PRIVATE PURCHASE MISS JUSTIFY WINS IMPRESSIVELY IN RETURN
APRIL 18th, 2025 AQUEDUCT Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Purchased a Percentage of MISS JUSTIFY before she won a Stake, then she went on two Black-Type Races at Saratoga and Churchill Downs. Off a freshening, and favored at even-money off the bench at Aqueduct, she pressed Everyoneloveslinda from second, gained command at the top of the stretch and ran up the score from there to win by four lengths.
PRIVATE PURCHASE HIT SHOW WINS G1 DUBAI WORLD CUP FOR WATHNAN RACING
APRIL 5th, 2025 MEYDAN Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Private Purchase HIT SHOW won the $12 Million Dollar Dubai World Cup by three-quarters of a length for Wathnan Racing. Hit Show broke well enough and Florent Geroux settled him into eighth position around the first turn and down the backstretch. He traveled comfortably, under cover around the second turn. Geroux bided his time, and eventually steered him to the inside, coming out of the turn, finding a spot to begin his run. Hit Show steadily gained momentum, but with just a furlong remaining still had at least four lengths to make up on Mixto and Walk of Stars. He found another gear, and passed Mixto with a strong final push, while finishing faster than the Saudi Cup Winner and brave warrior, Forever Young. Brilliant ride by Geroux, and brilliant training job by Brad Cox and his team, including Dustin Dugan and E.J. Bowler.
SEPTEMBER YEARLING PURCHASE MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW
MARCH 22nd, 2025 AQUEDUCT Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Yearling Purchase Striker Has Dial validated her first-level allowance win on Jan. 25 with a second-level allowance victory Saturday at Aqueduct, highlighting a four-win weekend for trainer Horacio De Paz. Both recent wins for Striker Has Dial have come at six furlongs and with a minimum of six weeks between races. Striker Has Dial earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for her win Saturday, following a 97 Beyer for her Jan. 25 victory. “Just keep her three-quarters and she likes to be spaced out, keep it simple,” said De Paz when asked if he learned anything about Striker Has Dial’s most recent win. “Kendrick rode a great race, he knows her, he has a lot of confidence in her,” De Paz said. If De Paz wants to keep Striker Has Dial at six furlongs and run her in a stakes race next time out, he will likely have to ship her out of town. De Paz mentioned the $125,000 Skipat Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness Day as a possibility. (Story by DRF, Photo by Barbara Livingston)
PRIVATE PURCHASE GAVEA WINS THE MARDI GRAS STAKES
MARCH 4TH, 2025 FAIR GROUNDS Purchased Privately by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management for Bal Mar Equine, German-bred filly Gavea showed her blitzing run going last to first capturing the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes on Tuesday in New Orleans. Jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. said in a post-race interview that an outside move had been planned for the Mardi Gras, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race for older fillies and mares. But when Pedroza turned for home and saw a gaping opening along the rail, where he already was, plans changed.
