Second Chances: ‘Out of a Loss, There’s a Win’ – Boss Dylan Florida-Bound Following Eye-Catching Debut Second

[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.

What an effort from Boss Dylan (c, 2, Liam's Map–Sweet, by Blame)!

Those were the words of track announcer Travis Stone as Boss Dylan rallied from last to finish a fantastic second in the nightcap at Churchill Downs Sunday evening.

Off at odds of 9-1 in his 6 1/2-furlong unveiling for trainer Brendan Walsh in a very deep maiden special weight, Boss Dylan made a mess of the break from his outside draw and was 11th as the Brian Lynch-trained firster Mob (Gun Runner) sped through an opening quarter in :22.16.

The $40,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $460,000 OBS April breezer began to launch beneath Tyler Gaffalione with a flashy move on the far turn and split horses leaving the quarter pole. He kept on rolling down the stretch and came home in a field-best :31.24 while finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind the aforementioned Mob, a $560,000 Keeneland September graduate.

Boss Dylan earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure, four points less than the front-running winner.

Mob is a debut winner is in the @churchilldowns finale for trainer @blynchracing with @luissaezpty aboard!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/rdrXDHuaSm

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 23, 2025

Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock Agency purchased Boss Dylan on behalf of G and O Racing, High Step Racing, JR Ranch and KAS Ultimate Racing after breezing in :10 1/5 earlier this spring in Ocala.

“It's almost a blessing in a way,” said Restrepo, who co-owned  2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage. “Out of a loss, there's a win. He learned so much. Kudos to Tyler, just let the horse get into rhythm. They were moving up top and they got away from him. Lynchie's horse is a fast, well-meant horse.”

He continued, “It was so nice to see a young baby eat that kind of dirt and zig zag between horses and not be afraid to attack a pack. Normally you see the babies spit it on the turn after making a move like that. The gallop out was savage. That probably was the most impressive thing.”

Boss Dylan's leading young sire Liam's Map is responsible for seven top-level winners worldwide. Bred in Kentucky by Twin Oaks Bloodstock LLC, Boss Dylan was produced by Claiborne Farm homebred Sweet (Blame), a two-time winner on grass and full-sister to GI Santa Margarita S. heroine Fault and half-sister to the dam of GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner Juju's Map (Liam's Map). Sweet is also responsible for the 4-year-old filly No Mo Candy (Uncle Mo), winner of last fall's GIII Pebbles S. over the Aqueduct lawn.

Boss Dylan in the paddock prior to his debut at Churchill Downs Sunday | courtesy Ramiro Restrepo

“It was great for the group and all the partners to have a root home,” Restrepo said. “He showed that he wanted it and came running fast for the wire. That kind of stuff makes it all worth it.

My main supporter and the person who has really given me a gigantic boost is Jose Aguirre of JR Ranch. He has been a godsend as an owner. I am Jose's racing manager and bloodstock manager and put the group together with High Step Racing, G and O Racing and KAS Ultimate Racing. It's a bunch of new guys and they come from all walks. Some of them are in the sport-fisherman world. Getting them in the game is pretty fun.”

Restrepo concluded, “He came out of the race great and will ship to Florida to Palm Meadows after Thanksgiving. We'll look at a maiden there going seven-eighths to a mile at the beginning of the year. If he answers that bell, you're definitely in line for some dreams.”

   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).

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