Graduate News

For Immediate Release

Speedway Stables’ Cavalieri (Nyquist-Stiffed, by Stephen Got Even) remained unbeaten in four starts when she ran down stablemate Richi (CHI) to take the $300,000 Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita Park March 8, becoming one of three OBS graduates to earn graded stakes wins this past weekend.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Cavalieri surged past Richi inside the sixteenth pole to win by three-quarters of a length and notch her first career top-level triumph.

“We always knew she would be a superstar,” Baffert told the Santa Anita publicity team.

The 4-year-old dark bay filly was purchased by Speedway for $900,000 from the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after she breezed in :20.2. (Under Tack Video)

At Tampa Bay Downs March 8, Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator – Twinkling, by War Chant) defended his title in the Grade 3, $125,000 Challenger Stakes for the third consecutive year when he surged through the stretch for a 1 ¼-length victory in stakes and track-record time of 1:41.20 for the 1 1/16-miles distance. The Saffie Joseph-trained earner of more than $3.4 million was purchased by Alonso for $37,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale after breezing an eighth in :10.2. (Under Tack Video)

At Gulfstream Park, Stephen Rousseau’s Nic’s Style (Uncaptured – Sense When, by Street Sense) put in a winning stretch drive to take the $165,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3) March 8. The Bill Mott-trained daughter of Uncaptured scored her seventh victory in eight career starts. She was purchased by Rousseau for $25,000 out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2021 OBS October Yearling Sale.

At Aqueduct March 8, Our Blue Streaks Stable, SGV Thoroughbreds and trainer George Weaver’s Soontobeking (King for a Day – Swayed, by Freud) rallied to get his nose down and take the $125,000 Gander Stakes with fellow OBS graduate Mo Plex third. Soontobeking was purchased by J U Racing Stables for $80,000 at the 2024 OBS March sale from the SGV Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

For Immediate Release

Wathnan Racing’s Flood Zone (Frosted-Curls for Girls, by Curlin) launched himself into the Kentucky Derby (G1) picture when he upset the field in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack March 1, becoming one of three Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates to earn graded stakes victories over the weekend.

Flood Zone earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby as he defeated eight sophomores in the field. Consigned by Paul Sharp, he was purchased for $45,000 by VEB Racing Stable at the 2024 OBS June Sale after breezing in :21.3.

“Going two turns, he’ll be even better in my opinion. He has very good tactical speed and he has gears to go the distance,” jockey Reylu Gutierrez told the NYRA publicity team.

At Gulfstream Park March 1, D. J. Stable LLC and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Vixen (Vekoma – Top Mission, by Noble Mission (GB)) notched her first graded victory when she captured the $215,000 Herecomesthebride (G3). The Mark Casse trainee was purchased by D. J. Stable for $200,000 out of the SGV Thoroughbreds at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale after breezing in :10.1.

On March 2 at Santa Anita Park, Michael Lund Petersen’s Maysam (Game Winner-Sefani, by American Pharoah) gamely outdueled favorite Supa Speed to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes and earn 25 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Maysam was purchased by Petersen for $500,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2024 OBS March sale after breezing in :10 flat.

Other OBS graduates to earn stakes wins the past week include:

Feb 24

Oaklawn Park

$145,000 Commodore Overnight Stakes – Booth (Mitole – Sophia’s Song, by Bellamy Road). Owner: William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm; Sale: 2023 OBS March; Buyer: Bill & Corinne Heiligbrodt and Jackpot Farm; Consignor: Wavertree Stables; Price: $225,000; Breeze: 10.0 (Under Tack Video)

$150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes – G W’s Girl (Munnings – Essence of Audre, by Exchange Rate); Owner: Mag Racing LLC; Sale: 2024 OBS March; Buyer: Mag Racing Stables; Consignor: Triple J Equine Sales; Price: $130,000; Breeze: 10.0.

