Woodbine announced Saturday that Argos secured a thrilling victory in the bet365 Summer Stakes, earning an automatic berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.
The 6-1 shot narrowly outlasted European invader and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Wild Desert (Ire) in a dramatic finish that came down to the final strides on Woodbine’s inner turf course.
Trained by Riley Mott and ridden by Flavien Prat, Argos captured his first Grade I win while completing the mile in 1:36.90 over firm turf. The victory marks Mott’s first Summer Stakes triumph since 2001, when his predecessor Kevin Attard guided El Soprano to victory with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens aboard.
“I honestly, really loved the way he ran last time,” said Prat. “I thought, you know, the last quarter was quite fast, and I don’t think it was the right setup for him. And obviously today, we went on the inner [turf] and we had a better draw and a bit more experience and seasoning. And it was a good run.”
The Nyquist colt entered the race with a debut win at Ellis Park before finishing third in the bet365 Soaring Free Stakes at Woodbine on August 16.
[Spoiler Alert] Breaking from the rail, Argos settled into a comfortable position after being shuffled back early. The race developed through fractions of :23.26 and :48.14, with Marcus J and Two Out Hero setting the early pace. Meanwhile, 8-5 favorite Wild Desert lacked early speed and found himself rank in the center of the track.
Argos made his move around the far turn, fanning four-wide at the furlong pole while Wild Desert still had eight horses to pass. In a thrilling stretch duel, Argos held off Wild Desert’s furious late charge by a head, with Two Out Hero finishing a length back in third.
Owner David Romanik expressed his excitement about returning to the Breeders’ Cup. “My second horse raced in the Breeders Cup in 1989—it’s been a long time since then, and now, my second one,” said Romanik. “This horse breezed at OBS in :30.4 and the only other horse I’ve ever owned who did that ran in the Breeders’ Cup in 1989, so I thought I had something special.”
Argos represents the 10th Grade I winner for his sire Nyquist, who continues carrying on the legacy of his own sire, the late Uncle Mo. The colt’s dam, Athenian, was a stakes winner in Germany and is a half-sister to SW/MGSP Fadhayyil.
Originally purchased for $10,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton July Sale, Argos later commanded $165,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale. His lifetime record now stands at 3-2-0-1 with earnings of $287,018.
The official finish saw Argos (6.85-1) defeating Wild Desert (1.65-1) by a head, with Two Out Hero (3.55-1) another length back in third. Teddy’s Rocket completed the superfecta.
ARGOS IS INTO THE @BreedersCup!
WHAT. A. FINISH AT THE SUMMER STAKES. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OEz4MAdY5r
— Woodbine Racetrack (@WoodbineTB)
ARGOS IS INTO THE September 13, 2025
