August 3, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Follow the Trends
While Sierra Leone’s 9-5 status (second only to 6-5 choice Fierceness) suggested his chances of winning Saturday’s $1 million Whitney (G1) were very real, the 4-year-old superstar told us he was trending in the right direction.
After opening his third professional season with a third in the New Orleans, Sierra Leone rose to second in the Stephen Foster (G1) on June 28 before climbing atop the podium in the seven-figure tilt at Saratoga.
The one-length score gave the Chad Brown charge his fourth career graded trophy, and first since November’s $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Sierra Leone’s latest conquest paid $5.90 on a $2 win wager.
Five Star Stretch
Following a second in his season debut, Deterministic was, well, determined to prove his worth as an elite contender in the 4-year-old division.
On Saturday, the tenacious Miguel Clement trainee captured his third straight graded stakes title, and second of the Grade 1 variety, in the $750,000 Fourstardave (G1T) at Saratoga.
Entering play as the 9-2 second choice, albeit well behind clubhouse leader Johannes (9-5), who finished second-last, Deterministic’s aggressive approach ended paying dividends.
Stalking the leader throughout, the Kendrick Carmouche mount took control down the stretch for the 1 ¼-length triumph.
Deterministic paid $11.20.
On Top of the World
World Beater will not only be remembered as the 11-1 underdog who won Saturday’s $750,000 Saratoga Derby (G1T), but also as the horse who delivered his conditioner’s first-ever graded stakes victory.
Trained by Riley Mott, who grew up attending the races at Saratoga and earned his first win there last summer, World Beater came close to delivering the breakthrough win last time out.
Closing at a familiar 11-1 in July’s Belmont Derby (G2T), the 3-year-old colt missed out by 1 ¼ lengths.
However, this time around, World Beater was tops by a half-length to pay a cool $24.40.
Winning Time
Kilwin needed only the last three letters of her name to reign supreme over seven foes in Saturday’s $500,000 Test (G1) at Saratoga.
Trending in the right direction with a Leslie’s Overnight Stakes tally ahead of the seven-furlong Test, Kilwin delivered an epic rally to steal her first career graded contest by a neck.
The milestone success also handed the Rusty Arnold trainee the keys to the $1 million club after seven career starts.
Now standing at 4-1-0, Kilwin’s most impressive showing to date paid a clean $14.40.
Never in Doubt
Seismic Beauty’s effortless elegance was on full display in a confident coast-to-coast conquest of Saturday’s $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.
Occupying post one in the field of six, the Bob Baffert pupil moved hastily to prevent her contemporaries from dictating the pace of the 1 1/16-mile affair.
Rarely challenged throughout, Seismic Beauty’s lead reached three lengths before settling at a final margin of 1 ½ to clinch a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) this fall.
The 4-year-old filly’s outstanding effort, which marked her second consecutive graded triumph (Grade 2 Santa Margarita), paid $4.20.