 102 years to win the race.

Rags to Riches, purchased for $1.9 million at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, also won the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Santa Anita Oaks and GI Las Virgenes Stakes and was named champion 3-year-old filly of 2007.

“Rags to Riches was a truly talented racehorse, and it's been a privilege to be around a horse of her calibre,” said Coolmore's Dermot Ryan. “Her achievements left a lasting impression on all of us, and she brought great pride to her ownership. I would like to thank Bob Davis and his team, who have cared for her with exceptional dedication for over a decade.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher also paid tribute to his former pupil on Monday.

“She was extra special. She was my first Classic winner and to do it in a race like the Belmont against colts, in a quality field with horses like Curlin and Hard Spun in there, it was a remarkable race,” the conditioner said. “It kind of encapsulated everything that's exciting about horse racing. She stumbled at the start and was able to overcome that and the stretch-long duel with Curlin–it looked like she was going to win, it looked like he was going to come back. It was every emotion you could have during the running of a race. [When she it hit the wire first] it was probably the most excited I've ever been after a race. It's still to this day, I think, the most exciting race that we've been a part of.”

The Hall of Famer continued, “She was a terrific filly to train on the racetrack. She was very professional, very straightforward. She was a very good mover, beautiful to watch gallop. That's part of why she was successful in the Belmont, because she was such a great galloper. But she was totally different around the barn. She was very territorial and she was very aggressive. She was not a house pet.”

Rags to Riches has a 2-year-old filly by Munnings and a yearling colt by Uncle Mo.

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Lauren Biddle has been named Director of Marketing and Education at Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Biddle, most recently Executive Director of the Public Media Business Association, will lead TOBA's efforts to amplify its mission, deepen member engagement, and highlight the rich heritage of the Thoroughbred industry.

Biddle has also served as Executive Director of the Paris-Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce where she spearheaded the development of the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund–a 501c3 nonprofit organization aimed at promoting the Bourbon County Thoroughbred industry through tourism initiatives such as public art exhibits, festivals, and 5k races on local horse farms.

“Growing up in Central Kentucky, I've seen firsthand how the history and passion of this region shape the Thoroughbred industry,” Biddle said. “I am honored to step into this position with TOBA, where I can help tell the stories of the breeders, the owners, and the people behind the horses. My goal is to bridge tradition and innovation–through education, marketing, and community–to strengthen TOBA's impact across the industry.”

The post Lauren Biddle Named TOBA Director of Marketing and Education appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) has been made the 6-1 individual morning-line favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Thursday at noon and closes Sunday at 6 p.m. “All Others Foaled in 2023” is the pool's overall 9-5 favorite. Brant (Gun Runner), third in the Breeders' Cup juvenile, is 10-1, and Further Ado (Gun Runner), expected to go postward in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Saturday, is 20-1.

Running concurrently with Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is the lone Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager where fans can wager on sires of Derby prospects. Ted Noffey's sire Into Mischief was made the 4-1 morning-line favorite. Not This Time is 6-1 in the pool and Gun Runner is 8-1. All other sires is also 8-1.

To view complete fields for both pools, click here.

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Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, a new bilingual showcase and education initiative that highlights 100 trailblazing Latino men and women whose contributions have shaped Thoroughbred racing and breeding from the late 1800s to today, has opened at the Keeneland Library. The free exhibit is presented in English with an accompanying Spanish audio guide.

“Raíces showcases the longstanding roles and achievements of industry professionals across the Americas: jockeys, grooms, exercise riders, owners, breeders, caretakers, veterinarians and beyond,” Keeneland Library Director Roda Ferraro said. “The title reflects both the roots these men and women planted in the sport and the legacies they continue to build. It was essential to us to present stories that have been under-told or never shared–and to do so with the depth, accuracy and cultural context they deserve. The exhibit was made possible thanks to a deeply collaborative, multinational team of writers, translators, photographers and advisers. Their collective perspectives enhanced a thoughtful representation of these histories.”

