Salem bin Ghadayer trainedLabwah (Charlatan-War Tigress, by War Chant) put herself on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail when she captured the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan Racecourse Feb. 20, becoming the fifth OBS graduate to annex the race.
Labwah wins the UAE Oaks. (Dubai Racing Club photo)
With the victory, Labwah earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of Charlatan powered away for a 7 ½ length victory to join past OBS grads Polar River (2016), Rayya (2018), Shahama (2022), and Manama Gold (2024) as winners of the UAE Oaks.
“She’s out of a middle-distance dam and a ten-furlong stallion so the distance was an advantage for her – we came here confident,” bin Ghadayer told Dubai Racing Club publicity.
On whether Labwah will pursue the Kentucky Oaks or face colts in the G2 UAE Derby, the trainer told Dubai Racing Club: “I will go back to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan (bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, owner) as she was his pick from the breeze-up sale. I will ask him what he wants to do, but she is ready for both options.”
Bred by Calvin Crain, Labwah was purchased by Carson McCord for $125,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale out of the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :21.
Another OBS graduate produced an international victory over the weekend when Susumu Fujita’s Sonshi (Night of Thunder (IRE)-Afdhaad (GB), by Nayef) captured the G3 Hankyu Hai at Hanshin Feb. 21, winning by 3 1/2 lengths and setting a new course record of 1 minute 18.9 seconds over the 1400m. Trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Sonshi was purchased by Nakauchida for $300,000 at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the consignment of Eddie Woods after breezing in :10 flat.
John Oxley’s Silent Tactic (Tacitus-Magical Sign, by Gun Runner) roared late to capture the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park, putting himself on the Kentucky Derby trail and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Silent Tactic wins the Southwest Stakes. (Coady Media)
Ridden by Cristian Torres and trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Silent Tactic led a sweep of the top three places by OBS grads when he finished 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Solider N Diplomat with Buetane a head farther back in third. He collected 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points in the Southwest and has 25 points overall. Silent Tactic, a son of Tacitus, also became the first graded stakes winner for his sire.
“He wanted to go and I just waited a little bit longer,” Torres told Oaklawn Park publicity. “I knew when I got him clear he was going to fire for me. Good horse, Hopefully, he’s going to keep improving. The more distance the better, I think.”
Silent Tactic was purchased by Justin Casse for $500,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Thorostock consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
At Santa Anita Park Feb. 7, El Potente (Temple City – Charmsil, by Silver Charm) won the Grade 3, $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes for the second year in a row when rolling to a front-running victory.
Trained by Dan Blacker, El Potente is owned by My Way Racing LLC and was purchased by McMahon and Hill Bloodstock, agent for $35,000 out of the Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2021 OBS June Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.
The Feb. 7 card at Santa Anita also saw Light Won Up (City of Light-Factorofwon, by The Factor) roll to a 2 ¾-length victory in the $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, the filly by City of Light bested fellow OBS grad Himika, who was making her turf debut. Light Won Up is owned by Purple Rein Racing and Mark D. Davis. She was purchased by her owners for $265,000 at last year’s OBS March Sale from the Top Line Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
At Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 7, Florida-bred stalwart Mystic Lake (Mo Town – Salty Soul, by Itsmyluckyday) broke on top and turned her speed up a notch after being headed briefly on the turn for home, powering to a 7 ½-length victory in the $125,000 Minaret Stakes.
Now 12-for-22 lifetime, Mystic Lake improved her career bankroll to $1,537,517. She is owned by Miller Racing, BAG Racing Stables and Stefania Farms and trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. She is a two-time OBS graduate, sold by Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent, at the 2022 October Yearling Sale and then purchased for $130,000 out of the Tom McCrocklin consignment at the 2023 March Sale after breezing in :20 4/5.
At Turfway Park Feb. 7, BSF Equine Athlete’s Coco Connect (Connect-Miss Chanel, by Commissioner) notched her first career stakes victory when she defeated five rivals by a half-length in the $125,000 Valdale Stakes.
