Saratoga Notes: 2 year old Watch List

Ferocious

This colt is a March foal by Flatter out of a Midnight Lute mare that cost $1.3M out of the OBS March sale and features the 2023 Derby winning connections of Mage, Ramiro Restrepo and trainer Gustavo Delgado. In his debut Aug. 3rd going 6 furlongs he was in post 1 and broke 8th in a field of 9. In short order he showed a bust of acceleration up the rail and was soon in contention after a quarter mile. Most horses that are “rushed up” are compromised later in the race.

Not Ferocious. He overcame adversity and won by 7 3/4 lengths.

He checks all the boxes for me and looks like a very strong Derby prospect. His pedigree should allow him to improve with added distance, which in light of his debut, would be something very special.

Showcase

This colt is a March foal by Uncle Mo out of a Violence mare that cost $300K out of the Keeneland September sale and is trained by Todd Pletcher.

He is undefeated in 2 starts and won the Saratoga Special going 6.5 furlongs in his last start. He, like Ferocious, overcame adversity. He was boxed in against the rail in deep stretch, bulled his way into the 2 path and accelerated away from his competition to win by 3.25 lengths.

He has a pedigree that should allow him to improve with added distance and looks like a good Derby prospect.

Briland

This filly is a May foal by McKinzie out of a Speightstown mare that cost $675K out of the OBS April sale and is trained by Chad Brown.

She won her debut race going 6 furlongs August 18th while showing good tactical speed and repelling her main challenger to win by a neck.

The 3rd place finisher was 7 lengths behind in the field of 6.

She checks all the boxes for me and her pedigree should allow her to improve with added distance making her a good Oaks prospect.

Dragoneer

This colt is an April foal by McKinzie out of an Artie Schiller mare that cost $450K out of the OBS March sale and is trained by Danny Gargan.

He made his debut in a turf race August 17th going 8.5 furlongs. He broke a bit tardy and was caught inside in the stretch finishing 3rd beaten 1.25 lengths. In my opinion he never really had a chance to open up and show his kick down the lane.

He checks all the boxes for me and should show good improvement next out with a good trip. He has a pedigree that puts the most important turf races well within his scope and looks like a good Breeders Cup Juvenile turf prospect.