Belmont Stakes pedigree profile: Powershift

On Saturday at Saratoga, Powershift will seek to become the second son of Constitution to win the Belmont (G1).

However, Powershift’s assignment is much more difficult than the one conquered by Constitution’s first Belmont winner, Tiz the Law.

Tiz the Law entered the 2020 Belmont as a heavy favorite, with wins in the Florida Derby (G1) and Champagne (G1) on his record. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Belmont was contested over a shortened 1 1/8-mile distance as the first leg of the Triple Crown, and Tiz the Law had no trouble romping to a 3 3/4-length victory.

In contrast, the 2026 Belmont is taking place over a more demanding 1 1/4-mile distance while occupying its traditional position as the third leg of the Triple Crown. Powershift, whose lone win came in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight, must face five talented alumni from the Kentucky Derby (G1). Does he have the pedigree to successfully step up in both class and distance for the Belmont?

Constitution’s stud record provides clues to the answer. Even though Tiz the Law’s Belmont win came racing 1 1/8 miles, the top-class colt later proved his worth over 1 1/4 miles in the Travers (G1), winning by 5 1/2 lengths in 2:00.95—one of the fastest Travers ever run.

Nor is Tiz the Law the only capable route racer sired by Constitution. Mindframe, one of Constitution’s most accomplished runners, won the seven-furlong Churchill Downs (G1) and 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster (G1), but also ran second by half a length in the 2024 Belmont, racing 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga—the same configuration Powershift will tackle on Saturday.

Constitution has also sired Catching Freedom, winner of the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) and third in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness (G1); Parchment Party, conqueror of the 1 3/4-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G3) and three other stakes over distances from 1 1/2 miles to 1 3/4 miles; First Constitution, winner of the 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16-mile) Gran Criterium Mauricio Serrano Palma (G1); Shark, victorious in the 2,200-meter (about 1 3/8-mile) Gran Premio Hipodromo Chile (G1); and Medjool, winner of the Verano Arturo Cousino (G2) over 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles).

All told, the progeny of Constitution have compiled a solid average winning distance of 7.4 furlongs. As Tiz the Law demonstrated, there’s no reason to doubt Constitution’s ability to sire a major winner over 1 1/4 miles.

That’s good news for Powershift since the dam side of his pedigree is a bit speedier.

Powershift is the 10th starter and eighth winner produced by Free Flying Soul. Free Flying Soul was best as a sprinter, winning four stakes over the narrow distance range of six to 6 1/2 furlongs. She also recorded tiring third-place finishes against top company in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and Santa Monica H. (G1), racing seven furlongs.

On the bright side where stamina is concerned, Free Flying Soul’s most accomplished foal to date—Flying Connection—developed into a capable route racer, winning five stakes over distances from one mile to 1 1/16 miles. She also won the six-furlong Zia Park Princess S. and placed in a trio of top-tier prizes: the seven-furlong Derby City Distaff (G1), the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom H. (G1), and the 1 1/16-mile Clement L. Hirsch (G1).

Still, Flying Connection was a sprinter/miler rather than a classic type, which is in keeping with the racing record of Free Flying Soul’s sire, Quiet American. While not incapable over classic distances—he ran second in the 1 1/4-mile Strub (G1)—Quiet American scored his two graded wins over shorter trips, taking the one-mile NYRA Mile H. (G1) and 1 1/16-mile San Diego H. (G3).

But as a stallion, Quiet American was best known for siring Real Quiet, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness before finishing second by a nose in a 1 1/2-mile edition of the Belmont. Furthermore, daughters of Quiet American have foaled such long-winded stars as 2005 Horse of the Year and 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Saint Liam and 2006 champion three-year-old male and Preakness winner Bernardini. The latter is the dam sire of Kentucky Derby winners Sovereignty and Golden Tempo.

In short, the cross of Constitution with the Quiet American mare Free Flying Soul should give Powershift sufficient stamina to stay 1 1/4 miles in the Belmont.