Yaupon’s Stradale finds a home on turf to win Saratoga’s Mahony S. (G3)

Making just his second lifetime start on the grass in Sunday’s $225,000 Mahony S. (G3) at Saratoga, Stradale got his first stakes win to give Yaupon his fifth graded stakes winner of 2026.

As the leading Second-Crop sire this year, Yaupon has nine stakes winners overall, 52 individual winners, and progeny earnings of $5.3 million.

After eight starts on the main track, trainer Steve Asmussen tried Stradale on the turf for last month’s Quick Call S. (G3), and he came from far off the pace to be beaten just three lengths. Sunday, the 3-year-old had a much better break and was contending for the lead immediately. Intricate Spirit led for a half-mile before Stradale wrested the lead at the top of the stretch. Down the lane, Stradale fended off several challenges, than last being by Oscar’s Hope, who was a neck behind at the wire.

“A horse like him that’s really talented… the Yaupons seem to be doing it all, winning all over at every level,” said Scott Blasi, assistant Asmussen. “I thought we saw enough in his last race that we’d give him another shot today. We’re glad we did.”

Stradale is 3-2-2 in 10 starts and has earned $388,300 for owner Kaleem Shah. Stradale was a $1.3 million purchase by Shah at the 2025 OBS Spring 2-year-olds in Training sale. The bay colt was bred by Richard Bremer & Cheryl Sprick in Kentucky.