Exciting US G3 Winner for Declaration of War
Breaking his maiden in style at Saratoga on Wednesday was Opry (2c Declaration of War x That Voodoo Youdo, by Speightstown), who powered clear to win the $150,000 Grade III With Anticipation Stakes at his second start.
The Todd Pletcher trained colt was a fast closing third on debut at Saratoga on August 11 and improved from that outing to settle back in the field and charge home to score a length and a half win in this 1 and 1/16th mile contest.
“I thought he'd break a little better than he did his first time out with that experience, but he clearly didn't,” said Pletcher.
“Talking to Javier (Castellano) after, he said even though he was pretty far back, he felt like he had a lot of horse and he was finding a good rhythm, so he felt very confident down the backside.”
The With Anticipation Stakes was won last year by Catholic Boy, who has come out this year to win two Grade I events, so the race could be a very good guide to the future for talented colt Opry.
A $180,000 Keeneland September Yearling, Opry runs for Cheyenne Stables and Gaillardia Racing and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Gris Gris from stakes-placed That Voodoo Youdo.
He is the fifth stakes-winner for War Front’s high class son Declaration of War, whose best offspring is Grade I French Two Thousand Guineas winner Olmedo with his oldest progeny just three year-olds.