Trained by John Ennis, Coco Connect was purchased by Jeremiah O’Dwyer, agent at the 2025 OBS March Sale for $150,000 from the Wildheart Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :21.
On Feb. 8 at Oaklawn Park, heavily favored Roll On Big Joe (Prospective – Nina’s Gift, by Victory Gallop) carried his razor-sharp form into 2026, scoring a half-length victory over Tejano Twist in the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes.
The King Cotton was the fifth career stakes victory and third consecutive for Roll On Big Joe, owned by Rancho Temescal LLC, Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners, White Fence LLC and Richard Hale Jr. All five stakes victories have come in the last year, including the $150,000 Ring the Bell Dec. 13 at Oaklawn to conclude his 2025 campaign.
Trained by Bob Hess Jr., Roll On Big Joe was purchased by Southern California-based owner Tim Cohen (Rancho Temescal) for $90,000 at the 2022 OBS June Sale from the Gayle Woods consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
At Santa Anita on Feb. 8, Jim Daniell’s Yellow Card (Lost Treasure (IRE)-Paris Girl, by Pulpit) closed to win the $100,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Yellow Card earned his first stakes win. 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 Oaklawn Park on Feb. 6, T.C. Stables and Hickory Stables’ Mackman (Union Rags-Silverpocketsfull, by Indian Charlie) earned his first stakes victory when he captured the $135,000 General MacArthur Overnight Stakes. Trained by Matt Shirer, Mackman was purchased by his owners for $160,000 at the 2022 OBS April Sale from the Mayberry Farm consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
Chris Fountoukis’ Solitude Dude (Yaupon-After the Party, by Into Mischief) remained unbeaten in his young career with a dominating victory in the $175,000 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 31 to lead the stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Solitude Dude wins the Swale Stakes. (Coglianese/ Nicole Thomas photo)
Sent to post as the 1-5 favorite in a field of six after winning the first two races of his career by a combined 17 ½ lengths, Solitude Dude drew off to score by 3 ¾ lengths. He debuted at Gulfstream Nov. 1 with a 9 ½-length victory going 6 ½ furlongs and came back to win the six-furlong Inaugural by eight lengths Dec. 6 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., 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.
The Jan. 31 card at Gulfstream Park also saw Silverton Hill’s Thousandsticks (Twirling Candy-Lottie, by Arch) emerge with a hard-fought neck victory in the $175,000 Kitten’s Joy, a race named for the late champion OBS grad.
Trained by Brian Lynch, Thousandsticks extended his win streak to three races, improving to 3-0 on the Gulfstream turf. The son of Twirling Candy was purchased by Taproot Bloodstock, agent for $90,000 at the 2025 OBS June Sale from the Britton Peak consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator – Twinkling, by War Chant) finally added a top-level victory to his accomplished resume when the hard-knocking 7-year-old captured the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25 in his unprecedented fourth try in the race, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates.
Skippylongstocking wins the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup. (Jeff Zamaiko photo)
In taking the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 4-year-olds and up, Skippylongstocking defeated the 2025 Pegasus World Cup winner and fellow Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee and OBS grad White Abarrio by 1 ¾ lengths. The veteran runner also earned a fees paid entry into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
“It just means everything. He’s an amazing horse, and he deserves it,” Alonso told Gulfstream Park publicity. “Watching the races today we knew it was going to be tough coming from that far back, but he just found another gear today that we hadn’t seen before. To beat a champion like White Abarrio, it’s amazing.”
The Pegasus gave Skippylongstocking his 13th win from 36 career starts and improved his bankroll to $5,461,250. He was purchased by Alonso for $37,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at the 2021 OBS April Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 2/5.
The Pegasus World Cup card also saw Steve Landers Racing LLC’s Destino d’Oro (Bolt d’Oro- Heart of Destiny, by Lion Heart) capture the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational (G2).
