Graduate News

Doubledown Stables’ Nu What’s New (Munnings-Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy) went straight to the front and never looked back to take the $298,500 Hanshin Stakes (G3) June 28 at Churchill Downs, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Trained by Jimmy DiVito, Nu What’s New earned his second Grade 3 win of the year having captured the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile in March.

“He just keeps getting better,” DiVito told Churchill Downs publicity. “We felt like a mile would really suit him, and he showed today how tough he can be at this distance. It’s rewarding to see him continue to improve with every start.”

Nu What’s New was purchased by DiVito, as agent, for $300,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the Eddie Woods consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Woodbine June 28, Meilani (Omaha Beach-Tide Is High, by Broken Vow) prevailed in the $70,459 Alywow Stakes by a half-length to earn her first career stakes victory. Trained by Kevin Attard, Meilani is co-owned by X-Men Racing V LLC and Madaket Stables LLC.

She was sold for $175,000 to Plouffe & Friends at the 2025 OBS March Sale, where she breezed in :10 flat out of the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment, after previously being offered at the 2024 OBS October Yearling Sale by Beth Bayer where she failed to meet her reserve. 

At Aqueduct on June 27, My Purple Haze Stables’ Waralo (War Dancer-I Drink Alone, by Intidab) earned yet another frontrunning stakes score in the $150,000 Ashley T. Cole, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for New York-breds.

Trained by Chris Englehart, the 7-year-old War Dancer gelding notched his second straight stakes score. He was purchased by Englehart on behalf of his owners for $40,000 at the 2020 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the consignment of Sue Vacek.

At Gulfstream Park June 27, Steven Friedfertig and Shining Stables’ Langvad (Awesome Slew—Malibu Melody, by Malibu Moon) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back en route to a three-length victory in the $100,000 Carry Back Stakes.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Langvad earned his first stakes triumph. He was purchased by Joseph for $23,000 at the 2024 OBS October Yearling Sale from the consignment of Sue Vacek.

At Canterbury Park June 27, Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson’s Knick’s Honor (Knicks Go—Pure Elation, by Kitten’s Joy) earned his first black-type win when he captured the $50,000 Canterbury Derby by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Lynn Rarick, Knick’s Honor was purchased by his owners for $15,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the consignment of Five Point Thoroughbreds after breezing in :10 3/5.

At Delaware Park June 27, Trott Racing Stable, Five Sisters Farm, and John Polizos’s Miss Fulton Gal (Rock Your World-Leah Forestiere, by Not This Time) won the $150,000 Christiana Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths.

Trained by Michael E. Gorham, the 3-year-old filly is a two-time OBS graduate, having sold for $5,000 as a yearling at the 2024 OBS October Sale out of the Afleet Equine Services consignment before being purchased $35,000 at the 2025 OBS June Sale by jockey Vincent “Jimbo” Bracciale on behalf of co-owners Trott Racing Stables and Five Sisters Farm out of the Blue Sapphire Stables consignment after breezing in :21 3/5.

Nysos (Nyquist – Zetta Z, by Bernardini) added to his accomplished resume with an overpowering performance in the Grade 1, $1 million Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on June 6 to lead the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

With his victory in the Met Mile, the 5-year-old son of Nyquist earned a chance to defend his title in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland Race Course Oct. 31 through the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series.

Nysos, owned by Charles and Susan Chu’s Baoma Corp and the Coolmore partners of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, has now won eight of his 10 races and has never been worse than second. He boosted his earnings to $5,288,500 with the $550,000 winner’s share of the purse.

“He’s good; a great horse,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert told NYRA publicity. “That was a tough bunch. I’m just so happy for the owners. They let me take my time with this horse and get him ready. I’m just happy that he ran his race. He’s one of the smartest horses I’ve ever trained. He’s really smart, quiet and cool.”

Nysos was purchased for $550,000 out of the Best A Luck Farm consignment by Donato Lanni, Agent for Baoma Corp at the 2023 OBS April Sale after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Saratoga on June 5, West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars (Honor A.P.- Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter) turned the tables on Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Always a Runner with a 3 3/4-length score in Friday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Acorn Stakes.

Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Counting Stars previously captured the Grade 2 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park in March. Casse said the filly will likely look to improve her credentials in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama on Aug. 22 at Saratoga.

Counting Stars was purchased by her owners at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $150,000 from the Wildheart Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Churchill Downs June 7, Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado (Gun Runner- Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa) returned to his winning ways with a two-length triumph in the $489,665 Matt Winn Stakes (G3).

Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, clocked 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:41.26, which was the second-fastest Matt Winn only behind his sire Gun Runner’s 1:41.12 in 2016. He previously captured the $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1) in April and bolstered his bankroll to $1,446,958.

Further Ado was purchased by Spendthrift at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $550,000 from the Six K’s Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :21 1/5. 

At Saratoga on June 4, Mo Speed Racing’s West End Kid (Twirling Candy- To a Friend, by Scat Daddy) brought his win streak to three-in-a-row with a successful stakes debut the Grade 3, $300,000 Pennine Ridge.

Trained by Will Walden, the son of Twirling Candy was a $350,000 purchase by his owners at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Navas Equine consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

The June 4 card at Saratoga also saw Spendthrift Farm’s Goodall (Yaupon-Moon Over Mag Bay, by Malibu Moon) earn a 2 3/4-length score in the $175,000 Jersey Girl on Day Two of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Goodall was purchased by Spendthrift for $525,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the consignment of Tom McCrocklin after breezing in :20 2/5.

At Churchill Downs June 6, Doncho (Mo Town – Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes) ran down defending race winner Joe Shiesty in deep stretch to win the $224,500 Mighty Beau Stakes (Listed) by three-quarters of a length in course record time.

Doncho, trained by Michelle Lovell, ran five furlongs on firm turf in a course and stakes record :55.01 to collect his third career stakes win for owner Jose A. Lopez’s JAL Racing LLC. Consigned by GOP Racing Stable Corp. to the 2023 OBS June Sale, Doncho was purchased by his owners for $72,000 after breezing in :9 4/5. 

At Gulfstream Park June 6, JSM Equine LLC’s  Haute Diva (Constitution – Diva Style, by Unbridled’s Song) ran up to her potential with a last-to-first rally in the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes.

Returning from a two-month freshening, the Patrick Biancone-trained daughter of Constitution prevailed by a half-length. Haute Diva was offered by Wavertree Stables at the 2025 OBS April Sale where she failed to meet her reserve after breezing in :10 flat.

At Saratoga on June 3, Michael Dubb’s Sculcos Folly (Redesdale- Cool Johanna, by Johannesburg) won his fourth straight race, and third in stakes company, with an authoritative 5 1/2-length romp in the $200,000 Mike Lee on New York Showcase Day.

Sculcos Folly has won his last four outings by a combined 29 1/2-lengths.Trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr., the son of Redesdale was a $70,000 purchase by Chad Schumer at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Century Mile on May 30, Avana (Vino Rosso- Revealing Moment, by After Market) earned her 10th career stakes victory in the $50,000 RedTail Landing for owners Bryan and Carol Anne Anderson, Rick Orman, William Decoursey, Greg Palmer, and Denise Praill.

Trained by Barbara Heads, the daughter of Vino Rosso was purchased by Mike Ryan, agent for $150,000 out of the consignment of Cary Frommer at the 2023 OBS March Sale after breezing in :10 2/5.

C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stables’ Forged Steel (Vekoma-Scorecard, by Tale of the Cat) gave trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. his second straight win in the $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) as he romped to a 9 ½ length victory in the 10-furlong race at Santa Anita Park May 25 to lead the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Forged Steel edged away from fellow OBS grad Malarchuk and then poured it on in the stretch to win in a final time of 2:01.58. Joseph previously saddled OBS graduate Skippylongstocking to victory in the race a year ago.

“The horse ran a good race. It was my first time aboard him,” winning jockey Flavien Prat told Santa Anita publicity. “He had a good run in his past races and he showed another good run here today.”

Forged Steel was purchased by C2 Racing Stable for $190,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the de Meric Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Churchill Downs May 25, Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman’s Usha (Tiz the Law- Animal Appeal, by Leroidesanimaux) poked her head in front leaving the turn and turned back a late charge from Zeitlos to win the $220,000 Winning Colors (G3).

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Usha was the winner of last winter’s $300,000 La Brea (G1) at Santa Anita Park. She was purchased by her owners for $600,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the On Point Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Lone Star Park May 25, Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman’s Desert Gate (Omaha Beach-Theogony, by Curlin) drew off to a 6 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Texas Derby.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Desert Gate notched his second straight stakes win to go along with his victory in last year’s Best Pal Stakes (G3). He was purchased by his owners for $260,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Navas Equine consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Gulfstream Park May 23, Amy Dunne, Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson, Hoffman Family Racing, Tranquility Lake Farms, Maury Harrington and Christopher Harrington’s Lennilu (Leinster – Lulu’s Pom Pom, by Pomeroy), a multiple-stakes winner on turf, established herself as a multiple-stakes winner on dirt when she was elevated to the victory in the $100,000 Game Face.

The daughter of Leinster was placed first upon the disqualification of first-place finisher and fellow OBS graduate Love Like Lucy following a stewards’ review of the stretch run. Trained by Patrick Biancone, the filly was purchased by Glencrest Farm for $23,000 from the Abbie Road Farm consignment at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

Averill Racing, Mathis Stable, and Tristan de Meric’s My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo – In a Dream, by Quality Road), runner-up in back-to-back graded-stakes, broke through with a determined effort to win the $300,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Laurel Park May 15, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates. 

My Miss Mo was making her sixth career start and first outside of her native Florida. She was previously second in the one-mile Davona Dale (G2) Feb. 28 and a 2 ¾-length runner-up in the 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

“She was very game at the end, and I am proud of her. She was challenged and she dug in, and it worked out great,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. told Laurel Park publicity. “Congrats to the owners. She was very gutsy. This filly, we liked her from the beginning. We thought she showed so much speed that she was going to be a sprinter. We were wrong. We didn’t see the goodness until we stretched her out. She is a different filly going longer.”

My Miss Mo was purchased by Averill Racing and Mathis Stable for $320,000 from the de Meric Sales consignment at the 2025 OBS March Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.

The undercard of the Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park saw Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Warming (Global Campaign-Haute Style, by Unusual Heat), back on turf for the first time since last fall, come with a spirited late run to score by a length in the $150,000 Gallorette (G3).

Warming’s last win came in her most recent start on the grass, the one-mile Autumn Miss (G2) last October at Santa Anita. Trained by Graham Motion, she was purchased by her owners at the 2024 OBS March Sale for $100,000 from the consignment of Blue Sapphire Stables after breezing in :10 1/5.

Saturday’s card also saw Delta Squad Racing, Michael Dubb and Madaket Stables’ Margie’s Intention (Honor A. P. – Playful Dancer, by Into Mischief) come away with the victory in the $125,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff at Laurel Park. 

Trained by Brad Cox, Margie’s Intention captured the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) last year at Pimlico Race Course. She was purchased by Corbin Blumberg, agent for $185,000 out of the 2024 OBS April Sale from the consignment of Sequel Bloodstock after breezing in :10 flat.

The Preakness undercard also saw Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe and John Cilia’s  Obliteration (Violence- I’mclassyandsassy, by Master Command), in his first start since finishing second in the Saudi Derby (G3) Feb. 14, score a 3 ½-length victory in the $150,000 Chick Lang.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the son of Violence captured the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes last July. Obliteration was a $200,000 purchase by Leland Ackerley at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the consignment of breeder Ocala Stud after breezing in :21 3/5.

At Santa Anita Park May 16, multiple graded stakes winner Queen Maxima (Bucchero – Corfu Lady, by Corfu) held off a late challenge from Spirited Boss to earn her sixth stakes victory in the $100,000 Mizdirection Stakes on the hillside turf course. 

Sent off the 6-5 favorite, Queen Maxima prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Owned by Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC and trained by Jeff Mullins, she was purchased by Michael Pender, agent for $40,000 from the 2023 OBS June Sale from the Blue River Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :20 3/5.

At Gulfstream Park May 16, Carrie Brogden and Circle N Thoroughbreds’ Turino (Kantharos-Intensify, by Unbridled’s Song) made her stakes debut a winning one when she scored a neck victory in the $100,000 Monroe Stakes. 

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Turino is a dual OBS graduate, having first been purchased by Machmer Hall for $80,000 at the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale from the Kaizen Sales consignment and then sold to Nicoma Bloodstock for $250,000 at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the de Meric Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5. 

At Santa Anita Park May 17, Tim Pegram and Jacob “Gator” Pegram’s Bust Out (Complexity-Swap Shop, by Creative Cause) did just that when earning his first stakes win in the $100,000 Cinema Stakes.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Bust Out was purchased by McCarthy as agent for Tim and Jacob Pegram for $115,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Azpurua Stables consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

Durante (Distorted Humor – Seahawk Girl, by Pioneerof the Nile) came with a burst to run down fellow OBS graduate Acoustic Ave in the final furlong to win by a neck in the Grade 3, $175,000 John A. Nerud at Aqueduct Racetrack May 9, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Owned and trained by David Jacobson, the 7-year-old Distorted Humor gelding made a winner’s circle trip for the first time since the Grade 3 Aristides last May at Churchill Downs. Jacobson said mounting a title defense with a return trip to the Aristides on May 30 is the next logical spot.

“It was an amazing race today. He beat some good horses and he’s doing real good,” Jacobson told NYRA publicity. “I can’t wait to get him back to Churchill and run him in the Aristides – he won that last year, so we’re going to aim for that.”

Consigned by Richardson Bloodstock, agent, to the 2021 OBS March Sale, Durante was sold for $130,000 to Dennis O’Neill after breezing an eighth in :10 1/5.

At Gulfstream Park May 9, Teresa and David Palmer’s Liberty Rings (Awesome Slew- America First, by Uncaptured) registered a front-running victory in the $125,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies to earn a trip to England. 

The Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies offered the winner automatic entry into one of six stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting (June 16-20) at Ascot Racecourse, as well as a $25,000 equine travel stipend.

Trained by Nicholas Palmer, the daughter of Awesome Slew was purchased by Palmer for $27,000 from the Camelot Acres Racing and Sales consignment at the 2025 OBS October Yearling Sale. 

 CSLR Racing Partners’ Crude Velocity (Beau Liam- Sweetnsour Kitty, by Lemon Drop Kid) rocketed past pacesetting Englishmaninside the eighth pole and drew off for a 3 3/4-length victory in the $750,000 Pat Day Mile (G2) on May 2 at Churchill Downs, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Crude Velocity completed the mile over a fast main track in a stakes-record 1:33.87 and gave him his third victory in three starts.

“This horse is a freaky horse. He is so talented,” Baffert told Churchill Downs publicity. “I was very surprised that he was able to win first out with all of the trouble he got in. If he stays healthy, we’ll be hearing from this horse down the road.”

Crude Velocity was purchased by Bill Childs for $250,000 at the 2025 OBS June Sale from the consignment of Omar Ramirez Bloodstock after breezing in :20 1/5, equaling the OBS track record for the distance.

The Kentucky Derby undercard also saw James Daniell’s Yellow Card (Lost Treasure (IRE)-Paris Girl, by Pulpit) surge between horses to win by a neck in the $600,000 Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Yellow Card increased his earnings to $1,099,245 and earned his first stakes victory. He was purchased by West Bloodstock at the 2023 OBS April Sale for $87,000 from the Little Farm Equine consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Woodbine May 2, BAG Racing Stables LLC, Turf Express, Inc and Watkins Diamond Stables LLC’s Reagan’s Flame (Flameaway – Mizzen Donald, by Mizzen Mast) launched a strong off the pace rally to roar home in the $150,000 ​ Whimsical Stakes (G3) over fellow OBS grad Lithe Spirit. ​

The Whimsical triumph was the first career graded score for Reagan’s Flame, who is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. She was purchased by newly-minted Kentucky Derby (G1) winning trainer Cherie DeVaux for $185,000 at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the consignment of Eddie Woods after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Churchill Downs on April 30, Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton’s Cy Fair (Not This Time-Remarqued, by Arch) scored a one length victory in the $299,250 Mamzelle (G3).

Trained by George Weaver, Cy Fair captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) over males in November.  The daughter of Not This Time was purchased by Swinbank for $185,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale out of the Niall Brennan Stables consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Gulfstream Park May 2, Mast Thoroughbreds LLC’s Bolero Bay (Basin- Essence of Audre, by Exchange Rate) scored a front-running victory in the $125,000 English Channel Stakes.

The Michael Yates-trained son of Basin had to survive an objection lodged by second-place finisher and fellow OBS grad My Favorite Bird before claiming his stakes debut. Bolero Bay was purchased by McMahon & Hill Bloodstock, agent for $15,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the Colin Brennan Bloodstock consignment.

The May 2 Gulfstream card also saw Peachtree Stable homebred Spirit Doll (Tiz the Law-Pakhet, by Cairo Prince) score a victory in the $125,000 Honey Ryder.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Spirit Doll was offered at the 2025 OBS April Sale by the Julie Davies consignment where she failed to meet her reserve after breezing in :10 2/5.