“I saw the hole and I said, 'You know what? I’ll go inside,'” Pedroza said. Gavea took care of the rest, knifing between horses in the final half-furlong to post a three-quarters length victory over another late runner, Big Trouble. (Story by Daily Racing Form, Photo by Amanda Hodges Weir)
PRIVATE PURCHASE FLOOD ZONE WINS THE G3 GOTHAM
MARCH 1ST, 2025 AQUEDUCT Purchased Privately by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management for Wathnan Racing following a maiden win versus fellow Florida-breds, going 6.5 Furlongs, FLOOD ZONE won for his new connections in Saturday's GIII Gotham S. going a one-turn mile at the Big A. Sent to the front by Reylu Gutierrez, the blinkered bay was content to slot back into a three-wide and pressing third through an opening quarter in :23.86. He hooked up with unbeaten New York-bred and favored 'TDN Rising Star' Sand Devil on the far turn, and powered past that one in the stretch to win going away by 3 1/4 lengths, earning a 98 Beyer. (Story by the TDN, Photo by Sophie Shore)
PRIVATE GERMAN BRED PURCHASE GOES FROM LAST TO FIRST AT FAIR GROUNDS
FEBRUARY 6TH, 2025 FAIR GROUNDS GAVEA won the Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Feature at Fair Grounds, spotting the field when last at the half-mile pole. She began her move just before the quarter pole, going about 4 wide, then started her run down the middle of the track, eating up foes quickly. She then engaged the leader in a dogfight, and put her nose in front on the wire, with a strong gallop out. Winning connections: Trainer, Al Stall. Owner: Bal Mar Equine. GAVEA was purchased privately in France by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management on behalf of Bal Mar Equine. (Photo by Coady Photography)
YEARLING PURCHASE STRIKER HAS DIAL POSTS 97 BEYER
JANUARY 25TH, 2025 AQUEDUCT Cutting back to 6 Furlongs, STRIKER HAS DIAL showed early speed from the gate, then was settled behind the pace by Kendrick Carmouche. In a great rhythm into the far turn, she fanned 4 wide, then accelerated past the field, putting 3 lengths on them quickly and strolled to the line with ease. She posted A 97 Beyer for her connections. Striker Has Dial was a $180,000 Keeneland September Sale Purchase by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management as Agent for Chief Horse Futures. (Photo by Jim McCue)
PRIVATE PURCHASE HIT SHOW WINS THE G3 LOUISIANA STAKES
JANUARY 18TH, 2025 FAIR GROUNDS Favored when all was said and done to make amends for a latest third as the favorite in the GII Clark Stakes at Churchill Nov. 29, Wathnan Racing's Hit Show was produced down the crown of a sloppy Fair Grounds main track and pulled clear late to take out Saturday's GIII Louisiana Stakes.
Allowed to find his footing in the gooey conditions, the gray was dropped out to the tail of the field as last year's GIII Lecomte Stakes hero Track Phantom made the running in advance of Komorebino Omoide, with Pipeline and Maycocks Bay not far away. Second choice Skinner, making his first start for Cherie DeVaux, settled midfield and deep on the track and Hit Show more or less raced in his wake down the back.
Asked to pick up the bit by Florent Geroux with about 3 1/2 furlongs to travel, Hit Show was still quietly ridden, but was going well while continuing to follow the move of his chief market rival into the final quarter mile. Pulled off Skinner's heels approaching the eighth pole, Hit Show accelerated nicely and finished off his race well to win convincingly. Komorebino Omoide came back inside of Skinner to snag second on the wire.
Acquired privately off a defeat of Heroic Move in the GIII West Viriginia Governor's Stakes last August, Hit Road added narrow scores in the GII Lukas Classic Sept. 28 and the GII Fayette Stakes Oct. 26. (Story by TDN, Photo by Hodges Photography)
SEIZE THE NIGHT WINS THE TINSEL STAKES
JANUARY 4TH, 2025 OAKLAWN PARK Seize the Night fought for a half-length victory over Quality Chic in the $175,000 Tinsel at Oaklawn Park. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back in third to Full Screen.
Seize the Night settled off the pace Sunday as Frosted Departure moved to the lead and set fractions of 22.50 for the opening quarter, 45.91 for the half-mile and 1:10.23 for six furlongs on the muddy, sealed track. Seize the Night moved to the fore in the stretch and went on to cover the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:51.62.
"We knew it was going to be a good setup, a few speed horses in there," winning rider Julien Leparoux told the publicity department at Oaklawn. "Tried to break good and get into position. He put me into the race nicely. He relaxed beautifully. I was able to make my move whenever I wanted to. He fought and dug in to the finish.” (Story by DRF, Photo by Coady Media)
HIT SHOW SCORES A SECOND CONSECUTIVE G2 FOR WATHNAN RACING
OCTOBER 26TH, 2024 KEENELAND Wathnan Racing hasn't had Hit Show for very long, but what they lack in longevity, they have more than made for with success when the grey collected his second graded race for his latest connections in Saturday's GII Hagyard Fayette Stakes at Keeneland.