Trained by Brad Cox, the 4-year-old filly previously won the Pucker Up (G3) at Ellis Park in August and has now improved her career earnings to more than $830,000. She was purchased by her owner for $185,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the consignment of CM Thoroughbreds after breezing in :10 flat.
Midway Racing’s Street Beast (Street Sense-Flower Party (IRE), by Duke of Marmalade (IRE)) kicked off his 3-year-old season in impressive fashion with a gate-to-wire victory in the $124,835 Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming on Jan. 17, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates.
Street Beast wins the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park (Turfway Park/Devin Hall photo)
Trained by Ben Colebrook, the Leonatus was Street Beast’s third career victory from five starts and second career stakes victory after winning the Juvenile Mile (Listed) at Kentucky Downs as a 2-year-old.
With his victory in the Leonatus, Street Beast earned his connections $75,140 and boosted his overall purse earnings to $885,784.
Street Beast was purchased from the Eddie Woods consignment for $85,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale by bloodstock agent Davant Latham, whose partnership races in the name of Midway Racing, after breezing in :10 2/5.
At Gulfstream Park Jan. 17, Grade 1 stakes-placed on dirt, Neoequos (Neolithic – Bold Birdie, by Birdstone) scored an impressive turf debut as the 4-year-old son of Neolithic registered a two-length victory in the $75,000 Sunshine Turf.
Neoequos, who finished third in last year’s Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1), kicked in powerfully to win going away over fellow OBS grad Seminole Chief, who put in a strong rally along the rail. Owned by C2 Racing Stable LLC, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables LLC, Stefania Farms LLC, Ken Reimer, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch, Neoequos was purchased by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. for $22,000 at the 2023 OBS October Yearling Sale from the consignment of Abbie Road Farm.
Norman Stables LLC and Saints or Sinners’ So Happy (Runhappy-So Cunning, by Blame) made a successful leap into graded company when he prevailed in the Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park January 10, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
So Happy wins the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes. (Benoit Photo)
Bred by Leverett Miller and trained by Mark Glatt, So Happy’s victory kicked off a banner weekend that saw OBS graduates sweep all three graded stakes scheduled. The son of Runhappy surged to the lead inside the final furlong and held off a late charge from 1-2 favorite and fellow OBS grad Buetane to score by two lengths.
“I was really happy with the way he handled the seven-eighths because usually that’s a pretty good indication they will go two turns,” winning jockey Mike Smith told Santa Anita publicity. “He was well within himself running underneath the wire. I was really happy with the way he did things.”
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.
So Happy’s triumph set the stage for an outstanding couple of days for Glatt and Saints or Sinners. The following day’s Santa Anita card saw the connections enjoy more success with another OBS grad when Margarita Girl (Twirling Candy-My Day, by Uncle Mo) was victorious in the Grade 3, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes to notch her first career graded win.
A 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, Margarita Girl joined Glatt’s barn as a juvenile with high expectations after being purchased by Saints or Sinners for $575,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the Wavertree Stables consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.
The Jan. 11 card at Santa Anita also saw Queen Maxima (Bucchero – Corfu Lady, by Corfu) earn her fifth stakes and third at the graded level when prevailing in the Grade 3, $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes for older fillies and mares on the hillside turf course.
A 5-year-old daughter of fellow OBS grad Bucchero, Queen Maxima is owned by Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures and trained by Jeff Mullins. Consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, she was purchased by Michael Pender, agent for $40,000 from the 2023 OBS June Sale after breezing in :20 3/5.
At Fair Grounds on Jan. 10, Blue Fire (Aurelius Maximus – Mystic Blue, by Maimonides) proved too much in the $100,000 Bob F. Wright Memorial Stakes, winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Owned by Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel and trained by Steve Asmussen, Blue Fire was purchased for $32,000 by Fast Horses out of the 2023 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the Kaizen Sales consignment.
