BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Recently crowned Florida-bred millionaire Baby Yoda will make his third attempt at a victory in the $200,000 Vosburgh presented by Army Mule (Grade 3) Saturday during the Belmont at Big A meet at Aqueduct Race Track. The 7-year-old graded stakes-winner also makes his first start for trainer Robert Falcone Jr. and owner Flying P Stable after being claimed for $100,000 out of a one-length victory going seven furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 29.
“He’s a classy horse, always tries, always runs. It was a hard horse to pass up—he’s one of those old-school hard knockers. This race was definitely on our radar to take a shot,” Falcone said.
Nine 3-year-olds and older will go seven furlongs in the Vosburgh with Baby Yoda drawing post six. The Vosburg also offers a fees paid Win and You’re Invitation into the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) to be run at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Nov. 1.
Baby Yoda was third in the 2021 Vosburgh won by Following Sea and fourth behind winner Mufasa and runner-up Scotland in the slop last year. Scotland returns for this year’s Vosburgh.
Baby Yoda has two wins in three races this year, starting with a track record performance in a four-and-a-half-length romp in an upper level, $100,000 optional claiming during the Belmont at Big A meet on June 13. He finished six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:13.86 for a 102 Beyer Speed Figure while smashing the old mark of 1:14.35 set by Coronado’s Quest in the 1997 Cowdin Stakes (G2). His only loss this year was a fifth-place finish in the six-furlong A.G. Vanderbilt (G2) won by Book ‘em Danno on July 19 at Saratoga.
“He ran a good race that day and this track shouldn’t be an issue for him,” Falcone said.
Baby Yoda became the 188th Florida-bred to eclipse the seven-figure mark in his last start, pushing his career earnings to $1,019,320 from 11 wins, four seconds and four thirds in 32 races. He was bred in Florida by Kathleen Amaya, Alexandro Centofanti and Raffaele Centofanti and is by Prospective out of More Than Speed, by More Than Ready.
Falcone has given the riding assignment on Baby Yoda to Ricardo Santana Jr.
Scotland, who was a former stablemate of Baby Yoda in the Bill Mott barn, enters the Vosburgh off a second to Book ‘em Danno in the seven-furlong Forego (G1) in his last race on Aug. 23 at Saratoga.
The 5-year-old Scotland makes only his third start of the year having also finished third in an upper level, $100,000 optional claiming won by Concrete Glory over a muddy seven furlongs at Saratoga on July 12.
Owned by LNJ Foxwoods, Scotland finished 2024 winning the $248,000 Cherokee Mile at Churchill Downs in December.
Scotland has won five with four seconds and two thirds in 15 career starts with earnings of $669,960.
The son of Good Magic has post one and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado.
Godolphin homebred Nash has won two of five races this year including a third condition, $100,000 optional claiming going six furlongs in the slop at Churchill Downs in June. Nash makes his first start since July 19 when sixth in the Vanderbilt after being bumped and pinched back at the start.
Nash is by Medaglia d’Oro and has won four with five seconds and two thirds in 13 starts with earnings of $558,639.
Flavien Prat has the riding assignment and they will break from post two.
Rounding out the field are Super Chow with jockey Madison Oliver, Doc Sullivan has Joel Rosario named to ride, Jose Morelos has the mount on The Golden Gorilla, Light the Way will have Kendrick Carmouche up, Patriot Spirit has Javier Castellano taking the call and Manny Franco will ride Crazy Mason.
Return to the September 24 issue of Wire to Wire
