WORTH THE WAIT! Huuuuuge debut win from Waitlist under a tremendous ride by @JaramilloJockey! pic.twitter.com/7QCTtBxmoO

— Centennial Farms (@Centennial_Farm) February 3, 2024

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Bobbling ever so slightly as a steady rain began to fall across the Oldsmar oval, the $370,000 Keeneland September yearling was asked for some early speed to gain a forward position through the early stages and remained in the vanguard into the first turn before settling back into centerfield for the run up the backstretch. Racing in a share of sixth and wide on the track past an opening half-mile in a sensible :46.94, Litigate was no better than four wide at the three-eighths peg, but was beginning to find his best stride as 43-1 Zydeceaux (Cajun Breeze) continued to do the heavy lifting up front. Put to a hard drive, the bay colt caught the eye with a three- or four-wide sweep approaching the stretch, struck to the front with a little more than a furlong to travel and held sway late to score.

Favored Dubyuhnell (Good Magic), winner of last year's GII Remsen S., was checked sharply into the first turn and never reached contention.

“The first turn was very rough and I had to check really hard,” said jockey Jose Ortiz. “After that, he never got back on rhythm. That took him out of the race. It was very hard to get back to where I wanted to be.”

By an Eclipse Award and GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and out of a mare by a Horse of the Year who twice won Grade Is at 10 furlongs, some might have questioned Litigate's ability to shine going three-quarters of a mile on Aqueduct debut Nov. 19, but that he did, overcoming a wide trip to graduate by 3/4 of a length. He found only beaten GIII Holy Bull S. favorite Cyclone Mischief (Into Mischief) too strong over Gulfstream's one-turn mile Jan. 8 and was well-backed to give Todd Pletcher a seventh Sam F. Davis trophy.

“He just really improved mentally since his last race and he put it all together today,” said Centennial President Don Little, Jr. “[Jockey] Luis [Saez] gave him a really tactical ride. He broke him early, got in there and saved some ground in the first turn and then moved him to the outside and let him rock. He came running at the end. It's exciting to be on the Derby trail.”

Pedigree Notes:

A 20th winner at the graded level and 44th black-type winner overall for his productive stallion, Litigate is out of an unraced half-sister to dual Grade III-winning sprinter Pacific Ocean (Ghostzapper) and to British stakes-placed Salsa Star (Giant's Causeway), the dam of Blame's two-time Grade III winner Blamed and of the stakes-placed Chubby Star (Malibu Moon). Third dam Oscillate was responsible for the outstanding South American shuttler Mutakddim (Seeking the Gold) and was a half-sister to champion Rhythm (Mr. Prospector) and his full-sister Get Lucky, whose produce included Grade I winner Girolamo (A.P. Indy) and MGSW & GISP Accelerator (A.P. Indy).

Salsa Diavola is responsible for a 2-year-old Kantharos filly who fetched $55,000 at KEESEP last all and a yearling filly by Twirling Candy. She most recently had a return date with Blame.

Saturday, Tampa Bay Downs
SAM F. DAVIS S.-GIII, $200,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 2-11, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.83, ft.
1–LITIGATE, 120, c, 3, by Blame
                1st Dam: Salsa Diavola, by Mineshaft
                2nd Dam: Miss Salsa, by Unbridled
                3rd Dam: Oscillate, by Seattle Slew
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($370,000
Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Centennial Farms; B-Nursery Place,
Donaldson & Broadbent (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Luis Saez.
$120,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $182,590. Werk Nick
Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Groveland, 120, c, 3, Street Sense–Lucknow,
by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK
TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Eoin G. Harty. $40,000.
3–Classic Car Wash, 120, g, 3, Noble Bird–East Lake Classic,
by Orientate. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($105,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Gary Barber; B-Sherry R.
Mansfield & Kenneth H. Davis (FL); T-Mark E. Casse. $20,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, HD. Odds: 2.80, 21.60, 12.00.
Also Ran: Classic Legacy, Zydeceaux, Laver, Dreaming of Kona, Dubyuhnell, Prairie Hawk, Worthington, Champions Dream. Scratched: Notah.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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“Centennial is proud to once again be sponsors and partners with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in presenting the Best Turned Out Horse Awards,” said Don Little, President of Centennial Farms. “Recognizing the hard working, behind the scenes people that care for these magnificent horses unconditionally is invaluable to our sport. We look forward to an incredible day of racing and seeing all the great horses that will be turned out on Pegasus Day.”