Hit Show was acquired privately by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management for Wathnan Racing prior to the Sept. 28 GII Lukas Classic Stakes. Closing from off the pace that day, the 3-1 shot posted the narrow victory while collecting his sixth lifetime victory. Favored to make it three straight in Lexington, he was eased off the pace as longshot Bolzy took them through an opening quarter mile in :23.49. Nestled in between rivals in sixth as the leader cut out a :47.46 half, the Brad Cox runner was hustled into contention leaving the backstretch. Fanned four wide turning for home, the grey was muscled to the front by Florent Geroux midstretch and dug down deep to fend off the game Bolzy at the wire. (Story by The TDN, Photo by Equisport))
PRIVATE PURCHASE HIT SHOW CAPS A DAY OF DAYS FOR WATHNAN RACING
SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2024 CHURCHILL DOWNS HIT SHOW got up late to cap a huge day for Wathnan Racing with a win in the GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs Saturday night. The 3-1 shot angled to the rail under the wire the first time and into the first turn while many of his foes opted to angle outside over the sloppy going. Settled in fourth off the pace down the backstretch as Cooke Creek set a moderate pace, the gray began making forward progress approaching the far turn. He rolled up five wide approaching the stretch and reeled in the pacesetter and outbattled that game foe to the wire.
"That was a huge effort," winning jockey Florent Geroux said. "He had to battle late and really dug in to get his head in front. We were in a great spot early and I got to save a lot of ground. He has a lot of class. I think he's improving a lot this year."
Winning trainer Brad Cox added, "He ran great. Florent gave him a perfect trip and he was able to save ground in the first turn and come home running. Once he tipped out, he really came with a huge run. We'll talk about next steps with the owners and make a plan. Whether it be the Breeders' Cup or races here locally is still up in the air."
Wathnan Racing had a monster Saturday, with Subsanador (Arg) winning the GI California Crown Stakes and Tumbarumba and Cagliostro finishing two-three in the GIII Ack Ack Stakes. All Privately Brokered by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management. (Story by The TDN, Photo by Coady Media)
PRIVATE PURCHASE SUBSANADOR WINS THE G1 CALIFORNIA CROWN
SEPTEMBER 28th, 2024 SANTA ANITA PARK Wathnan Racing's SUBSANADOR sat the trip of the race and came out on top by a head in a blanket, three-horse finish in the inaugural $1-million GI California Crown Stakes at Santa Anita. The 1 1/8-mile California Crown, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, replaced the Awesome Again Stakes on the Santa Anita stakes calendar.
Subsanador tracked in an inside fourth beneath Hall of Famer Mike Smith through a half- mile in :47.19.He was tipped out to take on the pacesetting National Treasure as they straightened for home and rallied gamely down the lane in between National Treasure and Newgate to take down the Crown in an absolute thriller.
Subsanador, champion 2-year-old colt and a three-time top-level winner in his native land, recorded his first graded stakes victory on these shores in the GIII Philip Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park last time Aug. 17, for Wathnan Racing. (Story by Steve Sherack, Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
PRIVATE PURCHASE MISS JUSTIFY WINS THE SENECA OVERNIGHT STAKES
SEPTEMBER 21st, 2024 BELMONT AT THE BIG A Winner of the Wilton Stakes at Saratoga two back July 12, Private Purchase for Will Campbell, MISS JUSTIFY, wound up fourth when contesting the 1 1/4-mile GI Alabama Stakes last out Aug. 17. Cutting back to the 1 1/16 miles Saturday, the 6-5 favorite was prominent early, sitting just off the pace of Chatalas through fractions of :23.62 and :48.34. Moving alongside that leader while three wide into the turn, Miss Justify struck the front at the quarter pole and just lasted from a closing Life Talk to pick up her second stakes win. (Story by The TDN, Photo by The Pressbox)
PURCHASE FOR BAL MAR EQUINE BREAKS MAIDEN AT KENTUCKY DOWNS
SEPTEMBER 11th, 2024 KENTUCKY DOWNS Off at 9-5, UNHIDDEN GEM (No Nay Never), chased in third through fractions of :21.97 and :44.92 and punched home nicely in the stretch to defeat first-time starter Ripassare by a half length. Barronstown Stud bred the dark bay daughter of Gems (GB) (Haafhd {GB}) who brought 250,000gns in a team effort purchase with SackvilleDonald out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. A half-sister to G3 Prix Miesque second Seaella (Ire) and a full-sister to G2 Superlative Stakes winner Mystery Power (Ire).
