Horse Racing Results: Keeneland, Belmont, Arc Day, & Santa Anita
Hughes wins the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
It was a defining weekend on the international Thoroughbred calendar as the road to the Breeders’ Cup shifted into high gear. From Europe’s grandest stage at Longchamp for Arc Day to premier Fall Meet action across the United States—headlined by opening weekend at Keeneland, high-stakes stakes action at Belmont and California's finest taking the track at Santa Anita—champions were crowned and prospective Breeders' Cup favorite status was earned. Here is your comprehensive breakdown of all the stakes horse racing results from an unforgettable weekend.
INDEX
Keeneland
Belmont
Keeneland
Breeders' Futurity
Winner: American History | Jockey: Jjohn Velazquez | Trainer: Todd Pletcher
American History overcame a slow start to win Saturday's $648,125 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, rallying boldly past odds-on favorite Coach Pope and pacesetter Q B Rocket in deep stretch to score by a length.
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt punched his ticket for the Oct. 30 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland by taking the “Win & You’re In” event, and American History earned his first 10 Kentucky Derby (G1) points winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.
John Velazquez was up on the chestnut son of Constitution. A 7 3/4-length debut winner at Saratoga, American History left the starting gate as the 5-1 third choice in his second career start and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.88. He’s owned by WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and China Horse Club.
RELATED: American History finishes fast to win Breeders’ Futurity
Coolmore Turf Mile
Winner: Rhetorical | Jockey: Irad Ortiz | Trainer: William Walden
Sent off as the 1.86-1 favorite, Rhetorical ($5.72) got away with cozy splits on the front end to join a select group of two-time winners. The New York-bred, who gave young trainer Will Walden his first Grade 1 here last year, emulated Dumaani (1995-96), Gio Ponti (2010-11), and Hall of Famer Wise Dan (2012 and 2014). Wise Dan might have turned a three-peat if the 2013 edition hadn’t been transferred to the old synthetic track, where he finished a troubled second.
Rhetorical was rebounding from a pair of losses to Deterministic at Saratoga, where he finished fourth in both the Manhattan (G1) and the Fourstardave (G1). The son of Not This Time has thrived since returning to Kentucky, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was sure to make use of his early speed.
As Rhetorical strolled in :24.73, :49.76, and 1:14.07 on the firm course, Zulu Kingdom tracked with varying degrees of impatience. The roles had been reversed in Keeneland’s signature turf race of the spring meet, the April 10 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1), when Zulu Kingdom wired the field, and Rhetorical was an unhappy third.
Now in his comfort zone on the lead, Rhetorical gained revenge by reeling off devastating final sectionals. The dark bay quickened his penultimate furlong in :10.95 to pull away from Zulu Kingdom, and he widened his margin to 2 1/4 lengths through a final furlong in :11.33.
RELATED: Rhetorical repeats in Coolmore Turf Mile; Classic Q nips Lips in First Lady
Spinster
Winner: Fully Subscribed | Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
The $598,000 Spinster, a 1 1/8-mile steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), went as expected with Fully Subscribed cruising to a comfortable victory.
The 1-2 favorite off a runaway win in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, Fully Subscribed faced only two rivals in the Spinster, following the scratches of Regaled and Snowyte. She tracked pace fractions of :24.19, :48.43, and 1:13.00 set by 2024 champion two-year-old filly Immersive, then took over and pulled away to triumph by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:50.60.
Counting Stars, an accomplished sophomore with wins in the Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on her record, rallied to finish second, half a dozen lengths ahead of Immersive.
Mark Casse, who trains Counting Stars, indicated his filly will skip the Breeders’ Cup and rest up for a 2027 campaign.
RELATED: Fully Subscribed stars in Spinster; Agate rallies in Bourbon
Bourbon
Winner: Agate | Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione | Trainer: Kelsey Danner
Juveniles raced 1 1/16 miles over the Keeneland turf course in the $398,750 Bourbon, and Agate outkicked all others to earn the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) berth up for grabs.
The Dede McGehee homebred gelding started as the 7-2 second choice off a third-place finish in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, and he exceeded the expectations of bettors with a fast-finishing triumph. Agate rated in seventh place behind fractions of :22.39, :46.27, and 1:10.91, then threaded his way through traffic under jockey Tyler Gaffalione to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:42.64.
