Bottas Earns ‘TDN Rising Star’ Status With Impressive Saratoga Debut
Dahman’s Bottas (Vekoma) stormed to an impressive 2 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Saratoga opener on Travers Day, earning ‘TDN Rising Star’ designation after a powerful last-to-first performance under jockey Flavien Prat.
The 2-year-old colt was hammered down to 2.45-1 favoritism despite a 7-2 morning line, justifying the support with a devastating turn of foot in the final furlong and a half of the 1 1/16-mile turf maiden special weight.
Prat positioned Bottas at the rear of the six-horse field from the break, allowing the $300,000 OBS April purchase to settle while Ambassador Blue (Charlatan) set moderate fractions up front, reaching the half-mile in :47.43.
The dark bay colt remained under a tight hold around the turn before being produced off the heels of Quiet Power (Tapit) in upper stretch. Once given his cue, Bottas accelerated sharply, confronting Franklin Delano (Liam’s Map) inside the final furlong before drawing clear despite racing on his incorrect lead through the wire.
[Spoiler Alert] According to DRF Formulator, Bottas covered his final 2 1/2 furlongs in a slick :29.60, completing the distance in 1:41.70 over firm turf.
Franklin Delano, who enjoyed a ground-saving trip under John Velazquez, held second ahead of Feral (Volative) in third.
Bottas becomes the second ‘TDN Rising Star’ produced by dam Iadorakid (Lemon Drop Kid), joining stakes winner Parenting (Justify), an undefeated $750,000 OBS April graduate who captured the 2024 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita.
The colt hails from an elite Sam-Son Farms female family. His dam is a half-sister to Sovereign Award winner and GI Woodbine Mile hero El Tormenta (Stormy Atlantic) and Grade III-winning turf sprinter Zero Tolerance (Mizzen Mast).
Bottas‘ third dam Fleet of Foot produced multiple stakes performers, including champion Hello Seattle (Deputy Minister). The broader family includes Sam-Son luminaries Smart Strike, Dance Smartly, Dancethruthedawn, and the late Speightster.
Iadorakid was bought back on an $80,000 bid with Bottas in utero at Keeneland November in 2022. After not producing foals in the past two seasons, she was covered by Life Is Good this term.
Trained by Miguel Clement for owner Dahman, Bottas was bred in Kentucky by BCS Thoroughbreds.
Bottas is a last-to-first winner on debut in the opener at Saratoga! 🍀@clementstable trains the son of Vekoma and Flavien Prat was in the saddle. pic.twitter.com/tEc636K1HC
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires)
Bottas is a last-to-first winner on debut in the opener at Saratoga! 🍀August 23, 2025
