Mi Bago (Vekoma) completed a turf stakes double for his 2024 leading freshman sire with a powerful, all-the-way success in Saturday's Colonel Liam Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Earlier in the program, Vixen validated odds-on favoritism with a narrow victory in the GIII Herecomesthebride Stakes.
The public's pick off a front-running success in a rained-off renewal of the Dania Beach Stakes, the two-time Fasig-Tipton graduate was kicked straight into the lead from an outside barrier and had his mind on running from the bell, tugging pretty hard at Irad Ortiz, Jr. through fractions of :22.55 and :45.53. He kept up the gallop, passing the quarter pole after six panels in a slick 1:08.84 and stayed on strongly in the final furlong to win with something in the locker. Enterdadragon (Outwork) was second ahead of George Briggs (Fog of War), who was badly chopped out in upper stretch and charged home with good energy for third.
Mi Bago was already recording the fourth stakes victory of his career, having taken out the five-furlong Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine last October and the local Pulpit Stakes Nov. 29.
The May foal is out of an unraced half-sister to NY-bred stakes winner Held Accountable (Exchange Rate) and his dam was purchased by Sean Perl Bloodstock for $45,000 in foal to Highly Motivated at last year's Fasig-Tipton Digital December Sale.The colt's third dam is replete with black-type, as Battle Creek Girl accounted for Canadian champion Wavering Girl (Wavering Monarch)–the dam of GISW Military (Danzig)–as well as the versatile Parade Leader (Kingmambo) and the Grade II-winning juvenile filly Speed Dialer (Phone Trick). Battle Creek Girl also produced MGSW Tricky Creek (Clever Trick), perhaps best known as the broodmare sire of Into Mischief. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
COLONEL LIAM S., $200,000, Gulfstream, 3-1, 3yo, 1mT, 1:32.51, fm.
1–MI BAGO, 120, c, 3, by Vekoma
1st Dam: Wabanaki, by Indian Charlie
2nd Dam: New Harmony, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Battle Creek Girl, by His Majesty
($62,000 Ylg '23 FTKFEB; $90,000 RNA Ylg '23 SARAUG). O-Gary Barber; B-Highclere Inc (NY); T-Mark E Casse; J-Irad Ortiz Jr. $117,800. Lifetime Record: 7-5-0-0, $387,850.
2–Enterdadragon, 118, g, 3, Outwork–Raising Aida, by Speightstown. ($17,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O-Chester A Bishop, Anthony Hinkson, Alvin Rampaul, PK Ventures & Grand Cay Breeders and Racing Company; B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. $38,000.
3–George Briggs, 118, c, 3, Fog of War–Bamboiselle (Ire), by Muhtathir (GB). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O-Peter M Brant; B-White Birch Farm Inc (NY); T-Chad C Brown. $19,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, NO, NK. Odds: 2.10, 8.20, 4.20.
Also Ran: Forged Steel, Wakan, Bakers Street, Win With Faith, Emergence, Smooth Breeze, Fire Pit.
MI BAGO ($6.20) blitzed the field in the $215,000 Colonel Liam Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. The son of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) took them wire-to-wire for trainer @markecasse. @iradortiz gets a double on the day.
Oaks points on the line next: https://t.co/zleTqs7rGG pic.twitter.com/3nGfnVvIIZ
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 1, 2025
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