NYRA announced Saturday that ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ewing captured the GII Saratoga Special Stakes with a commanding front-running performance, becoming the first stakes winner for freshman sire Knicks Go.
The talented 2-year-old colt, who broke his maiden impressively at Saratoga on July 5, overcame a slow start from the rail before rushing to the lead and setting fractions of :22.26 for the opening quarter.
Challenged by 4-5 favorite and fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Obliteration on the far turn, Ewing found another gear when it mattered most. He opened a two-length advantage at the stretch call before holding off his rival by a length at the wire.
“That was kind of crazy,” said winning trainer Mark Casse. “We didn’t warm him up so he would kind of get away slow, so he could settle. Jose (Ortiz) said he settled for three strides. He’s fast.”
Casse noted the tactical decision to let the colt use his natural speed. “I always tell them, when the gate opens, it’s up to you to decide. He said he broke and took off and he wasn’t going to fight him.”
“Our horse got tired and is going to improve a lot from that, too. I want him to go farther, but what I want and what I get are sometimes different. I’m proud of him today. He showed a lot of guts, and we’ll enjoy the victory and figure out the next,” Casse added.
The trainer indicated he’s likely to target the GIII Iroquois at Churchill Downs for Ewing’s next start, while stablemate ‘TDN Rising Star’ Curtain Call will point toward the GI Hopeful.
Ewing, who sold for $585,000 at the OBS April sale after breezing in :10 1/5, races for the partnership of D. J. Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and Kenneth Freirich.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Knicks Go, with Ewing becoming the freshman stallion’s first black-type winner. Knicks Go, a son of Paynter, was Horse of the Year in 2021.
Ewing’s dam, Sassy Ali Joy, did not race but has produced stakes-placed Tuscan Queen. The colt’s third dam was a half-sister to Banshee Winds, who produced 1998 champion 3-year-old filly Banshee Breeze.
Obliteration, trained by Steven Asmussen for Leland Ackerley Racing, finished second, while the Antonio Sano-trained Camigol completed the trifecta at odds of 18-1.
The final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:18.03 on a fast track.
Nothing but net for EWING in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special! 🏀 The son of Knicks Go is now 2-for-2 with @jose93_ortiz aboard for trainer @markecasse.
Congrats to @westpointtbred, @lmgriffjohnson, and all the connections! pic.twitter.com/MUVYkXqDMz
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA)
Nothing but net for EWING in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special! 🏀 The son of Knicks Go is now 2-for-2 with August 2, 2025
