Horse Racing Results: Saratoga, Del Mar, and Kentucky Downs
Ways and Means wins the Ballerina at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
Racing heated up over the weekend with horse racing at Saratoga, Del Mar, and Kentucky Downs. The highlight of the weekend was the Travers Stakes with winner Leading Change, earning the Travers Stakes 2026 title. Alongside the many great stakes at Saratoga, including the Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Ballerina Stakes, and the Forego Stakes, we also had the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint and two Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" stakes at Del Mar.
Discover all the results from this weekend blockbuster racing right here.
INDEX
Saratoga
Travers Stakes
RELATED: LIVE Travers Stakes 2026 odds, picks, entries, post time, and results
Winner: Leading Change | Jockey: Manuel Franco | Trainer: Brad Cox
Leading Change didn’t debut until June 7, the day after 2-1 Travers favorite Golden Tempo landed his second classic win of the season in the Belmont (G1), which came five weeks after his come-from-behind win in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Leading Change showed a lot of promise that day, winning a seven-furlong Churchill Downs maiden by 6 1/2 lengths, but seemed far from a likely starter in the Travers, much less its eventual winner.
Leading Change took another step toward that lofty goal by winning his two-turn debut, the 1 1/16-mile Indiana Derby (G3), albeit by a neck after a prolonged stretch duel. He was also the 1-2 favorite there, which spoke much about his competition. Still, it was encouraging enough for connections to roll the dice on Saturday.
Besides Golden Tempo, unraced in the 12 weeks since the Belmont, the Travers field included dual classic-placed and Jim Dandy (G2) winner Renegade, Preakness (G1) scorer Napoleon Solo, Haskell (G1) upsetter Baby Vino, Curlin S. winner Sea Strike, and an assortment of other graded stakes winners as well as the maiden Ocelli. Leading Change was sent off as the 10-1 fifth choice.
It was good to be on or near the pace in this Travers. Leading Change briefly led the field passing the stands before yielding the advantage to Napoleon Solo, who proceeded to set the tempo for more than nine furlongs. Leading Change, under Manny Franco, settled in third inside of the stalking Sea Strike, while Golden Tempo and Renegade were the back markers in the field of 10.
Napoleon Solo was still hanging tough with a furlong to go, when Sea Strike began to retreat and Leading Change had worked his way around to take aim on the long-time leader. It took Leading Change a bit to pick up, but when he did, he wore down Napoleon Solo in time to finish a half-length ahead.
Napoleon Solo finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Golden Tempo, the only horse to rally meaningfully from the back and who had taken an inside route into contention. Finishing a length farther back was The Puma, who was followed by Emerging Market, Sea Strike, Baby Vino, Renegade, and Ocelli. Silent Tactic swiftly lost ground on the far turn and was eased in the stretch.
Owned by the Wathnan Racing, Leading Change paid $22.76 after covering 1 1/4 miles over a fast track in 2:02.98.
Leading Change was an intended starter last October, but his career was delayed due to bone bruising. Still, he remained a prospect highly thought of by Cox.
RELATED: Inexperience no hurdle for Leading Change in Travers
Ballerina Stakes
Winner: Ways and Means | Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
A glorious afternoon for trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat continued through the $500,000 Ballerina (G1) on Saturday, when Ways and Means extended her dominance over the Saratoga strip with a 5 1/2-length decision over eight rivals in the seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
Sitting a perfect trip in fourth behind a strong pace set by Maida, Ways and Means pounced turning for home and drew off easily to win for the sixth time in seven starts at the Spa. It was the third stakes win of the day for Brown and Prat, who teamed up to win the Personal Ensign (G1) with Fully Subscribed and the Lake Placid (G2) with Naomis.
A homebred for Klaravich Stables, Ways and Means zipped the fast-track test in 1:22.05 and paid $4.70. Kilwin finished second by 1 1/4 lengths over Beauty Reigns, who was followed by Echo Sound, Paradise City, R Disaster, Eclatant, Maida, and Grammy Girl.
In addition to the Ballerina, Ways and Means has also posted wins in the Test (G1) and Gallant Bloom (G2) in 2024 and the last two editions of the Bed o’ Roses (G2). Her record now stands at 13-7-3-1.
