Kentucky-breds won three of the four Grade 1 races run over the Aug. 22-23 weekend, topped by Maximum Security in the Pacific Classic (G1) and Rushing Fall in the Diana S. (G1).
While those two are Grade 1 veterans, a new star emerged in the Fourstardave H. (G1) when Halladay got his first graded stakes win.
At Del Mar, Maximum Security led nearly the entire trip to take the 1 1/4-mile affair by three lengths under Abel Cedillo.
Maximum Security, a son of New Year’s Day. has now won his last six starts, dating back to the 2019 Haskell Inv. (G1) and has earned $12,1919,900 for owners Gary and Mary West (also his breeder), Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
As part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In series, the Pacific Classic victory guaranteed Maximum Security a spot in the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.
At Saratoga on Sunday, More Than Ready’s spectacular turf mare Rushing Fall avenged a loss in last year’s Diana S. (G1) with a well-earned neck victory over Mean Mary Sunday in the 2020 renewal of the $500,000 race for fillies and mares.
The final running time of 1:45.88 on the firm turf represented the third-fastest clocking in the 82-year history of the Diana.
Now a six-time Grade 1 winner, Rushing Fall has won 11 of 14 lifetime starts and has earned $2,553,000 for Bob Edwards’ eFive Racing. Rushing Fall, a daughter of More Than Ready out of the Forestry mare Autumnal, was bred by Fred Hertrich III and John D. Fielding.
Halladay was a front-running, 1 1/4-length winner of the Fourstardave on Saturday. The 4-year-old gray/roan earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 103 after covering the mile in a swift 1:33.32 on the good turf course.
Halladay was a two-time stakes winner prior to Saturday, and is now 6-2-4 in 14 starts and has earned $517,485 for Harrell Ventures LLC. The son of War Front was bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. Halladay’s dam Hightap was a two-time Grade 3 winner.