Churchill Downs saw a surprising debut victory Saturday as Duke of Suggins captured the third race of the day, giving freshman sire Tom’s d’Etat an impressive winner from his first crop.
The 2-year-old colt, overlooked at 26-1 odds, rallied from fourth position to secure a half-length victory in the $91,300 maiden special weight contest, completing the five-furlong sprint in :58.46 on a fast track.
Trained by Albert M. Stall, Jr. and owned by Greg McDonald, Duke of Suggins showed remarkable late acceleration after settling off the early pace.
“He found his best stride when it mattered most,” said Stall following the race.
The early fractions were established by 2-1 favorite Pupil (by Tacitus) and Gold Pearl (by Om), who set a quarter-mile in :22.36. As the field turned for home, Duke of Suggins unleashed a powerful closing kick to surge past the leaders.
Sleepingonfreedom (by Independence Hall) rallied for second, with Mo’ Em Down (by Caracaro) securing third. The favored Pupil faded to seventh.
The victory earned connections $52,320 from the purse.
Duke of Suggins represents an interesting pedigree story. His dam, Graceful Fancy (by Liam’s Map), was purchased for $100,000 by breeder Sun Valley Farm at the 2023 Keeneland January sale while carrying this colt. She’s a daughter of Grade I winner Icon Project (by Empire Maker) and a half-sister to graded stakes winner Fashion Business.
The colt himself traveled a winding sales path before reaching the racetrack. Initially sold for just $12,000 as a weanling at the 2023 Keeneland November sale, he later brought $11,000 as a yearling at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Eastern Fall Yearling Sale. His value increased significantly by this spring, commanding $50,000 at the 2025 OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
Graceful Fancy has since produced a filly by Twirling Candy and a colt by Life Is Good.