Forego Stakes
Winner: Hymn | Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. | Trainer: Ron Moquett
After being gelded this spring, Hymn turned his form completely around. He could not win an entry-level allowance race prior to the ultimate equipment change, losing nine consecutive races, but the surging four-year-old notched his fourth win in the last five starts by gamely taking Saturday’s $500,000 Forego (G1) at Saratoga.
Hymn benefited from the scratch of last year’s Forego winner and reigning champion male sprinter Book’em Danno, who was cast in his stall overnight. Trainer Derek Ryan said Book’em Danno emerged from the incident without serious injury and will likely point to the Sept. 26 Vosburgh (G2) at Belmont Park.
Trained by Ron Moquett and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Hymn registered his first graded stakes success and received a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 31. He left the Forego starting gate as 4.70-1 third choice.
Tip Top Thomas showed the way early, with Hymn an up-close second tracking the pacesetter. Santana asked for run nearing the completion of the far turn and Hymn responded, advancing to take a one-length lead with a furlong remaining. And he determinedly held rivals safe by three-quarters of a length on the wire, completing seven furlongs in 1:22.48.
T Kraft advanced up the inside to loom a danger at 23-1 and 3-2 favorite Senior Officer was in with a chance in deep stretch, but they lacked the necessary finishing kick and dead-heated for second. Late-running Crazy Mason wound up about another length back in fourth and was followed by Tim Top Thomas and Bring the Smoke.
RELATED: Hymn best in Forego
Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes
Winner: Englishman | Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Following a brilliant victory in the Woody Stephen (G1), C R K Stable’s Englishman delivered another spectacular performance Saturday in the $485,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) at Saratoga. The Cherie DeVaux-trained speedster led comfortably throughout with regular rider Jose Ortiz, ultimately scoring by 3 3/4 lengths, and the imposing three-year-old colt appears likely to go favored in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland this fall.
Englishman equaled a 40-year-old track record at Saratoga when winning the Woody Stephens by 5 3/4 lengths on the June 6 Belmont Stakes undercard, completing seven panels in 1:20.40. He returned from a 12-week rest and missed the track record by .31 seconds in the Jerkens, posting fractions in :23.01, :45.50, and 1:08.40 while traveling well within himself.
The bay son of Maxfield improved his record to 4-for-5, sustaining the lone defeat when second to Crude Velocity in his stakes debut, the Pat Day Mile (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Englishman earned a measure of revenge when romping over the same rival in the Woody Stephens, and he left the Jerkens starting gate as the 1-5 chalk over five rivals.
Deep Flame, the 7-2 second choice following a convincing win in the Maxfield (G3) at Churchill Downs in late June, stalked in second and tried to make a run at Englishman approaching the stretch drive, but the prohibitive favorite had more to offer. Deep Flame still wound up a respectable second, nearly eight lengths better than Local Knowledge in third. Stickupwithoutagun and Amberjack completed the order.
Personal Ensign Stakes
Winner: Fully Subscribed | Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
With division leader Nitrogen sitting out Saturday’s $500,000 Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, odds-on favoritism fell on the Brown-trained Fully Subscribed. After being dusted by Nitrogen by more than a dozen lengths in the Ogden Phipps (G1) in early June, Fully Subscribed bounced back to catch Scottish Lassie in the final yards of the Shuvee (G2) on July 24.
Fully Subscribed, under Flavien Prat, wasted no time taking aim at Scottish Lassie in the Personal Ensign, reeling that rival in before the eighth pole before drawing off to win by 9 3/4 lengths.
By virtue of the win, Fully Subscribed clinched an automatic bid to the Distaff. Brown is also targeting the race with Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Always a Runner and Alabama (G1) heroine My Gun’s Loaded.
Owned by Klaravich Stables, Fully Subscribed covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:49.23 and paid $3.86.
Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes
Winner: In Our Time | Jockey: Micah Husbands | Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Leading sire Not This Time stamped his influence on both rich stakes at Kentucky Downs Saturday.
His daughter In Our Time ($13.04) dominated the $1,176,500 Ladies Turf Sprint (G1), topping an exacta with the other Not This Time mare, Time to Dazzle. Two-time defending champion Ag Bullet faded to eighth as the 1.16-1 favorite.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and ridden by Micah Husbands, In Our Time signaled her intent right out of the gate. The 5.52-1 chance dashed from post 8 and took charge through an opening quarter in :22.79 on the firm course.
