Four Square: New York-breds shine on second session of Saratoga select sale

August 6th, 2025

By Alec DiConza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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New York-bred Flightline filly highlights Saratoga select sale opener

August 4th, 2025

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

By Alec DiConza

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schumer came into the sale equally impressed with Hip 102.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Whitney winners Diversify and Commentator: Old Friends at Cabin Creek Honors NY-bred Excellence

August 1st, 2025

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

By Teresa Genaro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can find more information and purchase tickets here.

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Doc Sullivan in time to win John Morrissey

July 31st, 2025

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

By Darby O’Brien

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Wecanonlyimagine victorious in Debutante at Assiniboia Downs

July 31st, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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My Mane Squeeze dominates in Saratoga return

July 30th, 2025

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

By Alec DiConza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Boom Boom Bell earns the late Combatant his first winner

July 29th, 2025

Grade 1 winner Combatant, who died in 2022 in Chile, sired his first winner Sunday at Hawthorne Race Course. Benoit Photo.

JW Racing Group’s Boom Boom Bell gave the late New York-based freshman stallion and graded stakes winner Combatant his first winner when she won the opener Sunday at Hawthorne Race Course.

Boom Boom Bell is one of five starters for Combatant. Two others, Miami Style and Alyvia’s Lil Girl, finished third in their most recent starts. A son of Scat Daddy, Combatant stood at Rockridge Stud in Hudson before he died at the age of 7  in 2022 due to a bout of colic in Chile. He stood for $7,500 in his first season.

Boom Boom Bell broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion, breaking quickly under Ademar Santos and leading the field through an opening quarter-mile of :23.04. The 2-year-old filly held a 1-length cushion turning for home, but added to it through the stretch when she kicked home to win by 3 3/4 lengths at 9-1. She finished the 5-furlong sprint on the main track in :57.95 for trainer Harry Lynch.

Out of the stakes placed Majesticperfection mare Perfect Fit, Boom Boom Bell was bred in New York by Rockridge Stud. She sold for $3,200 at the Keeneland September sale last year. Perfect Fit is the dam of three others to race, including the five-time winner Solib and the two-time winner Manny’s Kat.

Combatant sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $320,000 at the Keeneland September sale in 2016. He ran the first 22 starts of his career for trainer Steve Asmussen, winning three races. He earned a place in the 2018 Kentucky Derby with placings in the Remington Springboard Mile, Smarty Jones, Grade 3 Southwest and Grade 2 Rebel. In December 2018, he finished third in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile on turf at Santa Anita Park.

Combatant sold for $220,000 at the Keeneland November sale in 2019 and ran for owner Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler in 2020. He earned a graded stakes victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap and earned two more graded stakes placings in the Grade 2 San Pasqual and Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup.

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RSVP Now for NYTB August Events!

July 25th, 2025

Thursday, August 7 | 5p – 9p

The Summer BBQ You Can’t Miss! Kick off the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearlings Sale at our annual summer BBQ! Enjoy classic BBQ favorites and beverages with NYTB members, leading consignors, and program participants as we gear up for the sale on August 10-11.

Free admission for NYTB members and guests.
Pre-registration is required at nytbreeders.org/events.

NYTB_BBQ_s_lg_2

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Leon Blue digs in for Rick Violette victory

July 17th, 2025

Leon Blue edges Smooth Breeze in Thursday’s Rick Violette Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

Leon Blue fended off odds-on favorite and became the latest headline maker produced by Alana’s Allure in the $145,500 Rick Violette Stakes during Thursday’s New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course.

Leon Blue, under apprentice Chris Elliott, dug in and fended off several challenges from Smooth Breeze, under reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat, to win the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for 3-year-old New York-breds by a neck. Dismissed at 6-1in the field of five, Leon Blue improved to 2-3-1 from six starts with his first stakes victory for trainer Melanie Giddings and owners Paul Braverman, Al Gold’s Gold Square, AWC Stables and Scott Akman.

“It’s a really good group of people that own this horse and they’ve been super patient with him and let us do anything the horse needs – to take the time and be patient with him,” Giddings said.

Bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan, foaled at Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward and named for the late trainer and lifelong racetracker, Leon Blue is the second foal out of the unraced Shackleford mare Alana’s Allure. She’s out of the Group 2-place Chilean-bred Dancing Groom mare Bella Madame.

Alana’s Allure’s first foal, the 5-year-old Central Banker gelding Allure of Money, sports a record of 8-2-1 in 22 starts and $248,345 in earnings. Also bred by Prudhomme and Gallivan, Allure of Money won the 2022 Tin Cup Chalice Stakes to close his 2-year-old campaign and returned to win the New York Derby and Leon Reed Memorial Stakes, both at Finger Lakes, to earn a finalist nod for champion 3-year-old male honors in 2023.

Bloodstock agent Joe Hardoon purchased Leon Blue for Paul Braverman for $100,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He went winless in three starts last year, but now sports two wins in three starts this year.