Respect the Valleys’ Dazzling Dame (Girvin – Awesome Dama, by Corinthian) put herself on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail when she drew off to an emphatic 11 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Busanda at Aqueduct Racetrack Jan. 3, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Dazzling Dame wins the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct. (NYRA/Susie Raisher photo)
The Busanda offered 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-five finishers, respectively.
Trained by Brittany Russell, Dazzling Dame entered off a 1 1/2-length victory in Delaware Park’s White Clay Creek on Oct. 11. Her final time of 1:38.30 was more than 3/5 of a second faster than sophomore colt My World ran when winning the $150,000 Jerome earlier on the card (1:38.96).
Trained by Brittany Russell, the daughter of Girvin was purchased by her owners for $45,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Richardson Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :21 flat. She was previously sold to Tahoe Bloodstock from the Hare Hill Farm consignment for $65,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.
At Turfway Park Dec. 3, Colts Neck Stables’ Hometown Bound (Mitole- Youngest Daughter, by The Factor) remained unbeaten as he cruised to a 1 ¼-length victory in the $123,750 Turfway Prevue.
Trained by Jorge Duarte Jr., Hometown Bound bested fellow OBS grads Trendsetter and Blessed Warrior. The son of Mitole was purchased by his owners at the 2025 OBS March Sale for $350,000 from the L.G. consignment after breezing in :9 4/5
At Oaklawn Park Jan. 3, Leland Ackerley Racing’s Obliteration (Violence- I’mclassyandsassy, by Master Command) dominated the $150,000 Renaissance Stakes, taking the lead at the top of the stretch and drawing away to a 7 ½-length victory.
Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the son of Violence was making his 3-year-old debut following a successful 2-year-old campaign that saw him earn a 10 ½-length victory the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes in July. Obliteration was a $200,000 purchase by his owner at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the consignment of breeder Ocala Stud after breezing in :21 3/5.
At Gulfstream Park Jan. 1, JSM Equine’s Haute Diva (Constitution – Diva Style, by Unbridled’s Song) closed through the stretch to register a neck victory in the $175,000 Cash Run Stakes.
Trained by Patrick Biancone, 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 Santa Anita Park Dec. 29, La Ville Lumiere (City of Light-Malibu Drive, by Malibu Moon) became a newly minted stakes winner when she surged late to score by a neck in the $100,000 Blue Norther Stakes going a mile on turf.
Trained by Michael McCarthy and owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Sabby Racing and Ken T. Reimer, La Ville Lumiere was purchased by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners for $475,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Eddie Woods consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
A total of five horses who are graduates of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auctions were announced as finalists for the 2025 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards, which honors excellence in Thoroughbred racing.
Morplay Racing’s Shisospicy (Mitole – Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) is a finalist for three divisional honors: champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Female Sprinter, and Female Turf. The daughter of Mitole won three graded stakes in 2025 with the highlight coming when she became the first 3-year-old filly to win the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Trained by Jose D’Angelo, Shisospicy was offered at the 2024 OBS April Sale by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds where she was an RNA after breezing in :9 3/5.
Shisospicy is a finalist in three categories for the 2025 Eclipse Awards. (Benoit Photo)
Fellow OBS April grad Nysos (Nyquist – Zetta Z, by Bernardini) is also up for multiple honors as a finalist for Older Dirt Male and Male Sprinter. Trained by Bob Baffert for owner Baoma Corp and lessees Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor, Nysos earned four graded stakes victories in 2025 including his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar. He was purchased for $550,000 out of the Best A Luck Farm consignment by Donato Lanni, agent for owner Baoma Corp, at the 2023 OBS April Sale after breezing in :9 4/5.
Swinbank Stables, Medallion Racing, Joey Platts, and Mark Stanton’s Cy Fair (Not This Time-Remarqued, by Arch), a graduate of the 2025 OBS April Sale, is a finalist for champion 2-Year-Old Filly on the strength of her victory in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) Oct. 31 at Del Mar. Cy Fair became the second filly to win the race, joining Twilight Gleaming (IRE) in 2021. The daughter of Not This Time was purchased by Swinbank for $185,000 at this year’s OBS April Sale out of the Niall Brennan Stables consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.
