New York-Bred Rhetorical Upsets Turf Mile Stakes

Oct. 4 was Stable Recovery day at Keeneland, celebrating the program that promotes breaking addiction through purposeful work, structured recovery, and meaningful careers in the Thoroughbred industry. It only was right then, that on Stable Recovery day, it would be trainer Will Walden who emerged victorious in the $1,038,750 Turf Mile Stakes (G1T). That victory came on the back of Rhetorical, a 4-year-old Not This Time gelding bred in New York by Mallory and Karen Mort and owned by Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable, and Wachtel Stable. Having competed in New York-bred company in four of his five starts—winning all but his second career effort—taking the leap to grade 1 company was a bit aggressive. However, Walden was confident in the gelding's ability since before he debuted and he was convinced to take the shot as soon as Rhetorical arrived at Churchill Downs following his Aug. 24 victory in the West Point Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. "All those metrics we look for in judging our stock and how they're doing just started to go through the roof," Walden said. "The works were really, really, really good. He's got an exercise rider back home, Edgar Quinteros, some of the best hands on the backstretch. Gets along with him really, really well. And he teed him up for this race." Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. also was confident, opting to stay in Rhetorical's saddle over two other entrants he had ridden in their previous starts: Howard Wolowitz and Donegal Momentum (who ended up scratching Saturday). "(Rhetorical) knows how to win. He loves to win, and he's always been a nice horse," Ortiz said. "We always thought he could (win in open company). … (Walden) was taking the horse one step at a time—the right way." Those steps worked perfectly as Ortiz found himself positioned fourth, about 4 1/2 lengths off the lead, as Quatrocento set quick fractions of :22.40, :46.07, and 1:10.08. Ortiz then launched at the top of the stretch and cruised to the lead, withstanding the late charges of Program Trading (GB), Brilliant Berti, and Jonquil (GB), who finished second through fourth, respectively. Rhetorical won by three-quarters of a length while completing the mile in 1:33.61 on firm turf, paying $21.18 to win. Diego Velazquez (IRE) and Woodshauna (FR), both group 1 winners in France, failed to factor. Diego Velazquez raced midpack and finished fifth, while Woodshauna broke tardily from the gate and raced last throughout. It was a monumental victory for Walden as he earned his first at the grade 1 level. Son of Belmont Stakes (G1)-winning trainer and WinStar Farm president, CEO, and racing manager Elliott Walden, Will Walden began training in 2022 after years of battling alcohol and drug addiction. Walden was involved in a downtown Lexington program to aid in his recovery from addiction when he was connected with Taylor Made Farm's Frank Taylor. Taylor took a chance and bought 10 horses for Walden, Mike Lowery, and Tyler Maxwell to train. Lowery now works for Taylor Made, managing 250 horses and 25 employees, and Maxwell is a leading rider at WinStar Farm. "They worked very hard, and Will's a very, very talented horseman," Taylor said after joining Walden in the winner's circle. "They all stayed sober, and they've all become hugely successful. God blesses you for doing the right thing, and this is just a prime example." The win was made even more special for Walden as Rhetorical's sire, Not This Time, stands at Taylor Made. "I wouldn't have been able to start training if it weren't for Frank Taylor," Walden said. "To nobody's fault, I had burned every bridge I had walked over in this business. Nobody was going to give me an opportunity, and I couldn't blame them. He put up his own money. To win with a son of Not This Time is just fitting. To do it on Stable Recovery day here at Keeneland, God does what God does." Rhetorical is the second grade 1 winner this season for Not This Time and continued a phenomenal weekend at Keeneland for the stallion that included three of his daughters completing the trifecta in the Oct. 3 Jessamine Stakes (G2T). Not This Time stood for a $175,000 fee in 2025. Now with the grade 1 under his belt, Walden and Rhetorical will look to take an even bigger step forward Nov. 1 as he aims to face the world's best milers in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar. As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the Turf Mile earned Rhetorical an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Mile. "As long as he comes out of this race in good shape and gives us all the signs he was going into this race, we'll go to the Breeders' Cup," Walden said.