Kentucky-bred Argos earned a berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with a thrilling score in the Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In.”
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Argos settled in fifth position early in the one-mile turf affair. He steadied slightly on heels near the 6 ½-furlong marker before he began to advance while saving ground around the far turn. He angled out seven wide in upper stretch and struck the lead past the sixteenth pole. In a furious finish, he held Wild Desert (IRE) safe in the final strides to defeat that rival by a head at the wire. Argos covered the distance in 1:36.90.
“It got a little rough going into the first turn,” said Prat. “Luckily, I was a bit behind that, so it didn’t affect me as much as others.”
Trained by Riley Mott for owner David Romanik, Argos was making his third career start in the Summer Stakes. He won his debut over 5 ½ furlongs on the Ellis Park turf in July. Argos then finished third in the Soaring Free Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 16.
The son of Nyquist is out of the Acclamation (GB) mare Athenian (IRE). Argos was a $165,000 acquisition at this year’s OBS March Sale. Bred in Kentucky by Green Lantern Stables, LLC, Argos is now an earner of $287,018.
“My second horse (Caltech) raced in the Breeders’ Cup in 1989 – it’s been a long time since then, and now, my second one,” said Romanik.