Woody Stephens Scratch Colloquial Gets 60-Day Break: Nothing Too Terribly Major

‘TDN Rising Star’ Colloquial Sidelined for 60 Days, Targeting GI Malibu

Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing‘s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Colloquial will receive 60 days of rest after being scratched from the GI Woody Stephens S. during Saratoga’s GI Belmont Stakes program on June 7.

“He’s at Fair Hill right now with Bruce Jackson,” said Starlight Racing co-owner Jack Wolf. “Dr. Yarborough and trainer George Weaver didn’t like the way that he was moving. Even though we’d been pointing to that thing for some time, it was a tough call, it was the right call. He’ll probably be back in 60 days or something like that. Nothing too terribly major.”

The prestigious GI Malibu S., traditionally held on Santa Anita‘s opening day program the day after Christmas, will serve as the long-term target for the talented Vekoma colt.

“I’m sure he’ll be ready for the Malibu, or probably a race before then,” Wolf said. “That’s sort of what we’re thinking anyway. The horse will tell us as you well know.”

Colloquial had completed four breezes for Weaver following his front-running victory in Keeneland’s Lafayette S. on April 7. The colt was listed at 6-1 on the morning line in what proved to be a competitive renewal of the Woody Stephens, ultimately won by ‘Rising Star’ Patch Adams (Into Mischief).

The $240,000 Keeneland September graduate earned an impressive 106 Beyer Speed Figure in his previous start — a seven-length maiden victory in his sophomore debut at Aqueduct on February 7. Only three 3-year-olds have posted higher Beyer figures this year: Sovereignty (Into Mischief) with 109, Journalism (Curlin) with 108, and Magnitude (Not This Time) with 108.

Colloquial’s career began with a promising debut second at Aqueduct last June, where he was beaten just a nose by Mentee — Fierceness (City of Light)’s full-brother and subsequent GIII Futurity S. winner. This performance was highlighted in the ‘Second Chances’ series.

The talented colt represents the first crop of promising Spendthrift Farm stallion Vekoma, who was also trained by Weaver and has already produced four graded stakes winners. Colloquial was produced by the John Oxley-bred, two-time winner Terminology (Bernardini), with his third dam being Oxley’s GI Kentucky Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus. He was bred in Kentucky by Michael and J.B. Orem.

“Vekoma is the next coming,” Wolf stated.

Watch the full replay as COLLOQUIAL turns back the challenge and captures the Lafayette (L)! pic.twitter.com/Ax9Xu6fbh1

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing)

Watch the full replay as COLLOQUIAL turns back the challenge and captures the Lafayette (L)! pic.twitter.com/Ax9Xu6fbh1

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 7, 2025