Leon King Stable Corp. and Julia and Michael Iavarone’s Bentornato (Valiant Minister-Her Special Way, by Put It Back), is a finalist for champion Male Sprinter after scoring a 2 ¼-length victory in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. He is a two-time OBS graduate, having been sold by Stuart Morris at the 2022 October Yearling Sale and then purchased by Champion Equine for $170,000 out of the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2023 March Sale after breezing in :20 4/5.
Zedan Racing Stables’ Brant (Gun Runner-Tynan, by Liam’s Map), who set an all-time OBS record when he sold for $3 million at the 2025 March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, is a finalist for champion 2-Year-Old Male following a three-race campaign that saw him earn a victory in the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity Sept. 7 before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Brant was consigned to the OBS March Sale by Eddie Woods and lit up the board in record-setting fashion after breezing in :9 3/5, the fastest time of any horse in the March catalogue.
The Eclipse Awards are voted upon by the NTRA, represented by member racetrack racing officials and Equibase field personnel, NTWAB, and Daily Racing Form, and are produced by the NTRA. Winners in each category are determined by who receives the most first-place votes.
Winners in each category will be announced at the 55th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony held Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman’s Usha (Tiz the Law- Animal Appeal, by Leroidesanimaux) uncorked a powerful performance under jockey Juan Hernandez to prevail in her Grade 1 debut in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes on opening day at Santa Anita Park Dec. 28, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Usha wins the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes. (Benoit Photo)
Usha raced in mid-pack down the backstretch, split horses near the quarter pole and then drew off in the stretch to romp by 5 ¼ lengths for trainer Bob Baffert, becoming the first Grade 1 winner for her sire, Tiz the Law.
“Usha showed up today,” Baffert told Santa Anita publicity. “She came back here and that worked well. We expected this when I shipped her to Kentucky, and didn’t win a race, but today she showed up.”
Usha 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.
The Dec. 28 opening day card at Santa Anita also saw Nysos (Nyquist – Zetta Z, by Bernardini) edge stablemate and fellow Grade 1 winner Nevada Beach by a head in the Grade 2, $200,000 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Both are trained by Baffert.
The victory added to a banner year for Nysos, who prevailed in last month’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar and now has won seven of eight career starts with $1,238,500 in earnings. He was purchased for $550,000 out of the Best A Luck Farm consignment by Donato Lanni, agent for owner Baoma Corp, at the 2023 OBS April Sale after breezing in :9 4/5. Also listed on the owner’s line for Nysos as lessee’s are Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor.
Also on the Santa Anita card, Kretz Racing’s veteran gelding Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile-Fancy Day (IRE), by Shamardal) earned the sixth stakes win of his career when rolling to a front-running victory in the Grade 3, $100,000 San Gabriel Stakes.
Trained by George Papaprodromou, Cabo Spirit has earned five wins at the graded level and improved his career bankroll to $1,356,836. Cabo Spirit was consigned to the 2021 OBS April Sale by Eddie Woods, Agent, and purchased for $575,000 by Gayle Van Leer, Agent, after breezing in :20 4/5.
At Aqueduct on Dec. 26, Tristar Farm’s Doc Sullivan (Solomini-Queen Frostine, by Giant’s Causeway) eanred a determined win over fellow OBS grad Quick to Accuse in the $125,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-breds.
Trained by John Ortiz, the 4-year-old son of Solomini won the rubber match with multiple stakes-winner and fellow OBS grad Bank Frenzy, who finished third. Doc Sullivan has now won 3-of-5 matchups between him and Bank Frenzy, including last out in the seven-furlong NYSSS Thunder Rumble on Nov. 22.
Doc Sullivan was a $59,000 purchase by Glen Lostritto from the consignment of Omar Ramirez Bloodstock at the 2023 OBS June Sale after breezing in :21 1/5.
