OBS grads in spotlight again . . .
D.J. Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and Kenneth Freirich’s Ewing (Knicks Go- Sassy Ali Joy, by Indian Charlie) earned his first stakes score when he captured the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 2, becoming one of three OBS grads to earn graded stakes victories over the weekend.
Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, the son of Knicks Go previously notched a 12-length victory on debut on July 5 in a 5 1/2-fuirlong maiden race. Ewing and fellow OBS grad Obliteration were wide exiting the turn, but Ewing fended off his rival to win by one length.
Casse added he would likely target the Grade 3 Iroquois in September at Churchill Downs with Ewing, who was purchased by D.J. Stable & West Point Thoroughbreds for $585,000 from the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2025 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.
At Woodbine Aug. 2, Swift Delivery (Not This Time- Raegen Harper, by Rockport Harbor) named after music superstar Taylor Swift and co-owned by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, earned his first graded win when he took the $150,000 Seagram Cup (G3).
It was the second straight score for Swift Delivery, who entered the Seagram Cup off a two-length triumph on June 22. Swift Delivery was offered at the 2023 OBS June Sale by the White Lilac consignment where he breezed in :10 2/5.
At Ellis Park on Aug. 3, Steve Landers Racing’s Destino d’Oro (Bolt d’Oro- Heart of Destiny, by Lion Heart) sat a perfect trip and drew off with authority to win the $399,400 Pucker Up Stakes (G3). Trained by Brad Cox, Destino d’Oro earned her first graded stakes victory.
Destino d’Oro 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.
Two other OBS grads also earned stakes wins on the Aug. 3 card at Ellis Park.
Susan and Jim Hill's Highway Robber (Hard Spun – Yabba, by Lemon Drop Kid) found racing room in the nick of time and stormed down the lane to defend his title in Sunday’s $300,000 KY Downs Preview Turf Cup.
Trained by Brian Lynch, Highway Robber earned his sixth from 15 career starts and increased his career earnings to $1,315,573. Consigned by Vickers Racing to the 2022 OBS April Sale, he was purchased by his owners for $30,000 after breezing in :10 2/5.
Charles Marquis’ Bear River (Flameaway – Sixtyfivenorth, by Midshipman) battled on the front end and got his head down in time to score a 17-1 upset in Sunday’s $250,000 KY Downs Preview Turf Sprint.
Trained by Keith Desormeaux, Bear River earned his sixth win from 20 starts and increased his career earnings to $543,923. At the 2023 OBS June Sale, he was purchased by his owner for $50,000 out of the Randy Miles consignment after breezing in :10 2/5.
During the previous day’s card at Ellis Park, Ironhorse Racing Stable and T-N-T Equine Holding’s Tomasello (Authentic- Dakota Queen, by War Front) tracked just off the pace before drawing clear by 1 ½ lengths to win Saturday’s $250,000 KY Downs Preview Nashville Derby.
Trained by Mark Casse, Tomasello earned an automatic berth to the Nashville Derby (G3) held on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.
Tomasello was purchased by Thomas and Mitchell Bloodstock for $125,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the consignment of Golden Rock Thoroughbreds after breezing in :21 1/5.
At Colonial Downs Aug. 2, Midway Racing’s Trendsetter (Modernist - Suyapa, by Astrology) went from last of six to first in the $100,000 Hickory Tree. Trained by Ben Colebrook, Trendsetter earned his first stakes score. He was purchased by Davant Latham, agent for $130,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
At Saratoga on July 31, Tristar Farm’s Doc Sullivan (Solomini- Queen Frostine, by Giant’s Causeway) returned to form when nailing fellow OBS grad The Wine Steward to win the $150,000 John Morrissey Stakes.
Doc Sullivan was making his first start for trainer John Ortiz after 14 outings for conditioner Michael Miceli and earned his first win since capturing the state-bred Mike Lee last June. He 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