Yaupon’s Booked romps to first stakes win in historic Sanford S. (G2)
July 4, 2026
Booked has even bigger races in his future after rolling to a six-length win in the Sanford S. (G3) on Independence Day at Saratoga. The 2-year-old Yaupon colt, who broke his maiden a month ago at Saratoga, is likely heading to the Aug. 1 Saratoga Special (G2) according to his trainer Steve Asmussen.
Yaupon is currently the leading Second-Crop sire of 2026 in nearly every statistical category. Booked is his sixth stakes winner this year and 13th overall stakes horse.
Booked broke on top and was closely pursued by Pocket Listing through the first half-mile, then began to shake clear passing the quarter pole. With no resistance and under a hand-ride, Booked bounded clear and won in hand in 1:11.24 for the six furlongs on a fast track.
“He was much the best today,” said jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. “The only thing we worried about was the break from [post No. 1]. He’s a big colt. Today he broke [well] and he was much the best.”
“Yaupon was extremely talented, and they have a very similar personality, and they both have a lot of speed,” said Asmussen when asked to compare Booked to his sire, who he also trained.
Booked is owned by Jackpot Farm, Alvin Fults, Jason Itkin and Michael D. Smith and was bred by Peace Of Heaven Thoroughbreds. The dark bay’s record now stands at 2-1-0 in three starts, with earnings of $204,520. Booked sold to his owners for $325,000 at the 2025 Keeneland September sale. Booked hails from the family of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and Las Virgenes S. (G1) winner Callback.