At Oaklawn Park Dec. 27, West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars (Honor A.P.- Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter) wheeled back on short rest to score an eye-catching victory in the $150,000 Year’s End Stakes.
Trained by dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, Counting Stars was running back in 13 days after earning a four-length win in the $135,000 Astral Spa Stakes at six furlongs Dec. 14. She was purchased by her owners at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $150,000 from the Wildheart Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
Daniel Alonso’s multiple graded stakes winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator – Twinkling, by War Chant) fought off a stretch-long challenge to prevail by a head in the $150,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 20, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Skippylongstocking wins the G3 Harlans Holiday. (Lauren King photo)
With the victory, the 6-year-old horse earned a berth for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 24. The son of Exaggerator, who also captured the 2022 Harlan’s Holiday, notched his 10th graded stakes victory during a career in which he’s earned more than $3.7 million under the care of trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.
“He’s 6 going on 7, but trust me, his works were as good as he ever worked, and we were quietly optimistic that he would run well,” Joseph told Gulfstream Park publicity. “But you never know. I think you have to ride the horse patient. I think that’s one of the keys to him.”
Skippylongstocking was purchased by Alonso for $37,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at the 2021 OBS April Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 2/5.
The Dec. 20 card at Gulfstream Park also saw Ms. Bucchero (Bucchero-Give Glory to God, by Mutakddim), owned and trained by Diane Morici, rally along the inside down the stretch to win the $125,000 Sugar Swirl, a race where five of the six entrants were OBS grads.
Nic’s Style was second while favorite and defending race winner Mystic Lake was third.
A 5-year-old mare by OBS grad and leading New York sire Bucchero, Ms. Bucchero was an RNA from the consignment of Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds at the 2022 OBS April Sale after breezing in 10.0.
At Laurel Park Dec. 20, Golden Lion Racing’s Complexity Jane(Complexity –Bestinthebusiness, by Ghostzapper) displayed determination to score the victory in the $100,000 Carousel Stakes. Trained by Brittany Russell, the daughter of Complexity was purchased by Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds for $170,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the Scanlon Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
At Turfway Park Dec. 21, WinStar Farm’s Canadian champion Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach – Belatrix, by Giant’s Causeway) proved much the best in the $219,000 My Charmer Stakes.
Trained by Kevin Attard, Caitlinhergrtness became racing’s newest millionaire with earnings of $1,071,569. Her overall record stands at 17-6-4-2. Last year’s King’s Plate winner was consigned by Off the Hook to the 2023 OBS April Sale where she sold for $375,000 to Maverick Racing & Siena Farms after breezing in :10 flat.
At Oaklawn Park Dec. 19, Randy Patterson, Sam M. Vogel and Joe Morgan’s Dreaminblue (Street Boss-Dreamy Blues, by Curlin) made a three-wide move approaching the quarter pole before drawing off down the lane to win the $135,000 Silks Overnight Stakes by three lengths.
Trained by Randy Morse, Dreaminblue stopped the clock in 1:09.10, the quickest of the first four days of the 2025-2026 Oaklawn season. He was purchased by Patterson for $120,000 at the 2024 OBS June Sale from the McKathan Bros. Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
Rancho Temescal LLC, White Fence LLC and Richard Hale Jr.’s multiple graded stakes winner Roll On Big Joe (Prospective – Nina’s Gift, by Victory Gallop) added to his accolades this season when he scored a frontrunning victory in the $150,000 Ring The Bell Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs Dec. 13 at Oaklawn Park, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Roll On Big Joe wins the Ring The Bell Stakes at Oaklawn Park. (Coady Media)
Roll On Big Joe was making his first start since a 4 ½-length victory in the six-furlong $300,000 Bet On Sunshine Stakes Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs. Trained by Bob Hess Jr., Roll On Big Joe won the Kelly’s Landing (G3) and Palos Verdes (G3) earlier this year. He was purchased by Rancho Temescal for $90,000 at the 2022 OBS June sale from the Gayle Woods consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
The Oaklawn card on Dec. 14 saw West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars (Honor A.P.- Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter) pull away through the stretch en route to a four-length victory in the $135,000 Astral Spa Overnight Stakes.
Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, 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 Gulfstream Park Dec. 13, Steve Landers Racing’s Destino d’Oro (Bolt d’Oro- Heart of Destiny, by Lion Heart) dueled with Grade 1 winner And One More Time through the stretch before edging clear late for a head victory in the $125,000 Tropical Park Oaks.
Trained by Brad Cox, Destino d’Oro earned her fourth win from seven career starts and first victory since her capturing the Aug. 3 Pucker Up (G3) at Ellis Park. She was purchased by her owner for $185,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the consignment of CM Thoroughbreds after breezing in :10 flat.
At Fair Grounds Dec. 13, Rising Inflation (Mitole – Any Given Trace, by Any Given Saturday) proved best, scoring by 6 3/4 lengths in the $125,000 Ladies Turf. Owned by Mark Rose, Slam Dunk Racing and Dennis Bailey, Rising Inflation is trained by Jonathan Wong and earned her third stakes win.
The 4-year-old daughter of Mitole was purchased by Klaravich Stable for $200,000 out of the Niall Brennan Stables consignment at the 2023 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.
In Saudi Arabia in Riyadh Dec. 12, Al Tharb (Beau Liam-Quinta Tata, by Ghostzapper) won the National Guard Ministry Cup (Third Category) over a distance of 1600 meters. Trained by Ahmed Mahmoud, the son of Beau Liam was purchased by KAS Stables at the 2025 OBS March Sale for $180,000 from the consignment of Shooting Star Sales after breezing in :10 flat.
Klaravich Stables’ Fully Subscribed (Tiz the Law-Sweetbaby, by Candy Ride (ARG)) earned her second straight graded win and lived up to her 1-2 favoritism in taking the Grade 3, $200,000 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 7 to lead the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
Full Subscribed wins the Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct (NYRA/Coglianese photo)
Trained by five-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown, the daughter of Tiz the Law entered the Comely off a 4 1/2-length romp in the Grade 2 Mother Goose Nov. 8. She notched her third lifetime victory from five starts.
“It felt like the pace wasn’t crazy and I wanted to keep her in a good position, but (Brown) told me she was a good filly and she had a good run – and she showed it,” winning jockey Flavien Prat told NYRA publicity.
Fully Subscribed was purchased at the 2024 OBS April Sale by her owner for $300,000 from the Caliente Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
At Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 6, Chris Fountoukis’ Solitude Dude (Yaupon-After the Party, by Into Mischief) demolished five opponents to capture the $125,000 Inaugural Stakes. Under jockey Edgard Zayas, Solitude Dude defeated runner-up and fellow OBS grad Max Capacity by 8 lengths in a time of 1:09.07 for 6 furlongs, breaking the stakes record of 1:09.13 set last year by Donut God.
Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., 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 Aqueduct Dec. 6, DiRico Racing and Breeding’s Sunday Boy (Central Banker-Lady Daphne, by Harlan’s Holiday) posted a maiden-breaking win when he pulled away in the stretch for a 2 3/4-length score in Saturday’s $500,0000 Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series.
The Jim Ryerson-trained Sunday Boy, by Central Banker, is a full brother to the dual-surface multiple stakes-winner and fellow OBS grad Sunday Girl. He was purchased by Joseph DiRico for $65,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Top Line Sales consignment after breezing in :10 3/5.
At Turfway Park Dec. 6, Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher’s Zverev (Oscar Performance- Balance, by Thunder Gulch) was able to find his best stride in deep stretch en route to the victory in the $125,000 Boone County Stakes by a half-length.
Trained by Mike Maker, Zverev was purchased by Belladonna Racing for $330,000 at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the Eisaman Equine consignment after breezing in :10 2/5.
