By J.N. Campbell
IGNITER (c, 3, Volatile–Malibu Prayer {GISW, $618,026}, by Malibu Moon), after being featured in TDN's Second Chances series, broke his maiden by a length during the Belmont At The Big A meet in late September.
The homebred was off for two months, then was entered in the GII Remsen Stakes at the Big A Dec. 6 where he posted a sixth-place finish behind GII Risen Star Stakes entrant Paladin (Gun Runner) and recent Sam F. Davis Stake hero Renegade (Into Mischief).
Well-backed at a shade over even-money here, the colt tracked longshot Hong Kong Phooey (Complexity) from third up the backstretch and started to move on the leader from the outside before the far turn.
Gunning his engine, Igniter fired his best shot, took control by the top of the lane and sailed home a no-doubt winner to clear the condition by 4 1/4 lengths. Blue Forty Two (Audible) came from well off the pace to outrun his odds and secure the runner-up spot.
A half-sister to MGSW Valid (Medaglia d'Oro) and the dam of GSW Delahaye (Medaglia d'Oro), the winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Early Voting and a yearling colt by Gun Runner. She was entered in Gun Pilot's book for this term.
Igniter's extended female family includes GI Carter Handicap victor Swagger Jack (Smart Strike).
3rd-Aqueduct, $83,000, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 2-11, 3yo, 7f, 1:25.71, ft, 4 1/4 lengths.
IGNITER, c, 3, Volatile–Malibu Prayer {GISW, $618,026}, by Malibu Moon
Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $105,650. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.
IGNITER gets a stalking trip in the third race at Aqueduct under @jockeyfranco for trainer Rick Dutrow! 💪 pic.twitter.com/N8CgY5LzKO
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 11, 2026
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