RELATED: Fully Subscribed stars in Spinster; Agate rallies in Bourbon
Indian Summer
Winner: Adonius | Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Rebecca Menzies
Although it isn’t part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the $291,100 Indian Summer for two-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on grass is a logical prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), and Adonius—the stretch-running 2026 Indian Summer winner—has the Breeders’ Cup as his target.
The Irish-bred gelding won his first three starts before finishing second in two stakes, including the Molecomb (G3). The Indian Summer marked his first start outside of the United Kingdom, and the result was an eye-catching victory as the 7-2 third choice. The Rebecca Menzies trainee broke slowly, then stormed from eight lengths behind fast fractions of :21.15 and :44.37 to win by a head in a four-horse photo finish.
Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez was aboard.
Love a Warrior edged Wood Island by a nose for second place, with Ruiva another head back in fourth. Fanshell Beach, Cactus Closer, Crack On, Bee Crazy, and Ciarlatano trailed the field. The winning time was 1:03.46.
RELATED: Fully Subscribed stars in Spinster; Agate rallies in Bourbon
Thoroughbred Club of America
Winner: Evanescence | Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
In the 6 1/2-furlong TCA, Evanescence recovered from a slow start to stalk within a few lengths of pacesetter Praying during the opening stages. Praying, winless since upsetting last year’s TCA, spurted clear on the far turn, leading by nearly three lengths with a furlong remaining, but the early fractions (22.78 and :45.86) began to take a toll in the final furlong.
Evanescence, trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Jose Ortiz, advanced wide into the stretch and mowed down Praying in the latter stages, prevailing by a neck. Off as the 2.99-1 third choice among seven runners, Evanescence earned her first stakes win and stopped the teletimer in 1:16.57.
RELATED: Evanescence closes boldly for TCA; Joe Shiesty best in Woodford
Alcibiades
Winner: Emphatic | Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione | Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Emphatic broke on top and never surrendered in Friday’s $557,450 Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland, holding odds-on favorite Summer Starlet safe by 1 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile test for two-year-old fillies. Brendan Walsh trains for Gainsesway Stable (Anthony Beck) and Andrew Rosen, and Tyler Gaffalione picked up the mount on the daughter of Nyquist.
A convincing winner of the Sorority S. at Monmouth Park in late August, Emphatic improved to 3-for-3 and earned a free berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 30 taking the “Win and You’re In” event. The bay filly also earned 10 quality points toward a berth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) next spring.
Emphatic hustled forward from her innermost post and led by about a length through opening splits in :24.45 and :48.74. Spinaway (G1) winner Summer Starlet stalked in second and after taking an awkward step nearing the conclusion of the backstretch, she advanced closer on the far turn and tried to draw even approaching stretch. But Emphatic had more in reserve, regaining the upperhand in the short stretch drive.
RELATED: Emphatic holds off Summer Starlet in Alcibiades; Serenas Ghost upsets Jessamine
Jessamine
Winner: Serenas Ghost | Jockey: Luis Saez | Trainer: Joe Sharp
Moving Forward Racing’s Serenas Ghost punched her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) with a 22-1 upset in the Jessamine (G2), altering paths in the stretch and surging past pacesetter Seneca Park to score by 1 1/4 lengths. The Joe Sharp-trained daughter of Girvin remained unbeaten in her second start, breaking her maiden over the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis in mid-September, and Luis Saez was up.
Saving ground while stalking an up-close fourth, Serenas Ghost advanced in the two path in upper stretch but was forced to tip inside of drifting Seneca Park, brushing briefly with that rival and driving clear late. The dark bay filly completed 1 1/16 miles over the good turf in 1:45.57.Nakatomi
RELATED: Emphatic holds off Summer Starlet in Alcibiades; Serenas Ghost upsets Jessamine:
Phoenix
Winner: Nakatomi | Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Nakatomi was a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga in 2024 and nearly won another in Dubai the following year, but the seven-year-old’s true home is Keeneland. Further evidence of that occurred Friday, when Nakatomi rallied from far back to win the $368,238 Phoenix (G2).
Despite several notable scratches from the Phoenix, including Forego (G1) winner Hymn and Smile Sprint scorer Viking, plenty of speed remained in the six-furlong dash. Mad House and Booth led the way, with Little Thunder tracking in third.
