June 15, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
New Memories
Fondly’s foray to the graded stakes tier – an 11th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks – didn’t yield any fond memories, but her second go around certainly did.
The 3-year-old filly got back to her winning ways in Saturday’s $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3), leading confidently from gate-to-wire for the uncontested three-length score.
Fondly, working in tandem with rider Irad Ortiz Jr., looked more like the horse who won her first two starts, including the Virginia Oaks, with natural ease.
Closing generously as the board’s fourth choice (7-2) after the Kentucky Oaks falter, Fondly paid $9.80.
All Bay
A first-class effort from Bishops Bay in Saturday’s $150,000 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park (G3) earned the 5-year-old colt his second consecutive graded stakes title and extended his current win streak to four.
After dropping his first start of 2025, it’s been nothing but smooth sailing for the Brad Cox charge, who stands at a remarkable 4-1-0 through five attempts this season.
In his latest tally, Bishops Bay showed incredible grit working through sloppy track conditions to pull away for the clear five-length decision.
As the heavy 1-5 favorite on Saturday, Bishops Bay paid a modest $2.60.
Notorious Motorious
It took Motorious (GB) six months to make his 2025 debut, but the accomplished gelding appeared in mid-season form in a hard-charging 1 ¼-length triumph of Saturday’s $100,000 Daytona (G3) at Santa Anita.
Back on the track for the first time since his Joe Hernandez (G2) victory on December 28, Motorious timed his push for the finish line perfectly, breaking free from the pack for his fifth career graded trophy.
The talented 7-year-old has now earned nearly $870,000 across 22 lifetime starts, recording a 9-5-2 line along the way.
Motorious, at 4-5, paid $3.80.
Delaware Crossed
A commanding performance from Admiral Dennis in the inaugural $200,000 Delaware Derby at Delaware Park landed the sophomore colt his first win since January 20.
On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, Admiral Dennis and rider Luan Machado delivered a blue-sky showing as the second choice on the board (2-1).
Operating out of post two, the duo moved swiftly out of the gate and maintained a favorable striking position before cutting loose for the decisive 3 ¼-length victory.
Admiral Dennis, although missing the podium, showed serious promise last time out in the Grade 1 Blue Grass.
The 3-year-old colt took the next step on Saturday, paying $6.40.
What Else Ya Got?
There’s not a thing this earth can throw at Rebel Red (GB) that he cannot handle.
After falling down and not finishing in the Louisville (G3T) last time out, the horse who lost one of his eyes in a stall accident, showed the heart of a champion in winning the $200,000 Chorleywood Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The indomitable Rebel Red outclassed the field of eight in a hard-fought two-length tally that ended a four-race winless drought.
The Cherie DeVaux charge’s fourth career win (12: 4-1-1) and first of the stakes variety paid $11.04.