Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief) maintained his flawless record by the closest margin of his career when winning the New York Stallion Series Great White Way Stakes.
A winner at first-asking Aug. 21 at Saratoga, he parlayed that unveiling into a 12-length tour-de-force in the Sept. 22 New York-bred restricted Bertram F. Bongard Stakes and secured his third victory in a row last out Oct. 27 at this venue in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes.
Stalking the early pace and pressing from the outside behind :22.30 and :45.01 early splits, he made his move on the turn to take a narrow advantage nearing the quarter pole as that frontrunner threw out a white flag. Bracing for the oncoming challenge of National Identity (Solomini), the pair locked horns to the wire where Sacrosanct got the best of the photo. Smilensaycheese (Solomini) held on to third.
“They set an honest pace. He broke maybe a step slow–waiting down there [inside] for everyone to load–but Manny [Franco] gave him a really good head's up ride to tip him to the outside of the pacesetter,” said Dustin Dugas, Brad Cox's assistant trainer. “They were setting an honest pace and when the runner-up came up to him, he really dug in. I was really happy with the horse.”
Manny Franco, who rode the horse since his debut at Saratoga, was thrilled with the progression he's seen since then, adding, “This is a nice horse, since the beginning when I got on him in Saratoga. We knew we had a great New York-bred, so he didn't disappoint.”
Sacrosanct is the most recent to the races for Vibrato, whose second foal Navit (Lord Nelson) earned black-type in Puerto Rico, and her first North American Listed winner. Their dam has two colts in the wings–a yearling Instagrand and a 2024 Honest Mischief. She was bred back to the latter for 2025. Vibrato is a daughter of multiple Listed winner Cuff Me (Officer), who earned both of her stakes win on the New York circuit.
The heavy favorite #2 SACROSANCT ($3.10) is now a perfect 4 for 4 in his career as he dug in and showed all heart fighting back on the inside to win the $500,000 NYSS Great White Way at Aqueduct. @jockeyfranco was in the irons for @bradcoxracing.
Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/xHLwZMME5f
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 14, 2024
NEW YORK STALLION SERIES S., $500,000, Aqueduct, 12-14, (C), 2yo, 7f, 1:24.10, ft.
1–SACROSANCT, 122, c, 2, by Honest Mischief
1st Dam: Vibrato, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Cuff Me, by Officer
3rd Dam: She'sgotgoldfever, by Gold Fever
($260,000 2yo '24 EASMAY). O-Lady Sheila Stable, Net Birdie, LLC and Schwing Thoroughbreds; B-Burleson Farms, Mckenzie Bloodstock, & Sequel Thoroughbreds (NY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Manuel Franco. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $503,250.
2–National Identity, 120, c, 2, Solomini–Cheyenne Autumn, by Indian Charlie. ($150,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Hunter Valley Farm (NY); T-Danny Gargan. $100,000.
3–Smilensaycheese, 120, c, 2, Solomini–Picture Day, by Include. ($50,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher, Carlesimo, Angelo and JP Racing Stable; B-McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, LLC & Greenleaf Farm, LLC (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $60,000.
Margins: HD, 2 3/4, 5. Odds: 0.55, 17.10, 28.25.
Also Ran: Soontobeking, Twohonestmischief, Buttah, Bold Fortune, Missing Rocks. Scratched: Friend Ofthe Devil, Man in Finance.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