Nakatomi, last after a quarter mile, gradually improved position and had the inside part of the track wide open for him to rally through in deep stretch. Class prevailed, as Nakatomi caught the tiring pace and won going away by a length.
Owned by Qatar Racing and Fitriani Hay, Nakatomi covered the fast-track test in 1:09.93 and paid $6.64.
Little Thunder edged Mad House for second by a nose. Booth weakened to fourth, while 8-5 favorite Verifire didn’t land a blow, finishing seventh in the field of eight.
Woodford
Winner: Joe Shiesty | Jockey: Fernando De La Cruz | Trainer: Eric Foster
Joe Shiesty left the starting gate as the 2.85-1 second choice in the nine-horse field and stopped the teletimer in 1:02.58 over the firm ground. Winner of Aug. 2 Turf Sprint at Ellis Park, the five-year-old gelding improved his overall record to 23-9-4-2, with earnings of more than $1.35 million.
No Nay Hudson, who stalked the pace in third, loomed a threat in deep stretch but could not wear down the winner, finishing a half-length better than 2.30-1 favorite Doncho in third. Script, My Boy Prince, Motorious, Mondogetsbuckets, Okiro, and Its Bourbon Thirsty completed the order of finish.
Campaigned by Foster Family Racing, Lonnie Reynolds, Vicki Mills, and Donald Coomes, Joe Shiesty is by Air Force One. He was bred in Kentucky by Rodney Orr and is out of the More Than Ready mare Ready to Leash. Joe Shiesty’s juvenile half-sister, Brickyard Belle, captured the Matron (G3) at Belmont Park earlier on Saturday.
RELATED: Evanescence closes boldly for TCA; Joe Shiesty best in Woodford
First Lady
Winner: Classic Q | Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Mark Casse
Classic Q has often presented herself as a need-the-lead performer, a stereotype reinforced in her signature win in this summer’s Just a Game (G1) at Saratoga. But the Mark Casse filly proved that she could strike from just off the pace in the First Lady, springing the 9-1 upset ($20.08) with Velazquez.
Lush Lips, the 2.35-1 favorite, appeared to have made the decisive move in the stretch. Bursting through to the inside of early leaders And One More Time and Segesta, the Grade 1 veteran shot clear in a few strides.
Meanwhile, Classic Q was boxing on one-paced on the outside. The daughter of Classic Empire had settled in third early, a position influenced by her drawing outside the other speed in post 8.
After stalking stablemate And One More Time through fractions of :23.37, :47.89, and 1:12.05, Classic Q didn’t make much headway at the top of the lane. She was totally outkicked by the slashing Lush Lips and relegated to contending for a minor award. Or so it seemed.
Classic Q stuck on resolutely in the final sixteenth, Lush Lips lost her focus, and the gap between them vanished. As the favorite idled, Classic Q’s professionalism paid off. The two flashed past the post in unison, but the gray nose of Classic Q got there first in 1:35.89.
RELATED: Rhetorical repeats in Coolmore Turf Mile; Classic Q nips Lips in First Lady
Santa Anita
American Pharoah
Winner: Hughes | Jockey: Juan Hernandez | Trainer: Bob Baffert
Unbeaten Hughes romped in his first three starts at incrementally increasing distances – a five-furlong maiden at Los Alamitos, the six-furlong Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar, and the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (G1). The $675,000 son of Into Mischief figured to have no problem with 1 1/16 miles in the American Pharoah, but Baffert wanted him to employ a less aggressive running style over a route.
Hughes instills confidence, helping Hernandez to follow the game plan and teach him with an eye toward the future. The heavy favorite eased back into a ground-saving third and observed longshots Net Par and Domus go forward.
After Net Par set fractions of :23.37 and :46.86, prompted by Domus, Hughes began to advance on the outside. The bay moved into second, just a half-length off Net Par, passing six furlongs in 1:11.22, and asserted his superiority straightening into the stretch.
Hughes still had a six-length margin at the wire, despite being geared down late, in 1:43.22. His time was more than a second faster than Domain Expansion’s in the Oak Leaf.
RELATED: Hughes impresses on stretch-out in American Pharoah
Oak Leaf
Winner: Domain Expansion | Jockey: Adrian Escobedo | Trainer: Leonard Powell
Baffert also held a strong hand in the companion race for fillies, sending out the top three betting choices, led by the even-money Quattro Passi. But they were no match for Domain Expansion.