Gabi Kuenzli, who acted as Research and Development Co-Curator of Raíces, said, “The exhibit offers an interpretation of what so many people see every day on the track, but might not fully understand: the prevalence and importance of Latino protagonists at all levels of the sport. Seeing themselves represented has brought immense pride to the many industry workers who have already visited.”

Keeneland Library will host an open house Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m. with welcome remarks at 6:30 p.m. The free event does not require a ticket, but guests are asked to RSVP by Dec. 1 to LibraryPT1@keeneland.com.

Raíces can be seen at the Library during its regular hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Library will offer customized exhibit tours and education programs designed for school and university groups, general public audiences through collaborations with community partners and industry stakeholders. To schedule an exhibit experience, email rferraro@keeneland.com or call 859-288-4223.

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Saffie Joseph, Jr. earned his 14th consecutive trainer's title at Gulfstream Park when the track's Sunshine Meet concluded Sunday. Joseph recorded 30 wins at the meet. Jose D'Angelo was second in the trainer standings with 26 wins.

“It never gets old,” Joseph said of the title. “Actually, like a month ago, we were down six or seven. I looked at it and said, 'We'll give it a go and see if it can work out.' The horses got in form, and it worked out. All the credit goes to the horses. All praise to God and the workers and the owners who give me the horses. I'm a small part of it.”

Edgard Zayas was the meet's leading rider with 44 victories, earning his third Sunshine Meet title in five years and his 10th title overall at the Florida track. Miguel Vasquez was two behind Zayas.

“It feels great. It's been a great year,” Zayas said. “We've been getting a lot of support from all the trainers, owners, my agent and family. It's nice to get it done again, especially right before the Championship Meet. It's a really important meet and it's nice to have that momentum.”

Arindel was leading owner in money won while JC Racing Stable led all owners with eight wins.

Gulfstream resumes racing Thursday with the opening day card of its Championship Meet. The meet will be highlighted by Pegasus World Cup Day Jan. 24 and the 75th running of the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 28.

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Tattersalls' December Yearling Sale held Nov. 24 will be the final opportunity to purchase a potential runner for next year. The sale boasts a particularly impressive recent graduate in Big Mojo, who won the Sprint Cup Stakes (G1) Sept. 6.

Theodore Paul Bulmahn, who built Gold Mark Farm, died Nov. 11 in Ocala, Fla. at 81.

Watch Me Rock led a Grant and Alana Williams-trained exacta with his victory in the Railway Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse Nov. 22.

Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, Hong Kong's international superstars, posted decisive victories Nov. 23 in their preps for the Dec. 14 Hong Kong International Races.

Jantar Mantar confirmed his place atop the ranks of Japanese milers with a facile win in the Mile Championship (G1) Nov. 23 at Kyoto Racecourse.

Nevada Beach was an overwhelming favorite against just three foes in the $98,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 22 at Del Mar. He got the job done by a half-length, but it wasn't remotely as easy as his 1-10 odds indicated.

On Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs, Giocoso became a millionaire in rallying to defeat Chapman's Peak by a head in the $299,800 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T).

After winning a maiden route at Keeneland Oct. 10 by 20 lengths, Spendthrift Farm's Further Ado makes a highly anticipated stakes debut Nov. 29 against six juvenile rivals in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Can racing withstand the addition of yet another existential threat to the ever-expanding list of practices deemed harmful to our sport's health?

Dennis Drazin, the chairman and chief executive officer of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park, warned last week that the rising wave of prediction markets should be met with a greater sense of urgency and should be getting more scrutiny from racetrack operators and regulators.

“I'm growing more and more concerned about the prediction market companies, such as Kalshi, Polymarket, and others that are now offering bets on sports and, I believe, their intention is to do it on horse racing in the future,” Drazin said during the Nov. 19 New Jersey Racing Commission meeting.

Prediction markets are similar to betting exchanges–even though those who operate them tend go to great lengths to get people to believe that users aren't technically “gambling” when they choose a side, stake money, have their proposition matched by an opposing, anonymous user, and then see their accounts either credited or debited based on the outcome of that event.

