Halina’s Forte earns first graded win in Saratoga’s Honorable Miss S. (G2)

Halina’s Forte passed front-running R Disaster inside the final furlong to win the $200,000 Honorable Miss S. (G2) in the first graded victory for the 4-year-old daughter of Mitole.

Mitole now has four graded stakes winners in 2025, the most for any Third-Crop sire. He is also third on the list by both individual winners and progeny earnings.

Halina’s Forte, who was making just her second start of the year, settled in fifth down the backstretch as R Disaster set all the pace. Around the turn, Halina’s Forte hugged the fence and inched closer to the leaders. She had about three lengths to make up at the top of the stretch, and with a strong run through the lane, she passed R Disaster on her way to a half-length win in 1:09.87 for the six furlongs over the sloppy going.

“Just last year, when I rode her [to victory in the 2024 Galway S.], it was the same surface, I think they sealed it,” said winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. “Small field but not a lot of trouble in the end, stayed inside and she was game. I got the one hole, there was a lot of speed in the race, so I was hoping to break good and then bide my time from there. If I can stay on the rail, that would be beautiful if I can get through because I know she can do that. It worked out beautiful.”

According to trainer Phil Bauer, Halina’s Forte could possibly contest the Aug. 23 Resorts World Casino Ballerina S. (G1), which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Halina’s Forte, who also won the 2024 Ruthless S., is now 6-3-2 in 14 starts and has earned $526,450 for Rigney Racing LLC. The winner was bred in Florida by Bill & Corinne Heilegbrodt and A.F.& B. Vanlangendonck.