Glatt Not in Any Hurry With ‘Eye-Popping’ Maiden Winner Formula Rossa

[Wandering Eyes]

Formula Rossa (f, 3, Vekoma–Fay Na Na, by Majestic Warrior) put on a show while stopping the timer for six furlongs in 1:08.73 in her 'TDN Rising Star' unveiling at Santa Anita Feb. 21.

Off as the 4-1 third choice for trainer Mark Glatt, Formula Rossa chased in second as the highly regarded, Bob Baffert-trained firster Brilliantly (Uncle Mo) zipped through sharp fractions of :21.89 and :44.41.

Formula Rossa drew up alongside the 4-5 favorite at the top of the stretch and blasted off for home with powerful-looking strides to win going away by four lengths. She earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“Certainly, it was an eye-popping performance,” Glatt said. “We were quite high on her going into the race and very confident. We had heard about the Baffert filly and how good she was going into the race, amongst others. Maiden allowances you never know what you're gonna get.”

Glatt continued, “To say that we expected a performance like the one we got, I don't think we would be being honest if we thought she'd run that scintillating. But we were awfully high on her going into the race.”

One of four 'Rising Stars' for last year's champion freshman sire Vekoma, Formula Rossa brought $270,000 from Muir Hut Stables out of the Hunter Valley Farm consignment at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. She was previously a $130,000 short yearling at Keeneland January.

Bred in Kentucky by Greathouse Equine, LLC and Glencrest Farm, LLC, Formula Rossa is out of the unraced Majestic Warrior mare Fay Na Na. The Vekoma x A.P. Indy cross is also responsible for G3 Saudi Derby winner Golden Vekoma (o/o a Stevie Wonderboy mare) and sensational maiden winner and 'Rising Star' Colloquial (o/o a Bernardini mare), who earned a gaudy 106 Beyer graduating at second asking at Aqueduct Feb. 7.

“She's got a nice stride on her,” Glatt said. “I want to see it before I believe with a lot of these young horses, but I don't think there's really any doubt running further is gonna be a problem for her.”

As for what's next for Formula Rossa, Glatt added, “She came back out of the race well. She ran so fast that I think we'll probably take our time. Try and stay disciplined and not do too much with her in start number two. She could show up in a first-level allowance condition either on the West Coast or perhaps Keeneland. I don't think we'll stretch her out yet. We'll sprint her at least her one more time before we think about stretching her out. Still gonna go over it with ownership and see what their thoughts are on how we move forward, too.”

#7 FORMULA ROSSA ($10.00) debuts in style at @santaanitapark! The three-year-old filly by @SpendthriftFarm's Vekoma was ridden by @mikeesmith10 for trainer Mark Glatt. pic.twitter.com/lwmaMJMjdq

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025

The post Glatt Not in Any Hurry With ‘Eye-Popping’ Maiden Winner Formula Rossa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article