Users trade contracts like they might on a commodities exchange, winning or losing money on the outcomes of games, races, sports league championships, elections and other yes/no types of propositions that they strike directly with other users instead of wagering against the house (like with sportsbooks) or against other bettors (like in a pari-mutuel market).

The appeal for prediction market users is lower takeout or vigorish (instead, a small “trading fee” that might be as low as .5 to 2% gets extracted), and, as part of that equation, the prospect of more generous odds and being able to bet against an entity by backing it to lose.

But at the same time, under current models, prediction markets aren't operating with explicit permission or broad licensing deals from any United States racing entities, meaning they aren't regulated at the state level (like racing and sports betting) and don't feed back revenue to the Thoroughbred industry to pay for purses.

The Betfair exchange has for years accepted trades on American horse racing, and a quick Google search over the weekend for “horse racing prediction markets” turned up a London-based site called Smarkets that was offering buying and selling on every U.S. track running Nov. 22.

Both Betfair and Smarkets prohibit U.S.-based users from opening accounts, but both sites (as well as a number of other offshore exchanges) are seeking ways to legally operate in America.

“New Jersey has laws on sports betting and on racing,” said Drazin, an attorney who in 2018 successfully represented co-plaintiff New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association in a longshot legal odyssey to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, paving the way for legalized sports betting. “And these companies are operating under the [federal] Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). They're not paying any taxes. There's no integrity regulation. And it's invading sports betting revenue that we currently receive.”

As CFTC-licensed entities, sites like Kalshi and Polymarket can offer event contracts in all 50 states. Although Kalshi has yet to put up markets for horse racing, Polymarket had a volume of $1.2 million on its market for the 2025 GI Kentucky Derby.

“One of these companies had a meeting with me,” Drazin said. “And the first slide they showed me was [the 2026 GI] Haskell [Stakes] coming up. And they want to offer a wager, 'Will the favorite win, yes or no?' And they don't believe they have to pay a host fee. They don't believe they have to compensate the tracks at all.

“I believe, to the contrary, that this is controlled by the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA). And I certainly will be in court if they try and offer a [Haskell] wager,” Drazin said.

Earlier this year, the NBA, NFL and MLB (which each have official partnerships with sportsbooks) expressed written concerns to the CFTC about potential integrity issues regarding prediction markets.

But not every sports league is intent on fighting the newcomers.

On Oct. 22, the NHL announced multi-year licensing deals with Kalshi and Polymarket that will allow the companies to use the league's data and logos, similar to the league's contracts with its partnering sportsbooks.

According to ESPN, the American Gaming Association (AGA), a casino trade group, characterized the NHL's actions as “deeply concerning” and described Kalshi and Polymarket as “backdoor gambling schemes masquerading as 'financial products.'”

Drazin continued: “Without getting political, I think there are certain individuals, like Donald Trump Jr., that's on salary with Kalshi and an investor in Polymarket. And [President Trump] is making an appointment to the CFTC which will support this agenda…

“But most of the action so far has been by the sports betting regulators,” Drazin said. “The New Jersey [Division of Gaming Enforcement] tried to stop them and they were unsuccessful. That's on appeal to the Third Circuit. Nevada tried to stop them. There was an injunction issued, and [on Nov. 16] Nevada's judge, hearing this issue, said he may reverse that injunction…

“The California tribes filed an action. The Massachusetts attorney general filed a state court action. Maryland filed an action, [and] although they were successful in getting an injunction, then they made a deal, [that until] the Supreme Court decides it, they're going to let this continue…

“The companies are getting very, very aggressive,” Drazin said. “There's been more and more going on as the days unroll. So now FanDuel and DraftKings have entered [the prediction] market. As a result of that, the AGA has asked them to leave, because they won't tolerate someone who's offering these wagers.

“Nevada took away [FanDuel's] license. There are some states that are saying, 'If you enter the [prediction] market, you're not suitable to hold a license [for regulated sports betting] in our state,” Drazin said.