March 1

Aqueduct

$150,000 Stymie Stakes – Bank Frenzy (Central Banker- Storm Now, by Tiznow). Owner: LSU Stables; Sale: 2022 OBS April. Buyer: Philip Harding; Consignor: Sequel Bloodstock; Price: $110,000; Breeze: 10.2 (Under Tack Video)

Fair Grounds

$100,000 Flashy Prize Stakes – Blue Fire (Aurelius Maximus – Mystic Blue, by Maimonides); Owner: Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel; Sale: 2023 OBS Winter Mixed Sale; Buyer: Fast Horses; Consignor: Kaizen Sales; Price: $32,000.

Turfway

$125,000 Wintergreen Stakes – Ms Quality Control (Quality Road – A Bit Special (GB), by Mukhadram (GB); Owner: James Schurman; Sale: 2023 OBS March; Buyer: David Cannizzo, agent; Consignor: Wavertree Stables; Price: $255,000; Breeze: 10.2 (Under Tack Video)

March 2

Oaklawn Park

$150,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes – Navy Seal (Midshipman – Copperelle, by Elusive Quality); Owner: KEM Stables; Sale: 2020 OBS March; Buyer: KEM Stable; Consignor: Hoby and Lana Kight; Price: $80,000; Breeze: 21.1 (Under Tack Video)

Aqueduct

$125,000 Correction Stakes – Sunday Girl (Central Banker-Lady Daphne, by Harlan’s Holiday). Owner: Mitre Box Stable, Clear Stars Stable and Eighth Note Stable; Sale: 2022 OBS October; Buyer: Kathryn Martin; Consignor: McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds; Price: $43,000.

For Immediate Release

The $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) proved a showcase for Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates as Golden Vekoma (Vekoma – Sticks Wondergirl, by Stevie Wonderboy) bested fellow OBS graduate Shin Forever to take the 1,600-meter test on the undercard of the Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22.

Golden Vekoma wore down Shin Forever to score by 1 ¾ lengths. The son of Vekoma had previously earned his first grade/group victory when he annexed the UAE 2000 Guineas S. (G3) by two lengths at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai for owner Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi on Jan. 24.

“These were deep waters…but he showed his class,” Connor Beasley, jockey for Golden Vekoma, told the Saudi Cup publicity team on his Saudi Derby win. “It’s a big day for myself and the whole team.”

Golden Vekoma was purchased by Harmash Racing for $90,000 from the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10.2.

Other stakes winners on the weekend included Lea Farms LLC’s multiple Grade 3 winner Super Chow (Lord Nelson – Bonita Mia, by Warrior’s Reward) running down 8-5 favorite Concrete Glory to score a three-quarter-length victory in the $140,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint at Gulfstream Park Feb. 22. The son of Lord Nelson was purchased for $75,000 out of the Eisaman Equine consignment at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 flat. (Under tack video)

At Santa Anita Park Feb. 22, Dutch Girls Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC’s Queen Maxima (Bucchero – Corfu Lady, by Corfu) earned her first stakes win for trainer Jeff Mullins with a 3 ½-length victory in the $100,000 Wishing Well Stakes going six furlongs on the turf. Consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, the daughter of OBS graduate Bucchero was purchased by Michael Pender, agent for $40,000 from the 2023 OBS June sale after breezing in :20.3. (Under tack video)

For Immediate Release

Lael Stables’ Taking Candy (Twirling Candy-Taking Aim, by Trappe Shot) was one of three Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates to earn their first stakes victories this past weekend when he captured the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 15.

