America
Leading Change wins the G1 Travers Stakes
By Alan Carasso, TDN
A little less than a decade ago, Puerto Rican native Manuel Franco guided Joking (Distorted Humor) to a victory in the Vosburgh Stakes for the first Grade I of his career. A week later he won another. Franco has done things very much the old-fashioned way since, working his way through the ranks riding against some of the most gifted riders in one of the deepest colonies in the country while methodically gaining the confidence of some of the top outfits that call New York home.
And now this, a second win in the marquee race on the summer calendar, having scooped the race in 2020 with Tiz the Law (Constitution).
“All I can say is wow,” Franco told FOX Sports' Maggie Wolfendale as they jogged past the seven-furlong pole on the way back to the winner's circle. “Thanks to (trainer) Brad Cox, the owners and to John Panagot, my agent.”
“All I can say is wow.” - Manuel Franco
With the Saturday sun beginning to set on Saratoga Race Course, the 'Summer of Manny' reached its pinnacle when Wathnan Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Leading Change (Gun Runner) knuckled down with time ticking away in the G1 DraftKings Travers Stakes and–belying his relative inexperience–clawed his way past G1 Preakness Stakes hero Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) for a half-length success.
Back in third was fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Golden Tempo (Curlin), the G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Belmont Stakes hero, who gradually worked his way into the race to be a final-furlong threat before settling for third.
“We've always thought he was a big-time talent. He showed it before today in his first two starts and he was able to get it done today. I said coming into it that he's light on seasoning, but we were hoping he could make up for it with talent, and he was able to do it,” trainer Brad Cox said.
Pedigree: Leading Change is the 16th top-level winner for Gun Runner and is bred on the exact same cross at My Gun's Loaded. A.P. Indy-line mares are responsible for an additional six of the stallion's Grade 1 winners–three out of mares by Malibu Moon (Sierra Leone, Locked, Always A Runner, all 'TDN Rising Stars'); and one each by Flatter ('Rising Star' Taiba); Tapit (Society); and Sky Mesa ('Rising Star' Further Ado).
The late Congrats was being represented by his ninth elite-level scorer as a broodmare sire, a list that includes Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and his compatriot, the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}).
Leading Change is the last listed produce for Starship Warpspeed (Congrats) and he was a US$800,000 (AU$1.1 million) Keeneland September yearling. His half-sister Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) upset the 2020 G1 Kentucky Oaks.
Mandy Pope bought out her partners in Shedaresthedevil when securing the mare for US$5 million (AU$7 million) at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and the mare's first foal, a now-juvenile filly named Tinker Taylor (Gun Runner), was sold to Erdenheim Farm for US$1.475 million (AU$2 million) at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Shedaresthedevil produced another Gun Runner filly this past season.
Hymn sings in G1 Forego Stakes
By Jill Williams, TDN
The complexion of Saturday's G1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga took an about-face when reigning champion sprinter and Saratoga powerhouse Book'em Danno (Bucchero) was scratched Saturday morning after getting cast in his stall Friday night. Hymn (McKinzie), whose transformation to a serious racehorse after gelding was detailed in an edition of Saratoga Notebook this week, stepped up to the plate and captured the Forego, earning a 'Win and You're In' berth to the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland in two months.
Trainer Ron Moquett said 4-year-old Hymn, who apparently would have rather fought his rivals than passed them on the racetrack before the ultimate equipment change, has learned to focus on his job. And focus, he has, transforming a previously unremarkable career into four wins and a second since the procedure.
“That was a wonderful effort,” said Moquett after the race. “We had a plan, and in this game the plans don't always go as you draw them up, but how cool is it for a plan to actually come together? That's great.”
“We had a plan, and in this game the plans don't always go as you draw them up, but how cool is it for a plan to actually come together? That's great.” - Ron Moquett
There was no doubt about the winner–Hymn crossed the line three-quarters of length the best–but longshot T Kraft (Connect), three-in-a-row winner Senior Officer (Into Mischief), and Crazy Mason (Coat Front) couldn't be separated by the naked eye. The photo showed a deadheat between T Kraft and Senior Officer, with Crazy Mason just inches back in fourth.
While the Forego awards Hymn with entry to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Moquett said after the race he might prefer the G1 Sprint for his charge.
“My plan is right now is to get him back and to look at the (October 2 G2) Phoenix (at Keeneland). I keep telling everybody I can't do him like I did Whitmore. He's not Whitmore. He's his own horse. But we've done this same trek with Whitmore, so we're trying to see what's his trek now.”
The popular Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) won the 2018 Forego for Moquett. He won the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland two years later, in 2020, and was named champion male sprinter that year.
Bred by Fleur de Lis Stables, Hymn was a US$140,000 RNA (AU$195,000) at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale. Fleur de Lis now races the Forego winner in partnership with William S. Sparks and Bret Jones.
Pedigree: Gainesway stallion McKinzie gets his fourth Grade 1 winner as a sire with Hymn's Forego victory. With his third crop of 2-year-olds running this year, the son of Street Sense has five graded winners overall and 11 black-type winners. In addition to Hymn's score Saturday, McKinzie's dual Grade 1 winner Scottish Lassie finished second in the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes.
