Kentucky-bred Mullikin delivered on his favoritism in the $500,000 Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 24, dominating his foes in an emphatic performance.
Owned by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, Mullikin shot to the lead of the seven-furlong event at the start. He showed the way in hand early through swift splits of :22.46 and :44.88. Mullikin drew off in the stretch when asked for his best by Flavien Prat. He crossed the finish a widening 5 ¾ lengths in front of runner-up Gun Pilot. It was the fourth straight win for Mullikin, who won the John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) at Saratoga in his previous start.
Mullikin provided his trainer Rodolphe Brisset with his first Grade 1 victory as a trainer.
“He was good in the gate,” said Brisset. “He broke like a rocket; everything went our way, and he was pretty impressive. Obviously, if I let go, I am going to cry.”
Bred in Kentucky by Fred Hertrich and John Fielding, Mullikin was a $500,000 acquisition by Maverick Racing out of the 2021 Keeneland September Sale.
Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar, said of sharing a milestone with Brisset, “It is really special. Rudy has been a really big part of our team since he went out on his own. It is great for him.
“That was amazing,” Walden added. “He’s a really unbelievable horse. He’s been great all year.”
By Violence and out of the graded stakes-placed Congrats mare Tulria’s Star, Mullikin improved his lifetime record to 9-5-3-0 and the $275,000 winner’s share of the Forego raised his bankroll to $673,612.