The Powell filly was coming off a promising second, despite trouble, in her premiere over a mile on the Del Mar turf. With that two-turn experience under her belt, Domain Expansion parlayed a sharper start into a better trip in this stakes and dirt debut.
Jockey Adrian Escobedo did his part to earn his first graded stakes win as well. He put Domain Expansion in a good position, tracking Baffert’s Deluge through splits of :23.05 and :47.11. She was briefly relegated to fourth at the six-furlong mark in 1:11.86, when Baffert’s Holmby and Michael McCarthy’s Free Closer ranged up to challenge on the outside.
But Escobedo coolly let them go by and steered Domain Expansion into the clear leaving the far turn. The daughter of freshman sire Speaker’s Corner was traveling best of all by that point, and she overwhelmed them in a seven-length rout. Clocking 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.44, she sparked a $31 payout.
Holmby checked in second by 3 1/4 lengths from Quattro Passi, who churned on without ever looking competitive.
RELATED: Hughes impresses on stretch-out in American Pharoah:
Rodeo Drive
Winner: Thought Process | Jockey: Hector Berrios | Trainer: Philliip DAmato
Odds-on favorite Thought Process rolled to an eminently logical victory in Saturday’s $203,000 Rodeo Drive (G2) at Santa Anita, earning a fees-paid berth to the the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Keeneland.
The Phil D’Amato trainee was a logical winner not only as the class of the field, with a perfect record over this turf course, but in terms of her tactics. When overturned at 3-5 last time out in the John C. Mabee (G2) at Del Mar, Thought Process was restrained to track the pace. Jockey Hector Berrios realized in hindsight that the daughter of Collected is the free-wheeling type who needs to stride out early, and his reasoning was validated here.
Bounding straight to the lead from her rail post, Thought Process was in her element as she clicked off fractions of :24.51, :48.33, and 1:12.54 on the firm turf. Totally Justified tried to pursue, but she could not maintain her position.
Thought Process ratcheted up the tempo at the mile mark in 1:35.85 and blew the race open turning into the stretch. The moderate pace ensured that she could forestall any concern about her stamina for the 1 1/4-mile distance. In full flight through a final quarter in :22.62, the chestnut romped by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:58.47.
Vronti, the 5.30-1 second choice, got up for second by a half-length from 64-1 longshot Resolve. Totally Justified reported home the same margin back in fourth. Next came Kentucky Gal, Public Assembly, May Day Ready, The Mizen Queen, Victorious Dream, Dona Clota, and Hey Jessie.
Zuma Beach
Winner: Repo Man | Jockey: Umberto Rispoli | Trainer: Michael McCarthy
The Zuma Beach, a one-mile grass contest serving as a steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), ended in a thrilling finish between 4-5 favorite Repo Man and 2-1 second choice Maxify. By a narrow margin, Repo Man proved best over his stablemate; both are trained by Michael McCarthy.
Coming off a debut win dashing five furlongs at Del Mar, Repo Man trailed the Zuma Beach field as longshot A P Oxbow set fractions of :24.25, :49.02, and 1:12.57 while pursued by Duty Bound and Maxify.
In the homestretch, Maxify launched a bid to take the lead, but Repo Man loomed large on the outside under jockey Umberto Rispoli. The stablemates reached even terms and exchanged bumps as the finish line approached, and in the final strides, Repo Man put his head in front to prevail by a head in 1:36.05.
RELATED: Repo Man, Vanta charge late to win Zuma Beach, Surfer Girl
Surfer Girl
Winner: Vanta | Jockey: Umberto Rispoli | Trainer: Jeff Mullins
The Surfer Girl for two-year-old fillies racing one mile produced a slightly more decisive outcome as 1-5 favorite Vanta reeled in a loose leader to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Entering off a win in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S., Vanta brought her career tally to 3-for-3 with an eye-catching performance. Under Rispoli, she rated as many as nine lengths behind splits of :23.19, :48.07, and 1:12.31 set by Blockade, then blazed her final quarter-mile in :22.45 per the Equibase GPS result chart to secure the win.
Blockade pulled three lengths clear of third-place finisher Big Blast, followed by Less Please, River In Paradise, Dash, and Dee Snook.
