Second Chances: A Star in the Making? Indian Summer Up Next for Schwarzenegger

[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.

Schwarzenegger (c, 2, Not This Time), narrowly defeated as the 3-5 favorite sprinting over the Saratoga grass on debut Aug. 29, will attempt to earn his diploma in the $300,000 Indian Summer S. at Keeneland Sunday.

“This has always been one of my favorite 2-year-olds from the onset,” trainer Wesley Ward said. “Once we got up to Saratoga and we started working him on the grass, you could see the talent that he had.”

One of the more talked about babies on the Saratoga backstretch this summer, Schwarzenegger broke like a shot from his outside draw beneath John Velazquez and sped off through an opening quarter in :21.59 in his highly anticipated unveiling.

In a race of his own rounding the far turn–track announcer Frank Mirahmadi called him eight lengths in front–the powerfully built bay kicked for home in complete command and led by 6 1/2 lengths at the stretch call.

With Schwarzenegger, however, still racing on his left lead and drifting out to the center of the course down the lane, 23-1 first-time starter Attfield (Vekoma)–entered in Friday's 'Win and You're In' GIII Futurity S. at the Belmont at the Big A meeting–came charging through an inviting opening along the inside and just got up to win by a neck.

The final time for 5 1/2 furlongs over the firm going was 1:03.31.

“(Velazquez) said he didn't realize how fast Schwarzenegger was,” Ward said.

“He said, 'I never believed I was eight lengths in front, he was just going so comfortable and so easy.' Unfortunately, that early fast pace just kinda got him the last few strides.”

Schwarzenegger (outside) just got tagged late by Attfield (inside) on debut at the Spa Aug. 29 | Sarah Andrew

Schwarzenegger has breezed twice at Keeneland since, most recently working four furlongs in :50.60 (33/40) Sept. 30. He'll face eight rivals going 5 1/2 furlongs on grass in the Indian Summer.

“With that particular race underneath him, I think he's really going to move forward,” Ward said. “I'm so excited for this guy's future.”

Schwarzenegger, a $410,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, is campaigned in partnership by Mrs. John Magnier, David Fennelly's Mountmellick Farm, Brook T. Smith and Resolution Road Stables.

His leading young sire Not This Time is already responsible for eight winners at the top level, including 'the Fastest Horse in the World' Cogburn, who captured the 2024 GI Jaipur S. going 5 1/2 furlongs over the Saratoga grass in a North American-record time of :59.80.

Schwarzenegger's dam Soothsaying (Lemon Drop Kid), purchased by Gainesway for $350,000 carrying a Nyquist filly at the 2024 Keeneland November sale, won her lone career start going a mile over the Ellis lawn.

Schwarzenegger, named, of course, in honor of the iconic action star, former California governor and professional bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, was bred in Kentucky by Frankfort Park Farm.

“I described the horse as a powerful guy to Robyn Murray at Coolmore, and when she saw him, she called me and said, 'I kinda like this name Schwarzenegger,'” Ward said. “And I said, 'Yeah, you hit it right on the head!' Robyn came up with a great name.”

   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, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers S. winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo).

Against the odds, a perfect tribute

ATTFIELD, carrying the name of the late John Attfield, wins first out at 23-1 under @DavisJockey for trainer @morley_racing. pic.twitter.com/JrOIvcvXwK

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 29, 2025

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