Graduate News

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.

One year after becoming the eighth Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduate to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), Sultan Ali’s Dark Saffron (Flameaway -Meadow Saffron, by Military) defended his title in the $2 million race when he outsprinted reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner and fellow OBS graduate Bentornato on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Meydan Racetrack March 28, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash, Dark Saffron joins the likes of Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits as back-to-back winners of the Dubai Golden Shaheen, which serves as a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.

“Obviously he won this race last year and he come back and run really well, it was a bit of a workout first time he ran this season,” winning jockey Connor Beasley told Dubai Racing Club publicity. “Then he had a bit of an incident in the stalls and banged his head and sort of lost his way. I think he lost a bit of confidence for his next three or four runs, but his last run we felt he was coming back to himself.”

Consigned by Julie Davies, Dark Saffron was purchased by Harmash Racing for $120,000 out of the 2024 OBS April sale after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Oaklawn Park on March 27, West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars (Honor A.P.- Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter) cemented her spot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) field when she rolled to a 5 ½-length victory in the $1 million Fantasy Stakes (G2).

The Fantasy awarded 150 total points to its top five finishers (75-37.5-18.75-11.25-7.5, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks. A daughter of Honor A. P., Counting Stars raised her career earnings to $972,606 following her fourth victory from seven starts.

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.

The Oaklawn Park card March 28 saw Doubledown Stables’ Nu What’s New (Munnings-Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy) hold off Grade 1 winners East Avenue and Full Serrano to win Saturday’s $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) by three-quarters of a length.

The Oaklawn Mile represented the first career stakes victory for the speedy Nu What’s New, who was exiting a runner-up finish behind subsequent Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Magnitude in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) Feb. 28.

Trained by Jimmy DiVito, 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 Gulfstream Park March 28, Lou Donato, Theodore Manziaris, Paul Borrelli and Lanni Bloodstock’s Sultana (Always Dreaming- Private Offering, by Pulpit) pulled off a late-rallying upset in the $175,000 Orchid Stakes (G3).

The Kevin Attard-trained daughter of Always Dreaming had run on turf only once in five prior starts.  She was a $50,000 purchase by Harbour 60 Club at the 2023 OBS June Sale from the New Hope consignment after breezing in :21. 

At Oaklawn Park on March 26, Grade 3 winner Desert Gate (Omaha Beach-Theogony, by Curlin) showed his class with a wire-to-wire romp in the one-mile $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes.

Desert Gate finished 9 3/4 lengths ahead of fellow OBS grad Soldier N Diplomat in the four-horse field. Hall of Famer Bob Baffert trains Desert Gate for longtime clients Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. 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 Tampa Bay Downs March 29 during the 23rd edition of the Florida Cup, Maykomotion (Vekoma-Maymont by Unbridled’s Song) made light work of the $110,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomores by tapping into his early speed for a two-length victory.

Trained by George Weaver, he is owned by Bona Venture Stables and Bianco Thoroughbreds. He was purchased by SGV/GRW, Agent for Bona Venture Stable at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $160,000 from the Niall Brennan Stables consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

The Florida Cup card also saw Mr Mo’s Magic (Uncle Chuck- Magical Flair, by Defrere), a Lynn Rarick trainee, pull off the 13-1 upset in the $110,000 Sophomore Turf.

Owned by Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson, Mr Mo’s Magic is a dual OBS grad, having been sold by Summerfield to Laureles Racing for $12,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale and then purchased by his owners for $50,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Majestic consignment after breezing in  :10 1/5.

Daniel Alonso’s Grade 1 winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator – Twinkling, by War Chant) made short work of his overmatched rivals when he cruised to a 5 ¼-length victory in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park March 21, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates.

The victory marked the 12^th career graded triumph for Skippylongstocking and increased his overall earnings to $5,746,250 after winning for the 14^th time in 37 starts. The 7-year-old son of Exaggerator has won his last three starts, including the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. Skippylongstocking’s winning time was 1:48.82, the quickest since the Essex was extended from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles in 2024.

“Obviously before the race, you’re the favorite” Joseph told Oaklawn Park publicity. “There’s a lot of pressure and you’re thinking all different variables, but it worked out great. He was very impressive once again.”

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.

Paradise Farms Corp.’s Willy D’s (Lookin At Lucky-Boston Mine, by Mineshaft) out finished defending winner Mercante to capture the $295,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) at Turfway Park March 21 and earn his first graded stakes win.

