The West Point Thoroughbreds 2-year-old class kicked into high gear on Saturday as Battle of Normandy, Jace’s Road and Perfect Prank stormed into the winner’s circle.
Battle of Normandy saluted in his unveiling at Saratoga, driving clear in the stretch for jockey Kendrick Carmouche and Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. The win came almost exactly a year since West Point and Woodford Racing joined forces to acquire the bay son of young sire City of Light at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale.
Jace’s Road bounded to a 6 1/4-length triumph in his debut at Ellis Park and earned “Rising Star” status from the Thoroughbred Daily News. Joe Talamo piloted him for trainer Brad Cox. West Point and Albaugh Family Stable acquired the Quality Road colt at the Keeneland September yearling sale.
Perfect Prank capped the day with a front-running score by 3 lengths at Horseshoe Indianapolis, graduating for trainer Steve Asmussen with jockey Joseph Diaz aboard. Jimmy Kahig Stable and Titletown Racing Stable co-own Perfect Prank, another Keeneland September acquisition.
A fourth 2-year-old winner was in sight at Del Mar with the first-time starter Hawker, but he came up a neck short in a game effort for jockey Tyler Baze and trainer John Sadler.
BloodHorse Story on Battle of Normandy