“Some suggest that you need state laws that prevent [prediction market companies] from operating in your state [and] to give regulators the ability to criminalize it,” Drazin said. “But I'm not going to venture to say what New Jersey should do on that. I'll evaluate the issue. I think our attorney general is front-and-center in handling this.

“But on the racing front, no one seems to sense the danger yet, because they say, 'We'll wait until it happens, and then we'll deal with it.'” Drazin said.

“I think you have to be proactive with these things. I don't think you can wait until it happens, and then run to court,” Drazin said.

“Ultimately, I think this is going to the United States Supreme Court. So it will [likely be decided] three or four years from now,” Drazin said.

“But I'm firing a warning to everybody, not only in New Jersey, but in all the other states, that this is an issue that we're going to have to deal with or we're going to lose revenue,” Drazin said.

The post The Week in Review: Drazin on Prediction Markets as Threat to Racing: ‘No One Seems to Sense the Danger Yet’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

While the GI Breeders' Cup Classic may have turned out to be a jump too high for him, Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) bounced back from that effort with a workman-like victory in the GIII Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar.

Despite only starting his career in mid-April this year, the son of Omaha Beach has cobbled together a respectable 2025 campaign with wins in the Los Alamitos Derby in late June and the 'WAYI' GI Goodwood Stakes two back Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. The lattermost effort guaranteed him a spot in the World Championships earlier this month, and he was 18-1 in that contest as Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) made history for Japan. Nevada Beach was never a factor in seventh.

On the strength of his running lines, and despite facing older horses once again here, the betting public hammered the Bob Baffert-trainee into favoritism to the tune of 1-9 odds by the time the gates opened. He watched it all unfold from third as Westwood (Authentic) stepped out to set the tempo with British Isles (Justify) never far away from him. That pair rolled through six furlongs in 1:11.25 and got a mile in 1:35.92 as Nevada Beach inched closer to them along the far bend. Challenging for the lead as Westwood threw out a white flag, British Isles was less willing to call it quits and the duo locked horns into the final furlong before the eventual winner finally got the best of his challenger. Nevada Beach came home a measured half-length victor over British Isles and it was 2 1/4 back to longtime leader Westwood. Indispensable (Constitution) trailed for the duration in fourth.

“He went easy today, but [compared to] his last race, it's almost like two different horses,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “He broke a step slow. I had to help him get into the rhythm. Around the three-eighths pole, I had to start working on him, because he was getting a little lazy on me. But Bob [Baffert] knows that this horse has talent. I trust Bob, so I started working on [Nevada Beach] and it worked out.”

“He is a big horse, he is a train. He got the job done though. I want to give my thanks to the owners for giving me the confidence. He may want to run a little more distance, he galloped out of the race well.”

 

 

It was a battle down the stretch! NEVADA BEACH ($2.20) took home the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) with @JJHernandezS19 in the irons. Bob Baffert trains the son of @spendthriftfarm Omaha Beach. pic.twitter.com/3hzUS1X1On

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 23, 2025

 

Pedigree Notes:

Nevada Beach is the lone black-type winner, and Grade I horse, for his dam–herself a multiple stakes winner who is a half-sister to an elite level runner. Morrow Cove (Yes It's True) claims a perfect strike rate with her offspring, however, as all five to make it to the races have gotten their picture taken, and four of them on several occasions, including Nevada Beach. Her last registered is a juvenile filly named Queen of Cairo (American Pharoah).

The aforementioned half-sibling to the dam is GI American Oaks victress Decked Out (Street Boss), who also ran second in the GI Del Mar Oaks in her time on the track. This is the immediate female family of GSW Katonah (Klimt) and GSW Odysseus (Malibu Moon).

 

Saturday, Del Mar
NATIVE DIVER S.-GIII, $98,000, Del Mar, 11-22, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.35, ft.
1–NEVADA BEACH, 122, c, 3, by Omaha Beach
          1st Dam: Morrow Cove (MSW, $182,610), by Yes It's True
          2nd Dam: Once Around, by You and I
          3rd Dam: Persimmon Hill, by Conquistador Cielo
($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl & Weitman, Paul; B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-4-1-0, $426,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–British Isles, 121, g, 4, Justify–Purely Hot, by Pure Prize. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Slam Dunk Racing, Baltas, Richard & McClanahan, Jerry; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $20,000.
3–Westwood, 118, g, 3, Authentic–Indian Bay, by Indian Charlie. ($700,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Hinkle Farms (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs. $12,000.
Margins: HF, 2 1/4, 5 3/4. Odds: 0.10, 16.50, 8.60.
Also Ran: Indispensable. Scratched: Clouseau.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Khali Magic fends off Soloshot to win Saturday’s NYSS Staten Island at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

Khali Magic, a daughter of Al Khali making her third start off the claim, scored a 12-1 upset over six other fillies and mares in Saturday’s $125,000 Staten Island division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes at Aqueduct.

Ridden by Ruben Silvera and sent off as the fifth longest price on the board, Khali Magic relished the sloppy and sealed track and won the 7-furlong restricted stakes by a half-length over 30-1 longshot Soloshot with the 9-1 Intentious third. Trained and co-owned by Rudy Rodriguez, Khali Magic won in 1:23.84.

“Since we claimed her, she’s been a very straightforward filly,” said Rodriguez, who owns the 7-year-old mare with Steven Speranza. “She’s run three times for us now, so maybe third time was the charm. I’m lucky for the owner to give me the opportunity to put the claim up.”

Rodriguez and Speranza claimed Khali Magic for $45,000 out of a fourth in a 1-mile state-bred allowance-optional in late August at Saratoga. She finished second in a similar spot Sept. 21 at Aqueduct before a fifth in the Iroquois Stakes on Empire Showcase Day in late October at Aqueduct.

Stone Smuggler was hustled out of the inside post by Manny Franco, but Silvera soon had Khali Magic in charge to show the way through an opening quarter-mile in :23.15.

“I tried to break good, because she loves the sloppy track,” Silvera said. “I try to take the lead easy and wait for the end and see what happens.”

Sunday Girl, the 2-5 post-time favorite, tracked from third position to the outside of Soloshot as Khali Magic led through the turn and the half in :46.38 as Stone Smuggler retreated. Khali Magic took the field into the lane with Soloshot surging up the fence and Sunday Girl spinning her wheels.

Khali Magic stayed on strong and held her lane down the stretch as Soloshot tried to finish along the inside before switching to an outside path inside the final sixteenth. Soloshot was resurgent once switched out, but Khali Magic held sway to score by a half-length. Soloshot finished 3 length ahead of Intentious with Midtown Lights, Stone Smuggler, Sunday Girl and Storm Changer rounding out the field.

A rider’s objection by Jaime Rodriguez against Silvera and Khali Magic for interference in the stretch run was disallowed.

“The wet track [helped], and she looked like seven-eighths [would suit her],” Rodriguez said. “When they went 23, with the way the track has been playing the last few days, it was amazing. When I saw that, I thought we were very live. Maybe it wasn’t [Sunday Girl’s] day today and maybe she didn’t handle the sloppy track, so when I saw her outside nice, I said, ‘this is good.’ It worked out for us.”

Bred by Wachtel Stable and the sixth foal out of the Smokin Mel mare Smokin Sue, Khali Magic improved to 12-for-48 with nine seconds and seven thirds with earnings of $776,768 in the Staten Island. She’s won two of 10 starts this season, with earnings of $174,550.

Al Khali, a multiple graded stakes winner and earner of $1,019,510, stood for three seasons from 2022 to 2024 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson. The son of Medagalia d’Oro succumbed to a bout of colic in September 2024.

A full brother to former New York stallion Japan, Al Khali retired to Keane Stud in 2016. He won eight of 41 starts with five seconds and five thirds, including the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap in 2010 at Belmont Park and Grade 3 Saranac Stakes in 2009 at Saratoga Race Course.

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