By Christina Bossinakis
Well supported for his stakes debut, Schwarzenegger (Not This Time) went to the front and stayed there, holding on to win by a half-length over TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, Obliteration (Violence).
Sprinting through a quarter mile in a crisp :21.17, the bay was clear turning for home and dug in late as a trio of runners came up to his haunches but were unable to get by the 2-1 favorite at the wire. Obliteration was a neck in front of Rogue Legend (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and it was a nose back to Bobrovsky (Daredevil).
“We know he's super-fast,” said winning jockey John Velazquez. “Even out of the gate, he's so fast out of there I had to let him jump for three or four jumps before I tried to get a hold of him. He came out running, and all I tried to do was to save him for the end.”
He continued, “I don't think the grass was a favorite today, so I got a good hold of him all the way to past the three-eighths pole to try to save it for the end and lead them all the way around.
Schwartzenegger was second behind Attfield (Vekoma) as the favorite in his career debut going 5 1/2 panels at the Spa Aug. 29.
“[Trainer Wesley [Ward] had him ready, to go from a maiden [special weight] to running against winners in a stakes race — that's a big tip for him,” Velazquez added.
According to Ward, next stop for the colt is Del Mar.
“We're heading to the Breeders' Cup [GI Juvenile Turf Sprint],” confirmed Ward. “He's a sprinter and that's a very fast track out there at Del Mar. It'll be firm; we won't have any weather issues, and it won't be 5½ [furlongs] like it was today. Johnny said there was a lot of moisture in the track today; they watered it pretty good. So when we get to Del Mar it should be great for him, and it's also 5 [furlongs] instead of 5½. So everything's heading our direction now.”
Schwarzenegger, a $410,000 weanling purchase at KEENOV in 2023, brought $950,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale last season.
Soothsaying, a $350,000 KEENOV purchase while carrying a filly by Nyquist, was bred back to McKinzie.
INDIAN SUMMER S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT, $289,125, Keeneland, 10-5, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.28, fm.
1–SCHWARZENEGGER, 118, c, 2, by Not This Time
1st Dam: Soothsaying, by Lemon Drop Kid
2nd Dam: Market Magic, by After Market
3rd Dam: Bright Magic, by Prized
($410,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $950,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG).
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Mountmellick
Farm, Brook T. Smith and Resolution Road Stables; B-Frankfort
Park Farm (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-John R. Velazquez.
$179,025. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $199,025.
2–Obliteration, 120, c, 2, Violence–I'mclassyandsassy, by
Master Command. ($200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR).
*TDN Rising Star* O-Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC; B-Ocala Stud
(KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $57,750.
3–Rogue Legend (GB), 118, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Blue Crest
(Fr), by Verglas (Ire). (55,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT).
O-Resolute Racing; B-Llety Farms (GB); T-Wesley A. Ward.
$19,250.
Margins: HF, NK, NO. Odds: 2.32, 3.72, 5.38.
Also Ran: Bobrovsky, Trendsetter, Azizam (GB), Uncle Bucky, Zeus's Echo. Scratched: Twilight Delight.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Schwarzenegger came in a maiden and leaves a winner in the Indian Summer at @keeneland! 🎓
Wesley Ward trains and @ljlmvel was aboard.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/r3BOHGxw9i
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 5, 2025
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