No Question Rhetorical extended his unbeaten streak to four this season after a career-best showing in Saturday’s $1.25 million Turf Mile (G1T) at Keeneland. In his first taste of graded stakes action, the 4-year-old dark bay looked the part of a seasoned veteran, allowing the race to develop before finding the ideal time to strike down the stretch. The stunning effort as the field of 11’s third choice gave Rhetorical (9-1) his second straight stakes triumph (West Point on Aug. 24 at Saratoga) and fifth win from six starts lifetime (5-0-1). A $320,000 purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred Yearling Sale, Rhetorical paid $21.18 for the Turf Mile score. In the Spotlight Napoleon Solo had the Aqueduct faithful cheering for an encore after a superstar score in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1). Operating out of post eight in the nine-horse affair, the roan colt brushed off early contact and took command without hesitation. Once established on the front, Napoleon Solo and rider Joel Rosario settled into a comfortable rhythm and had no trouble separating from the pack for the confident 6 ½-length victory. Looking like a smash hit for owner Gold Square LLC, the $40,000 purchase has now earned $319,000 in prize money through two starts. At 6-1 on Saturday, Napoleon Solo paid $15.94. Not So Fast Intrepido and rider Hector Berrios denied Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert his fifth straight American Pharoah (G1) title with a dogged comeback on Saturday at Santa Anita. Pitted against four Baffert-trained hopefuls, including 9-5 favourite Desert Gate, an energized Intrepido wanted to flash his tremendous speed early and often, but a measured Berrios opted to conserve stamina for a strong final push. The prudent decision ultimately paid dividends, as the rookie ridgling burst down the lane to steal the $300,000 American Pharoah from Baffert and Desert Gate. Bred by Sierra Fria Farm, LLC and trained by Jeff Mullins, Intrepido paid $19.60 for his first career graded tally (3: 2-0-0). Stamp the Passport It took until his 26th start for Silawi (IRE) to test North American waters, but the wait was surely worth it. On Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack, the 5-year-old Hamad Al-Jehani-trained gelding held on just long enough to take the $750,000 Canadian International (G1T) after leading gate-to-wire. Sent off as the fourth choice on the board at 10-1, Silawi, under the hand of rider Faleh Bughenaim, was quick to grab the lead and set the pace for the 1 ½-mile turf test. While Silawi watched his lead dwindle from three lengths to just a nose at the wire, it was enough to grant the experienced bay his fourth career victory (4-4-4) and second in a row (Group 3 Winter Hill on Aug. 23). Silawi paid $22.90 on Saturday. Silawi and connections after winning the Canadian International (G1) on October 4, 2025 at Woodbine Win Win Gin Gin whipped up a cocktail of surprises to stun a pair of elite foes in Saturday’s $650,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) at Keeneland. Written off at 18-1 heading into the 1 1/8-mile contest, Gin Gin found herself overshadowed by 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (2-5) and Champion 2-year-old filly Nitrogen (2-1). When the gates opened, however, it was a different story. Gin Gin moved with purpose to the lead where she was met by an equally determined Nitrogen. The pair remained stride-for-stride heading for home, but it was Gin Gin who maintained the edge to win by a head. Thorpedo Anna finished fourth of five. The career-defining tally was the Brendan Walsh trainee’s second of 2024 and first since the Doubledogdare (G3) on Apr. 18, also at Keeneland. Bred and owned by Calumet Farm, Gin Gin paid $38.64. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
