After a hard-fought debut that fell a head short last month, Careless Whisper left no doubt Thursday at Saratoga with a dominant 10 1/2-length victory.

Trainer George Weaver was extremely confident heading into Thursday’s race. In the paddock, he simply told jockey Manny Franco to “ride her like she was the best horse.”

Even so, not even the normally reserved Weaver expected the tour de force that followed.

“I really have to thank Terry [Finley] and the Partners for giving this filly the time she needed to grow and mature,” Weaver said of Careless Whisper, who is named for the 1984 George Michael song. “We loved her last year but she kind of plateaued on us and I knew in my heart she was better than that. She’s been a joy to train and develop.”

Franco continues to be in top form as he won 4 races on the Thursday card and also has guided West Point runners Intricate Spirit and Bandiagara to victories over the past two weeks.

Careless Whisper’s debut had already gained more credibility one day earlier when Venetta, the filly who beat her at Aqueduct on April 30, returned to win the Bouwerie Stakes at Saratoga.

West Point and James Politano acquired the pretty chestnut through bloodstock agent David Ingordo for $80,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale at Saratoga.

Video of a unique celebration inspired by the George Michael song Careless Whisper: