8/4/26 Barn Notes
Compiled by Robert Yates
Renegade, like he did in Arkansas, delivered late in New York.
Using a devastating turn of foot in the stretch, Renegade was a half-length winner of the $500,000 G2-Jim Dandy Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday at Saratoga.
The Jim Dandy marked Renegade’s first victory since a last-to-first triumph (he passed six horses in the final three furlongs) in the $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby March 28 at Oaklawn. The 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy was a major local prep for $1.25 million G1-Travers Stakes Aug. 29.
Renegade trailed by 11 ½ lengths after a half-mile of the Jim Dandy before launching a rally on the second turn.
Under regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr., Renegade swung to the middle of the track in the upper stretch and collared even-money favorite Commandment and Silent Tactic on the outside in the final 50 yards. Renegade, the 6-5 second choice, completed 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:49.08. He carried equal top weight of 124 pounds.
Commandment held second, two lengths ahead of Oaklawn stakes winner Silent Tactic, who was making his first start since a runner-up finish in the Arkansas Derby. Silent Tactic, closer to the pace than previous starts, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby because of a bruised foot.
After winning the Arkansas Derby, Renegade finished second, beaten a neck, in the Kentucky Derby – the first leg of the Triple Crown – May 2 at Churchill Downs. He was exiting a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, June 6 at Saratoga.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Renegade has a 3-3-2 record from eight lifetime starts, with earnings of $2,506,500. Pletcher has won the Arkansas Derby a record six times.
A three-time stakes winner, Renegade races for his breeders, Robert and Lawana Low, and Mike Repole. Renegade is by super sire Into Mischief.
Silent Tactic was the only horse to go through Oaklawn’s four-race Kentucky Derby qualifying series in 2026.
In addition to the Arkansas Derby, where he was beaten four lengths, Silent Tactic finished second in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 3, won the $1 million G3-Southwest Stakes Feb. 6 and finished second in the $1 million G2-Rebel Stakes March 1 for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.
Casse (23 victories) was Oaklawn’s third-leading trainer in 2025-2026.
Finish Lines
Western Warrior, the co-winningest horse in 2025-2026 at Oaklawn, captured the $125,000 Manitoba Derby for 3-year-olds Monday night at Assiniboia Downs in Canada. A gelded son of champion and Oaklawn stakes winner Essential Quality, Western Warrior won his first three starts last season at Oaklawn by a combined 17 ½ lengths for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse and breeder/owner Tracy Farmer. … Oaklawn-raced Spa Prospector ($7.60) set a 7 ½-furlong track record (inner turf course) in an entry-level allowance race for fillies and mares, 3 and up, Saturday at Woodbine. Spa Prospector covered the distance over a firm course in 1:27.68. The previous record (1:27.77) was set June 20. … Favored Oaklawn-raced How Bout That Curt ($2.40) won the $50,000 Victor S. Myers Stakes for 3-year-old Minnesota-bred colts and geldings Sunday at Canterbury Park. … Oaklawn-raced Om N Joy and Simply Joking finished second and third, respectively, in the $400,000 G1-Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Saturday at Del Mar. … Multiple Oaklawn allowance winner Itzel finished second in the $250,000 Hummingbird Stakes Saturday at Ellis Park. … Millionaire Oaklawn stakes winner Obliteration finished third in the $250,000 G2-Amsterdam Stakes for 3-year-olds Friday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn allowance winner and 2026 Arkansas Derby starter Exosome finished third in the $100,000 Petramalo Mile Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs. … Oaklawn-raced Wrong Shoes finished third in the $100,000 Tyson Gilpin Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs.
