By Patrycja Szpyra
Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland
Louisiana-bred Gaudreau (Nyquist) was well supported against a stacked field on paper, and when two challengers came calling late, turned them all away to graduate at first-asking at the Spa.
Hailing from the female line of Venezuelan Horse of the Year and Triple Crown victress Gelinotte (Ven) (Never Bend), the son of GI Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist brought $220,000 as a yearling at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling sale and was sent to the barn of Chad Brown in late May this year to start preparations. He posted a strong move July 25 (4f, :47.05, {2/111}) from the gate, and went four panels Aug. 1 in :48.75 (33/131) in his final preparation for this debut.
Made the 2-1 favorite against a well-bred field of rivals, he was content to track the action from just off the flank of the early speed through an opening quarter in :22.38, and was the looming danger coming off the bend after a half in :45.23. Overtaking the 18-1 longshot by mid-stretch, Gaudreau had to brace for the oncoming rally of Coach Pope (Tapit) and U. S. S. Valor (War of Will), but had enough to keep them at bay on the wire. The final time was 1:16.41.
Hockey fans will likely recognize the name. Gaudreau's namesake is the late Johnny Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All-Star with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. He was the nation's all-time leading scorer in international play, and had been widely considered as a lock for the 2026 U.S. Olympic team. Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed two years ago by a suspected drunk driver.
Gaudreau is out of stakes-placed Free Cover (Congrats), herself a daughter of SW Candybedandy (Holy Bull)–thus a full-sister to SP Victory is Sweet. She was purchased by the colt's breeders, Coteau Grove Farms, in 2020 at the Keeneland November sale for $260,000 while in foal to Nyquist. That pregnancy would go on to be a winning full-sister to Gaudreau named Undercover Girl, who has since joined the broodmare ranks herself as the mother of a 2026 Domestic Product filly.
This victor is the latest to the races for their dam. Free Cover claims a yearling full-sister to Gaudreau as well as a 2026 colt by Wit–Coteau Grove also stands that stallion in Louisiana in partnership with Whispering Oaks Farm. She was bred to Arabian Knight for 2027.
The second dam is one of two stakes horses for Stormy Bend (Storm Bird), but does have a winning half-sister that went on to great acclaim in her breeding career. Said sibling, Minnie's Meadow (Affirmed), is the mother of MSW & GISP Tom's Magic (Justify); MSW & GISP Dixie Moon (Curlin); SW & MGSP Guy Caballero (Quality Road); GSP Wyoming Bill (Curlin); MSP Pleasecallmeback (Hard Spun); and SP Astrological (Malibu Moon).
1st-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 8-8, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:16.41, ft, 1/2 length.
GAUDREAU (c, 2, Nyquist–Free Cover {SP, $180,348}, by Congrats) Sales history: $220,000 Ylg '25 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Tanglewood Thoroughbreds LLC, Thirty Year Racing, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Rodeo Creek Racing LLC, Laura Leigh Stable and Swift Thoroughbreds, Inc.; B-Coteau Grove Farms, LLC (LA); T-Chad C. Brown.
🏒 GAUDREAU breaks his maiden in the opener on Whitney Day under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/qmx4DrG12B
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 8, 2026
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