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Representatives from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Centennial Farms selected the horse in each race that was deemed to be the best presented, and that horse's groom received a gift bag and cash prize. The TAA and Centennial Farms promoted the winners on their social media platforms, the winning groom was mentioned on the live simulcast feed, and a congratulatory ad was placed in both the Thoroughbred Daily News and BloodHorse Daily on Monday, Jan 31, 2022.

“There is nothing more gratifying than to award the unsung heroes who take care of our beloved Thoroughbred athletes,” TAA Inspection Coordinator Suzie Picou-Oldham said. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was thrilled to once again partner with 1/ST and Centennial Farms to celebrate our hardworking men and women of the backside.”

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a charity partner for the Pegasus World Cup.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Best Turned Out award recipients:

RACE 1

#9 STRIKE APPEAL

Groom: Odin Londono Jr

Trainer: Odin Londono

RACE 2

#2 MAD MOCHA

Groom: Michael Lewars

Trainer: Stuart Simon

RACE 3

#5 EARTH STRIKE (IRE)

Groom: Onildo Quevedo

Trainer: Mark Casse

RACE 4

#6 BOURBON HEIST

Groom: Robin Alvarez

Trainer: Ian Wilkes

Race 5 – LA PREVOYANTE S. (G3)

#6 BEAUTIFUL LOVER

Groom: William Aniceto

Trainer: Christophe Clement

RACE 6

#3 FANCY LIQUOR

Groom: Emilio Silva

Trainer: Mike Maker

RACE 7 – W. L. McKnight S.

# 3 FARMINGTON ROAD

Groom- Carlos Navas

Trainer: George Arnold

RACE 8 – Inside Information S.

#3 DANCE D'ORO

Groom: Jose Gonzales

Trainer: Ralph Nicks

RACE 9 – Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational S. presented by PEPSI (G3)

# 8 SUMMER IN SARATOGA

Groom: Carlos Orantes

Trainer: Joe Sharp

RACE 10 – Fred W. Hooper S. presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa

# 1 FEARLESS

Groom: Jesus Gomez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

RACE 11 – Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. presented by Baccarat

# 1 SPACE TR5AVELLER (GB)

Groom- Elmer Martinez

Trainer: Brendan Walsh

RACE 12 – Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. presented by 1/ST BET

# 9 COMMANDEER

Groom- Javier Armenta

Trainer: James Toner

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The son of Hard Spun, now 7, retired from racing in August of this year following a fourth-place effort in the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga. At that time, he was sent to owner Centennial Farms' Middleburg, Va., facility to unwind.

He retired after five seasons on the track with six wins from 29 starts and lifetime earnings of $811,577.

A fan favorite thanks to his thrilling late-running style, Rocketry truly came into his own as a 4-year-old under conditioner Jimmy Jerkens. He captured the 2018 Temperence Hill Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park by crushing a 98-year-old track record for 1 5/8 miles held by Man o' War, and, later that year, he earned his first graded stakes victory in the GR2 Marathon Stakes at Churchill Downs, again setting a new track record for the 1 ¾ miles.

In his 6-year-old campaign Rocketry added a third track record to his resume, this time going 1 5/8 miles in 2:42.57 at Keeneland, and picked up another graded victory in the GR2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes.

“Just like the movie character, Rocketry could not have lived up to his nickname of 'Rocky' any better,” said Don Little, Jr., President of Centennial Farms. “He consistently campaigned in stakes carrying the Centennial flag with honor every time he set foot on the track. He was sound throughout his career while breaking three track records over a distance of ground. Being involved with a horse like this was truly a joy, thrill, and one that will be cherished by all the partners involved,” Little continued. “While he will be missed on the oval, we look forward to him showing off to visitors at Old Friends.”

“Who doesn't love Rocketry?” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “We're very fortunate that Centennial Farms trusts us to care for their great marathoner. Thanks to Don Little, Jr. and Jimmy Jerkins for allowing us to showcase him to his many fans.”

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“Who doesn't love Rocketry?” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “We're very fortunate that Centennial Farms trusts us to care for their great marathoner. Thanks to Don Little, Jr. and Jimmy Jerkens for allowing us to showcase him to his many fans.”

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Rocketry, bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds, was quick to stamp himself as a good looking prospect, commanding $195,000 as a Keeneland November weanling when acquired by McMahon & Hill Bloodstock. Returned to Keeneland as part of the Hidden Brook consignment the following September, he drew the attention of Centennial's Dr. Stephen Carr and Paula Parsons, hammering for $450,000. Always an impressive individual, his popularity in the sales ring was also a testament to his pedigree, which includes a bevy of graded stakes horses.

Like so many Centennial stars before him, Rocketry received his early education under Parsons and her team at the Middleburg Training Center, a place he'd return to throughout the years for vacations from a racing environment. He joined trainer Jimmy Jerkens at Belmont Park in June of his two-year-old year, under whose care he would remain throughout his career. Rocketry displayed what would become his trademark late-running style beginning with his first career start at Gulfstream Park. An impressive maiden score on turf at Belmont Park during the spring of his sophomore campaign earned him “Rising Star” status from the Thoroughbred Daily News. As a three-year-old, he beat older horses at Saratoga and barely missed his first graded black-type, finishing behind only subsequent G1 winners Voodoo Song, Yoshida, and future Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar going just 1 1/8-miles in the G3 Saranac.

Rocketry would truly come into his own as a four-year-old. His continuing maturity coincided with an increased fondness for dirt and he made the transition to the main track in September of 2018. The switch resulted in a performance in the Temperence Hill Stakes that is unlikely to be matched – he stopped the clock in 2:40.18, breaking Man o' War's 98-year-old Belmont Park track record for 1 5/8-miles. He took his show on the road next out and picked up his first graded stakes victory. A late charge in the G2 Marathon Stakes presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance established a new track record of 2:57.62 for 1 ¾-miles at famed Churchill Downs.

While his unique style and preference for longer distances would make him vulnerable to pace and biases, he continued to deliver big performances over the subsequent seasons. At five, he flew late and wide to finish second in the prestigious G2 Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational Stakes. His six-year-old campaign ended with an exclamation point as Rocketry set a third track record, this time going 1 5/8-miles in 2:42.57 at Keeneland, and picked up another graded stakes victory – the G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Rocketry's zest for training, the track environment, and his Jerkens Racing family never wavered during a three-race campaign in 2021. Although his seven-year-old season upped his black-type count to a total nine races, the decision was made to retire him following a fourth-place effort in Saratoga's Birdstone Stakes. Centennial Farms could not be more proud of his on-track accomplishments or more grateful of his status as a fan-favorite. The two elements combined in spectacular fashion when a shoe worn in victory in the Temperence Hill topped a fund-raising auction for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

While plans are being finalized for his retirement, “Rocky” has shipped to Centennial Farms in Middleburg, Virginia to unwind, enjoy the spacious paddocks, and be spoiled.

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The popular Jimmy Jerkens trainee also won Belmont's Temperence Hill Invitational S. in 2018, setting a new track record of 2:40.18 for 1 5/8 miles, and placed in five other black-type events, including the 2019 GII Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational S. He also set track records at Churchill Downs (1 3/4 miles in 2:57.62) and Keeneland (1 5/8 miles in 2:42.57) in his two Marathon wins.

Named a 'Rising Star' in his first foray into distances beyond 10 furlongs, Rocketry was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds. He compiled a career record of 29-6-5-6 with earnings of $811,577 and was last seen finishing fourth in the Aug. 5 Birdstone S. at Saratoga.

A fan favorite known affectionately as “Rocky,” Rocketry retires sound. He is currently at Centennial Farms in Virginia while plans are being finalized for his retirement.

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Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the Medaglia d'Oro bay, out of the Grade 1-winning Concerto mare Rigoletta, is a half-brother to millionaire 2017 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway.

Purchased for $900,000 at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Moretti blossomed last season, posting a record of three wins and three seconds in six starts, including stakes scores in the Flat Out at Belmont Park and Birdstone at Saratoga to go along with a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont.

Pletcher, a five-time Birdstone winner, said Moretti is working well into Thursday's repeat bid, including a five-eighths breeze in 1:01.88 on July 29 on the Spa main track.

“He's doing well. We know he likes the distance,” Pletcher said. “It's just a matter of keeping him happy and fit. He's coming off a couple of solid efforts and we're looking forward to giving it a try again.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr. will be tasked with engineering the title defense from post 4.

“I think the main thing is to get into a comfortable rhythm rather than worry about who's on the lead or stalking,” Pletcher said. “In these types of races, you just want to get into a good rhythm. You don't get many opportunities at this distance, so we'll give it our best shot.”

