TDN RISING STARS

August 17, 2024 - Saratoga, Race 1, Msw, USD $100,000, 6F

Jonathan's Way, C, 2, 2022 by Vekoma

1st Dam: Female Drama, by Indian Charlie
2nd Dam: Newhall Road, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Maiden Lane, by Roberto

Owner: Rigney Racing, LLC
Breeder: Susan L Anderson Racing LLC (OH)
Trainer: Philip A. Bauer

With a strong mid-race move, JONATHAN'S WAY (Vekoma) took command at the top of the Saratoga stretch and came home impressively, becoming the second 'TDN Rising Star' and 15th overall winner for freshman sire Vekoma (by Candy Ride {Arg}).

Facing a pair of well-backed stablemates in the coupled entry of Moment's Notice (More Than Ready) and $1.35m KEESEP first-timer Sansone (Uncle Mo), Jonathan's Way broke from the outer half of the gate in line with the field but got squeezed back to last in the first few jumps and had to work to stay in touch from the rear. Kept along the outside, he regained position into the far turn under Joel Rosario and promptly circled the field while widest of all, fanned out five wide with a quarter left to run. Despite drifting down towards the rail in the final furlong, Jonathan's Way was well clear and home free, checking in 4 1/2 lengths in front of Moment's Notice while Sansone was never involved, eased to the line and walked off.

A $290,000 weanling purchase at Keeneland November in 2022 from the first crop of Vekoma, Jonathan's Way is the fifth to the races and fifth winner out of stakes winner Female Drama whose most successful runner to date is Startdfromdabottom (Kantharos), MSP, $275,642. The dam is herself a half to Argentinian MG1SW New Real Deal (Roy), the dam of MGSP Near You (Arg) (Remote {GB}). She produced a yearling Thousand Words filly named Dramatic Charlotte, reported a filly by Nashville this season and returned to the same WinStar Farm stallion for 2025.