September 7, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Problem Solved
After some mid-race configurations, Troubleshooting solved 11 foes to win Saturday’s $2 million Franklin-Simpson (G1T) at Kentucky Downs in dazzling comeback fashion.
Operating out of post two in his graded stakes debut, the 3-year-old Tyler Gaffalione mount endured a physical start, but rebounded to settle around the middle of the pack.
Once in range, Troubleshooting shifted to the outside and darted for home, successfully overtaking 9-1 foe Golden Afternoon for the half-length score.
The momentous triumph was the Gregory Foley trainee’s third this season and elevated his lifetime earnings total to just shy of $1.4 million.
At 5-1, Troubleshooting paid $13.84.
Gimme a Chance
Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert made good on one of his three chances to earn a record extending 12th Del Mar Debutante (G1) win Saturday, doing so with his unlikeliest prospect.
It was not 3-5 favorite Explora or 5-2 second choice Himika, but 9-1 Bottle of Rouge who came out of the $300,000 affair on top.
A maiden winner last time out, the 2-year-old roan filly looked right at home in her stakes debut, outdueling stablemate Explora by one length.
In adding to her trainer’s Debutante dominance, Bottle of Rouge paid a cool $20.20.
Seven-Figure Extension
A strikingly similar situation to the Baffert-Bottle of Rouge dynamic took place some 3,300 kilometers east at Kentucky Downs, this time with trainer Michael Maker and 6-1 hopeful Ole Crazy Bone.
Eyeing a record furthering sixth Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G2T), the former sent out the latter, who delivered a career-defining effort in Saturday’s renewal of the $2.5 million contest.
Taking to post eight, the 5-year-old gelding carved out a favorable position early, using the initial advantage to eventually claim the lead and not look back for the 3 ¾-length clearance.
The brilliant display from the horse Maker claimed last June for $100,000 paid $15.50.
In Fine Fettle
In his first appearance since winning the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby, World Beater was simply too much to handle in Saturday’s $500,000 Old Dominion Derby (G3T) at Colonial Downs.
While the 2-5 choice was expected to handle business against a drop in class, World Beater looked every part of a champion, exercising great patience in the 1 ¾-length triumph.
Now a back-to-back graded stakes champion, the Riley Mott trainee has grown tremendously since joining his conditioner’s stable as a $105,000 purchase for owner Pin Oak Stud LLC.
World Beater paid $2.80.
See the World
It took 38 starts outside of North America for 6-year-old veteran Haunted Dream (IRE) to make the trip west, but it sure was worth it.
Competing in Saturday’s $150,000 Singspiel (G3T) at Woodbine, Haunted Dream gave five foes nightmares in an impressive 1 ½-length victory with rider Rafael Hernandez aboard.
After being held out of the winner’s circle since last December’s Al Safliya Cup (Gr. 3) triumph, the Hamad Al-Jehani trainee got back on the board as the 7-5 favorite.
Haunted Dream’s first win on North American soil paid $4.80.