Partners Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm look to have a potential champion on their hands after Volatile took the Grade One Vanderbilt Handicap on Saturday, July 26th.
The Steve Asmussen speedster broke well from the gates against his three rivals. Jockey Ricardo Santana Junior proceeded to set some very modest fractions in the first quarter but was allowed a comfortable lead. Volatile still hadn’t seen another rival as the field hit the top of the stretch and when Santana Junior asked the galloping grey to go and win his race he pulled out plenty to win uncontested.
“When he broke, he broke really sharp and he’s a horse that’s cool,” Santana Jr. said.
“Today he relaxed really well…I was very happy because he was very happy.”
The son of Hill N Dale Farm’s stallion Violence has now won five of his six starts with this is first try at graded stakes level. With many touting him as the best of his division, it seems as if connections will let him have a shot to prove it at Keeneland in November.
“We’ll have a sit down with Steve and our partners but I imagine we’ll be charting a path to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint,” said Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz
“We’ll need to see how he comes out of this, but the future looks exciting. Today’s win was an important one for his value as a stallion, but he also proved he is one of the best sprinters in the country. We’d love to give him a chance to prove that.
“This is our first Grade One winner with Steve and we are delighted for him and his team. Also massive congratulations to our very good friends and partners Three Chimneys.”
Volatile’s victory completed an American double for Phoenix Thoroughbreds. Earlier in the day, Seattle Slang grabbed the second win of her career thanks to a beautifully judged “last to first” ride from Corey Lanerie.