Vanta is trained by Jeff Mullins, who intends to point the unbeaten filly toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
RELATED: Repo Man, Vanta charge late to win Zuma Beach, Surfer Girl
Woodbine
Canadian International
Winner: Arabian Crown | Jockey: Jamie Spencer | Trainer: Charles Appleby
Three weeks after Notable Speech impressively defended his title in the Woodbine Mile (G1), it was Arabian Crown’s time to shine at Woodbine for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby.
Favored at approximately 7-5 in the $527,334 Canadian International (G1) on Saturday, Arabian Crown shook loose from his rivals on the far turn and built up an insurmountable lead in the stretch to win by 3 3/4 lengths under Jamie Spencer. Tawny Port, runner-up in the 2025 International, finished second again, this time by 3 3/4 lengths over Irish invader Purview.
Completing the order of finish were Ancient Egypt, Il Siciliano, Dancin in Da’nile, and Tomasello.
A French-bred gelding by Dubawi, Arabian Crown coasted in a time of 2:30.67 for 1 1/2 miles on firm turf and paid $4.90.
The Canadian International, one of four graded stakes on turf at Woodbine on Saturday afternoon, was the sixth career stakes win for Arabian Crown, who has hit career peak form this season. A close second to globe-trotting stablemate Rebel’s Romance in the Princess of Wales’s (G2) at Newmarket in early July, Arabian Crown was exiting an 11-1 surprise win over Purview in the Kilternan (G3) at Leopardstown on Irish Champions weekend.
RELATED: Arabian Crown much the best in Canadian International
Dance Smartly
Winner: Warming | Jockey: Fraser Aebly | Trainer: Graham Motion
Earlier in the card, Warming landed her third graded win of the season with a 1 3/4-length tally in the $141,745 Dance Smartly (G2) for fillies and mares, finishing ahead of 15-1 chance Power of Destiny. Second choice and pacesetter Proctor Street finished third in the field of seven.
Victorious in the Gallorette (G3) and Yellow Ribbon (G2) earlier this year, Warming completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.78 under Fraser Aebly and paid $6.70 as the 2-1 favorite. She races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and is trained by Graham Motion.
RELATED: Arabian Crown much the best in Canadian International:
Nearctic
Winner: Victory Achieved | Jockey: Rafeal Manuel Hernandez | Trainer: Mark Casse
Victory Achieved snapped a streak of seconditis versus stakes company in the $178,233 Nearctic (G2), powering home to win the six-furlong dash by three lengths under Rafael Hernandez.
Four times second in six prior stakes engagements, Victory Achieved broke through as a 5-1 chance in a time of 1:09.30. He paid $13.20. A Live Oak homebred son of Street Sense, the five-year-old Victory Achieved is trained by Mark Casse.
RELATED: Arabian Crown much the best in Canadian International:
Algonquin
Winner: Mrs D | Jockey: Jose Luis Campos | Trainer: Steven Chircop
Fillies dominated the $175,427 Algonquin (G3), with Mrs D rallying to post a 7-1 upset over odds-on favorite Go for Launch in the five-furlong dash for two-year-olds. Speaker’s Speech fared best of the males, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind Go for Launch.
Under Jose Campos, Mrs D sped in :57.74 and returned $17.40. She races for JDLP Holdings and is trained by Steve Chircop.
The Algonquin was the second win in four starts for the daughter of Bolt d’Oro. A three-length winner on debut, Mrs D subsequently finished second in the My Dear S. and third in the Catch a Glimpse S.
RELATED: Arabian Crown much the best in Canadian International:
Belmont
Champagne
Winner: U. S. S. Valor | Jockey: Manuel Franco | Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Sparkling in his maiden win at Saratoga on Labor Day weekend, U. S. S. Valor looked just as special dominating the $500,000 Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday.
In behind rivals in a compact field of six down the backside, U. S. S. Valor muscled his way into a clear path turning for home and accelerated down the stretch to win by 6 1/2 lengths under Manny Franco.
Third behind Champagne runner-up Gaudreau on debut at Saratoga on Aug. 8, U. S. S. Valor came back to graduate by 13 1/4 lengths while earning a 105 Brisnet Speed rating. His Champagne win, in a time of 1:34.84 for a mile over a fast track, should yield a similarly big number.
