By J.N. Campbell
Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland
Dr. Joel Politi's red-checkered colors came flying down the lane in a maiden special weight at the Spa on Saturday as Virabhadrasana (Jackie's Warrior–Montana Native, by Yes It's True) struck a 'warrior pose' all the way to the winner's circle.
The 2025 Keeneland September grad made her first start upstate Aug. 1 and belatedly showed interest to finish fourth behind fellow firster Life Changing (Life Is Good).
Overlooked as a 10-1 shot here, Virabhadrasana flashed speed out of the blocks to be in the mix early, but it was Quella (Good Magic) who showed the way up the backstretch.
The Kinnon LaRose trainee navigated to one of the outside paths entering the far turn and began to get a good sweat going to match her speed.
Taking over the lead at the quarter pole, Virabhadrasana switched to a higher gear, added to her margin and graduated by 2 1/2 lengths over Psalm Beauty (Jackie's Warrior) to complete the Exacta for the first-crop stallion.
Finishing third was LNJ Foxwoods's Foxiest (Gun Runner). The filly is out of dual champion Covfefe (Into Mischief) who incidently bested the Politi-owned Serengeti Empress (Alternation) in the 2019 edition of the GI Test Stakes at Saratoga.
Virabhadrasana in the winner's circle with trainer Kinnon LaRose | Tod Marks
“You know I've been going to the sales for about 10 years now with Tom Amoss, and we always look at the physicals first, then we find pedigrees that match what we're looking for,” owner Dr. Joel Politi told TDN by phone. “This filly was very physically impressive and just gorgeous.
“She's a May foal that was a really big filly,” he said. “She's out of a Grade III winner and had the looks. I feel we got really lucky because at the sale Jackie's Warrior was really hot. Sometimes they slip through the cracks and it just all works out. I think Jackie's Warrior will continue to pick up steam and the year's not done yet.”
Before performing the yoga 'warrior pose' for Maggie Wolfendale on the FOX Sports 'Day at the Races' broadcast, trainer Kinnon LaRose said of the winner, “She took a lot out of that first race and really matured mentally. Ricardo [Santana] worked her before she ever ran and he liked her right away.”
A $150,000 purchase by Chad Schumer out of the 2022 Keeneland November Sale, Montana Native (Yes It's True) has yet to produce a foal since the winner, but she was bred to Barnes for 2027.
Virabhadrasana is the ninth winner for her freshman sire (by Maclean's Music).
6th-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 8-29, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.52, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
VIRABHADRASANA (f, 2, Jackie's Warrior–Montana Native {MSW & MGSP, $421,698}, by Yes It's True) Sales History: $140,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $70,150. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing .
O-Joel Politi; B-Sovereign Farm (KY); T-Kinnon LaRose.
VIRABHADRASANA, by champion JACKIE'S WARRIOR, breaks her maiden at 10-1 in the sixth race under @RSantana_Jr for @kinnonlarose. pic.twitter.com/C57rDVMjJf
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 29, 2026
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