Trained by Mike Maker, Willy D’s boosted his earnings $757,008. The six-time winner 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 Fair Grounds on March 21, Twin Oaks Bloodstock’s Way to Be Marie (Not This Time –Woman of the World, by Henrythenavigator) successfully defended her title in the $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial, part of the undercard stakes on Louisiana Derby Day.

Way to Be Marie was making her first start for trainer Eddie Kenneally and rallied down the center of the stretch to capture the Tom Benson Memorial for the second straight year. She was purchased by Madaket Stables for $95,000 out of the 2023 OBS April sale from the GOP Racing Stable consignment after breezing in :21 1/5.

The Louisiana Derby undercard also saw Keith Plaisance’s Nine Part (Leofric – Alva, by Into Mischief) earn his first stakes victory in just his second turf start in the $100,000 Costa Rising.

Trained by Bobby Felks, Nine Part prevailed by one length to earn his sixth win from seven career starts. He was purchased by Nick Hines, agent for Plaisance, for $46,000 at the 2023 OBS June Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Laurel Park March 21, Miss Fulton Gal (Rock Your World-Leah Forestiere, by Not This Time) managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in Saturday’s $100,000 Beyond the Wire Stakes when she scored by a head.

Miss Fulton Gal is trained by Michael Gorham and 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, who campaign her with John Polizos, out of the Blue Sapphire Stables consignment after breezing in :21 3/5.

At Turfway Park March 21, Highlander Training Center’s Stylish Sue (Nyquist-Maria Maria, by Curlin) went straight to the front and was never headed en route to the victory in the $248,000 Latonia Stakes.

Trained by Joe Sharp, Stylish Sue was offered by Clary Bloodstock at the 2023 OBS March Sale where she failed to meet her reserve after breezing in :10 3/5.

The Gulfstream Park card on March 22 saw Amy Dunne, Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson, Hoffman Family Racing, Tranquility Lake Farm, Maury Harrington and Christopher Harrington’s Lennilu (Leinster – Lulu’s Pom Pom, by Pomeroy) kick off her season with a victory over fellow OBS grad Mystical Belle in the $125,000 Leinster Melody of Colors.

Trained by Patrick Biancone, Lennilu earned her fifth win from seven career starts and fourth in a stakes. She was purchased by Glencrest Farm for $23,000 from the Abbie Road Farm consignment at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

At Fair Grounds on March 22, Blue Fire (Aurelius Maximus – Mystic Blue, by Maimonides) sped to the lead and held off fellow OBS grad Margie’s Intention in the four-horse field to win the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial

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.

Taking command on the outside turning for home, Spendthrift Farm’s Goodall (Yaupon-Moon Over Mag Bay, by Malibu Moon) drew off to a 4 ½-length victory in the $150,000 Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn Park March 14, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates.

Ridden by Erik Asmussen, Goodall prevailed over fellow OBS grad River Wind and covered six furlongs over a fast track in 1:08.78, besting the previous stakes record (1:09.01), set in 2021 by Pretty Birdie.

Trained by 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 Turfway Park on March 14, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Gainesway Stable, Laura Leigh Stable, Scott Estes, and Cambron Equine’s Lithe Spirit (Speightstown – Spooky Woods, by Ghostzapper) prevailed in $125,000 Queen Stakes for the second year in a row.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Lithe Spirit won both the Wishing Well Stakes and Queen Stakes at Turfway last season. She 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 after breezing in :9 3/5.

At Colonial Downs March 14, St. Elias Stable, WSS Racing, Turf Express and Stefania Farms’ Eunomia (Tiz the Law-Speedy Vanessa, by American Pharoah) stalked and pounced to win the second division of the $100,000 Sandy Bottom Stakes.

Making her third start since joining Saffie Joseph Jr.’s barn, Eunomia bided her time before surging past the leader in mid-stretch and holding firmly to win by 2 ¾ lengths.

Eunomia was purchased for $190,000 by Jewel Box Racing 2 at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the Niall Brennan consignment after galloping during the under-tack show.

OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing, LLC’s The Puma (Essential Quality- Eve of War, by Declaration of War) stalked and pounced in the lane to capture the Grade 3, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on March 7, earning 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Fellow OBS grad Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, was the runner-up.