Flying P Stable's Lone Rock made the grade last out, romping to an 11 1/4-length score in the 12-furlong Grade 2 Brooklyn presented by Northwell Health on Belmont Stakes Day June 5.

Claimed back by trainer Robertino Diodoro for $40,000 out of a winning effort in November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Lone Rock captured a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer in February at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., in his next outing.

The 6-year-old Majestic Warrior gelding has made his last four starts at 1 1/2-miles, finishing second in the Temperence Hill in March ahead of an optional claiming score on April 11, both at Oaklawn Park. He returned on short rest to capture the Isaac Murphy Marathon on April 27 at Churchill Downs ahead of an eye-opening effort in the Brooklyn that registered a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

Lone Rock posted a bullet half-mile on the main track in :46.60 on July 22 and worked an easy half-mile in :52.19 Friday over sloppy going on the Oklahoma training track.

“He's a horse that loves his job and he's training great. He bounced out of that race like it was nothing,” Diodoro said. “On Belmont day, it was a little warm, and to run that far, you'd think it would take a little bit out of him but he's come back like a monster.”

Ramon Vazquez retains the mount from post 3.

Centennial Farms' multiple graded stakes-winner Rocketry has finished third in the last two editions of the Birdstone.

Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the 7-year-old Hard Spun bay finished off-the-board last out in the Brooklyn and will look to return to the form that saw him capture the 1 5/8-mile Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in November at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

“That one horse [Lone Rock] looks like a standout in that category. If ever he's going to beat horses like that, it's going this distance,” Jerkens said. “That's what happened in Kentucky. The pace was just too sharp for going that far and they came back to him and he went by them in the very end.”

Ricardo Santana, Jr. picks up the mount from post 7.

Lothenbach Stables' Ry's the Guy, sixth last out in the Brooklyn, broke through at stakes level in September, taking the 12-furlong Champions Day Marathon at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Ian Wilkes, the 5-year-old Distorted Humor bay breezed a half-mile in :48.44 Thursday on the Saratoga main track.

“He came out of the last race good and I'm happy with him. It won't be an easy assignment; we'll be facing some of the same horses,” Wilkes said. “He has no problem with the track. He's trained here and got over it fine. His works have been solid. I'm very pleased with his breezes here. We've had a little bit of cool weather and that's helped.”

Ry's the Guy will exit the inside post under Chris Landeros.

Final Turn Racing Stable and Noda Brothers' You're to Blame, runner-up in last year's Birdstone, made an impressive first start Sunday for trainer Orlando Noda with a 9 1/2-length off-the-turf optional claiming romp traveling nine furlongs over a fast main track.

The 7-year-old Distorted Humor bay, a veteran of 37 career starts who captured the 2018 Grade 3 Greenwood Cup at Parx, will exit post 6 under Jose Ortiz.

Rounding out the field are graded-stakes placed He's No Lemon [post 2, Manny Franco], and stakes-placed Shooger Ray Too [post 5, Joel Rosario]

The Birdstone is slated as Race 9 on Thursday's 10-race card. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

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“We wanted him to go good. I hope it wasn't too fast, but he seemed to handle it really well,” Jerkens said. “He went by the workmate once they passed the quarter pole and galloped out on his own. He had a target in the first part of the work, which is why he probably went so fast.”

Saturday's breeze by the Ontario-bred son of Pioneerof the Nile followed a bullet five-eighths in 1:00.60 on July 16 over the Spa main track.

“We weren't planning on doing that, but the weather was creeping up on us. We gave him a work and the track was heavy and he worked good and he was blowing pretty hard,” Jerkens said. “That work really tightened him up and the work yesterday was no problem at all.”

Centennial Farms' multiple graded stakes winner Rocketry breezed six furlongs in 1:17.70 Saturday on the Oklahoma dirt training track in preparation for the $120,000 Birdstone, a 1 3/4-mile test for older horses on August 5.

“It was a nice long work,” Jerkens said. “We're going to come back and work him in company before he runs.”

The 7-year-old Hard Spun bay was off-the-board last out in the 12-furlong Grade 1 Brooklyn, which was won by emerging marathon star Lone Rock.

Jerkens said he is hopeful that the added distance will suit Rocketry, whose last win came three starts back in the 1 5/8-mile Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in November at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

“That one horse [Lone Rock] looks like a standout in that category. If ever he's going to beat horses like that, it's going that distance,” Jerkens said. “That's what happened in Kentucky. The pace was just too sharp for going that far and they came back to him and he went by them in the very end.”

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