The Woodbine crowd rose in a collective roar as Argos surged past the wire, his head just in front after a dramatic late stretch duel in Saturday’s Grade 1 Summer Stakes. Trainer Riley Mott allowed himself a smile of quiet satisfaction, while jockey Flavien Prat gave a small shake of the reins, his mount’s ears pricked after a performance that earned both applause and a golden ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.
Prat admitted afterwards that his faith in Argos had never wavered, even when the colt found himself tucked mid-pack early on.
“It got a little rough going into the first turn,” said Prat. “Luckily, I was a bit behind that, so it didn’t affect me as much. I honestly loved the way he ran last time, and today the trip just set up perfectly.”
How the Summer Stakes Unfolded
Marcus J carved out the early fractions of :23.26, :48.14 and 1:12.38, only to be reeled in as the field straightened for home. Stablemate Two Out Hero looked briefly poised for an upset inside the final furlong, but the charge was short-lived. From behind, Argos loomed with purpose, joined by 8-5 favourite Wild Desert (IRE). The pair stormed past, with Argos holding firm by a head over Wild Desert. Two Out Hero kept on for third, a length further back, while Teddy’s Rocket rounded out the superfecta.
The $500,000 contest, run over a firm mile of Woodbine’s inner turf, stopped the clock at 1:35.70. Scratches included Jupiter and Military Time.
Connections Celebrate a Breakthrough Moment
For owner David S. Romanik, the victory carried a sense of history.
“My second horse ran in the Breeders’ Cup in 1989 — it’s been a long time,” Romanik reflected. “This colt breezed like a champion at OBS and we thought he was special. He’s proven that now.”
Argos, a son of Nyquist out of Athenian (IRE), was purchased for $165,000 at the OBS March Sale. Bred in Kentucky by Green Lantern Stables, the bay has now won two of three career starts, including his stakes breakthrough. Sent off at 15-1, he returned $15.70 to his backers.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Beckons
The Summer Stakes victory delivered Argos more than a trophy and a check — it secured his “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on October 31. With newfound experience, a sharp closing kick, and the confidence of connections, Argos now looks poised to take his place on the world stage.
Read the full report on RaceBuzz.