At Oaklawn Park May 2, Willy D’s (Lookin At Lucky-Boston Mine, by Mineshaft) battled back in deep stretch to win the $200,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes. 

Mike Maker trains Willy D’s for Paradise Farm Corp. (Peter Proscia) and Case Chambers and he has now won four races for Maker, including the Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes last July at Horseshoe Indianapolis and the Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) March 21 at Turfway Park in his last start. He was purchased for $60,000 by Greg Compton, agent for Danny W. Brown at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the Woodside Ranch consignment after breezing in :22 1/5.

At Aqueduct May 2, My Purple Haze Stables’ New York-bred Waralo (War Dancer-I Drink Alone, by Intidab) made every pole a winning one to secure his first career stakes win in the listed $150,000 Elusive Quality Stakes.

Trained by Chris Englehart, the 7-year-old War Dancer gelding was purchased by Englehart on behalf of his owners for $40,000 at the 2020 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the consignment of Sue Vacek.

Multiple Grade 1 winner and multi-millionaire White Abarrio (Race Day – Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief) turned back the clock and took down 2025 Triple Crown race winners Sovereignty and Journalism to prevail in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park April 18, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

White Abarrio finished two lengths ahead of reigning Horse of the Year and dual classic winner Sovereignty, who was making his 4-year-old debut and first start against older horses. Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, in his 4-year-old debut, finished 1 ¼ lengths farther back in third.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., 7-year-old White Abarrio blazed 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:47.49, making it the fastest Oaklawn Handicap since Hall of Famer Cigar ran 1:47.22 in 1995. He races for owners C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable (Antonio Pagnano).

“Today we were rewarded in one of the best races in a long, long time,” Joseph told Oaklawn publicity.  “It really materialized, the matchup. Thanks for all my team that worked so hard with this horse.”

White Abarrio captured the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and 2025 Pegasus World Cup (G1) among his several high-profile victories in his 26-race career. An 11-time career winner, White Abarrio boasts $8,445,170 in earnings.

A two-time OBS graduate, White Abarrio was sold by Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent, at the 2020 Winter Mixed Sale and then purchased for $40,000 out of the Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2021 March Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 2/5.

At Aqueduct Racetrack April 18, Chris Fountoukis’ Solitude Dude (Yaupon-After the Party, by Into Mischief) successfully cut back in distance to improve to 4-for-4 in sprints in the listed $150,000 Bay Shore Stakes.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., the son of Yaupon previously earned stakes wins in the six-furlong Inaugural in December at Tampa Bay Downs and the seven-furlong Swale in January at Gulfstream Park. Solitude Dude was purchased by Fountoukis through Joseph for $300,000 at the 2025 OBS June Sale from the consignment of Julie Davies after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Laurel Park April 18, R. A. Hill Stable and SGV Thoroughbreds’ Outlaw Kid (Violence – Calling Rhy Rhy, by City Zip) returned firing in his first start of the year to win the $100,000 King T. Leatherbury Stakes.

Trained by George Weaver, Outlaw Kid was consigned by S G V Thoroughbreds LLC (Steven Venosa), Agent to the 2021 OBS April Sale when he was sold to Myracehorse.com for $220,000 after breezing in :10 flat.

At Aqueduct April 19, Mad Dog Racing Stable’s Bam’s Bliss Kiss (Solomini- Kiska, by Into Mischief) made every pole a winning one en route to an 8 1/4-length score to bring her win streak to six in Sunday’s $135,000 Biogio’s Rose. Fellow OBS grads Sweet Brown Sugar completed the exacta by a neck over the inside rallying Midtown Lights.

Trained by Jorge Abreu, the 4-year-old daughter of Solomini was bred by Torie Gladwell. She was purchased at the 2024 OBS April Sale for $95,000 by Clear Stars Stable from the Top Line Sales consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.

James Thares’ Mad House (Vekoma-Stifled Heiress, by Munnings) edged favorite and fellow OBS graduate Roll On Big Joe by a half-length to win the six-furlong $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park April 11, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Trained by David VanWinkle, Mad House raised his career earnings to $603,015 following his sixth victory from 12 starts. The son of Vekoma previously won the Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) last September at Parx.

“I do know that when this horse, Mad House, is on the lead, he’s tough to outrun and he made the lead today and made me feel comfortable for a while,” VanWinkle told Oaklawn publicity. “But down the stretch, I was getting nervous. Roll On Big Joe is a very nice horse and Mad House prevailed, so I’m very happy with him.”