“We’re a small barn. We have to scout, we have to buy the horses. It’s more gratifying when you only get one or two horses at the sale, and they end up like this,” Gustavo Delgado, Jr., the assistant trainer to his father, Gustavo Delgado, Sr., told America’s Best Racing from the winner’s circle “From the first time he ran, I said that this is a very good horse, and I kept telling everyone.”

The Puma dueled through the lane with Further Ado before edging clear by three-quarters of a length at the wire. He was purchased by Marquee Bloodstock for $150,000 out of the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2025 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 flat.

In the Grade 2, $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes on the undercard of the Tampa Bay Derby, Steve Landers Racing’s Destino d’Oro (Bolt d’Oro- Heart of Destiny, by Lion Heart) overcame a troubled trip to triumph in a five-horse blanket rush to the finish.

Trained by Brad Cox, the daughter of Bolt d’Oro took the Grade 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park in her previous start and is now a three-time graded stakes winner. She was purchased by Cary Bloodstock on behalf of her owner for $185,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the consignment of CM Thoroughbreds after breezing in :10 flat.

The Tampa Bay Derby card also saw Tagermeen Racing’s Dandona (Tiz the Law-Tulsa Queen, by Cactus Ridge) make her first foray into stakes company a winning one as she rallied from the back of the pack to capture the Grade 3, $200,000 Florida Oaks for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. 

Dandona was purchased by Mahmud Mouni for $1.05 million from the Kings Equine consignment at the 2025 OBS April Sale after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Aqueduct on March 7, Michael Dubb’s Sculcos Folly (Redesdale- Cool Johanna, by Johannesburg) led each step of the way en route to a 5 3/4-length victory in Saturday’s $135,000 Gander, a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores.

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.

The Aqueduct card also saw Victory Hall (Independence Hall- Into Victory, by Into Mischief) edge clear late to notch her first black type stakes victory in Saturday’s $135,000 Maddie May.

Campaigned by Twin Sports Racing, Cypresshead Racing and Let’s Go Racing, Victory Hall was making her first start for trainer Tom Morley. She was offered at last year’s OBS April Sale by the Majestic consignment but failed to meet her reserve after breezing in :10 1/5.

Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber’s Bold Journey (Hard Spun – Polly Freeze, by Super Saver) rallied from last-of-5 to secure his second career graded score in the Grade 3, $175,000 Tom Fool Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack Feb. 28, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 7-year-old son of Hard Spun previously captured the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap in 2023. On Saturday, he rallied down the outside of the track to get up and win by a nose with fellow OBS grad One Nine Hundred in third.

“He did his job today. He was able to get really comfortable,” winning jockey Eric Cancel told NYRA publicity.  “By the three-eighths (pole), he started picking it up little by little. Once we turned for home, I still had some horse, and he gave his all out there.”

Bold Journey was purchased by McMahon and Hill Bloodstock, agent for $80,000 out of the McKathan Bros. consignment at the 2021 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Fair Grounds Feb. 28, Black Hornet (Essential Quality-Brattata, by More Than Ready) tipped out in the stretch and ran down odds-on favorite Touch of Fire to win the $100,000 Black Gold Stakes.

Trained by Brendan Walsh and owned by Calumet Farm, the son of Essential Quality was purchased by his owner at the 2025 OBS March Sale for $120,000 from the Scanlon Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

Saturday’s Fair Grounds card also saw Boss of All Bosses (Street Boss-Tensas Salt, by Salt Lake) take command in the final furlong to win the $100,000 Edward J. Johnston Memorial Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths for trainer Mike Maker. Owned by Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher, Angelo Carlesimo, and Gata Racing Stable, the colt was purchased by Maker for $90,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5. 

On March 1 at Aqueduct, Winning Move Stable, John C. Oxley, Lady Sheila Stable, Silverwood Stables and Sanford H. Robbins’ With the Angels (Omaha Beach – Sister Margaret, by Pulpit) earned a 4 1/2-length score for her first open-company stakes victory in Sunday’s $135,000 Correction Stakes.

Trained by Linda Rice, the 4-year-old daughter of Omaha Beach adds to previous state-bred stakes success in the Joseph A. Gimma, Maid of the Mist and Key Cents as part of a 4-for-4 juvenile campaign in 2024. She was purchased by Justin Casse, agent out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2024 OBS April Sale for $350,000 after breezing in :9 4/5.