Gaudreau, unraced since his debut win, dueled most of the way with Club Reign until overtaken by U. S. S. Valor. He held second by two lengths over Club Reign, with Earth Song, Johnny Hockey, and Raku completing the order of finish.
A homebred racing for Team Valor and trained by Shug McGaughey, U. S. S. Valor paid $2.74. This was the fourth Champagne win for McGaughey, but his first since Adjudicating in 1989. He also won in 1986 with Polish Navy and in 1988 with Easy Goer.
Frizette
Winner: Dotsy | Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche | Trainer: John Grabowski
Dotsy easily won her first start at Saratoga in late August by four lengths, albeit in an auction maiden event. Despite taking a significant hike in class for Saturday’s $500,000 Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park, the daughter of Tacitus turned in another solid performance to win the one-mile test by 2 3/4 lengths as an 11-1 chance.
Pouncing from third after rating in very close attendance, Dotsy kicked clear late under Kendrick Carmouche to make it 2-for-2. Rum Twist finished second by 1 1/4 lengths over Revenge of the Sis, while 4-5 favorite Libby Lloyd weakened to fourth. Velora, Girls Wear Pearls, and She’s a Twelve rounded out the order of finish.
Dotsy finished up in 1:36.07 over a fast track and paid $25.02. Owned by TSP Enterprises, Dotsy was the first stakes training success for John Grabowski, a former jockey.
Dotsy earned 10 qualifying points toward the 2027 Kentucky Oaks (G1). Rum Twist earned five points, Revenge of the Sis three points, Libby Lloyd two points, and Velora one point.
Miss Grillo
Winner: Domestic Agenda | Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
Domestic Agenda was a most impressive winner of the $250,000 Miss Grillo (G2), her last-to-first rally resulting in a 4 1/2-length triumph under Flavien Prat.
Favored at slightly under even-money, Domestic Agenda secured a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 30. Off this effort, Domestic Agenda might vie for favoritism in that race.
Owned by Klaravich Stables and trained by Chad Brown. Domestic Agenda paid $3.94 after completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.34 on firm ground. Bounce Back finished second, two lengths ahead of Golden Siren.
Favored at approximately 6-5 in the Matron, Brickyard Belle made it 2-for-2 while following up on a 4 1/2-length maiden win at Saratoga on Aug. 27. Ridden again by Manny Franco, Brickyard Belle covered the Matron distance in 1:08.26 and paid $4.38. Harper’s Corner finished second by 2 1/4 lengths over More Champagne. Eight ran.
Pilgrim
Winner: Let Em Know | Jockey: Edgard Zayas | Trainer: Whitworth Beckman
Later in the card, Let Em Know upset the $250,000 Pilgrim (G2) by a half-length over Roscoe Goose, with Pass On By winning a four-way photo for third.
Ridden by Edgard Zayas, Let Em Know raced within a couple lengths of a slow pace but showed the best late kick. Owned in a partnership that includes Diamond T Racing, Let Em Know covered 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.15. He returned $27.38.
Let Em Know, a son of Jackie’s Warrior, earned a berth into the Oct. 30 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland. He’ll go with a 2-for-4 record. Last of six behind eventual Hopeful (G1) winner The Good Life in his debut on dirt, Let Em Know next switched to the turf, over which he won a 1 1/16-mile maiden at Saratoga by a head. Last time, he finish fifth of eight in the Summer (G1) at Woodbine.
Futurity
Winner: Good to Be King | Jockey: Manuel Franco | Trainer: George Arnold
The $200,000 Futurity (G3) over six furlongs, was won by Good to Be King, who outfinished fellow closer Regent’s Park to win by one length. Luminous Beauty ran third, while early pacesetter My Kid’s Said No, who had a nine-length lead entering the stretch, wilted to fifth in the field of seven.
Bred and owned by Seth Hancock’s Cherry Valley Farm and trained by Rusty Arnold, Good to Be King finished up in a time of 1:09.06, four-fifths of a second slower than the 1:08.26 Brickyard Belle needed to win the Matron (G3) for fillies. He returned $5.16 as the favorite.
Good to Be King, who placed in the Riverside Rush S. at Ellis Park and the Kentucky Downs Juvenile in his previous two starts, earned a berth to the Oct. 30 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. The son of War Front has now won two of five starts.
