Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland: Much the Best Caramel Coast Easily Earns Maiden Special Diploma

[Wandering Eyes]

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though she wasn't exactly perfect leaving the gate in her career debut Sunday, Carmel Coast (Omaha Beach) did everything else right in the fifth race at Saratoga Race Course.

With a 5 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 maiden special weight contest for 2-year-old fillies, Carmel Coast was an emphatic best-in-class performer. Runner-up Lovely Christina (Vekoma) was 10 1/2 lengths in front of third-place filly, Essential Coffee (Nyquist). Carmel Beach and jockey Kendrick Carmouche reached the wire in 1:17.25 and paid $12.20.

The Legion Bloodstock team identified and purchased Carmel Coast for $120,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale, put together the partnership it heads that includes MHM Stables, longtime NBA executive Ed Stefanski and William Conlin and turned her over to trainer Whit Beckman.

“This filly has always trained very well for us in the spring at Keeneland and bringing her up here,” Beckman said. “Kendrick has been working her up to this race and he loved her. We've always seen a lot of talent in the morning and we're just glad she just came out and showed it this afternoon.”

Carmel Coast broke slightly to her left, recovered quickly and was in front after about 100 yards. She was never threatened thereafter. She had the 5 1/2-length lead by the top of the stretch, Carmouche kept her to the task at hand and he cruised to the decisive victory.

The Legion partners, Travis Durr, Kristian Villante and Kyle Zorn, celebrated the score with Beckman in the winner's circle. They are in town for the Fasig-Tipton sales and the Keeneland September Sale will start the fourth year of their business together.

Villante said a few factors contributed to their decision to buy the filly, who was bred by Hunter Valley Farm.

“She was just a very well-balanced filly,” Villante said. “Travis actually had some of the family early on, so we kind of familiar with it. We've always liked Omaha Beach, and she's just a beautiful filly, as you saw here. The July Sale, we always think we get very good value down there, so we were happy to add her.”

Caramel Coast's connections | Sarah Andrew

Villante also said she has a beautiful head and is very athletic.

“She's very straightforward,” Villante said. “From the time we broke her and Whit and his team have had her, she is what she is.”

While Beckman was confident going in, the ease of her victory was a surprise.

“I expected her to run well,” he said. “When they go on to win by open lengths you're always a little bit grateful that you've got one that's going to turn into a race horse. We want them all to win like that. When they do, it's just one of those, 'Yeah, we'll take it.'”

Beckman said Carmouche was showing him the right signs when he and Carmel Coast turned for home.

“Kendrick looked too comfortable,” Beckman said. “I was thinking we're in pretty good shape, honestly. just watching Kendrick's body language. He knew he had it won.

Carmel Coast struck Beckman as being physically and emotionally mature for a young horse.

“She's always been pretty precocious,” he said. “She's been about this size since she came in, and she just worked right through. She hasn't missed a beat. She's just one that was ready to be a 2-year-old and showcased it today in the right place to do it.”

 

Carmel Coast wins on debut in style in R5 at Saratoga! @kendrickcarmou1 was up for trainer Whit Beckman! pic.twitter.com/yMuxvhoHh4

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 10, 2025

 

5th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-10, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:17.25, ft, 5 1/2 lengths.
CARMEL COAST (f, 2, Omaha Beach–Carmel Beauty, by Arch) went off at 5-1 odds to lead the field after initially breaking inwardly but recovering well. Sailing through a half in :46.21 with Lovely Christina (Vekoma) never far behind, she was in no danger turning for home and only increased her margin in the lane to win by 5 1/2 lengths. Her longtime shadow finished a clear second and it was over 10 lengths back to third. The victress is a half-sister to Senor Testaferro (Midnight Storm), Ch. 2-year-old Colt-PR, SW-PR, $103,248 and three other winning elder siblings. She has a yearling full-sister and a 2025 half-brother by Olympiad. Carmel Beauty was bred to Whelen Springs for 2026. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $120,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Legion Racing, MHM Stables LLC, Ed Stefanski and William Conlin; B-Hunter Valley Farm (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman.

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