American History Rallies to Take Breeders' Futurity

Talk about a great first week on the job. Just two days after officially taking the reigns from Elliott Walden as WinStar Farm CEO and president, Gerry Duffy was basking in the glory of a grade 1 winner's circle at Keeneland after American History proved to be a horse of the future with a victory in the $648,125 Breeders' Futurity (G1). But, like any good boss, Duffy was quick to deflect credit to the team that Walden put in place rather than chalking it up to beginner's luck. "An incredible way to start, and I can take no credit for it," Duffy said. "It's the whole team, I just happened to show up and step in at the right time." Duffy has had more experience with the WinStar team than two days, joining in April and spending the last several months working alongside Walden to gradually be handed control. Duffy believes that partnership will go a long way in helping him lead WinStar to even greater heights. "A lot of guys in my position, you show up Day 1 and your predecessor has left and it's like, 'Here you go,'" Duffy said. "Elliott and I have been thinking about this, and really its Elliott's plan to bring me in and have this handover period. It's been such a privilege and a luxury to have all of Elliott's experience, the man whose fingerprints are on every part of WinStar, and just to have this time with him to get to know the team and learn all the ins and outs." One of those things that they hope will pass from Walden to Duffy is guiding a talented youngster to the spring classics. Under Walden's leadership, WinStar Farm campaigned Justify to win the 2018 Triple Crown and won an additional Kentucky Derby (G1) with Super Saver in 2010 and two more Belmont Stakes (G1) with Drosselmeyer in 2010 and Creator in 2016. With his victory, American History, who is co-owned by First Go Racing and CHC and trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, gained 10 qualifying points toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby, with the rest of the top five finishers being awarded points on a 5-3-2-1 scale. He also earned an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Oct. 30 at Keeneland. "He just kept coming, kept grinding," Duffy said. "I think as these two-turn races develop, his running style is what you really want to see if you're thinking and dreaming of two-turn classic races. I love the way he did it." American History got crucial experience for the Breeders' Cup by winning over 1 1/16 miles in Keeneland's short stretch, and it took almost every inch to get there. Highly regarded last-out maiden winners Q B Rocket and Coach Pope were having their own private match race for most of the race, while American History broke tardily and was last through an opening quarter in :23.52. Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez then got the son of Constitution into a rhythm and made up ground gradually behind fractions of :46.54 and 1:10.52. "Broke a little slower than I wanted him to, a little far back the first part of the race," Velazquez said. "On the backstretch, he got into the bridle, and then I got into a nice cruising speed. I was very comfortable back there." Still, American History looked as though he may just be running for third as he turned for home several lengths behind the pacesetters. Yet, he continued to grind away and grind away for the last furlong before surging by for a length win. Coach Pope beat out Q B Rocket for second by a neck. American History completed 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.88, paying $12 to win as the third choice. Prior to Saturday, the shining chestnut colt had a 6 1/2-furlong debut victory under his belt, closing from just a few lengths back to win by 7 3/4 lengths. Duffy said the horse has been one on their radar throughout the summer. "He showed us a lot from the beginning, he was one of the talking horses who we were excited about," Duffy said. "We liked him, and these are tough. A lot of these horses are in a similar spot, they're winning maidens—some very impressively with big numbers. But to come and do it the second time is a bigger ask." Now there will be an even bigger ask with the Breeders' Cup just four weeks away. "It's a 'Win And You're In,' it's a perfect prep," Duffy said. "We've got a real live shot coming into the Breeders' Cup and lovely to have that win on the host track." American History was bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables and is out of the winning War Front mare Bloody Point who is a half sister to sire Vekoma. His debut win earned him status as a BloodHorse Maiden Watch Hot Prospect. He is the first grade 1 winner in North America this season for Constitution, who also sired Chilean group 1 winner Shark (CHI). He stood the 2026 season at WinStar Farm for a $110,000 fee.