Good to Be King was produced by Gypsy Touch, a Runhappy half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Contested.
Flower Bowl
Winner: Kathynmarissa | Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Chad Brown
Michael J. Caruso and Michael Dubb’s Kathynmarissa ranked as the 1.34-1 favorite off her latest score in the Diana (G1), and she duly hit her best stride to catch British raider Sunlit Uplands in time. Driving three-quarters of a length ahead at the wire, Kathynmarissa increased Brown’s record Flower Bowl haul to nine.
Brown’s other hope, the 3.89-1 second choice Cathedral, appeared to be in good position to pad his stats as well. The recent import chased pacesetter Opulent Restraint through fractions of :23.64, :48.29, and 1:12.15 on the firm inner turf.
As soon as Cathedral pounced on Opulent Restraint at the top of the stretch, though, she was collared in turn by Sunlit Uplands. The main question facing Sunlit Uplands was the 1 1/4-mile trip, and the final stages just did find her out.
Kathynmarissa, who had been reserved in midpack, was produced at the right time by Ortiz. The daughter of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah surged late to clock 2:00.58.
RELATED: Minaret Station keeps Joe Hirsch; Kathynmarissa gets up in Flower Bowl
Vosburgh
Winner: T Kraft | Jockey: Junior Alvarado | Trainer: Bill Mott
A “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) was on the line in the $250,000 Vosburgh, a seven-furlong sprint in which T Kraft proved narrowly best.
Just shy of five weeks ago, T Kraft engaged in a three-way battle for second place in the Forego (G1) at Saratoga. T Kraft finished in a dead heat for runner-up honors with Senior Officer, while Carter (G2) winner Crazy Mason finished a head back in fourth place.
Forego winner Hymn skipped the Vosburgh, and in his absence, T Kraft, Senior Officer, and Crazy Mason put on an exciting show.
T Kraft broke on top from the rail post and secured a half-length advantage through splits of :23.26 and :46.16. He turned for home with something left in the tank and responded to urging from jockey Junior Alvarado, widening his lead to 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining.
As the pace-pressing El Grande O began to fade, Senior Officer advanced between rivals. But it was deep-closing Crazy Mason who loomed as the largest threat, gobbling up ground with every stride. Crazy Mason made the finish tight, but the wire came just in time for T Kraft, who held on to win by a nose in 1:22.78.
RELATED: T Kraft, R Disaster among sprint stakes winners at Belmont
Belmont Turf Sprint
Winner: Egyptian Mau | Jockey: Antonio Fresu | Trainer: Neil Drysdale
The $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint, a potential steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), ended in a huge upset as 31-1 longshot mare Egyptian Mau rallied to a narrow victory.
Unraced since finishing fifth in the Giant’s Causeway (G2) during the spring at Keeneland, the Team Valor International color-bearer rebounded nicely to score her first North American stakes win. Facing males proved to be no obstacle, as Egyptian Mau unleashed a determined rail rally from midfield to prevail by a neck, hitting the wire in 1:08.85 for six furlongs over the firm inner turf course.
Pace-pressing Waralo fought on to finish second by a head over Chasing Liberty, followed by Alogon, Twenty Six Black, Spiced Up, Jean Valjean, Card Trick, Spirited Sol, and Let My People Go.
RELATED: T Kraft, R Disaster among sprint stakes winners at Belmont
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Winner: Minaret Station | Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: William Walden
The 5.86-1 Minaret Station parlayed his recency edge to outfinish comebackers Far Bridge and El Cordobes, but he had to survive an inquiry. Minaret Station veered inward in deep stretch, causing El Cordobes to take up and coming over on Far Bridge. The stewards ultimately let the result stand, and Minaret Station kept his first Grade 1 trophy.
Bettors expected British shippers to hold the upper hand again in the Joe Hirsch. Pride of Arras went off as the slight 1.47-1 favorite over the 1.66-1 El Cordobes, who was resurfacing from a seven-month layoff for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby. But Pride of Arras faded, and El Cordobes ran as if in need of a tightener.
In a race devoid of a clear frontrunner, Program Trading took the initiative to establish splits of :25.40, :51.37, and 1:16.92 on the firm Widener turf. Pride of Arras stalked in a close second until turning into the stretch, when he began to come under pressure and lost position.
