Clement Racing unveiled a potential star Tuesday as The Big Con delivered a commanding performance at Presque Isle Downs, earning ‘TDN Rising Star’ honors in his career debut.
The Dark Angel colt, sent off at 24-5 odds after shipping down from Saratoga, demolished his competition by 8 1/2 lengths in a one-mile maiden special weight on the Tapeta surface.
Under jockey Pablo Morales, The Big Con settled at the rear of the five-horse field through modest fractions of :25.10 and :50.04. The British-bred colt made his move with three furlongs remaining, sweeping to the lead with minimal urging before drawing away impressively down the stretch.
The final time was 1:39.45, with The Big Con covering the final quarter in :24.71 despite being eased up in the final sixteenth.
“He was much the best,” the Clement Racing Stable posted on social media following the victory.
The impressive juvenile was purchased for 115,000 guineas at last year’s Tattersalls October Sale by a team including the late Christophe Clement, Tom Pritchard-Gordon from Badgers Bloodstock, and Erwan de Chambord, according to trainer Miguel Clement.
The Big Con comes from an accomplished family. He’s a full-brother to Heredia, a Group 3 winner who finished third in the 2024 G1 Sun Chariot Stakes before being acquired by Wathnan Racing. Under those colors, Heredia recently captured the GII Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Del Mar on August 9.
His dam, the Group 3-winning Nakuti, is a half-sister to Amade, winner of the 2019 GII Belmont Gold Cup and the 2023 G3 Geelong Cup in Australia.
Newsells Park will consign the New Bay yearling half-brother to The Big Con and Heredia as lot 1040 during Book 2 of this year’s October Sale in Newmarket.
Clement indicated The Big Con could make his next start in the C$150,000 GIII Grey Stakes over 8 1/2 furlongs on the Woodbine Tapeta surface on November 2.
The colt is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tony Weintraub, and Brandon M. Dalinka. He was bred in Great Britain by St Albans Bloodstock LLP.
Well done to THE BIG CON, who won impressively on debut today! He was much the best under @Pablojockey88. Congratulations @ReevesThorobred, @pattiannreeves, Tony Weintraub, and @BDalinka! pic.twitter.com/tLilzNLfWS
— Clement Racing Stable (@clementstable)
Well done to THE BIG CON, who won impressively on debut today! He was much the best under September 17, 2025
