July 6, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Element of Surprise
While not quite “Miracle on Ice” level, Fionn’s upset victory over heavily favored Nitrogen (2-5) in Saturday’s $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) was still one for the ages.
A dominant stretch of five straight wins (four graded stakes) earned Nitrogen top honors on the opening and closing lines ahead of the 1 1/8-mile turf tilt.
However, it was Fionn, the field of seven’s second choice at 6-1, that stole the show with a final lunge at the finish line to win by a neck.
The exemplary effort, and first career Grade 1 triumph of Fionn’s career, paid $14.40.
How Sweet it is
Sweet Azteca, returning from a ninth-month layoff, looked fresh as a daisy in a coast-to-coast conquest of Saturday’s $200,500 Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos Race Course.
The Richard Baltas charge’s timely season debut came nearly one year to the day after setting a track mark in last year’s Great Lady M (1:14.33) – a time she bested by one one-hundredth of a second this time around.
The dazzling display netted Sweet Azteca her fourth career graded stakes title, and sixth win from eight lifetime starts.
Closing at 7-2, Sweet Azteca paid $9 flat.
Tip of the Cap
Tip Top Thomas was in tip-top shape this past Saturday, claiming the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis in record fashion.
Slotted into post three, the 5-2 second choice showed great confidence throughout the 1 1/6-mile contest, holding a lead early and maintaining under steady handling for the half-length decision.
It was a banner return to the graded tier for Tip Top Thomas after finishing runner up in the Champagne (G1) last October.
Now standing at 3-1-0 through five career starts, Tip Top Thomas’ most rewarding win paid $7.40.
Bullseye
A sharp showing from Marksman Queen (GB) in Saturday’s $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) landed the well-travelled mare her first career graded stakes trophy.
From the United Kingdom to Canada to the United States, Marksman Queen has raced everywhere in search of a signature moment.
After years of paying her dues, the Graham Motion trainee finally broke through with a front-leading, and stressfully narrow victory by a head in the 1 1/8-mile Dick Memorial.
Marksman Queen’s first graded success in her third attempt at the level paid $4.60.
Peace of Mind
An uncharacteristic outing in June’s Jaipur (G1T) halted an impressive three-race win streak that included two graded scores (Grade 2 Shakertown and Twin Spires Turf Sprint) but Think Big got back to his winning ways in Saturday’s $175,000 Kelso (G3T).
Returning to Saratoga – the very site where his streak ended – Think Big’s plan to start another heater required a valiant comeback, but worked, nonetheless.
The hard-charging one-length tally was the Michael Stidham trainee’s fourth win from six starts this season, and sixth through 11 altogether.
At 6-1, Think Big paid a cool $15 even.