By Stefanie Grimm
Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland
First-time starter Brickyard Belle (Yaupon) saved her best running for late and mowed down the field in an impressive final-furlong run to become the latest 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' at Saratoga.
The filly is owned in equal thirds by Brickyard Belle Racing, a group from Indianapolis; Beggs and Flowers, from Texas; and Briles Family Stable.
Case Clay, who signed the $600,000 ticket at the OBS April Sale, said they were actually the underbidder on the filly, but when the original buyer was unable to fulfill the commitment, he stepped in to buy her the next day and put the ownership group together with the help of trainer Miguel Clement.
The 9-2 fourth choice in the wagering ran a solo fourth in the opening furlong as the second-time starting early leader R Kan't Miss (Kantharos) was fractious up front and tugged her way to an open-lengths lead into the far turn.
Still well out of it as a leading trio, including race favorite Follow Your Heart (Flightline), grouped up around the far turn, Brickyard Belle had plenty of work left to do but was cruising at the quarter pole and tipped off the rail to inhale the leaders four-wide.
R Kan't Miss lasted to the sixteenth pole but had no response to Brickyard Belle's top gear as she cruised right on and opened up under Manny Franco who never even drew his stick, hand riding the winner to a geared-down graduation.
The connections of Brickyard Belle | Sarah Andrew
Follow Your Heart was a clear second over Attachment (Vekoma).
“[She's a] very talented filly, came to us with glowing reviews from the sales and from Day 1, we were always remarkably high on [her],” Clement told the TDN. “Her last work with Teddy's Rocket [four furlongs in :48.90 on Aug 18] gave us all a lot of confidence. She is a unique filly as she constantly flickers and plays with her ears, they are never still.”
Clement added that, while the next start for his newest 'Rising Star' was still undecided, he was “leaning towards the [GIII] Matron at Belmont.”
The fourth 'Rising Star' for Yaupon, Brickyard Belle is a half-sister to Joe Shiesty (Air Force Blue), MSW & MGSP, $1,140,627 and Johnny Unleashed (Colonel John), GSP, $341,351, and is the third winner from four to race for Ready to Unleash, herself a full-sister to GSP Hype and a half-sister to MSW/GSP Modern Cowboy (Tiznow) and SP Tis a Man (Tiznow). Purchased for just $8,000 by Hall Stables at Keeneland January in 2023, Ready to Unleash has not produced a foal since Brickyard Belle in 2024 but she was sent to Omaha Beach for next season.
5th-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 8-27, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.95, fm, 4 1/2 lengths.
BRICKYARD BELLE, f, 2, Yaupon
1st Dam: Ready to Unleash, by More Than Ready
2nd Dam: Western Woman, by West by West
3rd Dam: Sondrio, by The Minstrel
Sales History: $160,000 Wlg '24 KEENOV; $200,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP; $600,000 2yo '26 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Brickyard Belle Racing, Beggs and Flowers and Briles Family Stable; B-Hall Racing LLC (KY); T-Miguel Clement.
“We can't believe it, we're in complete shock!”
🎙️@acacia_clement speaks with Jim and Stephanie Briles after BRICKYARD BELLE gave them their first victory as owners in just their third start. pic.twitter.com/xIYIX493av
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 27, 2026
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