C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stables’ Forged Steel delivered a dominant performance in the $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita Park on May 25, securing trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. a second consecutive win in the race and reinforcing the strength of recent OBS graduates across graded company. The Vekoma colt powered clear to score by 9 ½ lengths over 10 furlongs, stopping the clock in 2:01.58 after taking over from fellow OBS graduate Malarchuk and extending decisively in the straight.

Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) – Santa Anita Park

Forged Steel’s performance was both controlled and progressive, settling into a rhythm before edging away from Malarchuk and asserting late. The winning rider Flavien Prat, reflecting on the performance, highlighted the colt’s consistency coming into the race. Providing context to the effort, Prat said:“The horse ran a good race. It was my first time aboard him.” He added further insight into the colt’s profile, noting the trajectory of his recent efforts: “He had a good run in his past races and he showed another good run here today.” That assessment aligns with a horse building momentum through his campaign, now capped by a clear-cut Grade 2 victory. Forged Steel was purchased for $190,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the de Meric Sales consignment after a :10 flat breeze, underlining the continued impact of that sales pipeline at the top level. The result also followed Joseph’s success in the same race a year earlier with Skippylongstocking, marking back-to-back wins in the event.

Winning Colors (G3) – Churchill Downs

At Churchill Downs on May 25, Usha, representing owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, added another graded win to her record in the $220,000 Winning Colors (G3). The Tiz the Law filly, already a Grade 1 winner of the La Brea at Santa Anita, showed tactical control when she edged into contention turning for home before repelling Zeitlos late.Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Usha’s purchase history reflects significant investment, having been secured for $600,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale after a :9 4/5 breeze. Her ability to transition between elite company and different track configurations continues to define her profile at the highest level.

Texas Derby – Lone Star Park

Desert Gate, also trained by Bob Baffert, produced a clear-cut 6 1/4-length win in the $300,000 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park on May 25. The Omaha Beach colt, owned by the same partnership of Pegram, Watson, and Weitman, continued his upward trajectory with a second consecutive stakes victory.Already a Grade 3 winner of the Best Pal Stakes at two, Desert Gate again displayed strong finishing power when drawing away from his rivals. He was purchased for $260,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale after a :9 4/5 breeze, reinforcing a consistent pattern of high-value juvenile acquisitions translating into stakes success.

Game Face Stakes – Gulfstream Park

At Gulfstream Park on May 23, Lennilu (Leinster) added a second stakes-level success when elevated to first in the $100,000 Game Face following a stewards’ review and the disqualification of Love Like Lucy.The filly, owned by a large partnership group including Amy Dunne, Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson, Hoffman Family Racing, Tranquility Lake Farm, Maury Harrington, and Christopher Harrington, had already proven her turf ability and now demonstrated versatility on dirt. Trainer Patrick Biancone continues to manage a filly whose profile is steadily expanding across surfaces. Lennilu was purchased for just $23,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the Abbie Road Farm consignment, a result that further underscores her progression relative to her sale price and early expectations.

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