Big Dom Tops McKinzie 1-2, Becomes a Third ‘Rising Star’ at Saratoga

[Wandering Eyes]

Greenwell Thoroughbreds' Big Dom (c, 2, McKinzie–Half A.P., by Pulpit) and Dr. Kapur (McKinzie) threw down in the final furlong in front of the Travers day crowd assembled at Saratoga Saturday afternoon, and the duo sprinted well clear of their rivals, with the former prevailing in a tight finish to become the day's third 'TDN Rising Star'.

The 13-4 second choice behind 5-2 pick Vino Vici (Vino Rosso)–the only member of the octet with previous race experience– Big Dom raced between Dr. Kapur to his inside and Vino Vici to his outer through the opening exchanges before going forward to press the pace of Dr. Kapur through an first couple of furlongs in :22.64, as Vino Vici was content to drop back and chase from the second flight of horses.

Asked to come after the pacesetter entering the stretch after a half in :45.58, Big Dom joined the battle in earnest with just under an eighth of a mile to travel and sprinted his final two furlongs in :23.73 to defeat Dr. Kapur, who came home in :23.93. The final time was a crisp 1:09.47 and there was a good gap back of 3 1/4 lengths back to Vino Vici in third.

Both the rail-drawn My World (Essential Quality) and Stimulate (Tapit–Elate) should come on for their debut runs in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Big Dom, who was bought back on a bid of $160,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale, is a half-brother to 2023 GIII Canadian Derby winner Abeliefinthislivin (Arrogate), GSW-Can, SP-USA, $193,648; and to Fully Living (Unbridled's Song), GSP, $172,417, herself the dam of GSW Ballet Dancing (Medaglia d'Oro) and MGSP Untreated (Nyquist).

Half A.P., purchased by Merriebelle Stable for $450,000 in foal to Candy Ride (Arg) at Keeneland November in 2014, is a half-sister to five winners, most notably 2003 champion 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Halfbridled (Unbridled). Third dam At the Half, winner of the GIII Golden Rod Stakes at two, produced a couple of winners, including MGSW Lu Ravi (A.P. Indy).

Half A.P. is responsible for a yearling half-sister to Big Dom and a colt foal by Arcangelo. She was most recently bred to another Classic-winning son of Arrogate, namely Seize the Grey.

Big Dom is the second 'Rising Star' in as many weeks for the Tom Amoss barn, which was represented by the towering debut winner It's Our Time (Not This Time) on Aug. 16.

6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.47, ft, neck.
BIG DOM, c, 2, by McKinzie
1st Dam: Half A. P., by Pulpit
2nd Dam: Half Queen, by Deputy Minister
3rd Dam: At the Half, by Seeking the Gold
Sales history: $160,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Greenwell Thoroughbreds; B-Merriebelle Stable LLC (KY); T-Thomas M Amoss.

 

Big Dom wins at first asking in R6 at Saratoga for trainer @tomamossracing with @jose93_ortiz aboard! pic.twitter.com/0jG4OLtxhL

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 23, 2025

 

The post Big Dom Tops McKinzie 1-2, Becomes a Third ‘Rising Star’ at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article