Named after New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing, the 2-year-old colt Ewing powered down the lane and slammed home a resounding victory in the $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) on Saturday afternoon. What a start to this colt’s career: 2-for-2 and oh so exciting for trainer Mark Casse, jockey Jose Ortiz and co-owners D.J. Stable and Ken Freirich!

Stepping up from a 12-length debut win in July, Ewing answered a big challenge against Sanford Stakes (G3) winner Obliteration, who was bet down to 2-to-5 favoritism in a short field for the Saratoga Special. Faced with the rail post, Ewing and Jose Ortiz shot to the front and set the pace, with he and Obliteration separating from the other two runners. In the turn, Ewing responded to Jose’s cue and opened up a clear lead, holding strong in the stretch to prevail by a length at 7-to-5 odds.

“That was kind of crazy,” Casse said. “We didn’t warm him up so he would kind of get away slow; so he could settle. Jose said he settled for three strides. He’s fast. I’m proud of him today. He showed a lot of guts.”

Ewing was acquired at the OBS April sale of two-year-olds in training.

Casse also trains the Saratoga maiden winner Curtain Call for West Point. At this point, Mark is leaning toward bringing Curtain Call back in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on September 1 at Saratoga and aiming for the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes on September 13 at Churchill Downs with Ewing.

Ewing and Curtain Call both received the Rising Star designation from the Thoroughbred Daily News for their maiden wins and West Point had a third 2-year-old colt join that list on Friday at Saratoga when Intricate Spirit scored in his debut.

BloodHorse: Ewing Turns Saratoga Special Into Slam Dunk

NYRA: Ewing Nets First Stakes Win