The son of Twirling Candy notched his first graded stakes win in nine career starts when he finished one length ahead of runner-up Higgins Boat. Taking Candy was purchased by Lael Stable for $400,000 at the 2022 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training from the consignment of Eddie Woods after breezing in :10 flat. (Under Tack Video)

At Santa Anita Park, Rancho Temescal LLC, White Fence LLC and Richard Hale Jr.’s Roll On Big Joe (Prospective – Nina’s Gift, by Victory Gallop) also collected his first graded win when he led every point of call to prevail by four lengths in the $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) Feb. 15. The son of Prospective was purchased by Rancho Temescal for $90,000 at the 2022 OBS June sale from the Gayle Woods consignment after breezing in :10 flat. (Under Tack Video)

On Feb. 16, Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran’s Scipio (Caravaggio – Soul Spirit, by Quality Road) earned his first stakes win with a 1 ½-length victory in the $100,000 Baffle Stakes on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course. Consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales, Scipio was purchased for $60,000 by Richard Baltas out of the 2024 OBS March sale after breezing in :10.2.

For Immediate Release

Baoma Corp.’s Tenma (Nyquist – Amagansett, by Tapit) launched herself atop the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard when she scored a 6 ½ length win in the $100,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Feb. 2 to lead the slate of stakes-winning Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates this past week.

The victory earned Tenma 20 additional qualifying points for this year’s Kentucky Oaks, improving her total to 33 points overall. In addition to leading a 1-2 finish for OBS grads in the Las Virgenes, she won her debut in August at Del Mar last year then scored in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Starlet Stakes (G2) to close out her juvenile season.

The daughter of Nyquist was purchased by Baoma for $850,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after breezing an eighth in :9.4.

On Feb. 1, My Way Racing’s El Potente (Temple City – Charmsil, by Silver Charm) notched his first career graded stakes win when he rolled to a three-length victory in the $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. El Potente 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 (Under Tack Video).

On Jan. 31, Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit – Solid Scam, by Consolidator) earned the biggest win of his career on an international stage when he prevailed in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Centenary Vase Handicap at Sha Tin. The Iowa-bred gelding was an RNA at the 2022 OBS March Sale where he was offered by Pike Racing and breezed in :10 flat (Under Tack Video).

Other stakes winners included D. J. Stable LLC and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Vixen (Vekoma – Top Mission, by Noble Mission (GB) making an impressive 2025 debut when she took the $165,000 Sweetest Chant Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park. The Mark Casse trainee was purchased by D. J. Stable for $200,000 out of the SGV Thoroughbreds at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale after breezing in :10.1.

At Aqueduct on Feb. 1, Bran Jam Stable and David Clark’s Volleyballprincess (Mo Town – Prom Dress, by Stephen Got Even) netted her first stakes victory in the $125,000 Ruthless Stakes over fellow OBS Grad Ourdaydreaminggirl. The North Carolina bred filly was sold for $17,000 by RiceHorse Stable to Louis Linder Jr. at the 2024 OBS March Sale after breezing in :10 flat.

At Oaklawn Park Feb. 1, Kaleem Shah’s Benedetta (City of Light – Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam) earned her fourth consecutive victory when she delivered in the $150,000 American Beauty for older female sprinters. She was purchased for $750,000 at the 2023 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training by KSI out of the Top Line Sales consignment after breezing in :9.4 (Under Tack Video).

At Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 1, Gentry Farms’ Accomplished Girl (Street Boss – Dazzle, by Twirling Candy) earned her second stakes victory of the meet when she annexed the $100,000 Robert “Bobby” Kelly Memorial. The daughter of Street Boss was purchased for $275,000 by Gentry Farms/Saffie Joseph out of the Grassroots Training & Sales consignment at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale after breezing in :9.3 (Under Tack Video).

At Delta Downs Feb. 1, Rand S. Metoyer’s Wonderrand (Cloud Computing – Laughing Saint, by Vindication) took the $125,000 LA Bred Premier Night Distaff Stakes. She was purchased for $30,000 out of the 2023 OBS Spring Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10.1 (Under Tack Video).

For Immediate Release

C2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano’s White Abarrio (Race Day – Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief) was the star of a banner weekend for Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates as he turned in a stakes-record 6 1/4-length triumph in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.

The winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) covered the distance in 1:48.05 over a fast main track to surpass the previous largest margin of victory, 5 3/4 lengths, set by City of Light in 2019.

“I thought the Breeders’ Cup Classic was the best race of his life, but this was very close behind,” trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. told the Gulfstream Park publicity team. “Everything just aligned. You come up with a plan and more often than not it doesn’t work, but today it did.”

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. (Under Tack video).

White Abarrio was one of four OBS graduates to earn grade/group wins the past week.

The undercard of the Pegasus World Cup saw C2 Racing Stable LLC and Stefania Farms’ Mystic Lake (Mo Town – Salty Soul, by Itsmyluckyday) capture the $215,000 Inside Information (G2). The 3-year-old Florida-bred filly, a two-time OBS graduate, was sold by Summerfield 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. (Under Tack video)

At Oaklawn Park Jan. 25, Speed King (Volatile – Athenian Beauty, by Corinthian) led a 1-2 finish for OBS Grads when he bested Sandman to score a gate-to-wire victory in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) for owner Ted Bowman of Triton Thoroughbreds. Speed King was purchased by Triton Thoroughbreds for $100,000 out of the A.G Sale consignment at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training.

On Jan. 24, Golden Vekoma (Vekoma – Sticks Wondergirl, by Stevie Wonderboy) earned his first grade/group victory when he annexed the UAE 2000 Guineas S. (G3), winning the 1,600-meter race by two lengths at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai for owner Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi. Golden Vekoma was purchased by Harmash Racing for $90,000 from the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment.

Other stakes winners on the weekend included The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso – Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve) taking the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park Jan. 25 for owners Peter Proscia (Paradise Farms Corp.) and David Staudacher. The Wine Steward was purchased for $340,000 by trainer Mike Maker from the Sequel Bloodstock consignment at the 2023 March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale (Under Tack Video).

At Turfway Park Jan. 25, Lithe Spirit (Speightstown – Spooky Woods, by Ghostzapper) won the $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes for an ownership group that includes Bradley Thoroughbreds, Gainesway Stable, et al. The filly was purchased by Bradley Thoroughbreds for $485,000 from the Scanlon Training & Sales consignment at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training (Under Tack Video).

Speedway Stables’ Cavalieri (Nyquist-Stiffed, by Stephen Got Even) headlined the list of stakes-winning Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates this past week when she captured the $100,000 La Canada Stakes (G3) by 1 ½-lengths at Santa Anita Park Jan. 19 to remain unbeaten in three career starts.

The 4-year-old dark bay filly trained by Bob Baffert was purchased by Speedway for $900,000 from the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after she breezed in 20.2. (Walk Video/Under Tack Video)

“Coming into the race, with the way she has been training, we knew we were going to have fun with her,” Baffert told the Santa Anita publicity department of Cavalieri. “She is maturing, and she is a big, beautiful stout mare. If we can keep her healthy, we will have a lot of fun with her this year.”

Other OBS graduates to notch stakes wins included Stir Crazy (Vancouver (AUS)-Mentally Unstable, by Good Reward) who, rallied to a 5 3/4 length victory in the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial Jan. 18 at Fair Grounds. Owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher, Stir Crazy was purchased by Angelico’s Racing for $35,000 from consignor Paul Sharp out of the 2020 OBS July Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale after breezing in 10.2. (Under Tack Video).

Tom Kagele and Ernest Marchosky’s Kale’s Angel (Complexity-Love Affair, by Malibu Moon) survived a stewards’ inquiry to win the $150,000 Renaissance Stakes Jan. 18 at Oaklawn Park. Kale’s Angel was purchased for $150,000 by Kagele Bros. & Peter Miller from the McKathan Bros. Sales consignment at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after breezing in 9.4.