At that point, the tracking El Cordobes cut the corner in a nifty move and struck the front. Yet he didn’t deliver the coup de grace as expected and soon found himself beset on both sides. Far Bridge, the 2024 Joe Hirsch hero, followed El Cordobes through on the inside and offered a bold challenge, while Minaret Station swooped on the outside.
El Cordobes appeared well in the grasp of both when Minaret Station cut across his path. Far Bridge’s personal space was invaded as well, but he was at least still fighting in his return from a six-month layoff.
Minaret Station negotiated 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.18 and returned $13.72.
RELATED: Minaret Station keeps Joe Hirsch; Kathynmarissa gets up in Flower Bowl
Gallant Bloom
Winner: R Disaster | Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Fillies and mares dashed 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track in the $242,500 Gallant Bloom, a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). Reigning Gallant Bloom winner R Disaster successfully defended her title as the 1-2 favorite, bouncing back from a sixth-place finish in the Aug. 29 Ballerina (G1) to claim top honors.
A gate-to-wire winner of the Derby City Distaff (G1) during the spring, R Disaster was beaten to the lead in the Ballerina when returning from a nearly four-month layoff. The Averill Racing and Anthony Mattera representative reverted to her usual pacesetting tactics in the Gallant Bloom and bounced back nicely, setting fractions of :22.67 and :45.78 under jockey Jose Ortiz before turning back a bid from Senza Parole to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:16.17.
RELATED: T Kraft, R Disaster among sprint stakes winners at Belmont
Winter Memories
Winner: Shelzawa | Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
On the Thursday card, the $200,000 Winter Memories (G3) for three-year-old fillies racing one mile on turf went to Shelzawa, a Chad Brown trainee who launched a last-to-first rally under Flavien Prat.
Shelzawa is owned by the partnership of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, William J. Rucker, and Michael J. Caruso.
RELATED: T Kraft, R Disaster among sprint stakes winners at Belmont
Arc Weekend
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Winner: Daryz | Jockey: Mickael Barzalona | Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
The Aga Khan Studs’ homebred Daryz dismissed 15 challengers, and the burden of history itself, to capture the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) for the second time on Sunday.
Trained to the minute by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden with confidence by Mickael Barzalona, the 6-5 favorite ($4.40) delivered his superior turn of foot to sweep past Bay City Roller and Diamond Necklace. Friendly Soul held fourth, followed by the 5-1 second choice, Kalpana, in fifth.
Daryz became the first colt to double up in the Arc since Alleged (1977-78), although Sagace lost his 1985 title defense in the stewards’ room. In the 48 years since, only the fillies Treve (2013-14) and Enable (2017-18) had won the Arc twice.
But beyond Daryz’s own profile, the external circumstances were different, as the Arc shaped up as another kind of test this year. He was now the older horse conceding weight to the classic generation, especially the dangerous three-year-old fillies. The ground was quicker – not a liability for him, but an important point for the historical record.
Another significant variable from a year ago was the race shape. If the 2025 Arc required power in a stamina-sapping contest, Sunday’s renewal catered to other qualities. The pace was not that robust, and Daryz was anchored farther behind than expected, held up in 12th in the 16-horse field.
As Japan’s Meisho Tabaru led the way with Yutaka Take, Bay City Roller overcame post 15 to stalk in a well-placed second. Bay City Roller’s jockey, Oisin Murphy, channeled Frankie Dettori’s clever ride aboard 2015 Arc winner Golden Horn, staying far outside in the initial stages before tacking over.
Diamond Necklace, whose chances were done no favors by post 16, put herself further in the hole by breaking a beat slow. But she benefited from a mitigation tactic by Christophe Soumillon, who let her find her feet and gradually nursed her to improve position along the way.
Barzalona shrewdly camped Daryz in her slipstream, covering her moves until the decisive point in the straight. By that point, Bay City Roller had pounced on Meisho Tabaru and made his bid for glory, but Diamond Necklace was cruising into contention.
Although Daryz was pocketed for a few strides, he was always going to have the gears when the seam appeared. As soon as Barzalona steered him into the clear, he quickened into the Arc record books.
Daryz rapidly established a 1 1/4-length margin in a final time of 2:27.11. He zipped his final 600 meters (about three furlongs) in a field-best :33.32.
RELATED: Daryz joins greats as two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero
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