Complexity’s Mensa Sails to First Win for Freshman Sire

2nd-Gulfstream, $62,700, Msw, 4-12, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :51.86, ft, 3 lengths.
MENSA (c, 2, Complexity–Lady Halite, by Medaglia d'Oro) broke very well from his rail spot to take an easy lead in this unveiling.

Never challenged through :22.07 and :45.66 splits, Patrick Husbands only had to keep his mount focused in the lane as the pair came home three lengths best over the filly Unchained Elaine (American Pharoah). Mensa is the first winner for his freshman sire (by Maclean's Music).

“He's been extremely professional from day one,” said Nick Tomlinson, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. “He's a beautiful horse. A lot of the credit goes to the guys in the barn. They did a lot of gate schooling with him. They're the reason a lot of these babies are ready to roll. He's far more advanced than anyone else. Hopefully, he continues to progress from here.”

The most recent winning offspring for Lady Halite, the victor is a half-brother to  Recruiter (Army Mule), MSW, $241,985 as well as stakes-placed 3-year-old Miss Sayely (Maximus Mischief). The dam's 2023 Instagrand foal died and she is due to Nashville for 2024.

 

Sales history: $135,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-Beth Bayer (FL); T-Mark E. Casse.

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Hades To Run On Short Rest In the Lexington

Hades (Awesome Slew), upset winner of the GIII Holy Bull S. in January and a latest fifth to champion 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 30, will back up on two weeks' rest for the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland Apr. 13, co-owner Jon Green of D J Stable said in a text message Saturday morning.

“We are entering Hades in the Lexington and have Jose Ortiz in the irons,” Green texted. “Hades is doing great, is sound and ready to ship to KEE on Tuesday.”

Owned in partnership with Robert Cotran and trained by Joe Orseno, Hades won his first three trips to the post including a two-length defeat of Domestic Product (Practical Joke) in the Holy Bull, as Fierceness failed to fire at long odds-on. He was bumped at the start of the Florida Derby as a 17-5 chance and endured a wide trip before finishing 19 3/4 lengths adrift of the romping Fierceness.

“He got sawed off and never leveled off until he pulled himself back to last,” Green explained via text.

Hades has amassed 30 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, good for 18th in the standings prior to the running of Saturday's 100-point preps. The Lexington is the final Derby points race on a scale of 20-10-6-4-2.

Also headed to the Lexington is Encino (Nyquist), who was scratched from Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass S. The Godolphin homebred, last-start winner of the John Battaglia Memorial S. Mar. 2, had drawn widest in the field of 11 in the Blue Grass.

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Hades, Fierceness Tune Up For Curlin Florida Derby

D J Stable and Robert Cotran's GIII Holy Bull S. winner Hades (Awesome Slew) worked a half-mile in an easy :50.21 over the Gulfstream Park main track Friday morning, his final serious gallop ahead of next Saturday's $1-million GI Curlin Florida Derby.

A perfect three-for-three in his career, Hades was scheduled to breeze Saturday, but forecast heavy rains led trainer Joe Orseno to call an audible and work the gelding 24 hours earlier.

“He has exceeded my expectations,” Orseno said, “even with today's last breeze going into the Florida Derby. He did everything perfect. He just handles himself very professional. He gets things easily where other horses struggle.”

Eclipse Award-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) will try to atone for his third-place effort in the Holy Bull when he lines up next weekend, and the Todd Pletcher trainee went four furlongs in :47.43 at Palm Beach Downs Friday morning. He galloped out an extra eighth of a mile in 1:00.63. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez was in the irons for the move.

“It went very well, he looked great,” Pletcher commented.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado took to X Friday afternoon to report that Victory Avenue (Arrogate), a big-figure runner-up on his lone racetrack appearance Jan. 27, would be passing the Florida Derby.

“For clarity, we have decided not to pursue a Florida Derby entry with Victory Avenue,” Delgado posted. “Being a very talented son of Arrogate, at this moment we feel that time and patience to let him grow up physically + mentally is the best plan. Plenty of goals for him to achieve down the line.”

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NY Chaplaincy to Honor Len Green

Len Green will be honored with the New York Race Track Chaplaincy's Marylou Whitney Award for his ongoing humanitarian support of the New York backstretch community. Green will be presented the award at the group's 17th annual Fundraising Brunch to be held Aug. 14 at Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs.

“Len and his late wife Lois have silently, although generously, supported an increasing number of NY Chaplaincy vital initiatives and events over the course of the past several years,” said Ramon Dominguez, president of the board of the NY Chaplaincy. “In doing so, they have set a tremendous example for others, and we are immensely grateful for this.”

Green is Founder and Chairman of the New Jersey CPA firm, The Green Group. The family's D. J. Stable, which is now managed by his son, Jon, campaigned Eclipse champions Jaywalk and Wonder Wheel, as well as 40 other graded stakes winners.

“Lois and I have long admired the work and activities of the NY Chaplaincy and Chaplain Humberto Chavez and continually realized how the organization enhances the quality of life for the backstretch community all year long.” Green said.

For tickets or sponsorship opportunities at the Aug. 14 brunch, click here.

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