At Laurel Park on Jan. 18, Morici Racing Stable’s Ms. Bucchero (Bucchero-Give Glory to God, by Mutakddim) captured the $100,000 What A Summer Stakes, her second stakes win in a row. Ms. Bucchero was an RNA from the consignment of Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after breezing in 10.0. (Under Tack Video)

At Sunland Park on Jan. 17, West Point Thoroughbreds’ veteran runner Jaxon Traveler (Munnings-Listen Boy, by After Market) notched his 13th win in his 35^th career start when he took the $75,000 Ft. Bliss Stakes. Jaxon Traveler was purchased for $140,000 by West Point Thoroughbreds from the Grassroots Training & Sales consignment at the 2020 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training after breezing in 10.0. (Under Tack Video)

Mag Racing LLC’s G W’s Girl (Munnings – Essence of Audre, by Exchange Rate) rated off the pace in the early going of Oaklawn’s $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes, swung out in the lane to go after fellow OBS graduate Shisospicy (Mitole – Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief), caught her in deep stretch and was best by a length. It’s the first stakes win for the newly turned 3-year-old Florida-bred filly by Munnings, purchased for $130,000 out of the Triple J Equine Sales consignment at the 2024 OBS March Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. Now 3-2-0-0 for trainer Greg Compton, she has earned $110,475.    breeze/walk video

For Immediate Release

A total of four horses who are graduates of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auctions were announced as finalists for the 2024 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards, which honors excellence in Thoroughbred racing.

OBS graduates made up two of the three finalists in the category of Champion 2-Year-Old Male. Flanagan Racing’s Chancer McPatrick garnered support on the strength of a juvenile campaign that saw the son of McKinzie win three of four starts including the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1). Chancer McPatrick was purchased for $725,000 at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training by Kimmel & Sallusto, agent from the consignment of Caliente Thoroughbreds.  

Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman’s Gaming was also announced as a finalist for Champion 2-Year-Old Male. The son of Game Winner won two of four starts last year including a victory in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), which preceded his runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Gaming was purchased for $250,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training by Three Amigos from the Pick View consignment.

Michael Lund Petersen’s multiple Grade 1 winner Adare Manor is a finalist for Champion Older Dirt Female following a campaign that saw the daughter of Uncle Mo win three of four starts in 2024 including graded stakes victories in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), Santa Margarita Stakes (G2), and Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1). Adare Manor was purchased for $375,000 by Donato Lanni at the 2021 OBS June Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale from the consignment of Julie Davies. (Under Tack Video)

Clark Brewster and William and Corinne Heiligbrodt’s Cogburn is among the finalists for Champion Male Sprinter. The son of Not This Time won three of four starts in 2024 with the highlight being his record-setting triumph in the Jaipur Stakes (G1) last June. Cogburn was purchased for $150,000 by Brewster at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training from the Pick View consignment. (Walk Video/ Under Tack Video)

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. Finalists were determined in each category by voters’ top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis. Eclipse Award winners are determined solely by first-place votes.

Winners in each category will be announced at the 54th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony to be held Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida.

Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman’s Casalu (Caracaro – Key d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro) rallied to take charge of Santa Anita’s $100,000 Blue Norther Stakes at the top of the stretch and cruised to victory by a length and a half, with fellow OBS graduate Schilflied (Mendelssohn – Part of the Charm, by Tapit) closing to finish second. It’s the first stakes win for the 2-year-old graded stakes placed daughter of Caracaro, purchased for $775,000 out of the Global Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale after speeding an Under Tack quarter in: 20 2/5. Trained by Bob Baffert, she’s now 7-2-2-1 and has earned $174,546.     breeze/walk video

OBS grads also ran one-two in Aqueduct’s $100,00 Alex M. Robb Stakes, with LSU Stables’ Bank Frenzy (Central Banker – Storm Now, by Tiznow) chasing Doc Sullivan (Solomini – Queen Frostine, by Giant’s Causeway) down the stretch and catching him at the wire, scoring by a nose. It’s the second stakes victory for the 4-year-old son of Central Banker, consigned to the 2022 OBS Spring Sale by Sequel Bloodstock, Agent for Chester & Mary Broman, and sold for $110,000 after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 2/5. Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, he’s now 14-6-5-0 and has earned $424,170. watch his under tack video     Spring  Sale walking video