The late Paynter, a son of Awesome Again, is having an excellent Saratoga meet as broodmare sire. Although it's early to have much influence out of his daughters, his six stakes winners as a damsire include both Hymn and this season's two-time Grade 1 Spa winner Counting Stars (Honor A. P.).
Hymn's dam, Salt Bae (Paynter), hails from the same extended family as Breeders' Cup winner Tourist (Tiznow), dual European Group 1 winner Agnes World (Danzig), G1 Queen Anne Stakes winner Dubai Destination (Kingmambo), and Japanese champion Hishi Akebono (Woodman). Purchased by Hymn's co-owner William Sparks for US$40,000 (AU$55,800) at last year's Keeneland November sale, she has a 2-year-old colt named Coeur d'Or (Early Voting) and a yearling colt by Gunite.
Fully Subscribed nails the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes
By Jill Williams, TDN
The only filly to finish in front of 4-year-old mare Fully Subscribed (Tiz the Law) in her two previous starts this summer at Saratoga was Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), the undisputed leader of the older filly and mare division. Last year's 3-year-old filly champ, Nitrogen sat out the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Saturday after running instead in the August 8 G1 Whitney Stakes, finishing a fantastic second over the heavy hitters of the older male division to reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief).
An improving Fully Subscribed, a colourbearer for Klaravich Stables, took full advantage of Nitrogen's absence Saturday in the Personal Ensign, turning in an electric performance that left many believing the 4-year-old will be a worthy adversary for Nitrogen in the G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland in two months. The Personal Ensign is a 'Win and You're In' race, awarding a fees-paid berth to the Distaff for Fully Subscribed.
“Very gratifying,” said winning trainer Chad Brown, who also won the Personal Ensign in 2024 with Raging Sea (Curlin), also with Prat in the irons. “She's always trained super, like a Grade 1-quality filly. Came up a little bit short to start the season, but she's kept improving slowly and steadily, and she's a high-quality race mare. I'm so happy. Heck of a crowd here today at Saratoga. She got to show her stuff and show what she can really do.”
“She's (Fully Subscribed) always trained super, like a Grade 1-quality filly... I'm so happy. Heck of a crowd here today at Saratoga. She got to show her stuff and show what she can really do.” - Chad Brown
The flashy chestnut is a three-time sales graduate, who was picked up by Klaravich for US$300,000 (AU$420,000) at the 2024 OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training. Brown said Fully Subscribed may be pointed to either the September 25 G2 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park or the October 4 G1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland.
Pedigree: Coolmore America's Tiz the Law, a four-time Grade 1 winner who was the star of the show on Travers Day six years ago when he won the Midsummer Derby, got his third career North American Grade 1 winner with Fully Subscribed on Travers Day 2026. With his third crop of 2-year-olds racing now, Tiz the Law, a son of Constitution, has 18 worldwide Graded winners and 28 black-type winners.
Bred by Payson Stud, Fully Subscribed is a four-generation Payson-bred, tracing back to stakes placed Adoryphar (Lyphard), whom the late Virginia Kraft Payson purchased for US$110,000 (AU$153,000) as a Keeneland July yearling in 1990. Fully Subscribed's dam, the winning Candy Ride (Arg) mare Sweetbaby, is a daughter of Payson's G1 Del Mar Oaks winner Rutherienne (Pulpit).
The mare produced a yearling full brother to Fully Subscribed, who brought US$1 million (AU$1.4 million) from MyRacehorse at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale earlier this month, and a 2026 Maxfield colt. She was covered by Constitution for 2027.
Ways And Means makes it a Grade 1 double for Brown
By Jill Williams, TDN
The team of Klaravich Stables, Chad Brown, and Flavien Prat, who won the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes earlier on Saratoga's Travers Day card with Fully Subscribed (Tiz the Law), was back at it in the G1 Resorts World Casino Ballerina Stakes as their 'TDN Rising Star' 5-year-old mare Ways And Means (Practical Joke) romped to a facile 5.5-length score. The Ballerina offers a fees-paid 'Win and You're In' berth to the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland on October 31.
Ways And Means stormed up alongside the frontrunners at the top of the lane and didn't take a deep breath, leaving them in her wake and romping home in a sparkling display, prompting track announcer Frank Mirahmadi to proclaim, “Ways And Means in another spectacular performance. This is her house! Ways And Means absolutely crushes them in the Ballerina.”
Although the official margin of victory was 5.5 lengths, Ways And Means did it so easily the margin may as well have been double that. Last season's Test winner Kilwin (Twirling Candy) closed from far back for second while 12-1 Beauty Reigns (Into Mischief) got up for third. Ways And Means got the seven furlongs in 1:22.05.
“She's had an amazing career and she was able to come through once again and shine on one of the biggest days of the year up here in Saratoga,” Brown said.
“She's (Ways And Means) had an amazing career and she was able to come through once again and shine on one of the biggest days of the year up here in Saratoga.” - Chad Brown
Ways And Means has won at least one race at Saratoga for each of the last four years.
