1st-Belmont, $75,000, (S), Msw, 5-28, 2yo, 5f, :58.68, ft, 6 lengths.
THE WINE STEWARD (c, 2, Vino Rosso–Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve) brought a final bid of $340,000 from trainer Michael Maker at OBS March earlier this year after breezing in :10.2 to be the second-highest progeny of his freshman sire (by Curlin) at the sale. A popular choice at the window, the bay drew the inside gate at post-time odds of 2-5 and, despite a hesitant beginning, stayed in contention with a rail-skimming ride around the far turn. As space opened up, he darted through an opening past the quarter pole, drew past pacesetter Khadullah (Mission Impazible), and was kept to task into the final sixteenth before easing up close to home for the six-length win. Khadullah was another 3 3/4 lengths clear for second. The first foal out of a half-sister to MGSW Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}), GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Giant Game (Giant's Causeway) and GISP Gio Game (Gio Ponti), The Wine Steward now has a yearling half-brother from the first crop of GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and a newborn half-sister by Curlin. Spendthrift's Vino Rosso now stands at two winners from his first crop. Sales History: $70,000 Ylg '22 SARAUG; $340,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $41,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Paradise Farms Corp. and Staudacher, David; B-Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm & Mark Toothaker (NY); T-Michael J. Maker.
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