PRIVATE PURCHASE SUBSANADOR WINS THE G3 PHILIP H. ISELIN STAKES
AUGUST 17th, 2024 MONMOUTH PARK Backed as the 3-2 favorite, Subsanador, carrying the colors of Wathnan Racing, chased in fourth beneath Mike Smith rounding the clubhouse turn. Traveling nicely in that same spot behind a pair of dueling leaders, he hit the gas with a flashy three-wide move on the far turn and blew the race apart approaching the quarter pole. He was well clear in the stretch and was never seriously threatened by the never- say-die Il Miracolo, who cut the margin of victory to 1 1/2 lengths. (Story by TDN, Photo by Ryan Denver).
PRIVATE PURCHASE PARENTING BEATS OLDER HORSES AT DEL MAR
JULY 28th, 2024 DEL MAR, CA Fighting off challenges from two rivals through the final five furlongs, Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Private Purchase, PARENTING, remained unbeaten after three starts with a neck win in a one-mile allowance race at Del Mar on Sunday in his first race for Wathnan Racing.
The win was Parenting’s first start since an easy win by 7 1/2 lengths in the Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita for previous owner Gandharvi on June 9.
On Sunday, Parenting ($2.80) disputed the pace throughout, repelling a threat from Arrowthegreat on the backstretch and from eventual runner-up Hero Status in the stretch.
Parenting was timed in 1:36.43 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 100. (Story by DRF, Photo by TDN)
YEARLING PURCHASE AUNT YOLA SCORES IN MSW AT SARATOGA
JULY 19th, 2024 SARATOGA, NY Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Keeneland September Purchase AUNT YOLA sprung from the gate in a 5.5F Maiden Special Weight and stalked the pace in second for the first half-mile of this swift contest at Saratoga. She battled gamely in the stretch to best Geopolitics by a neck, for Chief Horse Futures. Trained by Horacio de Paz. (Photo by Sarah Andrews)
ANOTHER STAKES EXACTA IN THE WILTON STAKES AT SARATOGA
JULY 13th, 2024 SARATOGA, NY Miss Justify (Justify), a Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Private Purchase for Will Campbell, rallied smartly along the fence in the stretch to capture Friday's $135,000 Wilton Stakes at Saratoga. Third in the Smart Halo Stakes while making her final start for trainer Susan Cooney at Laurel last November, the bay made two previous attempts for Todd Pletcher this term, including a front-running, last-out win going a one-turn mile in an optional claimer at Churchill Downs June 1. Backed at odds of 5-2 here, the rail-drawn Miss Justify chased from fourth through an opening quarter in :23.71. She crept up closer rounding the far turn, shot through an opening along the rail in the stretch and kicked home nicely to deliver a one-length victory over Striker Has Dial, a filly purchased at the Keeneland September Sale by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management for Chief Horse Futures. (Photo by Chelsea Durand)
PRIVATE PURCHASES RUN 1-2 IN THE HANSHIN STAKES FOR WATHNAN RACING AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
JUNE 30th, 2024 LOUISVILLE, KY Wathnan Racing Saw its peacock blue and old gold colors cross the line first and second, respectively, in Sunday's Hanshin Stakes by the progressive Cagliostro and Tumbarumba, each purchased by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management for Wathnan Racing over the last few months.
Making his second t start for Wathnan Racing, Cagliostro claimed the lead around the quarter pole, pinched a break entering the final furlong and held sway as Tumbarumba gave game chase, completing the exacta. (The TDN, Photo by Coady Media)