Ag Bullet chased in second, but after the half in :45.39, the favorite began to lose ground. At the same time, In Our Time spurted away from the pack and opened up an insurmountable margin. The dark bay held sway by 3 1/2 lengths while finishing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.01.
The only battle remaining was for the minors. Time to Dazzle, who had been tracking the pace, gamely held the runner-up spot by a nose from Jody’s Pride. British shipper Sayidah Dariyan closed mildly for fourth, followed by Vina Arana, Spirited Boss, Movin’ on Up, Ag Bullet, Love Cervere, and Zeitlos. Buttercream Babe was withdrawn, and Cloe was a vet scratch.
RELATED: In Our Time dominates Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint
Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint Stakes
Winner: Mid American | Jockey: Jaime Torres | Trainer: James DiVito
Not This Time’s champion son Epicenter sent out his first stakes winner when Mid American ($12.70) landed the $748,725 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint. Finishing third was a colt by Not This Time, Pinpoint.
The scratch of unbeaten Waggley, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, changed the betting picture for the Juvenile Sprint. The Wesley Ward filly was cross-entered to Sunday’s $750,000 Untapable S. in her own division.
Doubledown Stables’ Mid American was bet down from a 20-1 morning line to 5.35-1. The James DiVito runner was coming off a maiden victory in his switch to turf at Ellis Park, and he’s now 2-for-2 on the grass.
Mid American broke sharply, but jockey Jaime Torres preferred to let others go forward. Reserved in fifth early, he raced within striking range of pacesetter Arctic Wolf through fractions of :22.72 and :45.75.
As the prompting Just a Holiday challenged Arctic Wolf, Mid American scythed between foes to their inside and drove clear. The chestnut clocked 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.39.
Good to Be King, the 3.99-1 favorite, caught fire a shade too late. His rally came up three-quarters of a lengthy shy in second. Third-placer Pinpoint was a neck up on Arctic Wolf, while Just a Holiday weakened to seventh in the 11-horse field.
RELATED: In Our Time dominates Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint
Del Mar
Pat O'Brien Stakes
Winner: Iron Man Cal | Jockey: Joel Rosario | Trainer: Philip D'Amato
Best known as a turf campaigner, Iron Man Cal earned his spot in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) line-up by wiring Saturday’s $252,500 Pat O’Brien (G2) at Del Mar.
Third to now-retired Journalism in his dirt debut in the San Diego H. (G2), Iron Man Cal shortened up successfully in the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien. The Collected gelding hadn’t raced in a sprint since finishing fourth in his unveiling at two, and he was facing a few divisional specialists. His rivals included California-bred celebrity Big City Lights, the 7-2 favorite, as well as the top two from last year’s Pat O’Brien, Dr. Venkman and Stronghold.
But Iron Man Cal, with new rider Joel Rosario aboard, looked like a natural in his front-running display. Even losing a shoe in the paddock, and getting reshod, didn’t faze the classy four-year-old named after Major League Baseball great Cal Ripken.
COMBO RECAP: Iron Man Cal, Test Score capture BC WAYIs at Del Mar
Del Mar Handicap
Winner: Test Score | Jockey: Juan Hernandez | Trainer: Graham Motion
Gold Phoenix was the one to beat, not only as the winner of the past four Del Mar ‘Caps, but also coming off his victory in the Eddie Read (G2). By prevailing in his ostensible prep race, the venerable eight-year-old set a record by winning his sixth Del Mar stakes. Gold Phoenix ranked as the 1.10-1 favorite to rewrite the record book again.
Test Score, the clear second choice at 2.60-1 ($7.20), capitalized on better early positioning and a straightforward stretch rally. While Gold Phoenix was unhurried near the rear, Test Score found his ground-saving perch about midpack.
Test Score shifted paths on the final turn to probe for a seam. When Mondego made his bid for glory, the way opened for Test Score to slice through, and wider out, Atitlan and Atomic Age were bursting into contention. Gold Phoenix muscled through on the inside, briefly threatening to reprise his Eddie Read. Yet he could not quite outkick them all.
In deep stretch, Test Score withstood the stiffest challenge from Atitlan by a neck, completing 1 3/8 miles in 2:14.76.
Another half-length away in third was Atomic Age, Gold Phoenix’s 24-1 stablemate, who headed him on the line. Gold Phoenix nipped the opponent nearest to him, Mondego, for fourth.
COMBO RECAP: Iron Man Cal, Test Score capture BC WAYIs at Del Mar
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