After Sippin Pretty made her stakes debut in the May 1 Eight Belles (G2) and never threatened while finishing sixth by 10 lengths, trainer Ian Wilkes had every reason to seek much easier company.
But rather than give up on the belief that the 3-year-old daughter of Yaupon was capable of becoming a graded stakes winner, he opted to freshen her for two months.
"I loved her that day. I thought she'd run big," Wilkes said about the Eight Belles at Churchill Downs. "But she broke badly and wasn't herself that day.
"You're dealing with animals. So the first thing is to go back and figure out if there's something small that is wrong with her. Maybe it was a blessing that she ran bad, otherwise, I might have done something stupid."
Wilkes was actually quite wise as he brought Sippin Pretty back July 10 in the $225,000 Victory Ride Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies, and was rewarded with a 26-1 victory over favored Goodall at Saratoga Race Course.
As much as the race vindicated Wilkes' hopes for his filly, the Victory Ride was a highly emotional moment for the ownership group of Randall Bloch, Six Column Stables, Mike Davis, and Gene Rice. A few weeks ago, one of the friends in the group, Jim Gladden, passed away and as the connections stood in the winner's circle they could not help but think of him.
"This was for Jim," Bloch said.
The 6 1/2-furlong Victory Ride boasted a quality field of 10 that cried out for grade 2 status with two grade 1 winners among eight stakes winners.
Iron Orchard, who won the Frizette Stakes (G1) last year, set the early pace with fractions of :22.13 and :45.79 in her first start for trainer Steve Asmussen and her initial race since finishing a troubled ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
She gave way leaving the quarter pole and Spendthrift Farm's Goodall motored to the front and opened a 2-length lead in midstretch with only one filly gaining on her. Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. and the daughter of the Tizway mare Tiz Imaginary slowly gobbled up ground, grabbing the lead with 70 yards left and prevailing by 1 1/4 lengths.
"I was speechless," Bloch said. "It was so exciting seeing her come down the stretch. We were all choked up watching it."
Sippin Pretty ($55.18), who was bought for $75,000 from the Pope McLean consignment at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, was timed in 1:17.59.
Wilkes said the 7-furlong Test Stakes (G1) on Aug. 8 at the Spa would be the next stop for her.
Goodall, trained by Steve Asmussen, completed a Yaupon exacta. The Jersey Girl Stakes winner was second for her sire, a Spendthrift stallion.
"She gave me a good run turning for home," said Flavien Prat, who rode 2-1 favorite Goodall, "I thought, honestly, she ran her race. The other horse just ran me down."
Philip Griesinger's A Fine Chardonnay, a MacLean's Music filly also trained by Wilkes, rallied from 10th for third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths.
Iron Orchard finished ninth and Tommy Jo, who won the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at the Spa last year, was 10th in her 2026 debut.
Yaupon, who stood in 2026 at Spendthrift Farm for $60,000, had his third graded stakes winner, with the others being Albus and Booked.
