‘Rising Star’ Bishops Bay Survives Objection, Wins American Pharoah at Oaklawn

[Wandering Eyes]

In his second consecutive victory of the year, 'TDN Rising Star' Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) survived a rider's objection to claim the Listed American Pharoah Stakes at Oaklawn.

No worse than first or second in his career, the son of the late Uncle Mo was a winner last out Jan. 25 by 3 3/4 lengths against optional claimers at this venue and earned a 92 Beyer that matched his seasonal bow Jan. 5 when he lost the bob to Black Powder (Gun Runner), who also returned here. Two years ago, he'd been the runner-up in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in May and GIII Ohio Derby that June before missing all of 2024 save for his lone 4-year-old start at Horseshoe Indianapolis Nov. 11 where he won by two lengths.

Made the even-money choice for his first appearance in stakes company since those sophomore graded contests, Bishops Bay was fast to the front to set the tempo in :24.06, :48.24, and 1:12.34 splits. Shaking off a challenger entering the lane, he began to drift out with a furlong left to run as the hard-knocking Group 1-placed Bendoog (Gun Runner) loomed the danger. Bracing for the inevitable challenge as his rival shifted to the inland route late, Bishops Bay held off the charge by a neck. Full Screen (Big Screen) claimed third at long 22-1 odds.

Afterwards, John Velazquez aboard the runner-up posted a rider's objection against the victor, but the stewards disallowed it.

The 'Rising Star' is one of three black type earners for his dam, Catch My Drift, who herself was placed at the elite level after hitting the board in the GI Beldame Stakes. Namely, his half-siblings include Listed-placed Strava (Into Mischief) and 2024 GI Preakness Stakes third Catching Freedom (Constitution), who also won the GII Louisiana Derby that year. Bishops Bay claims a winning 3-year-old half-sister Indeed (Improbable) as well as a juvenile half-sister by Not This Time. Their dam's 2025 offspring is a full-sister to the winner. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

#1 BISHOPS BAY ($4.00) and Flavien Prat rally for victory in the $145,000 American Pharoah Overnight Stakes at @OaklawnRacing for @BradCoxRacing and all of the connections. pic.twitter.com/rkZxkyC7hH

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025

AMERICAN PHAROAH OVERNIGHT S., $145,000, Oaklawn, 3-29, (C), 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.75, gd.
1–BISHOPS BAY, 119, h, 5, Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by Pioneerof the Nile. ($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers, Martin S. Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing, LLC, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Rick Kanter, Michael J. Caruso and WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $78,300. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 8-5-3-0, $417,300. *1/2 to Catching Freedom (Constitution), GSW & GISP, $1,374,850; 1/2 to Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $472,326.
2–Bendoog, 117, h, 6, Gun Runner–Nellie Cashman, by Mineshaft. O-Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc. and William I. Mott; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-William I. Mott. $26,100.
3–Full Screen, 124, g, 6, Big Screen–Lyndenshire, by Langfuhr. (C$9,500 Ylg '20 CANSEP). O-Pantofel Stable LLC, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber; B-Spring Farm (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. $13,050.
Margins: NK, 3HF, 2HF. Odds: 1.00, 4.80, 22.10.
Also Ran: Liberal Arts, Maycocks Bay, Magic Tap, Honor Marie, Black Powder, Quality Chic. Scratched: I'm McDreamy.

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