Second Chances: Stradale Revving Up Following Troubled Debut at the Spa

[Wandering Eyes]

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

Stradale (c, 2, Yaupon) lost just about any chance in the opening furlongs of his highly anticipated debut at Saratoga July 19 and still ran a remarkable race to finish third.

The word was out on the $285,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling turned $1.3-million OBS April breezer (:9 4/5*) and he was hammered down to 4-5 favoritism in his unveiling for owner Kaleem Shah and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

Stradale was roughed up between rivals at the start, and, after bobbling sharply, was last of eight. And the eventful journey didn't end there, either.

Stradale recovered and began to advance, but jockey Jose Ortiz was forced to tap the brakes once again.

“A rough opening quarter mile for the heavy favorite,” track announcer Frank Mirahmadi said while calling the action.

Sixth through an opening quarter in :22.87 and seemingly undeterred, Stradale caught the eye while traveling nicely and began to roll with a sweeping move on the far turn.

Widest of all in the center of the track at the top of the stretch– and dare we say, in with a chance?–he set his sights on the leaders in the final furlong, but just ran out of gas late to finish 2 1/2 lengths short of wire-to-wire winner Emphasis (Yaupon).

The final time for six furlongs was 1:11.83. Stradale earned a 65 Beyer Speed Figure, six points less than the winner.

Stradale (#3, outside) finished a troubled third behind Emphasis on debut at Saratoga July 19 | Chelsea Durand

From the first crop of Yaupon–already responsible for 13 winners (through Thursday)–Stradale was produced by the maiden of five career starts Twitterpated (Stormy Atlantic), a full-sister to GI Matriarch S. winner Stormy Lucy. Twitterpated brought just $10,000 from Stradale's co-breeder Richard Bremer at the 2021 Keeneland January sale.

Stradale has posted three breezes since his debut, including a five-furlong bullet in 1:00.90 (1/11) over the Oklahoma Training Track Aug. 10. He has been nominated to the GI Spendthrift Hopeful S. over closing weekend.

“Stradale was unlucky in his first start with a lot of trouble,” Shah said. “We think the world of Stradale, and he has been breezing very well after his last race. I expect a very big effort from him in his next start–whether he runs in a maiden special weight or a stakes race. Steve Asmussen will decide where he runs next.”

   Since launching 'Second Chances' in 2017, 64 maidens have been featured in these pages (through 2024), producing 25% graded stakes winners, 34% stakes winners and 48% stakes horses.

   The series has introduced eight future winners at the top level, led by this year's GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo).

@RSantana_Jr is on a roll! Win number three on the card comes aboard EMPHASIS in Race 7, breaking his maiden for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/y9b777Ptp9

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 19, 2025

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