Arctic Beast continues red-hot streak for Yaupon

Arctic Beast gave leading First-Crop sire Yaupon his 12^th overall winner with a game maiden special weight score August 15^th at Saratoga [WATCH RACE].

The 2-year-old colt was making his debut in the six-furlong sprint. Through the first half-mile, he battled for the lead with Diamond Life and Pride of the Union, both who began to fade in upper stretch. Arctic Beast pulled a length clear in mid-stretch, then bravely held off the late charge of Valentine Crusader to win by a nose in 1:10.82 on a fast track. It was eight lengths back to the rest of the field.

Arctic Beast is owned by Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stables and Jennifer Rice and was bred by Rockridge Stud, LLC & Saratoga Glen Farm & Beal’s Racing Stable, LLC. The bay colt sold to his trainer Mike Maker, as agent, for $275,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton New York Preferred Yearlings sale.

Yaupon has had four winners in the past week, topped by stakes winner Crown the Buckeye. Yaupon leads the First-Crop sire list with $826,133 in earnings to date.