After safely landing in Australia for the 17th consecutive year, Vinery Stud's flagship stallion More Than Ready (USA) was greeted with the news his two-year-old son Copper Bullet dominated Sunday's $200,000 Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Steve Asmussen, Copper Bullet came from a stalking third before taking contro9l in the straight to win by four lengths from Hollywood Star (Malibu Moon) with Tempestad (Uncle Mo) two lengths back in third.
Second when on debut at Keeneland in April, Copper Bullet broke his maiden by eight lengths over 5-furlongs at Churchill Downs.
At his most recent start, Copper Bullet was a luckless second in the Grade III Bashford Manor Stakes.
"Last time he missed the break, but this time I was in the clear," Ortiz told The Blood-Horse.
"I let him be comfortable and when I asked him, he was there for me. "The other horses had a little bit more speed than me, but he's a big horse. He's fast, but I didn't want to go that fast early. I just wanted to stalk and the trip worked out perfectly. When I asked him he responded and did a great job. He finished good and I think he can go farther."
A $200,000 purchase by Winchell Thoroughbreds from the Lane's End consignment at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale, Copper Bullet is out of the winning Unbridled's Song mare Allegory whose dam three-time stakes winner Louve Royale (Peintre Celebre) is a daughter of French Group III winner Louve (Irish River) who is a three-quarter sister to former shuttler Loup Sauvage.
With 173 stakes winners and worldwide earnings of over $180,486,000, More Than Ready (USA) takes his place as one of the all-time great shuttle stallion success stories.
The son of Southern Halo commands a fee of $66,000 (inc
