Autumn Stakes – G3
$150.000 1 1/8 Miles Dirt
Three Year Olds And Upward
WO November 8, 2025

In writing the preview for the G3 Autumn Stakes I saw the eventual second and third finishers as improving contenders with possibilities but even though I did not completely dismiss eventual winner Skeptic I honestly thought it was a big ask for him to take the jump up to graded stakes competition. His best stakes level effort previously was a third-place finish at the free tracks earlier in the year and his last outing was a fourth-place finish in an allowance race at PRX. However, Pablo Racing Inc obviously saw something to put up the fee to get him in the gate and the trainer was rewarded for that confidence with an exciting stretch driving win giving the stable their first ever graded stakes victory! 

Winner: Skeptic (Pablo Racing Inc/W.T. Buick) Great State/Incredulous (Commanding) Took back from his rail draw and sat mid field about five lengths off of the pace early. It appeared the pacesetter was going to run away with it opening up a large lead on the front end, but Buick sat back patiently and waited for the final turn where he made a strong move and announced himself as a contender at the top of the stretch. He drew alongside the two horses who had been stalking ahead of him and set sights on the leader while swinging to a clear path on the outside. It seemed like he had far too much ground to make up but in the last eighth he continued his determined kick and wore down the leader pulling free by a long neck at the wire.

Second: Knowledge Is Good (Mo Mentum Farm/D. Moran) Superior Pinnacle/Are You Ready (Rumble) Set off for the front right from the opening bell and aggressively opened up on a big lead on the field. The improving three-year-old looked comfortable and well within himself the whole way. Despite going a little wide turning for home it did not look like anyone was going to be able to catch him until the very final stages when the pace might have caught up to him a bit and he met a determined Skeptic charging at him on the outside. Gave way in the final strides.

Third: Everything For Sale (Night Rider Stables/E.J. Wilson) Blue Guy/Hey Little Sister (Grandeur) Sat third in the early stages and was content to stalk the stalker at a comfortable pace. Made his move on the far turn about the same time as the eventual winner. He made up ground in the stretch finishing a solid third but could not match the top two on this day.

Fourth: Gymnast (Noblepark/L. Salles) Great State/Grand Cyclone (Grande Sournoise) Sat in a perfect stalking second the entire trip until the final turn. Allowed the leader to open and was poised to provide a final challenge. Lacked the kick needed to mount a real threat but held on for the final purse position.

Congratulations again to Pablo Racing Inc on their very first graded stakes win!

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES