Doc Sullivan in time to win John Morrissey

By Darby O’Brien

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/07/31/doc-sullivan-in-time-to-win-john-morrissey/

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Wecanonlyimagine victorious in Debutante at Assiniboia Downs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/07/31/wecanonlyimagine-victorious-in-debutante-at-assiniboia-downs/

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