The Wine Steward, one of the most expensive New York-bred juveniles at public auction in 2023, improves to 2-for-2 in Sunday’s Bashford Manor at Ellis Park. Coady Photography.
Next stop, Saratoga? The Wine Steward showed all the signs of being a potential juvenile star at the upcoming Saratoga Race Course meeting with a come-from-behind victory in Sunday’s $208,000 Bashford Manor Stakes at Ellis Park.
The son of Vino Rosso, one of the highest priced New York-bred 2-year-olds of 2023, improved to 2-for-2 in the 6-furlong Bashford Manor for owners Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher and trainer Mike Maker. Luis Saez, who also rode the 2-year-old filly Brightwork to victory in the Debutante Stakes on Sunday’s card, rode The Wine Steward to victory in 1:10.06 over the fast track.
The 2-1 second choice in the field of six, The Wine Steward raced fourth early as Go Otto Go set the pace through the opening quarter-mile in :22.20. Saez moved The Wine Steward up to third as Go Otto Go came under pressure to the half in :45.24, then angled out turning for home.
The Wine Steward continued his wide run through the lane, opened up by a half-length in midstretch from Call Me Andy before drawing off late. Wilson Q, the 7-5 favorite off a debut victory May 18 at Churchill Downs for trainer Doug O’Neill, got up late to finish second, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner. Call Me Andy, Go Otto Go, Magical Mark and Unified Point completed the field.
The Wine Steward first attracted significant attention when he sold for $340,000, the third highest price for a New York-bred at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training. He made that buy look good when he scored a 6-length debut victory going 5 furlongs in a state-bred maiden special weight May 28 at Belmont Park, picking up $41,250 for his connections.
The Bashford Manor victory was worth $122,760, and boosted The Wine Steward’s bankroll to $164,010.
The Wine Steward sold for $340,000 at the OBS March sale. Photo courtesy of Sequel Bloodstock.
Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm and Mark Toothaker and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, The Wine Steward originally sold for $70,000 to Oldham Bloodstock at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He was consigned at OBS March by Sequel Bloodstock, agent.
The Wine Steward is the first foal out of the To Honor and Serve mare Call to Service, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Isotherm and stakes-placed winners Gio Game and Giant Game. Call to Service sold in foal to Authentic for $350,000 at the 2022 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. She is the dam of a Louisiana-bred yearling colt by Authentic and produced a filly by Curlin in Louisiana March 6.
The Wine Steward breezed an eighth in :10.2 during presale workouts at OBS March and joined Maker’s barn at the Churchill Downs Training Center shortly after the sale. He breezed seven times before his debut and twice more before his Bashford Manor victory, including a 5-furlong tightener in 1:00.60 June 24.