Mad House was purchased by his owner at the 2024 OBS April Sale for $47,000 from the Wavertree consignment after breezing in :10 2/5.

At Keeneland April 11, Midway Racing’s Trendsetter (Modernist- Suyapa, by Astrology) swept past dueling leaders and drew off for an upset 2 ¼-length victory in the $400,000 Lexington Stakes (G3).

Trained by Ben Colebrook, Trendsetter prevailed in his graded stakes debut.

“I wouldn’t say I was surprised. I thought he was going to run good,” Colebrook told Keeneland publicity. “I thought we were going to see some improvement, and if he improved, then he was going to be kind of right there with these horses and get a piece of it.”

Trendsetter was purchased by Davant Latham of Midway Racing for $130,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Aqueduct April 11, Winning Move Stable, Sanford Robbins, Lady Sheila Stable, Silverwood Stables and IEE Racing’s Hot Currency (Central Banker- Calidez, by Spring At Last) was an easy winner of the $200,000 Fourstar Crook division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series.

Trained by Linda Rice, Hot Currency was a $200,000 purchase by Kimmel/Sallusto, Agent for Winning Move Stable at the 2025 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 flat.

On the same card, Michael Dubb’s Sculcos Folly (Redesdale- Cool Johanna, by Johannesburg) proved much the best with an 8 1/2-length romp in Saturday’s $200,000 Mind Your Biscuits division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series.

Trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr., the win was the second consecutive stakes triumph for Sculcos Folly following a 5 3/4-length score in the state-bred one-mile Gander on March 7.  The son of Redesdale was a $70,000 purchase by Chad Schumer at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado (Gun Runner- Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa), who scored his maiden victory at Keeneland by 20 lengths last October, continued to show his affinity for the Lexington track when he captured the $1,250,000 Blue Gass Stakes (G1) by 11 lengths on April 4, cementing his status as one of the favorites for the first leg of the Triple Crown and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

With the Blue Grass victory, Further Ado earned 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for a total of 135 points and guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

Trained by Brad Cox, Further Ado is now a two-time graded stakes winner and boosted his earnings to $1,146,328. 

“I felt he had moved forward since Tampa (when he finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) March 7), so I expected him to run well,” Cox told Keeneland publicity. “I thought he got a great trip. We kind of put a plan together with him last fall after he won here, to run him at Churchill and have two races leading up to what we hoped would get him to the (Kentucky) Derby, and it worked out. It’s always nice when a plan works out because most of the time it doesn’t. He’s a good colt, full of quality, athletic, a great mover.”

Further Ado was purchased by Spendthrift at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $550,000 from the Six K’s Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :21 1/5. 

About an hour after Further Ado’s victory, So Happy (Runhappy-So Cunning, by Blame) joined him as a top Kentucky Derby contender when he prevailed in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Mark Glatt, So Happy is owned by Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners. He previously captured the Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park Jan. 10.

“He kept on going today,” winning jockey Mike Smith told Santa Anita publicity. “Today he really felt fit and ready to race. I can’t say enough of what a great and wonderful man Mark Glatt. The Kentucky Derby is America’s race.  Anyone in the world would want to be in that race. There’s more there in the tank for sure.”

Bred by Leverett Miller, So Happy was purchased by Glatt, agent for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale out of the First Call consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

The undercard of the Blue Grass Stakes saw Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming – New Narration, by Tapit) pounce at the top of the stretch and coast to a 2¾-length victory in the Commonwealth Stakes (G3).

Trained by Brad Cox, Saudi Crown is now a three-time graded stakes winner and increased his earnings to $3,686,508. Consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, to the 2022 OBS Spring Sale, Saudi Crown was sold for $240,000 after breezing in :10 flat. 

At Aqueduct April 4, Winning Move Stable’s Yo Daddy (Yoshida (JPN)-Elle Stormin’, by Tale of the Cat) earned his first stakes score in the $150,000 Excelsior.

Trained by Linda Rice, Yo Daddy was offered at the 2023 OBS June Sale by Britton Peak where he failed to meet his reserve after breezing in :21 4/5.

At Evangeline Downs April 4, Michael H.  Rotstein and Olof, LLC’s Tiz Mary’s Comet (Good Samaritan – Suzie’s Dream, by Tiz the One) prevailed in the $60,000 Lafayette Stakes. Trained by Rylee Magnon, the gelding was purchased by his owners at the 2025 OBS June Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.