Leon Blue came into the Rick Violette off a runner-up finish by a nose to Outsource in a 1 1/16-mile state-bred allowance on the turf June 4 at Saratoga. After a brief duel with Sounds Like a Plan, Leon Blue settled into third behind that foe and Smooth Breeze into the first turn and through the opening quarter-mile in :23.29.

Sounds Like a Plan continued to lead around the turn and into the backstretch, with the field bunching up a bit to the half in :47.31. Sounds Like a Plan stayed in front through 6 furlongs in 1:11.08 with Leon Blue ready to take command in the stretch and Smooth Breeze poised a bit further out.

Leon Blue came wide into the stretch, forcing Smooth Breeze out just a bit and taking over. Smooth Breeze came in on Leon Blue at about the three-sixteenths pole but didn’t stop the eventual winner’s momentum. Leon Blue won in 1:41.34. Smooth Breeze, the 1-2 favorite after a win two starts back in a state-bred allowance April 27 at Aqueduct, finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Sounds Like a Plan with Outsource and I’m Due completing the field. Leon Blue won in 1:41.34.

“That was an unlucky head bob,” Giddings said of Leon Blue’s June 4 race. “Chris rode the horse perfect; the horse was just a little sharp going his first two turns off the layoff. He was bound to be fresh, and I think he got a little tired on him late. We made a couple of equipment adjustments today – cut back the blinkers a little bit and he was fitter today to go the two turns, so we knew we were sitting in a good spot.

Elliott liked where Leon Blue put him every step of the 1 1/16 miles.

“I was really confident in my horse. He was fighting back, he’s a fighter. He really gave me everything he had,” said Elliott, winning his first race at the proper Saratoga meet. “It’s unreal, this is the place to be. I am very fortunate to have gotten all of the support here. I really appreciate all the trainers and everyone who has given me the opportunity.”

Leon Blue picked up $82,500 and boosted his bankroll to $184,200.

Alana’s Allure might have more future winners in the pipeline after her third foal, the New York-bred Vekoma colt now named Kirkwood sold for $300,000 to the late Christophe Clement at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale. Kirkwood shows three breezes on his worktab, including a half in :50.01 July 14 on the Belmont Park training track. Alana’s Allure is also the dam of a yearling filly by Tacitus and a weanling filly by Cyberknife, both bred in New York by Prudhomme and Gallivan.

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Mommy’s Turn lands first stakes in Suzie O’Cain

July 16th, 2025

Mommy’s Turn lands first stakes victory in Wednesday’s Suzie O’Cain at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Alec DiConza

Mommy’s Turn isn’t always the easiest horse to handle, but that didn’t matter Wednesday when she ran away from her rivals under Jose Lezcano to win the $150,000 Suzie O’Cain Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

“She’s a challenge to train and to ride,” winning trainer Chad Brown said. “Jose has done a good job with her. I’m really happy for him because she’s one of the more challenging horses I have in my stable to ride. We made a couple little adjustments for this race. I don’t think she’s ever going to be not difficult. I like that she drew inside and Jose did a great job to sort of walk that line between not taking too much out of her, holding her in there and keeping her straight as he held her, but holding his position. Great ride, great performance.”

Breaking from post two in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies, Mommy’s Turn sat a ground-saving trip in third through the first turn while slightly keen, tugging at Lezcano throughout. The daughter of Mendelssohn settled more on the backstretch and into the far turn before slicing through early leaders Grace and Grit and Boston’s Phinest in the stretch to take the lead.

Mommy’s Turn dashed home from there and won by 2 lengths in 1:42.28 for owners Team Hanley and Thirty Year Racing.

“She relaxed more today,” Lezcano said. “We made a change on the bit and that helped, too. My filly, she can do anything. She can go inside, outside. I had the chance to go outside, but I had a little space between horses. I said, ‘I’ll go for it’ and she did it.”

Coming off a second in an allowance against New York-breds last month at Aqueduct, Mommy’s Turn successfully stepped up in class, boosted her record to two wins in four starts and increased her career earnings to $143,075. Brown said the filly could run back in another New York-bred stakes race.

“We skipped our conditions today just because she’s eligible,” he said. “You don’t see too many straight 3-year-old New York-bred turf races, so I decided to skip the allowance race and go here. She’s a nice horse for the future if we take care of her, too. Pick our spots this year, take care of her.

“I’ve had some of these New York-bred turf horses through the years where we just run them when their season is in bloom, and we rest them when they’re not. If she stays healthy, that’s what we’ll do with her.”

Mommy’s Turn was bred by Chester and the late Mary Broman, foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown and sold for $115,000 at the 2024 OBS April sale. She’s the fourth foal out of the two-time stakes-winning More Than Ready mare Hard To Stay Notgo.

Hard To Stay Notgo’s other foals include the stakes-winning Makin My Move and the stakes-placed Gotta Go Mo. Evaluation, another one of her offspring, won on debut at Saratoga last summer. Hard To Stay Notgo is also the dam of an unnamed 2-year-old by Justify and a yearling colt by Yaupon – both bred by the Bromans – and a colt by Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish born April 23 and bred by Chester Broman.

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