Agate Surges Late to Clinch Bourbon Stakes

Uncorking a powerful late rally, Dede McGehee's homebred Agate burst from the pack to secure a 1 3/4-length victory in the $398,750 Bourbon Stakes (G2T) Oct. 4 at Keeneland. The gelded son of Gainesway stallion Karakontie (JPN) earned an automatic berth into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) held Oct. 30 at Keeneland. Longshot Trim Castle broke alertly in the 1 1/16-mile race, taking the field through swift fractions of :22.39, :46.27 and 1:10.91. After rating well back off the pace in seventh, Agate began to advance between foes into the final furlong. "This horse was very willing. He listened to all my commands, responded when I needed him to and really finished up great," winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. "I'm so proud of his effort today." Turning for home, it looked like he was clear, but the rest of the field was closing in on him with Agate surging through the middle of the pack to make his move, beating favorite Bold Leadership, who has yet to cross the wire first but has earned two graded stakes placings. "He's still learning, but he's got ability," Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard Bold Leadership, said. "The whole race he was doing beautiful, but when it was time to run in the stretch, he was kind of looking around a little bit. He's still learning and he's got a good kick on him." Agate entered the race off a third-place finish in the Sept. 9 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes. "He was on the inside (at Kentucky Downs), a rough trip, and we kind of tossed it out," trainer Kelsey Danner said. "He came out of the race really well, and even (his jockey in that race) Umberto Rispoli said, 'He'll win next time on a regular course.' (Coming into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf) is fun, it's nice, good to go in a winner." The final time for the 1 1/16-mile turf race was 1:42.64. He paid $9.28 to win. Adonius up in time to win Indian Summer Stakes Adonius (IRE) kicked off his United States career in spectacular fashion, launching a late, outside rally to get up by a head for the victory in the $291,100 Indian Summer Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland. Making his first North American start, Adonius was fractious in the gate and was away slowly under John Velazquez. Wood Island and favorite Ruiva set the pace through an opening half mile in :21.15 and :44.37. Turning for home and looking to be in the clear, Ruiva idled under Irad Ortiz Jr. and a surge of horses started closing in on the leader. "He was a little uncomfortable, so I took him outside of horses—now he's trying to get away from the horses," Velazquez said of Adonius. "I tried to cover up, and he was much better following somebody. Once I got him out, he had a nice kick. For a horse who's never come behind, he was very professional." Love a Warrior was second by a nose over Wood Island. The filly Ruiva held for fourth. "I was pretty happy because I know he's a very honest horse and when (Velazquez) pulled him out wide and came late, I know he always tries to the line," winning trainer Rebecca Menzies said. "I actually thought, 'Oh, great, he's probably going to finish fourth here.' Then when I saw him really rallying and putting his head down, it's a testament to the horse." The final time for the 5 1/2-furlong race was 1:03.46. Adonius paid $9.18 to win. The gelded son of Soldier's Call (GB) was bred in Ireland by Thomas Hassett and purchased as a yearling by co-owner Michael Hughes for $43,130 at last year's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.