D J Stable partnership’s Ewing delivered a commanding performance at Saratoga on Saturday, earning ‘TDN Rising Star’ honors with a 12-length victory in his racing debut. The 2-year-old colt by Knicks Go demolished a field reduced to five after the scratching of main market rival Bento Express.
Sent off as the overwhelming 35-100 favorite, Ewing broke from midpack before quickly asserting himself at the front alongside Wesley Ward-trained filly She’s On a Roll (Charlatan). The pair established a commanding eight-length advantage over the rest of the field through an opening quarter in :22.42.
As they entered the stretch, She’s On a Roll drifted outward, allowing Ewing to pull away effortlessly. Under minimal urging from jockey Jose Ortiz, the colt cruised through the final 50 yards to complete the 5½ furlongs in 1:04.42.
The $585,000 OBS April purchase represents a significant return on investment for his connections after being RNA’d for just $37,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Sale. Ewing breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5 before catching the attention of his current ownership group — D J Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Kenneth Frierich.
Trainer Mark Casse conditions the Kentucky-bred colt, who earned $55,000 for the victory.
Ewing’s dam, Sassy Ali Joy (by Indian Charlie), never raced but has produced stakes-placed Tuscan Queen (Street Boss). She sold for $60,000 while in foal to Collected at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The mare was barren to Liam’s Map for 2024 and was recently RNA’d for $22,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale when offered pregnant to Midshipman.
The colt’s pedigree includes notable black type through his third dam, a half-sister to Grade II-placed Banshee Winds (Known Fact), who produced 1998 champion 3-year-old filly and five-time Grade I winner Banshee Breeze (Unbridled).
Ewing represents the third individual winner for Taylor Made’s first-crop sire Knicks Go (by Paynter), whose progeny have now won in both the United States and Russia.
EWING lives up to the hype as @nyknicks fans can rejoice with a winner for @markecasse and @jose93_ortiz for @westpointtbred as the heavily favored debut runner is a slam dunk at #Saratoga. #HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/0L7pcgJogm
— Matthew DeSantis (@failedtomenace)
EWING lives up to the hype as July 5, 2025
