NEW YORK, NY – Aqueduct’s showcase for New York-bred juveniles reaches a crescendo with the New York Stallion Series, a seven-furlong sprint featuring a deep and diverse field of two-year-olds competing for a generous $500,000 purse. This restricted stakes event shines a spotlight on the region’s rising stars and breeding programs.
Race Details & Structure
- Distance: 7 furlongs (dirt)
- Eligibility: 2-year-olds eligible for the NY Stallion Stakes program
- Entry Fees:
- Nomination: $500
- Entry: $3,000
- Starter: $4,500
- Supplemental Nomination: $2,500 + entry and starting fees
- Base Weight: 122 lbs
- -2 lbs: Non-winners of a race beyond maiden/claiming
- -4 lbs: Maidens
- Field Limit: 12
- Purse Distribution:
- 1st: 55%
- 2nd: 20%
- 3rd: 12%
- 4th: 6%
- 5th: 4%
- Remainder: 3% split evenly
- Winning Owner Receives Trophy
Full Field & Pedigrees
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight | Pedigree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friend Ofthe Devil | C F Martin | C Elliott | 120 lbs | Honest Mischief × Fabuleux (Bodemeister) |
| Sacrosanct | B H Cox | M Franco | 122 lbs | Honest Mischief × Vibrato (Unbridled’s Song) |
| Twohonestmischief | J W Ferraro | K Davis | 118 lbs | Honest Mischief × Rapido Gatta (Adios Charlie) |
| Smilensaycheese | M J Maker | R Silvera | 120 lbs | Solomini × Picture Day (Include) |
| Bold Fortune | G Weaver | D Davis | 122 lbs | Central Banker × Might Be (Posse) |
| Missing Rocks | S M Asmussen | J Lezcano | 120 lbs | Lookin At Lee × MacCorleot (Uncle Mo) |
| Man in Finance | D Gargan | L R Rivera Jr. | 120 lbs | Central Banker × Nicole’s Miss El (Eltish) |
| Buttah | G Sciacca | L J Luzzi | 120 lbs | Leofric × Salty Little Sis (Chief Seattle) |
| National Identity | D Gargan | K Carmouche | 120 lbs | Solomini × Cheyenne Autumn (Indian Charlie) |
| Soontobeking | G Weaver | J Castellano | 120 lbs | King for a Day × Swayed (Freud) |
Contenders to Watch
- Sacrosanct (122 lbs) – Backed by a potent Honest Mischief pedigree and strong recent form, this colt enters with serious credentials and momentum.
- Smilensaycheese (120 lbs) – With Mike Maker’s conditioning and Solomini’s lineage, he’s a versatile contender capable of chasing down speed.
- Bold Fortune (122 lbs) – Solid team with George Weaver and Dylan Davis; combines tactical speed with finishing ability.
- National Identity (120 lbs) – Another Solomini colt from the Danny Gargan barn; well-bred and primed for improvement.
Race Dynamics & Strategy
- Pace Projection: With several Honest Mischief colts entered, expect a tightly contested pace early. Solomini progeny tend to rally from off the pace, making them ideal closers if speed collapses.
- Weight Shifts: Maiden runners like Twohonestmischief (118 lbs) carry lighter loads and may benefit from a cleaner trip.
- Jockey Tactics: Castellano and Davis bring experience in stakes sprints; watch for mid-pack stalking strategies.
Final Word
The 2024 New York Stallion Series is more than a showcase—it’s a proving ground. With $500K on the line and prestigious breeding operations represented, emerging talent like Sacrosanct, Bold Fortune, and Smilensaycheese could be making the leap to graded company in 2025. Whether it’s pedigree power or tactical brilliance, Aqueduct’s juvenile sprint promises drama from gate to wire.
