2nd-Churchill Downs, $124,813, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 10-26, 2yo, 1m, 1:36.70, ft, 9 lengths.
SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT (c, 2, Army Mule–Diplomatic Miss, by Violence) debuted at Saratoga July 26 and held off a late charge to break his maiden by a neck. His grit impressed his connections so much that they opted for a try at the GI Hopeful Stakes in his next jump Sept. 1, and he faded to fourth behind a trio of 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard'–namely MGISW Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), Buetane (Tiz the Law), and Curtain Call (Ti z the Law).
The betting public saw the writing on the walls, and sent him off the 6-5 favorite in this step down to allowance company. Stalking from third as the pacesetter posted :23.61 and a half in :47.39, he overtook the pair in front of him on the final bend and was rolling with a clear advantage in the stretch. From there it was a question of how much he wanted to win by, and Soldier N Diplomat made that tally nine lengths over Tripp's Promise (Promises Fulfilled).
The victor's dam claims a perfect strike rate with her three offspring, and is herself a daughter of MGSW & MGISP Miraculous Miss (Mr. Greeley)–making her a half-sibling to MGISP Tiger Heart (Scatmandu). Diplomatic Miss has a yearling filly by Authentic to her credit as the last registered when she did not catch on a breeding to Arcangelo for 2025. Sales history: $950,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $146,284. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-St. Elias Stable; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.
It was all #6 SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT ($4.72) who took control in the stretch and pulled away to easily win race 2 at @ChurchillDowns. @Tyler_Gaff was in the irons for trainer Steve Asmussen and owner St. Elias Stable.
Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/JeRmcZ9nRz
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 26, 2025
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