By Stefanie Grimm
Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland
First-time starter Club Reign (Core Beliefs), a colt co-owned by former Seahawks quarterback and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, kicked off DraftKings Travers Day at Saratoga strong, blitzing a maiden special weight field in the opener to become a new 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'.
A $475,000 OBS April grad, the 8-1 shot drew wide in this debut but flashed strong early speed from the gate to race two-wide up the backstretch outside of rail-drawn Roll Wave (Into Mischief) who broke a step slow but rushed up to stick a head in front.
Happy to let that rival lead him into the far turn, Club Reign stalked off that one's flank, drew even as the pair hit the quarter pole and hit high gear once straightened away under jockey Edgard Zayas, opening up through the final sixteenth to win with authority by six lengths.
A tight photo for the minor placings went to Subjugation (Bee Jersey). 'Insighted' runner Beau Valor (Beau Liam) filled out the trifecta while Up to the Task (Nashville) was fourth and Roll Wave drifted back sixth.
“We have always been very high on this horse,” trainer Whit Beckman told the TDN after the race. “He trained all along like he had a ton of ability. He advertised himself well in the [morning]. We'll figure [his next start out] in the next few days but the [GI] Champagne would be my first thought.”
Co-owners Russell Wilson and Ciara with trainer Whit Beckman | Sarah Andrew
The GI Champagne Stakes, held Oct. 3 at the new Belmont Park, is a 'Win and You're In' race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. It also offers the winner 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Club Reign is the first racing venture for Wilson, who co-owns the colt under the name Three Brand Racing. He was purchased in Ocala by Legion Bloodstock who also sourced Saturday's GI Travers entry Ocelli (Connect) for trainer Whit Beckman.
Second-crop sire Core Beliefs is honored with his first 'TDN Rising Star' here. Breeder Walmac Farms, who stands the stallion, purchased Bag of Tricks from the Fasig-Tipton Digital Platform in December 2022 for $34,000.
“[Club Reign] was always nice,” added Walmac Farm Manager Dawn Carr. “He was put in a late book at Keeneland and we ended up pulling him out because we liked him. We ended up keeping him, took him down to [consignor] Julie Davis, and she fell in love with him. She's our 2-year-old trainer in Florida. She wanted him in the 2-year-old sale and said she wanted everyone to see what Core Beliefs could do.”
Walmac stayed in for a piece of the horse along with Three Brand Racing and Ribble Farms.
“[We stayed in] beacuse we always loved him and we're also trying to the Core Beliefs babies out there with different trainers. We wanted to give him every chance and opportunity because we believe in Core Beliefs and his babies. He didn't get that many mares in his first year so for his second crop, we decided to breed not just more mares but good mares to him because we believed in him. His second crop seems to be coming out stronger and hopefully they keep going.”
Walmac trainer Scott Hansen, who scouted Club Reign's sire, added, “I only have about four or five [Core Beliefs babies] but they all look like they want to run long. This horse has a lot more speed, but all of them that I've had have shown talent. It looks like this horse will want to stretch out.”
Bag of Tricks has three winners from six to race with a yearling Pappacap colt and a weanling Muth filly both still to represent her. Walmac sent her to Good Magic for 2027.
And as for sharing a co-owner's role with Wilson?
“It's been great,” Carr said, with Hansen adding, “Hopefully he's hooked and he'll [want to] buy some more!”
1st-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 8-29, 2yo, 6f, 1:11.27, ft, 6 lengths.
CLUB REIGN, c, 2, Core Beliefs
1st Dam: Bag of Tricks {SP}, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Wouldthisbemagic, by Clever Trick
3rd Dam: Magical Meadow, by Meadowlake
Sales History: $475,000 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-Ribble Farms, Three Brand Racing LLC and Walmac Farm; B-Gary Broad – Walmac Farm, LLC (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman.
TOUCHDOWN, CLUB REIGN! 🏈@DangeRussWilson's CLUB REIGN scores on debut at 8-1 under @zayas_edgardo for trainer @DWhitBeckman! pic.twitter.com/fUHhxcslu7
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 29, 2026
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