Brown continued: “I think from here on to the Breeders' Cup, I wouldn't plan on running her (again). She runs so well fresh. A long career, you can see I rested her between that last race she had, which she was fully extended there, and after the last time, a little tired afterwards. I let her refill her tank and gave her plenty of time. I'm inclined to do the same thing now, final career start being the Breeders' Cup, if she tells me.”
Chad Brown | Image courtesy of NYRA
Pedigree: Woodbine's Jammed Lovely Stakes winner Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) is the dam of Ways And Means, Grade 1 winner Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), and Graded winner Highly Motivated (Into Mischief). The mare has been through the ring a number of times, most recently at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton November sale, when she brought US$2.75 million (AU$3.8 million) to the bid of M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm.
Her 2024 Alpha Delta Stables-bred filly, Alpe d'Huez (Good Magic), is working toward her first start and went four furlongs Saturday morning at Saratoga in 0:48.75. The mare has a yearling colt by Into Mischief and was bred back to that same stallion for 2027.
Strong Incentive's current yearling and current cover harkens back to the identical cross that produced her son Highly Motivated, but is also responsible for Ways And Means, as the Ballerina winner is by one of Into Mischief's top sire sons in Practical Joke. One of Practical Joke's earliest top runners–his first-crop graded winner Wit–is also bred similarly, as he's out of a Medaglia d'Oro mare. Warrior's Reward, Ways And Means's broodmare sire, is a son of Medaglia d'Oro.
Practical Joke is a Coolmore America stallion and himself a two-time Grade 1 winner at Saratoga. He has 32 Graded winners and 48 black-type winners worldwide among his progeny.
Englishman dominates Jerkens Memorial
By Alan Carasso, TDN
C R K Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' 3-year-old colt Englishman (Maxfield) was always going to be the long odds-on choice for Saturday's US$500,000 (AU$698,000) G1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga on the back of his utterly impressive tour-de-force in the G1 Woody Stephens Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard on the first Saturday in June.
In the end, the price was–remarkably–not quite as skinny as imagined.
Off at a generous 2-5 all the same on the final Saturday of August, the bay colt once again made every pole a winning one, more or less unextended, looking every bit the favourite for the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint two months down the road at Keeneland.
The athletic bay colt was given the better part of a month to recover from the 115 Beyer he achieved when turning the tables on fellow 'Rising Star' Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) in no uncertain terms by nearly a half-dozen lengths in the Stephens. Englishman returned to the worktab at trainer Cherie DeVaux's Keeneland base on July 12 and breezed six times, capping it all off with a strong half-mile in 0:47 4/5 (6/31) on August 21 before returning to the Spa.
Offering a hint of value largely due to the presence of Juddmonte's Deep Flame (Into Mischief), impressive winner of Churchill's G3 Maxfield Stakes when last seen June 28, Englishman was kicked straight into the lead by Jose Ortiz, but was not forced to overdo it early, as he got the opening quarter in 0:23.01 hassle free seconds.
For all intents and purposes, the Jerkens was done and dusted from there.
Deep Flame did his best to keep up the chase into the second turn and began to make some sort of inroads nearing the stretch after the half-mile was posted in 0:45.50. But Ortiz was once again sitting quietly atop a loaded cannon and though he drifted out into the lane the same as he did before stamping his authority on the Woody Stephens, Englishman ran up the score from there to take it decisively.
The final time of 1:20.71 was the fastest since 2015, when Runhappy clocked 1:20.54.
For all the success this season, DeVaux almost feels the need to pinch herself at what her charge is capable of producing.
“It's not that we doubt - sometimes when horses are as fast as he is, you just kind of get a little nervous (laughs); especially when you have a target on your back,” she said.
“He breaks so fast and clears the field, and it's hard for anyone to get up there and challenge him, and I think that's the key.
“He (Englishman) breaks so fast and clears the field, and it's hard for anyone to get up there and challenge him, and I think that's the key.” - Cherie DeVaux
“Jose (Ortiz) has been key in developing him, especially in his races, because training, he's so straightforward. Jose has done a great job with him, just developing him to be an elite-level horse.”
The conditioner has left the door open for a final Breeders' Cup prep, but is in no hurry to commit.
“We really talked about that [ahead of the race], and we just want to see how both horses–Golden Tempo and Englishman–how they run today and how they came out of it,” she said. “If they act like they need another race, then that's what we'll do, but we were really just keyed on this weekend.”
Pedigree: Englishman is one of four winners from four to race out In It For The Gold (Speightstown) a daughter of All Due Respect, a restricted stakes winner and placed in the G1 Santa Anita Oaks and G1 Ballerina Stakes before selling for US$550,000 (AU$767,000) carrying the filly that would become In It For The Gold at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
In It For The Gold was sold to Country Life Farm for US$75,000 (AU$105,000) at Keeneland November in 2023 and is the dam of the 2-year-old filly English Woman (Authentic), a US$25,000 (AU$35,000) Keeneland September yearling who was hammered down to Englishman's owner for US$425,000 (AU$593,000) at this year's OBS April Sale.
In It For The Gold is also responsible for a yearling filly by Mandaloun, a colt by Tiz the Law foaled March 27 and was bred back to Into Mischief.
